The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien
Dates
Born before the first rising of the Sun;1 slain I 484
Race
Division
Culture
Dwelt among the Elves of Doriath
Settlements
Pronunciation
si'ros (where 'i' represents the sound of English 'eye')
Meaning
Uncertain2
Other names
Orgol3

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 15 June 2016
  • Updates planned: 1

Saeros

The taunter of Túrin

Ithilbor
Saeros

An Elf of the Nandor who went to dwell in Doriath at the court of Thingol after the First Battle. When Túrin came to that land, he and Saeros became enemies: it was the accidental death of Saeros at Túrin's hands that drove the son of Húrin to become an outlaw.


Notes

1

Saeros settled in Doriath after the fall of his lord Denethor during the first invasions into Beleriand by Morgoth. This event is dated as Valian Year 1497 (or twenty-nine years before the first rising of the Sun). Saeros was thus at least 513 years old when he was slain by Túrin, and may conceivably have been much older still.

2

Though Saeros' name is not explained, it seems to be linked to the word saer, meaning 'bitter', a derivation that suits Saeros' character well.

3

Saeros is never named Orgol in the narrative, but it seems evident that Tolkien planned to change the name of this character, though in practice this change never found its way into the published accounts. In his Appendix to The Children of Húrin, Christopher Tolkien notes the fact that this name coincides with the Old English orgol, 'pride'. This suits the character admirably, but cannot have been the origin of this Elf's name within the story itself.

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 15 June 2016
  • Updates planned: 1

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