Orcs - Where Did They Come From?

Orcs are one of the most recognizable and feared creatures in Tolkien’s Middle-earth. Brutal, warlike, and inherently evil they serve as the foot soldiers of Morgoth and Sauron.

Waging endless wars against elves, men, and dwarves. But what are orcs, where did they come from, and how did Tolkien shape their role?

The Origins

Tolkien’s mythology presents di…