Introduction

In The Silmarillion, two mighty beings are often mentioned in the same breath: Thorondor, the giant eagle of Manw?, and Ancalagon the Black, the most fearsome dragon inolkien's lore. While numerous battles and adventures are detailed throughout the epic, no direct comparison of their sizes is made. However, we can infer their relative sizes by examining the nature of their battles. This article delves into the estimations of their physical sizes, drawing from the descriptions given in the text and comparing them to well-known creatures.

Dimensions and Descriptions

Thorondor, the Sovereign of Eagles: Thorondor is explicitly described as having a 30 fathom (about 55 meters) wingspan. With such a massive wingspan, Thorondor undoubtedly towers above other eagles and is a formidable force in the aerial domain. His size and power are corroborated by his ability to challenge Ancalagon, the mightiest of dragons, and play a significant role in the defense of Middle-earth.

Ancalagon the Black, the Mightiest Dragon: While Ancalagon's exact size is not specified, we know that:

He is the greatest dragon, who was defeated by both Thorondor and Vingilot (E?rendil's ship). He can break the peaks of mountains in his fall, potentially causing widespread destruction. He takes a day to defeat, indicating the scale of his power and resistance.

From these descriptions, it is evident that Ancalagon must be significantly larger than Thorondor, perhaps even exponentially so, to have such a profound impact.

Comparisons and Inferences

Thorondor vs. Ancalagon: A Size Comparison:

Thorondor: As mentioned, Thorondor's wingspan is about 55 meters, making him an enormous eagle. For a creature of his size to be able to fend off or challenge a dragon, Ancalagon must be substantially larger. However, the size difference cannot be too extreme; otherwise, Thorondor would simply be overwhelmed. Ancalagon: If Thorondor were to be at least a quarter of Ancalagon's size (about 200 meters tall), the battle would be more balanced. A size range of 100 to 200 meters for Ancalagon is likely. This size is comparable to some fictional creatures such as Godzilla in films post-1991, which is a reasonable scale.

Comparing Ancalagon to Mountains:

Some key points regarding Ancalagon's fall and its impact:

Mountain-Ridge Breaking: When Ancalagon fell, it was reported that he broke three peaks in his fall. The peaks mentioned are the peaks of Thangodorim, not the entire mountain. This suggests that Ancalagon is significantly larger than the peaks he broke but not so large as to annihilate entire mountains. Other Creatures' Impact: The Balrog of Khazad-d?m, despite its significant size, is described as being no larger than a human. Yet, it managed to break a part of Mount Zirakzigil. Smaug, another formidable dragon, is estimated to be less than 100 meters tall, yet he broke Laketown in his fall. These comparisons show that size is not the only factor in impact.

Conclusion and Final Inferences:

Given the descriptions in The Silmarillion and the comparisons with other creatures, Ancalagon is likely to be between 100 and 200 meters tall. This makes him much larger than Thorondor but not so large as to render the battle completely lopsided. Both Ancalagon and Thorondor are depicted as immensely powerful beings, each playing a crucial role in the defense of Middle-earth.