Uruk-hai

In J. R. R. Tolkien's fictional realm of Middle-earth, Uruk-Hai were a cross breed between Orcs and Men. The Uruk-Hai made up a large part of Saruman's army, together with the Dunlendings and other Mannish enemies of Rohan. They were faster than normal Orcs and could travel during the day without being weakened. They were not only faster but smarter, stronger and bigger. The army of Uruk-hai fought against King Théoden of Rohan and his people at Helm's Deep.

They first appeared about the year 2475 of the Third Age, when they conquered Ithilien and destroyed the city of Osgiliath.

There also were Mordor Uruk-Hai, bred by the Dark Lord Sauron. Sauron's Uruks bear the symbol of the Eye of Sauron; Saruman's breed bear the White Hand of Saruman.

The name Uruk-Hai has the element Uruk, which is a Black Speech word meaning Orc, related to the (Valinorean) Quenya word Urko (Noldorin Quenya: Orko) of the same meaning.

In the movies by Peter Jackson, Saruman creates Pikesmen, Normal Uruk-Hai, Archers, and Berserkers. The Berserkers are commanders. They shave their heads and fill their helmets with human blood, so that when they put on the helmets the blood runs down their backs. They carry doubly-bent swords. Pikesmen, as the name suggests, carry pikes. Archers carry crossbows. Normal Uruks wield a basic sword. They also use bladed shields, as seen in Amon Hen during Aragorn's fight against Lurtz.

See also: Olog-hai