The Rise of the Nazgul: Sauron's Shadow Warriors

The rise of the Nazgul, or Ringwraiths, is one of the most pivotal events in the history of Middle-earth, as detailed in J.R.R. Tolkien's legendary works, most notably The Lord of the Rings. This dark chapter begins in the year 1300 of the Third Age, marking a pivotal moment when ancient powers reemerged.

The Return of Sauron

Following Sauron's defeat at the hands of the Last Alliance, he did not disappear into shadows or cease to exist. Rather, he lay hidden, rebuilding his strength and influence. The year 1300 of the Third Age marked a significant turning point as Sauron commenced his resurrection and the Nazgul began to arise. This timeline is crucial for understanding the ensuing events and the broader conflict that would shape Middle-earth.

The Nazgul, also known as the Ringwraiths, are Sauron's most fearsome agents. They are essentially shadows of men, their souls consumed and ensnared by the power of the One Ring. Their reemergence marks a critical period in the history of Middle-earth, as they became the seminal force of evil that loomed over both men and elves.

The First Nine Rings

The Nazgul's origins can be traced back to a series of events that occurred in the period leading up to the rise of the Nazgul. In the early days of the Third Age, Sauron, who had once been Morgoth's lieutenant, discovered the power of the One Ring and sought to replicate its influence over others. To this end, he crafted nine rings of power, each intended to corrupt a king or a chieftain of men, and ultimately bind them to his will.

These rings, when wielded by their designated bearers, invoked the power of Sauron, stealing their aura and soul from the bodies they inhabited. As the rings took hold, the nine human chieftains gradually succumbed to their dark enchantment, their wills and minds consumed by Sauron's malevolent influence. These chieftains, now bereft of both their physical form and their individual identity, became the first members of the Nazgul.

The Arising of the Nazgul

The process of becoming a Nazgul is both terrible and tragically irreversible for those who fall under Sauron's control. The nine rings each carry a segment of the One Ring's essence, allowing Sauron to exert his dominion over his subjects in a manner that stretches beyond mere physical or mental domination.

Action was swift once Sauron had equipped these rings to the Nine. The most powerful and influential of these kings and chieftains fell under the evil lord's control, their bodies degenerating until they lost all trace of their former human self. What remained were ghostly, shadowy forms: the renowned Nazgul, or Ringwraiths. These creatures became Sauron's deadliest and most reliable servants, stricken with a fear-inducing aura that thrilled in destruction and subjugation.

The Nazgul were now completely devoted to Sauron, offering their lesser powers to him and becoming the most foot-soldiers of his legions. The passage of time did not diminish Sauron's hold over the Nazgul; on the contrary, their servitude grew ever stronger, their wills bent completely to the dark lord's will.

Essentially, the Nazgul represent the triumph and the malevolence of Sauron, and their momentous arrival from the shadows painted the stage for epic heroism and overwhelming darkness.