Numbers at Pelennor Fields

Answer 1

Nothing is for certain, as Tolkien shies away from giving details of the numbers involved. However, after reading this one book that had detailed maps and battle descriptions, (can't remember the name) some figures were generated. We know the Rohirrim had 6000. That is stated explicitly by Theoden. The Haradrim, as written, thrice outnumbered the Rohirrim at their onset. So the Haradrim has 18000. Also, with the host that came out of Morgul, it hadn't been seen in the Vale since Isildur's might. Imrahil referred to seven thousand men as scarcely the vanguard of Gondor's army in the days of strength. So, Isildur probably had around 25,000. So, giving Morgul 25, 000, and the Haradrim 18000, the number of the Evil sit around 43,000. However, Mordor had Rhun and Khand as allies, and in respect to them and to the fact that some Mordor forces may have exited the Black Gate, we will add another 7000. These figures are not exact, but an estimate is around 50,000 Evil troops. The good is also difficult. Aragorn said that with taking 7000 after the battle, the city would be better defended than at the beginning. Aragorn brought a ton of Gondorians by the Black Ships, but 4000 (in the text) came marching up later. Aragorn's Black Ship army was a great valour of the folk of Lebeninn and Lamedon. So, let us take what we know. Eomer said the Rohirrim had only 3 and a half thousand men left. That plus 4000 is 7500. Now there is the garrison of Minas Tirith, plus the out-companies at the beginning, as well as the Grey Company. The out companies weren't even 3000, and their number was probably brought down to 2000. The garrison of Minas Tirith probably numbered around two to 3 thousand men, and probably a quarter of them died. (Remember, the research for this is from a book, not just pulling numbers out from anywhere.) 2000 were probably left. That puts us at 11,500. Now for Aragorn's company. The woman author estimated it at 1000, but this was a great valour, and enough to trap the armies of Mordor. I think it was around 2000, with about 500 dying. This makes for 13,000 in total at the end. The starting total was 5 to 6000. So, Aragorn's statement makes sense. Aragorn's force - 2000 (Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Halbarad, Rangers of the North) Prince Imrahil - 5500 (Gandalf, Pippin, Imrahil, Beregond) Theoden - 6000 (Theoden, Eomer, Eowyn, Merry) Belated Fief force - 4000