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Origins

Originally, the Balrogs were Maiar (lesser spirits serving Valar) that were persuaded by Melkor's might and splendor to join his cause, and corrupted by him into Úmaiar. Their first dwelling was in Utumno, the great fortress of the Iron Mountains, but after their master's defeat during the Battle of the Powers, the Balrogs and other creatures in Melkor's service escaped to Angband and hibernated there.

Years of the Trees

The Balrogs were present as early as the Years of the Trees when Melkor and Ungoliant destroyed the Two Trees of Valinor. By then, the Balrogs remained in the pits of Angband. After Morgoth fled Valinor with Ungoliant, he came to Lammoth near the ruins of Angband to renew his rule in Middle-earth. A disagreement with Ungoliant led to her attacking him, and Morgoth gave out a great cry that roused the Balrogs from their slumber. In a tempest of fire, they came and drove Ungoliant away, prepared to pursue her. However, they were halted by Morgoth and returned to Angband, which shortly thereafter was constructed anew.

Years of the Sun

When the Ñoldor won the battle Dagor-nuin-Giliath, Fëanor furiously pressed on toward Angband. He came even within sight of Angband, but was ambushed by the Balrogs with few Ñoldor around him. Soon he stood alone, but long he fought on with the Balrogs alone as mightiest all the Children of Iluvatar, even though he was wrapped in fire and wounded with many wounds. But finally Gothmog, the first Lord of Balrogs, felled and mortally wounded Fëanor, and his sons bore him away.

Maedhros, Fëanor's son, persuaded the forces of Morgoth for a feigned treaty, but Morgoth sent the Balrogs. The entire company was slain, except for Maedhros, who was taken to Angband.[5]

Rui G, Glorfindel and Balrog
Glorfindel restraining a Balrog's fire, before his duel with it, by Rui Gonçalves

Years later, during the Dagor Bragollach, the Balrogs, along with the Dragon Glaurung and an army of Orcs, issued forth from Angband to assault the fortresses of the Elves and to kill their allies, the Edain.[6] According to one account, Morgoth's chief agent, Sauron, led a "host of Balrogs" to conquer the Elvish isle of Tol Sirion in the battle's aftermath.

The Balrogs fought in the Nírnaeth Arnoediad, where Gothmog led the invasion. He threw aside Húrin and Turgon, turned upon Fingon and killed him with the help of the second Balrog-lord named Lungorthin, securing the field for Morgoth's forces. He also captured Húrin, after Húrin was buried under a mountain of slain foes. He bound the human warrior and delivered him to Angband, whereupon Morgoth attempted unsuccessfully to pry the location of Gondolin from him,[8] even despite torture by Lungorthin.[citation needed]

In FA 510, on the day of the Fall of Gondolin, the Balrogs rode upon the backs of dragons to reach the hidden city. The Lord of the House of the Fountain, Ecthelion, managed to kill Gothmog at the cost of his own life. While attempting to escape the burning city, Glorfindel and his companions were blocked by a Balrog. To save Tuor, Idril and their young son Eärendil, Glorfindel fought the Balrog on a cliff and cast it down, but he was pulled down with it to their deaths.[9]

Glorfindel and the Balrog by Eric Velhagen
Glorfindel and a Balrog falling from Gondolin's ledge, by Eric Velhagen

The remaining Balrogs fought in the War of Wrath. While most were destroyed, at least one managed to escape and hide in deep caverns far away.[