Sauron Gave Rings to Everyone, But the Dwarves Didn't Submit: Here Are 4 Reasons Why
The Dark Lord's original plan didn't work out.
In The Lord of the Rings, Sauron gave the Rings of Power not only to men — the dwarves got some too. But while the former became terrifying Nazgûl wraiths, the latter remained stubborn bearded warriors in armor with pickaxes. Why did it turn out that way? Let’s break it down.
The Dwarves Also Had Rings — But They Didn’t Work as Intended
Sauron gave seven rings to the dwarves, thinking he’d have them on a short leash too. But it didn’t work. Even though one of the ring-bearers — the king of Durin’s line — was at the heart of major events (Moria, Erebor), the dwarves did not submit to the Darkness. Why?
They Were Created by Aulë
The dwarves were not created by the supreme Eru, but by Aulë — the smith god. Yes, Eru later gave them souls, but their original character remained: resilient and unyielding. Such beings don’t easily bend to power, even magical power.
Men Were Easier to Manipulate
Men are curious, ambitious, and impressionable. Dwarves dig inward and listen only to their elders. Sauron realized this and stopped wasting magical resources on them. Men were easier to tempt with power, greed, and the desire for immortality.
The Rings Worked Differently
On men, the rings acted like a drug: long life, magic, the illusion of control. But for dwarves, they only intensified their lust for gold. That’s why Moria dug so deep — until they found the balrog. Become wraiths? No, the dwarves just went mad for mithril.
Sauron Needed Something Else — For the Dwarves to Stay Out of the Way
He knew the dwarves could be a valuable military ally, so if he couldn’t control them, he at least wanted them distracted. The rings pulled them away from politics and war, focusing them on treasure. As a result, the dwarves kept digging and barely took part in the great battles.
