An orc (sometimes spelt ork; / ɔːr k / [1] [2]), [3] in J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth fantasy fiction, is a race of humanoid monsters, which he also calls "goblin". In Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, orcs appear as a brutish, aggressive, ugly, and malevolent race of monsters, contrasting with the benevolent Elves.

Apr 22, 2016 · Ludovico Ariosto, in his monumental romance Orlando Furioso (1516-32), uses the term both ways, in two deliberate evocations of Greek mythology. “The Orc” is a sea monster inspired by Ketos in the tale of Perseus and Andromeda, while “Orcus” (pictured) is a blind, cannibalistic giant resembling Polyphemos in The Odyssey.

Orcus was a god of the underworld, punisher of broken oaths in Etruscan and Roman mythology. As with Hades, the name of the god was also used for the underworld itself. Eventually, he was conflated with Dis Pater and Pluto. A temple to Orcus may once have existed on …

orc, a mythical creature (such as a sea monster, a giant, or an ogre) of horrid form or aspect. The word orc in English has two distinct sources.

Feb 4, 2025 · Orcs (or Orcses [6] ) were a race of humanoid creatures best known for their service as footsoldiers and slaves to the Dark Lords of Middle-earth. Even when not in thralldom to an evil master, Orcs rarely if ever had non-violent interactions with Elves, Men, or Dwarves. They were known by many names by the various peoples of Middle-earth.

Apr 1, 2006 · Here are 9émilestones in the 1,000-year march of the orcs. Grendel, the villain of this Old English epic, is described as being "orcnéas," which roughly translates into monster. It's derived from...

The orc is a folkloric humanoid creature akin to a goblin or an ogre. Earlier fictional monsters with names similar to "orc" can be found in the Old English poem Bēowulf, in Early Modern poetry, and in European folk tales and fairy tales.

Jun 3, 2022 · Ogres are mythological creatures that date back to the 12th century. Orcs are fantasy creatures popularized by JRR Tolkien, though a few older sources use a similar word to “orc.” Both are man-eating creatures that are very ugly …

Jul 22, 2022 · His word for it in his fictional Elvish language was Yrch, which he translated as Orc. The English word orc has long roots; it's originally from Latin Orcus, who was a god of death. Orcus is thought to be derived from the Greek Phorkys, who was father to monsters.

In ancient Greek religion and mythology, the twelve Olympians are the major deities of the Greek pantheon, commonly considered to be Zeus, Poseidon, Hera, Demeter, Aphrodite, Athena, Artemis, Apollo, Ares, Hephaestus, Hermes, and either Hestia or Dionysus. [2]