Introduction

The question of whether Mordor could have defeated Gondor without Sauron's involvement has been a subject of much discussion and speculation among fans of The Lord of the Rings. This article delves into the strategies and strength of both sides, and ultimately, concludes that without Sauron's strategic intervention, the outcome of the conflict would have been vastly different.

Mordor's Advantages with and without Sauron

Mordor's forces, led by the Dark Lord, consist of various races under his control, including Orcs, Easterlings, Trolls, and other creatures. With Sauron at the helm, the forces of Mordor represent a fearsome adversary. Consider the sheer number of troops involved in the Minas Morgul campaign against Gondor:

The movies depict nearly 200,000 Orcs, along with Easterling forces, Trolls, Oliphaunts, and the infamous Nazg?l. The air support provided by the Nazg?l added a formidable element to the attack.

However, even with Sauron's guidance, Gondor faced significant challenges. The city of Minas Tirith was under siege by this overwhelming force, and it survived only temporarily, as evidenced by the disheartening message from Denethor:

"Against the shadow that has arisen in the East, there can be no victory."

Gondor's Weaknesses

While Mordor had a large and powerful army, Gondor was a significantly weakened state by the time of the War of the Ring. Under the rule of Ruling Steward Denethor, Gondor had become a rump state, comparable to the Byzantine Empire before its fall. Its population and resources were decimated, and the city of Minas Tirith was depopulated and struggling to defend itself:

Denethor, the Ruling Steward, declared:

"Against the shadow that has arisen in the East, there can be no victory."

The depleted forces of Gondor were no match for the sheer might of Mordor's army. By the time the Rohirrim and Gondorian levies arrived, it had already taken two days for the enemy to lay siege to the city:

According to Tolkien, the mere arrival of 7,000 Rohirrim and the coastal levies was enough to break the siege, much like the arrival of the Polish cavalry at the Siege of Vienna.

Conclusion

Without the strategic and magical power of Sauron, Mordor would have had a much more difficult time defeating Gondor. The Lord of the Rings demonstrates that even with superior numbers, the lack of a central, guiding force would have rendered Mordor's invasion less effective. Ultimately, the destruction of the One Ring by Frodo and Sam provided the decisive victory that put an end to the threat of Mordor.

The strength and resilience of Gondor, combined with the arrival of unexpected allies, were key factors in the ultimate victory over Mordor's forces. The decision to destroy the Ring was not just a personal triumph but a strategic move that secured the future of Middle-earth.