Gothmog (Balrog)

Gothmog is an antagonist in the Tolkien legendarium. He was the lord of the Balrogs.
==History==
Gothmog was apparently one of the Maiar that followed Melkor to exile, and because of either his brilliant mind or because of his ability to assume an immensely powerful physical form, he was made the Lord of Balrogs.
At the Dagor-nuin-Giliath he mortally wounded Fëanor, but called a retreat upon the approach of the Sons of Fëanor with a sizable force. He next appeared at the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, where he was also named high-captain of Angband, again inferring his power and status as essentially Morgoth's right-hand Balrog (Sauron, another spirit, played a more domestic than front-line role for his master). There at the Nirnaeth he slew Fingon, thus allowing him to boast of having slain two of the five High Kings of the Noldor. He also captured Húrin Thalion alive in this battle on Morgoth's command, despite this order allowing Húrin to slaughter of many of Gothmog's troll-guard.
He was again deployed as Morgoth's front-line commander in the Fall of Gondolin, where he was slain by Ecthelion. According to the (albeit non-canonical) text, Gothmog piled his iron siege equipment against the North Gate of Gondolin until it broke from sheer pressure. The same text states that he also took a front-line position against Rog, turning the tide in that part of the battle.
More confirmed canonically, he beat down Tuor in single combat, but the elf-lord Ecthelion of the Fountain, who was badly wounded, rose and stood over him. Ecthelion stood no chance against the Lord of Balrogs, and lost his sword in the brief struggle. But then Ecthelion leaped forward, and stabbed Gothmog in the breast with the spike atop his helm. They both fell into the Fountain of the King, where Gothmog, if not already killed by the spike, drowned with his opponent.
Category:Middle-Earth characters
Category:The Silmarillion characters
Category:Tolkien characters
Category:Villains
Category:Antagonists