How Did Sauron Rebuild His Army in Middle-earth?

In J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, Sauron is a formidable antagonist who seeks to restore his power in Middle-earth. Understanding how he rebuilds his formidable army involves considering several key factors: the Seven Rings and the Nazg?l, the reproduction of orcs, and Sauron's enduring influence in Mordor.

The Fall and Aftermath of Sauron's Power

At the end of the Third Age, the One Ring's destruction in the fires of Mount Doom marked the end of Sauron's reign. This event seemingly destroyed the Dark Lord, as he was believed to have been completely obliterated along with the Ring. However, this was not the definitive end. Sauron, an ancient and powerful being, had withstood a great loss, but he retained enough influence to begin the process of rebuilding his forces in Mordor.

Reproduction of Orcs and Human Corruption

One of the primary reasons Sauron could rebuild his armies was the natural reproduction of orcs. Orcs, being unnatural beings created by Morgoth (later Sauron), successfully populate the wild. Additionally, there are always humans in Middle-earth who are corrupt or corruptible, readily swayed by Sauron's influence. These factors provide a steady influx of manpower for Sauron's armies.

Strategic Breeding and Population Growth

Sauron also employed strategic breeding programs for orcs, goblins, and trolls. He worked on developing new, more singular troops such as fell beasts. This process of creating and nurturing new troops, while time-consuming, is a crucial part of his rebuilding efforts. In our world, the human population grew from a few tens of thousands to over 7 billion in just a few thousand years. Similarly, in Middle-earth, 2500 years is ample time to breed and train an entire army.

The Nazg?l's Role in Rebuilding Mordor

Key to Sauron's resurgence was the leadership of the Nazg?l, also known as the Ringwraiths. The return of the Witch King of Angmar to Mordor and his leadership over the other Nazg?l played a vital role in rebuilding Mordor. Over the 500 years of their siege of Minas Ithil, they laid the foundations for the fortress of Minas Morgul and the full-scale rebuilding of Mordor. Even after the Ring's destruction, while Barad-d?r (Sauron's stronghold) could not be completely destroyed, its foundations were built on the power of the One Ring.

Widespread Corruption and Alliances

Furthermore, Sauron leveraged human corruption and alliances to rebuild his armies. He negotiated with Men who were not native to Middle-earth, such as the Haradrim and Easterlings. By spreading lies and encouraging worship as a god, Sauron recruited and mobilized these forces to strengthen his armies. This widespread corruption and recruitment extended the reach and strength of his armies well beyond the borders of Mordor.

In conclusion, Sauron's rebuilding of his army was a multi-faceted and lengthy process. From the natural reproduction of orcs and strategic breeding programs to the influence of the Nazg?l and the corruption of humans, his forces regrew over 2500 years. This timeline and balance of various factors underscore the endurance and resilience of the Dark Lord in Middle-earth, making him a formidable and persistent threat to Middle-earth's peace.