Ancalagon

Ancalagon was the mightiest of the dragon-host to exist in Middle-earth.[1] He was also named Ancalagon the Black and The Black One. Raised in the pits of Angband by Morgoth, he was one of the winged dragons first seen in history when Morgoth released them in his final assault in the War of Wrath (also called the Great Battle) of the First Age.

The Story

In an effort to rescue the overmatched and crushed Elves in Edain, Eärendil traveled to Valinor to ask for assistance to overthrow Morgoth. The Host of Valinor came to their aid. This alliance led to the defeat of the hosts of Morgoth. When the Valar reached the gates of Angband, Morgoth quailed, knowing he was about to be defeated, and released the last desperate assault he had prepared: an army of fire-drakes led by Ancalagon. The fleet of dragons attacked with fire and lightning forcing the host of the Valar to retreat. But Eärendil arrived from the West aboard his ship Vingilot around which were gathered all the great birds of heaven, led by the great eagle Thorondor. The birds and the dragons battled all day and through a dark night, the battle in doubt, until just before sunrise Eärendil slew Ancalagon, who fell on the towers of Thangorodrim breaking them in his ruin. The sun then rose, the Valar's host prevailed, and almost all the remaining dragons were destroyed.

Other Mentions

When Gandalf explained to Frodo the origins of the ring, Ancalagon was mentioned.[2] He told Frodo that it was said dragon-fire could melt the Rings of Power. However, when it came to the One Ring, not even the fire of Ancalagon the Black could have harmed it.

Etymology

In Sindarin, the name Ancalagon means "rushing jaws." Anca means "jaws," and alak means "rushing." In Middle English, Ancalagon is translated to Andraccon. And means "opposition," anda means "envy or hatred," and draca means "dragon."

Character Traits

Ancalagon was said to be the greatest dragon in Middle-Earth. There are no passages specifying his size, but as it is said his fall destroyed the "towers of Thangorodrim" (of which there were three), speculations are made. Ancalagon was one of the Urulóki or fire-drakes. Gandalf's discussion with Frodo (noted in this article) suggests his fire to be the hottest of them all.

Trivia

There is an extinct genus of worm known from the Cambrian Burgess Shale, whose generic name Ancalagon is given as an homage to Tolkien's Ancalagon, due to its prominent rows of hooks on its proboscis. The discovery was made in the Walcott Quarry on Fossil Ridge, and it was found to belong to the Middle Cambrian Era.​