Was Sauron a Balrog?

Was Sauron a Balrog? Yes or No.

[Aganzir]

No.

Did you only want the answer, or do you want some further explanations about Sauron also?

[alatar]

Here's a link concerning Balrogs.

And Welcome to the Downs, HurinThalion!

Originally Posted by Aganzir

No.

Did you only want the answer, or do you want some further explanations about Sauron also?

Yes further explanation of your standpoint would be appreciated. I guess I should have mentioned that.

[Aganzir]

That "Yes or No" just made me think that you might only want the answer.

Both Sauron and the balrogs were maiar, balrogs being spirits of fire (like Arien). There were never that many balrogs, but they had their own, certain characteristics (whips of flame and whatever). Tolkien spoke about balrogs and he spoke about Sauron, but he never even hinted that Sauron might have been a balrog. Usually I don't think that because Tolkien didn't say something it didn't exist, but if Sauron had been a balrog, Tolkien would have said it. It's a thing that has much more to do with the mythology than eg. the characters using bathroom.

That is a valid argument, yes. On the other hand I must point out that in the Silmarillion Tolkein says that the first spirits to join Melkor and that were the most like unto him were called Balrogs. Now who was the first of the Maiar that followed Melkor? Sauron.

[alatar]

Originally Posted by HurinThalion

That is a valid argument, yes. On the other hand I must point out that in the Silmarillion Tolkein says that the first spirits to join Melkor and that were the most like unto him were called Balrogs. Now who was the first of the Maiar that followed Melkor? Sauron.

But wasn't Sauron of Aulë's kin? He was a Maker, not a Whipper. He might have liked to decorate with flames, but can't remember ever reading that he was always wreathed in flame.