Ungoliant (Sindarin IPA: [uŋˈɡoljant]) was a spirit of evil in the form of a giant spider and an ally of Melkor in Aman and for a short time in Middle-earth. She is the oldest ancestor of Shelob. Her Quenya name was Ungweliantë (Tengwar: full spelling `Mx$jT`C4$ or vowel-abbreviated spelling `Mx$jT`4$; IPA: [uŋʷˌɡʷeliˈante]).

Contents 1 History 2 Alternate Death 3 References 4 External link

HistoryEdit

As a Spirit of Evil, she was possibly either a creature from the Void, or a fallen Ainu, created by the discords of Melkor in the Music of the Ainur. Ungoliant may have been one of the Maiar corrupted by Melkor, but in Arda, she served only herself. A creature of darkness, Ungoliant assumed a huge spider form and dwelt in a dark ravine in Avathar. She hated light, and thus agreed to help Melkor poison the Two Trees. Cloaked in her Unlight, Ungoliant and Melkor came to Ezellohar, where she drained the Trees of their sap, poisoned them, and drank the Wells of Varda dry. The Unlight, and Ungoliant stymied the pursuit of Oromë and Tulkas and Melkor escaped to Middle-earth.

When they arrived in Lammoth in Middle-earth, Ungoliant demanded the gems that Melkor had stolen from Formenos. She devoured them, and grew larger and darker, and she attacked Melkor when he refused to give her the Silmarils. Melkor's scream is what gave the area the name Lammoth, and when one screams, there is the voice of Melkor that echoes back from the surrounding hills. The immediate arrival of Balrogs freed Morgoth from the evil spider's webs during the Thieves' Quarrel.

Driven off by the Balrogs, Ungoliant fled to Nan Dungortheb, where she bred with the creatures there to increase the evil and terror of the great spiders. The creatures that later infested the area were her surviving offspring and descendants, as was her daughter, Shelob, who dwelt on the borders of Mordor. It is said she later went far south, where legend has it, in her last hunger, she devoured herself.

Alternate DeathEdit

According to the History of Middle-earth, when Eärendil travelled to the Southern Wastes in Vingilot he met, fought and slaughtered Ungoliant, although this later appears to have been dropped.

ReferencesEdit

• The Silmarillion: Of the Flight of the Noldor pgs. 73-4 & 80-1

External linkEdit

• Ungoliant at Tolkien Gateway