Gothmog the Lord of Balrogs

Gothmog (Sindarin IPA: [ˈɡoθmoɡ] - "Strife and Hate") was the Lord of Balrogs during the First Age, and the greatest Balrog ever to walk Middle-earth. As the High Captain of Angband, his only equal in rank was Sauron. He fought many battles in the name of his master Morgoth, and was personally responsible for killing two of the High Kings of the Ñoldor.

Gothmog, like the rest of his kind, carried a fiery whip into battle, but he was also known to have wielded a great black axe, which was feared by elves across the continent of Beleriand.

History
Gothmog was initially one of the Maiar who joined Mairon and Melkor. Prior to the Revolt of the Ñoldor, he was the High Captain of Angband and given the title "Lord of the Balrogs."

During the Dagor-nuin-Giliath in YT 1498,[4] Fëanor pressed to Angband with his company, and in that hour, the Balrogs were issued forth. Gothmog was among them. Fëanor came even within sight of Angband, but was ambushed with few elves about him. Soon he stood alone, but long he fought on alone with all balrogs. Gothmog turned in at the end of the bout, and at the last Gothmog, Lord of the Balrogs, smote him to the ground, inflicting a mortal wound, and the High King of the Ñoldor plunged to the ground. The Sons of Fëanor arrived and carried the body of their father away, but Fëanor had passed.[3] Gothmog reappeared as a general of Angband in several more major conflicts, including the Dagor Aglareband the Nirnaeth Arnoediad. During the Nirnaeth, Gothmog engaged the High King of the Ñoldor, Fingon, in battle. Gothmog separated Fingon from the main host but was unable to kill Fingon until another Balrog appeared behind the Ñoldor "cast a throng of steel about him". This allowed Gothmog to slay Fingon and beat the body to dust. Thereafter, he captured Húrin, father of Túrin Turambar, and dragged him back to Angband.

In FA 510, Gothmog and the forces of Angband beseiged the Hidden City of Gondolin. They held the northern gates and were later confronted by Ecthelion of the Fountain, whom Gothmog dueled. Knocking Ecthelion's sword out of his hands, Gothmog prepared to strike at him but, as he raised his axe, Ecthelion ran forward at the Balrog lord, ramming his pointed helmet into the beast's chest and forcing both of them into the Fountain of the King. The waters quenched the flames of Gothmog that kept him alive and drowned Ecthelion, ending the Battle of Gondolin.

Appearances

 * The Silmarilion
 * The Children of Hurin