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Bladorthin

2018-05-29T22:38:34Z

142.44.139.85:

{{other infobox
| image=
| name=Bladorthin
| pronun=
| othernames=
| titles=
| position=King of an unknown realm in [[Middle-earth]]
| location=Unknown
| affiliation=
| language=
| birth=
| birthlocation=
| rule=
| death=Before {{TA|2941}}
| deathlocation=
| age=
| notablefor=
| parentage=
| siblings=
| spouse=
| children=
| race=Unknown (probably [[Man]] or [[Elf]])
| gender=Male
| height=
| hair=
| eyes=
| clothing=
| weapons=
| steed=
}}
{{quote|... the spears that were made for the armies of the great King Bladorthin (long since dead), each had a thrice-forged head and their shafts were inlaid with cunning gold, but they were never delivered or paid for...|<ref name=Inside>{{H|Inside}}</ref>}}
'''Bladorthin''' was a king of some realm of [[Middle-earth]] during the mid-[[Third Age]].

Questions about whether Bladorthin was a [[Men|Man]] or an [[Elves|Elf]], or precisely where his kingdom lay, must remain in the realm of speculation.
==History==
Bladorthin ruled a great kingdom which maintained armies and had trade relationships with [[Erebor]]. His rule could be placed anytime between {{TA|1999}} and {{TA|2770}}.

He had ordered thrice-forged spears of superior quality for his soldiers from the [[Dwarves of Erebor]]. The smiths forged them, but for some reason Bladorthin never received his weapons and the spears remained in their halls.<ref name=Inside/>

It is possible that the [[Sack of Erebor|descent]] of [[Smaug]] on the [[Lonely Mountain]] was what prevented the trade, in which case his death can be put after that event.

On the other hand his death was perhaps premature and it was the reason that the trade was never completed.<ref>{{HM|Guide}}, entry "Bladorthin"</ref>

In any case, he died long before {{TA|2941}}.<ref name=Inside/>
==Etymology==
[[John D. Rateliff]] has noted that [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] never explained the meaning of the name ''Bladorthin''. He identifies the name as "clearly [[Gnomish]] (or perhaps [[Noldorin]])".

The Gnomish element ''blador'' "probably applies to wide open country" (cf. [[Bladorinand]], an early name of [[Beleriand]]), whereas the element ''-thin'' likely has the meaning of "grey" (as in ''[[Thingol#Etymology|'''Thin'''gol]]''). This would give the translation "the Grey Country", "Grey Plains Fay", or "Grey Master of the Plains".<ref name=HH>{{HM|HHO}}, pp. 52-3, 62-3</ref>

==Other Versions of the [[Legendarium]]==
In the early drafts of ''[[The Hobbit]]'', Bladorthin was the name of [[Gandalf]] (who would later be assigned the colour "grey" in ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''). A connection can still be seen with the element ''-thin'' with the probable meaning "grey" (see [[#Etymology|above]]).<ref name=HH/>

==Speculation==
*[[Robert Foster]] suggests Bladorthin was an Elven king and that his premature death prevented the trade. The speculation that his death was premature narrows down the time of his death between {{TA|1999}} (the establishment of the [[Kingdom under the Mountain]]) and {{TA|2770}} (its destruction by [[Smaug]]).
*[[J.E.A. Tyler]] also interprets his death as premature
*[[Michael Martinez]] also interprets his death as premature, and suggests that he was a King of [[Dale]], perhaps ancestor of [[Girion]].<ref>[[Parma Endorion]]</ref>
*[[Douglas A. Anderson]] in ''[[The Annotated Hobbit]]'' suggests he was a [[Gift of Men|mortal]] Man.
*An article in the [[Tolkienwiki]] suggests not only that his death was premature but that his kingdom was destroyed by [[Sauron]], presumably located near the [[Sea of Rhûn]].<ref>[http://www.thetolkienwiki.org/wiki.cgi?FAQ/Who__was__King__Bladorthin FAQ: Who was King Bladorthin?]</ref>
*[[Andreas Moehn]] counters most of the common theories, notably the interpretation that his death was premature. As the book does not mention his death as such, most probable is that Smaug's arrival in {{TA|2770}} prevented the trade. Therefore he must died sometime later. He also rejects the theory that his kingdom was related to Dale, and locates it in [[Dorwinion]].

==Portrayal in adaptations==
'''2003: ''[[The Hobbit (2003 video game)|The Hobbit]]'':'''
:Bladorthin's spears are some of the items [[Bilbo Baggins]] must find in Erebor for a quest in the chapter "Inside Information".

==External links==
*[http://web.archive.org/web/20130107014744/http://lalaith.vpsurf.de/Tolkien/Bladorthin.html A theory on Bladorthin] by [[Andreas Möhn|Andreas Moehn]]

{{references}}
[[Category:Characters of unknown race]]
[[Category:Enigmas]]
[[Category:Rulers of Middle-earth]]
[[de:Bladorthin]]
[[fi:Bladorthin]]

Bladorthin

2018-05-29T22:38:18Z

142.44.139.85:

{{other infobox
| image=
| name=Bladorthin
| pronun=
| othernames=
| titles=
| position=King of an unknown realm in [[Middle-earth]]
| location=Unknown
| affiliation=
| language=
| birth=
| birthlocation=
| rule=
| death=Before {{TA|2941}}
| deathlocation=
| age=
| notablefor=
| parentage=
| siblings=
| spouse=
| children=
| race=Unknown (probably [[Man]] or [[Elf]]
| gender=Male
| height=
| hair=
| eyes=
| clothing=
| weapons=
| steed=
}}
{{quote|... the spears that were made for the armies of the great King Bladorthin (long since dead), each had a thrice-forged head and their shafts were inlaid with cunning gold, but they were never delivered or paid for...|<ref name=Inside>{{H|Inside}}</ref>}}
'''Bladorthin''' was a king of some realm of [[Middle-earth]] during the mid-[[Third Age]].

Questions about whether Bladorthin was a [[Men|Man]] or an [[Elves|Elf]], or precisely where his kingdom lay, must remain in the realm of speculation.
==History==
Bladorthin ruled a great kingdom which maintained armies and had trade relationships with [[Erebor]]. His rule could be placed anytime between {{TA|1999}} and {{TA|2770}}.

He had ordered thrice-forged spears of superior quality for his soldiers from the [[Dwarves of Erebor]]. The smiths forged them, but for some reason Bladorthin never received his weapons and the spears remained in their halls.<ref name=Inside/>

It is possible that the [[Sack of Erebor|descent]] of [[Smaug]] on the [[Lonely Mountain]] was what prevented the trade, in which case his death can be put after that event.

On the other hand his death was perhaps premature and it was the reason that the trade was never completed.<ref>{{HM|Guide}}, entry "Bladorthin"</ref>

In any case, he died long before {{TA|2941}}.<ref name=Inside/>
==Etymology==
[[John D. Rateliff]] has noted that [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] never explained the meaning of the name ''Bladorthin''. He identifies the name as "clearly [[Gnomish]] (or perhaps [[Noldorin]])".

The Gnomish element ''blador'' "probably applies to wide open country" (cf. [[Bladorinand]], an early name of [[Beleriand]]), whereas the element ''-thin'' likely has the meaning of "grey" (as in ''[[Thingol#Etymology|'''Thin'''gol]]''). This would give the translation "the Grey Country", "Grey Plains Fay", or "Grey Master of the Plains".<ref name=HH>{{HM|HHO}}, pp. 52-3, 62-3</ref>

==Other Versions of the [[Legendarium]]==
In the early drafts of ''[[The Hobbit]]'', Bladorthin was the name of [[Gandalf]] (who would later be assigned the colour "grey" in ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''). A connection can still be seen with the element ''-thin'' with the probable meaning "grey" (see [[#Etymology|above]]).<ref name=HH/>

==Speculation==
*[[Robert Foster]] suggests Bladorthin was an Elven king and that his premature death prevented the trade. The speculation that his death was premature narrows down the time of his death between {{TA|1999}} (the establishment of the [[Kingdom under the Mountain]]) and {{TA|2770}} (its destruction by [[Smaug]]).
*[[J.E.A. Tyler]] also interprets his death as premature
*[[Michael Martinez]] also interprets his death as premature, and suggests that he was a King of [[Dale]], perhaps ancestor of [[Girion]].<ref>[[Parma Endorion]]</ref>
*[[Douglas A. Anderson]] in ''[[The Annotated Hobbit]]'' suggests he was a [[Gift of Men|mortal]] Man.
*An article in the [[Tolkienwiki]] suggests not only that his death was premature but that his kingdom was destroyed by [[Sauron]], presumably located near the [[Sea of Rhûn]].<ref>[http://www.thetolkienwiki.org/wiki.cgi?FAQ/Who__was__King__Bladorthin FAQ: Who was King Bladorthin?]</ref>
*[[Andreas Moehn]] counters most of the common theories, notably the interpretation that his death was premature. As the book does not mention his death as such, most probable is that Smaug's arrival in {{TA|2770}} prevented the trade. Therefore he must died sometime later. He also rejects the theory that his kingdom was related to Dale, and locates it in [[Dorwinion]].

==Portrayal in adaptations==
'''2003: ''[[The Hobbit (2003 video game)|The Hobbit]]'':'''
:Bladorthin's spears are some of the items [[Bilbo Baggins]] must find in Erebor for a quest in the chapter "Inside Information".

==External links==
*[http://web.archive.org/web/20130107014744/http://lalaith.vpsurf.de/Tolkien/Bladorthin.html A theory on Bladorthin] by [[Andreas Möhn|Andreas Moehn]]

{{references}}
[[Category:Characters of unknown race]]
[[Category:Enigmas]]
[[Category:Rulers of Middle-earth]]
[[de:Bladorthin]]
[[fi:Bladorthin]]

Uruk-hai

2018-05-29T22:34:16Z

142.44.139.85: added info to infobox

{{cleanup}}
{{people infobox
| name=Uruk-hai
| image=[[File:John Howe - The Uruk-hai.jpg|250px]]
| caption="[[:File:John Howe - The Uruk-hai.jpg|The Uruk-hai]]" by [[John Howe]]
| pronun=
| othernames=Great Orcs, Uruks
| origin=Bred by [[Sauron]] (and later [[Saruman]]) in the late [[Third Age]]
| location=[[Isengard|Northern Rohan and Isengard]], [[Mordor]]
| affiliation=[[Sauron]], [[Saruman]]
| rivalry=
| language=Various dialects of the [[Black Speech]], [[Westron]]
| members=[[Uglúk]], [[Mauhúr]]
| lifespan=
| distinctions=Large build; better resistance to sunlight; faster, stronger, and smarter than other Orcs
| height=Shorter than [[Men]]
| hair=
| skin=Swarthy
| clothing=
| weapons=Short, broad-bladed swords, shields, bows of yew, knives
}}
{{quote|...and others, too, came out of the forest. Great Orcs, who also bore the White Hand of [[Isengard]]: that kind is stronger and more fell than all the others.|[[Éomer]]<ref name="Riders">{{TT|Riders}}</ref>}}

The '''Uruk-hai''' were a new breed of [[Orcs]] that appeared during the [[Third Age]].

==Appearance==
They were faster than normal Orcs and could travel during the day without being weakened. They were not only faster but smarter, stronger and larger, though they were still shorter than Men.

The Orcs and Uruks in the service of [[Barad-dûr]], the folk of Mordor, used the symbol of the Red Eye of [[Sauron]]. The Red Eye was also painted on their shields. At least one, a guard on the march with [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]] and [[Peregrin Took|Pippin]], had a black knife with a long saw-edged blade, used by Pippin to cut through the ropes on his hands.
They were all long-armed and crook-legged, not as tall as the [[Isengard|Isengarder]] Uruks but larger than the [[Moria]] Orcs. They could see better in the dark than the Isengarders could.

The Uruk-hai of [[Saruman|Saruman the White]] used an S [[Cirth|elf-rune]] wrought in white metal on the front of their iron helms. It was clear this "S" stood for Saruman, because their shields had a small white hand (the symbol of Saruman) centered on a black field. [[Aragorn]] commented that their gear was not in the manner of other Orcs at all. Instead of curved scimitars, they used short, broad-bladed swords. Their great [[Bows|bows]] were made of yew wood, in length and shape as those of Men. They also appeared different physically: greater stature, swarthy, slant-eyed, thick legs and large hands. Although they did not like the light of the [[Sun]], they could withstand it better than other orcs. Saruman promised them man-flesh as a treat.

==History==
[[Treebeard]] openly wonders if they are Orcs that have been somehow "improved", or Men that were corrupted with Orc-like qualities, or if they were indeed a blending of Men and Orcs, an act which Treebeard considered to be "a black evil".

The race of uruks, described as "black orcs of great strength", first appeared about {{TA|2475}} when they conquered [[Ithilien]] and destroyed the city of [[Osgiliath]]. These were evidently of Sauron's breeding, but it is not clear whether or not these uruks should be regarded as identical with the Uruk-hai, who could be a further 'improvement' to the race achieved by Saruman in the [[War of the Ring]].

The Uruk-hai made up a large part of [[Saruman]]'s army, together with the [[Dunland|Dunlendings]] and other [[Men|Mannish]] enemies of [[Rohan]], and similar large Orcs also served as the elite troops of [[Mordor]].

Saruman's army of Uruk-hai fought against [[Kings of Rohan|King]] [[Théoden]] of Rohan and his people at [[Battle of the Hornburg|Helm's Deep]].

[[File:Darek Zabrocki - Orc Assault.jpg|thumb|left|250px|'''Orc Assault''' by Darek Zabrocki.]]
These Uruks of Mordor referred to Sauron as the Great Eye, and [[Grishnákh]] was their captain.

He aided them with his wizardry as well: when Aragorn, [[Gimli]], and [[Legolas]] followed the party of Uruks who kidnapped Merry and Pippin, Saruman's will caused weariness of the heart for the pursuers and lent speed to the Orcs. [[Uglúk]] led the Uruk-hai of Isengard, and since they were the strongest he felt that he led the [[Hobbits|hobbit]] march as well, insisting on going back by way of Isengard. This was the group that slew [[Boromir]].

==Etymology==
The name ''Uruk-hai'' has the element '''''uruk''''', which is a [[Black Speech]] word meaning "Orc".<ref>{{App|F1iv}}</ref><ref name=WJAC>{{WJ|AC}}, pp. 389-91</ref><ref name=L144>{{L|144}}</ref><ref name=PE17_47>{{PE|17}}, p. 47</ref> (For related words in other languages, see [[Orcs#Orcs in Tolkien's languages|Orcs in Tolkien's languages]].) The element ''[[hai|-hai]]'', also present in [[Olog-hai]] and [[Oghor-hai]], means "folk, people".

==Portrayal in adaptations==
In both [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]] and [[The Return of the King (1980 film)|''The Return of the King'' (1980 film)]], Uruk-hai are portrayed identically as (and without distinction to) the [[Orcs]].

'''1988: ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien's War in Middle Earth]]'':'''
[[File:War in Middle Earth - Orcs and Uruk-hai at Isengard.png|thumb|Uruk-hai at Isengard in ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien's War in Middle Earth]]'']]
:The Uruk-hai are portrayed as figures with purple armor and a shield.

'''2001-03: [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]:'''

In [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]], Saruman appears to be the only one who created the Uruks. They are shown in the movie as being released from a kind of membrane in the mud deep under Isengard (special commentary on the DVD edition explained that they were trying to base the scene on an early description of Tolkien's that Orcs "worm their way out of the ground like maggots"). In the movies Uruk-hai are described as a crossbreed between Orcs and "goblin-men". This is presumably a reference to the [[Goblin-men]] and [[Half-orcs]] in Saruman's service, creatures that blend the traits of Orcs and Men. These Uruks are sent after the Fellowship, and their leader is [[Lurtz]], a movie-only character.

His Uruks included Pikemen, Swordsmen, Archers, and [[Berserker|Berserkers]].
The Berserkers are the shock troops. When they were first spawned a helmet filled with blood was placed on their heads, so that they were filled with a bloodlust for their enemies. They carry doubly-bent swords, and forgo any armour in lieu of agility, slaying foes left and right, completely devoid of fear and pain. Pikemen, as the name suggests, carry long pikes, while archers carry [[crossbows]]. Swordsmen wield a straight iron sword, hooked at the tip, and deadly in an Uruk-hai's strong grip. They also use bladed shields, as seen in [[Amon Hen]] during [[Aragorn]]'s fight against Lurtz.

The Uruks were also very efficient using siege equipment, and had been trained to use crossbows with deadly accuracy. The Uruks, like the lesser Orcs, seemed to not care of each other's presence, shown by the battering ram wielders at Helm's Deep, barging each other off of the thin bridge. The Uruks also hated the Orcs, believing they were a lesser being and often rioting, e.g. in the tower of Cirith Ungol when Shagrat and Gorbag argued over Frodo's vest of Mithril and starting a mass war within the tower. The Uruks seem also to be able to control natural urges more than the Orcs, e.g. the Orcs demanded to eat the Hobbits they had captured, while the Uruks were protective. It would seem the only way Orcs were better than Uruks is in treachery, lying and being devious. The Uruks are also not seen to ever ride a mount, possibly due to size, weight and build (the Wargs which attacked the Rohan migration were ridden by trained Orcs).

'''2002: ''[[EA's The Two Towers]]'':'''
:Uruk-hai appear as enemies in the "Battle of Helm's Deep" and "Fangorn Forest" missions, retaining the movie appearance.

[[File:The Lord of the Rings- The Treason of Isengard - Uruk-hai.jpg|250px|thumb|'''Uruk-hai''' in the cancelled video game ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Treason of Isengard]]''.]]
'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War of the Ring]]'':'''
:Uruks become available after a storyline mission in which Saruman manages to perfect his creation.

'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth]]'':'''
:Uruks compose most of the units of Isengard faction: swordsmen, pikemen, crossbowmen, in addition to Uruks operating siege engines are available, following the movie appearance.

'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'':'''
:Most of Uruk-hai units from the first game return with little if any changes in behavior.

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Multiple Uruks are used by the Enemy in different parts of Middle-earth. In addition to White Hand Uruks, notable are the Angmar Uruks and the Black Uruks from Dol Guldur, all sporting a variety of different appearances. Players can play as Uruks as part of the "Monster Play" game option.

'''2009: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Conquest]]'':'''
:Uruk-hai appear as enemies during the Battle of Helm's Deep.

'''2014: ''[[Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor]]'':'''
:Uruks replace the role of the lesser Orcs, making up the force stationed in Mordor.

==See also==
* [[Olog-hai]]

{{references}}
[[Category:Uruk-hai| ]]
[[Category:Servants of Saruman]]
[[Category:Servants of Sauron]]
[[de:Uruk-hai]]
[[fr:encyclo/peuples/orques/uruk-hai]]
[[fi:Uruk-hai]]

Nogrod

2018-05-29T22:21:59Z

142.44.139.85:

__NOTOC__
{{kingdom
| image=[[File:Mark Fisher - Belegost.gif|250px]]
| name=Nogrod
| pronun=
| othernames=Tumunzahar
| location=[[Blue Mountains]], south-east of [[Dolmed|Mount Dolmed]]
| capital=
| towns=
| regions=
| population=[[Dwarves of Nogrod]]
| language=[[Khuzdul]], [[Sindarin]]
| govern1=[[Lord of Nogrod]]
| govern2=
| govern3=
| currency=
| holiday=
| precededby=
| event1=Founded
| event1date=[[Years of the Trees]]
| event2=Destroyed
| event2date={{FA|587}}
| event3=Abandoned
| event3date={{SA|40}}
| event4=
| event4date=
| event5=
| event5date=
| followedby=
}}
'''Nogrod''' was one of two [[Dwarves|Dwarven]] cities in the [[Ered Luin]] that prospered during the [[First Age]]. It was home to the [[Dwarves of Nogrod]].

==Description==
Nogrod lay in the north-central part of the mountain range, near [[Dolmed|Mount Dolmed]] where the Dwarf-road of [[Beleriand]] crossed into [[Eriador]].<ref>{{S|Map}}</ref> It guarded one of the only passes through the mountain range.<ref>{{VT|48a}}, p. 24 ("But the Dwarves had built some great Mansions in those mountains [the Ered Luin] (commanding the only passes)")</ref> It was home to the [[Dwarves of Nogrod]]. Nogrod was also the home to the great Dwarven smiths [[Gamil Zirak]] and [[Telchar]].<ref>{{UT|Narn}}, ''The Departure of Túrin''</ref>

==History==
The city was built sometime during the [[Years of the Trees]] when the western [[Fathers of the Dwarves]] awoke from beneath Mount Dolmed.<ref>{{VT|48a}}, p. 24 ("...which had certainly been founded long ago ... before the coming of the exiled Noldor, probably before the Eldar of the Great Journey ever reached Beleriand")</ref>

Nogrod traded with throughout Beleriand and the Dwarves were employed for delvings and crafts, most famously the [[Nauglamir]] for King [[Thingol]].<ref>{{S|Doriath}}</ref> [[Eöl]] the Dark Elf often went there, as did his son [[Maeglin]].<ref name="Sindar">{{S|Sindar}}</ref>

At the end of the First Age, Nogrod was ruined in the [[War of Wrath]],<ref>{{App|Durin}}</ref> and around the [[Second Age 40|fortieth year]] of the [[Second Age]] the Dwarves of the Blue Mountains began to migrate to [[Moria|Khazad-dûm]], abandoning Nogrod and [[Belegost]].<ref>{{App|SA}}</ref> However, there always remained some Dwarves on the eastern side of the Blue Mountains in days afterward.<ref>{{UT|Concerning}} p. 235</ref>

==Etymology==
Nogrod is a [[Sindarin]] name; it was originally known as '''Novrod''' which means "hollow delving" aka '''Hollowbold''', like its original Khuzdul name, '''Tumunzahar'''.

Novrod was altered to ''Naug''rod under the influence of the similar-sounding word ''[[Naug]]'' "dwarf".<ref name=el/> Therefore while the name '''Hollowbold''' is provided as the translation of Nogrod<ref>{{S|Index}}</ref> it is not a literal translation; the new name means rather "Dwarf dwelling".<ref>{{HM|Guide}}, entry "Nogrod"</ref>

The second element of Novrod/Nogrod is Sindarin ''groth/grod'' meaning "delving, underground dwelling".<ref name=el>{{S|Elements}}</ref>

In ''[[The Etymologies]]'' the name is labelled as [[Noldorin]] and is said to contain the element ''[[Naug]]'' "dwarf". The second element ''-rod'' is not explained, but a note by [[Christopher Tolkien]] points to entry [[ROD]], an etymological [[root]] meaning "cave". Relevant Noldorin words include ''rhond'' "cave" and ''rhaud'' "hollow, cavernous".<ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}, entries NAUK, ROD</ref>

Its name in [[Khuzdul]] was ''[[Tumunzahar]]'' (meaning "Hollowbold"),<ref name="Sindar"/> and its [[Quenya]] name was ''Návarot''.<ref>{{WJ|AB}}, p. 389</ref>

{{references}}
[[Category:Beleriand]]
[[Category:Eriador]]
[[Category:Cities, towns and villages]]
[[Category:Dwarven realms]]

[[de:Nogrod]]
[[fi:Nogrod]]
[[fr:encyclo/geographie/villes_tours_et_forteresses/beleriand/nogrod]]

Nogrod

2018-05-29T22:21:26Z

142.44.139.85:

__NOTOC__
{{kingdom
| image=[[File:Mark Fisher - Belegost.gif|250px]]
| name=Nogrod
| pronun=
| othernames=Tumunzahar
| location=[[Blue Mountains]], south-east of [[Dolmed|Mount Dolmed]]
| capital=
| towns=
| regions=
| population=[[Dwarves of Nogrod]]
| language=Khuzdul
| govern1=[[Lord of Nogrod]]
| govern2=
| govern3=
| currency=
| holiday=
| precededby=
| event1=Founded
| event1date=[[Years of the Trees]]
| event2=Destroyed
| event2date={{FA|587}}
| event3=Abandoned
| event3date={{SA|40}}
| event4=
| event4date=
| event5=
| event5date=
| followedby=
}}
'''Nogrod''' was one of two [[Dwarves|Dwarven]] cities in the [[Ered Luin]] that prospered during the [[First Age]]. It was home to the [[Dwarves of Nogrod]].

==Description==
Nogrod lay in the north-central part of the mountain range, near [[Dolmed|Mount Dolmed]] where the Dwarf-road of [[Beleriand]] crossed into [[Eriador]].<ref>{{S|Map}}</ref> It guarded one of the only passes through the mountain range.<ref>{{VT|48a}}, p. 24 ("But the Dwarves had built some great Mansions in those mountains [the Ered Luin] (commanding the only passes)")</ref> It was home to the [[Dwarves of Nogrod]]. Nogrod was also the home to the great Dwarven smiths [[Gamil Zirak]] and [[Telchar]].<ref>{{UT|Narn}}, ''The Departure of Túrin''</ref>

==History==
The city was built sometime during the [[Years of the Trees]] when the western [[Fathers of the Dwarves]] awoke from beneath Mount Dolmed.<ref>{{VT|48a}}, p. 24 ("...which had certainly been founded long ago ... before the coming of the exiled Noldor, probably before the Eldar of the Great Journey ever reached Beleriand")</ref>

Nogrod traded with throughout Beleriand and the Dwarves were employed for delvings and crafts, most famously the [[Nauglamir]] for King [[Thingol]].<ref>{{S|Doriath}}</ref> [[Eöl]] the Dark Elf often went there, as did his son [[Maeglin]].<ref name="Sindar">{{S|Sindar}}</ref>

At the end of the First Age, Nogrod was ruined in the [[War of Wrath]],<ref>{{App|Durin}}</ref> and around the [[Second Age 40|fortieth year]] of the [[Second Age]] the Dwarves of the Blue Mountains began to migrate to [[Moria|Khazad-dûm]], abandoning Nogrod and [[Belegost]].<ref>{{App|SA}}</ref> However, there always remained some Dwarves on the eastern side of the Blue Mountains in days afterward.<ref>{{UT|Concerning}} p. 235</ref>

==Etymology==
Nogrod is a [[Sindarin]] name; it was originally known as '''Novrod''' which means "hollow delving" aka '''Hollowbold''', like its original Khuzdul name, '''Tumunzahar'''.

Novrod was altered to ''Naug''rod under the influence of the similar-sounding word ''[[Naug]]'' "dwarf".<ref name=el/> Therefore while the name '''Hollowbold''' is provided as the translation of Nogrod<ref>{{S|Index}}</ref> it is not a literal translation; the new name means rather "Dwarf dwelling".<ref>{{HM|Guide}}, entry "Nogrod"</ref>

The second element of Novrod/Nogrod is Sindarin ''groth/grod'' meaning "delving, underground dwelling".<ref name=el>{{S|Elements}}</ref>

In ''[[The Etymologies]]'' the name is labelled as [[Noldorin]] and is said to contain the element ''[[Naug]]'' "dwarf". The second element ''-rod'' is not explained, but a note by [[Christopher Tolkien]] points to entry [[ROD]], an etymological [[root]] meaning "cave". Relevant Noldorin words include ''rhond'' "cave" and ''rhaud'' "hollow, cavernous".<ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}, entries NAUK, ROD</ref>

Its name in [[Khuzdul]] was ''[[Tumunzahar]]'' (meaning "Hollowbold"),<ref name="Sindar"/> and its [[Quenya]] name was ''Návarot''.<ref>{{WJ|AB}}, p. 389</ref>

{{references}}
[[Category:Beleriand]]
[[Category:Eriador]]
[[Category:Cities, towns and villages]]
[[Category:Dwarven realms]]

[[de:Nogrod]]
[[fi:Nogrod]]
[[fr:encyclo/geographie/villes_tours_et_forteresses/beleriand/nogrod]]

Woodland Realm

2018-05-29T22:17:32Z

142.44.139.85: added info

{{kingdom
| image=[[File:Alan Lee - Gandalf's Farewell.jpg|250px]]
| name=Woodland Realm
| pronun=
| othernames=
| location=[[Mirkwood|Greenwood the Great]]; later Northern [[Mirkwood]]
| capital=[[Amon Lanc]]; later [[Elvenking's Halls]]
| towns=
| regions=
| population=[[Silvan Elves|Silvan]] and [[Sindar]] [[Elves]]
| language=[[Silvan Elvish]], [[Sindarin]], [[Westron]]
| govern1=
| govern2=
| govern3=
| currency=
| holiday=
| precededby=
| event1=Founded
| event1date={{SA|750}}
| event2=
| event2date=
| event3=
| event3date=
| event4=
| event4date=
| event5=
| event5date=
| followedby=
}}
The '''Woodland Realm''' was a kingdom of [[Silvan Elves]] in [[Mirkwood]], from the [[Second Age]] onwards.

== History ==
=== Second Age ===
The Woodland Realm was established by [[Oropher]] in {{SA|750}}, a [[Sindar|Sindarin]] lord of [[Doriath]], after the [[War of Wrath]].<ref>{{PM|Second}}, p. 174</ref> Unlike most Sindar, Oropher and his household declined the [[Valar]]'s offer to depart from [[Middle-earth]] for [[Valinor]]. Instead he migrated eastward and became the King of the [[Nandor]] of [[Mirkwood|Greenwood the Great]]. The few Sindar who had come with him were soon merged with the [[Silvan Elves]], adopting their customs and language and taking names of Silvan form and style.<ref name="Sindarin Princes"/> Oropher and his household wished to return to a simple existence natural to the Elves before they had been disturbed by the Valar.<ref name="Sindarin Princes">{{UT|Galadriel}}, "Appendix B: The Sindarin Princes of the Silvan Elves"</ref>

Originally Oropher's realm encompassed the entirety of Greenwood, with its capital at [[Amon Lanc]]. However, during the Second Age, he and his people migrated north three times.<ref name="Note 14">{{UT|Gladden}}, note 14</ref> According to one tradition, the first movement was northward beyond the [[Gladden Fields]], due to Oropher's desire to distance himself from the increasing encroachments of the Dwarves of [[Moria]] and his resentment of the intrusions of [[Celeborn]] and [[Galadriel]] in [[Lothlórien]]. However his people did maintain constant intercourse with their kin west of the [[Anduin]].<ref name="Sindarin Princes"/> Oropher was also disturbed by the reports of [[Sauron]]'s rising power and by the end of the Second Age he dwelt in the western glens of the [[Mountains of Mirkwood|Emyn Duir]] or Dark Mountains and his people lived north of the [[Men-i-Naugrim]] or Dwarf-road.<ref name="Note 14"/>

In {{SA|3430}},<ref>{{App|SA}}</ref> Oropher and Amdír led their combined forces against [[Sauron]] as part of the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]]. During the [[Battle of Dagorlad]] the Silvan contingent refused to obey the orders of the [[Noldor]]in king [[Gil-galad]], instead charging the enemy alone. They fought valiantly, but being ill-equipped and outnumbered most were slain, among them Oropher.<ref name="Sindarin Princes"/> Over the course of the war, which ended with the [[Siege of Barad-dûr]] in {{SA|3441}}, most of the Silvan army had been lost. Thranduil led the remaining third of his army back home to the Greenwood.<ref name="Sindarin Princes"/>

=== Third Age ===
[[File:Anke Eißmann - Thranduil.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Anke Eißmann]] - ''Thranduil''|right]]
Oropher's son, [[Thranduil]], succeeded him as king of the Woodland Realm<ref name="Sindarin Princes"/> and ruled for the duration of the [[Third Age]].

Around {{TA|1050}} an evil entity known as the [[Necromancer#Sauron's Return|Necromancer]] (later identified as [[Sauron]]) inhabited the abandoned halls of [[Amon Lanc]], and Greenwood grew infested with [[Orcs]] and giant [[Spiders]].<ref name="TA">{{App|TA}}</ref> The Wood-elves retreated yet further north<ref name="Sindarin Princes"/> and many landmarks were renamed: Greenwood became [[Mirkwood]], the Emyn Duir the Mountains of Mirkwood or ''[[Emyn-nu-Fuin]]'', and Amon Lanc was known as [[Dol Guldur]], the Hill of Sorcery.

By the middle of the Third Age, the Silvan Elves of Mirkwood were much reduced in number though Mirkwood still had a greater population of Elves than Lindon, Rivendell, or Lothlórien.<ref>{{L|347}} p. 425 </ref> To avoid the encroachment of the Necromancer from the south, they dwelt in the lands north of the [[Forest River]], living mainly in and around the [[Elvenking's Halls]]. They also had become increasingly withdrawn and wary of strangers, though they did trade with the neighbouring realms of [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]] and [[Dale]], and imported wine from [[Dorwinion]] via the [[River Running]]. The former traffic came to an end upon with the destruction of Erebor by the [[Dragons|dragon]] [[Smaug]] in {{TA|2770}},<ref name="TA"/> who also attacked the Woodland Realm itself, putting further pressure on the beleaguered elves{{fact}}.

==== Quest for Erebor ====
In {{TA|2941}},<ref name="TA"/> Thranduil's people were disturbed, three times, by a band of [[Dwarves]] while feasting in the forest. The Dwarves were captured after the third interruption and brought to the Elvenking's halls. Though they had trespassed, they were not imprisoned until after they had been questioned and refused to be forthright. Their leader, [[Thorin]], refused to reveal the purpose of their journey from their halls far to the west in [[Eriador]].<ref name=Flies/> The others, taken separately, had been questioned, refused to speak openly, and also spoke insultingly of the Elves.<ref name=Barrels/>

Thranduil was content to wait for the Dwarves' stubborness to subside. Though prisoners in the king's dungeons, they were not ill-treated by the Wood-elves who "were reasonably well-behaved even to their worst enemies, when they captured them."<ref name=Flies>{{H|Flies}}</ref> After many days of imprisonment, they escaped with the help of their companion, the [[Hobbits|hobbit]] [[Bilbo Baggins]], who had avoided capture using a [[The One Ring|magic ring]].<ref name=Barrels>{{H|Barrels}}</ref>

Sometime later, the Elves heard that Smaug, provoked by the escaped dwarves, had left Erebor to attack [[Lake-town]] where he was slain by [[Bard|Bard the Bowman]]. With that news, it was believed that the dwarves must have died and the wealth of [[Thror]], augmented by Smaug's pillage of Dale, was left unprotected. Thranduil immediately assembled an army and marched towards [[Erebor]]. On the way, they met messengers from [[Bard]] seeking aid for the people of destroyed Lake-town. Thranduil being "the lord of a good and kindly people," turned his march to lend them aid.<ref name=Fire/> He gave them a great store of goods and skilled Elves stayed to help the people erect shelters for the winter. He and Bard, a descendant of [[Girion]] of Dale, then joined forces and marched north in arms as Thranduil had perceived that the swift spreading news of Smaug's death was "an ill wind . . . that blows no one any good."<ref name=Fire>{{H|Fire}}</ref>

[[File:Capucine Mazille - The Battle of Five Armies.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Capucine Mazille]] - ''The Battle of Five Armies'']]
On arriving, however, they found Thorin and his company alive, and Thorin, despite their early attempts to negotiate, refused to relinquish his claim on any of the treasure and had secured Erebor against an assault. Thranduil and Bard then lay siege to the Dwarves, who awaited aid from their relatives in the [[Iron Hills]] to the east.<ref>{{H|Gathering}}</ref> Hoping to avert battle, Bilbo delivered the [[Arkenstone]] to the Wood-elves and Men, so they could use it to bargain with Thorin.<ref>{{H|Thief}}</ref> This act earned him great respect from the Elvenking who stated that he was "worthy to wear the armour of elf-princes," which referred to the mithril-mail shirt, found in the dragon's hoard, that Thorin had given him.

The next morning, Bard and Thranduil entered into negotiations with an angered Thorin, who agreed to pay one-fourteenth share of the treasure in exchange for the stone. Thranduil was reluctant to start a war over gold, but when the forces of Dáin arrived the next day, before the trade had been made for the Arkenstone, the Dwarves proceeded to attack. While the Elves, Men, and Dwarves skirmished, other enemies, who had learned of the dragon's fall, arrived. Orcs and [[Wargs]] from the [[Misty Mountains]] and [[Grey Mountains]] had joined forces to march to the Lonely Mountain and sieze the hoard. Under the council of Gandalf, Elves, Men, and Dwarves joined together against their common foes. In the ensuing [[Battle of Five Armies]], many Wood-elves were slain, <ref>{{H|Burst}}</ref> as was Thorin Oakenshield, but afterwards an agreement was reached for the division of the dragon hoard.<ref>{{H|Return}}</ref>

In the same year, the [[White Council]], including [[Gandalf]], drove the Necromancer from Dol Guldur.<ref>{{H|Stage}}</ref>

==== War of the Ring ====
[[File:Michael Kaluta - Legolas Draws the Bow of Galadriel.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Michael Kaluta]] - ''Legolas Draws the Bow of Galadriel''|left]]
Sauron, now revealed as the evil presence which had abandoned (not, as it had been thought at the time, driven out of) Dol Guldur, from his rebuilt stronghold in [[Mordor]] sent three [[Nazgûl]] to reoccupy Dol Guldur in {{TA|2951|n}}.<ref name="TA"/> On [[20 June]] {{TA|3018|n}} a force of [[Orcs]] attacked the Woodland Realm from this base, the purpose of this raid being to provide a distraction and facilitate the escape of [[Gollum]]<ref name="Great">{{App|Great}}</ref> who had been entrusted to Thranduil's care by the [[Rangers of the North|Ranger]] [[Aragorn]].

In the wake of this Thranduil sent his son, [[Legolas|Legolas Greenleaf]], to deliver news of Gollum's escape to Aragorn and [[Elrond]] in [[Rivendell]]. Upon arriving Legolas participated in the [[Council of Elrond]] where the full details of Sauron's resurgence were revealed. <ref>{{FR|II2}}</ref> Legolas was chosen to represent the Elves in the [[Fellowship of the Ring]], and journeyed with the [[Ring-bearers|Ring-bearer]] [[Frodo Baggins]] towards Mordor. After the [[Breaking of the Fellowship]] Legolas continued to accompany Aragorn, fighting in the [[Battle of the Hornburg]], the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]] and the [[Battle of the Morannon]]. Legolas also developed a close friendship with the dwarf [[Gimli]], son of one of Thorin's companions: [[Glóin]]. This friendship did much to improve relations between the two peoples.

Meanwhile, on [[15 March]] {{TA|3019|n}} Sauron attacked the Woodland Realm in force, resulting in the bloody [[Battle Under Trees]]. Thranduil led his forces to victory, however, and then set about a campaign to clear Mirkwood of orcs and other evil beings. On [[Elven New Year]] he met [[Celeborn]], lord of [[Lothlórien]], and the two agreed to rename the forest [[Eryn Lasgalen]]. It was then divided: Thranduil was to rule north of the mountains, the forest south of the [[Narrows of the Forest|Narrows]] became [[East Lórien]] and the rest was given to the [[Beornings]].

=== Fourth Age ===
During the Fourth Age the Woodland Realm prospered, free of enemies. A group of Wood-elves led by Legolas helped rebuild [[Minas Tirith]] and settled for a time in [[Ithilien]].

The eventual fate of the Woodland Realm is unknown. In {{FoA|120}} Legolas, having seen the sea during the War of the Ring, eventually sailed west to Valinor, reputedly with Gimli at his side.<ref>{{App|Later}}</ref> Like all Elves the people of the Woodland Realm were destined to either leave [[Middle-earth]] for Valinor or to 'fade' and become rustic woodland spirits. Given Oropher's refusal to leave Middle-earth at the end of the [[First Age]] was rooted in a desire to 'live naturally' as Elves had before being contacted by the Valar, it seems likely that the latter was the fate of Thranduil and most of his people. However, the ultimate fate of the last Elvenking and the remaining Elves in the [[Fourth Age]] is unknown.

{{references}}
[[Category:Elven realms]]
[[Category:Forests]]
[[Category:Rhovanion]]

Dwarves of the Iron Hills

2018-05-29T22:11:09Z

142.44.139.85:

{{people infobox
| name=Dwarves of the Iron Hills
| image=[[File:Angelo Montanini - Iron Hill Dwarves.jpg|250px]]
| caption="Iron Hill Dwarves" by Angelo Montanini
| pronun=
| othernames=
| origin=[[Durin's Folk]]
| location=[[Iron Hills]]
| affiliation=
| rivalry=
| language=[[Khuzdul]], [[Westron]]
| members=[[Dáin Ironfoot|Dáin II Ironfoot]], [[Grór]], [[Náin (son of Grór)]]
| lifespan=c. 250 years
| distinctions=Great warriors
| height=Five feet or less
| hair=
| skin=
| clothing=Well-armoured in combat
| weapons=Mattocks; often short-swords and broad shields
}}
The '''Dwarves of the Iron Hills''' were [[Dwarves]] belonging to the house of the [[Durin's Folk|Longbeards]], otherwise known as [[Durin's Folk]], who lived in the [[Iron Hills]]. They became well-known for making a metal mesh that could be used for making flexible items like leg-coverings.

==History==
===Early history===
The [[Durin's Folk|Longbeard]] [[Dwarves]] of [[Moria|Khazad-dûm]] colonized the Iron Hills in the [[First Age]]. The Hills were their primary source of iron-ore.<ref name=Relations>{{PM|Relations}}, p. 302</ref> The [[Old Forest Road|Dwarf-road of Mirkwood]] ran north-east from Khazad-dûm to the Hills for use by dwarf-traders and merchants.<ref>{{PM|XNotes}}, p. 323 (note 30)</ref>

After [[Sauron]] destroyed [[Eregion]] in the [[Second Age]], the Longbeards sealed Khazad-dûm and Orcs took control of the northern Misty Mountains and the Grey Mountains. This ended communication between the Iron Hills and Khazad-dûm for some time.<ref>{{PM|Relations}}, p. 306</ref>

=== Third Age===
====Founding of Grór's Realm====
In the Third Age, many Longboard Dwarves lived in the [[Grey Mountains]], but they were greatly troubled by [[Dragons]] in that region. After King [[Dáin I]] was slain by one of these dragons, his surviving sons led an exodus into the east. Dáin's elder son [[Thrór]] recreated the [[Kingdom under the Mountain]] at [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]], while his younger brother [[Grór]] led a part of the people further into the east to join their kindred living in the [[Iron Hills]].

Grór settled in the Iron Hills in the year {{TA|2590}} and became [[Lord of the Iron Hills]]. During his reign, the realm became the strongest in the North, being the only realm standing between Sauron and his plans to destroy Rivendell and taking back the lands of Angmar.{{fact}} Also, following the [[Sack of Erebor]] many of Durin's folk fleeing from [[Smaug]] and those wandering in exile, except for [[Thrór]] and his small company of family and followers, came to the Iron Hills, bolstering their numbers.

====War of the Dwarves and Orcs====
During the [[War of the Dwarves and Orcs]], many Dwarves from the Iron Hills fought several battles, but they are mostly remembered from the [[Battle of Azanulbizar]] in the year {{TA|2799}}. [[Náin son of Grór|Naín]] and his army came to the battle in the most crucial moment, when the main Dwarven army was being decimated by the great host of Orcs. With these fresh reinforcments, the Dwarves were able to route and destroy their opponents, fighting their way all up to the steps of the [[Great Gates|East-gate]] of [[Moria]]. There, Nain dueled with [[Azog]], the [[Orcs|Orc]] commander, resulting to his death. Later in the battle,[[Dáin Ironfoot|Dáin II Ironfoot]] killed Azog out of vengeance for his father, achieving recognition because he was very young for dwarven standards. After this battle Dain led his Dwarves back to Grór's Halls.

====Dáin's Reign====
Grór ruled the Dwarves of the Iron Hills for 215 years, and he died in {{TA|2805}} at 241 years of age. [[Dáin Ironfoot]] became the next Lord of the Iron Hills. During his reign, the Iron Hills evolved to the mightiest Dwarf-realm of its time.{{fact}}

Years later, Dáin's cousin [[Thorin]] attempted to restore the kingdom at Erebor, but he was trapped by the [[Elves of Mirkwood]] and [[Northmen]] of [[Lake-town|Esgaroth]] and sent to the Iron Hills for aid. Dáin arrived with 500 armoured Dwarves and as events developed, the Dwarves of the Iron Hills proved crucial in winning the ensuing [[Battle of Five Armies]] against the [[Orcs of the Misty Mountains]]. Thorin died in that battle, and with him the royal line of [[Thrór]]. Through his ancestor Grór, the Kingship of Durin's Folk then fell on Dáin. Dáin II Ironfoot removed from the Iron Hills, and re-established a kingdom under the [[Lonely Mountain]]. It is possible that both Iron Hills and [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]] were ruled by him and later by his son [[Thorin Stonehelm|Thorin III Stonehelm]].

It is unknown whether the Dwarves of the Iron Hills fought alongside the Dwarves of Erebor in the [[Battle of Dale]] against the [[Easterlings]] during the [[War of the Ring]].

{{references}}
*''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix A]]
*''[[Unfinished Tales]]''
*''[[The Peoples of Middle-earth]]''

[[Category:Dwarven peoples]]
[[de:Eisenberge (Rhûn)]]
[[fi:Rautavuoret#_Itäisen_Keski-Maan_Rautavuoret]]

Númenóreans

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142.44.139.85:

{{cleanup}}
{{disambig-two|the inhabitants of Númenor|descendants they had on [[Middle-earth]] during the [[Third Age]]|[[Dúnedain]]}}
{{people infobox
| name=Númenóreans
| image=[[File:Liz Danforth - Isildur.png|250px]]
| caption="[[:File:Liz Danforth - Isildur.png|Isildur]]" by Liz Danforth
| pronun={{respell|noo|meh|noor|ee-ans}}
| othernames=Men of Westernesse
| origin=Descendants of the [[Edain]]
| location=[[Númenor]], [[Eriador]], [[Harad]], [[Umbar]], [[Pelargir]], later [[Arnor]] and [[Gondor]]
| affiliation=[[Eldar]]
| rivalry=[[Sauron]]
| language=[[Adûnaic]] (native tongue), [[Quenya]], [[Sindarin]]
| members=[[Elros]], [[Tar-Aldarion|Aldarion]], [[Ar-Pharazôn]], [[Elendil]], [[Isildur]]
| lifespan=ordinary Númenóreans - c. 300-350 years<ref name=Line>{{UT|Kings}}</ref>[[Kings of Númenor]] - c. 400-500 years<ref name=Line/>
| distinctions=
| height=Taller than other [[Men]]
| hair=
| skin=
| clothing=
| weapons=
}}
<center>{{quote|So great was the might and splendour of the Númenóreans that Sauron's own servants deserted him.|''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix A]]}}</center>
'''Númenóreans''' were the [[Men]] of [[Númenor]], descendants of the [[Edain]] of the [[First Age]], who were granted the island of [[Elenna]] as a dwelling place. They turned against the [[Valar]], and their island home was destroyed in the last years of the [[Second Age]].

==Origins==
The Númenóreans were descendants of the [[Edain]] of the [[First Age]], who proved themselves allies of the [[Elves]], from whom they gathered knowledge of all things surrounding them. The two races fought together against [[Morgoth]].

During that Age, unions of Elves and Men were made; [[Lúthien]] and [[Beren]] whose son, [[Dior|Dior Eluchíl]], married [[Nimloth of Doriath]] and [[Elwing]] was born. [[Idril]] and [[Tuor]], the second couple, were parents of [[Eärendil]]. Elwing and Eärendil met at the [[Havens of Sirion]] and from their union twins were born: [[Elros]] and [[Elrond]]. To the two [[Half-elven|half-elves]], the Valar gave a choice: Elros chose to join the race of men, whereas Elrond chose to join the elves.

When the [[War of Wrath|last battle]] was won by the forces of [[Valinor]], the Valar rewarded the Edain by giving them a place to dwell outside the troubled world of [[Middle-earth]]. [[Ulmo]] raised [[Elenna]], later known as the Island of [[Númenor]]. Halfway between [[Endor]] and [[Aman]], the descendants from the [[Three Houses]] established the Kingdom of Númenor in {{SA|32}} and would last and dominate all other mortal peoples throughout the entire [[Second Age]]. Elros became the first [[King of Númenor]].

==Politics==
Númenor was a monarchy. The King held the power of decision over the affairs of the state. However, there was an advisory body, the [[Council of the Sceptre]], which consisted of the Heir of the King and lords from the six regions of Númenor: [[Forostar]] (''Northlands''), [[Andustar]] (''Westlands''), [[Hyarnustar]] (''Southwestlands''), [[Hyarrostar]] (''Southeastlands''), [[Orrostar]] (''Eastlands'') and [[Mittalmar]] (''Inlands'').

There were two main political parties: Elendili or the [[Faithful]], led by the Lords of Andúnië, always loyal to the Elves. In the later years they were a small group, oppressed by the opposing [[King's Men]] who rebelled against the Valar and their ban and set dominions among the Men of Middle-earth and laid heavy tribute upon them. As their number and power increased, they forced the Elendili to move from [[Andúnië]] to the eastern side of the island, at [[Rómenna]]. [[Pelargir]] was a harbor built where the river [[Sirith]] met [[Anduin]] and it was founded by the Faithful in {{SA|2350}}.
===Rulership===
{{main|Line of Elros}}
Númenóreans from the [[Line of Elros]] had right to inherit the [[Sceptre]] and thus become Rulers of Númenor. 25 [[King of Númenor|Kings]] and [[Ruling Queen of Númenor|Queens]] descendants of Elros ascended the throne. While the Númenóreans lived around 200 years, royal kindred had double life span.

Of great importance was the [[Law of Succession in Númenor]] which established the heir to the throne. It started out as an inherited custom, which gave exclusive rights to the male descendants of Elros. Tar-Aldarion, the sixth ruler of Númenor, only had one daughter and replaced the principle of exclusive male heir with that of eldest progeny, of any gender; in {{SA|1075}} Tar-Ancalimë became the first ruling queen in the history of Númenor.

Númenóreans from the Line of Elros influenced their era in various ways:

*[[Tar-Aldarion]], a great mariner and Middle-earth explorer
*[[Tar-Ancalimë]], the first Ruling Queen of Númenor
*[[Tar-Minastir]], defeated [[Sauron]] alongside [[Gil-galad|Ereinion Gil-galad]]
*[[Ar-Belzagar]], first ruler to take an Adûnaic name
*[[Ar-Adûnakhôr]], banned the speaking of Quenya and severed relationships with the Eldar
*[[Ar-Pharazôn]], last in the line of rulers, whose kingship led directly to the [[Akallabêth|Downfall of Númenor]]

===Lords of Andúnië===
{{seealso|Lords of Andúnië}}
During the time of princess [[Silmariën]] the law of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agnatic_primogeniture agnatic primogeniture] existed. She could not succeed her father as his eldest child, and her [[Tar-Meneldur|brother]] took up the [[Sceptre]]. In her honor was created the title "[[Lords of Andúnië]]", which was set upon [[Valandil (Lord of Andúnië)|Valandil]] her first son and his 18 descendants; the last one was [[Amandil]], father of [[Elendil]]. During the dark times of Númenor, the Lords were renowned for their friendship with the Eldar, and leaders of the [[Elendili]].

==History==
At the foundation of Númenor all the people held the Eldar in friendship. White ships from [[Tol Eressëa]] brought many gifts to the [[Bay of Andúnië]]: birds, flowers, and healing herbs, and a branch from [[Celeborn, White Tree|Celeborn]], the White Tree of Tol Eressëa, which grew at the court of the king of [[Armenelos]].

As the fear of death crept into the hearts of the Dúnedain, the Firstborn became envied for their immortality. [[Tar-Atanamir]] was the first to speak against the Eldar and the Ban of the Valar. Little by little the Númenóreans abandoned the use of the [[Eldarin]] tongues. It was during the time of his son, King [[Tar-Ancalimon]], that the two parties were formed, the [[Elf-friends]] and the [[King's Men]]. Ar-Adûnakhôr was the first to choose an Adûnaic name and began to persecute the Faithful, punishing all those who would speak the Elven tongues openly. In the end the Eldar came no more to the land of Númenor.

===Dominion over the Men of Middle-earth===

[[Image:Paula DiSante - Ar-Pharazon Defies.JPG|thumb|right|[[Paula DiSante]] - ''Ar-Pharazon Defies'']]
Due to the fact that the Ban of the Valar restricted them from sailing [[Undying Lands|West]], the Númenóreans began to explore the eastern part of the [[Arda|world]], reaching the shores of Middle-earth in {{SA|600}} in [[Lindon]] and met with [[Gil-galad]]. The news spread swiftly and the [[Middle Men]] in [[Eriador]] were filled with wonder. The sailors met with twelve messengers on the [[Tower Hills]].<ref>{{UT|Aldarion}}</ref>

The Númenóreans began to cultivate their new friends who were into their [[Dark Years]], grown weak and fearful, and taught them agriculture, stonecraft, smithying and their language [[Adûnaic]] but failed to recognize the [[Pre-Númenórean]] forest-folk of [[Minhiriath]] as ‘kinsmen’, and confused them with [[Men of Shadow]] because it was not related to theirs.<ref>{{PM|X}}</ref>

The Middle Men were comforted, populated the western shores. They revered the memory of the tall Sea-kings whom they remembered as gods hoping each time for their return.<ref>{{S|IV}}</ref>

More and more Númenor became a great naval power, and the [[Guild of Venturers]] established [[Vinyalondë]] (early 9th century).<ref>{{UT|Cirion}}</ref> The Pre-Númenóreans were patient until the tree-felling by [[Aldarion]] became devastating;<ref name="GC">{{UT|Galadriel}}</ref> slowly, hostility was growing, and the dark men out of the mountains were thrusting into [[Enedwaith]] in support of their kinsmen.<ref name="A">{{UT|Aldarion}}</ref>

Around that time, the Númenórean [[Drúedain]] became uneasy and urged Aldarion not to go, foreseeing the mischief to come. They did not succeed and one after another they took ships towards Middle-earth.<ref>{{UT|Druedain}}</ref>

In {{SA|820}} Vinyalondë was overthrown by great seas and plundered by hostile men. Men near the coasts were growing afraid of the Númenóreans, or were openly hostile and Aldarion heard rumours of some lord in Middle-earth who hated them. As Gil-galad warned [[Tar-Meneldur]] that this instigator was a servant of the [[Sauron|Enemy]].<ref name="A"/>

Aldarion's successors continued his works and even fought with the pre-Númenóreans<ref>{{UT|Numenor}}</ref> until they attacked and ambushed the Númenóreans when they could. They became their enemies giving no thought to husbandry or replanting. The Númenóreans wrecked the banks, the shorelines, great tracks and roads whom they drove into the forests northwards and southwards from the [[Gwathló]]<ref name="GC"/> and continued battling and destroying what lied ahead of them, pushing into [[Minhiriath]] and [[Enedwaith]], establishing themselves inland as far as the river [[Glanduin]] (the southern boundary of [[Eregion]]), beyond which pre-Númenóreans and hostile peoples lived, a remnant of the peoples that had dwelt in the vales of the White Mountains in ages past<ref>{{App|Languages}}</ref><ref name="GC"/> The natives overcame their fear of the Elves and fled from Minhiriath into the dark woods of the great [[Cape of Eryn Vorn]] (south of the mouth of [[Baranduin]]). Those from Enedwaith took refuge in the eastern mountains ([[Dunland]]).<ref name="GC"/>

[[Sauron]] recruited pre-Númenóreans and in the early second millennium he increased pressure on the West, left his stronghold in [[Rhûn]] and relocated in [[Mordor]], drawing closer to the Númenórean sphere of influence. Sauron welcomed by the natives and used the haters of Númenor as spies and guides for his raiders who caused havoc and burned their settlements. He had not enough force to assault the forts at the Haven or along the banks of the [[Gwathló]]. However his regular troops attempted to conquest Eriador, hunting and killing Middle Men and the Elves and by {{SA|1700}} had mastered all Eriador, up to the River [[Lhûn]] and besieged [[Rivendell]].<ref name="GC"/>

Eriador was already ruined by the time the Númenórean fleet was sent by king [[Tar-Minastir]]. They caught Mordor's troops in the rear and defeated them, bringing peace to the Westlands.<ref name="GC"/>

They explored the coasts of Middle-earth far southward establishing landing and trading posts that grew into cruel vice-kingdoms which left many rumours in the legends of Men, although the Eldar did not know about them<ref>{{PM|Akallabeth}}</ref> In the south they found a useful natural haven already called [[Umbar]] by the natives.

The Númenóreans founded [[Pelargir]] in {{SA|2350}} and discovered the pre-Númenóreans [[Oathbreakers|Men of the Mountains]] near [[Dunharrow]]<ref>{{HM|RK}}</ref> who eventually repented when Sauron left from Mordor and the power of Gil-galad had grown great.<ref name="Rings">{{S|Rings}}</ref>

As the shadow spread over Númenor, [[Tar-Ciryatan]] sailed to Middle-earth, bringing numerous treasures back to Númenor. Later more lands were occupied, plundered or forced to pay heavy tribute in return for the lives of their inhabitants. Towards the end of the kingdom, when their religion had changed and human sacrifices were made towards [[Morgoth|Melkor]], many of the victims were people of Middle-earth taken as prisoners. Because of these acts they were looked upon in fear, called the "Death" itself and the Men of Middle-earth trembled at the sight of a mighty Númenórean ship on the waters of [[Belegaer]]. However, the Faithful shared not the behavior of the King's Men and though they also built a port in Middle-earth, named Pelargir, it was not for the sake of plundering, but meant to be a haven far from those of the opposing party.

When the [[Elendili]] established the [[Realms in Exile]], many Men turned from evil and became subject to them even though the pre-Númenóreans were not friendly to them and never learned to distinguish between the [[King's Men]] and the [[Faithful]].<ref name="Rings"/> During this time the [[King of the Dead|King of the Mountains]] first swore allegiance to [[Isildur]] even though he and many other men were still influenced by their old allegiance to Sauron.

When Sauron returned Isildur summoned the Men of the Mountains to fulfill their oath, but they would not because they still feared Sauron. They hid in the mountains, isolated, until slowly dwindling in the barren hills they became the [[Oathbreakers|Dead Men of Dunharrow]].

===Sauron's Influence===

The only daughter of the king [[Tar-Palantir]], a friend of the Eldar who tried to restore the old ways, was [[Tar-Míriel]]. According to the [[Law of Succession in Númenor|New Law]] she had the right to inherit the throne, but her cousin Pharazôn forced her into marriage, and took the Sceptre for himself, becoming known as Ar-Pharazôn the Golden, the most proud and powerful of all the kings. He desired not only immortality as the ones before him had, but also the dominion over the entire world. For this he gathered a great fleet and opposed the greatest opponent in the path of his task: Sauron.

So mighty were the Númenóreans that the servants of Sauron fled even before the battle began and their leader was taken as a prisoner back to the island of Elenna. Through numerous lies he poisoned the mind of the king and became master of his council, changing even the religion of the Númenóreans and turning them into servants of the dark [[Morgoth]]. And because he assured Ar-Pharazôn that if he ever reached Aman he would become immortal, the last king gathered once more a great host of ships and sailed to break the Ban of the Valar.

===Downfall===
[[File:Ted Nasmith - Queen Tar-Míriel and the Great Wave.jpg|thumb|left|[[Ted Nasmith]] - ''Queen Tar-Miriel and the Great Wave'']]

Pharazôn's attempt to reach Valinor and his previous preparations for war with the Eldar raised the anger of [[Manwë]] who sent his eagle-shaped storm clouds to Númenor. Lightning struck the land, including the temple of Melkor, where human sacrifices were made. Because Sauron himself stood in their path and was not hurt by them, the Númenóreans were deceived even more into thinking he was their rightful god.

Ar-Pharazôn sailed at the head of his fleet known as the [[Great Armament]], led by the flagship [[Alcarondas]], set course towards Valinor and reached Tol Eressëa. His pride fooled him into thinking that the inhabitants of Aman would not stand in his way, because the land was quiet and peaceful, and thus he set camp near the [[Túna]] hill. But Manwë, the Elder King, was aware of what transpired, and the Valar then laid down the Guardianship of Arda. Ilúvatar responded by catastrophically changing the shape of Arda. The Númenóreans present in Valinor were buried under the hills which fell upon them, and on the great island fire was erupted from the top of Meneltarma. The land crumbled into pieces and a great wave swept over it and buried the island at the bottom of the sea. Its people were taken by the waters, and this tragedy brought an end to the Númenórean realm, in {{SA|3319}}.

===Epilogue===
[[File:The Lord of the Rings - The Motion Picture Trilogy - Elendil.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Elendil in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'']]
The only ones to survive the Downfall of Númenor were Elendil and his sons, [[Isildur]] and [[Anárion]], along with the few people of the Elendili. They escaped the [[Akallabêth]] with nine ships, a seedling of [[Nimloth of Númenor|Nimloth]], which Isildur had rescued the night before its destruction and the Seven [[Seeing-stones]]. Cast ashore by the storm on the western lands of Middle-earth, they founded the Númenórean realms in exile: [[Arnor]] and [[Gondor]]. Their war with Sauron continued in the lands of Middle-earth. Fighting side by side with the Elves and the [[Dwarves]] they opposed and defeated him during the [[War of the Last Alliance]].

Long after the Fall there was a belief among those who survived it that the Holy Mountain Meneltarma was not swallowed by the waters, but instead raised to be a new island of its own. The heirs of Elendil built great ships once more and set on its search, not only because they yearned for their home, but also because from that point, the top of Meneltarma, Tol Eressëa could be spotted and their hearts still desired to reach the West, against all warnings. But they never found the top of Meneltarma and their voyages served only to discover that Arda was a round world.
==Culture==
The Númenóreans were extremely skilled in arts and craft, with the forging of weapons and armour; although they were a peaceful people, their weapons, armour, and horse-riding skills could not be contested anywhere else in [[Arda]], save for the [[Valar]]. But the Númenóreans were not warmongers, hence the chief art on the island became that of ship-building and sea-craft. The Númenóreans became great mariners, exploring the world in all directions save for the westward, where the [[Ban of the Valar]] was in force. They often traveled to the shores of Middle-earth, teaching the men there the art and craft, and introduced farming as to improve their everyday lives.

The Númenóreans spoke [[Adunaic]], a [[Mannish]] language that descended from the Mannish languages spoken in [[Beleriand]]. However their forefathers, the Edain, had learned [[Sindarin]] which was passed on to Númenor. As a language of lore, it changed only a litte with the millennia. Educated Númenóreans also studied [[Quenya]], having a prestige above all other tongues.<ref>{{App|Men}}</ref>

Respected as a law was the [[Ban of the Valar]], which stated that Númenóreans should never sail West more than the limit of their sight when looking after their shores. As the fear of death filled more and more the hearts of the Númenóreans, they sailed further away from the island, until finally the last king, Ar-Pharazôn, broke the Ban in his attempt to reach [[Tol Eressëa]] out of the false belief that dwelling in that place granted immortality.
===Religion and Tradition===

Towards the middle of Mittalmar stood the Mountain [[Meneltarma]], the sacred place on which [[Ilúvatar|Eru]] was worshiped. Its flattened top was wide enough to contain a great crowd during the three yearly ceremonies ([[Erukyermë]], [[Erulaitalë]] and [[Eruhantalë]]). These took place in absolute silence while climbing its slopes. Soon after {{SA|3262}} these religious beliefs were abandoned and the worshiping of [[Morgoth|Melkor]] began. It was done in a cylindrical temple near the city of Armenelos built especially for this, and it involved sacrificing men and women over a great fire, whose first flames were lit from the [[White Tree of Tol Eressëa]].

Whenever ships sailed from Númenor, the custom of the [[Green Bough of Return]] took place. A branch from the [[Fragrant Trees|Fragrant Tree]] [[Oiolairë]] was set at the prow as a symbol of good fortune by a Númenórean woman, close relative to the captain of the ship. [[Erendis]], wife of Tar-Aldarion, refused to do so in disagreement with her husband's frequent voyages towards Middle-earth, breaking this tradition for the first time.

===Daily Life===
[[File:Ivan Ulicny - The Age of Númenor.jpg|thumb|Ivan Ulicny - ''The Age of Númenor'']]
Many of the inhabitants of Númenor were fishermen. Along with the grains cultivated in Orrostar, fish was the main food source for the Númenóreans.

The Dúnedain were skilled in riding and loved horses. They could even call them in their thoughts, if bound by friendship. Númenor had no paved roads, so that the carriages could move on them more easily. From the [[Noldor]] they learned the art of forging swords, axes, spears, knives, but mostly bows; their arrows resembled dark clouds falling upon the enemies.

The Númenóreans, were skilled in the art of husbandry, breeding great horses that roamed across the open plains in Mittalmar.

The greatest love of the Númenóreans was the sea and the building of the largest ships. Most were built at the command of Tar-Aldarion, who also established the [[Guild of Venturers]]. The ship ''[[Eämbar]]'' was their headquarters.

==Characteristics==
The average Númenórean was taller than two [[Ranga]]r or 6'4". Elendil was the tallest of Men who escaped the Downfall (mentioned to be almost 2.5 [[rangar]] tall, 7'11" or 2.41 m)<ref>{{UT|Linear}}</ref>

While most Númenóreans lived around 350 years, royal kindred live 400 years. This longer lifespan resulted in an older age of adulthood: 25 years.<ref>{{UT|Aldarion}}</ref>

==Names==
In their own language, the Númenóreans were named '''Adûnâim'''.<ref>{{HM|SD}}, p. 426</ref>

The Númenóreans were also known as '''High Men'''.<ref>{{HM|PM}}, pp. 312, 427</ref><ref>{{PE|17}}, p. 101</ref> (Cf. [[Middle Men]]). They were also known as Sea-kings, Men of the Sea and Lords of the Sea<ref>{{HM|Guide}}, p. 297</ref>

==See also==
*[[:Category:Images of Númenóreans|Images of Númenóreans]]
*[[King of Númenor]]
*[[Black Númenóreans]]
*[[Dúnedain]]
*[[Númenor]]
*[[Akallabêth]]
{{references}}

[[Category:Edain]]
[[Category:Men]]
[[Category:Númenóreans| ]]
[[fi:Númenorilaiset]]
[[fr:encyclo/peuples/hommes/numenoreens]]

Orcs

2018-04-28T03:11:54Z

142.44.139.85:

{{rewrite}}{{sources}}
{{race infobox
| name=Orcs
| image=[[File:John Howe - In Mordor.jpg|250px]]
| caption="In Mordor" by [[John Howe]]
| pronun=
| othernames=Goblins
| origin=
| location=[[Utumno]], [[Angband]], [[Mordor]], [[Misty Mountains]], [[Angmar]], [[Mount Gundabad]], [[High Pass]], [[Dol Guldur]] [[Isengard]]
| affiliation=[[Morgoth]], [[Sauron]], [[Saruman]]
| rivalry=[[Elves]], [[Men]], [[Dwarves]]
| language=[[Black Speech]]; numerous [[Orkish]] languages; [[Westron]]
| people=[[Uruk-hai]], [[Goblin-men]], [[Half-orcs]], [[Hobgoblins]] [[Orcs of Mordor|Mordor Orcs]], [[Orcs of the Misty Mountains|Misty Mountain Orcs]]
| members=[[Othrod]], [[Azog]], [[Bolg]], [[Gorbag]], [[Great Goblin]], [[Grishnákh]]
| lifespan=early Orcs - Probably immortal or long-lived<ref>{{S|3}}</ref> later Orcs - diminished<ref name=Myths>{{MR|Myths}}</ref>{{rp|411}}
| distinctions=
| height=Short<ref>{{FR|II5}} The "huge" orc-chieftain is described as "almost man high"</ref>
| hair=
| skin=Sallow, green, brown, grey, black
| clothing=
| weapons=
}}
'''Orcs''' (also called '''[[Orcs#Orcs and Goblins|Goblins]]''') were the footsoldiers of evil overlords - [[Morgoth]], [[Sauron]] and [[Saruman]].

==History==
===Origins and early Years===

The Orcs were bred by [[Morgoth|Melkor]] in mockery of the [[Elves]], sometime during the [[The Darkness#The Great Darkness|Great Darkness]].<ref>{{S|3}}</ref><ref>{{TT|III4}}</ref>

[[File:John Howe - Orc Swordsman.jpg|thumb|200px|right|[[John Howe]] - ''Orc Swordsman'']]

It is unclear exactly when Orcs were created, but it certainly happened before the [[War for Sake of the Elves]] in his stronghold of Utumno. Whether the Orcs were at this time a capable fighting force against the host of Valinor is not known. But at least some of them survived this war, probably hidden in the deep vaults of [[Angband]], and multiplied, waiting for their master.

When Melkor (now known as [[Morgoth]]) returned to Middle-earth, he created new hordes of Orcs and invaded [[Beleriand]], where the [[First Battle of Beleriand]] took place. Orcs also fought in [[Dagor-nuin-Giliath]].

===First Age===
Orcs appear in the [[First Age]] as the core force of [[Morgoth]]. Hundreds of thousands of Orcs were bred in [[Angband]] to participate in the [[Battles of Beleriand]], which lasted 587 years.

Orcs first appear in the [[First Age]] in the [[Battle of the Lammoth]], where they were defeated by [[Fingolfin]] and his [[Noldor]]. Orcs participated in battles such as the [[Dagor Aglareb]], [[Dagor Bragollach]], [[Nirnaeth Arnoediad]], [[Fall of the Falas]], and finally in the [[War of Wrath]], where they were almost extinguished. Those that survived the defeat fled eastwards and hid probably in the Mountains of [[Angmar]] and the [[Ered Mithrin]].

===Second Age===
Around the year {{SA|1000}} Sauron reappeared, took the land of [[Mordor]] as his realm and started the construction of [[Barad-dûr]]. It is likely that most of his servants were Orcs at this time that he had gathered under his command. Still for a long time Sauron's foul servants did not play an important role, for the Dark Lord had chosen a more subtle way to overthrow the free people by creating the [[Rings of Power]].

During the [[War of the Elves and Sauron]], in {{SA|1700}} Orcs formed the main power of Sauron's host. Despite the immeasurable number of Orcs, Sauron was defeated by the united hosts of Elves and [[Númenóreans]]. Still Sauron was powerful east of the [[Misty Mountains]] and the Orcs that inhabited the mountains and the eastern lands multiplied.

The [[Orcs of the Misty Mountains]] started a war against the [[Dwarves]], resulting in the [[First Sack of Gundabad]] and its occupation by the Orcs. Finally, Orcs were the core force of [[Sauron]] during the [[War of the Last Alliance]], and fought in great battles such as the [[Battle of Dagorlad]] and the [[Siege of Barad-dûr]].

===Third Age===
[[File:Richard Sullivan - Orc.jpg|thumb|left|Richard Sullivan - ''Orc'']]
During the [[Third Age]], Orcs were the standard troops of the [[Witch-king]] of [[Angmar]] and [[Sauron]] (both in [[Mordor]] and in [[Dol Guldur]]).

In [[Angmar]], Orcs fought in the [[Angmar War]]. Years later, they invaded [[Eriador]] under the leadership of the [[Necromancer]].

The [[Orcs of the Misty Mountains]], one of the few (more or less) independent Orcish societies, and their leader [[Azog]] started out the [[War of the Dwarves and Orcs]], and after their defeat they retreated in their caves. They appeared again in {{TA|2941}}, when the [[Battle of Five Armies]] took place.

The [[Orcs of Mordor]] fought in major battles during the [[War of the Ring]], such as the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]], but the majority of [[Mordor]]'s forces were destroyed or scattered at the [[Battle of the Morannon]]. Sporadic fighting in the following weeks led to the Orcs finally being driven out of the western end of Mordor, though it is unclear how many Orcs Sauron had in his armies, and it is also unclear how many survived after his defeat.

The Orcs in [[Dol Guldur]] remained in [[Mirkwood]] until the [[Fall of Dol Guldur]], one of the last battles of the War of the Ring.

===Fourth Age and beyond===
The fate of the Orcs after the Third Age is unknown. Though many of Sauron's Orcs fought on and were slain in the weeks following the Battle of the Morannon, the true number of Sauron's hosts is unclear, as are the numbers of Orcs not within Mordor that may still inhabit the rest of Middle-earth. It is at least known that the Orcs of Moria either fled or were slain by the Fourth Age, as it is mentioned that the Dwarves managed to retake Moria and the mines within it.

==Characteristics==

===Culture===

It is certain all Orcs were dependent on the Dark Lord in various ways: after their leader was defeated, the Orcs were confused and dismayed, and easily scattered by their enemies. In the millennia after Morgoth's defeat and banishment from Arda, they were without a leader and they degenerated to small, quarrelsome tribes hiding in the [[Misty Mountains]]. Only when Sauron returned to power did they begin to reclaim some of their old power. The same happened after Sauron's defeat by the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]]: only when Sauron returned as the Necromancer of [[Mirkwood]] did the Orcs become a real danger for Middle-earth again. Orcs were warlike and enjoyed the slaughter of their foes, though many had a cowardly nature and were often regarded as inferior, though far more expendable, than the soldiers of Men, Elves, and Dwarves.

===Lifespan===

It is unknown if the Orcs were immortal like the Elves. There is, in any case, a hint for a long lifespan in the story of two of the most famous Orc-chieftains: [[Azog]] and [[Bolg]]. Bolg, being the son of Azog, was the chieftain of the Orcs who attacked Erebor in the Battle of Five Armies in {{TA|2941}}. Azog himself was killed in the Battle of Azanulbizar in {{TA|2799}}, so Bolg was at least 150 years old.

===Appearance===

In Tolkien's writing, Orcs are smaller in stature than Men. One "huge orc-chieftain" is "almost Man-high", but others must have been of a similar size to Hobbits (Frodo and Sam succeeded in disguising themselves as Orcs in Mordor). They had long arms and fanged mouths. Some had black skin. Some had short, crooked legs. They had black blood.{{fact}}

===Kinds of Orcs===
The Fellowship usually encountered the large soldier-Orcs bred for war, and sometimes the "snaga" variety which were more geared towards being labourers. Another type is referred to as "snufflers", smaller, black-skinned Orcs with wide nostrils, who excelled in tracking. Despite the smaller size, one snuffler was able to skillfully kill a soldier-orc when they got into a disagreement.<ref name="Cirith">{{RK|VI1}}</ref>

*[[Snaga]]
*[[Snufflers]]
*[[Orcs of Mordor]]
*[[Orcs of the Misty Mountains]]
*[[Half-orcs]] (and [[Goblin-men]])
*[[Uruk-hai]]
*[[Hobgoblins]]

[[File:Darek Zabrocki - Goblins.jpg|thumb|250px|'''Goblins''' by Darek Zabrocki.]]

===Orcs and Goblins===

The term ''goblin'' was used primarily in ''[[The Hobbit]]'' but also in ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' where it is used synonymously with "Orc".<ref>{{TT|III1}}</ref><ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 24</ref>

"Goblin" is an English word, whereas "Orc" is Old English, the language used by Tolkien to represent Rohirric.<ref>{{App|F1iv}}</ref> Thus, there is no difference between Orcs and Goblins.

The original edition of ''The Hobbit'' and early drafts of ''The Lord of the Rings'' first used "goblin" everywhere and used "[[Hobgoblins|hobgoblin]]" for larger, more evil goblins: when goblins were replaced with Orcs Tolkien invented the term Uruk-hai for his more evil Orcs.

==Etymology==
{{quote|The word as far as I am concerned actually derived from [[Old English]] ''orc'', demon, but only because of its phonetic suitability.|[[J.R.R. Tolkien]]<ref name=L144/>}}
===Orc===
The word '''''Orc''''' is said to be the "''form of the name that other races had for this foul people as it was in the [[Rohirric|language of Rohan]]''".<ref name=App|F1iv/>

In his late, post-''Lord of the Rings'' writings, Tolkien preferred the spelling '''''Ork'''''.<ref>{{HM|PM}}</ref> It is also possible that the word is a Common Tongue Version of 'orch', the [[Sindarin]] word for Orc. The original sense of the word seems to be "bogey", "bogeyman", that is, something that provokes fear, as seen in the Quenya cognate ''urko'', pl. ''urqui''.{{fact}}

Tolkien derived the word ''orc'' from [[Old English]] believing it refers to a kind of evil spirits,<ref name=L144/> which in turn is thought to derive from Latin ''Orcus'' "Hades", although Tolkien doubted this etymology.<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], "[[Letter to Gene Wolfe]]" (letter)</ref> He also thought it survives in the modern language for sea-beasts,<ref>{{HM|N}}, p. 762</ref> such as the [[Wikipedia:Orca Whale|Orca Whale]].

''Orc'' is an [[Old English]] word that refers mainly to a kind of metal cup (from Latin ''Urceus'').<ref group="note">The word ''Orc'' occurs twice in ''[[Beowulf (poem)|Beowulf]]''.</ref> However, in a 11th century glossary, this entry was conflated with another entry which refers to evil giants such as ''[[Wikipedia:Jötunn|þyrs]]'' and other monsters, also glossed in Latin as ''Orcus''. This merge of the two entries made many philologists of the previous centuries, like Tolkien, to believe that ''Orc'' was an actual Old English word that refers to any kind of evil creature from the underworld.<ref>Bosworth and Toller's ''An Anglo-Saxon Dictionary'' (1898), corrected in later editions</ref>

The word ''Orcnéas'' is once found only in ''[[Beowulf (poem)|Beowulf]]'' (lines 112-113) and is cited as an example of the word "Orc" in Old English text. Actually its meaning is not clear, and it is thought to refer to corpses (''néas'') from the Underworld.

==="Orcs" in Tolkien's languages===
Tolkien said that one of the reason of choosing "Orc" over "Goblin" was the similarity with his fictional languages.<ref name=WJAC>{{WJ|AC}}, pp. 389-91</ref> Indeed most [[Elvish]], [[Mannish]] and other words for Orc, are similar to the English word.

The basic [[Primitive Quendian]] [[Sundocarme|root]], from which the words for Orc derive, is [[RUKU]] (said to refer to any "bogey" that scared the Elves)<ref name=WJAC/>:

*[[Quenya]] '''''orco'''''<ref name=PE17_47/> (pl. '''''Orkor'''''<ref>{{GA|27}}, p. 12</ref><ref>{{HM|MR}}, pp. 74, 194</ref>); [[Exilic Quenya]] '''''urko''''' (pl. '''''orkor''''' and '''''orqui''''')<ref name=WJAC/>
*[[Sindarin]]: '''''orch'''''/'''''Orch''''' (pl. '''''yrch'''''/'''''Yrch''''', class pl. '''''Orchoth'''''/'''''orchoth'''''<ref group="note">''Orchoth'' is likely a compound of ''orch'' + ''[[hoth]]''.</ref>)<ref name=WJAC/><ref name=L144/><ref name=PE17_52-4/><ref name=PE17_47/><ref name=App|F1iv/>; '''''[[glamhoth]]'''''
*[[Nandorin]]: '''''ūriʃ'''''<ref name=PE17_52-4>{{PE|17}}, pp. 52-4</ref>

*[[Adûnaic]]: '''''urku''''', '''''urkhu'''''<ref name=WJAC/>
*[[Westron]]: '''''orka'''''<ref name=PE17_47>{{PE|17}}, p. 47</ref>
*[[Black Speech]]: '''''[[Uruk-hai#Etymology|uruk]]'''''<ref name=App|F1iv>{{App|F1iv}}</ref><ref name=WJAC/><ref name=L144>{{L|144}}</ref><ref name=PE17_47/>
*[[Khuzdul]]: '''''Rukhs''''' (pl. '''''Rakhās'''''), possibly derived from an unknown [[Avarin]] word of the same meaning<ref name=WJAC/><ref group="note">''Rukhs'' appears to contain the radical R-Kh-S.</ref>
*[[Drúadan language]]: '''''gorgûn''''' ("orc-folk"; the form ''gorgûn'' is perhaps plural of an unknown singular form)<ref name=PE17_99>{{PE|17}}, p. 99</ref><ref>{{RK|V5}}</ref><ref name=WJAC/>

In the earliest versions of [[Qenya]], Tolkien had words such as "'''Ork (orq-)''' pl. '''Orqi''' and fem. "'''orqindi'''".{{fact}}

In [[Noldorin]], the earlier version of Sindarin, the word for Orc is the same: ''orch'' (pl ''yrch'').<ref name=LR379>{{LR|Etymologies}}, p. 379 (entry for ÓROK)</ref><ref>{{MR|P3I7}}, p. 195</ref><ref>{{MC|Secret}}, p. 217</ref> The [[Gnomish]] word for "one of a tribe of the orcs. a goblin" is said to be '''''Gong'''''.<ref>{{PE|11}}, p. 41</ref>

*''See also: [[Entish]] ''[[burárum]]''
===Goblin===
''[[Wiktionary:Goblin|Goblin]]'' is a folk word which according to ''The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Current English'' is probably derived from the Anglo-French ''[[Wiktionary:gobelin|gobelin]]'' a diminutive of ''gobel'' (cf. ''[[Wiktionary:kobold|kobold]]''). William D.B. Loos notes that ''goblin'' is a Romance-derived word, unlike other Germanic words preferred by [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]].<ref>William D.B. Loos, [http://tolkien.slimy.com/tfaq/EnemyMisc.html#Orcs Enemies and Miscellaneous: What was the relationship between Orcs and Goblins?] at [http://tolkien.slimy.com/tfaq/ The Tolkien Frequently Asked Questions List] (accessed 3 July 2011)</ref>

==="Goblin" in Tolkien's languages===

In the [[The Etymologies|''Etymologies'']], the Elvish names used to translate "goblin" derive from root [[RUKU#Other versions|ÓROK]] and are:<ref name=LR379>{{LR|Etymologies}}, p. 379 (entry for ÓROK)</ref>

*[[Quenya]]: '''''orko''''' (pl. '''''orqi''''')
*[[Noldorin]]: ''orch'' (pl ''yrch'', archaic ''yrchy''<ref>{{VT|46a}}, p. 7</ref>)
*[[Nandorin|Danian]]: '''''urc''''' (pl. '''''yrc''''')
*[[Doriathrin]]: '''''urch''''' (pl. '''''urchin''''')

In an early linguistic writing, Tolkien translated the [[Gnomish]] word ''Gong'' as "one of a tribe of the orcs. a goblin."<ref>{{PE|11}}, p. 41</ref>

==Other Versions of the Legendarium==

===Origin===
According to the oldest "theory" proposed by Tolkien, Orcs were made of "subterranean heat and slime", and their hearts were stones like granite, through the sorcery of Morgoth.<ref>{{LT2 | III}}, p.159</ref> But, Tolkien later changed the legendarium so that Morgoth could no longer produce life on his own.

While Tolkien originally saw all Orcs as descended from tortured Elves, later comments of his indicate, according to [[Christopher Tolkien]] in ''Morgoth's Ring'' ("Myths Transformed, text X"), that he began to feel uncomfortable with the theory that orcs were descending from Elves. However, Tolkien died before he could complete his upheaval of the cosmology, and in the published version of ''The Silmarillion'', the Elf origin of Orcs was adopted. It does not appear that the elder Tolkien ever decided on a definitive answer. Different origins proposed were: animals that Morgoth infused with reason (Myths Transformed, text VIII), Elves and (later) Men (M.T.,text IX) and "probably" Men (text X).

The origin of Orcs is an open question. In Tolkien's writings, evil is not capable of independent creation, making it unlikely that the [[Valar|Vala]] [[Morgoth|Melkor]], who was obviously the first to produce them, could do that ''ex nihilo''. In ''[[The Silmarillion]]'' is mentioned that the Orcs were transformed from Elves — the purest form of life on [[Arda]] (the Earth) — by means of torture and mutilation; and this "theory" would then become the most popular. There are hints in the ''[[The History of Middle-earth|History of Middle-earth]]'' series of books, (especially in ''[[Morgoth's Ring]]'' in the section "Myths Transformed"), that some Orc leaders, such as the First Age's [[Boldog]], or the [[Great Goblin]] encountered by [[Bilbo Baggins|Bilbo]] and the Dwarves, may in fact have been fallen [[Maiar]] which had taken Orc form.

Yet other Orcs may have begun as animals of vaguely humanoid shapes, empowered by the will of the Dark Lord (first [[Morgoth]], later Sauron).

: ''The Orcs were beasts of humanized shape (…).'' ('Morgoth's Ring', "Myths transformed", text VIII')

==Controversy==
Tolkien's Orcs have been a subject of criticism of [[racism]]. Tolkien described Orcs as "squat, broad, flat-nosed, sallow-skinned, with wide mouths and slant eyes: in fact degraded and repulsive versions of the (to Europeans) least lovely Mongol-types".<ref>{{L|210}}</ref>

==Other writings==
In ''[[The Father Christmas Letters]]'', goblins appear as the enemies of [[Father Christmas]] and the [[Red Elves]].

==Portrayal in adaptations==
===Orcs===
{{stub}}<gallery>File: The Lord of the Rings (1978 film) - Orcs.jpg|Orcs in [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]
File:The Return of the King (1980 film) - Orcs.jpg|Orcs in [[The Return of the King (1980 film)|''The Return of the King'' (1980 film)]]
File:The Lord of the Rings- The Treason of Isengard - Ork.jpg|Concept art of an orc in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Treason of Isengard]]''
File:The Lord of the Rings War in the North - Orc3.jpg|An Orc in [[Fornost]] in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]''.</gallery>

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Orc-kind is a genus that include the species of Orc, Goblins, [[Half-orcs]], [[Boggarts]], [[Bugans]] and [[Uruk-hai]].

:Orcs are very common in Middle-earth. They are about the size of a man with a hunchback.

''''2011: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]'':'''
:Orcs are first seen in [[Fornost]], where they immediately attack [[Eradan (video game character)|Eradan]], [[Andriel]] and [[Farin (video game character)|Farin]] on their aproach.<ref>[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]], Chapter 1: Fornost, ''Main Gate''</ref> ''Orc warriors'' are stronger then normal Orcs. Some Orcs have been taught [[Magic|sorcery]] by [[Agandaûr]], these are known as ''Orc Sorcerers''.

===Goblins===
<gallery>File:The Hobbit (1977 film) - Goblins.jpg|Goblins in [[The Hobbit (1977 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1977 film)]]
File:The Lord of the Rings War in the North - Goblins1.jpg|Goblins in the pits of [[Fornost]] in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]''
File:The Hobbit - An Unexpected Journey - Goblins.jpg|Goblins in ''[[The Hobbit (film series)|''The Hobbit'' (film series)]]''</gallery>

'''2003: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War of the Ring]]'':'''
:Goblins have been made clearly distinct from Orcs.

'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'':'''
:Goblins have been made clearly distinct from Orcs.

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Goblins are a separate race and can be found in [[Evendim]], [[the Shire]], [[Ered Luin]], [[Bree-land]], [[Lone-lands]], [[North Downs]], [[Misty Mountains]], [[Angmar]] and [[Moria]]. They are small in stature; a little shorter than [[Hobbits]]. In contrast, Orcs are about the size of [[Men]]. Goblins are also weaker than the orcs.

'''2011: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]'':'''
:Goblins first appear in [[Fornost Erain]], where they attack [[Eradan (video game character)|Eradan]], [[Andriel]] and [[Farin (video game character)|Farin]] immediately when they reach the city.<ref>[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]], Chapter 1: Fornost, ''Main Gate''</ref> Goblins are weaker than Orcs.

'''2012: ''[[The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey]]'':'''
:Goblins are again made clearly distinct from Orcs in the film series. They are possibly lesser relatives of Orcs; they are smaller (the very large Great Goblin notwithstanding), less powerful, and generally have pale, diseased skin.

'''2014: ''[[The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies]]'':'''
:A band of "Goblin mercenaries" appear on [[Ravenhill]] during the [[Battle of Five Armies]], but are taken care of by the Dwarves without much trouble.

==See also==
*[[Gongs]]
*[[:Category:Images of Orcs|Images of Orcs]]
*[[:Category:Images of Goblins|Images of Goblins]]

{{references|note}}
[[Category:Orcs| ]]
[[Category:Races]]
[[de:Orks]]
[[fr:encyclo/peuples/orques/orques]]
[[fi:Örkit]]

Ithilien

2018-04-27T00:29:10Z

142.44.139.85:

{{cleanup}}
{{kingdom
| image=[[File:Mark Fisher - Ithilien.png|250px]]
| name=Ithilien
| pronun=
| othernames=Land of the Moon
| location=Between [[Anduin]] and [[Ephel Dúath]]
| capital=[[Minas Morgul|Minas Ithil]] (before {{TA|2002}}) [[Emyn Arnen]] ([[Fourth Age]])
| towns=[[Henneth Annûn]]
| regions=[[North Ithilien|North]] and [[South Ithilien|South]]
| population=[[Gondorians]], [[Rangers of Ithilien]], [[Elves of Mirkwood|Elves from Mirkwood]]
| language=[[Westron]], [[Gondor Sindarin]]
| govern1=[[King of Gondor]], later Kings of the [[Reunited Kingdom]]
| govern2=[[Stewards of Gondor]]
| govern3=[[Prince of Ithilien]]
| govern4=[[Lord of Emyn Arnen]]
| currency=
| holiday=
| precededby=
| event1=Founded
| event1date={{SA|3320}}
| event2=Deserted
| event2date={{TA|2901}}
| event3=Reclaimed
| event3date={{TA|3019}}
| event4=
| event4date=
| event5=
| event5date=
| followedby=
}}

'''Ithilien''' ([[Sindarin|S]], pron. {{IPA|[iˈθiljen]}}) was a region and fiefdom of [[Gondor]].

==History==
Historians in [[Gondor]] believed that, in the [[First Age]], the [[Drúedain|Woses]] reached the region and were the first to cross the [[Anduin]] (probably near [[Cair Andros]]).<ref>{{UT|Druedain}}</ref>

Old records preserved in [[Gondor]] indicate that the name ''[[Arnen]]'' was once used for the larger part of the region during the [[Second Age]].<ref>{{VT|42a}}, p. 17</ref>
[[File:Matěj Čadil - Minas Ithil.jpg|thumb|left|Matěj Čadil - ''Minas Ithil'']]
When [[Elendil]] and his sons founded the [[Realms in Exile]], Ithilien took its name after his son, [[Isildur]]. Of old its chief city was ''Minas Ithil'', the Tower of the Moon. It was briefly captured by [[Sauron]] in {{SA|3429}} but was restored. Ithilien was a fair and prosperous land during the [[Second Age]] and the first part of the [[Third Age]], when Gondor was strong and Mordor deserted.

In {{TA|541}} [[Easterlings]] invaded northern Ithilien and King [[Rómendacil I]] was killed .<ref name="TA"/>
[[File:Alan Lee - Cirith Ungol.jpg|left|thumb|"Cirith Ungol" by [[Alan Lee]]]]
[[Amon Dîn]] was used as a fortified outpost of Minas Tirith keeping watch over the passage into North Ithilien from [[Dagorlad]] and any attempt by enemies to cross the [[Anduin]] near [[Cair Andros]].<ref name="Cirion">{{UT|Cirion}}</ref><ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 510</ref> The [[Tower of Cirith Ungol]] was also defending Ithilien from attacks from Sauron's remaining servants and stopped them from returning to Mordor, guarding the high pass over the [[Ephel Dúath]]. Gondor occupied the fortress until {{TA|1636}} when the [[Great Plague]] killed large parts of the population. During the plague most of the people of [[Osgiliath]] fled the city for the western dales or the woods of Ithilien.

After the disastrous [[Battle of the Plains]] in {{TA|1856}}, Ithilien was the only land east of the river Anduin to be occupied as the others were abandoned.

In {{TA|1899}}, Marhwini warned [[Calimehtar (King of Gondor)|King Calimehtar]] that the [[Wainriders]] were plotting to raid [[Calenardhon]] over the [[Undeeps]]. Calimehtar therefore provoked the Wainriders out of Ithilien, and his horsemen, joined by a large [[éored]] led by [[Marhwini]], drove the Wainriders back.<ref name="Cirion"/>

In {{TA|1944}}, [[Wainriders]] from [[Rhûn]] made an alliance with the [[Haradrim]], and a dual attack on Ithilien was launched. While the Wainriders assaulted Ithilien from the north, the armies of the Haradrim crossed the [[Poros]] and invaded [[South Ithilien]]. The Gondorian [[Captain of the Southern Army|Captain]] [[Earnil II|Eärnil]] leading Gondor's inferior [[Southern Army]], defeated the Haradrim, and then turned north, [[Battle of the Camp|took]] the Wainriders into surprise and pushed many of them into the swamplands of the [[Dead Marshes]].

When Minas Ithil was captured by Mordor in {{TA|2002}} it was renamed [[Minas Morgul]], the Tower of Black Sorcery. During the [[Watchful Peace]] the lords of Morgul had secretly bred the [[Uruk-hai]], and in {{TA|2475}} these creatures assailed and overran Ithilien, captured [[Osgiliath]] and destroyed the great stone-bridge.
===Deserting===
[[Boromir (Steward of Gondor)|Boromir]] defeated the host of Morgul and regained Ithilien. However, from that time on no people dwelt in that region, and for Gondor there was never full peace again until after the defeat of Sauron.<ref>{{App|Stewards}}</ref>

In {{TA|2885}}, Ithilien was invaded in great strength, King [[Folcwine]] of [[Rohan]] fulfilled the [[Oath of Eorl]] and sent many men to Gondor. With their aid Steward [[Túrin II]] won a victory at the crossings of [[Poros]], though the princes [[Fastred (son of Folcwine)|Fastred]] and [[Folcred]] were slain.<ref name=TA>{{App|TA}}</ref>
[[File:Ted Nasmith - Henneth Annûn.jpg|thumb|[[Ted Nasmith]] - ''Henneth Annun'']]
The majority of the people of Ithilien fled across the [[Anduin]] to escape war ({{TA|2901}})<ref name=TA/>, but the [[Stewards of Gondor]] still kept scouts there, operating out of secret locations such as [[Henneth Annûn]]. Those who stayed fled to regions such as [[Lossarnach]] when [[Mount Doom]] erupted in {{TA|2954}}. [[Steward]] [[Ecthelion II]] constructed the [[Rammas Echor]] as part of the now necessary defenses of [[Gondor]].<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 546</ref>
[[File:Angus McBride - Ambush.jpg|thumb|left|[[Angus McBride]] - ''Ambush'']]
The descendants of the people who had dwelt in Ithilien, formed the corps of the [[Rangers of Ithilien]].

===War of the Ring and later===

During the [[War of the Ring]], in early March {{TA|3019}}, [[Faramir]] the son of the Steward [[Denethor]], was leading the [[Rangers of Ithilien]] to ambush Haradrim who would pass through Ithilien. That same time, [[Gollum]] led [[Frodo Baggins]] and [[Samwise Gamgee]] through Ithilien on their way to [[Cirith Ungol]] and into Mordor, and Faramir allowed them to continue when he was satisfied they were not agents of [[Sauron]].
[[File:Alan Lee - Oliphaunt.jpg|thumb|"Oliphaunt" by [[Alan Lee]]]]
When the [[Host of the West]] marched on the [[Morannon]], [[Mablung (ranger of Ithilien)|Mablung]] and his troops discovered an ambush by Orcs and Easterlings that lay hid in Ithilien. The ambush was quickly turned.<ref>{{RK|V10}}</ref>

During the [[Fourth Age]], Ithilien was ruled by the [[Prince of Ithilien|Princes of Ithilien]], a line that started with Faramir and [[Éowyn]], who became known as the White Lady of Ithilien. Minas Morgul was not repopulated, and Faramir had his throne in [[Emyn Arnen]]. After the fall of Sauron, [[Legolas]] brought elves from [[Mirkwood|Greenwood]], and they dwelt in Ithilien, and once again it became the fairest country in all the westlands.<ref>{{App|Durin}}</ref>

==Geography==
[[Image:Ted_Nasmith_-_First_Sight_of_Ithilien.jpg|left|thumb|[[Ted Nasmith]] - ''First Sight of Ithilien'']]
Ithilien was the only part of Gondor on the eastern side of the [[Anduin]], wedged in between the river and the [[Ephel Dúath]]. The northern border must have been around the [[Dead Marshes]] and its southern border was the river [[Poros]]. The region was further divided into [[North Ithilien|North]] and [[South Ithilien]] (the division was made at or near the [[Cross-roads]]).

[[Iris]]es, [[Anemones]], [[Eglantine]], [[lilies]], [[water-lilies]] and [[Asphodel]] grew in Ithilien<ref>{{TT|Herbs}}</ref>. [[Lebethron]]<ref>{{TT|Journey}}</ref> and [[Culumalda]] grew especially in the woods around the [[Field of Cormallen]].<ref name=RC>{{HM|RC}}, pp. 625-6 (citing from the [[Unfinished index]])</ref><ref name=SApp>{{S|Appendix}} (entry for ''mal-'')</ref>

==Etymology==
{{Pronounce|Ithilien.mp3|Ardamir}}
''Ithilien'' is a [[Sindarin]] name meaning "land of the moon".<ref>{{HM|UI}}, p. 233</ref> It has been suggested that the name consists of the elements ''[[Moon#Other names|Ithil]]'' ("moon") + the affix ''[[-nd|end]]''.<ref>[http://www.tolkiendil.com/langues/english/i-lam_arth/compound_sindarin_names Compound Sindarin Names in Middle-earth] at [http://www.tolkiendil.com Tolkiendil.com] (accessed 20 July 2011)</ref>

{{references}}
{{FellowshipRoute}}
[[Category:Regions]]
[[Category:Gondor]]
[[Category:Sindarin locations]]

[[fr:encyclo/geographie/regions/gondor/ithilien]]

Black Númenóreans

2018-04-27T00:12:30Z

142.44.139.85:

{{people infobox
| name=Black Númenóreans
| image=[[File:Brian Durfee - Black Númenóreans.jpg|250px]]
| caption="[[:File:Brian Durfee - Black Númenóreans.jpg|Black Númenóreans]]" by Brian Durfee
| pronun=
| othernames=
| origin=[[Númenóreans]]
| location=[[Umbar]], other southern lands
| affiliation=[[Sauron]]
| rivalry=[[Gondorians]]
| language=[[Adûnaic]]
| members=[[Herumor]], [[Fuinur]], [[Berúthiel]], [[The Mouth of Sauron]], [[Witch-King of Angmar]]
| lifespan=c. 300-350 years
| distinctions=
| height=
| hair=
| skin=
| clothing=
| weapons=
}}
The '''Black Númenóreans''' were [[Númenóreans|High Men]] from [[Númenor]]. They were under the [[Shadow]] like the [[King's Men]], cruel oppressors and overlords over the more primitive [[Middle Men]] of [[Middle-earth]]. As they were colonising the continent, they survived the [[Downfall of Númenor]].
==History==
The Númenóreans' power and knowledge had grown throughout the course of the [[Second Age]], and became increasingly preoccupied with the limits placed on their happiness—and eventually their power—by mortality, the purpose of which they began to question. They started fearing the [[Gift of Men]] and attempted to delay it or recall life.

This growing wish to escape death, made most of the Númenoreans envious of the immortal [[Eldar]], who they had come to physically resemble. The Eldar sought ever to remind the men of Númenor however, that death was a gift of the One God, [[Ilúvatar]], to all men, and the will of Ilúvatar could not be gainsaid.

Nevertheless, after {{SA|2221}}, when [[Tar-Ancalimon]] became [[King of Númenor]], the Númenóreans became divided. The [[King's Men]] who turned away from the [[Valar]] and the Eldar, and eventually became vulnerable to the corruption of [[Sauron]], who dominated the minds and wills of most of the Númenóreans with the [[One Ring]].<ref>{{L|211}}</ref> The powerful and elderly King [[Ar-Pharazôn]], had become frightened of old age,<ref>{{L|156}}</ref> and was persuaded by Sauron that Ilúvatar was a lie invented by the Valar, and seduced.

Some indigenous people of Middle-earth were afraid of those Númenóreans, whom they called "[[Go-hilleg]]" in their language. The "Go-hilleg" terrified those people with their ships and intended at some point to conquer the land of [[Agar]] and slay its people.<ref>{{PM|Elmar}}</ref>

It is known that three of the nine Nazgûl were of [[Númenórean]] origin, and it seems unavoidable that these must have originally belonged to the [[Black Númenóreans]].<ref>{{S|Akallabeth}}</ref>

Even the colonists who had settled on the shores and seaward regions of the [[Westlands]], turned to evil, the [[Darkness]] and the black arts. These evil lords made their fortresses and dwellings in the [[South]], because of the power of [[Gil-galad]].<ref name=rings>{{S|Rings}}</ref> <ref name=window>{{TT|Window}}</ref>
===After the Downfall===
For many centuries after the Downfall, these descendants of the King's Men held onto the haven of [[Umbar]], the most northerly and famous of their realms.

When the surviving [[Faithful]] Numenoreans founded [[Gondor]] and [[Arnor]], they saw their southern counterparts as renegades, calling them the Black Númenóreans.<ref>{{RK|Gate}}</ref> The Black Númenóreans held a similar hatred of Gondor after generations.<ref>{{App|Gondor}}</ref>

Two early Black Númenórean lords from the late [[Second Age]] were [[Herumor]] and [[Fuinur]] who desired power over men of other, lesser races, and they "rose to (great) power amongst the [[Haradrim]]", the peoples neighbouring Umbar. They likely shared Sauron's defeat at the hands of the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]].

The triumph of the Last Alliance marked the decline of the Black Númenórean race and the end of their racial superiority. They dwindled swiftly or became merged with the Middle Men.<ref>{{App|A}}</ref>

[[Berúthiel|Queen Berúthiel]], wife of Gondor's King [[Tarannon Falastur]] was "a black Númenórean".<ref name=Interview>{{webcite|author=[[Daphne Castell]]|articleurl=http://www.festivalintheshire.com/journal1bdx/inttolkien.html|articlename=The Realms of Tolkien|dated=|website=[http://www.festivalintheshire.com/journal1bdx/index.html ''Festival in the Shire Journal'', Issue 1]|accessed=7 May 2012}}</ref><ref>[[Humphrey Carpenter]], ''[[The Inklings (book)|The Inklings]]'', "Thursday evenings", pp. 137-8</ref> This was a loveless union, and was presumably a political accommodation: that such arrangements were possible implies the existence at that time of more Gondor-friendly Black Númenóreans than the much later Mouth of Sauron.

A Black Númenórean elite survived at least in Umbar for over a thousand years after Númenor's fall, maintaining much influence in [[Haradwaith]]. As late as Third Age 1015, for example, even after being exiled from their homeland for nearly a century, the lords that had been driven from Umbar led the [[Haradrim]] to retake Umbar.<ref>{{App|A}}</ref>

Not much is known about the Black Númenóreans after their defeat by [[Ciryaher]] in {{TA|1050}}. A "Renegade", [[The Mouth of Sauron]], had entered the service of Sauron in [[Mordor]]. He mocked the army of [[Aragorn|King Elessar]] in front of the [[Morannon]].

==Culture==
The Black Númenórean style of governing was no doubt tyrannical, and may also have involved a tradition of duumviracy, at least in Umbar. After Herumor and Fuinur there were also [[Angamaite]] and [[Sangahyando]]. Some lords were idle and lazy, they used to fight amongst themselves, until they became conquered by the wild men.<ref name=window/>

The Black Númenóreans did not use [[Westron]], but probably retained their old tongue [[Adûnaic]], speaking a dialect of it. (In [[The Notion Club Papers]], part of ''[[Sauron Defeated]]'', Arundel Lowdham cited two descendants of classical Adûnaic. One of these must have been Westron, the other the tongue of the Black Númenóreans).

==Portrayal in adaptations==
[[File:Black Númenórean.jpg|thumb|A typical Black Númenórean within the city of [[Annuminas]] (''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'').]]
'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:The Black Númenóreans are portrayed in service of the different Lieutenants of the Enemy. The ''Angmarim'' inhabit the lands surrounding [[Carn Dum]] in [[Angmar]] and serve [[Mordirith]] and later [[Amarthiel]]. Much later, Umbarrim Númenóreans make appearance in [[Dol Guldur]] of [[Mirkwood]].

'''2011: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]'':'''
:[[Agandaûr]], the game's main antagonist, is a Black Númenórean<ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://www.warinthenorth.com/index.php/the-game/enemies|articlename=Enemies|dated=|website=www.warinthenorth.com|accessed=15 February 2012}}</ref> as is the minor character [[Wulfrun]], lieutenant of [[Carn Dûm]].

{{references}}
[[Category:Black Númenóreans| ]]
[[de:Schwarze Númenorer]]
[[fi:Mustat númenorilaiset]]

Black Númenóreans

2018-04-27T00:11:50Z

142.44.139.85:

{{people infobox
| name=Black Númenóreans
| image=[[File:Brian Durfee - Black Númenóreans.jpg|250px]]
| caption="[[:File:Brian Durfee - Black Númenóreans.jpg|Black Númenóreans]]" by Brian Durfee
| pronun=
| othernames=
| origin=[[Númenóreans]]
| location=[[Umbar]], other southern lands
| affiliation=[[Sauron]]
| rivalry=[[Gondorians]]
| language=[[Adûnaic]]
| members=[[Herumor]], [[Fuinur]], [[Berúthiel]], [[The Mouth of Sauron]]
| lifespan=c. 300-350 years
| distinctions=
| height=
| hair=
| skin=
| clothing=
| weapons=
}}
The '''Black Númenóreans''' were [[Númenóreans|High Men]] from [[Númenor]]. They were under the [[Shadow]] like the [[King's Men]], cruel oppressors and overlords over the more primitive [[Middle Men]] of [[Middle-earth]]. As they were colonising the continent, they survived the [[Downfall of Númenor]].
==History==
The Númenóreans' power and knowledge had grown throughout the course of the [[Second Age]], and became increasingly preoccupied with the limits placed on their happiness—and eventually their power—by mortality, the purpose of which they began to question. They started fearing the [[Gift of Men]] and attempted to delay it or recall life.

This growing wish to escape death, made most of the Númenoreans envious of the immortal [[Eldar]], who they had come to physically resemble. The Eldar sought ever to remind the men of Númenor however, that death was a gift of the One God, [[Ilúvatar]], to all men, and the will of Ilúvatar could not be gainsaid.

Nevertheless, after {{SA|2221}}, when [[Tar-Ancalimon]] became [[King of Númenor]], the Númenóreans became divided. The [[King's Men]] who turned away from the [[Valar]] and the Eldar, and eventually became vulnerable to the corruption of [[Sauron]], who dominated the minds and wills of most of the Númenóreans with the [[One Ring]].<ref>{{L|211}}</ref> The powerful and elderly King [[Ar-Pharazôn]], had become frightened of old age,<ref>{{L|156}}</ref> and was persuaded by Sauron that Ilúvatar was a lie invented by the Valar, and seduced.

Some indigenous people of Middle-earth were afraid of those Númenóreans, whom they called "[[Go-hilleg]]" in their language. The "Go-hilleg" terrified those people with their ships and intended at some point to conquer the land of [[Agar]] and slay its people.<ref>{{PM|Elmar}}</ref>

It is known that three of the nine Nazgûl were of [[Númenórean]] origin, and it seems unavoidable that these must have originally belonged to the [[Black Númenóreans]].<ref>{{S|Akallabeth}}</ref>

Even the colonists who had settled on the shores and seaward regions of the [[Westlands]], turned to evil, the [[Darkness]] and the black arts. These evil lords made their fortresses and dwellings in the [[South]], because of the power of [[Gil-galad]].<ref name=rings>{{S|Rings}}</ref> <ref name=window>{{TT|Window}}</ref>
===After the Downfall===
For many centuries after the Downfall, these descendants of the King's Men held onto the haven of [[Umbar]], the most northerly and famous of their realms.

When the surviving [[Faithful]] Numenoreans founded [[Gondor]] and [[Arnor]], they saw their southern counterparts as renegades, calling them the Black Númenóreans.<ref>{{RK|Gate}}</ref> The Black Númenóreans held a similar hatred of Gondor after generations.<ref>{{App|Gondor}}</ref>

Two early Black Númenórean lords from the late [[Second Age]] were [[Herumor]] and [[Fuinur]] who desired power over men of other, lesser races, and they "rose to (great) power amongst the [[Haradrim]]", the peoples neighbouring Umbar. They likely shared Sauron's defeat at the hands of the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]].

The triumph of the Last Alliance marked the decline of the Black Númenórean race and the end of their racial superiority. They dwindled swiftly or became merged with the Middle Men.<ref>{{App|A}}</ref>

[[Berúthiel|Queen Berúthiel]], wife of Gondor's King [[Tarannon Falastur]] was "a black Númenórean".<ref name=Interview>{{webcite|author=[[Daphne Castell]]|articleurl=http://www.festivalintheshire.com/journal1bdx/inttolkien.html|articlename=The Realms of Tolkien|dated=|website=[http://www.festivalintheshire.com/journal1bdx/index.html ''Festival in the Shire Journal'', Issue 1]|accessed=7 May 2012}}</ref><ref>[[Humphrey Carpenter]], ''[[The Inklings (book)|The Inklings]]'', "Thursday evenings", pp. 137-8</ref> This was a loveless union, and was presumably a political accommodation: that such arrangements were possible implies the existence at that time of more Gondor-friendly Black Númenóreans than the much later Mouth of Sauron.

A Black Númenórean elite survived at least in Umbar for over a thousand years after Númenor's fall, maintaining much influence in [[Haradwaith]]. As late as Third Age 1015, for example, even after being exiled from their homeland for nearly a century, the lords that had been driven from Umbar led the [[Haradrim]] to retake Umbar.<ref>{{App|A}}</ref>

Not much is known about the Black Númenóreans after their defeat by [[Ciryaher]] in {{TA|1050}}. A "Renegade", [[The Mouth of Sauron]], had entered the service of Sauron in [[Mordor]]. He mocked the army of [[Aragorn|King Elessar]] in front of the [[Morannon]].

==Culture==
The Black Númenórean style of governing was no doubt tyrannical, and may also have involved a tradition of duumviracy, at least in Umbar. After Herumor and Fuinur there were also [[Angamaite]] and [[Sangahyando]]. Some lords were idle and lazy, they used to fight amongst themselves, until they became conquered by the wild men.<ref name=window/>

The Black Númenóreans did not use [[Westron]], but probably retained their old tongue [[Adûnaic]], speaking a dialect of it. (In [[The Notion Club Papers]], part of ''[[Sauron Defeated]]'', Arundel Lowdham cited two descendants of classical Adûnaic. One of these must have been Westron, the other the tongue of the Black Númenóreans).

==Portrayal in adaptations==
[[File:Black Númenórean.jpg|thumb|A typical Black Númenórean within the city of [[Annuminas]] (''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'').]]
'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:The Black Númenóreans are portrayed in service of the different Lieutenants of the Enemy. The ''Angmarim'' inhabit the lands surrounding [[Carn Dum]] in [[Angmar]] and serve [[Mordirith]] and later [[Amarthiel]]. Much later, Umbarrim Númenóreans make appearance in [[Dol Guldur]] of [[Mirkwood]].

'''2011: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]'':'''
:[[Agandaûr]], the game's main antagonist, is a Black Númenórean<ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://www.warinthenorth.com/index.php/the-game/enemies|articlename=Enemies|dated=|website=www.warinthenorth.com|accessed=15 February 2012}}</ref> as is the minor character [[Wulfrun]], lieutenant of [[Carn Dûm]].

{{references}}
[[Category:Black Númenóreans| ]]
[[de:Schwarze Númenorer]]
[[fi:Mustat númenorilaiset]]

Witch-king

2018-04-27T00:10:22Z

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{{footnotes}}
{{evil infobox
| name=The Witch-king of Angmar
| image=[[File:Melissa Hitchcock - The Black Captain.jpg|250px]]
| caption="The Black Captain" by [[:Category:Images by Melissa Hitchcock|Melissa Hitchcock]]
| pronun=
| othernames=Black Captain, Chief of the Nine, Lord of Minas Morgul
| titles=
| position=Lord of the [[Nazgûl]]
| location=[[Angmar]] [[Minas Morgul]]
| affiliation=[[Sauron]]
| language=[[Black Speech]], [[Westron]]
| birth=[[Second Age]]
| birthlocation=
| rule=
| death=[[15 March]], {{TA|3019}}
| deathlocation=[[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]]
| age=4200+
| notablefor=[[Arnor#The Fall of Arthedain|Fall of Arnor]] Establishing [[Angmar]] Fall of [[Minas Ithil]] and [[Osgiliath]] Deaths of [[Eärnur]], [[Boromir (Steward of Gondor)|Boromir]], and [[Théoden]] Stabbing [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]]
| parentage=
| siblings=
| spouse=
| children=
| race=[[Black Númenóreans|Black Númenórean]] (early) [[Nazgûl|Ringwraith]] (later)
| gender=Male
| height=Tallest of the Nazgûl
| hair=Gleaming
| eyes=
| clothing=Crown
| weapons=[[Morgul-knife]]; [[Black Breath]]; A great black mace
| steed=Black horse
| gallery=the Witch-king
}}
{{quote|In rode the Lord of the Nazgûl. A great black shape against the fires beyond he loomed up, grown to a vast menace of despair. In rode the Lord of the Nazgûl, under the archway that no enemy ever yet had passed, and all fled before his face.|"[[The Siege of Gondor]]"<ref name="Siege">{{RK|Siege}}</ref>}}
The '''Witch-king of Angmar''' was the chief of the [[Nazgûl]], King of [[Angmar]] and [[Sauron]]’s great captain in his wars. A [[Wraiths|wraith]], the Witch-king of Angmar was nearly indestructible, a terrifying warrior, and a cunning strategist.

==History==
Some time after Sauron seized the [[Rings of Power]] in the [[Sack of Eregion]], {{SA|1697}} he gave [[Nine Rings|nine of them]] to [[Men|Mannish]] kings, sorcerers and other warriors.<ref>{{S|Rings}}, p. 289</ref> With the power of their rings, the Nine achieved glory and grew wealthy, but they eventually started hating life as they were slowly drawn under Sauron’s dominion. In the end, they all became the dreadful [[Nazgûl|Ringwraiths]].

The one later known as the Witch-king was one of these, likely one of the unnamed three lords of [[Númenor]] ([[Black Númenóreans|Black Númenórean]]) to take the rings.<ref>{{S|Akallabeth}}, p. 267, Ballantine Books p. 320</ref> <ref>[[The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion]], p. 20</ref> He first appeared in the histories as a Ringwraith in {{SA|2251}}. Being the most powerful of the Nazgûl, he became their chief and the most feared servant of his master Sauron.

When [[Mordor]] fell in {{SA|3441}}, the Nazgûl vanished into the shadows and were not heard of again for a long time.<ref name="appendixB">{{App|B}}</ref>

===Early Power in Angmar===
More than a thousand years later, in c. {{TA|1050|n}} of the [[Third Age]], [[Sauron]] began to rebuild his power in [[Dol Guldur]]. In c. {{TA|1300|n}} his Nazgûl also reappeared and the Witch-king established his realm, [[Angmar]], in the north.<ref name="appendixB">[[The Lord of the Rings]], [[Appendix B]]</ref> His capital was [[Carn Dûm]], on the northernmost peak of the [[Misty Mountains]]. He summoned men, [[orcs]] and other creatures of evil inclination to his banner. No one knew that he was actually a servant of the long-dormant [[Sauron]] and few that he was a wraith.<ref name="AppA">[[The Lord of the Rings]], [[Appendix A]] (iii), [[Houghton Mifflin]] p. 320 </ref>

In the north, disunity plagued the [[Dúnedain]] of [[Arnor]]. They had divided into three kingdoms: [[Cardolan]], [[Rhudaur]] and [[Arthedain]], and were constantly at war with one another.<ref name="AppA">[[The Lord of the Rings]], [[Appendix A]] (iii), Houghton Mifflin p. 320 </ref> The Witch-king saw the North-kingdom of Arnor as more vulnerable than the South-kingdom of Gondor.<ref name="Malvegil">[[The Peoples of Middle-earth]], [[The Heirs of Elendil]], entry for [[Malvegil]], [[HarperCollins]] p. 193-194 </ref> He played upon their opposition, sending in infiltrators and taking over the hearts of the men of that land. By {{TA|1349|n}}, the government of Rhudaur was controlled by men secretly in his service,<ref name="Malvegil">[[The Peoples of Middle-earth]], [[The Heirs of Elendil]], entry for [[Malvegil]], [[HarperCollins]] p. 193-194</ref> and he secretly aided them in their wars against the other kingdoms.<ref name="Argeleb">[[The Peoples of Middle-earth]], [[The Heirs of Elendil]], entry for [[Argeleb I]], [[HarperCollins]] p. 194</ref> He then struck at a time of great hostility among the three, in {{TA|1409|n}}. Rhudaur in the east fell first, and most of the Dúnedain there were hunted down and slaughtered by sorcerers.<ref name="Arveleg">[[The Peoples of Middle-earth]], [[The Heirs of Elendil]], entry for [[Arveleg I]], [[HarperCollins]] p. 194 </ref> Cardolan was ravaged and the [[Tower of Amon Sûl]], held by the men of Arthedain, was placed under siege. King [[Arveleg I]] was slain and the tower was destroyed, but the coveted ''[[Amon Sûl-stone|palantír]]'' escaped in the hands of the surviving men of Arthedain and was brought to [[Fornost]].<ref name="Palantiri16">[[Unfinished Tales]], [[The Palantíri]], note 16, [[Houghton Mifflin]] p. 413 </ref>

The Witch-king continued to press the men of Arthedain, laying siege to Fornost, and he might have taken over all of Arnor in that one offensive. But [[Araphor]], the 18-year-old son of Arveleg, came to leadership and, with the help of the ancient elf [[Círdan]] of [[Lindon]], repelled the Witch-king’s forces at Fornost and the [[North Downs]].<ref name="ten">[[The Lord of the Rings]], [[Appendix A]] (iii), [[Houghton Mifflin]] pp. 321-322</ref> [[Elrond]] brought an army of [[Elves]] from [[Rivendell]] and [[Lothlórien]], and the Witch-king was pushed back and subdued.

===Twilight of Angmar===
The Witch-king sat silent in Carn Dûm, rebuilding his armies and preparing for a final assault on [[Arthedain]], last of the Arnorian kingdoms. The [[Dark Plague]] came and went in {{TA|1636|n}}, taking with it the last of the Dúnedain of [[Cardolan]]. The Witch-king sent [[barrow-wights]] to inhabit the barrows in [[Barrow-downs|Tyrn Gorthad]].<ref name="ten">[[The Lord of the Rings]], [[Appendix A]] (iii), [[Houghton Mifflin]] pp. 321-322</ref> In {{TA|1974|n}}, he felt that his power was sufficiently restored to begin the advance.

His attack was sudden, but not unexpected. King [[Arvedui]] sent a message to King [[Eärnil II]] of [[Gondor]] the year before, but help did not arrive in time. [[Fornost]] fell, and the Witch-king took up residence there in the palace.<ref name="eleven">[[The Lord of the Rings]], [[Appendix A]] (iv), [[Houghton Mifflin]] pp. 331-332</ref> Arvedui held out as best as he might on the [[North Downs]], but at last fled north with the treasured ''[[palantíri]]'' of [[Amon Sûl-stone|Amon Sûl]] and [[Annúminas-stone|Annúminas]]. He would not return, for he perished in a shipwreck in {{TA|1975|n}}. With him the ''palantíri'' were lost forever in the icy seas of [[Forod]]. The already-diminished North-kingdom ended, and [[Arnor]] fell.<ref name="ten">[[The Lord of the Rings]], [[Appendix A]] (iii), [[Houghton Mifflin]] pp. 321-322</ref>

Meanwhile, a coalition in the south had formed. Eärnil sent his son, [[Eärnur]], north with a great fleet, all that Gondor could spare. They arrived at [[Lindon]] and joined with the folk of Círdan. Círdan summoned all that would come: surviving Dúnedain of Arnor and elves of Lindon.<ref name="eleven">[[The Lord of the Rings]], [[Appendix A]] (iv), [[Houghton Mifflin]] pp. 331-332</ref> Even a company of [[Hobbits|hobbit]] archers went to their aide.<ref name="ten">[[The Lord of the Rings]], [[Appendix A]] (iii), [[Houghton Mifflin]] pp. 321-322</ref> The Witch-king had grown overconfident and, instead of staying behind his fortifications, initiated the attack. The [[Battle of Fornost]] was fought on the plain between [[Nenuial]] and the North Downs. The Witch-king may not have anticipated the strength brought against him, but for whatever reason the alliance gained the upper hand. His army began to fall back toward Fornost, but Eärnur’s magnificent horsemen struck from the north and the Witch-king was routed.<ref name="eleven">[[The Lord of the Rings]], [[Appendix A]] (iv), [[Houghton Mifflin]] pp. 331-332</ref>

He decided to flee to Angmar and the safety of Carn Dûm, but the cavalry, with Eärnur himself in the lead, overtook him. Moreover, the ranks of the allies swelled, as an army of elves from [[Rivendell]] came led by the mighty hero of old, [[Glorfindel]]. Angmar was purged of men and orcs, and all seemed lost for the Witch-king in the face of such numbers. But the Witch-king himself came at the last, robed and masked in black and riding a black horse, and attempted to kill Eärnur with his own hands. But Eärnur’s horse shied away and fled, and the Witch-king laughed. But Glorfindel came on his white horse, and faced with such power the Witch-king fled. He vanished into the shadows and no-one marked where he had gone.<ref name="eleven">[[The Lord of the Rings]], [[Appendix A]] (iv), [[Houghton Mifflin]] pp. 331-332</ref>

Eärnur wanted to pursue, but Glorfindel held him back and made his famous prophecy.

{{Blockquote|He will not return to this land. Far off yet is his doom, and not by the hand of man will he fall.|Glorfindel, ''[[The Return of the King]]'', [[Appendix A]] (iv)}}

===Lord of Minas Morgul===
The Witch-king escaped to [[Mordor]], and gathered the other Ringwraiths about him in {{TA|1980|n}}.<ref name="appendixB">[[The Lord of the Rings]], [[Appendix B]]</ref> Angmar and Carn Dûm were lost, and so in {{TA|2000|n}} the Witch-king began a two-year siege of [[Minas Ithil]], eventually capturing the place and turning it into his residence. It was renamed [[Minas Morgul]], and the ''[[Ithil-stone|palantír]]'' was sent to Sauron. The Witch-king sent an aura of fear in [[Gondor]], and much of [[Ithilien]] was deserted.<ref name="eleven">[[The Lord of the Rings]], [[Appendix A]] (iv), [[Houghton Mifflin]] pp. 331-332</ref>

Eärnur succeeded his father as King of Gondor, and still held the Witch-king in especial hostility due to his humiliation at the Battle of Fornost. The year of his coronation the Witch-king sent him a taunting challenge, but [[Mardil|Mardil Voronwë]] the steward restrained Eärnur from rash action. Seven years later the challenge was repeated, and Eärnur rode with a small escort to Minas Morgul. None that rode thither ever returned, and there was no longer a King in Gondor.<ref name="eleven">[[The Lord of the Rings]], [[Appendix A]] (iv), [[Houghton Mifflin]] pp. 331-332</ref>

After this the Witch-king bided his time. He and the Nazgûl built up their armies, including the terrible new orc-race of [[uruks]]. In {{TA|2475|n}} he sent them out to capture [[Osgiliath]], which they did successfully. They were driven out by [[Boromir (Steward of Gondor)|Boromir]], [[Ruling Steward|Steward]] of [[Gondor]], but Osgiliath now lay completely in ruins. Boromir went on to retake Ithilien, so that even the Witch-king feared him. But he was killed by a Morgul-wound, and so his rule was but twelve years.<ref name="twelve">[[The Lord of the Rings]], [[Appendix A]] (iv), [[Houghton Mifflin]] p. 333</ref>

===Hunt for the Ring===
Sauron declared himself openly in {{TA|2951|n}}, and sent three of his Ringwraiths to [[Dol Guldur]] (though the Witch-king was left in Minas Morgul). Then, by lucky chance, the creature [[Gollum]] was captured and interrogated. Under torture, the wretched creature revealed the tale of [[the One Ring]] and how it came to be in his possession. But from his words Sauron misunderstod that the land of the hobbits who stole the Ring was on the banks of the [[Gladden River]], whence Gollum originally came from.<ref name="thirteen">{{UT|Hunt}}, [[Houghton Mifflin]] p. 338-341</ref> Sauron sent the Nine, under the leadership of the Witch-king, invisible and uncloaked, to search for the Ring after the assault of Osgiliath.

[[Khamûl]], the Witch-king’s lieutenant, reported that he was unable to find the “[[the Shire|Shire]]” in the vales of [[Anduin]]. The Witch-king was determined to search north and west until Gollum was found, or the Shire. But plans were halted when Sauron received word of the prophecy in Gondor and the doings of the turncoat [[Saruman]], and concluded that the Wise did not yet have possession of the Ring. He sent the Ringwraiths to [[Isengard]] in the form of [[Nazgûl|Black Riders]], too late to prevent the escape of the captured wizard [[Gandalf]], but had words with Saruman. Saruman, already a traitor to both sides due to his transparent lust for the Ring, fortified himself in Isengard. The Witch-king did not have enough power with him to assault Saruman in his great fortress, but had words with him. Saruman convinced the Witch-king that Gandalf alone knew where the Shire and the Ring was, and so the Nine passed into [[Rohan]] in search of him.<ref name="thirteen"/>

They came upon the traitor called [[Gríma|Wormtongue]] and questioned him. The terrified man told them everything he knew; that Gandalf had passed through Rohan, where the Shire was, and even that Saruman had lied to them. The Witch-king spared Wormtongue’s life, foreseeing that Wormtongue would bring ruin to Saruman. He divided his wraiths into four pairs, and went with the swiftest to [[Minhiriath]]. Along the way they captured several spies of Saruman, and found to their delight charts and maps of the Shire. They sent along the spy to [[Bree]], warning them that they now belonged to Mordor, not Saruman.<ref name="thirteen"/>

They came to [[Sarn Ford]], but the [[Dúnedain]] [[Rangers of the North|Rangers]] prevented them from crossing. They sent for their great captain, the chieftain [[Aragorn|Aragorn II]], who alone could well resist the wraiths, but he was away, and the Ringwraiths captured the ford and killed many of the Rangers.<ref name="thirteen"/> The Witch-king sent three Ringwraiths under Khamûl into the Shire while he went east with the others.<ref name="appendixB">{{App|B}}</ref> But they had come too late: the Ring had moved on in the hands of a hobbit, [[Frodo Baggins]].

===Pursuit of the Ring===
[[File:Ted Nasmith - Fire on Weathertop.jpg|thumb|right|220px|[[Ted Nasmith]] - ''Fire on Weathertop'']]Khamûl was unsuccessful, but brought word from the spy they had spared in Bree. The man had witnessed a vanishing act on Frodo's part, and had organized an attack on the inn. The Witch-king guessed that Frodo would head east, and sent four wraiths to [[Weathertop]], the ruins of the tower he had destroyed long ago. He went south along the [[Greenway]] and discovered nothing. Gandalf followed them, but the Witch-king let him slip ahead, and attacked him on Weathertop. Gandalf escaped at dawn, and again the Witch-king divided his force and sent four after the wizard.

The Ring walked almost right into his hands. The captain of the Dúnedain, Aragorn II, had become the guide of the hobbits, and led them to Weathertop, where they were spotted and attacked. The Witch-king advanced on Frodo, and the terrified hobbit put on the Ring, seeing them as they truly were. When Frodo resisted, and invoked the name of [[Varda|Elbereth]], the Witch-king stabbed Frodo in the shoulder. The tip of his blade broke off and sent poison through the hobbit’s veins. Then Aragorn counterattacked with flaming brands. The Witch-king departed with the other Nazgûl, believing that his objective was completed.

He resumed the pursuit quickly, though, and found that Khamûl had been driven from the [[Last Bridge]] by his old enemy [[Glorfindel]]. The Witch-king, who only had one companion with him, was likewise unable to confront him openly. They regrouped and went south, rejoining with the other four. They managed to pick up the trail of the company of the Ring, and despite hindrance from Glorfindel and Aragorn managed to pursue Frodo alone on [[Asfaloth]]. The pursuit came to the [[Ford of Bruinen]], and there Frodo compelled the horse to stop. The Witch-king saw his defiance and laughed, breaking his sword with a movement of his hand. But the waters of the [[Bruinen]] rose at [[Elrond]]'s command, sweeping the Nine downstream.<ref name="fourteen">[[The Fellowship of the Ring]], [[Flight to the Ford]]</ref>

===War of the Ring===
[[File:Angus McBride - Gandalf facing Witch-king.gif|thumb|left|[[Angus McBride]] - ''Gandalf facing the Witch-king'']]
The Witch-king took the only surviving horse back to [[Mordor]], arriving there in December. He then sent aid to the other eight Nazgûl, and they returned in secret. In [[Minas Morgul]] they prepared for a grand invasion of [[Gondor]] at the order of their master. The Witch-king was given by Sauron added "demonic" force.<ref name="fifteen">[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]], [[Letter 210]], p. 272</ref> On 10 March {{TA|3019|n}}, the signal was given and Minas Morgul was emptied. The Witch-king rode at the head of the army in black, upon a black horse, as he had in the time of the wars of Angmar. As the Witch-king passed out of the gates of the dead city, he sensed the presence of Frodo. He was disturbed, but continued on through Ithilien.

With the Witch-king in command, [[Osgiliath]] soon fell.<ref name="Siege">{{RK|Siege}}</ref> The defeat was attributed to his superior numbers, and his terrible presence which made all hearts to quail. The [[Rammas Echor]] was breached, and the [[Pelennor Fields]] were overrun. Other wraiths he sent out mounted on [[Fell beasts]]. [[Faramir]], [[Ruling Steward|Steward]] [[Denethor|Denethor II]]'s son, was wounded by a dart and the [[Black Breath|black breath]], but his company was saved by a sortie. Then the Witch-king laid siege to [[Minas Tirith]] itself, sending fire and the heads of the dead Gondorians into the city via catapults. Then he launched the assault.

He sent [[Grond (battering ram)|Grond]] out first, accompanying it in person so as to be the first to enter the city. Three times Grond struck the gate, empowered by the sorcery of the Witch-king. The third time the Gate shattered in a flash of fire. The Witch-king passed into Minas Tirith, but was confronted by Gandalf on [[Shadowfax]]. Gandalf forbade him entry, but the Witch-king laughed and put on a show of power.

{{Blockquote|The Black Rider flung back his hood, and behold! he had a kingly crown; and yet upon no head visible was it set. The red fires shone between it and the mantled shoulders vast and dark. From a mouth unseen there came a deadly laughter. 'Old fool!' he said. 'Old fool! This is my hour. Do you not know Death when you see it? Die now and curse in vain!' And with that he lifted high his sword and flames ran down the blade.|''[[The Return of the King]]'', [[The Siege of Gondor]]}}.

===The Fall of the Witch-king===
[[File:Nick Deligaris - Éowyn and Nazgûl.jpg|thumb|350px|Nick Deligaris - ''Éowyn and Nazgûl'']]
As Gandalf stood resolute before the Witch-king, the [[Rohirrim]] arrived. Thus he departed, mounting a fell beast and descending upon King [[Théoden]] who led the attack. [[Snowmane]], the King's horse, collapsed with a dart in the side, and Théoden was crushed beneath him. But the rider [[Dernhelm]] defied the Witch-king. The Witch-king threatened Dernhelm with a terrible death, but the rider revealed that she was a woman, [[Éowyn]], and the Witch-king remembered the words of Glorfindel. He hesitated, but then moved forward. Éowyn decapitated the fell beast, but the Witch-king rose and struck her down with his mace, breaking her shield-arm. Then the hobbit [[Meriadoc Brandybuck]] stabbed him in the sinew of his leg with the [[Daggers of Westernesse|blade of Westernesse]] (though there was much pain in Meriadoc's arm afterward), as he drew back to kill the woman. Then Éowyn rose and drove her sword through where his invisible head was, and the sword broke as his crown toppled. The Witch-king gave a great and horrible wail, perishing at last.<ref name="Pelennor">{{RK|Battle}}</ref>

So the prophecy of Glorfindel was fulfilled, for the Witch-king did not fall at the hands of a man, but at the hands of [[Éowyn|a woman]] and [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|a hobbit]]. With his defeat, and the coming of Aragorn II in the black ships, the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]] was lost by Sauron.

==Names==
* Witch-king of Angmar - "Witch" most likely coming from his background in sorcery, and "king" after his establishment of the realm of Angmar in 1300.
* Witch-lord of Angmar - A variant of the above title.
* Lord of the Nazgûl
* Lord of the Ringwraiths
* Chieftain of the Ringwraiths
* Lord of the Nine Riders
* King of the Nine Riders
* Wraith-lord
* Wraith-king
* High Nazgûl
* Lord of Morgul
* Morgul-lord
* King of Minas Morgul
* Black Captain
* Captain of Despair
* [[Dwimmerlaik]]
* Lord of Carrion

==Etymology==
While in modern English ''witch'' has mostly female connotations, referring to a hag or sorceress, in middle-English ''wicche'' had no gender distinction; the preference of ''witch'' for female persons (the males referred more usually as ''wizzards'') evolved later through the centuries.

Tolkien uses the archaic, gender-unspecific meaning of the term; of course, the word [[Wizards|Wizard]] refers exclusively to the [[Maiar]] [[Istari]].

==Inspirations==
An undead witch-king named ''Þráinn'' appears in ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hrómundar_saga_Gripssonar Hrómundar saga Gripssonar]''. It is possible that this was Tolkien's source of inspiration.

The prophecy that the Witch-king would fall "not by the hand of man" and the fulfillment of the prophecy occurring as a technicality (being slain by a hobbit and a woman) bears a striking resemblance to the prophecy regarding the title character's death in Shakespeare's Macbeth, where it was foretold that Macbeth will be slain "not by man born of woman" and is then killed by Macduff, born by caesarian section. Tolkien was familiar with the play, having reputedly taken inspiration for the Last March of the Ents from the same source (See article ''[[Ents]]'' for details).

==Portrayal in adaptations ==
The Witch-king's true name is never given, and therefore among [[Tolkien fandom|Tolkien fans]], the Witch-king is often simply called ''Angmar'', after the name of the realm he founded and led. It is possible that he was one of the three [[Black Númenóreans]] Tolkien stated had become Nazgûl, or possibly [[Isilmo]], a Númenórean prince and father of Tar-Minastir. This possibility was adopted by the now defunct [[Middle-earth Role Playing]] game and [[Mithril Miniatures]] where he is named ''Er-Murazor'', a Númenórean prince and younger son of [[Tar-Ciryatan]].
<center><gallery>
File:The Return of the King (1980 film) - Witch-King.jpg|<center>The Witch-king in [[The Return of the King (1980 film)|''The Return of the King'' (1980 film)]]</center>
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King - Witch-king.jpg|<center>The Witch-king in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]''</center>
File:Witchking ea rotk.jpg|<center>The Witch-king from [[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King'' (video game)]]</center>
File:The Lord of the Rings online Shadows of Angmar - Witch-king 1.jpg|<center>The Witch-king in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''</center>
File:The Lord of the Rings War in the North - Witch-king of Angmar.png|<center>The Witch-king in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]''</center>
</gallery></center>
===Films===
'''1978: [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]:'''
:The Witch-king is shown with no distinction from the other [[Nazgûl|Ringwraiths]]; all are robed in brown and black, and none seem to be able to talk clearly.

'''1980: [[The Return of the King (1980 film)|''The Return of the King'' (1980 film)]]:'''
:The Witch-king is portrayed as a humanoid figure with no head. Red eyes glare under a golden crown. His dialogue is more or less as in the books, albeit in a strange and somewhat unfitting electronic voice. After a stab from behind by [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]], [[Éowyn]] beheads him. It is worthy of note that the Witch-king is seen with the [[Red Eye]] of [[Barad-dûr]] as his emblem and faction, rather than the grim moon of [[Minas Morgul]].

'''2001-03: [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]:'''
:The Witch-king is called the "Witch-king of [[Angmar]]", the "Lord of the [[Nazgûl]]", and the "Greatest of the Nine" by [[Gandalf]] in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King|The Return of the King]]''; however, no other mention of the kingdom of Angmar itself is made. Also, in that film, there is no mention of [[Glorfindel]]'s prophecy; there is only a claim among the enemy that "no man can kill" the Witch-king. Like the other Nazgûl, he is depicted as a humanoid figure shrouded in a hooded black robe; his only distinguishing feature is a mask-like spiked helmet with a huge mouth. His first mention is when Gandalf tells [[Peregrin Took|Pippin]] while in Minas Tirith that the Dark Lord has not yet revealed his "deadliest" servant: the Witch-king, the one that "stabbed [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] on [[Weathertop]]".

:During the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]], the Witch-king's army uses the ram [[Grond (battering ram)|Grond]] to break through the city gates early in the battle (after the failure of a lesser ram), and the Witch-king is not present to confront Gandalf as he is in the book. The confrontation takes place later, as Pippin and Gandalf race to the tombs to save [[Faramir]], and the Witch-king intercepts them. Unlike in the book, this meeting decisively favors the Witch-king, who breaks Gandalf's staff and throws the wizard to the ground before leaving to deal with the arrival of the [[Rohirrim]]. Gandalf's face shows obvious fear in this scene, in comparison to the resolution (for "victory or death") in the books.

:The Witch-king's destruction on the battlefield occurs with less dialogue than in the book, and the weapons used to destroy him are both mundane: Merry's sword is not a [[Daggers of Westernesse|dagger]] from the [[Barrow-downs]], but rather the Rohirric sword that [[Théoden]] had as a child.

:Eight actors are known to have played some part of the Witch-king.
# An unidentified extra portrayed the "King of Men" in the prologue. He was chosen to be the Witch-king simply because he was the smallest of the nine.
# [[Shane Rangi]] did the horse chase.
# [[Fran Walsh]] provided the "Ringwraith scream".
# Effects technician Ben Price played the Witch-king in "many scenes"<ref>http://www.decipher.com/content/2004/07/072904lotrwetaprops.html</ref>
# [[Brent McIntyre]] is officially credited as the Witch-king in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring|The Fellowship of the Ring]]''. He stabbed Frodo.
# [[Lawrence Makoare]] filled the robe of the Witch-king in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King|The Return of the King]]''.
# [[Mark Ferguson]] filled the heavy armoured costume when Makoare felt claustrophobic.<ref>http://www.markferguson.net/articles/interview_Nautilus20.html</ref>
# [[Andy Serkis]] provided the voice of the Witch-king in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]''.

'''2012-14: [[The Hobbit (film series)|''The Hobbit'' (film series) ]]:'''
:The Witch-king is mentioned to have been defeated years ago, and his body sealed by the "Men of the North" in a very deep and dark tomb in the "[[High Fells of Rhudaur]]". His [[wraith]], apparently summoned by the [[Sauron#Sauron's Return|Necromancer]], is encountered by [[Radagast]] in the ruins of [[Dol Guldur]], but the [[Wizards|Wizard]] fends him off and salvages the Witch-king's [[Morgul-knife|Morgul blade]] in the struggle.

:In the [[Attack on Dol Guldur]], The Witch-King, along with the other Nazgûl, participates by fighting [[Saruman]] and [[Elrond]], members of the [[White Council]]. In the end, he and the other Nine are driven [[Mordor]] by [[Galadriel]] and her [[Phial of Galadriel|phial]], [[Sauron|his master]] also eventually following suit.

===Radio series===
'''1956: [[The Lord of the Rings (1955 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1955 radio series)]]:'''
:The Black Captain is played by [[Felix Felton]].<ref name="RT1727">Radio Times, Volume 133, No. 1727, [[14 December|December 14]], [[1956]]</ref>

'''1981: [[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1981 radio series)]]:'''
:The role of The Lord of the Nazgul, as he is always credited in this production, is expanded with material from ''[[The Hunt for the Ring]]''. He is the second speaking character in the series: he is the one who captures [[Gollum]], though he is not identified as such until the credits. [[Philip Voss]] provided the voice for The Lord of the Nazgul.

===Games===
'''2002: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]:'''
:The Witch-king is shown without distinction of the other Nazgûl.

'''2003: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King'' (video game)]]'':'''
:The Witch-king's role and voice are similar to that of the film, but his appearance is different. An early helmet design, that had been removed from the film because it resembled [[Sauron]]'s helm too much, was used here, presumably because there was no time to make a new character model.

'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War of the Ring]]'':'''
:Witch-King is one the main "Hero" units for the Servants of Sauron, his signature ability is being able to turn Wights into Nazgûl. The evil campaign storyline shows him reclaiming Dol Guldur for Sauron.

'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth]]'':'''
:Witch-King is a "Hero" unit for Mordor faction. He is an airborne unit riding on a Fell Beast and one of the strongest units in the game.

'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'':'''
:In addition to his appearance from the first game, the Witch-King can now also dismount and become a landscape unit armed with a mace.

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:The Witch-king is a non-playable character present in several scenes. His most memorable appearance takes place in the Great Barrow within the Barrow-Downs. There are also multiple references to him in quest dialogue, the most notable is that the Witch-King for whatever reason cannot return to rule [[Carn Dum]] and instead has erected a Steward named [[Mordirith]] to rule in his place, in mockery of the Stewards of Gondor.

'''2009: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Conquest]]'':'''
:In the campaign for the "Evil" side, the Witch-King is revived by other Nazgûl after Sauron reclaims The One Ring.

''''2011: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]'':'''
:The Witch-king appears in a flashback of the playable characters during the prologue of the game. He and the other [[Nazgûl]] attack and destroy the [[Rangers of the North|Ranger]] camp at [[Sarn Ford]]. Shortly after he speaks with [[Agandaûr]], who explains that he has assembled an army in [[Fornost]]. The Witch-king commands him to return and attack immediately, to aid in the [[Hunt of the Ring]].<ref>[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]], ''Prologue''</reF>

==See also==
*'''[[:Category:Images of the Witch-king|Images of the Witch-king]]'''
*[[Nazgûl|Ringwraiths]]

{{references}}

[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[Category:Featured Articles]]
[[Category:Nazgûl]]
[[Category:Second Age characters]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]
[[de:Der Hexenkönig von Angmar]]
[[fr:encyclo/personnages/hommes/3a/nazgul/roi-sorcier]]
[[fi:Noitakuningas]]

Witch-king

2018-04-27T00:09:23Z

142.44.139.85:

{{footnotes}}
{{evil infobox
| name=The Witch-king of Angmar
| image=[[File:Melissa Hitchcock - The Black Captain.jpg|250px]]
| caption="The Black Captain" by [[:Category:Images by Melissa Hitchcock|Melissa Hitchcock]]
| pronun=
| othernames=Black Captain, Chief of the Nine, Lord of Minas Morgul
| titles=
| position=Lord of the [[Nazgûl]]
| location=[[Angmar]] [[Minas Morgul]]
| affiliation=[[Sauron]]
| language=[[Black Speech]], [[Westron]]
| birth=[[Second Age]]
| birthlocation=
| rule=
| death=[[15 March]], {{TA|3019}}
| deathlocation=[[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]]
| age=4200+
| notablefor=[[Arnor#The Fall of Arthedain|Fall of Arnor]] Establishing [[Angmar]] Fall of [[Minas Ithil]] and [[Osgiliath]] Deaths of [[Eärnur]], [[Boromir (Steward of Gondor)|Boromir]], and [[Théoden]] Stabbing [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]]
| parentage=
| siblings=
| spouse=
| children=
| race=[[Black Númenóreans|Black Númenórean]] (early) [[Nazgûl|Ringwraith]] (later)
| gender=Male
| height=Tallest of the Nazgûl
| hair=Gleaming
| eyes=
| clothing=Crown
| weapons=[[Morgul-knife]]; [[Black Breath]]; A great black mace
| steed=Black horse
| gallery=the Witch-king
}}
{{quote|In rode the Lord of the Nazgûl. A great black shape against the fires beyond he loomed up, grown to a vast menace of despair. In rode the Lord of the Nazgûl, under the archway that no enemy ever yet had passed, and all fled before his face.|"[[The Siege of Gondor]]"<ref name="Siege">{{RK|Siege}}</ref>}}
The '''Witch-king of Angmar''' was the chief of the [[Nazgûl]], King of [[Angmar]] and [[Sauron]]’s great captain in his wars. A [[Wraiths|wraith]], the Witch-king of Angmar was nearly indestructible, a terrifying warrior, and a cunning strategist.

==History==
Some time after Sauron seized the [[Rings of Power]] in the [[Sack of Eregion]], {{SA|1697}} he gave [[Nine Rings|nine of them]] to [[Men|Mannish]] kings, sorcerers and other warriors.<ref>{{S|Rings}}, p. 289</ref> With the power of their rings, the Nine achieved glory and grew wealthy, but they eventually started hating life as they were slowly drawn under Sauron’s dominion. In the end, they all became the dreadful [[Nazgûl|Ringwraiths]].

The one later known as the Witch-king was one of these, likely one of the unnamed three lords of [[Númenor]] (unavoidably early [[Black Númenorean]]s) to take the rings.<ref>{{S|Akallabeth}}, p. 267, Ballantine Books p. 320</ref> <ref>[[The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion]], p. 20</ref> He first appeared in the histories as a Ringwraith in {{SA|2251}}. Being the most powerful of the Nazgûl, he became their chief and the most feared servant of his master Sauron.

When [[Mordor]] fell in {{SA|3441}}, the Nazgûl vanished into the shadows and were not heard of again for a long time.<ref name="appendixB">{{App|B}}</ref>

===Early Power in Angmar===
More than a thousand years later, in c. {{TA|1050|n}} of the [[Third Age]], [[Sauron]] began to rebuild his power in [[Dol Guldur]]. In c. {{TA|1300|n}} his Nazgûl also reappeared and the Witch-king established his realm, [[Angmar]], in the north.<ref name="appendixB">[[The Lord of the Rings]], [[Appendix B]]</ref> His capital was [[Carn Dûm]], on the northernmost peak of the [[Misty Mountains]]. He summoned men, [[orcs]] and other creatures of evil inclination to his banner. No one knew that he was actually a servant of the long-dormant [[Sauron]] and few that he was a wraith.<ref name="AppA">[[The Lord of the Rings]], [[Appendix A]] (iii), [[Houghton Mifflin]] p. 320 </ref>

In the north, disunity plagued the [[Dúnedain]] of [[Arnor]]. They had divided into three kingdoms: [[Cardolan]], [[Rhudaur]] and [[Arthedain]], and were constantly at war with one another.<ref name="AppA">[[The Lord of the Rings]], [[Appendix A]] (iii), Houghton Mifflin p. 320 </ref> The Witch-king saw the North-kingdom of Arnor as more vulnerable than the South-kingdom of Gondor.<ref name="Malvegil">[[The Peoples of Middle-earth]], [[The Heirs of Elendil]], entry for [[Malvegil]], [[HarperCollins]] p. 193-194 </ref> He played upon their opposition, sending in infiltrators and taking over the hearts of the men of that land. By {{TA|1349|n}}, the government of Rhudaur was controlled by men secretly in his service,<ref name="Malvegil">[[The Peoples of Middle-earth]], [[The Heirs of Elendil]], entry for [[Malvegil]], [[HarperCollins]] p. 193-194</ref> and he secretly aided them in their wars against the other kingdoms.<ref name="Argeleb">[[The Peoples of Middle-earth]], [[The Heirs of Elendil]], entry for [[Argeleb I]], [[HarperCollins]] p. 194</ref> He then struck at a time of great hostility among the three, in {{TA|1409|n}}. Rhudaur in the east fell first, and most of the Dúnedain there were hunted down and slaughtered by sorcerers.<ref name="Arveleg">[[The Peoples of Middle-earth]], [[The Heirs of Elendil]], entry for [[Arveleg I]], [[HarperCollins]] p. 194 </ref> Cardolan was ravaged and the [[Tower of Amon Sûl]], held by the men of Arthedain, was placed under siege. King [[Arveleg I]] was slain and the tower was destroyed, but the coveted ''[[Amon Sûl-stone|palantír]]'' escaped in the hands of the surviving men of Arthedain and was brought to [[Fornost]].<ref name="Palantiri16">[[Unfinished Tales]], [[The Palantíri]], note 16, [[Houghton Mifflin]] p. 413 </ref>

The Witch-king continued to press the men of Arthedain, laying siege to Fornost, and he might have taken over all of Arnor in that one offensive. But [[Araphor]], the 18-year-old son of Arveleg, came to leadership and, with the help of the ancient elf [[Círdan]] of [[Lindon]], repelled the Witch-king’s forces at Fornost and the [[North Downs]].<ref name="ten">[[The Lord of the Rings]], [[Appendix A]] (iii), [[Houghton Mifflin]] pp. 321-322</ref> [[Elrond]] brought an army of [[Elves]] from [[Rivendell]] and [[Lothlórien]], and the Witch-king was pushed back and subdued.

===Twilight of Angmar===
The Witch-king sat silent in Carn Dûm, rebuilding his armies and preparing for a final assault on [[Arthedain]], last of the Arnorian kingdoms. The [[Dark Plague]] came and went in {{TA|1636|n}}, taking with it the last of the Dúnedain of [[Cardolan]]. The Witch-king sent [[barrow-wights]] to inhabit the barrows in [[Barrow-downs|Tyrn Gorthad]].<ref name="ten">[[The Lord of the Rings]], [[Appendix A]] (iii), [[Houghton Mifflin]] pp. 321-322</ref> In {{TA|1974|n}}, he felt that his power was sufficiently restored to begin the advance.

His attack was sudden, but not unexpected. King [[Arvedui]] sent a message to King [[Eärnil II]] of [[Gondor]] the year before, but help did not arrive in time. [[Fornost]] fell, and the Witch-king took up residence there in the palace.<ref name="eleven">[[The Lord of the Rings]], [[Appendix A]] (iv), [[Houghton Mifflin]] pp. 331-332</ref> Arvedui held out as best as he might on the [[North Downs]], but at last fled north with the treasured ''[[palantíri]]'' of [[Amon Sûl-stone|Amon Sûl]] and [[Annúminas-stone|Annúminas]]. He would not return, for he perished in a shipwreck in {{TA|1975|n}}. With him the ''palantíri'' were lost forever in the icy seas of [[Forod]]. The already-diminished North-kingdom ended, and [[Arnor]] fell.<ref name="ten">[[The Lord of the Rings]], [[Appendix A]] (iii), [[Houghton Mifflin]] pp. 321-322</ref>

Meanwhile, a coalition in the south had formed. Eärnil sent his son, [[Eärnur]], north with a great fleet, all that Gondor could spare. They arrived at [[Lindon]] and joined with the folk of Círdan. Círdan summoned all that would come: surviving Dúnedain of Arnor and elves of Lindon.<ref name="eleven">[[The Lord of the Rings]], [[Appendix A]] (iv), [[Houghton Mifflin]] pp. 331-332</ref> Even a company of [[Hobbits|hobbit]] archers went to their aide.<ref name="ten">[[The Lord of the Rings]], [[Appendix A]] (iii), [[Houghton Mifflin]] pp. 321-322</ref> The Witch-king had grown overconfident and, instead of staying behind his fortifications, initiated the attack. The [[Battle of Fornost]] was fought on the plain between [[Nenuial]] and the North Downs. The Witch-king may not have anticipated the strength brought against him, but for whatever reason the alliance gained the upper hand. His army began to fall back toward Fornost, but Eärnur’s magnificent horsemen struck from the north and the Witch-king was routed.<ref name="eleven">[[The Lord of the Rings]], [[Appendix A]] (iv), [[Houghton Mifflin]] pp. 331-332</ref>

He decided to flee to Angmar and the safety of Carn Dûm, but the cavalry, with Eärnur himself in the lead, overtook him. Moreover, the ranks of the allies swelled, as an army of elves from [[Rivendell]] came led by the mighty hero of old, [[Glorfindel]]. Angmar was purged of men and orcs, and all seemed lost for the Witch-king in the face of such numbers. But the Witch-king himself came at the last, robed and masked in black and riding a black horse, and attempted to kill Eärnur with his own hands. But Eärnur’s horse shied away and fled, and the Witch-king laughed. But Glorfindel came on his white horse, and faced with such power the Witch-king fled. He vanished into the shadows and no-one marked where he had gone.<ref name="eleven">[[The Lord of the Rings]], [[Appendix A]] (iv), [[Houghton Mifflin]] pp. 331-332</ref>

Eärnur wanted to pursue, but Glorfindel held him back and made his famous prophecy.

{{Blockquote|He will not return to this land. Far off yet is his doom, and not by the hand of man will he fall.|Glorfindel, ''[[The Return of the King]]'', [[Appendix A]] (iv)}}

===Lord of Minas Morgul===
The Witch-king escaped to [[Mordor]], and gathered the other Ringwraiths about him in {{TA|1980|n}}.<ref name="appendixB">[[The Lord of the Rings]], [[Appendix B]]</ref> Angmar and Carn Dûm were lost, and so in {{TA|2000|n}} the Witch-king began a two-year siege of [[Minas Ithil]], eventually capturing the place and turning it into his residence. It was renamed [[Minas Morgul]], and the ''[[Ithil-stone|palantír]]'' was sent to Sauron. The Witch-king sent an aura of fear in [[Gondor]], and much of [[Ithilien]] was deserted.<ref name="eleven">[[The Lord of the Rings]], [[Appendix A]] (iv), [[Houghton Mifflin]] pp. 331-332</ref>

Eärnur succeeded his father as King of Gondor, and still held the Witch-king in especial hostility due to his humiliation at the Battle of Fornost. The year of his coronation the Witch-king sent him a taunting challenge, but [[Mardil|Mardil Voronwë]] the steward restrained Eärnur from rash action. Seven years later the challenge was repeated, and Eärnur rode with a small escort to Minas Morgul. None that rode thither ever returned, and there was no longer a King in Gondor.<ref name="eleven">[[The Lord of the Rings]], [[Appendix A]] (iv), [[Houghton Mifflin]] pp. 331-332</ref>

After this the Witch-king bided his time. He and the Nazgûl built up their armies, including the terrible new orc-race of [[uruks]]. In {{TA|2475|n}} he sent them out to capture [[Osgiliath]], which they did successfully. They were driven out by [[Boromir (Steward of Gondor)|Boromir]], [[Ruling Steward|Steward]] of [[Gondor]], but Osgiliath now lay completely in ruins. Boromir went on to retake Ithilien, so that even the Witch-king feared him. But he was killed by a Morgul-wound, and so his rule was but twelve years.<ref name="twelve">[[The Lord of the Rings]], [[Appendix A]] (iv), [[Houghton Mifflin]] p. 333</ref>

===Hunt for the Ring===
Sauron declared himself openly in {{TA|2951|n}}, and sent three of his Ringwraiths to [[Dol Guldur]] (though the Witch-king was left in Minas Morgul). Then, by lucky chance, the creature [[Gollum]] was captured and interrogated. Under torture, the wretched creature revealed the tale of [[the One Ring]] and how it came to be in his possession. But from his words Sauron misunderstod that the land of the hobbits who stole the Ring was on the banks of the [[Gladden River]], whence Gollum originally came from.<ref name="thirteen">{{UT|Hunt}}, [[Houghton Mifflin]] p. 338-341</ref> Sauron sent the Nine, under the leadership of the Witch-king, invisible and uncloaked, to search for the Ring after the assault of Osgiliath.

[[Khamûl]], the Witch-king’s lieutenant, reported that he was unable to find the “[[the Shire|Shire]]” in the vales of [[Anduin]]. The Witch-king was determined to search north and west until Gollum was found, or the Shire. But plans were halted when Sauron received word of the prophecy in Gondor and the doings of the turncoat [[Saruman]], and concluded that the Wise did not yet have possession of the Ring. He sent the Ringwraiths to [[Isengard]] in the form of [[Nazgûl|Black Riders]], too late to prevent the escape of the captured wizard [[Gandalf]], but had words with Saruman. Saruman, already a traitor to both sides due to his transparent lust for the Ring, fortified himself in Isengard. The Witch-king did not have enough power with him to assault Saruman in his great fortress, but had words with him. Saruman convinced the Witch-king that Gandalf alone knew where the Shire and the Ring was, and so the Nine passed into [[Rohan]] in search of him.<ref name="thirteen"/>

They came upon the traitor called [[Gríma|Wormtongue]] and questioned him. The terrified man told them everything he knew; that Gandalf had passed through Rohan, where the Shire was, and even that Saruman had lied to them. The Witch-king spared Wormtongue’s life, foreseeing that Wormtongue would bring ruin to Saruman. He divided his wraiths into four pairs, and went with the swiftest to [[Minhiriath]]. Along the way they captured several spies of Saruman, and found to their delight charts and maps of the Shire. They sent along the spy to [[Bree]], warning them that they now belonged to Mordor, not Saruman.<ref name="thirteen"/>

They came to [[Sarn Ford]], but the [[Dúnedain]] [[Rangers of the North|Rangers]] prevented them from crossing. They sent for their great captain, the chieftain [[Aragorn|Aragorn II]], who alone could well resist the wraiths, but he was away, and the Ringwraiths captured the ford and killed many of the Rangers.<ref name="thirteen"/> The Witch-king sent three Ringwraiths under Khamûl into the Shire while he went east with the others.<ref name="appendixB">{{App|B}}</ref> But they had come too late: the Ring had moved on in the hands of a hobbit, [[Frodo Baggins]].

===Pursuit of the Ring===
[[File:Ted Nasmith - Fire on Weathertop.jpg|thumb|right|220px|[[Ted Nasmith]] - ''Fire on Weathertop'']]Khamûl was unsuccessful, but brought word from the spy they had spared in Bree. The man had witnessed a vanishing act on Frodo's part, and had organized an attack on the inn. The Witch-king guessed that Frodo would head east, and sent four wraiths to [[Weathertop]], the ruins of the tower he had destroyed long ago. He went south along the [[Greenway]] and discovered nothing. Gandalf followed them, but the Witch-king let him slip ahead, and attacked him on Weathertop. Gandalf escaped at dawn, and again the Witch-king divided his force and sent four after the wizard.

The Ring walked almost right into his hands. The captain of the Dúnedain, Aragorn II, had become the guide of the hobbits, and led them to Weathertop, where they were spotted and attacked. The Witch-king advanced on Frodo, and the terrified hobbit put on the Ring, seeing them as they truly were. When Frodo resisted, and invoked the name of [[Varda|Elbereth]], the Witch-king stabbed Frodo in the shoulder. The tip of his blade broke off and sent poison through the hobbit’s veins. Then Aragorn counterattacked with flaming brands. The Witch-king departed with the other Nazgûl, believing that his objective was completed.

He resumed the pursuit quickly, though, and found that Khamûl had been driven from the [[Last Bridge]] by his old enemy [[Glorfindel]]. The Witch-king, who only had one companion with him, was likewise unable to confront him openly. They regrouped and went south, rejoining with the other four. They managed to pick up the trail of the company of the Ring, and despite hindrance from Glorfindel and Aragorn managed to pursue Frodo alone on [[Asfaloth]]. The pursuit came to the [[Ford of Bruinen]], and there Frodo compelled the horse to stop. The Witch-king saw his defiance and laughed, breaking his sword with a movement of his hand. But the waters of the [[Bruinen]] rose at [[Elrond]]'s command, sweeping the Nine downstream.<ref name="fourteen">[[The Fellowship of the Ring]], [[Flight to the Ford]]</ref>

===War of the Ring===
[[File:Angus McBride - Gandalf facing Witch-king.gif|thumb|left|[[Angus McBride]] - ''Gandalf facing the Witch-king'']]
The Witch-king took the only surviving horse back to [[Mordor]], arriving there in December. He then sent aid to the other eight Nazgûl, and they returned in secret. In [[Minas Morgul]] they prepared for a grand invasion of [[Gondor]] at the order of their master. The Witch-king was given by Sauron added "demonic" force.<ref name="fifteen">[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]], [[Letter 210]], p. 272</ref> On 10 March {{TA|3019|n}}, the signal was given and Minas Morgul was emptied. The Witch-king rode at the head of the army in black, upon a black horse, as he had in the time of the wars of Angmar. As the Witch-king passed out of the gates of the dead city, he sensed the presence of Frodo. He was disturbed, but continued on through Ithilien.

With the Witch-king in command, [[Osgiliath]] soon fell.<ref name="Siege">{{RK|Siege}}</ref> The defeat was attributed to his superior numbers, and his terrible presence which made all hearts to quail. The [[Rammas Echor]] was breached, and the [[Pelennor Fields]] were overrun. Other wraiths he sent out mounted on [[Fell beasts]]. [[Faramir]], [[Ruling Steward|Steward]] [[Denethor|Denethor II]]'s son, was wounded by a dart and the [[Black Breath|black breath]], but his company was saved by a sortie. Then the Witch-king laid siege to [[Minas Tirith]] itself, sending fire and the heads of the dead Gondorians into the city via catapults. Then he launched the assault.

He sent [[Grond (battering ram)|Grond]] out first, accompanying it in person so as to be the first to enter the city. Three times Grond struck the gate, empowered by the sorcery of the Witch-king. The third time the Gate shattered in a flash of fire. The Witch-king passed into Minas Tirith, but was confronted by Gandalf on [[Shadowfax]]. Gandalf forbade him entry, but the Witch-king laughed and put on a show of power.

{{Blockquote|The Black Rider flung back his hood, and behold! he had a kingly crown; and yet upon no head visible was it set. The red fires shone between it and the mantled shoulders vast and dark. From a mouth unseen there came a deadly laughter. 'Old fool!' he said. 'Old fool! This is my hour. Do you not know Death when you see it? Die now and curse in vain!' And with that he lifted high his sword and flames ran down the blade.|''[[The Return of the King]]'', [[The Siege of Gondor]]}}.

===The Fall of the Witch-king===
[[File:Nick Deligaris - Éowyn and Nazgûl.jpg|thumb|350px|Nick Deligaris - ''Éowyn and Nazgûl'']]
As Gandalf stood resolute before the Witch-king, the [[Rohirrim]] arrived. Thus he departed, mounting a fell beast and descending upon King [[Théoden]] who led the attack. [[Snowmane]], the King's horse, collapsed with a dart in the side, and Théoden was crushed beneath him. But the rider [[Dernhelm]] defied the Witch-king. The Witch-king threatened Dernhelm with a terrible death, but the rider revealed that she was a woman, [[Éowyn]], and the Witch-king remembered the words of Glorfindel. He hesitated, but then moved forward. Éowyn decapitated the fell beast, but the Witch-king rose and struck her down with his mace, breaking her shield-arm. Then the hobbit [[Meriadoc Brandybuck]] stabbed him in the sinew of his leg with the [[Daggers of Westernesse|blade of Westernesse]] (though there was much pain in Meriadoc's arm afterward), as he drew back to kill the woman. Then Éowyn rose and drove her sword through where his invisible head was, and the sword broke as his crown toppled. The Witch-king gave a great and horrible wail, perishing at last.<ref name="Pelennor">{{RK|Battle}}</ref>

So the prophecy of Glorfindel was fulfilled, for the Witch-king did not fall at the hands of a man, but at the hands of [[Éowyn|a woman]] and [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|a hobbit]]. With his defeat, and the coming of Aragorn II in the black ships, the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]] was lost by Sauron.

==Names==
* Witch-king of Angmar - "Witch" most likely coming from his background in sorcery, and "king" after his establishment of the realm of Angmar in 1300.
* Witch-lord of Angmar - A variant of the above title.
* Lord of the Nazgûl
* Lord of the Ringwraiths
* Chieftain of the Ringwraiths
* Lord of the Nine Riders
* King of the Nine Riders
* Wraith-lord
* Wraith-king
* High Nazgûl
* Lord of Morgul
* Morgul-lord
* King of Minas Morgul
* Black Captain
* Captain of Despair
* [[Dwimmerlaik]]
* Lord of Carrion

==Etymology==
While in modern English ''witch'' has mostly female connotations, referring to a hag or sorceress, in middle-English ''wicche'' had no gender distinction; the preference of ''witch'' for female persons (the males referred more usually as ''wizzards'') evolved later through the centuries.

Tolkien uses the archaic, gender-unspecific meaning of the term; of course, the word [[Wizards|Wizard]] refers exclusively to the [[Maiar]] [[Istari]].

==Inspirations==
An undead witch-king named ''Þráinn'' appears in ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hrómundar_saga_Gripssonar Hrómundar saga Gripssonar]''. It is possible that this was Tolkien's source of inspiration.

The prophecy that the Witch-king would fall "not by the hand of man" and the fulfillment of the prophecy occurring as a technicality (being slain by a hobbit and a woman) bears a striking resemblance to the prophecy regarding the title character's death in Shakespeare's Macbeth, where it was foretold that Macbeth will be slain "not by man born of woman" and is then killed by Macduff, born by caesarian section. Tolkien was familiar with the play, having reputedly taken inspiration for the Last March of the Ents from the same source (See article ''[[Ents]]'' for details).

==Portrayal in adaptations ==
The Witch-king's true name is never given, and therefore among [[Tolkien fandom|Tolkien fans]], the Witch-king is often simply called ''Angmar'', after the name of the realm he founded and led. It is possible that he was one of the three [[Black Númenóreans]] Tolkien stated had become Nazgûl, or possibly [[Isilmo]], a Númenórean prince and father of Tar-Minastir. This possibility was adopted by the now defunct [[Middle-earth Role Playing]] game and [[Mithril Miniatures]] where he is named ''Er-Murazor'', a Númenórean prince and younger son of [[Tar-Ciryatan]].
<center><gallery>
File:The Return of the King (1980 film) - Witch-King.jpg|<center>The Witch-king in [[The Return of the King (1980 film)|''The Return of the King'' (1980 film)]]</center>
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King - Witch-king.jpg|<center>The Witch-king in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]''</center>
File:Witchking ea rotk.jpg|<center>The Witch-king from [[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King'' (video game)]]</center>
File:The Lord of the Rings online Shadows of Angmar - Witch-king 1.jpg|<center>The Witch-king in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''</center>
File:The Lord of the Rings War in the North - Witch-king of Angmar.png|<center>The Witch-king in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]''</center>
</gallery></center>
===Films===
'''1978: [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]:'''
:The Witch-king is shown with no distinction from the other [[Nazgûl|Ringwraiths]]; all are robed in brown and black, and none seem to be able to talk clearly.

'''1980: [[The Return of the King (1980 film)|''The Return of the King'' (1980 film)]]:'''
:The Witch-king is portrayed as a humanoid figure with no head. Red eyes glare under a golden crown. His dialogue is more or less as in the books, albeit in a strange and somewhat unfitting electronic voice. After a stab from behind by [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]], [[Éowyn]] beheads him. It is worthy of note that the Witch-king is seen with the [[Red Eye]] of [[Barad-dûr]] as his emblem and faction, rather than the grim moon of [[Minas Morgul]].

'''2001-03: [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]:'''
:The Witch-king is called the "Witch-king of [[Angmar]]", the "Lord of the [[Nazgûl]]", and the "Greatest of the Nine" by [[Gandalf]] in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King|The Return of the King]]''; however, no other mention of the kingdom of Angmar itself is made. Also, in that film, there is no mention of [[Glorfindel]]'s prophecy; there is only a claim among the enemy that "no man can kill" the Witch-king. Like the other Nazgûl, he is depicted as a humanoid figure shrouded in a hooded black robe; his only distinguishing feature is a mask-like spiked helmet with a huge mouth. His first mention is when Gandalf tells [[Peregrin Took|Pippin]] while in Minas Tirith that the Dark Lord has not yet revealed his "deadliest" servant: the Witch-king, the one that "stabbed [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] on [[Weathertop]]".

:During the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]], the Witch-king's army uses the ram [[Grond (battering ram)|Grond]] to break through the city gates early in the battle (after the failure of a lesser ram), and the Witch-king is not present to confront Gandalf as he is in the book. The confrontation takes place later, as Pippin and Gandalf race to the tombs to save [[Faramir]], and the Witch-king intercepts them. Unlike in the book, this meeting decisively favors the Witch-king, who breaks Gandalf's staff and throws the wizard to the ground before leaving to deal with the arrival of the [[Rohirrim]]. Gandalf's face shows obvious fear in this scene, in comparison to the resolution (for "victory or death") in the books.

:The Witch-king's destruction on the battlefield occurs with less dialogue than in the book, and the weapons used to destroy him are both mundane: Merry's sword is not a [[Daggers of Westernesse|dagger]] from the [[Barrow-downs]], but rather the Rohirric sword that [[Théoden]] had as a child.

:Eight actors are known to have played some part of the Witch-king.
# An unidentified extra portrayed the "King of Men" in the prologue. He was chosen to be the Witch-king simply because he was the smallest of the nine.
# [[Shane Rangi]] did the horse chase.
# [[Fran Walsh]] provided the "Ringwraith scream".
# Effects technician Ben Price played the Witch-king in "many scenes"<ref>http://www.decipher.com/content/2004/07/072904lotrwetaprops.html</ref>
# [[Brent McIntyre]] is officially credited as the Witch-king in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring|The Fellowship of the Ring]]''. He stabbed Frodo.
# [[Lawrence Makoare]] filled the robe of the Witch-king in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King|The Return of the King]]''.
# [[Mark Ferguson]] filled the heavy armoured costume when Makoare felt claustrophobic.<ref>http://www.markferguson.net/articles/interview_Nautilus20.html</ref>
# [[Andy Serkis]] provided the voice of the Witch-king in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]''.

'''2012-14: [[The Hobbit (film series)|''The Hobbit'' (film series) ]]:'''
:The Witch-king is mentioned to have been defeated years ago, and his body sealed by the "Men of the North" in a very deep and dark tomb in the "[[High Fells of Rhudaur]]". His [[wraith]], apparently summoned by the [[Sauron#Sauron's Return|Necromancer]], is encountered by [[Radagast]] in the ruins of [[Dol Guldur]], but the [[Wizards|Wizard]] fends him off and salvages the Witch-king's [[Morgul-knife|Morgul blade]] in the struggle.

:In the [[Attack on Dol Guldur]], The Witch-King, along with the other Nazgûl, participates by fighting [[Saruman]] and [[Elrond]], members of the [[White Council]]. In the end, he and the other Nine are driven [[Mordor]] by [[Galadriel]] and her [[Phial of Galadriel|phial]], [[Sauron|his master]] also eventually following suit.

===Radio series===
'''1956: [[The Lord of the Rings (1955 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1955 radio series)]]:'''
:The Black Captain is played by [[Felix Felton]].<ref name="RT1727">Radio Times, Volume 133, No. 1727, [[14 December|December 14]], [[1956]]</ref>

'''1981: [[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1981 radio series)]]:'''
:The role of The Lord of the Nazgul, as he is always credited in this production, is expanded with material from ''[[The Hunt for the Ring]]''. He is the second speaking character in the series: he is the one who captures [[Gollum]], though he is not identified as such until the credits. [[Philip Voss]] provided the voice for The Lord of the Nazgul.

===Games===
'''2002: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]:'''
:The Witch-king is shown without distinction of the other Nazgûl.

'''2003: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King'' (video game)]]'':'''
:The Witch-king's role and voice are similar to that of the film, but his appearance is different. An early helmet design, that had been removed from the film because it resembled [[Sauron]]'s helm too much, was used here, presumably because there was no time to make a new character model.

'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War of the Ring]]'':'''
:Witch-King is one the main "Hero" units for the Servants of Sauron, his signature ability is being able to turn Wights into Nazgûl. The evil campaign storyline shows him reclaiming Dol Guldur for Sauron.

'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth]]'':'''
:Witch-King is a "Hero" unit for Mordor faction. He is an airborne unit riding on a Fell Beast and one of the strongest units in the game.

'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'':'''
:In addition to his appearance from the first game, the Witch-King can now also dismount and become a landscape unit armed with a mace.

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:The Witch-king is a non-playable character present in several scenes. His most memorable appearance takes place in the Great Barrow within the Barrow-Downs. There are also multiple references to him in quest dialogue, the most notable is that the Witch-King for whatever reason cannot return to rule [[Carn Dum]] and instead has erected a Steward named [[Mordirith]] to rule in his place, in mockery of the Stewards of Gondor.

'''2009: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Conquest]]'':'''
:In the campaign for the "Evil" side, the Witch-King is revived by other Nazgûl after Sauron reclaims The One Ring.

''''2011: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]'':'''
:The Witch-king appears in a flashback of the playable characters during the prologue of the game. He and the other [[Nazgûl]] attack and destroy the [[Rangers of the North|Ranger]] camp at [[Sarn Ford]]. Shortly after he speaks with [[Agandaûr]], who explains that he has assembled an army in [[Fornost]]. The Witch-king commands him to return and attack immediately, to aid in the [[Hunt of the Ring]].<ref>[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]], ''Prologue''</reF>

==See also==
*'''[[:Category:Images of the Witch-king|Images of the Witch-king]]'''
*[[Nazgûl|Ringwraiths]]

{{references}}

[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[Category:Featured Articles]]
[[Category:Nazgûl]]
[[Category:Second Age characters]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]
[[de:Der Hexenkönig von Angmar]]
[[fr:encyclo/personnages/hommes/3a/nazgul/roi-sorcier]]
[[fi:Noitakuningas]]

Witch-king

2018-04-27T00:08:52Z

142.44.139.85:

{{footnotes}}
{{evil infobox
| name=The Witch-king of Angmar
| image=[[File:Melissa Hitchcock - The Black Captain.jpg|250px]]
| caption="The Black Captain" by [[:Category:Images by Melissa Hitchcock|Melissa Hitchcock]]
| pronun=
| othernames=Black Captain, Chief of the Nine, Lord of Minas Morgul
| titles=
| position=Lord of the [[Nazgûl]]
| location=[[Angmar]] [[Minas Morgul]]
| affiliation=[[Sauron]]
| language=[[Black Speech]], [[Westron]]
| birth=[[Second Age]]
| birthlocation=
| rule=
| death=[[15 March]], {{TA|3019}}
| deathlocation=[[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]]
| age=4200+
| notablefor=[[Arnor#The Fall of Arthedain|Fall of Arnor]] Establishing [[Angmar]] Fall of [[Minas Ithil]] and [[Osgiliath]] Deaths of [[Eärnur]], [[Boromir (Steward of Gondor)|Boromir]], and [[Théoden]] Stabbing [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]]
| parentage=
| siblings=
| spouse=
| children=
| race=[[Black Númenóreans|Black Númenórean]] (early) [[Nazgûl|Ringwraith]] (later)
| gender=Male
| height=Tallest of the Nazgûl
| hair=Gleaming
| eyes=
| clothing=Crown
| weapons=[[Morgul-knife]]; [[Black Breath]]; A great black mace
| steed=Black horse
| gallery=the Witch-king
}}
{{quote|In rode the Lord of the Nazgûl. A great black shape against the fires beyond he loomed up, grown to a vast menace of despair. In rode the Lord of the Nazgûl, under the archway that no enemy ever yet had passed, and all fled before his face.|"[[The Siege of Gondor]]"<ref name="Siege">{{RK|Siege}}</ref>}}
The '''Witch-king of Angmar''' was the chief of the [[Nazgûl]], King of [[Angmar]] and [[Sauron]]’s great captain in his wars. A [[Wraiths|wraith]], the Witch-king of Angmar was nearly indestructible, a terrifying warrior, and a cunning strategist.

==History==
Some time after Sauron seized the [[Rings of Power]] in the [[Sack of Eregion]], {{SA|1697}} he gave [[Nine Rings|nine of them]] to [[Men|Mannish]] kings, sorcerers and other warriors.<ref>{{S|Rings}}, p. 289</ref> With the power of their rings, the Nine achieved glory and grew wealthy, but they eventually started hating life as they were slowly drawn under Sauron’s dominion. In the end, they all became the dreadful [[Nazgûl|Ringwraiths]].

The one later known as the Witch-king was one of these, likely one of the unnamed three lords of [[Númenor]] (unavoidably early [[Black Númenoreans]]) to take the rings.<ref>{{S|Akallabeth}}, p. 267, Ballantine Books p. 320</ref> <ref>[[The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion]], p. 20</ref> He first appeared in the histories as a Ringwraith in {{SA|2251}}. Being the most powerful of the Nazgûl, he became their chief and the most feared servant of his master Sauron.

When [[Mordor]] fell in {{SA|3441}}, the Nazgûl vanished into the shadows and were not heard of again for a long time.<ref name="appendixB">{{App|B}}</ref>

===Early Power in Angmar===
More than a thousand years later, in c. {{TA|1050|n}} of the [[Third Age]], [[Sauron]] began to rebuild his power in [[Dol Guldur]]. In c. {{TA|1300|n}} his Nazgûl also reappeared and the Witch-king established his realm, [[Angmar]], in the north.<ref name="appendixB">[[The Lord of the Rings]], [[Appendix B]]</ref> His capital was [[Carn Dûm]], on the northernmost peak of the [[Misty Mountains]]. He summoned men, [[orcs]] and other creatures of evil inclination to his banner. No one knew that he was actually a servant of the long-dormant [[Sauron]] and few that he was a wraith.<ref name="AppA">[[The Lord of the Rings]], [[Appendix A]] (iii), [[Houghton Mifflin]] p. 320 </ref>

In the north, disunity plagued the [[Dúnedain]] of [[Arnor]]. They had divided into three kingdoms: [[Cardolan]], [[Rhudaur]] and [[Arthedain]], and were constantly at war with one another.<ref name="AppA">[[The Lord of the Rings]], [[Appendix A]] (iii), Houghton Mifflin p. 320 </ref> The Witch-king saw the North-kingdom of Arnor as more vulnerable than the South-kingdom of Gondor.<ref name="Malvegil">[[The Peoples of Middle-earth]], [[The Heirs of Elendil]], entry for [[Malvegil]], [[HarperCollins]] p. 193-194 </ref> He played upon their opposition, sending in infiltrators and taking over the hearts of the men of that land. By {{TA|1349|n}}, the government of Rhudaur was controlled by men secretly in his service,<ref name="Malvegil">[[The Peoples of Middle-earth]], [[The Heirs of Elendil]], entry for [[Malvegil]], [[HarperCollins]] p. 193-194</ref> and he secretly aided them in their wars against the other kingdoms.<ref name="Argeleb">[[The Peoples of Middle-earth]], [[The Heirs of Elendil]], entry for [[Argeleb I]], [[HarperCollins]] p. 194</ref> He then struck at a time of great hostility among the three, in {{TA|1409|n}}. Rhudaur in the east fell first, and most of the Dúnedain there were hunted down and slaughtered by sorcerers.<ref name="Arveleg">[[The Peoples of Middle-earth]], [[The Heirs of Elendil]], entry for [[Arveleg I]], [[HarperCollins]] p. 194 </ref> Cardolan was ravaged and the [[Tower of Amon Sûl]], held by the men of Arthedain, was placed under siege. King [[Arveleg I]] was slain and the tower was destroyed, but the coveted ''[[Amon Sûl-stone|palantír]]'' escaped in the hands of the surviving men of Arthedain and was brought to [[Fornost]].<ref name="Palantiri16">[[Unfinished Tales]], [[The Palantíri]], note 16, [[Houghton Mifflin]] p. 413 </ref>

The Witch-king continued to press the men of Arthedain, laying siege to Fornost, and he might have taken over all of Arnor in that one offensive. But [[Araphor]], the 18-year-old son of Arveleg, came to leadership and, with the help of the ancient elf [[Círdan]] of [[Lindon]], repelled the Witch-king’s forces at Fornost and the [[North Downs]].<ref name="ten">[[The Lord of the Rings]], [[Appendix A]] (iii), [[Houghton Mifflin]] pp. 321-322</ref> [[Elrond]] brought an army of [[Elves]] from [[Rivendell]] and [[Lothlórien]], and the Witch-king was pushed back and subdued.

===Twilight of Angmar===
The Witch-king sat silent in Carn Dûm, rebuilding his armies and preparing for a final assault on [[Arthedain]], last of the Arnorian kingdoms. The [[Dark Plague]] came and went in {{TA|1636|n}}, taking with it the last of the Dúnedain of [[Cardolan]]. The Witch-king sent [[barrow-wights]] to inhabit the barrows in [[Barrow-downs|Tyrn Gorthad]].<ref name="ten">[[The Lord of the Rings]], [[Appendix A]] (iii), [[Houghton Mifflin]] pp. 321-322</ref> In {{TA|1974|n}}, he felt that his power was sufficiently restored to begin the advance.

His attack was sudden, but not unexpected. King [[Arvedui]] sent a message to King [[Eärnil II]] of [[Gondor]] the year before, but help did not arrive in time. [[Fornost]] fell, and the Witch-king took up residence there in the palace.<ref name="eleven">[[The Lord of the Rings]], [[Appendix A]] (iv), [[Houghton Mifflin]] pp. 331-332</ref> Arvedui held out as best as he might on the [[North Downs]], but at last fled north with the treasured ''[[palantíri]]'' of [[Amon Sûl-stone|Amon Sûl]] and [[Annúminas-stone|Annúminas]]. He would not return, for he perished in a shipwreck in {{TA|1975|n}}. With him the ''palantíri'' were lost forever in the icy seas of [[Forod]]. The already-diminished North-kingdom ended, and [[Arnor]] fell.<ref name="ten">[[The Lord of the Rings]], [[Appendix A]] (iii), [[Houghton Mifflin]] pp. 321-322</ref>

Meanwhile, a coalition in the south had formed. Eärnil sent his son, [[Eärnur]], north with a great fleet, all that Gondor could spare. They arrived at [[Lindon]] and joined with the folk of Círdan. Círdan summoned all that would come: surviving Dúnedain of Arnor and elves of Lindon.<ref name="eleven">[[The Lord of the Rings]], [[Appendix A]] (iv), [[Houghton Mifflin]] pp. 331-332</ref> Even a company of [[Hobbits|hobbit]] archers went to their aide.<ref name="ten">[[The Lord of the Rings]], [[Appendix A]] (iii), [[Houghton Mifflin]] pp. 321-322</ref> The Witch-king had grown overconfident and, instead of staying behind his fortifications, initiated the attack. The [[Battle of Fornost]] was fought on the plain between [[Nenuial]] and the North Downs. The Witch-king may not have anticipated the strength brought against him, but for whatever reason the alliance gained the upper hand. His army began to fall back toward Fornost, but Eärnur’s magnificent horsemen struck from the north and the Witch-king was routed.<ref name="eleven">[[The Lord of the Rings]], [[Appendix A]] (iv), [[Houghton Mifflin]] pp. 331-332</ref>

He decided to flee to Angmar and the safety of Carn Dûm, but the cavalry, with Eärnur himself in the lead, overtook him. Moreover, the ranks of the allies swelled, as an army of elves from [[Rivendell]] came led by the mighty hero of old, [[Glorfindel]]. Angmar was purged of men and orcs, and all seemed lost for the Witch-king in the face of such numbers. But the Witch-king himself came at the last, robed and masked in black and riding a black horse, and attempted to kill Eärnur with his own hands. But Eärnur’s horse shied away and fled, and the Witch-king laughed. But Glorfindel came on his white horse, and faced with such power the Witch-king fled. He vanished into the shadows and no-one marked where he had gone.<ref name="eleven">[[The Lord of the Rings]], [[Appendix A]] (iv), [[Houghton Mifflin]] pp. 331-332</ref>

Eärnur wanted to pursue, but Glorfindel held him back and made his famous prophecy.

{{Blockquote|He will not return to this land. Far off yet is his doom, and not by the hand of man will he fall.|Glorfindel, ''[[The Return of the King]]'', [[Appendix A]] (iv)}}

===Lord of Minas Morgul===
The Witch-king escaped to [[Mordor]], and gathered the other Ringwraiths about him in {{TA|1980|n}}.<ref name="appendixB">[[The Lord of the Rings]], [[Appendix B]]</ref> Angmar and Carn Dûm were lost, and so in {{TA|2000|n}} the Witch-king began a two-year siege of [[Minas Ithil]], eventually capturing the place and turning it into his residence. It was renamed [[Minas Morgul]], and the ''[[Ithil-stone|palantír]]'' was sent to Sauron. The Witch-king sent an aura of fear in [[Gondor]], and much of [[Ithilien]] was deserted.<ref name="eleven">[[The Lord of the Rings]], [[Appendix A]] (iv), [[Houghton Mifflin]] pp. 331-332</ref>

Eärnur succeeded his father as King of Gondor, and still held the Witch-king in especial hostility due to his humiliation at the Battle of Fornost. The year of his coronation the Witch-king sent him a taunting challenge, but [[Mardil|Mardil Voronwë]] the steward restrained Eärnur from rash action. Seven years later the challenge was repeated, and Eärnur rode with a small escort to Minas Morgul. None that rode thither ever returned, and there was no longer a King in Gondor.<ref name="eleven">[[The Lord of the Rings]], [[Appendix A]] (iv), [[Houghton Mifflin]] pp. 331-332</ref>

After this the Witch-king bided his time. He and the Nazgûl built up their armies, including the terrible new orc-race of [[uruks]]. In {{TA|2475|n}} he sent them out to capture [[Osgiliath]], which they did successfully. They were driven out by [[Boromir (Steward of Gondor)|Boromir]], [[Ruling Steward|Steward]] of [[Gondor]], but Osgiliath now lay completely in ruins. Boromir went on to retake Ithilien, so that even the Witch-king feared him. But he was killed by a Morgul-wound, and so his rule was but twelve years.<ref name="twelve">[[The Lord of the Rings]], [[Appendix A]] (iv), [[Houghton Mifflin]] p. 333</ref>

===Hunt for the Ring===
Sauron declared himself openly in {{TA|2951|n}}, and sent three of his Ringwraiths to [[Dol Guldur]] (though the Witch-king was left in Minas Morgul). Then, by lucky chance, the creature [[Gollum]] was captured and interrogated. Under torture, the wretched creature revealed the tale of [[the One Ring]] and how it came to be in his possession. But from his words Sauron misunderstod that the land of the hobbits who stole the Ring was on the banks of the [[Gladden River]], whence Gollum originally came from.<ref name="thirteen">{{UT|Hunt}}, [[Houghton Mifflin]] p. 338-341</ref> Sauron sent the Nine, under the leadership of the Witch-king, invisible and uncloaked, to search for the Ring after the assault of Osgiliath.

[[Khamûl]], the Witch-king’s lieutenant, reported that he was unable to find the “[[the Shire|Shire]]” in the vales of [[Anduin]]. The Witch-king was determined to search north and west until Gollum was found, or the Shire. But plans were halted when Sauron received word of the prophecy in Gondor and the doings of the turncoat [[Saruman]], and concluded that the Wise did not yet have possession of the Ring. He sent the Ringwraiths to [[Isengard]] in the form of [[Nazgûl|Black Riders]], too late to prevent the escape of the captured wizard [[Gandalf]], but had words with Saruman. Saruman, already a traitor to both sides due to his transparent lust for the Ring, fortified himself in Isengard. The Witch-king did not have enough power with him to assault Saruman in his great fortress, but had words with him. Saruman convinced the Witch-king that Gandalf alone knew where the Shire and the Ring was, and so the Nine passed into [[Rohan]] in search of him.<ref name="thirteen"/>

They came upon the traitor called [[Gríma|Wormtongue]] and questioned him. The terrified man told them everything he knew; that Gandalf had passed through Rohan, where the Shire was, and even that Saruman had lied to them. The Witch-king spared Wormtongue’s life, foreseeing that Wormtongue would bring ruin to Saruman. He divided his wraiths into four pairs, and went with the swiftest to [[Minhiriath]]. Along the way they captured several spies of Saruman, and found to their delight charts and maps of the Shire. They sent along the spy to [[Bree]], warning them that they now belonged to Mordor, not Saruman.<ref name="thirteen"/>

They came to [[Sarn Ford]], but the [[Dúnedain]] [[Rangers of the North|Rangers]] prevented them from crossing. They sent for their great captain, the chieftain [[Aragorn|Aragorn II]], who alone could well resist the wraiths, but he was away, and the Ringwraiths captured the ford and killed many of the Rangers.<ref name="thirteen"/> The Witch-king sent three Ringwraiths under Khamûl into the Shire while he went east with the others.<ref name="appendixB">{{App|B}}</ref> But they had come too late: the Ring had moved on in the hands of a hobbit, [[Frodo Baggins]].

===Pursuit of the Ring===
[[File:Ted Nasmith - Fire on Weathertop.jpg|thumb|right|220px|[[Ted Nasmith]] - ''Fire on Weathertop'']]Khamûl was unsuccessful, but brought word from the spy they had spared in Bree. The man had witnessed a vanishing act on Frodo's part, and had organized an attack on the inn. The Witch-king guessed that Frodo would head east, and sent four wraiths to [[Weathertop]], the ruins of the tower he had destroyed long ago. He went south along the [[Greenway]] and discovered nothing. Gandalf followed them, but the Witch-king let him slip ahead, and attacked him on Weathertop. Gandalf escaped at dawn, and again the Witch-king divided his force and sent four after the wizard.

The Ring walked almost right into his hands. The captain of the Dúnedain, Aragorn II, had become the guide of the hobbits, and led them to Weathertop, where they were spotted and attacked. The Witch-king advanced on Frodo, and the terrified hobbit put on the Ring, seeing them as they truly were. When Frodo resisted, and invoked the name of [[Varda|Elbereth]], the Witch-king stabbed Frodo in the shoulder. The tip of his blade broke off and sent poison through the hobbit’s veins. Then Aragorn counterattacked with flaming brands. The Witch-king departed with the other Nazgûl, believing that his objective was completed.

He resumed the pursuit quickly, though, and found that Khamûl had been driven from the [[Last Bridge]] by his old enemy [[Glorfindel]]. The Witch-king, who only had one companion with him, was likewise unable to confront him openly. They regrouped and went south, rejoining with the other four. They managed to pick up the trail of the company of the Ring, and despite hindrance from Glorfindel and Aragorn managed to pursue Frodo alone on [[Asfaloth]]. The pursuit came to the [[Ford of Bruinen]], and there Frodo compelled the horse to stop. The Witch-king saw his defiance and laughed, breaking his sword with a movement of his hand. But the waters of the [[Bruinen]] rose at [[Elrond]]'s command, sweeping the Nine downstream.<ref name="fourteen">[[The Fellowship of the Ring]], [[Flight to the Ford]]</ref>

===War of the Ring===
[[File:Angus McBride - Gandalf facing Witch-king.gif|thumb|left|[[Angus McBride]] - ''Gandalf facing the Witch-king'']]
The Witch-king took the only surviving horse back to [[Mordor]], arriving there in December. He then sent aid to the other eight Nazgûl, and they returned in secret. In [[Minas Morgul]] they prepared for a grand invasion of [[Gondor]] at the order of their master. The Witch-king was given by Sauron added "demonic" force.<ref name="fifteen">[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]], [[Letter 210]], p. 272</ref> On 10 March {{TA|3019|n}}, the signal was given and Minas Morgul was emptied. The Witch-king rode at the head of the army in black, upon a black horse, as he had in the time of the wars of Angmar. As the Witch-king passed out of the gates of the dead city, he sensed the presence of Frodo. He was disturbed, but continued on through Ithilien.

With the Witch-king in command, [[Osgiliath]] soon fell.<ref name="Siege">{{RK|Siege}}</ref> The defeat was attributed to his superior numbers, and his terrible presence which made all hearts to quail. The [[Rammas Echor]] was breached, and the [[Pelennor Fields]] were overrun. Other wraiths he sent out mounted on [[Fell beasts]]. [[Faramir]], [[Ruling Steward|Steward]] [[Denethor|Denethor II]]'s son, was wounded by a dart and the [[Black Breath|black breath]], but his company was saved by a sortie. Then the Witch-king laid siege to [[Minas Tirith]] itself, sending fire and the heads of the dead Gondorians into the city via catapults. Then he launched the assault.

He sent [[Grond (battering ram)|Grond]] out first, accompanying it in person so as to be the first to enter the city. Three times Grond struck the gate, empowered by the sorcery of the Witch-king. The third time the Gate shattered in a flash of fire. The Witch-king passed into Minas Tirith, but was confronted by Gandalf on [[Shadowfax]]. Gandalf forbade him entry, but the Witch-king laughed and put on a show of power.

{{Blockquote|The Black Rider flung back his hood, and behold! he had a kingly crown; and yet upon no head visible was it set. The red fires shone between it and the mantled shoulders vast and dark. From a mouth unseen there came a deadly laughter. 'Old fool!' he said. 'Old fool! This is my hour. Do you not know Death when you see it? Die now and curse in vain!' And with that he lifted high his sword and flames ran down the blade.|''[[The Return of the King]]'', [[The Siege of Gondor]]}}.

===The Fall of the Witch-king===
[[File:Nick Deligaris - Éowyn and Nazgûl.jpg|thumb|350px|Nick Deligaris - ''Éowyn and Nazgûl'']]
As Gandalf stood resolute before the Witch-king, the [[Rohirrim]] arrived. Thus he departed, mounting a fell beast and descending upon King [[Théoden]] who led the attack. [[Snowmane]], the King's horse, collapsed with a dart in the side, and Théoden was crushed beneath him. But the rider [[Dernhelm]] defied the Witch-king. The Witch-king threatened Dernhelm with a terrible death, but the rider revealed that she was a woman, [[Éowyn]], and the Witch-king remembered the words of Glorfindel. He hesitated, but then moved forward. Éowyn decapitated the fell beast, but the Witch-king rose and struck her down with his mace, breaking her shield-arm. Then the hobbit [[Meriadoc Brandybuck]] stabbed him in the sinew of his leg with the [[Daggers of Westernesse|blade of Westernesse]] (though there was much pain in Meriadoc's arm afterward), as he drew back to kill the woman. Then Éowyn rose and drove her sword through where his invisible head was, and the sword broke as his crown toppled. The Witch-king gave a great and horrible wail, perishing at last.<ref name="Pelennor">{{RK|Battle}}</ref>

So the prophecy of Glorfindel was fulfilled, for the Witch-king did not fall at the hands of a man, but at the hands of [[Éowyn|a woman]] and [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|a hobbit]]. With his defeat, and the coming of Aragorn II in the black ships, the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]] was lost by Sauron.

==Names==
* Witch-king of Angmar - "Witch" most likely coming from his background in sorcery, and "king" after his establishment of the realm of Angmar in 1300.
* Witch-lord of Angmar - A variant of the above title.
* Lord of the Nazgûl
* Lord of the Ringwraiths
* Chieftain of the Ringwraiths
* Lord of the Nine Riders
* King of the Nine Riders
* Wraith-lord
* Wraith-king
* High Nazgûl
* Lord of Morgul
* Morgul-lord
* King of Minas Morgul
* Black Captain
* Captain of Despair
* [[Dwimmerlaik]]
* Lord of Carrion

==Etymology==
While in modern English ''witch'' has mostly female connotations, referring to a hag or sorceress, in middle-English ''wicche'' had no gender distinction; the preference of ''witch'' for female persons (the males referred more usually as ''wizzards'') evolved later through the centuries.

Tolkien uses the archaic, gender-unspecific meaning of the term; of course, the word [[Wizards|Wizard]] refers exclusively to the [[Maiar]] [[Istari]].

==Inspirations==
An undead witch-king named ''Þráinn'' appears in ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hrómundar_saga_Gripssonar Hrómundar saga Gripssonar]''. It is possible that this was Tolkien's source of inspiration.

The prophecy that the Witch-king would fall "not by the hand of man" and the fulfillment of the prophecy occurring as a technicality (being slain by a hobbit and a woman) bears a striking resemblance to the prophecy regarding the title character's death in Shakespeare's Macbeth, where it was foretold that Macbeth will be slain "not by man born of woman" and is then killed by Macduff, born by caesarian section. Tolkien was familiar with the play, having reputedly taken inspiration for the Last March of the Ents from the same source (See article ''[[Ents]]'' for details).

==Portrayal in adaptations ==
The Witch-king's true name is never given, and therefore among [[Tolkien fandom|Tolkien fans]], the Witch-king is often simply called ''Angmar'', after the name of the realm he founded and led. It is possible that he was one of the three [[Black Númenóreans]] Tolkien stated had become Nazgûl, or possibly [[Isilmo]], a Númenórean prince and father of Tar-Minastir. This possibility was adopted by the now defunct [[Middle-earth Role Playing]] game and [[Mithril Miniatures]] where he is named ''Er-Murazor'', a Númenórean prince and younger son of [[Tar-Ciryatan]].
<center><gallery>
File:The Return of the King (1980 film) - Witch-King.jpg|<center>The Witch-king in [[The Return of the King (1980 film)|''The Return of the King'' (1980 film)]]</center>
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King - Witch-king.jpg|<center>The Witch-king in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]''</center>
File:Witchking ea rotk.jpg|<center>The Witch-king from [[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King'' (video game)]]</center>
File:The Lord of the Rings online Shadows of Angmar - Witch-king 1.jpg|<center>The Witch-king in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''</center>
File:The Lord of the Rings War in the North - Witch-king of Angmar.png|<center>The Witch-king in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]''</center>
</gallery></center>
===Films===
'''1978: [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]:'''
:The Witch-king is shown with no distinction from the other [[Nazgûl|Ringwraiths]]; all are robed in brown and black, and none seem to be able to talk clearly.

'''1980: [[The Return of the King (1980 film)|''The Return of the King'' (1980 film)]]:'''
:The Witch-king is portrayed as a humanoid figure with no head. Red eyes glare under a golden crown. His dialogue is more or less as in the books, albeit in a strange and somewhat unfitting electronic voice. After a stab from behind by [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]], [[Éowyn]] beheads him. It is worthy of note that the Witch-king is seen with the [[Red Eye]] of [[Barad-dûr]] as his emblem and faction, rather than the grim moon of [[Minas Morgul]].

'''2001-03: [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]:'''
:The Witch-king is called the "Witch-king of [[Angmar]]", the "Lord of the [[Nazgûl]]", and the "Greatest of the Nine" by [[Gandalf]] in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King|The Return of the King]]''; however, no other mention of the kingdom of Angmar itself is made. Also, in that film, there is no mention of [[Glorfindel]]'s prophecy; there is only a claim among the enemy that "no man can kill" the Witch-king. Like the other Nazgûl, he is depicted as a humanoid figure shrouded in a hooded black robe; his only distinguishing feature is a mask-like spiked helmet with a huge mouth. His first mention is when Gandalf tells [[Peregrin Took|Pippin]] while in Minas Tirith that the Dark Lord has not yet revealed his "deadliest" servant: the Witch-king, the one that "stabbed [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] on [[Weathertop]]".

:During the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]], the Witch-king's army uses the ram [[Grond (battering ram)|Grond]] to break through the city gates early in the battle (after the failure of a lesser ram), and the Witch-king is not present to confront Gandalf as he is in the book. The confrontation takes place later, as Pippin and Gandalf race to the tombs to save [[Faramir]], and the Witch-king intercepts them. Unlike in the book, this meeting decisively favors the Witch-king, who breaks Gandalf's staff and throws the wizard to the ground before leaving to deal with the arrival of the [[Rohirrim]]. Gandalf's face shows obvious fear in this scene, in comparison to the resolution (for "victory or death") in the books.

:The Witch-king's destruction on the battlefield occurs with less dialogue than in the book, and the weapons used to destroy him are both mundane: Merry's sword is not a [[Daggers of Westernesse|dagger]] from the [[Barrow-downs]], but rather the Rohirric sword that [[Théoden]] had as a child.

:Eight actors are known to have played some part of the Witch-king.
# An unidentified extra portrayed the "King of Men" in the prologue. He was chosen to be the Witch-king simply because he was the smallest of the nine.
# [[Shane Rangi]] did the horse chase.
# [[Fran Walsh]] provided the "Ringwraith scream".
# Effects technician Ben Price played the Witch-king in "many scenes"<ref>http://www.decipher.com/content/2004/07/072904lotrwetaprops.html</ref>
# [[Brent McIntyre]] is officially credited as the Witch-king in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring|The Fellowship of the Ring]]''. He stabbed Frodo.
# [[Lawrence Makoare]] filled the robe of the Witch-king in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King|The Return of the King]]''.
# [[Mark Ferguson]] filled the heavy armoured costume when Makoare felt claustrophobic.<ref>http://www.markferguson.net/articles/interview_Nautilus20.html</ref>
# [[Andy Serkis]] provided the voice of the Witch-king in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]''.

'''2012-14: [[The Hobbit (film series)|''The Hobbit'' (film series) ]]:'''
:The Witch-king is mentioned to have been defeated years ago, and his body sealed by the "Men of the North" in a very deep and dark tomb in the "[[High Fells of Rhudaur]]". His [[wraith]], apparently summoned by the [[Sauron#Sauron's Return|Necromancer]], is encountered by [[Radagast]] in the ruins of [[Dol Guldur]], but the [[Wizards|Wizard]] fends him off and salvages the Witch-king's [[Morgul-knife|Morgul blade]] in the struggle.

:In the [[Attack on Dol Guldur]], The Witch-King, along with the other Nazgûl, participates by fighting [[Saruman]] and [[Elrond]], members of the [[White Council]]. In the end, he and the other Nine are driven [[Mordor]] by [[Galadriel]] and her [[Phial of Galadriel|phial]], [[Sauron|his master]] also eventually following suit.

===Radio series===
'''1956: [[The Lord of the Rings (1955 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1955 radio series)]]:'''
:The Black Captain is played by [[Felix Felton]].<ref name="RT1727">Radio Times, Volume 133, No. 1727, [[14 December|December 14]], [[1956]]</ref>

'''1981: [[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1981 radio series)]]:'''
:The role of The Lord of the Nazgul, as he is always credited in this production, is expanded with material from ''[[The Hunt for the Ring]]''. He is the second speaking character in the series: he is the one who captures [[Gollum]], though he is not identified as such until the credits. [[Philip Voss]] provided the voice for The Lord of the Nazgul.

===Games===
'''2002: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]:'''
:The Witch-king is shown without distinction of the other Nazgûl.

'''2003: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King'' (video game)]]'':'''
:The Witch-king's role and voice are similar to that of the film, but his appearance is different. An early helmet design, that had been removed from the film because it resembled [[Sauron]]'s helm too much, was used here, presumably because there was no time to make a new character model.

'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War of the Ring]]'':'''
:Witch-King is one the main "Hero" units for the Servants of Sauron, his signature ability is being able to turn Wights into Nazgûl. The evil campaign storyline shows him reclaiming Dol Guldur for Sauron.

'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth]]'':'''
:Witch-King is a "Hero" unit for Mordor faction. He is an airborne unit riding on a Fell Beast and one of the strongest units in the game.

'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'':'''
:In addition to his appearance from the first game, the Witch-King can now also dismount and become a landscape unit armed with a mace.

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:The Witch-king is a non-playable character present in several scenes. His most memorable appearance takes place in the Great Barrow within the Barrow-Downs. There are also multiple references to him in quest dialogue, the most notable is that the Witch-King for whatever reason cannot return to rule [[Carn Dum]] and instead has erected a Steward named [[Mordirith]] to rule in his place, in mockery of the Stewards of Gondor.

'''2009: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Conquest]]'':'''
:In the campaign for the "Evil" side, the Witch-King is revived by other Nazgûl after Sauron reclaims The One Ring.

''''2011: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]'':'''
:The Witch-king appears in a flashback of the playable characters during the prologue of the game. He and the other [[Nazgûl]] attack and destroy the [[Rangers of the North|Ranger]] camp at [[Sarn Ford]]. Shortly after he speaks with [[Agandaûr]], who explains that he has assembled an army in [[Fornost]]. The Witch-king commands him to return and attack immediately, to aid in the [[Hunt of the Ring]].<ref>[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]], ''Prologue''</reF>

==See also==
*'''[[:Category:Images of the Witch-king|Images of the Witch-king]]'''
*[[Nazgûl|Ringwraiths]]

{{references}}

[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[Category:Featured Articles]]
[[Category:Nazgûl]]
[[Category:Second Age characters]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]
[[de:Der Hexenkönig von Angmar]]
[[fr:encyclo/personnages/hommes/3a/nazgul/roi-sorcier]]
[[fi:Noitakuningas]]

Nazgûl

2018-04-27T00:07:02Z

142.44.139.85:

{{Sources}}
{{race infobox
| name=Nazgûl
| image=[[File:Nick Deligaris - Nazgûl.jpg|250px]]
| caption="Nazgûl" by [[:Category:Images by Nick Deligaris|Nick Deligaris]]
| pronun=
| othernames=Ringwraiths, the Black Riders, the Nine, ''Úlairi'' ([[Quenya|Q]])
| origin=[[Men]] who received the [[Nine Rings]]; corrupted by [[Sauron]]
| location=[[Mordor]], [[Angmar]], [[Dol Guldur]], [[Minas Morgul]]
| affiliation=[[Sauron]]
| rivalry=
| language=[[Black Speech]], [[Westron]]
| people=
| members=[[Witch-king]], [[Khamûl]]
| lifespan=Indefinite
| distinctions=Without physical form
| height=Man-high
| hair=
| skin=
| clothing=Black robes
| weapons=[[Morgul-knife]]
}}
<center>{{quote| 'They come from [[Mordor]],' said [[Aragorn|Strider]] in a low voice. 'From Mordor, [[Barliman Butterbur|Barliman]], if that means anything to you.' |''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', [[Strider (chapter)|Strider]]}}</center>
The '''[[#Etymology|Nazgûl]]''' ([[Black Speech]]: '''Ringwraiths''', sometimes written '''''Ring-wraiths'''''), also known as the '''Nine Riders''' or '''Black Riders''' (or simply '''the Nine'''), were [[Sauron]]'s "most terrible servants" in [[Middle-earth]].

==History==
Sometime during the [[Second Age]] (after year {{SA|1600}}<ref group=note>Sauron created the One Ring around this year, and later distributed the Nine Rings (cf. {{App|B}} and {{UT|Concerning}}).</ref>) Sauron gave [[Nine Rings|nine Rings of Power]] to powerful mortal [[Men]]. It is said that three of the Nine were lords of [[Númenor]] corrupted by Sauron,<ref name=Akallabeth>{{S|Akallabeth}}</ref> and one was a king among the [[Easterlings]].<ref name=Black/>

It is known that three of the nine Nazgûl were of Númenórean origin, and it seems unavoidable that these must have originally belonged to the [[Black Númenóreans]]. It has even been suggested that [[Herumor]] and [[Fuinur]] were corrupted into Ringwraiths, though they seem to belong to a period of history too late to make this possible.

For many years the bearers used the rings to gain great wealth, prestige and power, becoming "''mighty in their day, kings, sorcerers, and warriors of old''". The effect of the rings caused their lives to be prolonged, and to see things of the [[Unseen]]. But over time their bodily forms faded until they became [[wraiths]] entirely, slaves under the domination of Sauron's [[The One Ring|One Ring]].<ref name=Rings/>

Known as the Nazgûl, they first appeared around {{SA|2251}}<ref name=AppB1/> and were soon established as Sauron's principal servants.

When Sauron was overthrown in {{SA|3441}} at the hands of the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]], the wraiths faded into the shadows.<ref name=AppB1>{{App|B1}}</ref>

===Third Age===
However around {{TA|1050|n}} of the [[Third Age]] Sauron returned in the form of a shadow in [[Mirkwood|Greenwood the Great]], triggering also the return of his servants. It was around {{TA|1300}} when the [[Witch-king|Lord of the Nazgûl]] gathered evil [[Men]] and founded the Witch-kingdom of [[Angmar]]. From there he led Sauron's forces against the mannish kingdom of [[Arnor]] in {{TA|1409}}. He was eventually defeated in battle in {{TA|1975}} and returned to [[Mordor]], gathering the other Nazgûl in preparation for the return of Sauron to that realm.<ref name=AppB2/>

In {{TA|2000}}, they besieged [[Minas Ithil]] and captured it after a two-year siege. The city thereafter became the stronghold of the Nazgûl, from where they directed the rebuilding of Sauron's armies, also acquiring a ''[[palantíri|palantír]]'' for the Dark Lord.<ref name=AppB2>{{App|B2}}</ref>
[[File:Ted_Nasmith_-_The_Nazgûl.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Ted Nasmith]] - ''The Nazgûl'']]
Indeed, after his defeat in [[Dol Guldur]], Sauron returned to Mordor in {{TA|2942}} and declared himself openly in {{TA|2951}}. Three of the Nazgûl were sent to his fortress at [[Dol Guldur]] to garrison that outpost.<ref name=AppB2/>

In {{TA|3017}} Sauron commanded the Ringwraiths to recover [[the One Ring]] of Power from "Baggins of the Shire". Disguised as horse riders clad in black (hence the term ''Black Riders''), they sought out [[Bilbo Baggins]] who, as [[Gollum]] had revealed, had the One Ring in his possession.

The [[Dwarves]] of [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]] spoke of a rider who had come to offer Sauron's friendship and ask about [[Hobbits]]. As a token of their friendship he asked for a "trifle", a ring, "the least of rings", that the [[Bilbo Baggins|thief]] had stolen.<ref>{{FR|II2}}</ref><ref group=note>The identity of the messenger is unknown. In [[fandom]] it has been proposed that he was the [[Mouth of Sauron]]. [[Michael Martinez]] [http://middle-earth.xenite.org/2012/01/26/is-the-messenger-sent-to-dain-a-black-rider-or-the-mouth-of-sauron/ considers more possible] that it was a Nazgûl .</ref>

The Nazgûl at this point were dependent on their black horses (stolen from [[Rohan]]) for transportation. When they were swept away by the waters of the river [[Bruinen]], their horses were killed. The Ringwraiths were forced to return to Mordor to regroup. They reappeared later mounted on [[Fell beasts|flying creatures]], at which point they were referred to as '''Winged Nazgûl'''.

By the conclusion of the [[War of the Ring]], all of the Nine Nazgûl were destroyed. The [[Witch-king|Lord of the Nazgûl]] himself was slain by [[Éowyn]], the niece of King [[Théoden]] (with help from [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]], known as "The Magnificent" thereafter) during the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]]. The remaining eight Ringwraiths attacked the Army of the West during the last battle at the [[Black Gate]]. However, when [[Frodo Baggins]] put on the ring in the fires of [[Mount Doom]], Sauron ordered the eight remaining Nazgûl to fly with all possible speed to Mount Doom to intercept Frodo. They arrived too late, with the Ring falling into the fire along with the hapless Gollum. The Nazgûl were caught in the firestorm of the erupting mountain and were destroyed.

== Powers and abilities ==

{{quote|The Nazgûl were they, the Ringwraiths, the Enemy's most terrible servants; darkness went with them, and they cried with the voices of death.|''[[The Silmarillion]]'', "[[Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age]]"}}

Given form only through the attire of black cloaks and hauberks of silver mail, their original form was completely gone and invisible to mortal eyes. Their hypnotic eyes could be plainly distinguished from their dark clothing, and in a rage they appeared in a hellish fire. Mortal men could not touch them (unless blessed by weapons or tools of the ancient [[Elves]] of the [[First Age]] or by the [[Dúnedain]], such as the barrow-blade used by [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]] on the [[Witch-king|Witch-king of Angmar]]). The Ringwraiths had many weapons, which included long swords of steel and flame, daggers with venomous properties, poisonous darts and black maces of great strength.
[[File:Ted Nasmith - The Attack of the Wraiths.jpg|thumb|[[Ted Nasmith]] - ''The Attack of the Wraiths'']]
Their arsenal of deadly armaments was not confined to physical means; they also had seemingly magical weapons of devastating power. They were surrounded by an aura of terror, which affected all living creatures; their "breath" (called the ''[[Black Breath]]'') was poisonous, and their cries caused terror and despair in all who heard them. Some of the Nazgûl appear to have been accomplished sorcerers and used magic to devastating effect. According to Tolkien, though, it was the fear they inspired that was the chief danger:
{{quote|They have no great physical power against the fearless," he wrote, "but what they have, and the fear that they inspire, is enormously increased in darkness|''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]]''}}

The Nazgûl existed mostly in the wraith world (the [[Unseen]]), making them extremely difficult to harm. Ordinary weapons would not hurt them, and even weapons of [[Númenóreans|Númenórean]] manufacture would be destroyed if they passed through the wraith forms of the Nazgûl. They could not, however, interact normally with the material world (the [[Seen]]): they needed garments and weapons provided by Sauron to give them form. Consequently, they could be defeated by attacks that destroyed their disguises, forcing them to return to [[Sauron]] to receive new ones.

The Nazgûl spread terror in mortal creatures merely by their presence. Only specially trained horses or the [[fell beasts]] of [[Mordor]] could bear them. They caused panic and despair in their enemies simply by flying overhead, and only individuals of great courage could face them in combat.

They were also poisonous to mortal beings, causing a condition known as the [[Black Breath]]. Merely being in the vicinity of one of them could cause disorientation and illness. Intense exposure could be lethal.

The Nazgûl had poor vision in the material world, but they were acutely aware of the beings with a presence in the wraith world, like the wearer of [[the One Ring]] and certain Elves, such as Glorfindel. Anyone who could see into the wraith world could see the Nazgûl as they had appeared in their mortal lives.

The [[Witch-king]] could also affect matter with his voice, shattering the dagger that Frodo had gotten in the [[Barrow-downs]] and weakening the gates of [[Minas Tirith]]. Whether other Nazgûl could perform similar feats is unknown.

== Identities ==

Only a few of the Nazgûl are named or identified individually. Their leader was the [[Witch-king|Witch-king of Angmar]], and his second in command was named [[Khamûl]]. Khamûl was a lord of [[Easterlings]],<ref name=Black>{{UT|Black}}</ref> and was the only Nazgûl known by his name. Three of them were [[Númenóreans]].<ref name=Akallabeth/>

==Etymology==

''Nazgûl'' means "ringwraiths" in the [[Black Speech]] (consisting of ''[[nazg]]'' + ''[[gûl]]'').<ref>{{PE|17}}, pp. 31, 79, 125</ref>

== Other names and titles ==

Among their many names and titles were: the Ringwraiths, the Black Riders, the Fell Riders, the Nine Riders, the Black Wings, the Shadows, the Nine, the Nine Servants of the Lord of the Rings, and the Shriekers.

An [[Elvish]] name given for the Ringwraiths is '''''Úlairi'''''.<ref name=Rings>{{S|Rings}}</ref><ref>{{PM|Akallabeth}}, p. 153 (§30)</ref> Linguists have remarked that it is a [[Quenya]] plural name of unknown meaning and etymology.<ref>{{webcite|author=[[Helge Fauskanger]]|articleurl=http://folk.uib.no/hnohf/eng-quen.rtf|articlename=English-Quenya Wordlist (Quettaparma Quenyanna)|dated=|website=Arda|accessed=25 June 2011}}</ref><ref>[[Ruth S. Noel]], ''[[The Languages of Tolkien's Middle-earth]]''</ref> [[Michael Martinez]], analysing the word, has tentatively suggested that:

{{blockquote| ''Úlairi'' is a compound formed from ''Ú'' + ''lai'' + ''ri'' with probable meaning of "un (bad or immoral)" + "shadow" + "ones". In other words, the name may mean something like "those who are in/of unnatural shadow".|<ref>{{webcite|author=[[Michael Martinez]]|articleurl=http://middle-earth.xenite.org/2014/08/15/what-is-the-literal-translation-of-ulairi/|articlename=What is the Literal Translation of Úlairi?|dated=15 August 2014|website=[http://middle-earth.xenite.org/ middle-earth.xenite.org]|accessed=16 August 2014}}</ref>}}

== Portrayal in adaptations ==
<gallery>
File:The Lord of the Rings (1978 film) - Ringwraiths.jpg|Four of the Nazgûl on horseback in [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]
File:The Return of the King (1980 film) - Ringwraith.jpg|A Ringwraith in [[The Return of the King (1980 film)|''The Return of the King'' (1980 film)]]
File:War in Middle Earth - Nazgul 2.png|A Nazgûl from ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien's War in Middle Earth]]''
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring - Ringwraiths.jpg|The Nazgûl in [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]</gallery>

'''1978: [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]:'''
:The Nine are clad in brown and black, and have red eyes. The attack on ''[[The Prancing Pony]]'' is their deed, not that of any accomplices. After the attack, they cast off their hoods, revealing the black armour and hideous masks they wear beneath their cloaks.

'''1980: [[The Return of the King (1980 film)|''The Return of the King'' (1980 film)]]
:The Nine are skull headed demons, who ride winged horses. The [[Witch-king]] himself rides a dragon-like creature, and has no face. Only a suspended crown and two red eyes can be seen. The Nazgûl have the [[Red Eye]] of [[Barad-dûr]] rather than the emblem of [[Minas Morgul]].

'''1981: [[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1981 radio series)]]:'''
:The role of the Ringwraiths was expanded with material from ''[[The Hunt for the Ring]]''.

'''1982-97: ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing]]'':'''
:The name of the eight, other than Khamûl, are given as ''Er-Murazor'' (the [[Witch-king]], of Númenórean race), ''Dwar'', ''Ji Indur'', ''Akhorahil'' (Númenórean), ''Hoarmurath'', ''Adunaphel'' (female Númenórean), ''Ren'' and ''Uvatha''.<ref>{{ICE|Mannish}}</ref><ref>{{ICE|Angus}}</ref>

'''1988: ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien's War in Middle Earth]]'':'''
:The Nazgûl are portrayed as black figures with red eyes and purple mantle.

'''2001-: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game]]'':'''
:All the Nazgûl are named - The Witch-king of [[Angmar]], The Dark Marshal, Khamûl The [[Easterlings|Easterling]], The Betrayer, The Shadow Lord, The Undying, The [[Dwimmerlaik]], The Tainted and The Knight of [[Umbar]].

'''2002: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]
:Black Riders form a threat in the Shire-stages of the game, where they need to be avoided by the player (in the persona of [[Frodo Baggins]]), and as the end boss for the game (in the persona of [[Aragorn]]). They are tall and robed in black, and nothing is seen underneath.

'''2001-03: [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]:'''
:The Nazgûl serve as the suspense in the first half of [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring|the first film]]. Their dialogue is changed; the conversation with [[Gaffer Gamgee]] is omitted, and the conversation with [[Farmer Maggot]] is reduced. The Nine have an iconic scream, provided by [[Fran Walsh]]. Under their robes, they are pale white ghostly creatures.

:After the death of the Witch-king, the other eight are taken out by [[Eagles]] and debris from [[Mount Doom]], however, nothing is told of their individual fates.

'''2001-7: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Trading Card Game]]'':'''
:The Nazgûl, other than the Witch-king, are given [[Neo-Elvish|Neo-Quenya]] titles based on their numbers, and various English titles:
*Úlairë Attëa (from ''[[atta]]'' = 2); Black Predator, Keeper of [[Dol Guldur]], Second of the Nine Riders, The Easterling.
*Úlairë Nelya (from ''[[neldë]]'' = 3); Black Hunter, Lieutenant of Morgul, Third of the Nine Riders
*Úlairë Cantëa (from ''[[canta]]'' = 4); Black Assassin, Lieutenant of Dol Guldur, Fourth of the Nine Riders
*Úlairë Lemenya (from ''[[lempe]]'' = 5); Black Enemy, Lieutenant of Morgul, Fifth of the Nine Riders
*Úlairë Enquëa (from ''[[enquë]]'' = 6); Black Threat, Lieutenant of Morgul, Sixth of the Nine Riders
*Úlairë Ostëa [''sic'', later corrected to Úlairë Otsëa] (from ''[[otso]]'' = 7); Black Specter, Lieutenant of Morgul, Seventh of the Nine Riders
*Úlairë Toldëa (from ''[[tolto]]'' = 8); Black Shadow, Messenger of Morgul, Eight of the Nine Riders
*Úlairë Nertëa (from ''[[nertë]]'' = 9); Black Horseman, Messenger of Dol Guldur, Ninth of the Nine Riders.<ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showthread.php?t=801|articlename=Naming the Nazgul|dated=|website=[http://forum.barrowdowns.com/index.php? Forum.Barrowdowns.com]|accessed=31 July 2012}}</ref><ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://www.tradecardsonline.com/im/selectCard/game_id/1/goal/|articlename=Lord Of The Rings (search function)|dated=|website=[http://www.tradecardsonline.com/ Trade Cards Online]|accessed=31 July 2012}}</ref>

'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth]]'':'''
:The Mordor faction has two different Nazgûl units: "Witch-king on Fell Beast" and "Nazgûl on Fell Beast". They are primarily used for scouting and surprise attacks.

[[File:The Lord of the Rings War in the North - Nazgûl.jpg|200px|thumb|The Nazgûl attack [[Sarn Ford]] in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]''.]]

'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'':'''
:A new Ringwraith is introduced in the expansion pack, ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II: The Rise of the Witch-king|The Rise of the Witch-king]]''. Morgomir is the "Lieutenant of Carn-Dûm", the right-hand man of the Witch-king, of [[Black Númenóreans|Black Númenórean]] descent. The design is similar to that in [[Peter Jackson]]'s films: he is hooded and cloaked when he works for the [[Mordor]] faction, and white and ghostly when he fights for Angmar.

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:The Nazgûl appear several times throughout the game. Hobbit characters first witness the Black Riders in the Shire during the Prologue. Early in the game one of the Nine wounds a [[Dúnedain]] Ranger Amdir with a [[Morgul-knife|Morgul blade]], who is later transformed into a Wraith himself, despite the best efforts of Free Peoples. Later, the player attempts to resist the troubles the Nine are spreading in Bree-Land. Various people along their path - from Hobbits, to Men of Bree, to people east of [[Weathertop]] - note how the local wildlife became unusually aggressive lately, though few connect it to the influence of Nazgûl.
:As stated in ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', only eight horses of the Wraiths were found along the shores of [[Bruinen]]. [[Glorfindel]], [[Elrond]], and his sons all enlist you to find the missing one - and while the horse is eventually found, it is clear that the Nazgûl himself escaped. The player foils his attempts to organize the [[Trolls]] of the [[Trollshaws]] and pursues him into the [[Misty Mountains]], where the severely weakened Wraith is finally defeated, with his spirit sent back to Mordor.
:During the Fellowship's stay in [[Lothlórien]], the [[Galadhrim]] Elves launch a military strike against [[Dol Guldur]], to draw the attention of the Eye from the company departing down the Shores of Anduin. At this point, three Nazgûl reside in the fortress; their names are given as "The Black Blade of Lebennin", "The Gloom of Nurn" and the strongest of the three "The Lieutenant of Dol Guldur". A large force of players confronts the Lieutenant and his Fell Beast at the chief tower of Dol Guldur.
:During their travel down the waters of the Great River, Legolas shot and killed a fell shadow in the sky, not knowing it to be a Nazgûl. The player is later able to find the corpse of the fell beast in the [[Brown Lands]] and it becomes clear that a Nazgûl is not far - only this time the player cannot receive help from Elrond or Galadriel, who helped him survive the last two encounters. At night, the Wraith ambushes your friends, but the player manages to drive him away with the use of fire. A girl named Nona is wounded in this fight, but the Free Peoples managed to bring her to Lady Galadriel in time to heal the wound. The player later meets the Bane of Rhun in the [[Blackroot Vale]] and the Black Blade of Lebennin in [[Osgiliath]]. When [[Minas Tirith]] is attacked, the Witch-King breaks the gate with [[Grond (battering ram)|Grond]].

'''2009: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Conquest]]'':'''
:In the Evil Campaign, the Eight Nazgûl bring Witch-King back to life after Sauron reclaims The One Ring.

'''2011: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]'':'''
:The Nazgûl appear in a flasback during the prologue of the game, in which they attack the [[Rangers of the North|Rangers]] at [[Sarn Ford]], the entrance of [[the Shire]]. Later in the flashback their leader, the [[Witch-king]], speaks with [[Agandaûr]].<ref>[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]], ''Prologue''</ref>

'''2012-14: [[The Hobbit (film series)|''The Hobbit'' (film series) ]]:'''
:In the context of the film adaptation, the Witch-king and the other Ringwraiths were buried in a dungeon in the [[High Fells of Rhudaur]] after the [[Battle of Fornost|fall]] of Angmar. The Witch-king of Angmar initially appears in Dol Guldur, where he briefly fights [[Radagast]] (who also discovers a [[Sauron#Sauron's Return|Necromancer]] within the fortress) with his Morgul-blade. He drops it and Radagast takes it with him, ultimately bringing it to [[Gandalf]], who then shows to the [[White Council]] in [[Rivendell]]. Later, Gandalf, per Galadriel's advice, visits the High Fells dungeons and discovers that they had been brought back to life, as their cells were empty, broken open from the inside. Through this investigation, he is convinced that the Necromancer is indeed Sauron.

:During the [[Attack on Dol Guldur]] they appeared in armored, ghostly versions of their mortal forms after Galadriel rescues Gandalf From his cage in Dol Guldur. The Nine do battle with Galadriel, [[Saruman]], and Elrond. During a confrontation between Galadriel and Sauron, they are driven to Mordor, with their master eventually following suit.

==See also==
* '''[[:Category:Images of Nazgûl|Images of Nazgûl]]'''
* the [[Witch-king]] of [[Angmar]]
* [[Khamûl]]

==External links==
*[http://middle-earth.xenite.org/2014/01/29/what-is-the-history-of-the-nazgul/ What is the History of the Nazgul?] by [[Michael Martinez]]

{{references|note}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nazgul}}
[[Category:Black Speech words]]
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]
[[Category:Second Age characters]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]
[[Category:Nazgûl]]
[[Category:Undead]]
[[de:Nazgûl]]
[[fr:encyclo/personnages/hommes/3a/nazgul]]
[[fi:Sormusaaveet]]

Rivendell

2018-04-26T23:20:22Z

142.44.139.85:

{{disambig-more|Rivendell|[[Rivendell (disambiguation)]]}}
{{location infobox
| name=Rivendell
| image=[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Rivendell.jpg|250px]]
| caption="Rivendell" by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]
| pronun=
| othernames=Imladris, the Last Homely House
| location=West of [[Misty Mountains]]
| type=City
| description=Hidden valley with permanent elven settlement
| regions=
| towns=
| inhabitants=[[Elves]], few [[Dúnedain]]
| created={{SA|1697}}
| destroyed=
| events=[[First Siege of Imladris|First]] and [[Second Siege of Imladris|Second]] Siege of Imladris, [[Quest of Erebor]], [[Council of Elrond]]
}}
{{quote|And the house of Elrond was a refuge for the weary and the oppressed, and a treasury of good counsel and wise lore.|''[[Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age]]''}}
'''Rivendell''', or '''[[Rivendell#Etymology|Imladris]]''', was an [[Elves|Elven]] town in the [[Misty Mountains]] on the eastern edge of [[Eriador]]. Because of its location, it was called "'''The Last Homely House East of the Sea'''" from the point of view of a traveller going to the [[Misty Mountains]] and [[Wilderland]]; and also the '''First Homely House''' from the point of view of someone coming from these lands to the civilised lands of Eriador to the west.

It was established by [[Elrond]] in {{SA|1697}} as a refuge from [[Sauron]] after the fall of [[Eregion]].<ref name=sa>{{App|SA}}</ref> It remained Elrond's seat throughout the remainder of the Second Age and until the end of the Third Age, when he took the [[White Ship]] for [[Valinor]]. Rivendell had a strong alliance with the [[Kings of Arnor]] and after the fall of [[Arthedain]] it became a refuge for the [[Rangers of the North]] and the [[heir of Isildur|heirs of Isildur]]. Besides [[Elrond]] himself, notable Elves who lived there included [[Arwen]] and [[Glorfindel]].

==Location==
[[File:Soni Alcorn-Hender - Valley of Rivendell.jpg|thumb|250px|right|[[Soni Alcorn-Hender]] - ''Valley of Rivendell'']]
Rivendell was located at the edge of a narrow gorge of the [[Bruinen|Bruinen River]],<ref>{{UT|Map}}</ref> but well hidden in the moorlands and foothills of the [[Misty Mountains]].<ref name=Rest>{{H|Rest}}</ref>

==History==
===Founding===
During the [[War of the Elves and Sauron]], and as [[Sauron]] was moving against Eriador, Elrond led an army of [[Elves of Lindon]] to the region. They arrived late but were joined by a detachment out of [[Eregion]] led by [[Celeborn]]. Despite this, Sauron's armies overwhelmed the Elves, and Elrond was unable to reach Eregion. Forced northward toward the headwaters of [[Bruinen]], Elrond established a stronghold.<ref>{{App|SA}}</ref>

This became a refuge for those seeking shelter from Sauron's onslaught in Eriador, and Elrond's and Celeborn's Elves were soon joined by many fleeing the [[Sack of Eregion]]. More came as Sauron ravaged Eriador on his march toward [[Lindon]]. By {{SA|1700}}, Sauron had overrun all of Eriador and Imladris was [[First Siege of Imladris|besieged]]. The siege ended when Gil-galad's forces, strengthened by the armament sent by [[Tar-Minastir]], routed Sauron's armies and drove him out of Eriador.

A Council held at that time made Elrond Gil-galad's vice-regent in Eriador, and Imladris his seat. Gil-galad bestowed [[Vilya]] upon Elrond in secret. Aided by the power of the [[Three Rings|Elven ring]], Elrond made Imladris one of the chief seats of Elvish strength in the west in the latter part of the Second Age. Imladris remained an Elvish stronghold in Eriador to the end of the Second Age and into the Third. <ref>{{UT|6}}</ref>

===Last Alliance===
At the end of the Second Age, [[Elendil]] and Gil-galad formed the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]] to challenge Sauron, and their host halted for a while at Imladris before crossing the Misty Mountains.<ref name="SV"/> [[Isildur]]'s wife and his youngest son, [[Valandil (King of Arnor)|Valandil]], were in Imladris at that time, and Isildur was journeying back to them after Sauron's defeat when he was ambushed at the [[Gladden Fields]].<ref>{{UT|7}}</ref> After receiving the shards of [[Narsil]], Valandil took up his role as King of [[Arnor]] and left Imladris for [[Annúminas]].<ref name="SV">{{S|V}}</ref>

===Third Age===
After the fall of Gil-galad, Elrond remained in Imladris. During the Third Age it was a refuge and sanctuary; many Elves gathered there, and it was the chief dwelling of the [[High Elves]] in Eriador, except the [[Elves of Lindon]], but also wise and powerful people of all the races. The heirs of Isildur were also harboured there due to their kinship with Elrond, as descendants of his brother [[Elros]].<ref name="SV"/> Rivendell maintained this relationship with the North Kingdom throughout the Third Age, and Elrond and his people remained steadfast allies to the heirs of Isildur. Situated on the western slopes of the Misty Mountains, Imladris was near [[Arnor]]'s eastern province of [[Rhudaur]], which became independent during the disintegration of the North Kingdom in {{TA|861}}.

Danger came to Eriador around {{TA|1300}} when the witch-kingdom of [[Angmar]] was established in the north-east beyond the [[Ettenmoors]]. It was late in the reign of [[Arveleg I]] that [[Second Siege of Imladris|Rivendell was besieged by Angmar]]. After an incursion by Angmar into Eriador in {{TA|1409}}, the Elves of Rivendell joined [[Elves of Lindon|those of Lindon]] and the [[Galadhrim]] whom Elrond brought over the Mountains, in subduing the power of the [[Witch-king]] for many years.<ref name=eriador>{{App|Eriador}}</ref>

After the end of the North-kingdom in {{TA|1975}} [[Aranarth]], the first [[Chieftains of the Dúnedain|Chieftain of the Dúnedain]], had [[Arahael|his son]] fostered in Rivendell, as were all subsequent sons of the chieftains. The heirlooms and treasures of the house of Isildur, including the shards of [[Narsil]], were also kept there after [[Arvedui]]'s death.<ref name="North"/> Among these were also some of the few remaining documents containing the history of Númenor.<ref>{{UT|3}}</ref>

There was traffic across the Misty Mountains in the Third Age between Imladris and [[Lothlórien]], for Elrond's wife was [[Celebrían]], daughter of Galadriel and Celeborn.

In the [[Quest of Erebor]], [[Bilbo Baggins]] stopped off at Rivendell with the Dwarves on the way to the [[Lonely Mountain]]<ref name=Rest/> and also on the way back to [[the Shire]] with [[Gandalf]].<ref>{{H|Stage}}</ref> Bilbo retired there after his 111th birthday, writing his memoir ''[[There and Back Again]]''.<ref name=Meetings>{{FR|II1}}</ref>

===War of the Ring===
Years later, [[Frodo Baggins]] and his [[Travellers|companions]] journeyed to Rivendell, where they met Bilbo. Several other Elves, [[Dwarves]] and [[Men]] had also arrived at Rivendell on separate errands;<ref name=Meetings/> at the [[Council of Elrond]] they learned that all of their errands were related to the fate of [[the One Ring]], and they had to decide what to do about it. In the end, the Hobbits influenced the decision.<ref>{{FR|II2}}</ref>

==Geography==
Pine-trees grew on the top of the valley, and there was a "steep zig-zag path" to the valley bottom. The vegetation in the valley bottom was mostly oak and beech.<ref name=Rest/>

==Etymology==
''Rivendell'' ("[[Wiktionary:cloven|cloven]]-[[Wiktionary:dell|dell]]") is the [[Westron|Common Speech]] translation of the Sindarin name '''''Imladris''''' ("deep dale of the cleft").<ref>{{HM|N}}, p. 774</ref> An alternative (or complementary) etymology, gives ''Rivendell'' as the Anglicised version of the [[Westron]] name '''''Karningul''''' (itself a translation of ''Imladris'').<ref>{{App|F2}}</ref>

The name ''Imladris'' is also glossed as "Canyon of the Cleft"<ref>{{VT|47a}}, p. 14 (note 18)</ref> and "flat-floored valley of the Cleft".<ref name="letter">[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], "[[Letter to Anthony D. Howlett]]" ([[Letters not published in "The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien"|letter]])</ref>

==Inspiration==
A possible inspiration (so suggested by [[David Salo]]<ref>Aaron Fuegi, "[http://scv.bu.edu/~aarondf/Rivimages/realriv.html Rivendell in Switzerland]" at [http://scv.bu.edu/~aarondf/home.html the Last Homely House] (accessed 15 November 2011)</ref>) could have been [[wikipedia:Lauterbrunnen|Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland]], which Tolkien visited in [[1911]]:

{{quote|I am... delighted that you have made the acquaintance of Switzerland, and of the very part that I once knew best and which had the deepest effect on me. The hobbit’s journey from Rivendell to the other side of the Misty Mountains, including the glissade down the slithering stones into the pine woods, is based on my adventures in 1911 (he was 19 and travelled to Lauterbrunnen)... Our wanderings mainly on foot in a party of 12 are not now clear in sequence, but leave many vivid pictures as clear as yesterday." (He talks of similar conditions of the travel of Bilbo camping out, walking mountain paths, carrying packs).|Tolkien<ref>{{l|306}}</ref>}}

==Portrayal in adaptations ==
{{Gallery
|title=Rivendell in adaptations
|height=150
|width=250
|lines=2

|File:The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring - Rivendell.jpg|Rivendell in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]''
|File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Rivendell.jpg|Rivendell in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
|File:BFME2 - Elrond Rivendell.jpg|Rivendell in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]''
|File:Aragorn's Quest - Rivendell1.jpg|Rivendell in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Aragorn's Quest]]''
|File:The Lord of the Rings War in the North - Concept Art of Rivendell.png|Rivendell in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]''
|File:The Hobbit - An Unexpected Journey - Gandalf and Galadriel.jpg|Rivendell in ''[[The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey]]''
}}
'''2001-03: [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]:'''
:Rivendell appears in every instalment, although its role in the second and third film is rather minor.

'''2002: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]:'''
:Rivendell is the fifth level, and the first where no fighting is required. After Frodo is taken to Rivendell by [[Glorfindel]], he is first woken by [[Gandalf]]; after that, the [[Council of Elrond]] starts. After the council, there is an opportunity to speak to the NPCs - [[Aragorn]], [[Arwen]], [[Boromir]], [[Elrond]], [[Gandalf]], [[Gimli]], [[Legolas]], [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]], [[Peregrin Took|Pippin]] and [[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]]. The gameplay continues by entering a door. A short cutscene follows in which Bilbo gives [[Sting]] and the ''[[mithril]]'' shirt.<ref>[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]], "Rivendell"</ref>

'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'':'''
:Rivendell is one of the battlegrounds in the game and a site of skirmish between Elves and Goblins.

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Rivendell is one of the major cities in the game, located between Trollshaws and the Misty Mountains. Rivendell is also one of the places that players can choose as Elven character's homeland. The Last Homely House refers to a large dwelling of Elrond, not to the entire refuge of Rivendell. It is located on the eastern side of Rivendell. One can find Elrond's library, the [[Hall of Fire]], the scholar's guild and various guest rooms.

'''2011: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]'':'''
:Rivendell is one of the major cities in the game and the only place characters are obliged to visit more than once (other cities can be re-visited, but this is optional).

'''2012-14: [[The Hobbit (film series)|''The Hobbit'' (film series)]]:'''
:Rivendell appears in the [[The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey|first film]] after [[Gandalf]] leads [[Thorin and Company]] away from [[Yazneg]] and the [[Wargs]]. Much of Rivendell is familiar from [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' film series]] but new areas have been including such as the meeting place of the [[White Council]] and a crystal table used for investigating the [[Moon-letters]] in [[Thrór's Map]].

==See also==
* [[:Category:Images of Rivendell|Images of Rivendell]]

{{references}}
{{companyroute}}
{{FellowshipRoute}}
[[Category:Cities, towns and villages]]
[[Category:Elven realms]]
[[Category:Eriador]]
[[de:Bruchtal]]
[[fi:Rivendell]]

Black Númenóreans

2018-04-26T23:18:09Z

142.44.139.85:

{{people infobox
| name=Black Númenóreans
| image=[[File:Brian Durfee - Black Númenóreans.jpg|250px]]
| caption="[[:File:Brian Durfee - Black Númenóreans.jpg|Black Númenóreans]]" by Brian Durfee
| pronun=
| othernames=
| origin=[[Númenóreans]]
| location=[[Umbar]], other southern lands
| affiliation=[[Sauron]]
| rivalry=[[Gondorians]]
| language=[[Adûnaic]]
| members=[[Herumor]], [[Fuinur]], [[Berúthiel]], [[The Mouth of Sauron]]
| lifespan=c. 300-350 years
| distinctions=
| height=
| hair=
| skin=
| clothing=
| weapons=
}}
The '''Black Númenóreans''' were [[Númenóreans|High Men]] from [[Númenor]]. They were under the [[Shadow]] like the [[King's Men]], cruel oppressors and overlords over the more primitive [[Middle Men]] of [[Middle-earth]]. As they were colonising the continent, they survived the [[Downfall of Númenor]].
==History==
The Númenóreans' power and knowledge had grown throughout the course of the [[Second Age]], and became increasingly preoccupied with the limits placed on their happiness—and eventually their power—by mortality, the purpose of which they began to question. They started fearing the [[Gift of Men]] and attempted to delay it or recall life.

This growing wish to escape death, made most of the Númenoreans envious of the immortal [[Eldar]], who they had come to physically resemble. The Eldar sought ever to remind the men of Númenor however, that death was a gift of the One God, [[Ilúvatar]], to all men, and the will of Ilúvatar could not be gainsaid.

Nevertheless, after {{SA|2221}}, when [[Tar-Ancalimon]] became [[King of Númenor]], the Númenóreans became divided. The [[King's Men]] who turned away from the [[Valar]] and the Eldar, and eventually became vulnerable to the corruption of [[Sauron]], who dominated the minds and wills of most of the Númenóreans with the [[One Ring]].<ref>{{L|211}}</ref> The powerful and elderly King [[Ar-Pharazôn]], had become frightened of old age,<ref>{{L|156}}</ref> and was persuaded by Sauron that Ilúvatar was a lie invented by the Valar, and seduced.

Some indigenous people of Middle-earth were afraid of those Númenóreans, whom they called "[[Go-hilleg]]" in their language. The "Go-hilleg" terrified those people with their ships and intended at some point to conquer the land of [[Agar]] and slay its people.<ref>{{PM|Elmar}}</ref>

Three of the [[Nazgûl|Ringwraiths]] can be considered among the first and most powerful Númenóreans who were corrupted by Sauron,<ref>{{S|Akallabeth}}</ref> 1000 years before the Downfall: they served Sauron, being enslaved to his will, having become so because of their lust for power or knowledge.

Even the colonists who had settled on the shores and seaward regions of the [[Westlands]], turned to evil, the [[Darkness]] and the black arts. These evil lords made their fortresses and dwellings in the [[South]], because of the power of [[Gil-galad]].<ref name=rings>{{S|Rings}}</ref> <ref name=window>{{TT|Window}}</ref>
===After the Downfall===
For many centuries after the Downfall, these descendants of the King's Men held onto the haven of [[Umbar]], the most northerly and famous of their realms.

When the surviving [[Faithful]] Numenoreans founded [[Gondor]] and [[Arnor]], they saw their southern counterparts as renegades, calling them the Black Númenóreans.<ref>{{RK|Gate}}</ref> The Black Númenóreans held a similar hatred of Gondor after generations.<ref>{{App|Gondor}}</ref>

Two early Black Númenórean lords from the late [[Second Age]] were [[Herumor]] and [[Fuinur]] who desired power over men of other, lesser races, and they "rose to (great) power amongst the [[Haradrim]]", the peoples neighbouring Umbar. They likely shared Sauron's defeat at the hands of the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]].

The triumph of the Last Alliance marked the decline of the Black Númenórean race and the end of their racial superiority. They dwindled swiftly or became merged with the Middle Men.<ref>{{App|A}}</ref>

[[Berúthiel|Queen Berúthiel]], wife of Gondor's King [[Tarannon Falastur]] was "a black Númenórean".<ref name=Interview>{{webcite|author=[[Daphne Castell]]|articleurl=http://www.festivalintheshire.com/journal1bdx/inttolkien.html|articlename=The Realms of Tolkien|dated=|website=[http://www.festivalintheshire.com/journal1bdx/index.html ''Festival in the Shire Journal'', Issue 1]|accessed=7 May 2012}}</ref><ref>[[Humphrey Carpenter]], ''[[The Inklings (book)|The Inklings]]'', "Thursday evenings", pp. 137-8</ref> This was a loveless union, and was presumably a political accommodation: that such arrangements were possible implies the existence at that time of more Gondor-friendly Black Númenóreans than the much later Mouth of Sauron.

A Black Númenórean elite survived at least in Umbar for over a thousand years after Númenor's fall, maintaining much influence in [[Haradwaith]]. As late as Third Age 1015, for example, even after being exiled from their homeland for nearly a century, the lords that had been driven from Umbar led the [[Haradrim]] to retake Umbar.<ref>{{App|A}}</ref>

Not much is known about the Black Númenóreans after their defeat by [[Ciryaher]] in {{TA|1050}}. A "Renegade", [[The Mouth of Sauron]], had entered the service of Sauron in [[Mordor]]. He mocked the army of [[Aragorn|King Elessar]] in front of the [[Morannon]].

==Culture==
The Black Númenórean style of governing was no doubt tyrannical, and may also have involved a tradition of duumviracy, at least in Umbar. After Herumor and Fuinur there were also [[Angamaite]] and [[Sangahyando]]. Some lords were idle and lazy, they used to fight amongst themselves, until they became conquered by the wild men.<ref name=window/>

The Black Númenóreans did not use [[Westron]], but probably retained their old tongue [[Adûnaic]], speaking a dialect of it. (In [[The Notion Club Papers]], part of ''[[Sauron Defeated]]'', Arundel Lowdham cited two descendants of classical Adûnaic. One of these must have been Westron, the other the tongue of the Black Númenóreans).

==Portrayal in adaptations==
[[File:Black Númenórean.jpg|thumb|A typical Black Númenórean within the city of [[Annuminas]] (''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'').]]
'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:The Black Númenóreans are portrayed in service of the different Lieutenants of the Enemy. The ''Angmarim'' inhabit the lands surrounding [[Carn Dum]] in [[Angmar]] and serve [[Mordirith]] and later [[Amarthiel]]. Much later, Umbarrim Númenóreans make appearance in [[Dol Guldur]] of [[Mirkwood]].

'''2011: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]'':'''
:[[Agandaûr]], the game's main antagonist, is a Black Númenórean<ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://www.warinthenorth.com/index.php/the-game/enemies|articlename=Enemies|dated=|website=www.warinthenorth.com|accessed=15 February 2012}}</ref> as is the minor character [[Wulfrun]], lieutenant of [[Carn Dûm]].

{{references}}
[[Category:Black Númenóreans| ]]
[[de:Schwarze Númenorer]]
[[fi:Mustat númenorilaiset]]

Black Númenóreans

2018-04-26T23:17:47Z

142.44.139.85:

{{people infobox
| name=Black Númenóreans
| image=[[File:Brian Durfee - Black Númenóreans.jpg|250px]]
| caption="[[:File:Brian Durfee - Black Númenóreans.jpg|Black Númenóreans]]" by Brian Durfee
| pronun=
| othernames=
| origin=[[Númenóreans]]
| location=[[Umbar]], other southern lands
| affiliation=[[Sauron]]
| rivalry=[[Gondorians]]
| language=[[Adûnaic]]
| members=[[Herumor]], [[Fuinur]], [[Berúthiel]], [[The Mouth of Sauron]]
| lifespan=
| distinctions=c. 300-350 years
| height=
| hair=
| skin=
| clothing=
| weapons=
}}
The '''Black Númenóreans''' were [[Númenóreans|High Men]] from [[Númenor]]. They were under the [[Shadow]] like the [[King's Men]], cruel oppressors and overlords over the more primitive [[Middle Men]] of [[Middle-earth]]. As they were colonising the continent, they survived the [[Downfall of Númenor]].
==History==
The Númenóreans' power and knowledge had grown throughout the course of the [[Second Age]], and became increasingly preoccupied with the limits placed on their happiness—and eventually their power—by mortality, the purpose of which they began to question. They started fearing the [[Gift of Men]] and attempted to delay it or recall life.

This growing wish to escape death, made most of the Númenoreans envious of the immortal [[Eldar]], who they had come to physically resemble. The Eldar sought ever to remind the men of Númenor however, that death was a gift of the One God, [[Ilúvatar]], to all men, and the will of Ilúvatar could not be gainsaid.

Nevertheless, after {{SA|2221}}, when [[Tar-Ancalimon]] became [[King of Númenor]], the Númenóreans became divided. The [[King's Men]] who turned away from the [[Valar]] and the Eldar, and eventually became vulnerable to the corruption of [[Sauron]], who dominated the minds and wills of most of the Númenóreans with the [[One Ring]].<ref>{{L|211}}</ref> The powerful and elderly King [[Ar-Pharazôn]], had become frightened of old age,<ref>{{L|156}}</ref> and was persuaded by Sauron that Ilúvatar was a lie invented by the Valar, and seduced.

Some indigenous people of Middle-earth were afraid of those Númenóreans, whom they called "[[Go-hilleg]]" in their language. The "Go-hilleg" terrified those people with their ships and intended at some point to conquer the land of [[Agar]] and slay its people.<ref>{{PM|Elmar}}</ref>

Three of the [[Nazgûl|Ringwraiths]] can be considered among the first and most powerful Númenóreans who were corrupted by Sauron,<ref>{{S|Akallabeth}}</ref> 1000 years before the Downfall: they served Sauron, being enslaved to his will, having become so because of their lust for power or knowledge.

Even the colonists who had settled on the shores and seaward regions of the [[Westlands]], turned to evil, the [[Darkness]] and the black arts. These evil lords made their fortresses and dwellings in the [[South]], because of the power of [[Gil-galad]].<ref name=rings>{{S|Rings}}</ref> <ref name=window>{{TT|Window}}</ref>
===After the Downfall===
For many centuries after the Downfall, these descendants of the King's Men held onto the haven of [[Umbar]], the most northerly and famous of their realms.

When the surviving [[Faithful]] Numenoreans founded [[Gondor]] and [[Arnor]], they saw their southern counterparts as renegades, calling them the Black Númenóreans.<ref>{{RK|Gate}}</ref> The Black Númenóreans held a similar hatred of Gondor after generations.<ref>{{App|Gondor}}</ref>

Two early Black Númenórean lords from the late [[Second Age]] were [[Herumor]] and [[Fuinur]] who desired power over men of other, lesser races, and they "rose to (great) power amongst the [[Haradrim]]", the peoples neighbouring Umbar. They likely shared Sauron's defeat at the hands of the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]].

The triumph of the Last Alliance marked the decline of the Black Númenórean race and the end of their racial superiority. They dwindled swiftly or became merged with the Middle Men.<ref>{{App|A}}</ref>

[[Berúthiel|Queen Berúthiel]], wife of Gondor's King [[Tarannon Falastur]] was "a black Númenórean".<ref name=Interview>{{webcite|author=[[Daphne Castell]]|articleurl=http://www.festivalintheshire.com/journal1bdx/inttolkien.html|articlename=The Realms of Tolkien|dated=|website=[http://www.festivalintheshire.com/journal1bdx/index.html ''Festival in the Shire Journal'', Issue 1]|accessed=7 May 2012}}</ref><ref>[[Humphrey Carpenter]], ''[[The Inklings (book)|The Inklings]]'', "Thursday evenings", pp. 137-8</ref> This was a loveless union, and was presumably a political accommodation: that such arrangements were possible implies the existence at that time of more Gondor-friendly Black Númenóreans than the much later Mouth of Sauron.

A Black Númenórean elite survived at least in Umbar for over a thousand years after Númenor's fall, maintaining much influence in [[Haradwaith]]. As late as Third Age 1015, for example, even after being exiled from their homeland for nearly a century, the lords that had been driven from Umbar led the [[Haradrim]] to retake Umbar.<ref>{{App|A}}</ref>

Not much is known about the Black Númenóreans after their defeat by [[Ciryaher]] in {{TA|1050}}. A "Renegade", [[The Mouth of Sauron]], had entered the service of Sauron in [[Mordor]]. He mocked the army of [[Aragorn|King Elessar]] in front of the [[Morannon]].

==Culture==
The Black Númenórean style of governing was no doubt tyrannical, and may also have involved a tradition of duumviracy, at least in Umbar. After Herumor and Fuinur there were also [[Angamaite]] and [[Sangahyando]]. Some lords were idle and lazy, they used to fight amongst themselves, until they became conquered by the wild men.<ref name=window/>

The Black Númenóreans did not use [[Westron]], but probably retained their old tongue [[Adûnaic]], speaking a dialect of it. (In [[The Notion Club Papers]], part of ''[[Sauron Defeated]]'', Arundel Lowdham cited two descendants of classical Adûnaic. One of these must have been Westron, the other the tongue of the Black Númenóreans).

==Portrayal in adaptations==
[[File:Black Númenórean.jpg|thumb|A typical Black Númenórean within the city of [[Annuminas]] (''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'').]]
'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:The Black Númenóreans are portrayed in service of the different Lieutenants of the Enemy. The ''Angmarim'' inhabit the lands surrounding [[Carn Dum]] in [[Angmar]] and serve [[Mordirith]] and later [[Amarthiel]]. Much later, Umbarrim Númenóreans make appearance in [[Dol Guldur]] of [[Mirkwood]].

'''2011: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]'':'''
:[[Agandaûr]], the game's main antagonist, is a Black Númenórean<ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://www.warinthenorth.com/index.php/the-game/enemies|articlename=Enemies|dated=|website=www.warinthenorth.com|accessed=15 February 2012}}</ref> as is the minor character [[Wulfrun]], lieutenant of [[Carn Dûm]].

{{references}}
[[Category:Black Númenóreans| ]]
[[de:Schwarze Númenorer]]
[[fi:Mustat númenorilaiset]]

Belfalas

2018-04-26T22:47:37Z

142.44.139.85:

{{location infobox
| name=Belfalas
| image=
| caption=
| pronun=
| othernames=
| location=Southern [[Gondor]], west of [[Lebennin]] and north of [[Tolfalas]]
| type=Region
| description=
| regions=
| towns=[[Edhellond]], [[Dol Amroth]]
| inhabitants=[[Númenóreans]] and [[Sindar]] (''originally''), later [[Dúnedain]]
| created=
| destroyed=
| events=
}}
'''Belfalas''' was a region of southern [[Gondor]], encompassing the coast from the mouth of the [[Anduin]] to [[Dol Amroth]].<ref name=VT/>
==History==
Belfalas formed a part of [[Dor-en-Ernil]], or the "Prince's land". The Prince in question here was the Lord of [[Dol Amroth]], who lived at the city bearing his name.

At the start of the second millennium of the [[Third Age]], a certain [[Imrazôr]] the [[Númenor|Númenórean]] lived in and ruled over the Belfalas. He married [[Mithrellas]], a [[Silvan Elves|Silvan Elf]] of [[Lothlórien|Lórien]], and their son [[Galador]] became the first Prince of [[Dol Amroth]].

The Belfalas was also home to an old Elf haven named [[Edhellond]]. Its chief city was the Prince's residence of [[Dol Amroth]].

South of the Belfalas lay a great Bay, which was named after it the [[Bay of Belfalas]].

During the [[War of the Ring]], the Belfalas was raided by the [[Corsairs of Umbar]], and therefore did not send any men to help defend [[Minas Tirith]], until [[Aragorn]] liberated the coast with the [[Grey Company]], freeing [[Gondor]]'s southern armies to follow him north to relieve [[Minas Tirith]].
==Etymology==
The name ''Belfalas'' consists of ''[[bel]]'' (a [[Pre-Númenórean]] element of unknown meaning) + [[Sindarin]] ''[[falas]]'' ("shore").<ref name=VT>{{VT|42a}}, p. 15</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
'''2014: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:The Havens of Belfalas were an area in the region of Western [[Gondor]]. They were located south of the [[Blackroot Vale]] via "Tarlang's Crown" and south-west of [[Lamedon]]. The "Emyn Ernil" lay to the east, dividing Belfalas from [[Dor-en-Ernil]]. During March of {{TA|3019}}, the two bridges to the Emyn Ernil were destroyed, preventing direct travel between the two areas through the hills. The capital was [[Dol Amroth]] and other settlements included "Tadrent" and "Ost Lontir". There were two [[Warning beacons of Gondor|beacons]] in Belfalas, on the north edges of the Emyn Ernil: "Amon Lontir" and "Nendath". The small island "Tol Aduial" was in the bay north of Dol Amroth and the larger island "Tol Fennas" was west of Dol Amroth. A reclusive group of [[Elves]], the "Avorrim", kept watch upon the abandoned haven of [[Edhellond]] in secret.

{{references}}
[[Category:Gondor]]
[[Category:Regions]]
[[de:Belfalas]]
[[fr:encyclo:geographie:regions:gondor:belfalas]]
[[fi:Belfalas]]

Moria

2018-04-26T22:28:32Z

142.44.139.85:

{{sources}}
{{disambig-more|Moria|[[Moria (disambiguation)]]}}
{{disambig-more|The Mines of Moria|[[The Mines of Moria (disambiguation)]]}}
{{kingdom
| image=[[File:The Lord of the Rings - The Motion Picture Trilogy - Moria.jpg|250px]]
| name=Moria
| pronun=
| othernames=Khazad-dûm ([[Khuzdul|K]]), Hadhodrond ([[Sindarin|S]]), Dwarrowdelf
| location=Middle of the [[Misty Mountains]], beneath [[Celebdil]], [[Caradhras]] and [[Fanuidhol]]
| capital=
| towns=
| regions=
| population=[[Dwarves]]: [[Durin's Folk]], [[Broadbeams]], [[Firebeards]]
| language=[[Khuzdul]], [[Westron]]
| govern1=[[King of Durin's Folk]]
| govern2=[[King of Khazad-dûm]]
| govern3=[[Lord of Moria]] ({{TA|2989}}-{{TA|2994|n}})
| currency=
| holiday=
| precededby=
| event1=Founded by [[Durin]]
| event1date=[[Years of the Trees]]
| event2=Abandoned
| event2date={{TA|1981}}
| event3=Reclaimed by [[Balin]]
| event3date={{TA|2989}}
| event4=End of [[Balin's Colony]]
| event4date={{TA|2994}}
| event5=Restored by [[Durin VII]]
| event5date=[[Fourth Age]]
| followedby=
}}
{{quote|Greatest of all the mansions of the Dwarves was Khazad-dûm, the Dwarrowdelf, Hadhodrond in the Elvish tongue, that was afterwards in the days of its darkness called Moria.|[[Of the Sindar]]}}
'''Khazad-dûm''' (also known as ''[[Khazad-dûm#Names|Hadhodrond]]'', ''[[Khazad-dûm#Names|Casarrondo]]'' and ''[[Khazad-dûm#Names|Phurunargian]]'', which translate as ''[[Khazad-dûm#Names|Dwarrowdelf]]''), latterly known as '''Moria''' (''The Black Chasm'', ''The Black Pit''), was the grandest and most famous of the mansions of the [[Dwarves]]. There, for many thousands of years, a thriving [[Dwarf realms|Dwarvish community]] created the greatest city ever known.

It lay in the central parts of the [[Misty Mountains]], tunnelled and carved through the living rock of the mountains themselves. By the [[Second Age]] a traveller could pass through it from the west of the range to the east.
== History ==
===Foundation===
It was founded in very ancient days by [[Durin]] before the [[First Age]], who awoke at [[Gundabad|Mount Gundabad]] in the [[Misty Mountains]]. He came upon the valley [[Azanulbizar]] beneath the mountains. He looked into a shimmering lake and saw a [[Durin's Crown|crown of stars]] reflected in its waters. He named that lake [[Kheled-zâram]], the [[Mirrormere]] and it remained a revered place among Dwarves of all houses ever afterwards, and the [[Durin's Stone]] was erected on the location of that event.<ref>{{FR|Lothlorien}}</ref>

There, in the caves above, Durin and [[Longbeards|his people]] started the delving and building of the [[Great Gates]] of Khazad-dûm, and the [[First Hall]] leading to a [[Bridge of Khazad-dûm|bridge over a chasm]]. From there began the expansion, both to ''Levels'' above and to ''Deeps'' below, and mines expanding out from the inhabited areas of the city proper.

===First Age===
Durin the Deathless thus became King Durin I of Khazad-dûm and ruled for many years until he was named "Durin the Deathless" until he died during the [[First Age]]. Afterwards, other rulers of Khazad-dûm were sometimes named Durin, as they were considered to be his reincarnations, who the dwarves believed came to live again among his people.<ref name="Durin">{{App|Durin}}</ref>

As the centuries passed, the descendants of Durin sat upon the throne of Khazad-dûm, and their cavernous city, that was the greatest of all their mansions, and became famous even to the distant west; the [[Elves]] of [[Beleriand]], heard its rumour from the [[Dwarves of the Blue Mountains|Dwarves]] of the [[Blue Mountains]] on their borders.<ref>{{s|10}}</ref>

===Second Age===
{{quote|After the end of the [[First Age]] the power and wealth of [[Moria|Khazad-dûm]] was much increased; for it was enriched by many people and much lore and craft. . .|[[Appendix A]]}}
[[Image:J.R.R. Tolkien - Doors of Durin.jpg|thumb|right|Doors of Durin]]

In c. 40 of the Second Age after Beleriand was destroyed by the [[War of Wrath]], most of the Dwarves of [[Nogrod]] and [[Belegost]] began leaving en masse from their now ruined cities for Khazad-dûm. The city was enriched not just in numbers, but in the western Houses' skills in smithing, crafting and masonry. All these factors created a renaissance for Khazad-dûm, and brought its prosperity to its zenith.

Also fleeing the destruction, the [[Noldor]] founded a country of their own by the western gate of Khazad-dûm, [[Eregion]]. A rare friendship sprang up between the Dwarves and the Elves of this new land. By that time, Khazad-dûm had expanded so much that it completely traversed the Mountains from east to west, ending to the western rocky cliffs at their base, the [[Walls of Moria]].<ref>{{FR|II4}}</ref> [[Narvi]] with Eregion's ruler, [[Celebrimbor]], constructed the magical [[Doors of Durin|West-gate of Moria]], and indeed Celebrimbor went so far as to present King [[Durin III]] with an Elven [[Rings of Power|Ring of Power]].<ref name="Durin"/>

The friendship of Khazad-dûm and Eregion came to a sudden end, however, in {{SA|1697}}. [[Sauron]] [[Sack of Eregion|overran]] the country of the Elves, and despite the best efforts of the Dwarves to help them, he succeeded in destroying Eregion and driving away the survivors. Durin sent a great force of Dwarves to protect the Doors of Durin, but with the Elves dead or fleeing far away his warriors withdrew and the gates to the city were shut against Sauron, also secluding the kingdom off from the outside world.<ref name="TA">{{App|TA}}</ref>

It was also during this time that the Orcs reinvaded the mountains and made war on the Dwarves, [[First Sacking of Gundabad|taking]] [[Gundabad|Mount Gundabad]] from the Kingdom of Durin.

Their seclusion was broken for a time with the beginning of the [[War of the Last Alliance]]. The Dwarves of Moria fought alongside the Elves and Men in their campaign to defeat Sauron for the last time.<ref>{{S|Rings}}</ref> With the conclusion of the war the Dwarves went back to their country, and resumed their seclusion from the world.

===Third Age===

During this time Khazad-dûm further expanded its treasures, but despite this its numbers began to dwindle. Most of its great wealth was based on the ''[[Mithril]]'' that was found in its mines, and as the centuries passed, the Dwarves mined deeper and deeper for the precious metal. In the year {{TA|1980}}, they dug too deep, and unleashed a nameless terror from the depths beneath the city. The creature wreaked dreadful destruction, and in slaying the King, [[Durin VI]], became known as [[Durin's Bane]]. In the following year, Durin's son, [[Náin I]], was also lost, and the Dwarves fled their ancient home.

After millennia as one of the richest cities in [[Middle-earth]], Khazad-dûm stood dark and empty, but for the brooding menace the Dwarves had released. In that time it was given a new name, [[Moria]], the '''Black Pit'''.

The monster - a Balrog of [[Morgoth]], as was later known - lurked alone in Moria for nearly five hundred years. After that time, the old city of Khazad-dûm began to be peopled again, but not by Dwarves. Orcs from the North began to enter the abandoned city to raid its treasuries, and occupy it. They also began to worship the Balrog as their deity. Soon afterwards, Sauron directed his creatures there, and Moria began to fill with Orcs and Trolls from [[Mordor]]. Though the orcs' numbers were greatly reduced in the [[Battle of Azanulbizar|Battle of Nanduhirion]], fought in the valley beneath Moria's [[Great Gates|East-gate]] in {{TA|2799|n}}, the Balrog could not be bested, and Khazad-dûm remained a place of darkness.

At some point between {{TA|2845|n}} and {{TA|2950|n}} the [[Wizards|Wizard]] [[Gandalf]] entered the city looking for King Thráin II who had disappeared on journey to Erebor.<ref name=journey>{{FR|Journey}}</ref>

====Balin's expedition====
In {{TA|2989|n}}, there was an attempt by the Longbeards to reclaim their ancient home. The [[Balin's Colony|expedition]] was led by [[Balin]], who had accompanied [[Bilbo Baggins]] on the [[Quest of Erebor]]. He led a [[Balin's Colony|colony]] of Dwarves there from [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]]. The Colony was successful at first, killing a considerable number of Orcs, taking many of the Eastern halls and finding many lost treasures such as [[Durin's Axe]]. They were however defeated and slain by the Orcs in {{TA|2994|n}}.

Possibly at some point after this [[Aragorn]] Chieftain of the Dúnedain entered Moria for some unknown purpose.

====The Fellowship's passage====
When [[Frodo Baggins]] set out from [[Rivendell]] with the [[Fellowship of the Ring|Fellowship]], they at first planned to travel over the Misty Mountains. When they were stopped by heavy snow on [[Caradhras|Mount Caradhras]], they found themselves pursued by wolves and Orcs, and fled into Moria, so as to go under the mountains. There, they found Balin's journal in the [[Book of Mazarbul]] and learned the fate of his expedition. They were then set upon by a host of [[Trolls]] and Orcs, and they discovered that the terror was, in fact, a [[Balrogs|Balrog]] of [[Morgoth]]. Gandalf fought the Balrog on a narrow bridge and succeeded in destroying a section of bridge to make the Balrog fall. As it fell, the Balrog snagged Gandalf's leg with its whip of thongs and pulled him after it, sending them both plunging into the abyss spanned by the bridge. The rest of the Fellowship managed to escape Moria and reach [[Lothlórien|Lórien]] mostly unharmed.

Unknown to the Fellowship, both Gandalf and the Balrog survived the fall and fought a ferocious battle from the depths of Moria to the mountains above, demolishing the top of the legendary [[Endless Stair]] and a part of the surrounding mountain peak in the process. Gandalf cast down the Balrog upon the mountainside and lived just long enough to see it die, but his story was not yet ended.

While Gandalf had felled the Balrog, Moria remained a place of evil creatures until the Fourth Age.<ref>{{SD|XI2}}, p. 122</ref>

====Retaking and Reign of Durin VII====
Though little information is given, the retaking of Khazad-dûm by [[Durin VII]] seems to have occurred during the [[Fourth Age]]. He became [[Kings of Durin's Folk|King of Durin's Folk]], and led a final return to the city. He was successful, and long after the War of the Ring, the Dwarves of Durin's line reclaimed their inheritance, and the hammers rang again in their great halls beneath the Misty Mountains until the race of Dwarves ended.

==Layout==
Khazad-dûm was a huge array of chambers, passages, mines, halls, stores and pits. In general, areas were either classed as ''mines'' or ''city''. The mines were working sections of Khazad-dûm whilst the city was the area of habitation.

The city areas of Khazad-dûm were clustered primarily to the east; these were the oldest parts of the kingdom and had access to the [[Great Gates]]. They were structured into seven Levels and seven Deeps. The Levels stretched above the gate whilst the Deeps were set deeper within the mountain below the level of the East-gate. It is possible that the First Level (on which the Great Gates were set) and the First Deep were highly intertwined.

The eastern section of the city spaces had also been delved in such a manner as to have light shafts to illuminate their chambers. One example of this is the [[Chamber of Mazarbul]] which was located on the eastern edge of the [[Seventh Level]].

The mine areas of Khazad-dûm were interlaced with the city spaces, but spread also westward toward the [[Doors of Durin]]. The mines ran deeper and further than any other tunnels within Khazad-dûm, and it is possible that more of the lower Deeps were given over to mining, although this is only conjecture.

The defined change between ''mines'' and ''city'' can be seen when the [[Fellowship of the Ring|Fellowship]] pass through Moria - there is a marked difference between the early passages and chambers and those of the city structures illuminated by Gandalf.

Far below Moria, there are abysses, spaces and tunnels not known even by the Dwarves, but known by the Balrog. [[Nameless Things|Unknown beings]] gnaw the earth and make them, far from the knowledge of any lore.

==Etymology==

The name ''Moria'' is composed of the [[Sindarin]] elements ''[[mor]]'' "black, dark" and ''[[iâ]]'' "void, abyss".<ref>{{S|Appendix}}, entries ''mor'' and ''iâ''</ref><ref>{{L|297}}, pp. 382-3</ref> Khazad-dûm was so called in [[Sindarin]] by the [[Gwaith-i-Mírdain]], as for them it was but a "Dark Chasm". Although the Dwarves considered it a derogatory name, [[Celebrimbor]] went as far as to write the name "Moria" on the [[West-gate of Moria|West-gate]].{{fact}}

==Names==

The name ''Khazad-dûm'' in [[Khuzdul]] means "Dwarves' Mansion(s)". ''Khazâd'' being the plural of ''[[khuzd]]'' "Dwarves" while ''[[dûm]]'' (or possibly rather ''tûm'') a word for "excavation(s), hall(s), mansion(s)" (it is not clear if the second word is in singular or plural form).

The Elves translated it as '''''Casarrondo''''' ([[Quenya]], name given by the [[Noldor]])<ref>{{WJ|AB}}, p. 389,</ref> or '''''Hadhodrond''''' ([[Sindarin]]). The word ''Hadhodrond'' is composed of the elements ''[[hadhod]]'' (an attempt by the Elves to render ''[[Khazâd]]'', (the Dwarves' name for their own kind, into Elvish sounds) + ''[[rond]]'' ("cavern").{{fact}}

'''''Phurunargian''''' meaning "'''Dwarrowdelf'''" or "Dwarf-delving" was the [[Westron]] name for Khazad-dûm.<ref name=AppF2>{{App|F2}}</ref><ref name=PEPhurunargian/> The word derives from the [[Sundocarme|root]] PHUR ("to delve") and ''[[narak|narg-]]'' ("dwarf").<ref name=PEPhurunargian>{{PE|17}}, pp. 35, 137</ref> [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] noted that the form ''Phurunargian'' was "archaic" Westron although he did not mention the elements that make it archaic (over a possible vernacular form).<ref>{{HM|N}}, p. 769</ref><ref name=AppF2/>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
'''2001: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
:Moria is portrayed prominently in the Theatrical Edition, while Extended Edition gives it even more attention - notably, Mithril is introduced to the audience properly.

'''2002: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]:'''
:During the Moria levels the player for the most part controls Gandalf, only once is focus switched to Frodo instead.

'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth]]'':'''
:The entire journey through Moria takes place in one level, which can be completed in several minutes. The iconic location are portrayed immediately next to each other and in the end, Gandalf defeats the Balrog and continues journey with the Fellowship.

'''2008: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria]]'':'''
[[File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Moria map.jpg|thumb|Map of Moria from ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''.]]
:''Mines of Moria'' was the first major expansion of the game, released in November 2008. Almost the entirety of Moria is present in the game, with players able to freely journey from the West Gate to the East Gate and from the Cliffs of Zirakzigil to the very Foundations of Stone where nameless things dwell.

:Moria is divided into several major sub-areas, depicted on the map to the right. '''The Great Delving''' lies directly next to the West Gate and links ancient Dwarven mines to palaces, academies and foundries founded during Khazad-dum's glory days. '''Durin's Way''' is the area, where, according to legend, Durin himself first braved the mines before bringing his folk in there. '''Zelem-Melek''' is home to both numerous [[Orcs|Orc]] encampments and the famed [[Twenty-first Hall]]. '''Silvertine Lodes''' refers to the mining area located directly under [[Celebdil|Silvertine]], much like the '''Redhorn Lodes''' are the mining area under the peaks of [[Caradhras#The Redhorn Gate|Redhorn]]. '''The Water-Works''' hosts both a large underground lake and ancient Dwarven gears, wheels and devices that delivered the fresh water throughout the whole kingdom once. '''The Flaming Deeps''' is an area that reeks with fire and where few could survive for long - it appears that [[Durin's Bane]] resided there following his reawakening. '''Nud-Melek''' mostly consists of the [[Second Hall]] and the [[First Hall]]. The '''Foundations of Stone''' are located below the deepest delving of the Dwarves; no light has ever shined there and, as Gandalf recounted, nameless creatures older than the world gnaw at the roots of the mountains.

:Surprisingly for those seeing it for the first time, Moria in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'' is very much inhabited. In an original storyline by Turbine, Dwarves from the [[Iron Hills]] sent by [[Dáin Ironfoot]] arrive in Moria shortly after the Fellowship to learn the fate of [[Balin]]'s expedition. With Durin's Bane recently gone, the Orcs and Goblins of Moria are in great disarray, which allows the Dwarves to move in and establish encampments at all major crossroads. Fresh supplies are coming from both East and West gates, preventing the Iron Hill Garrison from being cut off like Balin was. However, the developers noted that they aware that Moria wasn't re-colonized until the [[Fourth Age]] in [[canon]], meaning that at some point in the future of the game the Iron Garrison may be forced to leave the mines.

'''2009: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Conquest]]'':'''
:Several levels of both good and evil campaigns take place in Moria.

== See Also ==
* [[:Category:Images of Moria|Images of Moria]]

{{references}}
{{FellowshipRoute}}
{{durinskings}}
[[Category:Sindarin locations]]
[[Category:Moria]]
[[Category:Cities, towns and villages]]
[[de:Khazad-dûm]]
[[fi:Moria]]
[[fr:encyclo/geographie/villes_tours_et_forteresses/monts_brumeux/khazad-dum]]

Moria

2018-04-26T22:27:25Z

142.44.139.85:

{{sources}}
{{disambig-more|Moria|[[Moria (disambiguation)]]}}
{{disambig-more|The Mines of Moria|[[The Mines of Moria (disambiguation)]]}}
{{kingdom
| image=[[File:The Lord of the Rings - The Motion Picture Trilogy - Moria.jpg|250px]]
| name=Moria
| pronun=
| othernames=Khazad-dûm ([[Khuzdul|K]]), Hadhodrond ([[Sindarin|S]]), Dwarrowdelf
| location=Middle of the [[Misty Mountains]], beneath [[Celebdil]], [[Caradhras]] and [[Fanuidhol]]
| capital=
| towns=
| regions=
| population=[[Durin's Folk]]
| language=[[Khuzdul]], [[Sindarin]], [[Westron]]
| govern1=[[King of Durin's Folk]]
| govern2=[[King of Khazad-dûm]]
| govern3=[[Lord of Moria]] ({{TA|2989}}-{{TA|2994|n}})
| currency=
| holiday=
| precededby=
| event1=Founded by [[Durin]]
| event1date=[[Years of the Trees]]
| event2=Abandoned
| event2date={{TA|1981}}
| event3=Reclaimed by [[Balin]]
| event3date={{TA|2989}}
| event4=End of [[Balin's Colony]]
| event4date={{TA|2994}}
| event5=Restored by [[Durin VII]]
| event5date=[[Fourth Age]]
| followedby=
}}
{{quote|Greatest of all the mansions of the Dwarves was Khazad-dûm, the Dwarrowdelf, Hadhodrond in the Elvish tongue, that was afterwards in the days of its darkness called Moria.|[[Of the Sindar]]}}
'''Khazad-dûm''' (also known as ''[[Khazad-dûm#Names|Hadhodrond]]'', ''[[Khazad-dûm#Names|Casarrondo]]'' and ''[[Khazad-dûm#Names|Phurunargian]]'', which translate as ''[[Khazad-dûm#Names|Dwarrowdelf]]''), latterly known as '''Moria''' (''The Black Chasm'', ''The Black Pit''), was the grandest and most famous of the mansions of the [[Dwarves]]. There, for many thousands of years, a thriving [[Dwarf realms|Dwarvish community]] created the greatest city ever known.

It lay in the central parts of the [[Misty Mountains]], tunnelled and carved through the living rock of the mountains themselves. By the [[Second Age]] a traveller could pass through it from the west of the range to the east.
== History ==
===Foundation===
It was founded in very ancient days by [[Durin]] before the [[First Age]], who awoke at [[Gundabad|Mount Gundabad]] in the [[Misty Mountains]]. He came upon the valley [[Azanulbizar]] beneath the mountains. He looked into a shimmering lake and saw a [[Durin's Crown|crown of stars]] reflected in its waters. He named that lake [[Kheled-zâram]], the [[Mirrormere]] and it remained a revered place among Dwarves of all houses ever afterwards, and the [[Durin's Stone]] was erected on the location of that event.<ref>{{FR|Lothlorien}}</ref>

There, in the caves above, Durin and [[Longbeards|his people]] started the delving and building of the [[Great Gates]] of Khazad-dûm, and the [[First Hall]] leading to a [[Bridge of Khazad-dûm|bridge over a chasm]]. From there began the expansion, both to ''Levels'' above and to ''Deeps'' below, and mines expanding out from the inhabited areas of the city proper.

===First Age===
Durin the Deathless thus became King Durin I of Khazad-dûm and ruled for many years until he was named "Durin the Deathless" until he died during the [[First Age]]. Afterwards, other rulers of Khazad-dûm were sometimes named Durin, as they were considered to be his reincarnations, who the dwarves believed came to live again among his people.<ref name="Durin">{{App|Durin}}</ref>

As the centuries passed, the descendants of Durin sat upon the throne of Khazad-dûm, and their cavernous city, that was the greatest of all their mansions, and became famous even to the distant west; the [[Elves]] of [[Beleriand]], heard its rumour from the [[Dwarves of the Blue Mountains|Dwarves]] of the [[Blue Mountains]] on their borders.<ref>{{s|10}}</ref>

===Second Age===
{{quote|After the end of the [[First Age]] the power and wealth of [[Moria|Khazad-dûm]] was much increased; for it was enriched by many people and much lore and craft. . .|[[Appendix A]]}}
[[Image:J.R.R. Tolkien - Doors of Durin.jpg|thumb|right|Doors of Durin]]

In c. 40 of the Second Age after Beleriand was destroyed by the [[War of Wrath]], most of the Dwarves of [[Nogrod]] and [[Belegost]] began leaving en masse from their now ruined cities for Khazad-dûm. The city was enriched not just in numbers, but in the western Houses' skills in smithing, crafting and masonry. All these factors created a renaissance for Khazad-dûm, and brought its prosperity to its zenith.

Also fleeing the destruction, the [[Noldor]] founded a country of their own by the western gate of Khazad-dûm, [[Eregion]]. A rare friendship sprang up between the Dwarves and the Elves of this new land. By that time, Khazad-dûm had expanded so much that it completely traversed the Mountains from east to west, ending to the western rocky cliffs at their base, the [[Walls of Moria]].<ref>{{FR|II4}}</ref> [[Narvi]] with Eregion's ruler, [[Celebrimbor]], constructed the magical [[Doors of Durin|West-gate of Moria]], and indeed Celebrimbor went so far as to present King [[Durin III]] with an Elven [[Rings of Power|Ring of Power]].<ref name="Durin"/>

The friendship of Khazad-dûm and Eregion came to a sudden end, however, in {{SA|1697}}. [[Sauron]] [[Sack of Eregion|overran]] the country of the Elves, and despite the best efforts of the Dwarves to help them, he succeeded in destroying Eregion and driving away the survivors. Durin sent a great force of Dwarves to protect the Doors of Durin, but with the Elves dead or fleeing far away his warriors withdrew and the gates to the city were shut against Sauron, also secluding the kingdom off from the outside world.<ref name="TA">{{App|TA}}</ref>

It was also during this time that the Orcs reinvaded the mountains and made war on the Dwarves, [[First Sacking of Gundabad|taking]] [[Gundabad|Mount Gundabad]] from the Kingdom of Durin.

Their seclusion was broken for a time with the beginning of the [[War of the Last Alliance]]. The Dwarves of Moria fought alongside the Elves and Men in their campaign to defeat Sauron for the last time.<ref>{{S|Rings}}</ref> With the conclusion of the war the Dwarves went back to their country, and resumed their seclusion from the world.

===Third Age===

During this time Khazad-dûm further expanded its treasures, but despite this its numbers began to dwindle. Most of its great wealth was based on the ''[[Mithril]]'' that was found in its mines, and as the centuries passed, the Dwarves mined deeper and deeper for the precious metal. In the year {{TA|1980}}, they dug too deep, and unleashed a nameless terror from the depths beneath the city. The creature wreaked dreadful destruction, and in slaying the King, [[Durin VI]], became known as [[Durin's Bane]]. In the following year, Durin's son, [[Náin I]], was also lost, and the Dwarves fled their ancient home.

After millennia as one of the richest cities in [[Middle-earth]], Khazad-dûm stood dark and empty, but for the brooding menace the Dwarves had released. In that time it was given a new name, [[Moria]], the '''Black Pit'''.

The monster - a Balrog of [[Morgoth]], as was later known - lurked alone in Moria for nearly five hundred years. After that time, the old city of Khazad-dûm began to be peopled again, but not by Dwarves. Orcs from the North began to enter the abandoned city to raid its treasuries, and occupy it. They also began to worship the Balrog as their deity. Soon afterwards, Sauron directed his creatures there, and Moria began to fill with Orcs and Trolls from [[Mordor]]. Though the orcs' numbers were greatly reduced in the [[Battle of Azanulbizar|Battle of Nanduhirion]], fought in the valley beneath Moria's [[Great Gates|East-gate]] in {{TA|2799|n}}, the Balrog could not be bested, and Khazad-dûm remained a place of darkness.

At some point between {{TA|2845|n}} and {{TA|2950|n}} the [[Wizards|Wizard]] [[Gandalf]] entered the city looking for King Thráin II who had disappeared on journey to Erebor.<ref name=journey>{{FR|Journey}}</ref>

====Balin's expedition====
In {{TA|2989|n}}, there was an attempt by the Longbeards to reclaim their ancient home. The [[Balin's Colony|expedition]] was led by [[Balin]], who had accompanied [[Bilbo Baggins]] on the [[Quest of Erebor]]. He led a [[Balin's Colony|colony]] of Dwarves there from [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]]. The Colony was successful at first, killing a considerable number of Orcs, taking many of the Eastern halls and finding many lost treasures such as [[Durin's Axe]]. They were however defeated and slain by the Orcs in {{TA|2994|n}}.

Possibly at some point after this [[Aragorn]] Chieftain of the Dúnedain entered Moria for some unknown purpose.

====The Fellowship's passage====
When [[Frodo Baggins]] set out from [[Rivendell]] with the [[Fellowship of the Ring|Fellowship]], they at first planned to travel over the Misty Mountains. When they were stopped by heavy snow on [[Caradhras|Mount Caradhras]], they found themselves pursued by wolves and Orcs, and fled into Moria, so as to go under the mountains. There, they found Balin's journal in the [[Book of Mazarbul]] and learned the fate of his expedition. They were then set upon by a host of [[Trolls]] and Orcs, and they discovered that the terror was, in fact, a [[Balrogs|Balrog]] of [[Morgoth]]. Gandalf fought the Balrog on a narrow bridge and succeeded in destroying a section of bridge to make the Balrog fall. As it fell, the Balrog snagged Gandalf's leg with its whip of thongs and pulled him after it, sending them both plunging into the abyss spanned by the bridge. The rest of the Fellowship managed to escape Moria and reach [[Lothlórien|Lórien]] mostly unharmed.

Unknown to the Fellowship, both Gandalf and the Balrog survived the fall and fought a ferocious battle from the depths of Moria to the mountains above, demolishing the top of the legendary [[Endless Stair]] and a part of the surrounding mountain peak in the process. Gandalf cast down the Balrog upon the mountainside and lived just long enough to see it die, but his story was not yet ended.

While Gandalf had felled the Balrog, Moria remained a place of evil creatures until the Fourth Age.<ref>{{SD|XI2}}, p. 122</ref>

====Retaking and Reign of Durin VII====
Though little information is given, the retaking of Khazad-dûm by [[Durin VII]] seems to have occurred during the [[Fourth Age]]. He became [[Kings of Durin's Folk|King of Durin's Folk]], and led a final return to the city. He was successful, and long after the War of the Ring, the Dwarves of Durin's line reclaimed their inheritance, and the hammers rang again in their great halls beneath the Misty Mountains until the race of Dwarves ended.

==Layout==
Khazad-dûm was a huge array of chambers, passages, mines, halls, stores and pits. In general, areas were either classed as ''mines'' or ''city''. The mines were working sections of Khazad-dûm whilst the city was the area of habitation.

The city areas of Khazad-dûm were clustered primarily to the east; these were the oldest parts of the kingdom and had access to the [[Great Gates]]. They were structured into seven Levels and seven Deeps. The Levels stretched above the gate whilst the Deeps were set deeper within the mountain below the level of the East-gate. It is possible that the First Level (on which the Great Gates were set) and the First Deep were highly intertwined.

The eastern section of the city spaces had also been delved in such a manner as to have light shafts to illuminate their chambers. One example of this is the [[Chamber of Mazarbul]] which was located on the eastern edge of the [[Seventh Level]].

The mine areas of Khazad-dûm were interlaced with the city spaces, but spread also westward toward the [[Doors of Durin]]. The mines ran deeper and further than any other tunnels within Khazad-dûm, and it is possible that more of the lower Deeps were given over to mining, although this is only conjecture.

The defined change between ''mines'' and ''city'' can be seen when the [[Fellowship of the Ring|Fellowship]] pass through Moria - there is a marked difference between the early passages and chambers and those of the city structures illuminated by Gandalf.

Far below Moria, there are abysses, spaces and tunnels not known even by the Dwarves, but known by the Balrog. [[Nameless Things|Unknown beings]] gnaw the earth and make them, far from the knowledge of any lore.

==Etymology==

The name ''Moria'' is composed of the [[Sindarin]] elements ''[[mor]]'' "black, dark" and ''[[iâ]]'' "void, abyss".<ref>{{S|Appendix}}, entries ''mor'' and ''iâ''</ref><ref>{{L|297}}, pp. 382-3</ref> Khazad-dûm was so called in [[Sindarin]] by the [[Gwaith-i-Mírdain]], as for them it was but a "Dark Chasm". Although the Dwarves considered it a derogatory name, [[Celebrimbor]] went as far as to write the name "Moria" on the [[West-gate of Moria|West-gate]].{{fact}}

==Names==

The name ''Khazad-dûm'' in [[Khuzdul]] means "Dwarves' Mansion(s)". ''Khazâd'' being the plural of ''[[khuzd]]'' "Dwarves" while ''[[dûm]]'' (or possibly rather ''tûm'') a word for "excavation(s), hall(s), mansion(s)" (it is not clear if the second word is in singular or plural form).

The Elves translated it as '''''Casarrondo''''' ([[Quenya]], name given by the [[Noldor]])<ref>{{WJ|AB}}, p. 389,</ref> or '''''Hadhodrond''''' ([[Sindarin]]). The word ''Hadhodrond'' is composed of the elements ''[[hadhod]]'' (an attempt by the Elves to render ''[[Khazâd]]'', (the Dwarves' name for their own kind, into Elvish sounds) + ''[[rond]]'' ("cavern").{{fact}}

'''''Phurunargian''''' meaning "'''Dwarrowdelf'''" or "Dwarf-delving" was the [[Westron]] name for Khazad-dûm.<ref name=AppF2>{{App|F2}}</ref><ref name=PEPhurunargian/> The word derives from the [[Sundocarme|root]] PHUR ("to delve") and ''[[narak|narg-]]'' ("dwarf").<ref name=PEPhurunargian>{{PE|17}}, pp. 35, 137</ref> [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] noted that the form ''Phurunargian'' was "archaic" Westron although he did not mention the elements that make it archaic (over a possible vernacular form).<ref>{{HM|N}}, p. 769</ref><ref name=AppF2/>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
'''2001: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
:Moria is portrayed prominently in the Theatrical Edition, while Extended Edition gives it even more attention - notably, Mithril is introduced to the audience properly.

'''2002: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]:'''
:During the Moria levels the player for the most part controls Gandalf, only once is focus switched to Frodo instead.

'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth]]'':'''
:The entire journey through Moria takes place in one level, which can be completed in several minutes. The iconic location are portrayed immediately next to each other and in the end, Gandalf defeats the Balrog and continues journey with the Fellowship.

'''2008: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria]]'':'''
[[File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Moria map.jpg|thumb|Map of Moria from ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''.]]
:''Mines of Moria'' was the first major expansion of the game, released in November 2008. Almost the entirety of Moria is present in the game, with players able to freely journey from the West Gate to the East Gate and from the Cliffs of Zirakzigil to the very Foundations of Stone where nameless things dwell.

:Moria is divided into several major sub-areas, depicted on the map to the right. '''The Great Delving''' lies directly next to the West Gate and links ancient Dwarven mines to palaces, academies and foundries founded during Khazad-dum's glory days. '''Durin's Way''' is the area, where, according to legend, Durin himself first braved the mines before bringing his folk in there. '''Zelem-Melek''' is home to both numerous [[Orcs|Orc]] encampments and the famed [[Twenty-first Hall]]. '''Silvertine Lodes''' refers to the mining area located directly under [[Celebdil|Silvertine]], much like the '''Redhorn Lodes''' are the mining area under the peaks of [[Caradhras#The Redhorn Gate|Redhorn]]. '''The Water-Works''' hosts both a large underground lake and ancient Dwarven gears, wheels and devices that delivered the fresh water throughout the whole kingdom once. '''The Flaming Deeps''' is an area that reeks with fire and where few could survive for long - it appears that [[Durin's Bane]] resided there following his reawakening. '''Nud-Melek''' mostly consists of the [[Second Hall]] and the [[First Hall]]. The '''Foundations of Stone''' are located below the deepest delving of the Dwarves; no light has ever shined there and, as Gandalf recounted, nameless creatures older than the world gnaw at the roots of the mountains.

:Surprisingly for those seeing it for the first time, Moria in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'' is very much inhabited. In an original storyline by Turbine, Dwarves from the [[Iron Hills]] sent by [[Dáin Ironfoot]] arrive in Moria shortly after the Fellowship to learn the fate of [[Balin]]'s expedition. With Durin's Bane recently gone, the Orcs and Goblins of Moria are in great disarray, which allows the Dwarves to move in and establish encampments at all major crossroads. Fresh supplies are coming from both East and West gates, preventing the Iron Hill Garrison from being cut off like Balin was. However, the developers noted that they aware that Moria wasn't re-colonized until the [[Fourth Age]] in [[canon]], meaning that at some point in the future of the game the Iron Garrison may be forced to leave the mines.

'''2009: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Conquest]]'':'''
:Several levels of both good and evil campaigns take place in Moria.

== See Also ==
* [[:Category:Images of Moria|Images of Moria]]

{{references}}
{{FellowshipRoute}}
{{durinskings}}
[[Category:Sindarin locations]]
[[Category:Moria]]
[[Category:Cities, towns and villages]]
[[de:Khazad-dûm]]
[[fi:Moria]]
[[fr:encyclo/geographie/villes_tours_et_forteresses/monts_brumeux/khazad-dum]]

Durin VII

2018-04-26T22:23:35Z

142.44.139.85: small edit

{{disambig-more|Durin|[[Durin (disambiguation)]]}}
{{dwarves infobox
| name=Durin VII
| image=
| caption
| pronun=
| othernames=Durin the Last
| titles=[[Kings of Durin's Folk|King of Durin's Folk]] [[Kings of Khazad-dûm|King of Khazad-dûm]]
| position=
| location=[[Erebor]], [[Khazad-dûm]]
| affiliation=
| language=
| birth=[[Fourth Age]]
| birthlocation=[[Erebor]]
| rule=[[Fourth Age]] - ''Unknown''
| death=
| deathlocation=
| age=
| notablefor=Restoring [[Khazad-dûm]]
| house=[[House of Durin]]
| parentage=Descendant of [[Thorin III Stonehelm]]
| siblings=
| spouse=
| children=
| gender=Male
| height=
| hair=
| eyes=
| clothing=
| weapons=
| steed=
}}
__NOTOC__
<center>{{quote|There lies his crown in water deep, Till Durin wakes again from sleep.|[[Gimli]]<ref>{{FR|Journey}}</ref>}}</center>

'''Durin VII''' (lived in the [[Fourth Age]]) was the last of the six reincarnations of [[Durin|Durin the Deathless]].

==History==
The actions of Durin VII were prophesized long before he was born, at the time of the [[Battle of Azanulbizar]].<ref name="AppA">{{App|Durin}}</ref>

Durin the Seventh was likely a descendant of [[Thorin Stonehelm|Thorin III Stonehelm]].

He led [[Durin's folk]] back to [[Moria|Khazad-dûm]] and restored the ancient kingdom during the [[Fourth Age]]. There his house remained until the world grew old and the Dwarves failed and the days of Durin's race were ended.<ref>{{PM|Dwarves}}</ref>

==Etymology==
''Durinn'' is one of the Dwarfs in the ''[[Völuspá|Dvergatal]]''. The name means "Sleepy".<ref>Chester Nathan Gould, "Dwarf-Names: A Study in Old Icelandic Religion", published in ''Publications of the Modern Language Association of America'', Vol 44 (1929), issue #4, pp. 939-967</ref>

== Genealogy ==

{{familytree/start}}
{{familytree | DAI |DAI=[[Dáin Ironfoot|Dáin II Ironfoot]] ''{{TA|2767|n}} - {{TA|3019|n}}''†}}
{{familytree | |!| |}}
{{familytree | THO |THO=[[Thorin Stonehelm|Thorin III Stonehelm]] ''b. {{TA|2866|n}}''}}
{{familytree | |:| |}}
{{familytree | |:| |}}
{{familytree | DUR |DUR='''DURIN VII'''}}
{{familytree/end}}

{{seq-start}}
{{seq-head
| race=dwarf
| house=[[Durin's Folk|House of Durin]]
| born=[[Fourth Age]]
| died=
}}
{{seq
| pvac=Unknown
| prev=Last known: [[Thorin Stonehelm|Thorin III Stonehelm]]
| prow=2
| list=[[Kings of Durin's Folk|King of Durin's Folk]]
| dates=[[Fourth Age]]
| next=Unknown
| nrow=2
}}
{{seq
| list=[[Kings of Khazad-dûm|King of Khazad-dûm]]
| dates=[[Fourth Age]]
}}
{{seq-end}}

{{references}}{{durinskings}}
[[Category:Dwarves]]
[[Category:Fourth Age characters]]
[[Category:Longbeards]]
[[de:Durin VII.]]
[[fr:encyclo:personnages:nains:4a:durin_vii]]
[[fi:Durin VII]]

Cardolan

2018-04-26T22:14:17Z

142.44.139.85:

{{kingdom
| image=[[Image:Cardolanrotwk.jpg|250px]]
| name=Cardolan
| pronun=
| othernames=
| location=Southern [[Eriador]]; south of the [[East Road]] between the [[Baranduin|Brandywine]] and [[Gwathló|Greyflood]]
| capital=
| towns=[[Tharbad]], [[Tyrn Gorthad]],
| regions=
| population=[[Men]], [[Hobbits]]
| language=[[Westron]]
| govern1=[[King of Cardolan]]
| govern2=
| govern3=
| currency=
| holiday=
| precededby=[[Arnor]]
| event1=Dissolution of Arnor
| event1date={{TA|861}}
| event2=Abandoned
| event2date={{TA|1636}}
| event3=
| event3date=
| event4=
| event4date=
| event5=
| event5date=
| followedby=
}}
{{Pronounce|Cardolan.mp3|Ardamir}}
'''Cardolan''' was a breakaway realm of the [[Dúnedain]] kingdom of [[Arnor]]. After the death of Arnor's King [[Eärendur (King of Arnor)|Eärendur]], his sons divided the realm into the kingdoms of [[Arthedain]], [[Rhudaur]] and Cardolan.

==Description==
The southeastern border of Cardolan followed the [[Gwathló]] and the [[Mitheithel]] to the [[Last Bridge]]. From there its boundary followed the [[Great East Road]] westward to the [[Brandywine Bridge]], and then down the [[Baranduin]] to the [[Belegaer|Sea]] and thence to the mouth of the Gwathló. However, Cardolan also claimed the land between [[Bree]] and the [[Weather Hills]].<ref name="Eriador">{{App|Eriador}}</ref> Notable features within Cardolan were the [[Old Forest]], the [[Barrow-downs]], the [[South Downs]], and the [[Greenway]].<ref>{{UT|Map}}</ref>

==History==
In {{TA|861}} Arnor's tenth King, Eärendur, died.<ref name="TA">{{App|TA}}</ref> Due to dissensions between his sons the realm was split into [[Arthedain]], [[Rhudaur]] and Cardolan. While the line of [[Isildur]] continued in Arthedain, in both Rhudaur and Cardolan the line soon failed. The three kingdoms was led to strife because Arthedain held Weatherop and possessed its ''[[Amon Sûl-stone|Palantír]]'' as well as two others.<ref name="Eriador"/>

In {{TA|1050|n}} the [[Harfoots]] came into Eriador and in {{TA|1150|n}} they were joined by the [[Fallohides]].<ref name="TA"/> It is likely that some of these [[Hobbits]] settled in Cardolan.
===War with Angmar===
Around {{TA|1272|n}}<ref name="North">{{App|North}}</ref> [[Orcs]] began to trouble the region<ref>{{PM|Elendil}}</ref> and around {{TA|1300}}, the [[Witch-king]] founded the kingdom of [[Angmar]] north of the [[Ettenmoors]]. This event caused many Hobbits to move to [[Bree]].<ref name="TA"/>

No descendants of Isildur remained in Cardolan and Rhudaur and [[Argeleb I]] of Arthedain claimed lordship over all of former Arnor. Rhudaur resisted this claim and made league with Angmar.<ref name="Eriador"/> Argeleb I fell in battle with Rhudaur in {{TA|1356|n}}.<ref name="TA"/> Cardolan, and [[Lindon]], assisted his son, [[Arveleg I]], to avenge his father by pushing the enemy from the Weather Hills. For many years Arthedain and Cardolan held a frontier along the Hills, the [[East Road]] and the lower [[Hoarwell]].<ref name="Eriador"/>

However, in {{TA|1409}} a great host issued from Angmar and invaded Cardolan and took Weathertop. A remnant of the [[Dúnedain]] of Cardolan held out in the Barrow-downs and the [[Old Forest]]. The last prince of Cardolan was interred in the Barrow-downs in that year (some say that it was the tomb where [[Frodo Baggins]] was trapped during the [[War of the Ring]]).<ref name="Eriador"/>

In {{TA|1636}} those people who remained in the Barrow-downs died from the [[Great Plague]]. Angmar then sent [[Barrow-wights]] to infest and haunt the downs. Arthedain managed to reconquer the land briefly, but few people wished to live there on account of the Barrow-wights, and Cardolan was soon lost again.<ref name="Eriador"/>

===Legacy===
The region remained unpopulated even after the final fall of Arnor and destruction of Angmar ({{TA|1974|n}}<ref name="TA"/>).

On [[22 September]] {{TA|3018|n}} the [[Nazgûl|Black Riders]] entered Cardolan from the south.<ref name="TA"/> While hunting for the [[One Ring]] their chief established himself in [[Andrath]] on the Greenway and then visited the Barrow-downs. He stayed there for some days in order to rouse the [[Barrow-wights]].<ref>{{UT|Other}}</ref>

Presumably the area remained deserted until the reestablishment of the northern kingdom under king [[Aragorn|Elessar]] at the end of the Third Age.

==Etymology==
It is not known if [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] ever explained the name ''Cardolan''. The most common suggestion is that ''Cardolan'' likely is [[Sindarin]] for "red hill country". In that case, the name could be analyzed as ''[[caran|carn]]'' "red", ''[[dol]]'' "hill, mount" and ''[[-iand|an(n)]]'' "land".<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 690</ref><ref name=Clewley/>

An alternative etymology has been suggested by Roger Clewley: ''Cardolan'' deriving from [[Noldorin]] ''car'' "house", ''dolen'' "hidden, secret", and the toponymical ending ''[[-iand|-and]]'', thus meaning "place/land of
hidden houses" (a reference to the "dead entombed there").<ref name=Clewley>{{webcite|author=Roger Clewley|articleurl=http://groups.yahoo.com/group/elfling/message/36363|articlename=On the Name ''Cardolan'' (#36363)|dated=7 September 2012|website=[[Elfling]] (mailing list)|accessed=11 September 2012}}</ref>

{{references}}
[[Category:Arnor]]
[[Category:Eriador]]
[[Category:Sindarin locations]]
[[Category:Mannish realms]]

[[de:Cardolan]]
[[fi:Cardolan]]
[[fr:encyclo:geographie:royaumes:cardolan]]

Angmar

2018-04-26T22:11:27Z

142.44.139.85:

{{expansion}}{{sources}}
{{disambig-more|Angmar|[[Angmar (disambiguation)]]}}
{{kingdom
| image=[[File:Mark Fisher - Angmar.gif|250px]]
| name=Angmar
| pronun=
| othernames=
| location=North-east of [[Arnor]], south of [[Forodwaith (lands)|Forodwaith]]
| capital=[[Carn Dûm]]
| towns=
| regions=
| population=[[Orcs]], [[Trolls]], [[Hill-men]]
| language=Mostly [[Black Speech]]
| govern1=[[Witch-king]]
| govern2=
| govern3=
| currency=
| holiday=
| precededby=
| event1=Founded
| event1date={{TA|1300}}
| event2=Destroyed
| event2date={{TA|1975}}
| event3=
| event3date=
| event4=
| event4date=
| event5=
| event5date=
| followedby=
}}
{{Pronounce|Angmar.mp3|Ardamir}}
'''Angmar''' ('Iron Home', [[Sindarin]]) was a region and kingdom founded in [[Third Age]] 1300 in the far north of the [[Misty Mountains]] by the evil Lord of the [[Nazgûl|Ringwraiths]], who became known as the "[[Witch-king]] of [[Angmar]]". Since the Witch-king was a vassal of the Dark Lord [[Sauron]], it is presumed that Angmar's wars against the successor kingdoms of [[Arnor]] were done at Sauron's bidding.

The capital of Angmar was [[Carn Dûm]]. Here it was said that an evil race of men, possibly related to the Easterlings of the First Age, lived.

==History==

Soon after Angmar was founded it waged war against the divided [[Dúnedain]] realms of [[Arthedain]], [[Cardolan]] and [[Rhudaur]]. The Witch-king conquered [[Rhudaur]], the weakest of Arnor's successor kingdoms, and replaced its [[Dúnedain]] king with one of the native [[Hill-men]], a wild tribe of men possibly descended from the "accursed" kin of [[Ulfang]].

Now under the Witch-King's control, Rhudaur in 1356 invaded Arthedain and in the attack, Arthedain's King,[[Argeleb I]], was slain. However, with the aid of the armies of Cardolan, Arthedain managed to maintain a line of defence along the [[Weather Hills]].

In 1409 Angmar attacked [[Rivendell]] and Cardolan, besiegeing the former and destroying all of the latter's settlements except its capital in the [[Barrow-downs]]. Since Rhudaur had fallen under Angmar's control, this left Arthedain without any strong allies to aid them. Despite this, Arthedain struggled on for another 500 years. The last people of Cardolan died in the [[Great Plague]], allowing Angmar to send [[Barrow-wights]] to infest the Barrow-downs.

In 1974 Angmar amassed its forces and launched a final assault on Arthedain. Angmar took Arthedain's capital [[Fornost]], thereby destroying the last kingdom of the Dúnedain.

A year later, Prince [[Eärnur]] of [[Gondor]] arrived to aid Arthedain, but he was too late. His army utterly defeated the forces of Angmar in the [[Battle of Fornost]], but the Witch-king was not slain. He escaped and fled to [[Mordor]], but his kingdom of Angmar was no more.<ref>{{App|Eriador}}</ref>

The territory of Angmar which extended east of the Misty Mountains was subsequently overrun by the [[Éothéod]], ancestors of the [[Rohirrim]].

== Etymology ==
Angmar means "Iron Home" in [[Sindarin]] (from ''[[ang]]'' = "iron" and ''[[-mbar|mar]]'' = "home, dwelling").{{Fact}}

==Portrayal in adaptations==
'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II: The Rise of the Witch-king]]'':'''
:Angmar is a playable faction in the game, featuring mostly noncanon heroes and units. Moreover, in the campaign section of the game Angmar is besieged in [[Carn Dum]] by [[Glorfindel]] and his [[Elves]], however he wins the siege and destroys [[Arnor]] and [[Fornost]].

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
[[Image:Angmar map LOTRO.jpg|thumb|Map of Angmar from ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''.]]
:Angmar was not completely destroyed after the [[Battle of Fornost]]. Rather, the Witch-King changed [[Eärnur]] into a wraith to watch over his kingdom until it could rise once more. By the time of the War of the Ring the kingdom of Angmar was once again strong enough to threaten [[Eriador]]. The [[Men]] of Angmar were of two distinct cultures. The ruling class of [[Carn Dûm]] consisted of the sorcerous Angmarim, who had [[Black Númenóreans|Black Númenórean]] blood and were staunch followers of [[Sauron]] and his servants. The others were the tribes of [[Hill-men]], native folk who continued their old traditions. One Hill-man clan, the Trév Gállorg, opposed the False King and was friendly to the [[Free peoples]]. Their rivals were the Angmarim-aligned Trév Duvárdain. Angmar is also home to many evil creatures such as [[wargs]], [[drakes]], [[spiders]], [[Vampires#Portrayal in adaptations|Merrevail]], and Gertheryg. Four tribes of [[orcs]], the Blogmal, the Krahjarn, the Ongbǘrz, and the Tarkrîp, originate from Angmar.

:The region was accessible from the [[North Downs]] by traveling through the Ram Dúath, a range of winding canyons in the south-west of Angmar. Within Ram Dúath were camps of the Angmarim and orcs marching to war, and also the peaceful Earth-kin village Lehmä-koti. North of the Ram Dúath were the grey hills of Fasach-Larran and Fasach-Falroid, where the Hill-men of Angmar dwelt. At the westernmost exit of the Ram Dúath was the Trév Gállorg village of Aughaire. The hostile Trév Duvárdain inhabited towns and camps in the north.

:To the east of the hills was the great brimstone swamp of Malenhad. The dread Watching-stones of the Rammas Deluon formed a barrier of deadly fear down the middle of Malenhad, effectively separating the western half of Angmar from the eastern half. The shallow sulfur lake Duvuinen lay in the east of Malenhad. Hidden in a cavern to the south of the lake was the Dwarf-outpost Gabilshathûr. In the south-east of Angmar beyond the lake were the valleys of Gorothlad, home to orcs, [[trolls]], and other evil creatures. Gorothlad contained several camps for Angmar's growing orc army as well as the arena of Maethad. North of Gorothlad was the rocky basin Nan Gurth, in the center of which stood Barad Gúlaran and its ring of eight lesser towers.

:West of Nan Gurth was Imlad Balchorth, a valley full of tombs and poisoned water, haunted by many [[wights]] and fell-spirits. In the north-east of Nan Gurth was Gath Uior, a pass to the Rift of Nûrz Ghâshu in the far north-east of Angmar near to the northernmost of the [[Misty Mountains]]. Deep underground within the Rift the [[Balrog]] Thaurlach was kept imprisoned after his defeat by the [[Blue Wizards]]. Fire-orcs and [[Nameless Things|Nameless creatures]] also dwelt there, though they were opposed by a mysterious race of fire [[giants]] known as the Eldgang.

:North-west of Nan Gurth and north-east of Imlad Balchorth was Himbar, an ashen, spider-infested land among crags of black rock like obsidian. Up a path into the rock walls that bordered Himbar in the east was the secret [[Rangers of the North|Ranger]] refuge of Gath Forthnír. In the west of Himbar was the Angmarim town Rhunendin, and beyond that was a long gated pass to the capital city of [[Carn Dûm]]. In the south-west of the capital was a narrow, winding pass, guarded by Watching-stones, that connected to the hill-man towns in the north of Fasach-Falroid. The host of Angmar marched to the southern lands along a main road that led south from Rhunendin between Imlad Balchorth and Nan Gurth, then turned west to pass north of Malenhad. Beyond Malenhad the road turned south to enter the Ram Dǘath.

'''2012: ''[[The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey]]'':'''
:Angmar and [[Angmar War|its war with Arnor]] are mentioned by Galadriel in the [[White Council]]. Following the destruction of Angmar the Men of the North took the body of the Witch-King and sealed him in [[High Fells of Rhudaur]].

'''2014: ''[[The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies]]'':'''
:[[Gandalf]] tells [[Thranduil]] and [[Bard]] that [[Sauron]]'s final goal was to conquer the [[Lonely Mountain]] due to its strategic position. This would enable Sauron to restore Angmar and gain dominance over the north of [[Middle-earth]].

{{references}}
[[Category:Eriador]]
[[Category:Evil realms]]
[[Category:Regions]]
[[Category:Sindarin locations]]

[[de:Angmar]]
[[fi:Angmar]]
[[fr:encyclo/geographie/royaumes/angmar]]

Dwarf realms

2018-04-26T22:06:41Z

142.44.139.85:

Throughout the history of [[Middle-earth]], there have been many '''Dwarf realms'''. These realms were:

* '''[[Moria|Khazad-dȗm]]'''. The most famous and greatest of all the dwarf kingdoms. Located in the [[Misty Mountains]], it was the home of the [[Longbeards]]. It prospered for thousands of years until the Dwarves awoke the [[Balrogs|Balrog]] which drove them from Khazad-dȗm, it was then renamed ''[[Moria]]'' ("Black Pit" in [[Sindarin]]). The Dwarves returned to Moria in the [[Fourth Age]], lead by their leader [[Durin VII]]. It is said that the halls of Khazad-dȗm were filled with the sounds of hammers once again, and was prosperous till the fading of the Dwarven race.
* '''[[Nogrod]] and [[Belegost]]''', located in the [[Blue Mountains]]. Nogrod was the home of the [[Firebeards]], and Belegost the home of the [[Broadbeams]]. Nogrod was severely damaged during the [[War of Wrath]] and Belegost was damaged as well, leaving the Firebeards and the Broadbeams to either rebuild their halls or, as many did, relocate to Khazad-dȗm in [[SA 40]]. The Ered Luin would later become a refuge for much of Durin's folk who established [[Thorin's Halls]] during the latter Third Age.
* '''Exiled Kingdom in the [[Grey Mountains]]''', were the great halls of which many of Durin's folk relocated to after being exiled from Khazad-dȗm. The [[Dwarves of the Grey Mountains]] became very prosperous in their new halls. for over 500 years they mined and defended their halls from the [[Dragons]] of the north and the Orcs from the west. Until, finally [[Cold-drakes]] forced them from the mountains, and killed their king [[Dain I]]. It is possible that the Dwarves returned to the Ered Mithrin, and retook the ancient halls, though Tolkien never states that this happened.
* '''The [[Kingdom under the Mountain]]''', was one of the greatest kingdoms of Dwarves. Located at [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]], it was founded by [[Thráin I]], but was abandoned by his son, [[Thorin I]]. It was resettled by [[Thrór]]. but years later Smaug [[Sack of Erebor|sacked]] the mountain and drove the Dwarves out. [[Thorin|Thorin II Oakenshield]] refounded the kingdom in TA 2941.
* The '''[[Iron Hills]]''', were a range of small mountains rich with iron, inhabited by Durin's folk. They were colonized after the Dragons forced the Dwarves to leave the Ered Mithrin.
* The '''[[Glittering Caves]]''' of [[Glittering Caves|Aglarond]], were a cave system in the [[White Mountains]] behind [[Helm's Deep]]. [[Gimli]] son of [[Glóin]] led a colony there after the [[War of the Ring]].
* The '''[[Orocarni]]''' (Red Mountains), were a mountain range in the far east of Middle-earth. They were inhabited by four of the Dwarf clans, but not much is known about them, or the exact location of this mountain range.

[[Category:Dwarves]]
[[Category:Dwarven realms]]

[[de:Zwerge#Bekannte_Zwergenstädte]]

Dwarves of Erebor

2018-04-26T22:04:19Z

142.44.139.85:

{{people infobox
| name=Dwarves of Erebor
| image=[[File:David T. Wenzel - Erebor trade.jpg|250px]]
| caption=
| pronun=
| othernames=
| origin=[[Durin's Folk]]
| location=[[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]], [[Moria]]
| affiliation=
| rivalry=[[Orcs]], [[Smaug]]
| language=[[Khuzdul]], [[Westron]]
| members=[[Gimli]], [[Thorin|Thorin II Oakenshield]]
| lifespan=c. 250 years
| distinctions=
| height=Five feet or less
| hair=
| skin=
| clothing=
| weapons=
}}
The '''Dwarves of Erebor''' were those who dwelt in the halls of [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]], beneath the [[Lonely Mountain]].

==History==
===Kingdom===
[[File:Ted Nasmith - Heart of the Mountain.jpg|thumb|[[Ted Nasmith]] - Heart of the Mountain]]
[[Thráin I]] established the [[Kingdom under the Mountain]] fleeing from Moria. During his time the [[Arkenstone]] was discovered, the most prized possession of the Kingdom. His son, [[Thorin I]], later became [[King under the Mountain]] but after seeing the wealth of the [[Dwarves of the Grey Mountains]], he abandoned Erebor.

When the [[Cold-drakes]] invaded the Grey Mountains, they drove most of the Dwarves out. [[Thrór]], a descendant of Thorin I, took some of his people and flew the Grey Mountains for Erebor. His brother [[Grór]] continued east with a great following of Durin's folk to the [[Iron Hills]] while himself refounded the kingdom of Erebor in {{TA|2590}}.

===Second Kingdom===
The Dwarves gained the friendship of the [[Northmen]] along the [[Celduin]] and had much trade of goods, beautiful trinkets, and weapons with the town of [[Dale]]. The Dwarves of Erebor also had much traffic of ores with their kinsmen in the Iron Hills and the region had peace and prosperity for many years.
[[File:David T. Wenzel - Dwarf-woman.jpg|thumb|left|The Dwarves flee Erebor and Dale]]
The Dwarves were properous, and made great wealth for themselves until they were dispossessed of their immense wealth by [[Smaug]] the Dragon, who flew south from the [[Grey Mountains|Ered Mithrin]] and [[Sack of Erebor|sacked]] their kingdom in {{TA|2770}}.

The Dwarves reclaimed their inheritance many years later under the leadership of [[Thorin|Thorin II]]. But it was the descendants of [[Dáin Ironfoot|Dáin II Ironfoot]] that ruled there ever after.

===Third Kingdom===
After the restoration thanks to [[Thorin and Company]], the Dwarves became again rich and prosperous under Dáin's rule, as the Dwarves exceeded their ancestors in masonry and mining. Dale was rebuilt as a kingdom and they had close friendship with the [[Elves of Mirkwood]].<ref>{{FR|Meetings}}</ref>

[[Balin]] and other Dwarves set out to [[Balin's Colony|reclaim Moria]] in {{TA|2989}}. Dáin did not give his blessing when Balin, but could not dissuade them.<ref name="Council">{{FR|Council}}</ref> It was only later learned the colony was destroyed after five years.<ref>{{FR|Bridge}}</ref>

===War of the Ring===
In {{TA|3018}}, a messenger came from [[Mordor]], enquiring about "[[Bilbo Baggins|Baggins]]" from "[[the Shire|Shire]]", promising the last three [[Seven Rings|Dwarf-rings]] to Dáin. The King asked time to think and he sent [[Glóin]] and his son [[Gimli]] to [[Elrond]] for council, and to warn Bilbo.<ref>{{FR|Council}}</ref>

The [[War of the Ring]] reached the North; King [[Brand]] fighting the [[Easterlings]] retreated from the River [[Carnen]] and was given aid by Dwarves in the [[Battle of Dale]]. After three days of fighting Dwarves and Men were driven back, and Brand was slain, followed by Dáin.<ref>{{UT|Erebor}}</ref> Several days later the Easterlings learned that the War was lost. When the new King [[Thorin Stonehelm|Thorin III Stonehelm]], son of Dáin, and Brand's [[Bard II]] saw this they came out of the mountain and routed their enemies.<ref name="Great">{{App|Great}}</ref>

Little is known of the reign of Thorin III, other than the Dwarves helped rebuild the cities of [[Minas Tirith]] and the fortress of [[Helm's Deep]]. Some of the Dwarves colonized the [[Glittering Caves]].

==Language and writing==
The Dwarves of Erebor spoke [[Khuzdul]] but used the [[Language of Dale]] for their public names.<ref>{{App|F1}}</ref>

Coming from Moria, the Dwarves brought with them the [[Angerthas Moria]], which however was modified further. For some reason some [[runes]] of Angerthas Moria were reverted back to their [[Elvish]] values in [[Angerthas]]. The resulting variation was known as [[Angerthas Erebor]].<ref>{{App|Cirth}}</ref>

==Members==
Noted Dwarves from Erebor were:

*'''[[Thráin I]]'''
*'''[[Thorin I]]'''
*'''[[Thrór]]'''
*[[Thráin|Thráin II]]
*[[Thorin]]
*[[Balin]], [[Dwalin]]
*[[Dori]], [[Nori]], [[Ori]]
*[[Óin]], [[Glóin]]
*[[Bifur]], [[Bofur]], [[Bombur]]
*[[Kíli]], [[Fíli]]
*[[Gimli]]
*[[Dáin Ironfoot|Dáin II Ironfoot]]
*[[Thorin Stonehelm|Thorin III Stonehelm]]
*[[Floi]], [[Loni]], [[Nali]], [[Frár]]
*[[Dís]]
*[[Frerin]]
*[[Fundin]]

{{References}}

[[Category:Dwarven peoples]]
[[de:Erebor]]
[[fi:Erebor]]

Rhûn

2018-04-26T22:03:13Z

142.44.139.85: small edit; dwarves did live in orocarni

{{footnotes}}
{{location infobox
| name=Rhûn
| image=[[File:The Lord of the Rings (film series) - Rhun map.jpg|250px]]
| caption=Rhûn from a map used for [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' film series]]
| pronun=The East
| othernames=
| location=Eastern Lands of [[Middle-earth]], east of [[Mordor]] and [[Rhovanion]]
| type=Region
| description=
| regions=[[Dorwinion]]
| towns=
| inhabitants=[[Easterlings]]. [[Dwarves]], [[Elves]]
| created=
| destroyed=
| events=
}}
'''Rhûn''' refers to the little-known lands in eastern [[Middle-earth]]. Almost nothing of the lands beyond the great [[Sea of Rhûn]] is known (see [[Uttermost East]]).

==History==

The first Elves awoke far east of the Sea of Rhûn, and many of them were led to the [[Westlands]] by [[Oromë]]. Some Elves forsook this [[Great Journey]] and chose to remain in the east; they were called the [[Avari]].

The first Men also awoke in the far east, where they first met [[Dwarves]]<ref>{{WJ|Dwarves}}</ref> and Avari. The ancestors of the [[Edain]] and [[Drúedain]] traveled west out of Rhûn. At the shores of the Sea of Rhûn, some of the Mannish tribes traveling west separated and their languages soon diverged.<ref>{{PM|Ros}}</ref> Other men remained in Rhûn, and many of them came under the dominion of [[Morgoth]] and, later, [[Sauron]]. These men were called [[Easterlings]], and they led many attacks against [[Gondor]] and its allies during the [[Third Age]].

The most western parts of Rhûn were conquered by Gondor twice, under the Kings [[Rómendacil I]] and [[Rómendacil II]], but the Númenóreans never had full control over it. Western Rhûn was finally subdued in the [[Fourth Age]] under [[Aragorn|King Elessar]] and his son [[Eldarion]].

==Geography==
[[File:Stefano Baldo - Rhûn.jpg|thumb|left|''Rhûn'' by Stefano Baldo]]
The western part of Rhûn was given in maps of the [[Westlands]] of Middle-earth. It contained the great [[Sea of Rhûn]], connected the [[River Running]] in the northwest. A forest lay to the north-east of the Sea, and near the south-western shores there were many hills. South-west of the Sea of Rhûn lay also the land of [[Dorwinion]].

The inland [[Sea of Rhûn]] was located in western Rhûn on the border between Rhûn and [[Rhovanion|Wilderland]]. There were mountains on the southwest side of the Sea of Rhûn and a forest on the north-east side. Wild white [[Kine of Araw]], or oxen, lived near the shores of the Sea of Rhûn.

Further east in Rhûn were ancient regions where the [[Children of Ilúvatar]] first awoke: [[Cuiviénen]] for the Elves, which lay on the shores of [[Sea of Helcar]] near the [[Orocarni]] (Red Mountains); and [[Hildórien]] for Men. Four [[Dwarves|Dwarven]] clans were also located in Rhûn ([[Orocarni]]); their mansions were at least as far east from [[Mount Gundabad]] in the [[Misty Mountains]] as Mount Gundabad lay east of the [[Blue Mountains]]. Additionally, Sauron maintained a fortress in Rhûn in the Third Age.

===The Dwarves of Rhûn===

[[Dwarves]] emerged in Middle-earth in the [[First Age]]: after Elves but before Men. When the seven [[Fathers of the Dwarves]] awoke in far-flung corners of Middle-earth, some of them found themselves in Rhûn, and there they founded kingdoms under the mountains of [[Orocarni]]. In the [[Third Age]], Dwarves of those kingdoms journeyed out of Rhûn to join all Middle-earth's other Dwarf clans in the [[War of the Dwarves and Orcs]], which was fought in and under the [[Misty Mountains]]. After this war, the survivors returned home. Late in the Third Age, when war and terror grew in Rhûn itself, considerable numbers of its Dwarves left their ancient homelands. They sought refuge in Middle-earth's western lands, where some of them met [[Frodo Baggins]].<ref>[[J. R. R. Tolkien]], ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', [[The Shadow of the Past]]</ref>

==Etymology==
The word '''''rhûn''''' means "east" in [[Sindarin]]. Compare [[Quenya]] ''[[rómen]]''.<ref>{{App|E2i}}</ref>

==Other of the legendarium==

In an addition by [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] (dating from [[1948]] or later) inscribed on his ''[[General Map of Middle-earth]]'', an arrow is drawn from the [[River Running]] with the direction to the end of the map, and carries the note: "To Sea of Rûnaer". [[Wayne G. Hammond|Hammond]] and [[Christina Scull|Scull]] suggest that '''''Rûnaer''''' is likely an alternative name of ''Rhûn''.<ref>{{HM|AoL}}, p. 199</ref>

==Inspiration==
Rhûn and the easternmost lands of Middle-earth seem to be based primarily on the lands of [[Wikipedia:South Asia|southern]], [[Wikipedia:Central Asia|central]], and [[Wikipedia:East Asia|eastern Asia]].

In the earliest drafts of ''[[The Hobbit]]'', Bilbo offered to walk from the [[The Shire|Shire]] "to ''[cancelled: [[Wikipedia:Hindu Kush|Hindu Kush]]]'' the [[Wikipedia:Gobi Desert|Great Desert of Gobi]] and fight the Wild Wire worm(s) of the [[Wikipedia:China|Chinese]]."<ref>{{HH|Pryftan}}, p. 9</ref> In a slightly later version [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] altered this to say "to the last desert in the East and fight the Wild Wireworms of the Chinese",<ref>{{HH|Bladorthin}}, p. 40</ref> and in the final version it was altered once more to say "to the East of East and fight the wild [[Were-worms]] in the [[Last Desert]]."<ref>{{H|Party}}</ref>

The Wainriders, as well as the Balchoth, were known for traveling in great camps of wagons which they fortified.<ref>{{App|Gondor}}</ref> Given the eastern origins of the group, this bears many similarities to the [[Wikipedia:Orda (organization)|orda]] military structure employed by the [[Wikipedia:Turkic peoples|Turkic]] and [[Wikipedia:Mongols|Mongol]] peoples.{{fact}}

{{references}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rhun}}
[[Category:Eastern lands]]
[[Category:Sindarin locations]]
[[Category:Sindarin nouns]]
[[de:Rhûn]]
[[fi:Rhûn]]
[[fr:encyclo/geographie/regions/rhun]]

Blue Mountains

2018-04-26T21:58:13Z

142.44.139.85:

{{sources}}
{{location infobox
| name=Blue Mountains
| image=[[File:Rob Alexander - Blue Mountain Dwarf Hold.jpg|250px]]
| caption="Blue Mountain Dwarf Hold" by Rob Alexander
| pronun=
| othernames=Ered Luin, Ered Lindon
| location=Between [[Ossiriand]]/[[Lindon]] and [[Eriador]]
| type=Mountain range
| description=
| regions=
| towns=[[Belegost]], [[Nogrod]], and later [[Thorin's Halls]]
| inhabitants=[[Dwarves of the Blue Mountains]]: [[Broadbeams]], [[Firebeards]], and [[Longbeards]]
| created=
| destroyed=
| events=
}}
The '''Blue Mountains''' ([[Sindarin|S.]] '''''Ered Luin'''''), also known as the '''''Ered Lindon''''', was the mountain range at the far west of [[Eriador]].

== History ==
== Early history ==
In the early days of [[Arda]] after the fall of the [[Two Lamps]], the Blue Mountains were formed as the [[Valar]] widened the [[Belegaer|Great Sea]] and thrust [[Middle-earth]] eastward to protect [[Valinor]].<ref>{{SM|5b}}</ref> The Blue Mountains lined up with the [[Grey Mountains (ancient)|Grey Mountains of the southlands]], forming the western wall of [[Arda]]. These two ranges lay parallel to the [[Orocarni|Red Mountains]] in the northeast and [[Yellow Mountains]] in the southeast that formed the eastern wall. At their northern end, a narrow gap separated the Blue Mountains from the [[Iron Mountains]], which stretched across the entire north of Middle-earth.<ref>{{SM|a4}}</ref>

In the [[First Age]], the Blue Mountains were an unbroken line separating Eriador from [[Beleriand]]. Seven rivers flowed from its western side, and the land these rivers flowed through was known as [[Ossiriand]]. Later, when the [[Green-elves]] settled there, the land was called [[Lindon]], and the mountains sometimes referred to as the ''Ered Lindon''.

Sometime during the [[Years of the Trees]] two [[Fathers of the Dwarves|Dwarven Fathers]] awoke under [[Dolmed|Mount Dolmed]] and founded the two westernmost houses of the [[Dwarves]] (the [[Firebeards]] and [[Broadbeams]]). They subsequently built two great city-states, [[Nogrod]] and [[Belegost]].

The Blue Mountains were ruined during the [[War of Wrath]] at the end of the First Age, and in the south central end of the range the sea broke through. The [[Lhûn|River Lhûn]] now flowed through the mountains to the [[Gulf of Lune]]. On the western side a small section of Lindon remained, and here the retreating [[Elves]] built the kingdom of [[Lindon]], ruled by [[Gil-galad|Ereinion Gil-galad]], last [[High King of the Noldor]].<ref>{{S|Rings}}</ref>

The Dwarven cities of Nogrod and Belegost were also ruined when the mountains were broken, causing most of the Dwarves to migrate east to [[Moria|Khazad-dûm]], leaving a remnant behind. By the Third Age however, the native Dwarves seemed to have largely moved to the Southern chain.{{fact}}

== Third Age ==

In the Third Age the Blue Mountains apparently saw the return of many of the Firebeards and Broadbeams due to the isolation/stagnation of Khazad Dûm, and the later awakening of [[Durin's Bane]].{{fact}}

In {{TA|1974}}, fleeing the fall of [[Fornost Erain]], [[Arvedui]] briefly hid in old dwarven mines in the Blue Mountains.<ref name="Eriador">{{App|Eriador}}</ref>

It also became the new home for many of [[Durin's Folk]] who were exiled from their halls in [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]] by [[Smaug]] the [[Dragons|Dragon]] who had [[Sack of Erebor|driven them out]]. After the [[War of the Dwarves and Orcs]], King [[Thráin|Thráin II]] established his throne in the Northern range beyond the Little Lune river and later his son [[Thorin]] ruled after he went missing. During Thorin's reign many of the wandering Longbeards joined him in [[Thorin's Halls|his halls]] and they became prosperous in a fashion. However, Erebor was retaken from Smaug by Thorin and company in {{TA|2941}}, and it can be assumed most if not all of Durin's folk relocated there.{{Pronounce|Ered Luin.mp3|Ardamir}}

==Etymology==
''Ered Luin'' is a [[Sindarin]] name, consisting of ''[[ered]]'' ("mountains") and ''[[luin]]'' ("blue").<ref>{{PE|17}}, p. 66</ref> Other names were '''Ered Lindon''' "Mountains of Lindon" and the [[Westron]] name '''Mountains of Lune'''.

The ''[[Etymologies]]'' show a [[Noldorin]] alternative name, '''Lhúndirien'''.<ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}, p. 370</ref>

In [[Ælfwine]]'s [[Old English]] translations, the Blue Mountains are named ''Hǽwengebeorg''.<ref>{{HM|SM}}, p. 341</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==

'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'':'''
:The Blue Mountains form the location of a fight between Dwarves and [[Drogoth]].

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:The Blue Mountains appear as the game's westernmost region, Ered Luin. Ered Luin is the beginner's region for the game's races, Elves and Dwarves. The region's storyline is based around a conflict with a rogue clan of Dwarves called the Dourhands and a tribe of Goblins living in the winding valleys of a region called Rath Teraig. Ered Luin is home to the cities of Thorin's Hall and Duillond, but also contain smaller outposts such as Gondamon and Celondim. Ered Luin is also home to the hostile Dourhand cities of Kheledul and the excavation of a long-lost city named Sarnur.

'''2011: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]'':'''
:Although the Blue Mountains do not appear in the game, they are mentioned by the Dwarf [[Grof]]. He tells the player that the Blue Mountains are prosperous, but that they lately find more iron than gold.<ref>[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]], ''Prologue''</ref>

==See also==
* [[:Category:Images of the Blue Mountains|Images of the Blue Mountains]]
{{references}}
[[Category:Beleriand]]
[[Category:Eriador]]
[[Category:Lindon]]
[[Category:Mountain ranges]]
[[Category:Dwarven realms]]

[[de:Ered Luin]]
[[fi:Sinivuoret]]
[[fr:encyclo/geographie/reliefs/montagnes_bleues]]

Blue Mountains

2018-04-26T21:57:58Z

142.44.139.85:

{{sources}}
{{location infobox
| name=Blue Mountains
| image=[[File:Rob Alexander - Blue Mountain Dwarf Hold.jpg|250px]]
| caption="Blue Mountain Dwarf Hold" by Rob Alexander
| pronun=
| othernames=Ered Luin, Ered Lindon
| location=Between [[Ossiriand]]/[[Lindon]] and [[Eriador]]
| type=Mountain range
| description=
| regions=
| towns=[[Belegost]], [[Nogrod]], and later [[Thorin's Halls]]
| inhabitants=[[Dwarvesof the Blue Mountains]]: [[Broadbeams]], [[Firebeards]], and [[Longbeards]]
| created=
| destroyed=
| events=
}}
The '''Blue Mountains''' ([[Sindarin|S.]] '''''Ered Luin'''''), also known as the '''''Ered Lindon''''', was the mountain range at the far west of [[Eriador]].

== History ==
== Early history ==
In the early days of [[Arda]] after the fall of the [[Two Lamps]], the Blue Mountains were formed as the [[Valar]] widened the [[Belegaer|Great Sea]] and thrust [[Middle-earth]] eastward to protect [[Valinor]].<ref>{{SM|5b}}</ref> The Blue Mountains lined up with the [[Grey Mountains (ancient)|Grey Mountains of the southlands]], forming the western wall of [[Arda]]. These two ranges lay parallel to the [[Orocarni|Red Mountains]] in the northeast and [[Yellow Mountains]] in the southeast that formed the eastern wall. At their northern end, a narrow gap separated the Blue Mountains from the [[Iron Mountains]], which stretched across the entire north of Middle-earth.<ref>{{SM|a4}}</ref>

In the [[First Age]], the Blue Mountains were an unbroken line separating Eriador from [[Beleriand]]. Seven rivers flowed from its western side, and the land these rivers flowed through was known as [[Ossiriand]]. Later, when the [[Green-elves]] settled there, the land was called [[Lindon]], and the mountains sometimes referred to as the ''Ered Lindon''.

Sometime during the [[Years of the Trees]] two [[Fathers of the Dwarves|Dwarven Fathers]] awoke under [[Dolmed|Mount Dolmed]] and founded the two westernmost houses of the [[Dwarves]] (the [[Firebeards]] and [[Broadbeams]]). They subsequently built two great city-states, [[Nogrod]] and [[Belegost]].

The Blue Mountains were ruined during the [[War of Wrath]] at the end of the First Age, and in the south central end of the range the sea broke through. The [[Lhûn|River Lhûn]] now flowed through the mountains to the [[Gulf of Lune]]. On the western side a small section of Lindon remained, and here the retreating [[Elves]] built the kingdom of [[Lindon]], ruled by [[Gil-galad|Ereinion Gil-galad]], last [[High King of the Noldor]].<ref>{{S|Rings}}</ref>

The Dwarven cities of Nogrod and Belegost were also ruined when the mountains were broken, causing most of the Dwarves to migrate east to [[Moria|Khazad-dûm]], leaving a remnant behind. By the Third Age however, the native Dwarves seemed to have largely moved to the Southern chain.{{fact}}

== Third Age ==

In the Third Age the Blue Mountains apparently saw the return of many of the Firebeards and Broadbeams due to the isolation/stagnation of Khazad Dûm, and the later awakening of [[Durin's Bane]].{{fact}}

In {{TA|1974}}, fleeing the fall of [[Fornost Erain]], [[Arvedui]] briefly hid in old dwarven mines in the Blue Mountains.<ref name="Eriador">{{App|Eriador}}</ref>

It also became the new home for many of [[Durin's Folk]] who were exiled from their halls in [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]] by [[Smaug]] the [[Dragons|Dragon]] who had [[Sack of Erebor|driven them out]]. After the [[War of the Dwarves and Orcs]], King [[Thráin|Thráin II]] established his throne in the Northern range beyond the Little Lune river and later his son [[Thorin]] ruled after he went missing. During Thorin's reign many of the wandering Longbeards joined him in [[Thorin's Halls|his halls]] and they became prosperous in a fashion. However, Erebor was retaken from Smaug by Thorin and company in {{TA|2941}}, and it can be assumed most if not all of Durin's folk relocated there.{{Pronounce|Ered Luin.mp3|Ardamir}}

==Etymology==
''Ered Luin'' is a [[Sindarin]] name, consisting of ''[[ered]]'' ("mountains") and ''[[luin]]'' ("blue").<ref>{{PE|17}}, p. 66</ref> Other names were '''Ered Lindon''' "Mountains of Lindon" and the [[Westron]] name '''Mountains of Lune'''.

The ''[[Etymologies]]'' show a [[Noldorin]] alternative name, '''Lhúndirien'''.<ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}, p. 370</ref>

In [[Ælfwine]]'s [[Old English]] translations, the Blue Mountains are named ''Hǽwengebeorg''.<ref>{{HM|SM}}, p. 341</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==

'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'':'''
:The Blue Mountains form the location of a fight between Dwarves and [[Drogoth]].

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:The Blue Mountains appear as the game's westernmost region, Ered Luin. Ered Luin is the beginner's region for the game's races, Elves and Dwarves. The region's storyline is based around a conflict with a rogue clan of Dwarves called the Dourhands and a tribe of Goblins living in the winding valleys of a region called Rath Teraig. Ered Luin is home to the cities of Thorin's Hall and Duillond, but also contain smaller outposts such as Gondamon and Celondim. Ered Luin is also home to the hostile Dourhand cities of Kheledul and the excavation of a long-lost city named Sarnur.

'''2011: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]'':'''
:Although the Blue Mountains do not appear in the game, they are mentioned by the Dwarf [[Grof]]. He tells the player that the Blue Mountains are prosperous, but that they lately find more iron than gold.<ref>[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]], ''Prologue''</ref>

==See also==
* [[:Category:Images of the Blue Mountains|Images of the Blue Mountains]]
{{references}}
[[Category:Beleriand]]
[[Category:Eriador]]
[[Category:Lindon]]
[[Category:Mountain ranges]]
[[Category:Dwarven realms]]

[[de:Ered Luin]]
[[fi:Sinivuoret]]
[[fr:encyclo/geographie/reliefs/montagnes_bleues]]

Battle of Azanulbizar

2018-04-26T21:56:30Z

142.44.139.85: small edit to strength numbers

{{battle
| image=[[File:Mikel Janin - Battle of Azanulbizar.jpeg|300px]]
| name=Battle of Azanulbizar
| conflict=War of the Dwarves and Orcs
| date={{TA|2799}}
| place=The Dimrill Dale and the steps of the East-gate of Moria
| result=Pyrrhic victory for the Dwarves
| side1=Dwarves
| side2=Orcs
| commanders1=*[[Thráin|Thráin II]]
*[[Thorin]]
*[[Náin son of Grór|Náin]] †
*[[Dáin Ironfoot|Dáin II Ironfoot]]
*Commanders of other Houses|
commanders2=*[[Azog]] †
| forces1=6,000-10,000 [[Durin's Folk|Longbeards]], [[Broadbeams]], [[Firebeards]], and Houses of the far East
| forces2=15,000-20,000 Orcs from Moria, and the remnants of other Orc-dwellings throughout the [[Misty Mountains]]
| casual1="Beyond the count of grief." Half dead or dying.<ref name="AppDurin"/>
| casual2=10,000 orcs, rest fled to [[White Mountains]].<ref name="PMA">{{PM|A}}, p. 278</ref>
}}
The '''Battle of Azanulbizar''' ({{TA|2799}}) was the final battle in the [[War of the Dwarves and Orcs]]. It was fought beneath the [[Great Gates|East-gate of Moria]] in the valley of Azanulbizar, called ''[[Nanduhirion]]'' in [[Sindarin]] or ''[[Dimrill Dale]]'' in [[Westron]]. Therefore the event is also known as the '''Battle of Nanduhirion''' and the '''Battle of Dimrill Dale'''.

==Background==
The War of the Dwarves and Orcs began when [[Azog]] the [[Orcs|Orc]]-chieftain of [[Moria]] captured and mutilated [[Thrór]], King of [[Durin's Folk]]. Azog branded his own name in runes onto Thrór's severed head, then let Thrór's companion [[Nár]] escape so that all [[Dwarves]] would know that an Orc now ruled Moria. Full of righteous fury, Thrór's son [[Thráin|Thráin II]] summoned a great army of Dwarves, including those not of Durin's Folk ([[Firebeards]] and [[Broadbeams]] from the [[Blue Mountains]], and others from the far East of Middle-earth). For six years they systematically sacked the Orc strongholds of the [[Misty Mountains]], until only Moria was left. There the Orcs that had survived the destruction had gathered to Azog.

==Opposing Forces==
The exact number for the Dwarves was not specified, but it can be estimated at being somewhere between six to ten thousand Longbeards, Firebeards, Broadbeams, Ironfists, Stonefoots, Blacklocks, and Stiffbeards.
This is based off the assumption that the other Dwarf houses sent no more then a few thousand each to take part in the war, because they could not have sent too many for economic, financial and defense reasons. The Longbeards (Durin's Folk) could not have mustered a proper fighting force of no more than 1-3,000, because of a severely depleted populace and financial/economic problems (especially Thraín's following).<ref name="AppDurin">{{App|Durin}}</ref>

The Orcs, as stated above, came from Moria, and from as far north as [[Gundabad|Mount Gundabad]]. Their numbers can be estimated at fifteen to twenty thousand Orcs.<ref name="AppDurin"/>

==The Battle==
[[File:Jacek Kopalski - Náin at Azanulbizar.jpg|thumb|left|Jacek Kopalski - ''Náin at Azanulbizar'']]
The battle began on a dark winter day, and no sun was said to have shined through the clouds. The Dwarves had marched into the Dimrill Dale where they found the East-Gate and sent up a great noise. They discovered that on the western slopes above thousands of Orcs had gathered, while more still came pouring out of the gate. The Dwarves there stood outnumbered and on the lower end of a sloping hill.

The first Vanguard led by King Thráin, assaulted the slopes only to be driven back with casualties. In a woods near the Mirrormere, the dwarves noted that [[Frerin]] youngest son of Thráin was slain along with [[Fundin]], father of [[Balin]]; and many others. Thraín himself was wounded, as was his eldest son [[Thorin|Thorin II Oakenshield]], whose shield was broken during the battle, forcing him to resort to using an oak branch that he cut off a tree to defend himself.

Elsewhere, the battle swayed back and forth until [[Náin (son of Grór)|Náin]] from the [[Iron Hills]] arrived with a contingent of fresh troops. Náin and his Dwarves cut through the Orc lines with their mattocks shouting, "AZOG! AZOG! AZOG!" until they had reached the steps of the gate, at which Naín called Azog to come out and fight. When Azog emerged from the inner gate with his guards, Náin was exhausted and half blind with rage. He tried to swing as hard as he could, but Azog darted aside and Náin missed, splintering his mattocks on the ground. The orc kicked him in the leg when he dodged the Dwarf's blow, making him stumble, at which point Azog attempted to thrust and behead him, succeeding only in breaking Náin's neck because of the strong mail he was wearing. Náin died instantly.

Even as Azog gloated over his duel, he looked out over the valley which the east gate overlooks, and came to the realization that his entire force was routed. Those that could were fleeing southwards, and all his guard was dead. With that he fled back to the gate. Náin's son, [[Dáin Ironfoot|Dáin]], leaped up the steps after him with his red axe, and there before the gate he decapitated the Orc chieftain, thus ending the battle.
The slaying of Azog was considered an amazing feat, as Dáin was only 32 years of age (very young for a Dwarf). Dáin would later become [[King under the Mountain]] as [[Dáin Ironfoot|Dáin II Ironfoot]].<ref name="AppDurin"/>

==Aftermath==
[[File:Steamey - Vengeance.jpg|thumb|Steamey - ''Vengeance'']]
The Dwarves were victorious, but half of their forces were dead or mortally wounded. The Orcs suffered even worse casualties, with ten thousand dead. After the battle, Thráin wanted to enter and reclaim Moria, the ancestral home of Durin's folk. However, due to their losses, the other Houses not willing to participate, and since Dáin had seen [[Durin's Bane]] beyond the East-gate, Thráin refrained from entering.<ref name="AppDurin"/>

The Dwarves stripped their dead so the Orcs could not plunder them, and cut down all the trees in the valley, which was to remain bare ever after. They made many pyres on which to burn their dead. They could not bury them all in tombs of stone, as was their custom, because it would take too long. From then on those that died in Dimrill Dale were known proudly as ''Burned Dwarves''.

The Houses parted ways, returning to their homes to the North, East, and West. Thráin, with what was left of the Longbeard contingent, went back to [[Dunland]] and wandered in [[Eriador]], eventually settling in the Southern Blue Mountains. There Durin's folk repopulated slowly, waiting for the day when they could take back the halls of [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]] and Khazad-dum.<ref name="AppDurin"/>

==Repercussions==
Although the Dwarves suffered heavy casualties, the battle would have lasting effects for the [[Orcs of the Misty Mountains]]. Their numbers were severely reduced after the battle and never fully recovered.

The depletion of the Orc population contributed to the survival of [[Thorin and Company]] on their journey to Erebor, as well as the victory of the Elves, Men, and Dwarves at the [[Battle of Five Armies]]. It also allowed [[Balin]], in {{TA|2989}}, to attempt the [[Balin's Colony|recolonization of Moria]].

==Portrayal in adaptations==
'''2012: ''[[The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey]]'':'''

:Referred to as the '''Battle of [[Moria]]''' in this [[The Hobbit (film series)|film trilogy]] (and portrayed more as an isolated battle rather than the final conflict for an entire war), the battle is presented in a flashback sequence as [[Balin]] recounts [[Thorin]]'s past to [[Bilbo Baggins]]. The narrative of the battle has been heavily condensed. In the film version, rather than recounting Thrór's death at the hands of [[Azog]] and the resulting war of many years, Balin simply says that after [[Smaug]] drove the [[Dwarves of Erebor|Dwarves]] from [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]], Thrór attempted to lead all of his people back to their ancestral realm in Moria, only to find that the [[Orcs]] had gotten there first. [[Azog]] does decapitate [[Thrór]], but the deed takes place during the battle itself, and the head is thrown at Thorin's feet rather than [[Nár]]'s. Balin similarly condenses [[Thráin]]'s story, stating that he went mad with grief and wandered away, and his people never knew if he was dead or captured. [[Dáin Ironfoot]] is completely absent from the story, and it is Thorin who rallies the dwarves by facing Azog in single combat and hacking off his left arm at the elbow. The wounded Azog is dragged back into Moria by his subordinates, and the Dwarves assume he has died of his injuries, but he survives to appear in a present-time sub-plot in which he is hunting Thorin and Company for revenge. No mention is made of the burning of the Dwarves' dead, but Balin, [[Dwalin]], [[Bifur]], and Thorin are seen in the aftermath of the battle walking amidst heaps of their slain kin, and Balin recalls the battle as a pyrrhic victory, and the number of dead as beyond the count of grief, echoing closely the wording of the account from [[Appendix A]] of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''.

{{references}}

[[Category:Conflicts of the Third Age]]
[[de:Schlacht von Azanulbizar]]
[[fr:encyclo:evenements:3a:guerres:bataille_d_azanulbizar]]
[[fi:Azanulbizarin taistelu]]

Orocarni

2018-04-26T21:54:58Z

142.44.139.85: small edit; dwarves did live in orocarni

{{location infobox
| name=Orocarni
| image=
| caption=
| pronun=
| othernames=Red Mountains, Mountains of the East
| location=Far east of [[Middle-earth]]
| type=Mountain range
| description=Home of the other four [[Dwarf]] Houses
| regions=
| towns=
| inhabitants=[[Dwarves]]
| created=
| destroyed=
| events=
}}
The '''Orocarni''' (also called the '''Red Mountains''') was a mountain range in the far north-east of [[Middle-earth]] made by the [[Valar]] after [[Morgoth|Melkor]] destroyed the [[Two Lamps]].<ref name=SMA4>{{SM|A4}}, p. 256</ref>

==Geography==
On the western slopes of the Orocarni grew the ''[[Wild Wood]]'', and near a great waterfall of a river that flowed into the Inland [[Sea of Helcar]] lay the bay of [[Cuiviénen]], where the first [[Elves]] woke.<ref>{{S|1}}</ref><ref>{{MR|Annals}}, p. 77, notes §41</ref> At their northern edge, the Orocarni came close to the [[Iron Mountains|Ered Engrin]],<ref name=SMA4/> similar to [[Blue Mountains|Ered Luin]] in the far north-west.

Four of the seven [[Fathers of the Dwarves]] presumably awoke in the range, establishing realms under the mountains. The distance between their mansions in the East and the [[Misty Mountains]], specifically [[Gundabad]], was said to be as great or greater than that of Gundabad's distance from the [[Blue Mountains]] in the West.<ref>{{PM|Dwarves}}, p. 301</ref>

{{references}}

[[Category:Eastern lands]]
[[Category:Mountain ranges]]
[[Category:Quenya locations]]

[[de:Orocarni]]
[[fi:Orocarni]]

Dwarves

2018-04-26T21:53:33Z

142.44.139.85: small edit

{{sources}}
{{race infobox
| name=Dwarves
| image=[[File:Alarie - A bunch of dwarves.jpg|250px]]
| caption="A bunch of dwarves" by [[:Category:Images by Alarie|Alarie]]
| pronun=
| othernames=''Naugrim'' ([[Sindarin|S]]), ''Nogothrim'' ([[Sindarin|S]]).''[[Khazâd]]'' ([[Khuzdul|K]]), ''[[Hadhod]]rim'' ([[Sindarin|S]]), ''[[Casar]]i'' ([[Quenya|Q]])
| origin=Created by [[Aulë]]
| location=[[Moria|Khazad-dûm]], [[Belegost]], [[Nogrod]], [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]], [[Iron Hills]], [[Orocarni]], [[Glittering Caves]], [[Grey Mountains]], [[Blue Mountains]], [[Gundabad]]
| affiliation=
| rivalry=[[Elves]], [[Orcs]]
| language=[[Khuzdul]] ([[Dwarvish]]), [[Iglishmêk]] (sign language), [[Westron]]
| people='''Clans:''' [[Durin's Folk|Longbeards]], [[Firebeards]], [[Broadbeams]], [[Ironfists]], [[Stiffbeards]], [[Blacklocks]], [[Stonefoots]], [[Petty-dwarves]] '''Groups:''' [[Dwarves of Belegost|Belegost Dwarves]], [[Dwarves of Erebor|Erebor Dwarves]], [[Dwarves of Khazad-dûm|Khazad-dûm Dwarves]], [[Dwarves of Nogrod|Nogrod Dwarves]], [[Dwarves of the Blue Mountains|Blue Mountain Dwarves]], [[Dwarves of the Grey Mountains|Grey Mountain Dwarves]], [[Dwarves of the Iron Hills|Iron Hill Dwarves]]
| members=[[Durin]], [[Gimli]], [[Thorin]], [[Dáin Ironfoot]], [[Azaghâl]], [[Mîm]], [[Balin]]
| lifespan=c. 250-350 years<ref name="LOTRProjectStats">{{webcite|author=Emil Johansson|articleurl=http://lotrproject.com/statistics/#lifeexpectancy|articlename=Lord of the Rings in Statistics|website=[http://lotrproject.com/ Lord of the Rings Project]|accessed=15 April 2018}}</ref>
| distinctions=Stocky; bearded; never bald; especially hardy and loyal; notoriously stubborn
| height=
| hair=Blond, brown, black, blue, red, and (when older) grey or white
| skin=
| clothing=
| weapons=Often axes, swords, hammers, mattocks
}}
{{quote|Since they were to come in the days of the power of [[Morgoth|Melkor]], [[Aulë]] made the dwarves strong to endure. Therefore they are stone-hard, stubborn, fast in friendship and in enmity, and they suffer toil and hunger and hurt of body more hardily than all other speaking peoples; and they live long, far beyond the span of Men, yet not forever.|[[The Silmarillion]], "[[Of Aulë and Yavanna]]"}}
The '''Dwarves''', or '''''[[Khuzd|Khazâd]]''''' in their own tongue, were beings of short stature, often friendly with [[Hobbits]] although long suspicious of [[Elves]]. They were typically blacksmiths and stoneworkers by profession, unrivaled in some of their arts even by the Elves.

While there were several tribes (Houses) of the Dwarves, the most prominent was that of the [[Durin's Folk|Longbeards]].

==History==
===Origin===
Unlike Elves and [[Men]], the Dwarves are not counted among the [[Children of Ilúvatar]]. Their creator was [[Aulë#Names and etymology|Mahal]], known as [[Aulë]] the Smith. Aulë created the Seven [[Fathers of the Dwarves]], from whom all other Dwarves are descended, deep beneath an unknown mountain somewhere in [[Middle-earth]]. However, Aulë did not have the divine power to grant independent life to any creation, and the dwarves were bound to his will. [[Ilúvatar]] came and reprimanded Aulë, who confessed his desire to create more living things, but in repentance lifted his hammer to destroy the dwarves. Even as the blow was about to land, the dwarves cowered and begged for mercy, as Ilúvatar had taken pity and given true life to the creations of his child, including them in His plan for [[Arda]]. However, Ilúvatar did not wish them to wake before the [[Elves]], whom he intended to be the first-born. Ilúvatar granted the Dwarves life, and therefore they are known as the Adopted Children of Ilúvatar, but he bade Aulë lay them to sleep in their chamber deep beneath the mountain, and they were to awake after the [[Awakening of the Elves]].<ref name=S2>{{S|2}}</ref>

[[File:BFME2 - Dwarf 4.jpg|thumb||Dwarves as portrayed in [[The Battle for Middle-earth II]] game.]]
The Seven Fathers awoke in their places in pairs with their wives, though [[Durin|Durin I]] had awoken alone. The seven different groups of Dwarf-folk originated in the locations where the Seven Fathers of the Dwarves first awoke.<ref>{{PM|XNotes}}</ref><ref>{{PM|X}}</ref>

The seven clans of the Dwarves were:

* [[Longbeards]], Durin's Folk, originally from [[Gundabad]].
* [[Firebeards]] and [[Broadbeams]], originally from [[Mt. Dolmed]].
* [[Ironfists]] and [[Stiffbeards]], originated in the East.
* [[Blacklocks]] and [[Stonefoots]], originated in the East.

Durin settled in the caves above [[Kheled-zâram]] which later became the greatest of Dwarf realms, [[Moria|Khazad-dûm]]. Therefore the halls of the Longbeards were not located near the halls of another Dwarf-kingdom.

There was also an eighth group of Dwarves that was not a separate member from these seven kindreds, but composed of exiles from each: the [[Petty-dwarves]], who were hunted like animals to the point of extinction by the [[Elves]] in the First Age.

===First Age===
The Dwarves for many years did not know any other folk, until Firebeards and Broadbeams had their first meeting with the [[Elves]] in [[Beleriand]] in the year {{YT|1250|n}} of the [[Years of the Trees]]. From that time on there was friendship between the [[Sindar]] and the Dwarves, and they began exchanging knowledge and creating ring-mails and many other works; the [[Dwarves of Nogrod]] were unmatched in Middle-earth in smithing. They delved the caves of [[Menegroth]], and adopted the [[cirth|writing]] of [[Daeron]]. It was the Dwarves who told the Sindar about [[Orcs]] attacking their Elven kin on the other side of the mountains, which prompted King [[Thingol]] to begin a build up of arms which the Dwarves made for him.

Later on a great army of Orcs attacked the Elves, but in the [[First Battle of Beleriand]] were defeated and fled. Those that got away ran south right into an army of Dwarves who issued from Mount Dolmed and destroyed them.

After the [[Return of the Noldor]], [[Finrod|Finrod Felagund]] desired to settle himself in the [[Caves of Narog]] and the Dwarves of the Ered Luin aided him and gave him the dwarven name ''Felak-gundu'' (''[[Felagund]]''). They eventually made for him the [[Nauglamír]]. This necklace without equal contained one of the [[Silmarils]], and sparked jealousy and conflicts over its true ownership. These initial conflicts receded by the beginning of the Second Age, but were rekindled to a new intensity by the discord sown by [[Sauron]]. They eventually created a rivalry and mistrust between Elves and Dwarves that endured to the end of the Third Age, when [[Gimli]] the Dwarf bridged the distance between the two races by developing a deep admiration for lady [[Galadriel]] and forming a strong friendship with [[Legolas]] the Elf.

Things finally came to a head between the forces of Morgoth and the Elves, Men, and Dwarves in the [[Nirnaeth Arnoediad]]. The Dwarves fought for the [[Union of Maedhros]]

In early [[Second Age]] most of the [[Firebeards]] and [[Broadbeams]] houses migrated to [[Moria|Khazad-dûm]] from their cities in the [[Blue Mountains]] which were ruined during the sinking of Beleriand.

===Second Age===
The Dwarves had little participation in most of the important events involving the other races. However their friendship with the Elves perhaps became more close than ever; the Dwarves of [[Moria]] maintained close connections to the [[Gwaith-i-Mírdain]] of [[Eregion]]; the [[Doors of Durin]] of Moria were built to facilitate the communication between the two people, and was constructed jointly by both races.

When Eregion was sacked by [[Sauron]]'s forces, the Dwarves assailed them from behind however it was too late to stop him from conquering all [[Eriador]].<ref name="UTGalad">{{UT|Galadriel}}</ref>
[[File:Liz Danforth - Annatar and the Seven Rings.png|thumb|[[Liz Danforth]] - ''Annatar and the seven rings'']]
When "[[Annatar]]" distributed the Rings of Power, he gave [[seven Rings|seven]] to Dwarf Lords in order to subdue and control them. However, they did not have the same effect as they did over Men. Dwarves did not shift into the [[wraith-world]] and in fact resisted domination. The Rings only augmented their greed and ability to create riches.

At the end of the Age, very few Dwarves participated in the [[War of the Last Alliance|great War]], with some joining the side of [[Sauron]]. The [[Dwarves of Moria]] joined the great host of the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]].<ref name=rings>{{S|Rings}}</ref>

===Third Age===

[[File:Angus McBride - Dwarves.jpg|thumb|left|[[Angus McBride]] - ''The Dwarves are upon You!'']]
In [[Third Age 1980]], after centuries of greedy digging for ''[[mithril]]'' and other minerals, the Dwarves woke a [[Durin's Bane|Balrog]] that was sleeping in the deeps of the Misty Mountains since the First Age. The Dwarves fled Khazad-dum, which from then on was called ''Moria'', which means "Black pit".

Most of Durin's folk left for the [[Grey Mountains]] in the North, while some followed the new king, [[Thráin I]], who briefly went to [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]] in {{TA|1999}}. For more than 300 years the [[Dwarves of the Grey Mountains]] prospered until the Dragons in the far North started to gain strength. Some fled to the [[Iron Hills]], while most followed the new king [[Thrór]] to Erebor to start a new [[Kingdom under the Mountain]]. There, they prospered for over 200 years until the dragon [[Smaug]] descended in {{TA|2770}}. The King and his company went in exile South, while most of the survivors went to the Iron Hills.

Durin's folk settled in [[Dunland]], and in {{TA|2790}} King Thrór traveled North to Moria where he was killed by the [[Orcs|Goblin]] king [[Azog]]. Thrór's son [[Thráin|Thráin II]] (who had received the Last of the Seven Rings from his father before his departure) summoned all the Houses of Dwarves to war. Thus began the [[War of Dwarves and Orcs]], in which the Dwarves destroyed all the Goblin strongholds in the [[Misty Mountains]] culminating to the great [[Battle of Azanulbizar]] where all the dwarven clans united. The Goblin hosts issuing from Moria were strong and relentless until the arrival of fresh [[Dwarves of the Iron Hills]]. The Battle ended with the victory of Dwarves, but at great cost. The Dwarven clans however were unwilling to repopulate Moria. Thráin therefore came to the [[Blue Mountains]] and established his realm there.

[[File:Angelo Montanini - Dori.jpg|thumb|[[Angelo Montanini]] - ''Dori'']]
The Wizard [[Gandalf]] was instrumental into helping Thráin's son Thorin in reclaiming the Kingdom of Erebor. Thorin gathered around him [[Thorin and Company|twelve dwarves]], mostly from his own line, and was joined by [[Gandalf]] and [[Bilbo Baggins]]. The [[Quest of Erebor]] ended with the death of [[Smaug]]. After a quarrel with the Men and Elves over the unguarded hoard, the Dwarves - assisted by those from the [[Iron Hills]] - united with the Men and Elves to fight the attacking Goblins and Wargs, in what was called the [[Battle of Five Armies]], where Thorin was killed.

[[Gimli]] son of Glóin joined the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] as a representative of the Dwarves and befriended [[Legolas]] during the [[War of the Ring]].

===Fourth Age===
Not much is known about the Dwarves in the [[Fourth Age]]. After the [[War of the Ring]], [[Gimli]] brought a part of Durin's Folk from Erebor to the Glittering Caves behind Helm's Deep and founded a colony there. Subsequently, Gimli went on many travels with his friend Legolas, and History lost track of their fate. Through their friendship and influence, the feud between the two races that had lasted for millennia finally ended, shortly before the departure of the last Elves from Middle-earth. It is rumored that Gimli and Legolas eventually boarded a ship that sailed down the river Anduin, out to sea and across to Valinor in the year {{FoA|120}}. Gimli would thus have become the only Dwarf to ever be permitted to cross to the Undying Lands.

[[Durin VII]] (the Last), retook Moria and brought Khazad-dûm back to its original splendor, and the Longbeards lived there till the "world grew old and the days of Durin's race ended".

==Nature==
They were 4.5 - 5 feet (1.35 - 1.52 m) tall and their more distinctive characteristic was their beard which they have from the beginning of their lives, male and females alike; and which they shave only in shame.<ref name=wj13>{{WJ|13}}</ref>

As creations of Aulë, they were attracted to the substances of Arda and crafts. They mined and worked precious metals throughout the mountains of Middle-earth, but had a tendency toward gold lust, and committed their share of rash and greedy acts. Among these was the dispute over the [[Nauglamír]], which led to the slaying of Elu [[Thingol]] and stirred up the initial suspicion between Elves and Dwarves to open hatred.<ref name=rings/>

Dwarves generally lived far from the sea and avoided getting on boats, as they disliked the sound of the ocean and were afraid of it.<ref name=S10>{{S|10}}</ref>
===Hardiness===
The Dwarves were created by Aulë to be strong, resistant to fire and the evils of Morgoth. They were hardier than any other race, secretive, stubborn, and steadfast in enmity or loyalty.

Despite their short stature, they were known for their strength and endurance in battle, as well as their fury, particularly when avenging their fallen kin, and for being some of the greatest warriors in all of Middle-earth. They fought valiantly in many wars and battles over the Ages holding axes.<ref name=wj13/>

Sickness was almost unknown to the Dwarves, as they were immune to human diseases.<ref name=PMAiv/>

They were generally less corruptible than Men. When Sauron attempted to enslave the Free Folk of Middle-earth using the [[Rings of Power]], the Elves completely resisted his power (indeed, his hand had never sullied the [[Three Rings]]), while the [[Nine Rings]] utterly corrupted the Men who bore them into the [[Ringwraiths]]. In contrast, the Dwarves were sturdy and resistant enough that Sauron was not able to dominate them using the [[Seven Rings]]. At most, the Seven Rings sowed strife among the Dwarves and filled their wearers with an insatiable greed for gold, but they did not turn them into wraiths subservient to the Dark Lord, and he considered his plan to have failed. Sauron was furious at the Dwarves' resistance, spurring his drive to recapture the Seven Rings from them.

Another example was [[Gimli]], who, while [[Saruman]] used the power in his voice and the [[Rohirrim]] were spell-bound by his magic, Gimli was unmoved and commented that Saruman's words cannot be trusted, causing Saruman to be angered enough to lose his charm.<ref>{{TT|Voice}}</ref>

===Lifespan===
The lifespan of Dwarves was varied depending on their ancestry. The Longbeards were particularly long-lived, but by the Third Age their lifespan was diminished and they lived, on average, 250 years. Until they were around 30 years of age, Dwarves were considered too young for heavy labor or war (hence the slaying of Azog by [[Dain Ironfoot]] at age 32 was a great feat). By the age of 40, Dwarves were hardened into the appearance that they would keep for most of their lives. Between the approximate ages of 40 and 240, most Dwarves were equally hale and able to work and fight with vigor. They took on the appearance of age only about ten years before their death, wrinkling and greying rapidly, but never going bald. Occasionally they would live up to 300 years of age, and [[Dwalin]] reached the rare lifespan of 340 years (comparable to a Middle Man living to 100).<ref name=PMAiv>{{PM|Aiv}}</ref>

Although Dwarves did not suffer from diseases, corpulence could affect them. In prosperous circumstances, many grew fat by the age of 200 and became physically inept.<ref name=PMAiv>{{PM|Aiv}}</ref>

==Culture and family==
The Dwarves' numbers, although they sometimes flourished, often faced periods of decline, especially in periods of war. The slow increase of their population was due to the rarity of [[Dwarf-women]], who made up only about a third of the total population. Dwarves seldom wedded before the age of ninety or more, and rarely had so many as four children. They took only one husband or wife in their lifetime, and were jealous, as in all matters of their rights. The number of Dwarf-men that married was actually less than a third, for not all the Dwarf-women took husbands; some desired none, some wanted one they could not have and would have no other. Many Dwarf-men did not desire marriage because they were absorbed in their work.<ref name=AppA3>{{App|A3}}</ref><ref name=PMAiv/>

Dwarf-women seldom walked abroad, and that only in great need. When they did travel, they were so alike Dwarf-men in voice, appearance, and garb that it was hard for other races to tell them apart. They were likewise seldom named in genealogies, joining their husbands' families. The only Dwarf-woman named in Tolkien's legendarium is [[Dís]], sister of Thorin Oakenshield, who was given a place in the records because of the gallant deaths of her sons, Fíli and Kíli. The scarcity of women, their rare mention, and their identical looks with the males, coupled with the Dwarves' secretive culture, led many to mistakenly believe that Dwarves were born out of stone, and upon death they returned to that stone.<ref name=AppA3/><ref name=PMAiv/>

Dwarves are fiercely devoted to their parents and children. In their desire for their children to grow up hardy and enduring, they may treat them harshly, but they will protect them at all costs. Dwarves resent injuries to their children and to their parents more than injuries to themselves.<ref name=PMAiv/>

==Religion==
The Dwarves loved and revered the Vala Aulë.<ref name=S10/><ref name=S2>{{S|2}}</ref>

Of old the Elves believed that the Dwarves would have no future in [[Arda Unmarred]], but the Dwarves themselves held to a promise that Ilúvatar would hallow them and adopt them as his Children. They maintained that after death Aulë (Mahal) cared for them, gathering them to the [[Halls of Mandos]] with the other Children of Ilúvatar, though in halls set apart. It is said that after the Last Battle they will work alongside Aulë in the remaking of Arda.<ref name=S2/>

==Language==
The Dwarven language was created by Aulë, and was called [[Khuzdul]]. It was a strange language to Elves and Men, and few non-Dwarves learned it, because it was difficult, and the Dwarves kept it secret, preferring to communicate in the languages of their neighbors. Only one Khuzdul phrase was well known to outsiders: the ancient battle cry, going back to at least the First Age: "''Baruk Khazâd! Khazâd ai-mênu!''", which means "Axes of the Dwarves! The Dwarves are upon you!". The Dwarves taught Khuzdul carefully to their children, as a learned language, not a cradle-tongue, and thus the language changed very little over the ages, unlike those of other races.
The Dwarves also devised a secret language of gestures to communicate between themselves in silence, the ''[[iglishmêk]]''.<ref>{{WJ|Quendi}}, p. 395</ref>

==Names==
The Dwarves called themselves the ''[[Khazâd]]'', the name Aulë gave them; this is adapted as '''''[[Hadhod]]'''rim'' in [[Sindarin]], and '''''[[Casar]]'''i'' in [[Quenya]]. Casari was the common word for Dwarves among the [[Noldor]], but the [[Sindar]] usually called them ''Naugrim'' or ''Nogothrim'', the Stunted People.<ref>{{App|F2}}</ref>

An epithet for the Dwarves in [[Quenya]] was ''Auleonnar'', meaning "offspring of Aule".<ref>{{HM|PM}}, p. 391</ref>

In their dealings with people of other races, the Dwarves did not reveal their true names, rather adopting new names in other languages (the [[petty-dwarves]] were an exception). During the Third Age, the Longbeards used [[northern Mannish]] names in public.

==Inspiration==
Almost all the names of the Dwarves of Middle-earth are taken from the Old Norse [[Völuspá]].

According to Tolkien, the "real 'historical'" plural of ''dwarf'' is ''dwarrows'' or ''dwerrows''. He once referred to ''dwarves'' as "a piece of private bad grammar" (''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien|Letters]]'', 17), but in Appendix F to ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' he explains that if we still spoke of ''dwarves'' regularly, English might have retained a special plural for the word ''dwarf'' as with ''man''. The form ''dwarrow'' only appears in the word ''Dwarrowdelf'', a name for [[Moria]]. Tolkien used ''Dwarves'', instead, which corresponds with ''Elf'' and ''Elves'', making its meaning more apparent. The use of a different term also serves to set Tolkien's Dwarves apart from the similarly-named creatures in mythology and fairy-tales.

The enduring popularity of Tolkien's books, especially ''[[The Hobbit]]'' and ''[[The Lord of the Rings]],'' has led to the popular use of the term ''dwarves'' to describe this race in fantasy literature. Before Tolkien, the term ''dwarfs'' (with a different spelling) was used, as seen in ''Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs''. In fact, the latter spelling was so common that the original editor of ''The Lord of the Rings'' "corrected" Tolkien's ''dwarves'' to ''dwarfs'' (''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]]'', 138).

==Other versions of the Legendarium==
In the earliest versions of Tolkien's Middle-earth mythology (see: ''[[The History of Middle-earth]]'') the dwarves were evil beings created by [[Morgoth|Melkor]].

In an earlier version of the legendarium it is hinted that the Dwarves do not know about Ilúvatar, or that they disbelieve his existence, but later writings contradict that suggestion.<ref name="#">{{LT2|IV}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[:Category:Images of Dwarves|Images of Dwarves]]

==External links==

*"[http://lingwe.blogspot.se/2013/02/did-tolkien-coin-plural-dwarves.html Did Tolkien coin the plural “dwarves”?]" by [[Jason Fisher]]

{{references}}
{{Dwarvenclans}}
[[Category:Dwarves| ]]
[[Category:Races]]
[[de:Zwerge]]
[[fr:encyclo/peuples/nains/nains]]
[[fi:Kääpiöt]]

Nogrod

2018-04-26T21:51:56Z

142.44.139.85: small edit

__NOTOC__
{{kingdom
| image=[[File:Mark Fisher - Belegost.gif|250px]]
| name=Nogrod
| pronun=
| othernames=Tumunzahar
| location=[[Blue Mountains]], south-east of [[Dolmed|Mount Dolmed]]
| capital=
| towns=
| regions=
| population=[[Dwarves of Nogrod]]
| language=Khuzdul
| govern1=[[Lord of Nogrod]]
| govern2=
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| event1=Founded
| event1date=[[Years of the Trees]]
| event2=Abandoned
| event2date={{SA|40}}
| event3=
| event3date=
| event4=
| event4date=
| event5=
| event5date=
| followedby=
}}
'''Nogrod''' was one of two [[Dwarves|Dwarven]] cities in the [[Ered Luin]] that prospered during the [[First Age]]. It was home to the [[Dwarves of Nogrod]].

==Description==
Nogrod lay in the north-central part of the mountain range, near [[Dolmed|Mount Dolmed]] where the Dwarf-road of [[Beleriand]] crossed into [[Eriador]].<ref>{{S|Map}}</ref> It guarded one of the only passes through the mountain range.<ref>{{VT|48a}}, p. 24 ("But the Dwarves had built some great Mansions in those mountains [the Ered Luin] (commanding the only passes)")</ref> It was home to the [[Dwarves of Nogrod]]. Nogrod was also the home to the great Dwarven smiths [[Gamil Zirak]] and [[Telchar]].<ref>{{UT|Narn}}, ''The Departure of Túrin''</ref>

==History==
The city was built sometime during the [[Years of the Trees]] when the western [[Fathers of the Dwarves]] awoke from beneath Mount Dolmed.<ref>{{VT|48a}}, p. 24 ("...which had certainly been founded long ago ... before the coming of the exiled Noldor, probably before the Eldar of the Great Journey ever reached Beleriand")</ref>

Nogrod traded with throughout Beleriand and the Dwarves were employed for delvings and crafts, most famously the [[Nauglamir]] for King [[Thingol]].<ref>{{S|Doriath}}</ref> [[Eöl]] the Dark Elf often went there, as did his son [[Maeglin]].<ref name="Sindar">{{S|Sindar}}</ref>

At the end of the First Age, Nogrod was ruined in the [[War of Wrath]],<ref>{{App|Durin}}</ref> and around the [[Second Age 40|fortieth year]] of the [[Second Age]] the Dwarves of the Blue Mountains began to migrate to [[Moria|Khazad-dûm]], abandoning Nogrod and [[Belegost]].<ref>{{App|SA}}</ref> However, there always remained some Dwarves on the eastern side of the Blue Mountains in days afterward.<ref>{{UT|Concerning}} p. 235</ref>

==Etymology==
Nogrod is a [[Sindarin]] name; it was originally known as '''Novrod''' which means "hollow delving" aka '''Hollowbold''', like its original Khuzdul name, '''Tumunzahar'''.

Novrod was altered to ''Naug''rod under the influence of the similar-sounding word ''[[Naug]]'' "dwarf".<ref name=el/> Therefore while the name '''Hollowbold''' is provided as the translation of Nogrod<ref>{{S|Index}}</ref> it is not a literal translation; the new name means rather "Dwarf dwelling".<ref>{{HM|Guide}}, entry "Nogrod"</ref>

The second element of Novrod/Nogrod is Sindarin ''groth/grod'' meaning "delving, underground dwelling".<ref name=el>{{S|Elements}}</ref>

In ''[[The Etymologies]]'' the name is labelled as [[Noldorin]] and is said to contain the element ''[[Naug]]'' "dwarf". The second element ''-rod'' is not explained, but a note by [[Christopher Tolkien]] points to entry [[ROD]], an etymological [[root]] meaning "cave". Relevant Noldorin words include ''rhond'' "cave" and ''rhaud'' "hollow, cavernous".<ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}, entries NAUK, ROD</ref>

Its name in [[Khuzdul]] was ''[[Tumunzahar]]'' (meaning "Hollowbold"),<ref name="Sindar"/> and its [[Quenya]] name was ''Návarot''.<ref>{{WJ|AB}}, p. 389</ref>

{{references}}
[[Category:Beleriand]]
[[Category:Eriador]]
[[Category:Cities, towns and villages]]
[[Category:Dwarven realms]]

[[de:Nogrod]]
[[fi:Nogrod]]
[[fr:encyclo/geographie/villes_tours_et_forteresses/beleriand/nogrod]]

Belegost

2018-04-26T21:51:10Z

142.44.139.85:

{{kingdom
| image=[[File:Mark Fisher - Belegost.gif|250px]]
| name=Belegost
| pronun=
| othernames=Gabilgathol
| location=[[Blue Mountains]], north-east of [[Dolmed|Mount Dolmed]]
| capital=
| towns=
| regions=
| population=[[Dwarves of Belegost]]
| language=[[Khuzdul]]
| govern1=[[Lord of Belegost]]
| govern2=
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| currency=
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| event1=Founded
| event1date=[[Years of the Trees]]
| event2=Abandoned
| event2date={{SA|40}}
| event3=
| event3date=
| event4=
| event4date=
| event5=
| event5date=
| followedby=
}}
'''Belegost''' was one of two great [[Dwarves|Dwarven]] [[Dwarf realms|cities]] in the [[Ered Luin]].

==Description==

Belegost lay in the north central part of the Ered Luin, north of [[Nogrod]] and northeast of [[Dolmed|Mount Dolmed]],<ref>{{S|Map}}</ref> guarding one of the only passes through the mountain range.<ref>{{VT|48a}}, p. 24 ("But the Dwarves had built some great Mansions in those mountains [the Ered Luin] (commanding the only passes)")</ref>

==History==

Belegost was home to the [[Dwarves of Belegost]]. During the mid [[First Age]] its king until [[Nirnaeth Arnoediad]] was [[Azaghâl]].<ref>{{S|Fifth}}</ref>

Belegost was probably founded sometime during the [[Years of the Trees]].<ref>{{VT|48a}}, p. 24 ("...which had certainly been founded long ago ... before the coming of the exiled Noldor, probably before the Eldar of the Great Journey ever reached Beleriand")</ref>

At the end of the First Age, Belegost was ruined in the [[War of Wrath]],<ref>{{App|Durin}}</ref> and around the [[Second Age 40|fortieth year]] of the [[Second Age]] the Dwarves of the Blue Mountains began to migrate to [[Moria|Khazad-dûm]], abandoning Nogrod and Belegost.<ref>{{App|SA}}</ref> However, there always remained some Dwarves on the eastern side of the Blue Mountains in days afterward.<ref>{{UT|Concerning}} p. 235</ref>

==Etymology==
''Belegost'' ([[beleg]] + [[ost]]) was a [[Sindarin]] translation of the original [[Dwarvish]] name '''''Gabilgathol''''' and both mean "Great City". Unlike other names of the ''Silmarillion'', the text also gives us an English rendering, which was possibly from [[Westron]]: '''''Mickleburg'''''.<ref name="Sindar">{{S|Sindar}}</ref> ''Mickle'' is a root meaning "big"; see also [[Michel Delving]].

The city's [[Khuzdul]] name '''''Gabilgathol''''' contains the elements ''[[gabil]]'' "great" and ''[[gathol]]'' "fortress".

'''''Túrosto''''' was the name in [[Quenya]] for Belegost.<ref>{{WJ|AB}}, p. 389</ref>

==In adaptations==
In ''[[The Atlas of Middle-earth]]'' the fortress is incorrectly called '''Gabilgathod'''.<ref>[[Karen Wynn Fonstad]], ''[[The Atlas of Middle-earth]]'', Beleriand and the Lands to the North, Map</ref>

{{references}}
[[Category:Beleriand]]
[[Category:Eriador]]
[[Category:Cities, towns and villages]]
[[Category:Dwarven realms]]

[[de:Belegost]]
[[fi:Belegost]]
[[fr:encyclo:geographie:villes_tours_et_forteresses:beleriand:belegost]]

Nogrod

2018-04-26T21:49:51Z

142.44.139.85:

__NOTOC__
{{kingdom
| image=
| name=Nogrod
| pronun=
| othernames=Tumunzahar
| location=[[Blue Mountains]], south-east of [[Dolmed|Mount Dolmed]]
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| language=Khuzdul, Sindarin
| govern1=[[Lord of Nogrod]]
| govern2=
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| event1=Founded
| event1date=[[Years of the Trees]]
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| event2date={{SA|40}}
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| followedby=
}}
'''Nogrod''' was one of two [[Dwarves|Dwarven]] cities in the [[Ered Luin]] that prospered during the [[First Age]]. It was home to the [[Dwarves of Nogrod]].

==Description==
Nogrod lay in the north-central part of the mountain range, near [[Dolmed|Mount Dolmed]] where the Dwarf-road of [[Beleriand]] crossed into [[Eriador]].<ref>{{S|Map}}</ref> It guarded one of the only passes through the mountain range.<ref>{{VT|48a}}, p. 24 ("But the Dwarves had built some great Mansions in those mountains [the Ered Luin] (commanding the only passes)")</ref> It was home to the [[Dwarves of Nogrod]]. Nogrod was also the home to the great Dwarven smiths [[Gamil Zirak]] and [[Telchar]].<ref>{{UT|Narn}}, ''The Departure of Túrin''</ref>

==History==
The city was built sometime during the [[Years of the Trees]] when the western [[Fathers of the Dwarves]] awoke from beneath Mount Dolmed.<ref>{{VT|48a}}, p. 24 ("...which had certainly been founded long ago ... before the coming of the exiled Noldor, probably before the Eldar of the Great Journey ever reached Beleriand")</ref>

Nogrod traded with throughout Beleriand and the Dwarves were employed for delvings and crafts, most famously the [[Nauglamir]] for King [[Thingol]].<ref>{{S|Doriath}}</ref> [[Eöl]] the Dark Elf often went there, as did his son [[Maeglin]].<ref name="Sindar">{{S|Sindar}}</ref>

At the end of the First Age, Nogrod was ruined in the [[War of Wrath]],<ref>{{App|Durin}}</ref> and around the [[Second Age 40|fortieth year]] of the [[Second Age]] the Dwarves of the Blue Mountains began to migrate to [[Moria|Khazad-dûm]], abandoning Nogrod and [[Belegost]].<ref>{{App|SA}}</ref> However, there always remained some Dwarves on the eastern side of the Blue Mountains in days afterward.<ref>{{UT|Concerning}} p. 235</ref>

==Etymology==
Nogrod is a [[Sindarin]] name; it was originally known as '''Novrod''' which means "hollow delving" aka '''Hollowbold''', like its original Khuzdul name, '''Tumunzahar'''.

Novrod was altered to ''Naug''rod under the influence of the similar-sounding word ''[[Naug]]'' "dwarf".<ref name=el/> Therefore while the name '''Hollowbold''' is provided as the translation of Nogrod<ref>{{S|Index}}</ref> it is not a literal translation; the new name means rather "Dwarf dwelling".<ref>{{HM|Guide}}, entry "Nogrod"</ref>

The second element of Novrod/Nogrod is Sindarin ''groth/grod'' meaning "delving, underground dwelling".<ref name=el>{{S|Elements}}</ref>

In ''[[The Etymologies]]'' the name is labelled as [[Noldorin]] and is said to contain the element ''[[Naug]]'' "dwarf". The second element ''-rod'' is not explained, but a note by [[Christopher Tolkien]] points to entry [[ROD]], an etymological [[root]] meaning "cave". Relevant Noldorin words include ''rhond'' "cave" and ''rhaud'' "hollow, cavernous".<ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}, entries NAUK, ROD</ref>

Its name in [[Khuzdul]] was ''[[Tumunzahar]]'' (meaning "Hollowbold"),<ref name="Sindar"/> and its [[Quenya]] name was ''Návarot''.<ref>{{WJ|AB}}, p. 389</ref>

{{references}}
[[Category:Beleriand]]
[[Category:Eriador]]
[[Category:Cities, towns and villages]]
[[Category:Dwarven realms]]

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[[fi:Nogrod]]
[[fr:encyclo/geographie/villes_tours_et_forteresses/beleriand/nogrod]]

Belegost

2018-04-26T21:47:24Z

142.44.139.85:

{{kingdom
| image=[[File:Mark Fisher - Belegost.gif|250px]]
| name=Belegost
| pronun=
| othernames=Gabilgathol
| location=[[Blue Mountains]], north-east of [[Dolmed|Mount Dolmed]]
| capital=
| towns=
| regions=
| population=[[Dwarves of Belegost]]
| language=[[Khuzdul]]
| govern1=[[Lord of Belegost]]
| govern2=
| govern3=
| currency=
| holiday=
| precededby=
| event1=Abandoned
| event1date={{SA|40}}
| event2=
| event2date=
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}}
'''Belegost''' was one of two great [[Dwarves|Dwarven]] [[Dwarf realms|cities]] in the [[Ered Luin]].

==Description==

Belegost lay in the north central part of the Ered Luin, north of [[Nogrod]] and northeast of [[Dolmed|Mount Dolmed]],<ref>{{S|Map}}</ref> guarding one of the only passes through the mountain range.<ref>{{VT|48a}}, p. 24 ("But the Dwarves had built some great Mansions in those mountains [the Ered Luin] (commanding the only passes)")</ref>

==History==

Belegost was home to the [[Dwarves of Belegost]]. During the mid [[First Age]] its king until [[Nirnaeth Arnoediad]] was [[Azaghâl]].<ref>{{S|Fifth}}</ref>

Belegost was probably founded sometime during the [[Years of the Trees]].<ref>{{VT|48a}}, p. 24 ("...which had certainly been founded long ago ... before the coming of the exiled Noldor, probably before the Eldar of the Great Journey ever reached Beleriand")</ref>

At the end of the First Age, Belegost was ruined in the [[War of Wrath]],<ref>{{App|Durin}}</ref> and around the [[Second Age 40|fortieth year]] of the [[Second Age]] the Dwarves of the Blue Mountains began to migrate to [[Moria|Khazad-dûm]], abandoning Nogrod and Belegost.<ref>{{App|SA}}</ref> However, there always remained some Dwarves on the eastern side of the Blue Mountains in days afterward.<ref>{{UT|Concerning}} p. 235</ref>

==Etymology==
''Belegost'' ([[beleg]] + [[ost]]) was a [[Sindarin]] translation of the original [[Dwarvish]] name '''''Gabilgathol''''' and both mean "Great City". Unlike other names of the ''Silmarillion'', the text also gives us an English rendering, which was possibly from [[Westron]]: '''''Mickleburg'''''.<ref name="Sindar">{{S|Sindar}}</ref> ''Mickle'' is a root meaning "big"; see also [[Michel Delving]].

The city's [[Khuzdul]] name '''''Gabilgathol''''' contains the elements ''[[gabil]]'' "great" and ''[[gathol]]'' "fortress".

'''''Túrosto''''' was the name in [[Quenya]] for Belegost.<ref>{{WJ|AB}}, p. 389</ref>

==In adaptations==
In ''[[The Atlas of Middle-earth]]'' the fortress is incorrectly called '''Gabilgathod'''.<ref>[[Karen Wynn Fonstad]], ''[[The Atlas of Middle-earth]]'', Beleriand and the Lands to the North, Map</ref>

{{references}}
[[Category:Beleriand]]
[[Category:Eriador]]
[[Category:Cities, towns and villages]]
[[Category:Dwarven realms]]

[[de:Belegost]]
[[fi:Belegost]]
[[fr:encyclo:geographie:villes_tours_et_forteresses:beleriand:belegost]]