Argonath

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The Argonath
Statues/Monuments
John Howe - The Argonath.jpg
General Information
LocationNorthern end of Nen Hithoel, both sides of Anduin
TypeStatues/Monuments
DescriptionThe gigantic figures of Isildur and Anárion
RegionsGondor
Reunited Kingdom

The Argonath (S. ar "royal" + gond "stone" + -ath an irregular collective plural), also known as The Gates of Argonath or The Pillars of the Kings, was a landmark on the Northern edge of Gondor.

History

The Argonath consisted of two enormous pillars, carved in the likenesses of Isildur and Anárion, standing upon either side of the River Anduin at the northern approach to Nen Hithoel, originally constructed about Third Age 1340 at the order of Rómendacil II to mark the northern border of Gondor. The realm had greatly diminished in size by the time the Fellowship of the Ring passed the Argonath on February 25, 3019. Each of the two figures was shown with an axe in its right hand and its left hand raised in a gesture of defiance to the enemies of Gondor.

Portrayal in adaptations

2001: Peter Jackson's 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 all references to Anárion were cut from the films) and the statue of Elendil is holding Narsil rather than an axe.

Inflection

Template:Sjn-noun-vowel

See also

References