Gothmog????

[doug*platypus]

Also, what you said about the troops not being terrified: why would WK care if his troops were terrified.

Good point, Samwise, I can't imagine him shedding too many tears over that one. [img]smilies/evil.gif[/img]

Because they would remain at the tower and be more familiar with the troops (and the troops wouldn't be terrified to death of one of those).

In fact, not being completely terrified of your commander would probably be a disadvantage for the armies of Mordor (no doubt a contrast by Tolkien of different leadership styles). The armies of the Witch-King were absolutely under his command, no question of desertion or refusal to obey orders there. We are told they would even "slay themselves at his bidding". IMHO, the point in question makes it more likely that Gothmog was a Nazgûl. Based on the premise that fear and domination create a supremely obedient fighting force, a Nazgûl as commander would have been preferable to an orc or a man.

Were all nine Nazgûl present for the Battle of the Pelennor Fields and the march on the Balck Gate? If Khamul was lieutenant of Dol Guldur, shouldn't he have been there (with his best buddy Nazgûl) commanding the assault on Lórien, instead of flying around Minas Tirith?? There's some speculation about this on the thread called Nazgûl at the Pelennor Fields.