Physical Strength

[skytree]

In terms of strength how would you rate these men?

Helm Hammerhand
Aragorn
Boromir
Elendil
Isuldur
Erkenbrand
Hurin
Turin
Faramir
Eomer

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

Not sure there's any way of sorting them out by what Tolkien wrote. I think Hurin would be foremost in a lot of minds because we know a deal of what he endured.

[skytree]

I was thinking probably Helm since he was able to kill with his fists and a huge man and was compared to a Snow Troll. He would go on one man sorties at night into enemy camps and kill with his bare hands.

I would rank them like this,

1.) Helm Hammerhand
2.) Hurin
3.) Turin
4.) Elendil
5.) Erkenbrand
6.) Boromir
7.) Aragorn
8.) Issuldur
9.) Eomer
10.) Faramir

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Eomer, funny that you say that, although of course as you mention it, I started to think and remember Húrin's deeds in Nirnaeth. Apparently slaying a bunch of trolls requires a lot of strength. But that's the one thing I would recall, if you ask me.

But my first idea would be Helm Hammerhand. Obvious. Take just the epitheton, and what he's done. So as you can see, different minds can think differently. I would think of Helm at first and Húrin is just one name among the rest. I don't know much about the others except for Helm; Erkenbrand would also be something I'd think of (wasn't he compared to Helm after all at some point?). If we are talking physical strength, these guys stand out.

(edit: Cross-posted with skytree.)

[Pitchwife]

You're all forgetting the true all times, hands down champion of Middle-earth - Bandobras Took! I mean, for a hobbit to knock an Orc's head clean off with a blunt weapon and send it flying a hundred yards - wow! If he'd been Man-sized, I bet you anything he would have mopped up the floor with any of the above.

[Andsigil]

I'd like to see where some of the dwarves would rank on this list.

[skip spence]

Oh how fun: a who's strongest thread!

Have to second or third the Helm nomination. That guys packs quite a punch.

Turin deserves a mention too. A lot is written about him and everything seems to indicate he was a beast of a man.

[Inziladun]

Turin deserves a mention too. A lot is written about him and everything seems to indicate he was a beast of a man.

Strong enough to lift Brodda the Easterling bodily and throw him hard enough to break his neck! ;)

[skytree]

Unfortunately little is spoken of Erkenbrand other than he is might and that the strength and valor of Helm Hammerhand is alive in him.

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Unfortunately little is spoken of Erkenbrand other than he is might and that the strength and valor of Helm Hammerhand is alive in him.

Yes, but that indeed might be enough, if we are to understand it literally.

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

Eomer, funny that you say that, although of course as you mention it, I started to think and remember Húrin's deeds in Nirnaeth. Apparently slaying a bunch of trolls requires a lot of strength. But that's the one thing I would recall, if you ask me.

It's been a while since I've read any of the books (now there's a sentence which shames one to type!) but maybe you're right, Legate. Perhaps I am mixing the physical and mental labour which Hurin endured - particularly at the hand of Morgoth. The dualists won't like it but there you go. ;)