2017

The Lord of the Rings

Easterlings are a collective term for various peoples inhabiting the lands east of Mordor and Rhûn in J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth. They are primarily enemies of Gondor and their allies throughout the Second and Third Ages.

Little is explicitly detailed about the specific cultures or origins of the Easterlings. Tolkien depicts them as diverse groups, often united under dark lords like Sauron. They possess different weaponry, armor, and fighting styles, suggesting varied tribal or regional backgrounds.

Easterlings frequently serve as soldiers in Sauron's armies, participating in significant battles such as the Battle of the Pelennor Fields. Some Easterling groups are depicted as skilled warriors, respected for their ferocity and discipline, such as the Wainriders and the Balchoth who invaded Gondor.

While portrayed largely as antagonists, Tolkien's narratives sometimes hint at the complexities of their motivations. They are often depicted as being manipulated or coerced into serving Sauron, suggesting underlying political or economic pressures driving their involvement in the conflicts of Middle-earth.