Azog

Azog was a goblin leader of great notoriety, whose deeds cast a long shadow over the history of the dwarves of the Line of Durin. He is most famously known as the goblin who killed Thror, the grandfather of Thorin Oakenshield, in the mines of Moria. This act of violence was a pivotal event, deepening the enmity between dwarves and goblins and setting the stage for the conflicts that would follow. The memory of Azog's crime was a bitter and enduring one for Thorin, who cursed his name when it was mentioned by Gandalf during the planning of the quest to reclaim the Lonely Mountain.

Role in the Dwarf-Goblin Wars

Azog's killing of Thror was not an isolated act but a major incident in the long and bloody wars between the dwarves and the goblins. The conflict, which involved the mines of Moria, was a significant historical event that led to the scattering of Thorin's people and the loss of their ancient homeland. The war was so fierce that it was still remembered with bitterness generations later. The goblins of Moria, under Azog's leadership, were a formidable and hated enemy, and the dwarves eventually exacted a heavy price for their losses. Thorin himself stated that they had "long ago paid the goblins of Moria," indicating that a violent reckoning had taken place, though the details of that revenge are not part of the main tale of The Hobbit.

Legacy and Influence

Azog's legacy extended beyond his own lifetime. His son, Bolg, later led a vast goblin army from the North in the Battle of the Five Armies, seeking to avenge his father's death and to conquer the lands of the South. The hatred kindled by Azog's actions was a direct cause of the great goblin mobilization that culminated in that terrible battle. The name of Azog thus serves as a symbol of the deep-seated, generational hatred between the dwarves and the goblins, a conflict that forms a crucial backdrop to the adventures of Bilbo Baggins and Thorin Oakenshield. His actions helped to shape the political landscape of the Misty Mountains and the lands beyond, ensuring that the peace of the region was always fragile.