Battle of Five Armies - Definition and Overview

The Battle of Five Armies is a battle depicted in The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien.

The Battle of Five Armies was waged between the Goblins and the Wargs against Men and Elves and Dwarves on and near the Lonely Mountain, after Bard the Bowman killed the dragon Smaug. Prior to the battle, the Men of the Lake and the Wood-elves had laid siege to the Dwarves in the Lonely Mountain, when the Dwarves refused to share any of the treasure they had recaptured from Smaug.

After defeating the Goblins and Wargs, the victors divided the treasure. Bard took Bilbo's fourteenth share of the gold and silver in return for the Arkenstone, whereupon he shared his reward with the Master of Lake-town and gave the Elven-king the emeralds of Girion. Bilbo, despite having forfeited his share, was offered a rich reward but refused to take more than two small chests of gold and silver.