Posted: December 19, 2023
The idea of orcs is widely credited to fantasy author J.R.R. Tolkien, but that is incorrect. The term orc/ork refers to a humanoid hellbeast or demon, and its earliest reference is all the way back in Beowulf in the 1000s.
In the Old English language, orke closely resembles the term ogre, though the term is likely to have originated from the Roman death deity, Orcus, which in turn likely stems from Greek Horkos. In Etruscan and Roman mythology, Orcus was a god of the underworld and punisher of broken oaths. As with Hades, Orcus’s name was also used as a term for the underworld itself.
[Read more about Orcus the Roman Deity]
They also appear in a number of Northern European oral folk traditions as mischievous or destructive forest spirits or petty creatures.
Tolkien’s use of the word orc comes from an invention using the idea of an ogre and combining it with that of a goblin. He used the word orc, which, in Old English, means demon or something similar.
[Read more about the Origin of Orcs]
Most myths and portrayals describe orcs the same way: carnivorous, bulky humanoids with grey or green skin. They can be recognized by ape-like postures, boar-like tusks, and lupine ears (often with a tuft of hair at the tip).
Most depict them as brutish, ugly, and aggressive, though that’s only the stereotypical representation. Tolkien’s race of orcs are, in fact, corrupted elves.
They don’t have much in terms of skills aside from fighting with brute strength, though personally I’d find it funny to have an orc character whose life is dedicated to making tiny porcelain animal figurines.
There’s not much more I can say about orcs, other than encourage you to do more of your own research on the topic if you’re keen on including them in your story. Don’t be afraid to take some liberties with any creature you use.
Angels & Demons in Fiction
Deities in Fiction
Dragons in Fiction
Dwarves in Fiction
Elves in Fiction
Fast Burn in Fiction
Heroes in Fiction
Love Triangles in Fiction
Magic in Fiction
Mythical Creatures in Fiction
Orcs in Fiction
Powers in Fiction
Pregnancy in Fiction
Prophecies in Fiction
Romance in Fiction
Shapeshifters in Fiction
Slow Burn in Fiction
Vampires in Fiction
Vampires in Fiction II
Villains in Fiction
Werewolves in Fiction
Witches & Warlocks in Fiction
No orc-themed book reviews available yet
Tigerpetal Press is a small book press dedicated to publishing local authors and poets.