Morgoth Bauglir, originally known as Melkor, was the first and most powerful of the Maia and Valar created by Iluvatar in the halls of Ea. While the other Ainur sought to fulfill the divine Music of the Ainur, Melkor sought to weave his own discord into the song, desiring the power to create life of his own—a power held only by the creator through the Flame Imperishable.

The Fall and the First Age

After the creation of Arda, Melkor descended into the world and waged a constant war against the other Valar. He claimed the world as his own kingdom, destroying the Two Lamps that originally lit the world and later destroying the Two Trees of Valinor with the help of the primordial spider Ungoliant (the mother of Shelob). It was during this time that he stole the Silmarils—the greatest jewels ever crafted—and was cursed with the name Morgoth ("The Black Foe of the World") by the Elf-lord Fëanor. From his massive fortress of Angband in the north, Morgoth ruled through terror during the First Age. He was responsible for the corruption of the Orcs, the creation of the Dragons, and the turning of several Maia into the fiery demons known as Balrog. His greatest servant and lieutenant during this time was Sauron, who would eventually inherit his master's mantle.

The Iron Crown and Defeat

Morgoth’s power was so vast that he could not be defeated by the Elves or Men of Middle-earth alone. He wore an Iron Crown in which he set the stolen Silmarils, despite the jewels burning his hands. His reign only ended when the Valar finally intervened in the War of Wrath. The host of the West descended upon Angband, shattering his armies and breaking the towers of Thangorodrim. Morgoth was captured, his feet were hewn from under him, and his Iron Crown was beaten into a collar for his neck. He was ultimately cast through the Door of Night into the Timeless Void, though the "seeds" of his malice remained in the world, poisoning the hearts of men and giving rise to the Second Age and the eventual rise of his successor.