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{{location
{{expansion}}{{sources}}
| image= [[Image:Angband Sotomayor.jpg|250px]]
{{disambig-two|a fortress of Morgoth|roguelike game|[[Angband (game)]]}}
| name= Angband
{{location infobox
| type= fortress
| name=Angband
| location= in the Northweaster shores of the[[Great Sea]]
| image=[[File:Pete_Amachree_-_Beren_and_Luthien_flee_Angband.jpg|250px]]
| inhabitants= [[Melkor]], [[Sauron]], [[Orcs]]
| caption="Beren and Luthien flee Angband" by Pete Amachree
| realms=  
| pronun=
| description= primarily an underground fortress; the main feature above ground were the [[Thangorodrim]].
| othernames=
| othernames=
| etymology= ang = iron, band = prison
| location=[[Ered Engrin]], beneath [[Thangorodrim]]
| events= Besieged by [[Noldor]], destroyed at the [[War of Wrath]].
| type=Fortress
| references= [[The Silmarillion]]
| description=Dark underground fortress
|}}
| regions=
| towns=
| inhabitants=[[Morgoth]], [[Sauron]], [[Balrogs]], [[Orcs]] and [[:Category:Servants of Melkor|other creatures]]
| created=Before {{YT|1090}}
| destroyed={{FA|587}}, [[War of Wrath]]
| events=
}}
{{Pronounce|Angband.mp3|Ardamir}}
'''Angband''' was a mighty fortified citadel originally constructed by [[Morgoth|Melkor]] in the earliest days of the world as an outlying fortress to his northern stronghold of [[Utumno]]. Utumno was [[Battle of the Powers|destroyed]] by the [[Valar]] and Melkor imprisoned in [[Valinor]] for three ages, but on his return to [[Middle-earth]], he took Angband as the seat of his power and raised the towers of [[Thangorodrim]] above its gates.
 
Angband was besieged by the [[Noldor]] during the early part of the late [[First Age]], but the [[Siege of Angband|siege]] was broken at the [[Dagor Bragollach]]. It was finally destroyed by the forces of the Valar at the very end of the First Age, in the [[War of Wrath]].  
 
==History==
Melkor built Angband during the [[Years of the Trees]], originally as an outlying fortress and armoury to his great northern citadel at [[Utumno]]. It was built near the northwestern shores of the [[Belegaer|Great Sea]] in the range of the [[Iron Mountains]] as a first defence against any attack on Melkor's realm from the Valar in Aman. It was commanded by [[Sauron]], his lieutenant.<ref name=s3>{{S|3}}</ref><ref>{{S|Map}}</ref>


After the [[Battle of the Powers]], the Valar [[Captivity of Melkor|captured Melkor]] and took him in chains back to [[Valinor]], although beneath the ruins of [[Utumno]] and Angband lay many hidden chambers and vaults in which some of Melkor's servants escaped the Valar's assault. Sauron was one of these, as well as the [[Balrogs]].<ref name=s3/>


{{Pronounce|Angband.mp3|Ardamir}}
Angband re-entered history when Melkor escaped Valinor with the stolen [[Silmarils]]; he chose the ruined fortress as his new capital, and rebuilt the Hells of Iron as a base for the dark reign he intended for the lands of [[Middle-earth]].<ref>{{S|Flight}}</ref>
'''Angband''' ('Iron Prison' or 'Hell of Iron'; [[ang]] = iron, [[band]] = prison, duress) was a mighty fortified citadel originally constructed by [[Melkor]] in the earliest days of the world as an outlying fortress to his northern stronghold of [[Utumno]]. [[Utumno]] was destroyed by the [[Valar]], and [[Melkor]] imprisoned in [[Valinor]] for three ages, but on his return to [[Middle-earth]], he took Angband as the seat of his power, and raised the towers of [[Thangorodrim]] above its gates.
 
Soon after the [[Return of the Noldor]] to [[Beleriand]] towards the end of the [[First Age]],<ref>{{App|Elves}}, p. 1128</ref> Melkor took [[Fëanor]]'s son [[Maedhros]] by deceit and trickery, and hung him by the wrist from the towers of Thangorodrim above Angband. He was rescued by [[Fingon]] and [[Thorondor]], but lost his right hand.<ref name="Return">{{S|Return}}</ref>
 
The third of the great battles in the [[Wars of Beleriand]], the [[Dagor Aglareb]], had profound consequences for Angband. Melkor sent out hosts of [[Orcs]] in the hope of taking the Noldor by surprise, but the Noldor chased these Orcs back to the very gates of Angband, and slew them to the last creature. From then until the Dagor Bragollach in {{FA|455}}, a period of almost 400 years, Angband was surrounded by the Noldor; this is the time known as the [[Siege of Angband]].<ref name=Return/>
 
==Appearance and Construction==
[[File:John Howe - Angband.jpg|right|thumb|Angband by [[John Howe]]]]
Angband was primarily an underground fortress, at least after its initial destruction by the Valar in the Years of the Trees. Like its prototype, Utumno, it had many hidden underground chambers and vaults far beneath the earth that not even the Valar could discover.<ref name=s3/> Its main features above ground were the three peaks of the Thangorodrim, mighty towers of ash and slag raised above Angband's gates.
 
The peaks of Thangorodrim were hollow, and from them channels and chimneys ran down to the deepest pits of Angband. So, Melkor could produce poisonous clouds and vapours, as indeed he sent against the Noldor in [[Mithrim]] during the first days after their Return.


Angband was besieged by the [[Noldor]] during the early part of the [[First Age]], but the Siege of Angband was broken at the [[Dagor Bragollach]]. It was finally destroyed by the forces of the [[Valar]] at the end of the [[First Age]], in the [[War of Wrath]].
==Etymology==


==Origins and History==
''Angband'' is [[Sindarin]], and means "Iron Prison" or "Hell of Iron", from ''[[ang]]'' + ''[[band]]''.<ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}, pp. 348, 350 (entries for [[Sundocarme|roots]] [[ANGA|ANGĀ-]] and [[BAD|BAD-]])</ref>
[[Melkor]] built Angband during the [[Years of the Trees]], originally as an outlying fortress and armoury to his great northern citadel at [[Utumno]]. It was commanded from its first construction by Sauron, the chief of [[Melkor]]'s servants. Angband was built near the northwestern shores of the [[Great Sea]] in the range of the [[Iron Mountains]], as a first defence against any attack on Melkor's realm from the Valar in Aman.


When the [[Valar]] captured [[Melkor]] and took him in chains back to [[Valinor]], Angband was largely destroyed and lay in ruins for many thousands of years, although beneath the ruins lay many hidden chambers in which some of Melkor's servants escaped the Valar's assault. Sauron was one of these, and the Balrogs lay hid with him in Angband's deepest vaults.
In [[Quenya]], Angband was called '''''Angamando'''''<ref>{{S|Appendix}}, ''band''</ref>, and means "Iron-gaol"<ref>{{VT|45a}}</ref>


Angband re-entered history when [[Melkor]] escaped [[Valinor]] with the stolen [[Silmarils]]: he chose the ruined fortress as his new capital, and rebuilt the [[Hells of Iron]] as a base for the dark reign he intended for the lands of [[Middle-earth]].
== Other versions of the legendarium ==


Soon after the Return of the [[Noldor]] to [[Beleriand]], [[Morgoth]] took [[Maedhros]] [[Fëanor]]'s son by deceit and trickery, and hung him by the wrist from the towers of [[Thangorodrim]] above Angband. He was rescued by [[Fingon]] and [[Thorondor]], but lost his right hand.
In [[Qenya]], its name was ''Angamandu'' "Hell of Iron" or in plural ''Angamandi''.<ref>{{LT1|Appendix}}, entry "Angamandi"</ref>


The third of the great battles in the [[Wars of Beleriand]], the [[Dagor Aglareb]], had profound consequences for Angband. Until that time (about the year 75 of the [[First Age]]) [[Morgoth]] sent out hosts of [[Orcs]] in the hope of taking the [[Noldor]] by surprise. The [[Noldor]], though, chased these [[Orcs]] back to the very gates of Angband, and slew them to the last creature. From then until the [[Dagor Bragollach]] in F.A. 455, a period of almost 400 years, Angband was surrounded by the [[Noldor]]; this is the time known as the Siege of Angband.
==Portrayal in adaptations==


==Appearance and Construction==
'''1982-97: ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing]]'':'''
Angband was primarily an underground fortress, at least after its initial destruction by the [[Valar]] in the [[Years of the Trees]]. Like its prototype, [[Utumno]], it had many hidden underground chambers and vaults far beneath the earth. Its main features above ground were the three peaks of the [[Thangorodrim]], mighty towers of ash and slag raised above Angband's gates.
The peaks of Thangorodrim were hollow, and from them channels and chimneys ran down to the deepest pits of Angband. So, [[Morgoth]] could produce poisonous clouds and vapours, as indeed he sent against the [[Noldor]] in [[Mithrim]] during the first days after their Return.


Ever the sheer cliffs rose beside,<br>
: The dragon [[Smaug]] is said to have escaped the destruction of Angband at the end of the First Age.<ref>{{ICE|2012}}</ref>
where birds of carrion sat and cried;<br>
and chasms black and smoking yawned,<br>
whence writhing serpent-shapes were spawned;<br>
until at last in that huge gloom.<br>
heavy as overhanging doom,<br>
that weighs on Thangorodrim’s foot<br>
like thunder at the mountain’s root,<br>
they came, as to a sombre court<br>
walled with great towers, fort on fort<br>
of cliffs embattled. to that last plain<br>
that opens, abysmal and inane,<br>
before the final topless wall<br>
of [[Bauglir]]’s immeasurable hall,<br>
whereunder looming awful waits<br>
the gigantic shadow of his gates.
:—''[[Lay of Leithian]]''


[[Category:Realms]]
{{references}}
[[Category:Caves]]
[[Category:Caves]]
[[Category:Evil realms]]
[[Category:Fortresses]]
[[Category:Fortresses]]
[[Category:Fortresses of Evil]]
[[Category:Gnomish locations]]
[[Category:Noldorin locations]]
[[Category:Sindarin locations]]
 
[[de:Angband]]
[[de:Angband]]
[[fi:Angband]]
[[fr:encyclo:geographie:villes_tours_et_forteresses:angband]]
[[fr:encyclo:geographie:villes_tours_et_forteresses:angband]]
[[fi:Angband]]

Latest revision as of 06:01, 26 February 2024

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This article is about a fortress of Morgoth. For the roguelike game, see Angband (game).
Angband
Fortress
Pete Amachree - Beren and Luthien flee Angband.jpg
"Beren and Luthien flee Angband" by Pete Amachree
General Information
LocationEred Engrin, beneath Thangorodrim
TypeFortress
DescriptionDark underground fortress
People and History
InhabitantsMorgoth, Sauron, Balrogs, Orcs and other creatures
CreatedBefore Y.T. 1090
DestroyedF.A. 587, War of Wrath
GalleryImages of Angband

Angband was a mighty fortified citadel originally constructed by Melkor in the earliest days of the world as an outlying fortress to his northern stronghold of Utumno. Utumno was destroyed by the Valar and Melkor imprisoned in Valinor for three ages, but on his return to Middle-earth, he took Angband as the seat of his power and raised the towers of Thangorodrim above its gates.

Angband was besieged by the Noldor during the early part of the late First Age, but the siege was broken at the Dagor Bragollach. It was finally destroyed by the forces of the Valar at the very end of the First Age, in the War of Wrath.

History[edit | edit source]

Melkor built Angband during the Years of the Trees, originally as an outlying fortress and armoury to his great northern citadel at Utumno. It was built near the northwestern shores of the Great Sea in the range of the Iron Mountains as a first defence against any attack on Melkor's realm from the Valar in Aman. It was commanded by Sauron, his lieutenant.[1][2]

After the Battle of the Powers, the Valar captured Melkor and took him in chains back to Valinor, although beneath the ruins of Utumno and Angband lay many hidden chambers and vaults in which some of Melkor's servants escaped the Valar's assault. Sauron was one of these, as well as the Balrogs.[1]

Angband re-entered history when Melkor escaped Valinor with the stolen Silmarils; he chose the ruined fortress as his new capital, and rebuilt the Hells of Iron as a base for the dark reign he intended for the lands of Middle-earth.[3]

Soon after the Return of the Noldor to Beleriand towards the end of the First Age,[4] Melkor took Fëanor's son Maedhros by deceit and trickery, and hung him by the wrist from the towers of Thangorodrim above Angband. He was rescued by Fingon and Thorondor, but lost his right hand.[5]

The third of the great battles in the Wars of Beleriand, the Dagor Aglareb, had profound consequences for Angband. Melkor sent out hosts of Orcs in the hope of taking the Noldor by surprise, but the Noldor chased these Orcs back to the very gates of Angband, and slew them to the last creature. From then until the Dagor Bragollach in F.A. 455, a period of almost 400 years, Angband was surrounded by the Noldor; this is the time known as the Siege of Angband.[5]

Appearance and Construction[edit | edit source]

Angband by John Howe

Angband was primarily an underground fortress, at least after its initial destruction by the Valar in the Years of the Trees. Like its prototype, Utumno, it had many hidden underground chambers and vaults far beneath the earth that not even the Valar could discover.[1] Its main features above ground were the three peaks of the Thangorodrim, mighty towers of ash and slag raised above Angband's gates.

The peaks of Thangorodrim were hollow, and from them channels and chimneys ran down to the deepest pits of Angband. So, Melkor could produce poisonous clouds and vapours, as indeed he sent against the Noldor in Mithrim during the first days after their Return.

Etymology[edit | edit source]

Angband is Sindarin, and means "Iron Prison" or "Hell of Iron", from ang + band.[6]

In Quenya, Angband was called Angamando[7], and means "Iron-gaol"[8]

Other versions of the legendarium[edit | edit source]

In Qenya, its name was Angamandu "Hell of Iron" or in plural Angamandi.[9]

Portrayal in adaptations[edit | edit source]

1982-97: Middle-earth Role Playing:

The dragon Smaug is said to have escaped the destruction of Angband at the end of the First Age.[10]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Coming of the Elves and the Captivity of Melkor"
  2. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Map of Beleriand and the Lands to the North"
  3. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Flight of the Noldor"
  4. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix F, "The Languages and Peoples of the Third Age", "Of the Elves", p. 1128
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Return of the Noldor"
  6. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lost Road and Other Writings, Part Three: "The Etymologies", pp. 348, 350 (entries for roots ANGĀ- and BAD-)
  7. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Appendix: Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names", band
  8. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, "Addenda and Corrigenda to the Etymologies — Part One" (edited by Carl F. Hostetter and Patrick H. Wynne), in Vinyar Tengwar, Number 45, November 2003
  9. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part One, Appendix: Names in the Lost Tales – Part I, entry "Angamandi"
  10. ↑ Ruth Sochard Pitt, Jeff O'Hare, Peter C. Fenlon, Jr. (1994), Creatures of Middle-earth (2nd edition) (#2012)
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