Which Durin was Killed by the Balrog?
The Balrog of Moria, also known as Durin’s Bane, killed Durin VI. This event marked a turning point in the history of Khazad-dûm, leading to its abandonment by the Dwarves and its eventual fall into shadow.
The Tragedy of Durin VI and the Awakening of Durin’s Bane
The Deepest Delving
The tale of Durin VI is intrinsically linked to the hubris of the Dwarves and their relentless pursuit of mithril. In the late Second Age, the Dwarves of Khazad-dûm discovered this extraordinarily precious and strong metal deep beneath the mountains. The demand for mithril fueled an ever-greater delving, pushing the Dwarves deeper and deeper into the earth than they had ever gone before.
The Awakening
It was during this intensive mining operation, in the year T.A. 1980, that the Dwarves unwittingly unearthed a creature of immense power and ancient evil: a Balrog. This fiery demon, a remnant of Morgoth’s forces from the First Age, had been sleeping undisturbed in the depths of the earth since the War of Wrath.
Durin VI’s Demise
Durin VI, the King of Khazad-dûm at the time, was slain by the Balrog shortly after its awakening. The exact circumstances of his death are not explicitly detailed, but it is understood that the Balrog’s sudden emergence and immense power overwhelmed the Dwarven defenses. The death of their king sent shockwaves through Khazad-dûm.
The Reign of Náin I and the Fall of Khazad-dûm
The Balrog’s Reign of Terror
Following the death of Durin VI, his son Náin I ascended the throne. However, the Balrog had claimed Khazad-dûm as its own and unleashed a reign of terror upon the Dwarves. The Dwarves, skilled as they were in mining and craftsmanship, were ultimately no match for the ancient evil.
Náin I’s Death and the Abandonment
Just one year after Durin VI’s death, in T.A. 1981, Náin I himself was also killed by the Balrog. This second devastating loss crippled the Dwarven resistance. Faced with an insurmountable foe and mounting casualties, the Dwarves were forced to flee their ancestral home. They abandoned Khazad-dûm, which became known as Moria, the Black Pit, a haunted ruin infested with Orcs and other dark creatures.
The Legacy of Durin’s Bane
The awakening of the Balrog and the deaths of Durin VI and Náin I marked a significant turning point in the history of Middle-earth. The once-glorious kingdom of Khazad-dûm was lost, and the Dwarves were scattered. The tale served as a grim reminder of the dangers that lurked beneath the surface of the world and the consequences of unchecked greed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions related to Durin VI, the Balrog, and the fall of Khazad-dûm:
1. What is a Balrog? A Balrog is a powerful demon of fire and shadow, originally Maiar spirits corrupted by Morgoth during the First Age. They are among the most formidable creatures in Middle-earth.
2. Why was the Balrog called “Durin’s Bane”? The Balrog was called “Durin’s Bane” because its awakening led directly to the death of Durin VI and the subsequent downfall of the kingdom founded by Durin I. The name signifies the ruin and devastation it brought to Durin’s line.
3. When did Durin VI die? Durin VI died in the year T.A. 1980.
4. What year did the Dwarves discover mithril? The Dwarves discovered mithril in Khazad-dûm sometime in the late Second Age.
5. Who succeeded Durin VI as king? Náin I, his son, succeeded Durin VI as King of Khazad-dûm.
6. How long did Náin I reign? Náin I reigned for only one year, from T.A. 1980 to T.A. 1981, before he too was killed by the Balrog.
7. What happened to Khazad-dûm after the Dwarves fled? After the Dwarves fled, Khazad-dûm became known as Moria. It was overrun by Orcs and other evil creatures, becoming a dangerous and desolate place.
8. Did any Dwarves ever try to reclaim Moria? Yes, several attempts were made to reclaim Moria over the centuries, but none were successful until Balin’s expedition, which ultimately ended in tragedy.
9. Was Gandalf’s battle with the Balrog the same one that killed Durin VI? Yes. Gandalf fought the same Balrog, Durin’s Bane, that killed Durin VI centuries earlier.
10. What is mithril, and why was it so important to the Dwarves? Mithril is a fictional metal described as being silver in color, stronger than steel but lighter in weight. It was highly prized for its beauty, strength, and rarity, making it incredibly valuable.
11. Were there other Balrogs besides Durin’s Bane? Yes, there were other Balrogs, but most were destroyed during the War of Wrath at the end of the First Age. Durin’s Bane was one of the few that survived, having hidden deep beneath the earth.
12. Why didn’t the Dwarves know about the Balrog’s presence beforehand? The Balrog had been dormant for thousands of years, lying deep beneath the mountains. The Dwarves’ delving was unprecedented in its depth, and they unknowingly disturbed the creature’s slumber.
13. How did Gandalf finally defeat the Balrog? Gandalf fought the Balrog in a long and arduous battle, first in the depths of Moria and then on the peak of Zirakzigil. He finally cast the Balrog down, destroying its physical form, but at the cost of his own life (temporarily).
14. What happened to the line of Durin after the fall of Moria? The line of Durin continued, though diminished and scattered. Thráin I, Náin I’s son, founded the Dwarf-kingdom of Erebor (The Lonely Mountain), and the line eventually led to Thorin Oakenshield, who sought to reclaim Erebor.
15. Is Durin’s Bane the most powerful Balrog? While it’s difficult to definitively say which Balrog was the most powerful, Durin’s Bane was certainly a formidable foe, capable of killing a king and driving an entire kingdom into exile. Its endurance and power were evident in its long lifespan and the destruction it wrought.