Argonath: Difference between revisions

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{{location
{{location infobox
| image=[[Image:John Howe - The Argonath.jpg|250px]]
| name=The Argonath
| name=The Argonath
| othernames=
| image=[[File:John Howe - The Argonath.jpg|250px]]
| etymology=[[Sindarin|S.]] ''[[ar]]'' "royal" + ''[[gond]]'' "stone" + ''[[-ath]]'' "both"
| caption="The Argonath" by [[John Howe]]
| pronun=
| othernames=Pillars of the Kings, Gates of Argonath, Gates of the Kings, Gates of Gondor
| location=Northern end of [[Nen Hithoel]], both sides of [[Anduin]]
| type=Statues/Monuments
| type=Statues/Monuments
| location=Northern end of [[Nen Hithoel]], both sides of [[Anduin]]
| description=Gigantic figures of [[Isildur]] and [[Anárion]]
| regions=
| towns=
| inhabitants=
| inhabitants=
| realms=[[Gondor]]<br/>[[Reunited Kingdom]]
| created=
| description=Gigantic figures of [[Isildur]] and [[Anárion]]
| destroyed=
| events=
| events=
| gallery=the Argonath
}}
}}
{{Pronounce|Argonath.mp3|Ardamir}}
{{Pronounce|Argonath.mp3|Ardamir}}
The '''Argonath''', also known as the '''Gate of Kings'''<ref>{{TT|III1}}</ref> or the '''Pillars of the Kings''',<ref name="River">{{FR|II9}}</ref> was a landmark on the northern edge of [[Gondor]].
The '''Argonath''', also known as the '''Gate of Kings'''<ref>{{TT|III1}}</ref> or the '''Pillars of the Kings''',<ref name="River">{{FR|II9}}</ref> was a landmark on the northern edge of [[Gondor]].


==Description==
==Description==
The Argonath consisted of two enormous pillars, carved in the likenesses of [[Isildur]] and [[Anárion]] facing to the north.  Placed upon huge pedestals, each of the two figures held an axe in its right hand and its left hand rose in a gesture of defiance to the enemies of [[Gondor]].  The two statues stood upon either side of the River [[Anduin]] at the northern approach to [[Nen Hithoel]].<ref name="River"/>
The Argonath consisted of two enormous rock pillars, carved in the likenesses of [[Isildur]] and [[Anárion]] facing to the north.  Placed upon huge pedestals, each of the two figures held an axe in its right hand and its left hand rose in a gesture of defiance to the enemies of [[Gondor]].  The two statues stood upon either side of the River [[Anduin]] at the northern approach to [[Nen Hithoel]].<ref name="River"/>


==History==
==History==
From its earliest days the kingdom of Gondor set part of its northern boundary at the north end of Nen Hithoel.  When Isildur and Anárion jointly governed as the first rulers of the realm they built many marvelous works, one of which was at the Argonath.<ref>{{S|Rings}}</ref>  What this early work at the Argonath was is unknown; it seems to have disappeared by the reign of King [[Narmacil I]].
From its earliest days the kingdom of Gondor set part of its northern boundary at the north end of Nen Hithoel.
   
   
Centuries later, the son and regent of Narmacil I, [[Minalcar]], led a great force that defeated the [[Easterlings]] between  [[Rhovanion]] and the [[Sea of Rhûn]] in {{TA|1248}}.  When he returned he fortified the banks of the Anduin and built the pillars of the Argonath.<ref>{{App|Gondor}}</ref>
Centuries later, the son and [[Regent of Gondor|regent]] of Narmacil I, [[Minalcar]], led a great force that defeated the [[Easterlings]] between  [[Rhovanion]] and the [[Sea of Rhûn]] in {{TA|1248}}.  When he returned he fortified the banks of the Anduin and built the pillars of the Argonath.<ref>{{App|Gondor}}</ref>
As the [[Third Age]] wore on the power and size of Gondor diminished, leaving the Argonath in deserted lands.  On [[25 February]], {{TA|3019}}<ref>{{App|Great}}</ref> the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] cruised between the pillars on their journey south.  Time had blurred their eyes and crannied their brows but the two figures still exuded power and majesty.<ref name="River"/>
   
   
As the [[Third Age]] wore on the power and size of Gondor diminished, leaving the Argonath in deserted lands, not marking her boundaries any more.  On [[25 February]], {{TA|3019}}<ref>{{App|Great}}</ref> the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] cruised between the pillars on their journey south.  Time had blurred their eyes and crannied their brows but the two figures still exuded power and majesty.<ref name="River"/>
==Etymology==
==Etymology==
The name is [[Sindarin]] and is composed of ''[[ara|ar]]'' "royal"<ref>{{S|Appendix}}, ''ar(a)-''</ref> plus ''[[gond]]'' "stone".<ref>{{S|Elements}},entry ''gond''</ref> The ending ''[[-ath]]'' is a collective plural, used sometimes (perhaps irregularly) for dual.<ref>{{RGEO|Notes}}</ref>
The name is [[Sindarin]] and is composed of ''[[ara|ar]]'' "royal"<ref>{{S|Appendix}}, ''ar(a)-''</ref> plus ''[[gond]]'' "stone".<ref>{{S|Elements}},entry ''gond''</ref> The ending ''[[-ath]]'' is a collective plural, used sometimes (perhaps irregularly) for dual.<ref>{{RGEO|Notes}}</ref>
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:The Argonath comprises two large and highly detailed models which were combined with live action footage and digital backgrounds to convey the proper sense of scale. Also seen in the movie is the quarry near one of the statues' feet, which the filmmakers reasoned would be necessary to provide stone blocks for the construction of the statues' uppermost sections.
:The Argonath comprises two large and highly detailed models which were combined with live action footage and digital backgrounds to convey the proper sense of scale. Also seen in the movie is the quarry near one of the statues' feet, which the filmmakers reasoned would be necessary to provide stone blocks for the construction of the statues' uppermost sections.


:Note that in the film, the statues are of Isildur and [[Elendil]] (as all references to Anárion were cut from the films) and the statue of Elendil is holding [[Narsil]] rather than an axe.
:Note that in the film, the statues are of Isildur and [[Elendil]] (as almost all references to Anárion were cut from the films <ref group=note> In the extended [[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (extended edition)|Return of the King]] film, [[Denethor]] says the line "I am steward of the House of Anárion. Thus have I walked; and thus now will I sleep." </ref>) and the statue of Elendil is holding [[Narsil]] rather than an axe.


==See also==
==See also==
* [[:Category:Images of the Argonath|Images of the Argonath]]
* [[:Category:Images of the Argonath|Images of the Argonath]]


{{references}}
{{references|note}}
[[Category:Gondor]]
[[Category:Gondor]]
[[Category:Doors and gates]]
[[Category:Doors and gates]]

Revision as of 15:51, 27 October 2018

The Argonath
Statues/Monuments
John Howe - The Argonath.jpg
"The Argonath" by John Howe
General Information
Other namesPillars of the Kings, Gates of Argonath, Gates of the Kings, Gates of Gondor
LocationNorthern end of Nen Hithoel, both sides of Anduin
TypeStatues/Monuments
DescriptionGigantic figures of Isildur and Anárion
GalleryImages of the Argonath

The Argonath, also known as the Gate of Kings[1] or the Pillars of the Kings,[2] was a landmark on the northern edge of Gondor.

Description

The Argonath consisted of two enormous rock pillars, carved in the likenesses of Isildur and Anárion facing to the north. Placed upon huge pedestals, each of the two figures held an axe in its right hand and its left hand rose in a gesture of defiance to the enemies of Gondor. The two statues stood upon either side of the River Anduin at the northern approach to Nen Hithoel.[2]

History

From its earliest days the kingdom of Gondor set part of its northern boundary at the north end of Nen Hithoel.

Centuries later, the son and regent of Narmacil I, Minalcar, led a great force that defeated the Easterlings between Rhovanion and the Sea of Rhûn in T.A. 1248. When he returned he fortified the banks of the Anduin and built the pillars of the Argonath.[3]

As the Third Age wore on the power and size of Gondor diminished, leaving the Argonath in deserted lands, not marking her boundaries any more. On 25 February, T.A. 3019[4] the Fellowship of the Ring cruised between the pillars on their journey south. Time had blurred their eyes and crannied their brows but the two figures still exuded power and majesty.[2]

Etymology

The name is Sindarin and is composed of ar "royal"[5] plus gond "stone".[6] The ending -ath is a collective plural, used sometimes (perhaps irregularly) for dual.[7]

Portrayal in adaptations

2001: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring:

The Argonath comprises two large and highly detailed models which were combined with live action footage and digital backgrounds to convey the proper sense of scale. Also seen in the movie is the quarry near one of the statues' feet, which the filmmakers reasoned would be necessary to provide stone blocks for the construction of the statues' uppermost sections.
Note that in the film, the statues are of Isildur and Elendil (as almost all references to Anárion were cut from the films [note 1]) and the statue of Elendil is holding Narsil rather than an axe.

See also

Notes

  1. In the extended Return of the King film, Denethor says the line "I am steward of the House of Anárion. Thus have I walked; and thus now will I sleep."

References

  1. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "The Departure of Boromir"
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "The Great River"
  3. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Gondor and the Heirs of Anárion"
  4. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Great Years"
  5. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Appendix: Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names", ar(a)-
  6. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Appendix: Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names",entry gond
  7. J.R.R. Tolkien, "Notes and Translations", in The Road Goes Ever On (J.R.R. Tolkien, Donald Swann)