Orc facts for kids
An Orc is a type of mythical creature. They often appear in fantasy stories and games. Orcs are usually shown as strong, ugly, and sometimes evil beings. They are often part of a large group or army.
The idea of orcs changed a lot in the 1900s. This was mainly because of the writer J. R. R. Tolkien. He created orcs as small, evil creatures who served dark lords. The word "orc" might come from an old Roman god named Orcus. Orcus was another name for Pluto or Hades, who ruled the underworld.
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Orcs in Old Stories
Long ago, people used the word "orc" for different kinds of monsters.
Sea Monsters and Giants
The Roman writer Pliny the Elder wrote about "orcs" in his book Naturalis historia. He described them as sea monsters with long teeth.
Later, in the 1500s, an Italian writer named Ludovico Ariosto wrote an epic poem called Orlando Furioso. In this story, a sea monster named "orc" captures a young woman named Angelica. A hero named Rogero saves her while riding a Hippogriff. This story might be why the Latin name for the Killer Whale is Orcinus orca.
Orlando Furioso also features another "orc." This one is a blind, man-eating giant. He captures King Norandin and his love, Lucina. This giant is too strong to be beaten in a fight. He can only be tricked.
Mountain Spirits
In the Alps mountains, there is also a creature called an "orc." This is a demon that lives on mountain tops. Sometimes, it is seen as a protector of the forest. Other times, it is thought to be an evil spirit. This spirit is said to bring bad luck to cattle and wild beasts.
Orcs in Modern Fantasy
From the early Middle Ages, orcs were often seen as evil creatures. This was similar to other beings from Celtic stories.
Tolkien's Orcs
J. R. R. Tolkien made orcs famous in his books, like The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. He described them as ugly, cruel, and numerous. They were often shown as soldiers for evil forces. Tolkien's orcs were influenced by the goblins in George MacDonald's 1872 book The Princess and the Goblin.
Orcs in Games and Movies
Today, orcs are very popular in fantasy games, movies, and books. They appear in many different ways. For example, in games like Warcraft and Warhammer Fantasy, orcs are often green-skinned and very strong warriors. Sometimes, they are shown as savage but honorable fighters.
Images for kids
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An orc from Warhammer Fantasy
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Latin Orcus is glossed as Old English "Orc, þyrs ꝉ hel-deofol" ("Goblin, spectre or hell-devil") in the 10th century Cleopatra Glossaries.
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Tolkien wrote that his orcs were influenced by the goblins in George MacDonald's 1872 The Princess and the Goblin. Illustration "The goblins fell back a little when he began, and made horrible grimaces" by Jessie Willcox Smith, 1920
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Peter Jackson's film versions of Tolkien's Orcs have been compared to wartime caricatures of the Japanese (here, an American propaganda poster).
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Savage orc
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For the Love of Waaagh!, an Ork from Warhammer 40,000
See also
In Spanish: Orco para niños
