Carn Dûm: Difference between revisions

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{{sources}}
{{location infobox
 
| name=Carn Dûm
{{location
| image=[[File:Matěj Čadil - Carn dum.jpg|250px]]
| image= [[Image:Stephen Walsh - Carn Dum.JPG|300px]]
| caption="Carn Dûm" by Matěj Čadil
| name= Carn Dûm
| pronun=
| type= Fortress
| location= Located at the western end of the [[Mountains of Angmar]], south of [[Forodwaith (lands)|Forodwaith]], northwest of [[Mount Gundabad]]
| inhabitants= [[Orcs]], [[Men of Darkness]], Wolves, Trolls, and other evil creatures.
| realms= [[Angmar]]
| description= various versions, see below
| othernames=
| othernames=
| etymology= name derivered from its location and number of inhabitans.
| location=Western end of the [[Mountains of Angmar|Mountains]] of [[Angmar]], south of [[Forodwaith (lands)|Forodwaith]], north-west of [[Mount Gundabad]]
| events= Assaults towards [[Arnor]], Under siege in the [[Battle of Fornost]].
| type=Fortress
| references=
| description=
|}}
| regions=
 
| towns=
| inhabitants=[[Orcs]], [[Men of Darkness]], Wolves, Trolls, and other creatures
| created=
| destroyed=
| events=
}}
{{Pronounce|Carn Dum.mp3|Ardamir}}
{{Pronounce|Carn Dum.mp3|Ardamir}}
'''Carn Dûm''' was the capital of [[Angmar]].
'''Carn Dûm''' was the capital and chief fortress of the [[Witch-king]]'s realm of [[Angmar]].<ref>{{UT|Index}}, ''Carn Dûm''</ref>  It was located at the western end of the [[Mountains of Angmar]], the north-western extension of the [[Misty Mountains]].<ref>{{UT|Map}}</ref>
 
==History==
==History==
Established on the very western end of the [[Mountains of Angmar]], it was inhabited by the [[Witch-king of Angmar]] and his many servants: [[Men of Darkness]], [[Orcs]], and other fell creatures. From here he based his attacks on the three petty realms of [[Arnor]], quickly managing to destroy [[Rhudaur]] and weaken [[Cardolan]].
Around {{TA|1300}} the chief of the [[Nazgûl]] came north to found the realm of [[Angmar]],<ref name="TA">{{App|TA}}</ref> seeing hope in the disunion of [[Arnor]] while the southern kingdom of [[Gondor]] remained powerful.  The Witch-king, as he became known, established Carn Dûm as his capital and populated it with [[Men of Darkness]], [[Orcs]], and other fell creatures.
Allying with the [[Hill-men]] of [[Rhudaur]], the Witch-king in Carn Dûm sent forces that resisted the claim of [[Argeleb I]] of [[Arthedain]] of lordship over all of the former lands of [[Arnor]].<ref name="North">{{App|Eriador}}</ref>  Clashes resulted and in {{TA|1356|n}} Argeleb was slain.<ref name="TA"/> [[Arveleg I]], the son of Argeleb, with strength from [[Cardolan]] and [[Lindon]], repelled Rhudaur and Angmar from the [[Weather Hills]] and established an uneasy, fortified frontier.
In {{TA|1409|n}} a stronger host commanded from Carn Dûm invaded [[Cardolan]], surrounded [[Weathertop]], and killed Arveleg.  Again a coalition of Arthedain (now ruled by [[Araphor]], son of Arveleg I) and Lindon contained the menace.
The kingdom of [[Arthedain]] perished in the [[Fall of Fornost]] in {{TA|1974|n}}.<ref name="North"/>  However, in {{TA|1975|n}}<ref name="TA"/> the Witch-king's forces were driven north-east after the [[Battle of Fornost]] by the cavalry of Gondor and destroyed.  [[Glorfindel of Rivendell|Glorfindel]] drove off the Witch-king himself.
The host of Gondor left no Man or Orc alive west of the Mountains.<ref name="North"/>  On the eastern side in {{TA|1977|n}} [[Frumgar]] led the [[Éothéod]] into the North<ref name="TA"/> and they drove the last remnants of [[Angmar]] away.<ref>{{App|Eorl}}</ref>  At this time then Carn Dûm was wholly abandoned. While it is possible that Carn Dûm was repopulated after {{TA|2480|n}}, when Orcs began making secret strongholds in the Misty Mountains,<ref name="TA"/> its name was never mentioned again in any histories.


[[Arthedain]] fell in the [[Battle of Fornost]] in [[Third Age 1974]], but the Witch-king was routed by [[Glorfindel of Rivendell|Glorfindel]] and in [[Third Age 1975|1975]] Angmar itself fell under an assault, and Carn Dûm was sieged by the [[Dúnedain]] of [[Gondor]], the survivors of [[Arnor]], and [[Elves]] of [[Lindon]]. Carn Dûm was utterly destroyed, although some Orcs survived there until at least the [[War of the Dwarves and Orcs]] and possibly after as well, until they were wiped out by [[Aragorn|Aragorn II]], [[High King of the Dúnedain|High King]] of the [[Reunited Kingdom]].{{fact}}
==Etymology==
==Etymology==
The etymology of ''Carn Dûm'' is uncertain. Concerning the real world languages, it could be [[wikipedia:Gaelic|Gaelic]], in which it roughly translates as "mountain fortress";<ref>[http://www.glyphweb.com/arda/c/carndum.html Carn Dûm] at the [[Encyclopedia of Arda]]</ref> although Tolkien uses Celtic elements for some translated [[Mannish]] names, this would have been the only instance where he uses Gaelic. It is unknown whether this is just coincidence or not.
The etymology of ''Carn Dûm'' is uncertain and it could be any from the [[Elvish]] or [[Mannish]] languages.
 
''[[Dûm]]'' is a [[Khuzdul]] word meaning "halls, mansions". The name Carn Dûm therefore could be [[Khuzdul]] (suggested by its proximity to nearby [[Gundabad]]) but [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] used ''K'' for this language instead of ''C''.<ref>{{App|E1}}</ref>


Though [[Sindarin]] in form and sound, neither words ''carn'' and ''dûm'' have been attested in Sindarin. ''Carn'' could be a form of ''[[caran]]'', "red" possibly also seen in ''[[carcharoth|'''Car'''charoth]]'', "red maw".
In ''[[The Return of the Shadow]]'', "Carndoom" appears as an early name of [[Dimrill Dale]] which, according to Tolkien, means "Red Valley". This corresponds with [[Sindarin]] ''carn'' "red" and ''tûm'' "valley".<ref>{{RS|4XXIVN}} (note 13, p. 433)</ref>


''[[Dûm]]'' is a [[Khuzdul]] word meaning "halls, mansions". The name could be [[Khuzdul]] (like [[Gundabad]] nearby) but [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] used ''K'' for this language instead of ''C''.<ref>{{HM|AE}}, "Pronounciation of Words and Names"</ref>
[[David Salo]] favours the Sindarin interpretation of "red valley", and provides the name as an example of the few Sindarin phrases where the adjective ''precedes'' the noun (others being [[Sarn Athrad]] and [[Sarn Gebir]]).<ref>{{HM|GS}}, p. 102</ref> Otherwise, neither words ''carn'' and ''dûm'' have been attested (''carn'' could be a short form of ''[[caran]]'' possibly also seen in ''[[carcharoth|'''Car'''charoth]]'', "red maw")
Other than that, it could be some unrecorded [[Avarin]] or [[Mannish]] language.


In ''[[The Return of the Shadow]]'', "Carndoom" appears as an early name of [[Dimrill Dale]] which, according to Tolkien, means "Red Valley". This corresponds with Sindarin ''carn'' "red" and ''tûm'' "valley".<ref>{{HM|RS}}, "The Ring Goes South", p. 433, note 13</ref>
Another suggestion, is that the name roughly translates as "mountain fortress" in [[wikipedia:Gaelic|Gaelic]];<ref>[http://www.glyphweb.com/arda/c/carndum.html Carn Dûm] at the [[Encyclopedia of Arda]]</ref> although Tolkien uses [[Celtic]] elements for some translated [[Mannish]] names, this would have been the only instance where he uses Gaelic. It is unknown whether this is just coincidence or not.


==See also==
==See also==
* [[:Category:Images of Carn Dûm|Images of Carn Dûm]]
* [[:Category:Images of Carn Dûm|Images of Carn Dûm]]


== Portrayal in Adaptations ==
==Portrayal in adaptations==
'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II: The Rise of the Witch King]]'':'''
'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II: The Rise of the Witch-king]]'':'''
:Carn Dum is the capital of [[Angmar]]. The campaign begins with its construction, and it is besieged once by [[Glorfindel]]. Carn dum is also playabe in the skirmish section of the game.
:Carn Dum is the capital of [[Angmar]]. The campaign begins with its construction, and it is besieged once by [[Glorfindel]]. Carn dum is also playable in the skirmish section of the game.


'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Carn Dum is a region in the game. It is ruled by Angmar's shadow that has returned to this city in the form of the False King, [[Mordirith]], Steward of Angmar.
:Carn Dum is a region in the game. It is ruled by Angmar's shadow that has returned to this city in the form of the False King, [[Mordirith]], Steward of Angmar.
'''2011: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]'' '''
:Carn Dum is the final level in the game. It is ruled by [[Agandaûr]], a descendant of the [[Black Númenóreans]] and a servant of [[Sauron]].


{{references}}
{{references}}
[[Category:Cities, towns and villages]]
[[Category:Eriador]]
[[Category:Eriador]]
[[Category:Evil realms]]
[[Category:Fortresses]]
[[Category:Fortresses]]
[[Category:Orc-Dwellings]]
[[Category:Sindarin locations]]
[[Category:Fortresses of Evil]]
[[Category:Sindarin Locations]]
[[Category:Cities, Towns and Villages]]
 
[[de:Carn Dûm]]
[[de:Carn Dûm]]
[[fi:Carn Dûm]]
[[fi:Carn Dûm]]
[[fr:encyclo:geographie:villes_tours_et_forteresses:eriador:carn_dum]]
[[fr:encyclo:geographie:villes_tours_et_forteresses:eriador:carn_dum]]

Revision as of 08:48, 11 February 2018

Carn Dûm
Fortress
Matěj Čadil - Carn dum.jpg
"Carn Dûm" by Matěj Čadil
General Information
LocationWestern end of the Mountains of Angmar, south of Forodwaith, north-west of Mount Gundabad
TypeFortress
InhabitantsOrcs, Men of Darkness, Wolves, Trolls, and other creatures
GalleryImages of Carn Dûm

Carn Dûm was the capital and chief fortress of the Witch-king's realm of Angmar.[1] It was located at the western end of the Mountains of Angmar, the north-western extension of the Misty Mountains.[2]

History

Around T.A. 1300 the chief of the Nazgûl came north to found the realm of Angmar,[3] seeing hope in the disunion of Arnor while the southern kingdom of Gondor remained powerful. The Witch-king, as he became known, established Carn Dûm as his capital and populated it with Men of Darkness, Orcs, and other fell creatures.

Allying with the Hill-men of Rhudaur, the Witch-king in Carn Dûm sent forces that resisted the claim of Argeleb I of Arthedain of lordship over all of the former lands of Arnor.[4] Clashes resulted and in 1356 Argeleb was slain.[3] Arveleg I, the son of Argeleb, with strength from Cardolan and Lindon, repelled Rhudaur and Angmar from the Weather Hills and established an uneasy, fortified frontier.

In 1409 a stronger host commanded from Carn Dûm invaded Cardolan, surrounded Weathertop, and killed Arveleg. Again a coalition of Arthedain (now ruled by Araphor, son of Arveleg I) and Lindon contained the menace.

The kingdom of Arthedain perished in the Fall of Fornost in 1974.[4] However, in 1975[3] the Witch-king's forces were driven north-east after the Battle of Fornost by the cavalry of Gondor and destroyed. Glorfindel drove off the Witch-king himself.

The host of Gondor left no Man or Orc alive west of the Mountains.[4] On the eastern side in 1977 Frumgar led the Éothéod into the North[3] and they drove the last remnants of Angmar away.[5] At this time then Carn Dûm was wholly abandoned. While it is possible that Carn Dûm was repopulated after 2480, when Orcs began making secret strongholds in the Misty Mountains,[3] its name was never mentioned again in any histories.

Etymology

The etymology of Carn Dûm is uncertain and it could be any from the Elvish or Mannish languages.

Dûm is a Khuzdul word meaning "halls, mansions". The name Carn Dûm therefore could be Khuzdul (suggested by its proximity to nearby Gundabad) but Tolkien used K for this language instead of C.[6]

In The Return of the Shadow, "Carndoom" appears as an early name of Dimrill Dale which, according to Tolkien, means "Red Valley". This corresponds with Sindarin carn "red" and tûm "valley".[7]

David Salo favours the Sindarin interpretation of "red valley", and provides the name as an example of the few Sindarin phrases where the adjective precedes the noun (others being Sarn Athrad and Sarn Gebir).[8] Otherwise, neither words carn and dûm have been attested (carn could be a short form of caran possibly also seen in Carcharoth, "red maw")

Another suggestion, is that the name roughly translates as "mountain fortress" in Gaelic;[9] although Tolkien uses Celtic elements for some translated Mannish names, this would have been the only instance where he uses Gaelic. It is unknown whether this is just coincidence or not.

See also

Portrayal in adaptations

2006: The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II: The Rise of the Witch-king:

Carn Dum is the capital of Angmar. The campaign begins with its construction, and it is besieged once by Glorfindel. Carn dum is also playable in the skirmish section of the game.

2007: The Lord of the Rings Online:

Carn Dum is a region in the game. It is ruled by Angmar's shadow that has returned to this city in the form of the False King, Mordirith, Steward of Angmar.

2011: The Lord of the Rings: War in the North

Carn Dum is the final level in the game. It is ruled by Agandaûr, a descendant of the Black Númenóreans and a servant of Sauron.

References

  1. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, Index, Carn Dûm
  2. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The West of Middle-earth at the End of the Third Age" [map]
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Third Age"
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Eriador, Arnor, and the Heirs of Isildur"
  5. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The House of Eorl"
  6. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix E, "Pronunciation of Words and Names"
  7. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Return of the Shadow, "The Story Continued: XXIV. The Ring Goes South, Notes" (note 13, p. 433)
  8. David Salo (2004), A Gateway to Sindarin, p. 102
  9. Carn Dûm at the Encyclopedia of Arda