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{{battle
{{battle
| name=Dagor-nuin-Giliath
| name=Dagor-nuin-Giliath
| image=[[Image:Feanor_and_Gothmog_colored_by_guisadong_gulay.jpg|300px]]
| image=[[File:Thomas Rouillard - Last Seconds.jpg|300px]]
| conflict=[[War of the Jewels]]
| conflict=[[Wars of Beleriand]]
| date=YOTT 1498
| date=Ten days in {{YT|1497}}<ref name="S|Return">{{S|Return}}</ref>
| place=[[Beleriand]]
| place=[[Mithrim]] and the lands east of [[Ered Wethrin]]
| result= Victory for the Noldor, though at the loss of Fëanor, protection of the newly established realm of [[Mithrim]]
| result= Victory for the [[Exiles]]<br />
| side1= The [[Ñoldor]] under [[Fëanor]] and [[Sons_of_Fëanor|his sons]]
* Death of [[Fëanor]]
| side2= Armies of Angband
* Siege of the [[Falas]] lifted
| commanders1= [[Image:Feanor_device.gif|55px]] [[Fëanor]] †
* [[Maedhros]] captured
* [[Maedhros]]
| side1= [[Exiles]] (Followers of [[Fëanor]])
* [[Maglor]]
| side2= Forces of [[Morgoth]]
* [[Celegorm]]
| commanders1=[[Fëanor]] †
* [[Caranthir]]
<br>[[Maedhros]]<br />
* [[Curufin]]
[[Maglor]]<br />
* [[Amrod]]
[[Celegorm]]<br />
[[Caranthir]]<br />
[[Curufin]]<br />
[[Amrod]]
| commanders2=
[[Morgoth]]<br />
[[Gothmog (balrog)|Gothmog]]
| forces1=Unknown
| forces2=Unknown, but the intial host of [[Orcs]] greatly outnumbered the [[Noldor]]<ref>{{S|13}}, pp. 120, 'The Noldor, outnumbered and taken at unawares...'</ref><br />
A second reinforcing host of [[Orcs]] previously [[First_Battle|besieging the Falas]]<br />
Force of [[Balrogs]]
| casual1=Unknown
| casual2=Heavy, few survivors<ref>{{S|13}}, pp. 120 'Ten days that battle lasted, and from it returned of all the hosts that he had prepared for the conquest of Beleriand no more than a handful of leaves.'</ref>
|}}
 
The '''Dagor-nuin-Giliath''' ('''Battle-under-Stars''') was the second battle of the [[Wars of Beleriand]], it was given that name because the [[Moon]] had not risen yet. It was the first battle fought by the [[Noldor]] against the forces of [[Morgoth]]. The battle was preceded by the [[First Battle]].
 
==Background==
{{Main|First Battle}}
Morgoth had returned to [[Middle-earth]] after stealing the [[Silmarils]] and destroying the [[Two Trees of the Valar]]. He renewed his old fortress of [[Angband]] and attacked the Elves of [[Beleriand]] in what is known as the [[First Battle of Beleriand]]. He suffered heavy losses but managed to inflict heavy damage to the [[Sindar]] forcing them to retreat. The [[Falas]] were besieged by his host of Orcs.


| commanders2= [[Image:Morgoth1.gif|45px]] [[Morgoth]]
Meanwhile the [[Noldor]] following [[Fëanor]] were pursuing Morgoth for the theft of the Silmarils. They stopped when they reached the [[Helcaraxë]] and Fëanor debated on what to do as the narrow strait was dangerous to cross and the Noldor were growing restless. Later Fëanor chose to bring those he deemed loyal to him and sailed accross the sea in secret with the boats he captured from the [[Kinslaying at Alqualondë|battle of the Haven]] leaving [[Fingolfin]] and his followers behind.
* [[Gothmog (Lord of Balrogs)|Gothmog]]
 
* Unknown Orc commanders
==History==
| forces1=The Host of Fëanor newly arrived from Valinor by ship
===Prelude===
| forces2=The armies previously [[First_Battle|besieging the Falas]] joined by reinforcements from Angband (including [[werewolves]]) and [[Balrogs]] (unleashed late in the battle)
Fëanor and his followers returned to Middle-earth in {{YT|1497}},<ref name="MR">{{AA|157-163}}</ref> landing in [[Lammoth]]. There they burnt the ships at a place known now as [[Losgar]]. The host went up the [[Firth of Drengist]] and passed through where it pierced the [[Ered Lómin]] into [[Hithlum]] and encamped on the northern shore of Lake Mithrim.<ref name="S|Return"/>
| casual1=Light, despite the loss of their leader late in the battle.
 
| casual2=Very heavy- an entire host of Orcs was destroyed in the [[Fen of Serech]] after being driven from [[Hithlum]], and were hounded to within sight of Angband
The burning of the ships at Losgar were noticed by Fingolfin but also by the watchers of Morgoth. Morgoth sent a host of Orcs and [[werewolves]]<ref>{{GA|44}}</ref><ref group="note">In ''[[The Silmarillion]]'' it is not explicitly stated that there were werewolves in the host only in ''[[The Grey Annals]]''</ref> through the passes of the [[Ered Wethrin]] for a suprise attack hoping to destroy the Noldor before they could establish themselves.
|}}
 
===Battle===
[[Image:Jenny Dolfen - Feanor's Last Stand.jpg|thumb|150px|left|''Fëanor's Last Stand'' by [[Jenny Dolfen]]]]
The Elves were assailed at their camp before its defences were completed. The Orcs of Morgoth far outnumbered them, however the Noldor were still empowered with the Light of [[Valinor]] and quickly defeated them. The Orcs retreated accross the [[Ered Wethrin|Mountains of Shadow]] into [[Ard-galen]] with the Noldor in hot pursuit.<ref name="S|Return"/>


The '''Dagor-nuin-Giliath''' ('''Battle-under-Stars''') was the second battle of the Wars of [[Beleriand]], but the first fought by the [[Noldor]].
The forces of Morgoth that had been besieging the [[Havens of the Falas]] since the [[First Battle of Beleriand]] marched north to aid the fleeing Orcs, but a force led by [[Celegorm]] ambushed them near [[Eithel Sirion]] and pushed them back into the [[Fen of Serech]]. The battle lasted ten days and all but a few Orcs perished, and Fëanor in his wrath pursued even this small group.<ref name="S|Return"/>
The battle began when the Noldor of [[Fëanor]] had arrived unexpectently at the [[Firth of Drengist]], and passed through the [[Gate of the Noldor]] into [[Hithlum]]. They encamped on the northern shore of [[Lake Mithrim]].


[[Morgoth]] hoped to destroy the Noldor before they could establish themselves, and sent his forces through the passes of the [[Ered Wethrin]]. Although the [[Orcs]] of Morgoth by far outnumbered the Ñoldor, the Noldor were still empowered with the Light of [[Valinor]], and quickly defeated them. The Orcs retreated north through [[Ard-galen]], with the Ñoldor in hot pursuit.
The tables turned at the edge of [[Dor Daedeloth]], as Balrogs poured forth from [[Thangorodrim]]. Fëanor fought mightily, hewing his foe even after receiving several wounds from [[Gothmog (balrog)|Gothmog]], [[Lord of Balrogs]], until he was finally fatally wounded. Then the armies of his sons reached him, and the Orcs and Balrogs retreated.<ref name="S|Return"/>


The forces of Morgoth that had been besieging the Havens of the [[Falas]] since the [[First Battle of Beleriand]] marched north to attack the Ñoldor in the rear, but a taskforce led by [[Celegorm]] ambushed them at [[Eithel Sirion]]. Trapped between the two Noldorin forces, the Orcs fought unendingly for ten days, encircled at the [[Fen of Serech]]. All but a few Orcs perished, and Fëanor in his wrath pursued even this small group. The tables turned at the edge of [[Dor Daedeloth]], as [[Balrogs]] poured forth from [[Thangorodrim]]. Fëanor stood his ground and long fought alone, until he finally fell. Then the armies of his sons reached him, and the Orcs and Balrogs retreated. Fëanor died in sight of [[Angband]], thrice cursing [[Morgoth]].
===Aftermath===
Fëanor was to be brought back to Mithrim but as they drew near the pass of [[Ered Wethrin]], Fëanor bade them to halt and he saw from afar the peaks of [[Thangorodrim]]. He cursed Angband thrice, but with the eyes of death, he knew that his Elves, unaided, would never throw down the dark towers. At the moment of his death the passing of his fiery spirit reduced his body to ashes.<ref name="S|Return"/>


Immediately following this the [[Moon]] rose, and with the rising of the Moon [[Fingolfin]] and the second, greater Host of the Ñoldor arrived in [[Lammoth]]. There they were attacked by Orcs which had been sent there by Morgoth to attack Fëanor in the rear, and they fought their first battle, the <b>[[Battle of the Lammoth]]</b>. The Ñoldor were caught off-guard, and Fingolfin's son [[Argon]] was slain. Fingolfin and his host pursued the Orcs until they were completely destroyed, and then passed into [[Mithrim]] as the [[Sun]] first rose.
Later [[Morgoth]] sent an embassy offering terms and feigning the surrender of a [[Silmaril]]. Maedhros, the eldest of the brothers also feigned to treat with Morgoth and appointed a place to meet, unbeknownst to Maedhros Morgoth sent an even greater force and Maedhros' company was killed and the son of Fëanor captured. Maedhros was held hostage and Morgoth sent word to the Noldor to depart Beleriand and forsake their war. But the Sons of Fëanor were constrained by their [[Oath of Fëanor|oath]] and will not leave so they withdrew to Hithlum and built a fortified camp. Maedhros was hung by the wrist of his right hand upon the face of a precipice of Thangorodrim for about thirty years.<ref name="S|Return"/>


It was thus a bittersweet victory for the Noldor, as they had destroyed most of Morgoth's forces in one strike, but their greatest leader had been mortally wounded, and they had lost one of their princes.
==Etymology==
''Dagor-nuin-Giliath'' is [[Sindarin]] for Battle under Stars,<ref>{{S|Index}}</ref> containing the elements; ''[[dagor]]'' (battle) + ''[[nu]]'' (under) + ''[[gil]]'' (star) + [[-ath]] (collective plural suffix)


(The Battle of the Lammoth and Argon do not appear in the published ''[[The Silmarillion|Silmarillion]]'' at all, because they only came to light in very late writings by Tolkien. In the published Silmarillion Fingolfin's host only arrives after the battle is long over.)
==Other versions of the legendarium==
In the earlier writings the battle was first named Dagor-os-Giliath<ref>{{SM|V2996}}</ref>, but later changed to Dagor-nuin-Giliath, there was also another variant Dagor-nui-Ngiliath.<ref>{{LR|P2VI}}</ref> The battle was considered to be the First Battle of the [[Wars of Beleriand]] but this was later changed to include Morgoth's battle with the Sindar as part of the Wars so it was moved as the second battle.<ref>{{GA|36|note}}</ref>


==See also==
*[[Battle of the Lammoth]]
{{references|n}}
{{warsofbeleriand}}
{{warsofbeleriand}}


[[Category:Conflicts of the First Age]]
[[Category:Conflicts of the Elder Days]]
[[Category:Sindarin names]]
[[de:Dagor-nuin-Giliath]]
[[de:Dagor-nuin-Giliath]]
[[fr:encyclo:evenements:aa:guerres:dagor-nuin-giliath]]
[[fr:encyclo:evenements:aa:guerres:dagor-nuin-giliath]]
[[fi:Dagor-nuin-Giliath]]
[[fi:Dagor-nuin-Giliath]]

Revision as of 16:32, 14 April 2021

Dagor-nuin-Giliath
Thomas Rouillard - Last Seconds.jpg
Conflict: Wars of Beleriand
Date: Ten days in Y.T. 1497[1]
Place: Mithrim and the lands east of Ered Wethrin
Outcome: Victory for the Exiles
Combatants

Exiles (Followers of Fëanor)

Forces of Morgoth

Commanders

Fëanor
Maedhros
Maglor
Celegorm
Caranthir
Curufin
Amrod

Morgoth
Gothmog

Strength

Unknown

Unknown, but the intial host of Orcs greatly outnumbered the Noldor[2]
A second reinforcing host of Orcs previously besieging the Falas
Force of Balrogs

Casualties

Unknown

Heavy, few survivors[3]

The Dagor-nuin-Giliath (Battle-under-Stars) was the second battle of the Wars of Beleriand, it was given that name because the Moon had not risen yet. It was the first battle fought by the Noldor against the forces of Morgoth. The battle was preceded by the First Battle.

Background

Main article: First Battle

Morgoth had returned to Middle-earth after stealing the Silmarils and destroying the Two Trees of the Valar. He renewed his old fortress of Angband and attacked the Elves of Beleriand in what is known as the First Battle of Beleriand. He suffered heavy losses but managed to inflict heavy damage to the Sindar forcing them to retreat. The Falas were besieged by his host of Orcs.

Meanwhile the Noldor following Fëanor were pursuing Morgoth for the theft of the Silmarils. They stopped when they reached the Helcaraxë and Fëanor debated on what to do as the narrow strait was dangerous to cross and the Noldor were growing restless. Later Fëanor chose to bring those he deemed loyal to him and sailed accross the sea in secret with the boats he captured from the battle of the Haven leaving Fingolfin and his followers behind.

History

Prelude

Fëanor and his followers returned to Middle-earth in Y.T. 1497,[4] landing in Lammoth. There they burnt the ships at a place known now as Losgar. The host went up the Firth of Drengist and passed through where it pierced the Ered Lómin into Hithlum and encamped on the northern shore of Lake Mithrim.[1]

The burning of the ships at Losgar were noticed by Fingolfin but also by the watchers of Morgoth. Morgoth sent a host of Orcs and werewolves[5][note 1] through the passes of the Ered Wethrin for a suprise attack hoping to destroy the Noldor before they could establish themselves.

Battle

Fëanor's Last Stand by Jenny Dolfen

The Elves were assailed at their camp before its defences were completed. The Orcs of Morgoth far outnumbered them, however the Noldor were still empowered with the Light of Valinor and quickly defeated them. The Orcs retreated accross the Mountains of Shadow into Ard-galen with the Noldor in hot pursuit.[1]

The forces of Morgoth that had been besieging the Havens of the Falas since the First Battle of Beleriand marched north to aid the fleeing Orcs, but a force led by Celegorm ambushed them near Eithel Sirion and pushed them back into the Fen of Serech. The battle lasted ten days and all but a few Orcs perished, and Fëanor in his wrath pursued even this small group.[1]

The tables turned at the edge of Dor Daedeloth, as Balrogs poured forth from Thangorodrim. Fëanor fought mightily, hewing his foe even after receiving several wounds from Gothmog, Lord of Balrogs, until he was finally fatally wounded. Then the armies of his sons reached him, and the Orcs and Balrogs retreated.[1]

Aftermath

Fëanor was to be brought back to Mithrim but as they drew near the pass of Ered Wethrin, Fëanor bade them to halt and he saw from afar the peaks of Thangorodrim. He cursed Angband thrice, but with the eyes of death, he knew that his Elves, unaided, would never throw down the dark towers. At the moment of his death the passing of his fiery spirit reduced his body to ashes.[1]

Later Morgoth sent an embassy offering terms and feigning the surrender of a Silmaril. Maedhros, the eldest of the brothers also feigned to treat with Morgoth and appointed a place to meet, unbeknownst to Maedhros Morgoth sent an even greater force and Maedhros' company was killed and the son of Fëanor captured. Maedhros was held hostage and Morgoth sent word to the Noldor to depart Beleriand and forsake their war. But the Sons of Fëanor were constrained by their oath and will not leave so they withdrew to Hithlum and built a fortified camp. Maedhros was hung by the wrist of his right hand upon the face of a precipice of Thangorodrim for about thirty years.[1]

Etymology

Dagor-nuin-Giliath is Sindarin for Battle under Stars,[6] containing the elements; dagor (battle) + nu (under) + gil (star) + -ath (collective plural suffix)

Other versions of the legendarium

In the earlier writings the battle was first named Dagor-os-Giliath[7], but later changed to Dagor-nuin-Giliath, there was also another variant Dagor-nui-Ngiliath.[8] The battle was considered to be the First Battle of the Wars of Beleriand but this was later changed to include Morgoth's battle with the Sindar as part of the Wars so it was moved as the second battle.[9]

See also

Notes

  1. In The Silmarillion it is not explicitly stated that there were werewolves in the host only in The Grey Annals

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Return of the Noldor"
  2. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Return of the Noldor", pp. 120, 'The Noldor, outnumbered and taken at unawares...'
  3. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Return of the Noldor", pp. 120 'Ten days that battle lasted, and from it returned of all the hosts that he had prepared for the conquest of Beleriand no more than a handful of leaves.'
  4. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Morgoth's Ring, "The Annals of Aman": §157-163
  5. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "The Grey Annals": §44
  6. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Index of Names"
  7. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Shaping of Middle-earth, "VI. The Earliest Annals of Valinor: [Valian Year] 2996"
  8. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lost Road and Other Writings, "Part Two: Valinor and Middle-earth before The Lord of the Rings, VI. Quenta Silmarillion"
  9. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "The Grey Annals": Note on §36


War of the Great Jewels
First Battle · Dagor-nuin-Giliath · Dagor Aglareb · Dagor Bragollach · Nirnaeth Arnoediad · War of Wrath