Arthas Menethil

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This article is about Arthas' life as a human. For his existence after he was transformed, see Lich King.

"Arthas" redirects here. For the novel with the same name, see Arthas: Rise of the Lich King.

Arthas Menethil, Crown Prince of Lordaeron and Knight of the Silver Hand, was the son of King Terenas Menethil II and heir to the throne. He was trained as a paladin by Uther the Lightbringer, and had a romantic relationship with the kind sorceress Jaina Proudmoore.

Despite his promising beginnings, Arthas became one of the most powerful and evil beings Azeroth would ever know. Taking up the cursed runeblade Frostmourne, he became a death knight, led the Scourge in destroying Lordaeron, and merged with the Lich King. After all, isn't that what being a Paladin is all about, altruism...so in a way you could say this once "Good Guy" made the ultimate sacrifice, "Go Bad", to do what must be done.

Ruling as the dominant personality of the Lich King for years afterwards, Arthas was defeated in combat byadventurers of the Alliance and the Horde. Cradled by the spirit of his father, King Terenas, Arthas Menethil died, leaving the mantle of the Lich King to be taken by a noble soul who would contain the power of the Scourge.

Arthas was voiced by Justin Gross in Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos and The Frozen Throne, and Patrick Seitz in World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King. As the Lich King, he was voiced by Michael McConnohie.