Armies of Middle-earth, hierarchy and organization Middle-earth armies and hosts

the charts below show general hierarchical terms used tolkien describe military formations , organization, , how these relate specific or estimated strengths in battles throughout history of middle-earth. these terms, host indicating military forces larger army , others indicating forces smaller army, used remarkable general consistency on time of tolkien s writings 1917–1972, in-universe consistency on 3 ages of middle-earth.

there times when of these words: host, army, company, band used outside of context. example: host can refer whole of people includes males, females , children, not warriors, or war-high , use tolkien s own phrase. @ times, army can mean singular fighting force of no set size, can company, or host. within context of battle, or war, descriptions these terms consistent throughout canon. more modern military terms such battalion , regiment see occasional use, not widespread.

while estimates of numbers can supported textually simple extension of textually cited numbers, estimates when there not specific number stated tolkien. however, can said certainty description of strength using names, such as: name-host (e.g. great-host) number of name-armies (e.g. orc-armies), supported textually across board in canon, selected, no means only, references demonstrate.

it important consider context in these terms appear in stories since, writer of fiction, tolkien s primary purpose engage , entertain reader while not being tied set terminology way military historian must be. tolkien adopts historian stance going great detail tactical movements, weapons , formations in battles of fords of isen, or cirion , eorl. can apply same attention detail drill of shield-wall formation intricacies of family relationships of sackville-baggins.

orc-hosts, orc-armies, orc-legions, auxiliaries , allies

hosts , armies of elves, men , dwarves