The 9 Ringwraiths, also known as the Nazgûl, were nine powerful former mortal men who became the chief servants of the Dark Lord Sauron, utterly corrupted by the Rings of Power they were given. Once great kings, sorcerers, and warriors among men, their identities were consumed by the rings, turning them into wraith-like beings bound to Sauron's will. They were his most dreaded and potent enforcers, particularly feared for their invisible presence and the terror they instilled in others.
The leader of the Ringwraiths was the Witch-king of Angmar, the most powerful and ruthless of the Nine, who established a formidable kingdom in the north before its eventual fall. His second-in-command was Khamûl the Easterling, known as the Black Easterling, who possessed a particular strength in detecting the presence of the One Ring, though he was weakened by daylight.
Beyond these two widely recognized figures, the exact personal histories of the other seven Nazgûl remain largely mysterious in the lore. However, they are known by various titles and characteristics that hint at their former lives or the nature of their corruption.
Here are the names of the 9 Ringwraiths:
The Nine Nazgûl
| Rank/Role | Name (Known Titles) | Description (General) |
|---|---|---|
| Leader | The Witch-king of Angmar | The Lord of the Nazgûl and Sauron's chief lieutenant. |
| Second-in-Command | Khamûl the Easterling | Also known as the Black Easterling, skilled in tracking. |
| The Nine | The Dark Marshal | One of the powerful commanders among the Ringwraiths. |
| The Betrayer | Suggests a history of treachery or a particularly insidious nature. | |
| The Shadow Lord | A master of darkness and terror, embodying Sauron's will. | |
| The Undying | Perhaps highlighting their extreme resilience or ancient corruption. | |
| The Dwimmerlaik | A term implying a spectral or ghostly presence, often associated with fear. | |
| The Tainted | Implies a deep, intrinsic corruption or defilement. | |
| The Knight of Umbar | Likely a powerful warrior from the southern regions, perhaps a Corsair. |
These nine powerful figures served Sauron throughout the Second and Third Ages, carrying out his most important and terrifying commands, until their ultimate defeat with the destruction of the One Ring.
