Who is the Greatest hero of all ages?

[Dáin Ironfoot]

Who do all of you think is the greatest hero of Middle-earth? I think that i would go with Hurin maybe, because he was the last man of the house of Hador alive on the field, killing 70 trolls before he was taken.

[Nuinrog]

Turin, who slew Glaurung AND Melkor, one in the first and the other in the last age.

[zifnab]

Can animals be hero’s.

If so I cast my vote for Huan the Hound of Valinor

-Born in Valinor
-Had the power to comprehend the speech of all things with voice, and was permitted to speak thrice.
-Given to Celegorm by Orome, himself.
-Could bore people on his back like a steed (example = Luthien escaping).
-He was swift and tireless
-Slew wolves by the dozen
-Slew Draugluin (Lord and sire of the werewolves)
-Defeated Thu(Wolf-Sauron, Sauron in werewolf form)
-Protected Beren and Luthien from the vengeance of Celegorm and Curufin(example = catching an arrow with his mouth, keeping them at bay)
-Slew Carcharoth – The Red Maw(Raised by Morgoth himself), even though he perished also which was his fate:He could only die, after he encountered the mightiest wolf that would ever walk the world.

All in all, he was a huge factor in the recovery of one Silmaril.

But no wizardry nor spell, neither fang nor venom, nor devil’s art nor beast-strength, could overthrow Huan of Valinor.

Sauron shifted shape, from wolf to serpent, and from monster to his own accustomed form, but he could not elude the grip of Huan.

Not to shabby for a hound, huh!? smilies/biggrin.gif

[Elrian]

Originally posted by Nuinrog:
<STRONG>Turin, who slew Glaurung AND Melkor, one in the first and the other in the last age.</STRONG>
Turin didn't slay Melkor, he was cast into the Void by the Valar.

I would say Elrond, in the Second Age he fought against the forces of Sauron in Eregion, and in the Third aided and fostered the Northern line.

[Lochgelly Violet]

I'd have to go for Frodo & Sam I'm afraid. Triumph over impossible odds.

Fingolfin gets my vote from the First Age, Beren and Turin following

[Voronwe]

The Second Prophecy of Mandos in HoME V predicts that Turin will slay Melkor at the end of time.
However, this was only in an earlier version of the Silmarillion, and I think Tolkien changed his mind about it (and the whole idea of the prophecy) later on, since it does seem rather strange and out of place to have Melkor killed by Turin. Nonetheless, although it was rejected, it's an interesting piece of writing:

Then shall the Last Battle be gathered on the fields of Valinor. In that day Tulkas shall strive with Morgoth, and on his right hand shall be Fionwë [i.e. Eonwë], and on his left Túrin Turambar, son of Húrin, coming from the halls of Mandos; and the black sword of Túrin shall deal unto Morgoth his death and final end; and so shall the children of Húrin and all Men be avenged.

-Voronwë

[Thingol]

I'd have to go with Fingolfin, fighting Melkor takes guts.

[Mithadan]

Among my favorites are Finrod, for honoring his vow to Beren, vying with Sauron and giving his life to save Beren, and Fingon for rescuing Maedhros and his role in the crossing of the Helcaraxe.

[Carannillion]

Oh yes, what Fingolfin did - walking up to Angband (or was it Utumno? No matter...) and asking to see the man in charge for a little 'education' on behaviour towards your people does take quite a lot of 'balls' smilies/wink.gif

BTW, my signature is sort of a tell-tale on this one. Aside from 'Beren and Luthien', I think what Fingolfin did is one of the finest parts from all of Tolkien's works.

[Carannillion]

And, seeing my signature now, I think I can settle for Angband. (duh...) *hitting self in oneself's stupid head with keyboard*

[Sharkû]

Spellcheck Man is the greatest hero of all seven ages.

[red]

Amen, Sharkey.

-réd (aka iluvS_M)

[Eowyn of Ithilien]

Beren Huan Frodo
(hmm it said hero not heroes)

[Telchar]

Odd that nobody mentions Finarfin - Standing up to madness and violence although it means leaving your children - Doing the right thing - Thats what makes my heros!!! smilies/smile.gif As for those who vote Fingolfin his act in fighting Morgoth was an act of folly and dispair - not very heroic to go and kill yourself. smilies/redface.gif

[ January 28, 2002: Message edited by: Telchar ]

[Eowyn of Ithilien]

smilies/smile.gif Finarfin was very wise...and I forgot another hero: Finrod Felagund

[Hama]

Elendil maybe: the only one of the Numenorean Lords to avoid the madness of Ar Pharazon, and escape in order to continue the line.

[Telchar]

Very true Eowyn

[Ulmo]

Gandalf!

[Carannillion]

Look at my signature: Does it seem like Fingolfin didn't stand a chance? Do you think Morgoth would let himself be wounded by one he hated right in front of his army? A (desperate?) last resort maybe, but not suicide.

And besides, isn't heroism actually foolish luck? smilies/wink.gif smilies/wink.gif

And actually, I think I've changed my mind. I think there are lots of 'greatest heroes', all in a somewhat different way.

Beren - and Luthien, of course - Frodo, Merry & Éowyn, Sam, Faramir, Gandalf, Hurin, Turin etc.

[Lochgelly Violet]

Originally posted by Telchar:
<STRONG>Odd that nobody mentions Finarfin - Standing up to madness and violence although it means leaving your children - Doing the right thing - Thats what makes my heros!!! smilies/smile.gif As for those who vote Fingolfin his act in fighting Morgoth was an act of folly and dispair - not very heroic to go and kill yourself. smilies/redface.gif

[ January 28, 2002: Message edited by: Telchar ]</STRONG>

Aye, that is right but Fingolfin did a great deal before that that could be considered wise and 'the right thing'. He forgave Feanor in Aman, crossed the Heleraxe after Feanor deserted him and united the Nodor in exile.

[Mankáno]

Originally posted by Nuinrog:
<STRONG>Turin, who slew Glaurung AND Melkor, one in the first and the other in the last age.</STRONG>

When did Turin slain Melkor? they've never met. Melkor never used to leave Angmar (except when he fought against Fingolfin) and Turin never was there. The only one who hurt Melkor was Fingolfin.

He is my choice, he conducted his people to Middle Earth, and he was the head of the most important and brave resistance to Melkor during the wars. He faced Melkor in a fight and was able to hurt him, although couldn't resist enough.

[Voronwe]

See my post about for info on the Turin thing.

My own favourite hero would probably be Finrod Felagund, or maybe Hurin.

-Voronwë

[Lindolirian]

Well Frodo ans Sam overcoming impossible odds are the best but thats what everyone is gonna say. So i'd hafta go with FINROD FELAGUND!!!!!! think about it: he is one of the mightiest kings of the greatest race to ever walk the earth. He is the nephew (i think) of Feanor and has really cool underground kingdom by a river. So he's this high and mighty Elf and what does he do? He gives his life for a lowly pitiful, Man who is gonna die in like 50 years any ways. Now i know that if i were in his situation that i would be like.. Heh, i'm the king and i'm gonna live foreber. Ur the outlaw man and ur gonna die relativly soon anyways. u kill the wolf. But no Finrod Felagund is a better man (or i should say Elf) than I. He's just the coolest and because of his sacrifice, a Silmaril was taken from Morgoth and because of that Silmaril, Earindel was able to find Aman and get the Valar in on the War and it all turned out very happry and good, probably better that if Beren had died and Finrod lived. And still i think that elves onluy have to wait in the halls of Mandos for a short time before they can live in Valinor again. Finrod Felagund is the Hero of all ages..............except Sam and Frodo. heheh

[Dáin Ironfoot]

Ok, I think that I was shooting more towards a military Hero, really, they all were, but Hurin and the house of Hador stood to the last to protect the retreat of the Gondolindrim. He was the last fighting and was never broken by melkor.

On an overall hero, i would say maybe one of the Elves, such as Fingolfin, Finrod, Fingon, or maybe even Maedhros, had he not turned bad. I also think Ecthelion and Glorfindel.

[helga litla]

ertu Dáin?
ertu virkilega buinn ad gefast upp?

[Carannillion]

*tries to translate Icelandic, head ready to burst*

Does that mean "Are you Dáin? Are you really *something* and *something*?"

*sound of head bursting into lots and lots of goo*

[Daegwenn]

Elrond! And Glorfindel because he was 2IC to Elrond in the war.

[Keeper of Dol Guldur]

Ecthelion, anybody. He single handedly slayed Gothmog lord of Balrogs, after he had already battled orcs, and other things.

For men, I'd say Aragorn. Turin, Tuor, Beren, etc... were all great, but Aragorn was Aragorn, kind of the most human, and least elven qualities.

For Dwarves I say Dain-he withstood the fear of the shadow of the Balrog, killed Azog, etc.

For hobbits, of course the Bullroarer Took.

[Rose Cotton]

I have to go with my hobbit friends.
Frodo
Sam
Gollum
They together destroyed the one ring AND discovered some important things about trust, friendship, and pity.
These three deserve a round of applause!
*clap clap clap clap*
Hobbits Rule!!!!!

[Gayahithwen]

I think Gil-galad.. I'm not sure that he is the bravest of all times, but at least I consider him a hero.. But that might just be me..

[Tarlondeion Of Gondolin]

Finrod Felagund definatley for Elves, he did ride to the gates of Angband, challenge Morgoth, and wound him in the foot(he is a Vala)
Isildur (stole the White tree and cut of Saurons finger),Elendil(he alone withstood the madness of Ar-Pharazon) and Beren for stealing a silmaril.
Dain for Dwarves
Frodo and Sam(Bullroarer took did some great things but to take the one ring into Mordor, destroy it and then come out alive takes guts, strength, everything basically.

[Vilya Elathelas of Rivendell]

For the first age...I don't know a thing about the first age.

Second age: I agree with Elrian and Daegwinn (sorry if it's spelled wrong!). Elrond is the BEST!! (and he fought without a helmet...wait, that was the movie...). Sorry, but something just hits me about him as being...well, kinda like a hero. Him and Gil-galad! smilies/biggrin.gif smilies/biggrin.gif smilies/wink.gif

Third age: The SONS of Elrond are my heroes here. Them and Faramir.

I suppose Luthien is from the first age? if she is, she's my hero there. and Earendil (of which I learned the CORRECT pronunciation today) from whichever age he was in. smilies/biggrin.gif

[Anarya SilverBranch]

My vote for the first age goes to Luthien for getting rid of Thu, the second age I don't really know, and the third I have to say would definently be Eowyn! She is so cool! I mean seriously, the girl masqueraded as a man, got into battle, Killed the Nazgul king that no one else could, and survived the black breath! Really what more does a girl have to go through to be considered a hero!

[Airetauriel]

It has to be Sam. No question - even when compared to the great ones of all the ages. Sam every time.

Airetauriel

[Legolas]

Please explain.

Why does it "have" to be Sam everytime?

[Joy]

My vote for the first age goes to Luthien for getting rid of Thu, the second age I don't really know, and the third I have to say would definently be Eowyn! She is so cool! I mean seriously, the girl masqueraded as a man, got into battle, Killed the Nazgul king that no one else could, and survived the black breath! Really what more does a girl have to go through to be considered a hero!

Thank you SilverBranch! I was wondering when someon would say that a woman was the greatest hero! Eowyn is the greatest.

[Rosa Underhill]

Jesus of Nazareth! Oh, you meant in Middle-eath. Heh, sorry. smilies/biggrin.gif

Mmmmm.... Good one. Well, I haven't read everything there is to read about Middle-earth yet, so I really am not too sure on this one. For now, I'd say that it was Frodo for being so willing to give up everything not only for his people but for all of Middle-earth.

[Anarya SilverBranch]

Your welcome Joy! But seriously, once you think about it, for a mortal maid to kill a big enough dude as the Nazgul is pretty heroic. I'm glad Tolkien gave a woman a big part in The Lord of the Rings because all the rest of the women in the books, (Not including Silmar. or the others, just the Lord of the rings), basically just sort of sat around and waited for their men to come back. It's cool that Eowyn went out and did something about the rising darkness.

[Dáin Ironfoot]

Thardolein of Gondolin.........Firod did nto wound Melkor...that was Fingolfin. I still think that you all are fogetting the House of Hador and thier stand at the Battle of unnumbered tears. All except Hurin were slain.

[HerenIstarion]

Gwindor for the elves. He ventured into Morgoth's stronghold, and than managed to escape from slavery, and he was abandoned yet met his fate bravely.

Sam and Fredegar Bolger among hobbits

Gandalf for the maiar

and among man Amandil, and Isildur for saving white tree, though he failed to destroy the ring, and Elendur Isildur's son and Aragorn Isildur's heir.

[Morgoth of Angband]

morgoth- he overcame a lot of adversity to almost become ruler of middle earth. smilies/evil.gif

[Lush]

The key word here being 'almost.' smilies/biggrin.gif
For me,
Beren & Luthien-the nerve of these two! The daring! The dedication! smilies/smile.gif
Sam & Frodo-two wee hobbits trudging into Mordor! Mind-boggling!
Aragorn-the heir to the throne of Men had to go through a lot to get where he ended up! Wise too, incredibly wise. And restrained.
Eowyn-Magnificent woman. Enough said.
Gandalf-He wrestled a Balrog, for Eru's sake! He stood up to the Witchking of Angmar! He rode Shadowfax! Go Gandalf!
Overall though? When I really, really think about it? Beren & Luthien still hold out on top.

[Airetauriel]

It has to be Sam every time because the question is who is the greatest hero? - not who was the bravest, or who killed the most trolls, or whatever.

Defining hero, to be heroic, is to be selfless, bravery plays a part, loyalty too. Sam was the most heroic of all. Frodo was too, but not so much. He had no choice but to undertake the journey, and though at any point he could have given up, Sam had that option right from the start. Do you think Frodo could have done it without Sam? No!
But, if Frodo had have been killed by Shelob, who of you would doubt that Sam could and would have destroyed the ring alone? I wouldn't doubt it. Sam had the strength of mind and strength of heart to do anything he set his mind to. He still had the power to make Frodo laugh right up unitl the end. Without Sam, Frodo would have succumbed to the ring's power long before he did. Sam searched for water whilst Frodo slept, gave Frodo the lion's share of the food, water and sleep, fought off Gollum twice, and carried Frodo on his back up the slopes of Mount Doom. And yet he was so good at heart he could go back to normal, to be whole again, to raise a family and bring peace back to the Shire. Sam was the hero of all ages.

Airetauriel

[Allafinwen]

i think that the ultimate hero has to be Aragorn, not frodo. frodo is daft, he is forever being saved by others, aragorn got them all out of holes, saved frodo and is the ultimate king! there is no doubting his heroism!

[Gorin Icearms]

My vote has to go to Sam. I mean, how many people would go on a suicide mission just because your buddy's going? And he had the important skills too. He could cook, he could carry stuff, make rope, garden, and he carried Frodo up to Sammath Naur (for the most part).

True, Frodo has the most difficult part of the story. Wrestling with the ring as it tries to overpower his will. But he's a pansy. He'd totally be dead without Sam.

(I'm not trying to argue with anyone by the way. Each to his/her own.) smilies/smile.gif

[lathspell]

In my opinion all characters mentioned here are hero's in one way or another, but i think you forget the one who did the greatest deed of all times.
Eärendil, he was the one sailing the seas and finding the land shut for them. If he didn't do this deed, all other deeds would have been in vain for Morgoth was winning at the time. Even Doriath and Gondolin were no more. I guess this deed has earned him the title of 'Greatest Hero of all Ages'.

[Feanor_of_the_Noldor]

I think if one took enough time, one could name all the heroes of middle earth and all their great deeds, but it would probably take less time just to read all the books.

For the greatest hero of all ages i would have to say Fingolfin for being the only person ever to challenge morgoth in direct combat without the help of the valar.

[Tigerlily Gamgee]

Well, I am a ture fan of Sam and Frodo, and Eowyn, and Aragorn, and Gandalf, and shoot... check out my signature. I agree with it smilies/smile.gif

[CryingGlitter]

Oh wow what a hard question for me to answer but I will have to make my vote(s) on the following

Bilbo's ancestor Bullroarer Took
Gandalf - ohh come on!
Fingolfin
for good measure..Frodo and Sam
and I believe that's it..

~Daisy Grubb

[Menewilwarin of Mirkwood]

Well, i've only read The Hobbit and LOTR (so far) - there is doubtless loads of very heroic bods in other books and stuff...but mine have to be...
Gollum
Bilbo
Frodo
Sam

They (between them) destroyed the ring. If bilbo hadn't got it off gollum Frodo wouldn't have had it and Frodo wouldn't have made it to Mordor without Sam. Also, Gollum destroyed the ring in the end - Frodo would have claimed it and been destroyed by Sauron.

[doug*platypus]

Frodo Baggins.

All those hero types such as Húrin, Aragorn or Eärendil were basically made for that sort of thing. They're superhuman. Frodo on the other hand was just a wee little hobbit, who accomplished more than many of the heroes of old in terms of conquering fear and fighting off relentless evil. I don't think anyone was pursued as closely as Frodo was. Sauron was absolutely desperate to find him and the One Ring. Frodo never gave in to fear, never shirked the burden, even though he was not under any real obligation to do so, at least while the Fellowship lasted.

Sam is truly a great hero, but did not have to sacrifice all that Frodo did. He could have his cake and eat it too, being both a hero and a happy, family hobbit. Gandalf came close to getting my vote, but as a Maia of Arda I believe he had somewhat of an obligation to do what he did. It was his job, you might say, even though he was much better at it than all the others. frodo is daft, he is forever being saved by others But he's a pansy. He'd totally be dead without Sam.
I'm thinking of a word starting with 'B' and ending in 'arrow'. I guess even then he did get bailed out by someone else, though. But his personality and charm was what enabled him to get so much help from Bombadil, Gildor, Galadriel, Sméagol and all the rest.

[willkill4food]

im gonna just give possible choices for best hero of different catagories, because, its just to hard otherwise...

Elves:
Male:
Greatest - Feanor followed by Maeglin
Greatest Deed(s) - Fingolfin, Earendil, Elrond, Gil-Galad, Cirdan, Turgon, Maedhros, Finrod, Fingon, Feanor, Olwe, Elwe, Finwe, Ecthelion, Glorfindel, and probably a bunch more I cant remember
Best Looking - Dior
Female:
Greatest: Luthien, Arwen, Galadriel
Greatest Deeds: Luthien
Best Looking: Luthien, Arwen, Galadriel

Men:
Male:
Greatest - Turin, Beren
Greatest Deeds - Turin, Beren, Tour, Huor, Hurin, Aragorn
Best Looking - No idea...

Female:
Greatest - Eowyn...
Greatest Deeds - Eowyn...
Best Looking: Eowyn...
(Im not an Eowyn freak, but how many other female humans are in LotR?"

Dwarves:
Greatest: Dain II, Gimli, Thorin II
Greatest Deeds: Gimli, Thorin II, Dain II
Best Looking: Gimli (no doubt about it)

Animals:
HUON ALL THE WAY!!
or maybe Thorodor

-willkill

[Gurthang]

Greatest? Meaning the most great in action and character I assume. In which case I would have to go with Gandalf.(uncontrollable booing from angry mob of hobbit sympothizers)

Gandalf qualities:

Wisdom: Who wouldn't have taken the Ring when it was offered? Who wouldn't have jumped at the chance to rule the world? I know who didn't.

Courage: Standing up to a Balrog to save your friends when you could just outrun them.

Trust: Leaving a simple hobbit to do a task that should take ten thousand men, knowing his odds are like...er?,well...just not good at all.

Heart: Facing legions of orcs when there is no hope.

And that's not metioning his fighting skills, his sense of humor, and his stunning good looks!

[Potatothan]

maybe not the best hero, but I do think that Fëanor showed he had the most guts when he confinced a huge host to turn away from their own gods.

Biggest hero to me is Beren. It takes something to return from the halls of Mandos and take from the one person who can even match Manwë in strength.

And legolas for lsaying a mumakil and snowboarding on it, but that is a different subject:P

~Potatothan

[HaldirHD]

I agree with Allafinwen. Thats right over all and ultimately Aragorn is the hero of Middle-earth. He is the savoir.

[Gil-numen]

Isildur because he saved the White Tree and beat up Sauron.

----------------------------
"Show it to me"
Thingol to Beren

[TheSquireof Aragorn]

I think heroes are defined by their deeds, based on what was expected of them. For example, Gandalf didn't exceed the expectations of a Maia that much. One wouldn't expect anything less from him. Going on this i would have to say Sam based on him exceeding the expectations of a Hobbit in just about every way.

[thephantomcredits]

Arwen, for bringing Frodo to Rivendell!! My real answer would be Eowyn. She had not been exposed to creatures of such great evil as many of the famous elves and men had been. On her first encounter with a truly great enemy she stood firm and fought.

[Potatothan]

True, but Eowyn was helped by Merry, who's blade was made for that purpouse many years back. And Eowyn too, was meant to defeat the witchking. I think Sam was the one that was the biggest hero come to think of it. Most heroes were meant to do the deeds they did. It was all written out, they are remarkeble for doing it anyway, but sam was not meant to do anything. He just aided frodo, but his assistence was vital to the survival of the ring. Well, survival troughout the journey ofcourse.

Gollum is far from a hero, he did it all because of selfgane, and lost his life by it. For Gollum I only say: What comes around, goes around.

~Potatothan

P.S. I really hope you DO know that it wasn't Arwen who saved frodo in the book, but Glorfindel. smilies/tongue.gif

[doug*platypus]

My choice for Greatest Hero is still Frodo Baggins, but Finrod was always one of my favourite possibilities, for his nobility and loyalty as much as his bravery. However, I have just finished reading The Silmarillion for about the 6th time (or so). Some extra things come out every time I read that incredible book. In the song written about the duel of Sauron with Finrod, Sauron is able to penetrate the disguises of Finrod and Beren. This is because of an evil deed from Finrod's past: the Kinslaying at Alqualondë.

It is tempting to blame Fëanor for the ruin of the Noldor, and the deaths of so many immortal Eldar. However, each of the Noldor that rebelled and left Aman, and especially those that drew swords against the Teleri, came under the Doom of Mandos for their own actions. Although many of them, Finrod especially, did great deeds to atone for their past mistakes, I would still not consider them among the very greatest heroes. Hey, there's a lot of competition out there (Aragorn, Gandalf, Elrond)!

Sorry to seem like a hater, but I thought it was interesting to note that many of these "heroes" aren't as perfect as they may seem. The Silmarillion is actually a much grittier and more adult book than The Lord of the Rings for exactly that reason. There's a lot going on underneath the glossy exterior of many of the characters.

[Evisse the Blue]

There's a lot going on underneath the glossy exterior of many of the characters. You're right. LOTR is more straight forwardly heroical, unblemished heroes and all that.

I vote for Frodo Baggins too. He is clearly the hero of ME. Why? Because he is the chosen one. Because his goodness and willingness to do the right thing makes everyone help him along the way (Just because he is helped along the way doesn't make him less of a hero). And you have it straight from the mouth of Gandalf that no one could have achieved the task except for him.

[Bombadil]

the heroes of middle earth (at least in the 3rd age) are the hobbits, and in particular:

-Merry
-Pippin
-Sam
-Frodo
-Bilbo

without bilbo, the ring wouldve stayed with gollum. without merry and pippin it wouldve been much harder to take over isengard and trap saruman. without frodo and sam...well i dont even ned to explain why there. Merry was part of the killing of the witchking, and pippin diverted sauron's attention my looking in the palantir. And in conclusion, the hobbits of the shire teamed up to fight back against the ruffians and sharky.

[starkat]

Sam- loyal, unconditional friendship, and hope.

[Osse]

I'd have to say my favourites are: (though their feats may not have been as impacting as others...)


Huor, Tuor, Earendil, Fingolfin, Elendil, and of course the tragic hero of any true weeper's dreams; Feanor...


Huor was a loyal, utterly inconquerable man who was willing to die for his lord... the battle of innumerable tears was really his apex eh?

Tuor... such a legend, both a saviour and a trigger for the unfolding of Gondolin, WAS FAVOURED BY ULMO... a real bloke with a real sword... none of this black rubbish like his cousin.

Earendil... enough said!!

Fingolfin, wise, valiant, brave, loyal and a general nice fella... musta scared the jeebs outta morgoth i can tell you.

Elendil... all the virtue and worth of the edain, that was all but lost in Numenor... good looking too ;)

Feanor: now you guys might say: why him, that shmuck started all this fuss, he was a self absorbed twit!!! - well i happen to like him


As for sam and frodo.... coughflukecoughcough


Aragorn might be just off the list, as would Glorfindel, Elrond and Imrahil.

[Gorwingel]

Frodo ( and no, I am not a hobbit fancier by any means :cool: )

Because he is the one who gave up the most to complete his task, and if he hadn't, Middle Earth would have most definitely been lost forever.

All those other characters are very heroic, and they should all be very proud of their accomplishments... But as many have said they were in a way born and bred to be heros, to go into battle etc...

But Frodo had no idea when he was just a young little hobbit that he would get involved with something so much bigger than him. He never knew that he would travel to places that he never thought he would go to, and he never thought that he would basically give up his life to save Middle Earth and all the peoples of it.

For me being a hero is not just being extremely strong, or amazingly talented in the many tasks required in battle. It is how much you will give up, and how brave you will be to get a task done, or affect someones life (or a whole bunch of peoples lives).

Frodo is the hero who is the greatest of all the ages because he gave up the most that he could possibly give up (basically he gave up his future), and he did something that was totally unexpected of him and his kind :cool:

[Saraphim]

One word: Fingolfin.

If I had money, I would fund a Silmarillion movie just to see Melkor and Fingolfin fight to the death. It's my favorite scene in the whole book.

Here are some more heroes that I'd give a round of applause to:

Thorondor, Luthien, Beren, Huan, Idril, Tuor, Turin, Hurin, Huor, Morwen (one heck of a family there), Finrod Felagund, Glorfindel, The entire Fellowship, Eowyn, Elendil, Isildur, Beleg and a ton more.

[Meneltarmacil]

I would consider Frodo and Sam the greatest heroes of Middle-Earth. Despite all the praise the heroes of the First Age have recieved, it seems to me that their heroic deeds in battle only helped to keep evil at bay for a while and didn't really accomplish much beyond that. But look at what these two hobbits did that a bunch of great warriors could not! They took on the most dangerous task ever and with all odds against them, they perservered through friendship and courage to bring Sauron's power to an end, something that could not be achieved by victories in battle.

I think they deserve to share in this honor because neither one could have done it on his own. They depended on each other to keep going.

And I also believe that Gollum should be recognized for the part he played at the very end, even if it was done for his own evil purposes, as Frodo could not have destroyed the Ring without him.

[Mad Baggins]

Frodo and Sam, for one. They defied all odds and went into Mordor, beat Shelob (which, mind you, even strong Orcs could not do! Then again, they had the power of the Elves on their hands...) and saved Middle-earth to boot.

For another, Finrod, Luthien and Beren. They too defied all odds and retrieved a Silmaril from the Iron Crown of Morgoth. They did what others could not, and that is what makes them all heroes.

[Gothmog]

There are so many great heroes through the history so I can't choose one... You guys (and girls ;) ) have covered most of them (if not all), and I agree with most of you that what Frodo and Sam did is hard to beat.

BUT (hobbit-lovers, please don't kill me :( ) I must say that I'm more impressed by the elves and men of before... People like Fingolfin, Fingon, Finrod, Gil-Galad, Húrin, Túrin, Huor, Tuor, Eärendil, Beren & Luthien etc etc, well if it weren't for them then there wouldn't be any hobbits by the time of the War of the Ring. If the old heroes would have failed, Middle-Earth had become Morgoth's kingdom to rule, and I don't think he would have liked the hobbits (imagine Morgoth Bauglir walking around in the Shire smelling flowers :D ).

[Numenorean]

Saraphim -
One word: Fingolfin. If I had money, I would fund a Silmarillion movie just to see Melkor and Fingolfin fight to the death. It's my favorite scene in the whole book Same here! That and the Nirnaeth Arnoediad would be almost too epic.
For greatest Hero and heroics though, I'd have to salute Beren Erchamion & Lúthien.

[Etharius]

Having only read LotR i haveto say...probably...Gandalf or Aragorn?

[samwise8504]

first age: Fingolfin,Beren,Turin and Earendil
second age: Gil-Galad, Elendil and Isildur.
Third age: Frodo,Sam,Gandalf, Aragorn.
Overall: Frodo and Sam.

[Orophin]

Isildur has to be one of the greatest heroes of all time. He not only escaped the downfall of Numenor with the white tree but also he cut the ring from Sauron's hand. Not to mention he helped found and lead the two entire kingdoms. It is true that he did not destroy the ring but that does not make his other accomplishments worthless.

[The_Hand]

The greatest hero of all time??

Frodo did destroy the One Ring, but without Sam he probaly wouldn't have...
Turin did slay Glaurung, but he was very lucky with it... getting him from underneath...
Gil-galad slayed a Balrog, but so did Gandalf...
And so so so many more I can mention...

I pick Turin because his story is so tragic and heartbreaking.

[Mörke Keiser]

I would say Isildur. I don´t know if he was the greatest of all heroes but very important person beacuse he at last cutted the ring from Saurons hand.
Of course we have to remember that after that he didn´t destroy the one ring when he got opportunity but he is still a great hero I think.