The Uruk-hai

The Uruk-hai were a race of Orcs bred by Sauron at some point in the Third Age in Mordor. They appeared for the first time around 2475 of the Third Age. It was at that time that they conquered Osgiliath and ruined Ithilien. By the time of the War of the Ring they were the primary Orcs used by both Sauron and Saruman.

Uruk-hai Orcs served as good soldiers, for they were intelligent (compared to other Orcs), could stand upright, like Men, and were as tall as Men. Even more important was the fact that they could tolerate sunlight. They had black skin. They also thought themselves superior to other Orcs.

They were also known as Great Orcs.