Also known as the Great Siege Beasts, the Great beasts were a part of Sauron’s army. They are not to be confused with the Great Beasts that belonged to the Middle Earth in the Shadow of Mordor series. By the end of the Third Age, they were used as beasts of burden during the Siege of Gondor. When small battering engines failed, the great beasts were tasked to pull the massive battering engine, Grond towards the Minas Tirith gates in order to destroy them. [1]
The great beasts, smaller than Sauron’s beasts of burden, were originally used by the Dwarves of the Misty Mountains as draft animals. The dwarves named them yurgs.
Origins
Since we do not have a detailed description of these creatures, their origins are almost impossible to locate. Whether they were a foul breed or a race of animals from far-off lands, is unknown. However, several speculations have been made about their origin. Earlier than the First Age, during the Years of the Lamps, Melkor had interfered with Eru’s orderly world which had caused evil beasts to appear. These beasts are likely to be the ancestors of the Great Beasts, but it is merely speculation.Portrayal In Adaptation
2003: The Lord of The Rings Trilogy - The Return of The King
The great beasts were shown as gigantic creatures similar to rhinoceros or some other prehistoric creatures who displayed beast-like mannerisms and had a horn protruding from their heads. In the documentary, featuring the making of the Return of The King, the great beasts are revealed to be based on the appearance of Brontotherium.2006: The Battle for Middle Earth II
The video game replicates the same design of the great beasts from the Lord of the Rings trilogy by Peter Jackson. However, there is an addition of a new idea.The great beasts, smaller than Sauron’s beasts of burden, were originally used by the Dwarves of the Misty Mountains as draft animals. The dwarves named them yurgs.
2015: The Lord of The Rings Online
The depiction of the great beasts was a rhinoceros-like creature with multiple horns and skin covered in warts. They were known as Sulokil.References
Categories:
Creatures
Servants of Sauron