Chamber of Mazarbul: Difference between revisions
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[[ | {{disambig-more|Mazarbul|[[Mazarbul (disambiguation)]]}} | ||
{{rewrite}} | |||
[[File:Peter Xavier Price - Balin's Tomb.jpg|200px|thumb|''Balin's Tomb'' by [[Peter Xavier Price]]]] | |||
The '''Chamber of Mazarbul''' was the old | The '''Chamber of Mazarbul''' was the old chamber of records of [[Moria|Khazad-dûm]]. Probably built during the earlier years of Khazad-dûm, it was later used as a base by [[Balin]] when he began his ill-fated attempt at recolonization in the late [[Third Age]]. | ||
''[[Mazarbul (word)|Mazarbul]]'' means "records" in [[Khuzdul]].<ref>{{PE|Eldarin}}, p. 47</ref> So the "Chamber of Mazarbul" means the "Chamber of Records". This name is similar to the [[Book of Mazarbul|Book of Records]] found in that chamber. | |||
== | ==History== | ||
[[File:Angus McBride - Moria.jpg|thumb|left|''Moria'' by [[Angus McBride]]]] | |||
The chamber itself was probably built at around the same time as the [[Twenty-first Hall]] in the Seventh Level. This would have been slightly later than the earliest Dwarven delvings, which were to be found in the lower levels near the [[Great Gates]]. | |||
In {{TA|2989}}, Balin led a group of Dwarves to recolonize [[Moria]]. Balin chose the Twenty-first Hall as his headquarters and set up his seat in the Chamber of Mazarbul. When Balin was killed a few years later, he was laid to rest in a [[Balin's Tomb|tomb]] inside the chamber. It was there where the remnants of the colony made their last stand, and perished.<ref name=Journey>{{FR|Journey}}</ref><ref name=Bridge>{{FR|Bridge}}</ref> | |||
[[ | |||
The [[Fellowship of the Ring|Fellowship]] found the chamber thirty years after Balin came to Moria and it was here that Gandalf found the [[Book of Mazarbul]], a record of Balin's recolonization efforts. While still in the chamber, the Fellowship was attacked by a band of [[Orcs]]. After a [[Battle of the Chamber of Mazarbul|brief fight]], they retreated through the east door. [[Gandalf]] attempted to guard the door against the [[Durin's Bane|Balrog]], until the roof of the Chamber collapsed.<ref name=Bridge></ref> | |||
==Geography and appearance== | |||
The chamber was located to the right of a pathway that branched off the north end of the Twenty-first hall. When the Fellowship found the chamber as they passed through Moria, [[Balin's Tomb]] was located inside it, and a bright shaft of sunlight streamed in from outside the mountain to land directly on the tomb. | The chamber was located to the right of a pathway that branched off the north end of the Twenty-first hall. When the Fellowship found the chamber as they passed through Moria, [[Balin's Tomb]] was located inside it, and a bright shaft of sunlight streamed in from outside the mountain to land directly on the tomb.<ref name=Journey></ref> | ||
= | The chamber was large, square, and dimly lit.<ref name=Journey></ref> There were two stone doors leading into it (one entrance from the Twenty-first Hall, one from the stair tunnels that the Fellowship later used to flee the Balrog). Many deep recesses were cut into the chamber rock containing chests that had been looted by the [[Orcs]] inhabiting Moria. A deep dust had fallen upon the entire room by the time the Fellowship entered it, and the remains of a long-abandoned battle site were to be seen strewn across the floor.<ref name=Bridge></ref> | ||
== | ==Portrayal in adaptations== | ||
[[File:The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring - Chamber of Mazarbul3.jpg|250px|thumb|The Chamber of Mazarbul in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]''.]] | |||
[[ | '''2001: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':''' | ||
:In Peter Jackson's The Fellowship of the Ring ([[Balin's Tomb (scene)|Scene 35: Balin's Tomb]] and [[The Bridge of Khazad-dûm (scene)|Scene 36: The Bridge of Khazad-dûm]]), the Chamber of Mazarbul is presented much as it is described in the books, with a few notable exceptions. | |||
:* It is placed in the center of the Twenty-first Hall, rather than on the right of a corridor running off the hall to the north. | |||
:* There is only one proper door explicitly shown leading into the chamber, rather than the two described in the book. This door is also made of wood in the film, rather than stone. There is, however, one smashed doorway out of the back of the chamber, with the window illuminating Balin's tomb above it, which the Fellowship flee out of. | |||
:* A well is also introduced into the layout, directly below the shaft of light. This well was found in the guardroom of the Crossroads in the book, but was transplanted here to serve greater dramatic purpose. | |||
* | |||
* | |||
* A well is also introduced into the layout, directly below the shaft of light. This well was found in the | |||
<!-- what to do with this? | |||
===The Mazarbul Chamber Wall Runes=== | ===The Mazarbul Chamber Wall Runes=== | ||
In the film, the walls of the chamber are covered in runes (seemingly [[Angerthas Moria]]). These runes detail the history of Moria from its foundation by [[Durin]] to the [[Battle of Azanulbizar]]. From the rune translations, it is clear that the authors were the [[Dwarves]] led by Balin during the recolonization of Moria. | In the film, the walls of the chamber are covered in runes (seemingly [[Angerthas Moria]]). These runes detail the history of Moria from its foundation by [[Durin]] to the [[Battle of Azanulbizar]]. From the rune translations, it is clear that the authors were the [[Dwarves]] led by Balin during the recolonization of Moria. | ||
The larger text is [[Khuzdul]], the smaller text is in the [[Common Speech]] (English). The rune histories were probably written for both [[Dwarvish]] and foreign readers. Notable peculiarities have appeared in translations of this text. It is not clear whether this was deliberate on the part of the filmmakers. | The larger text is [[Khuzdul]], the smaller text is in the [[Westron|Common Speech]] (English). The rune histories were probably written for both [[Dwarvish]] and foreign readers. Notable peculiarities have appeared in translations of this text. It is not clear whether this was deliberate on the part of the filmmakers. | ||
* Khuzdul phrases appear in the midst of the English text and peculiar spellings of certain words and irregular constructions of some phrases exist. | * Khuzdul phrases appear in the midst of the English text and peculiar spellings of certain words and irregular constructions of some phrases exist. | ||
The consistency of the irregularities seem to suggest that these may have been at least partly intentional. Several explanations have been postulated, the most obvious of which is that the Dwarves who carved the runes made mistakes. Other theories have been put forth: perhaps the Dwarves used idiosyncratic rune forms or a slightly altered mode of [[Westron]] in order to better convey the deep meanings behind Moria's history. The latter two seem the most likely, given all the available evidence. | The consistency of the irregularities seem to suggest that these may have been at least partly intentional. Several explanations have been postulated, the most obvious of which is that the Dwarves who carved the runes made mistakes. Other theories have been put forth: perhaps the Dwarves used idiosyncratic rune forms or a slightly altered mode of [[Westron]] in order to better convey the deep meanings behind Moria's history. The latter two seem the most likely, given all the available evidence. | ||
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The filmmaker's left this as their trademark for those who translated the runes to see. Some fans have rationalized its appearance by citing the meaning of "zeal" as "seal" in Danish, which is closely related to the Danish word for "soul". Thus, the true phrase would be "Made in new-soul land", with "soul-land" referring to Moria, a land of many dwarvish souls that had come and gone, new because it was being recolonized. The theory postulates that the word "zeal" was originally Khuzdul but made its way into modern Danish. | The filmmaker's left this as their trademark for those who translated the runes to see. Some fans have rationalized its appearance by citing the meaning of "zeal" as "seal" in Danish, which is closely related to the Danish word for "soul". Thus, the true phrase would be "Made in new-soul land", with "soul-land" referring to Moria, a land of many dwarvish souls that had come and gone, new because it was being recolonized. The theory postulates that the word "zeal" was originally Khuzdul but made its way into modern Danish. | ||
====Translations | ====Translations from Angerthas Moria==== | ||
Below are the phrases that have been translated from the Mazarbul walls thus far: | Below are the phrases that have been translated from the Mazarbul walls thus far: | ||
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* "The great Battle of Gundabad and Gladden; remember the Dead." | * "The great Battle of Gundabad and Gladden; remember the Dead." | ||
[[ | [[File:The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring - Chamber of Mazarbul.jpg|200px|thumb|The Chamber of Mazarbul in [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]].]](from Khuzdul: "Gabil Azgâr Gundabadul & Ningulul; Mernak Mabazgân.") | ||
* "(The) mines of Barazinbar." | * "(The) mines of Barazinbar." | ||
(from Khuzdul: "Ganâd Barazinbarul".) | (from Khuzdul: "Ganâd Barazinbarul".) | ||
* "(The) battle of Azanulbizar." | * "(The) battle of Azanulbizar." | ||
(from Khuzdul: "Azgâr Azanulbizarul".) | (from Khuzdul: "Azgâr Azanulbizarul".) | ||
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ENGLISH PHRASES | ENGLISH PHRASES | ||
* "...of Nogrod and Belegost year sixteen..." | * "...of Nogrod and Belegost year sixteen..." | ||
* "...watch tower established at highest peak..." | * "...watch tower established at highest peak..." | ||
* "...of Zirakzigil with star from Thirtieth Hall ..." | * "...of Zirakzigil with star from Thirtieth Hall ..." | ||
* "...Second | * "...Second<ref group="note">S-E-CH-O-N-D…possible variant rune usage.</ref> Age five hundred of the..." | ||
* "...fathoms gold smelter built..." | * "...fathoms gold smelter built..." | ||
* "...the establishment | * "...the establishment<ref group="note">E-S-T-B-L-I-S-H-M-E-N-T…possible variant emphasis from alternate word construction.</ref> of Moria below..." | ||
* "...in return for silver and cloth and lumber..." | * "...in return for silver and cloth and lumber..." | ||
* "...established | * "...established<ref group="note">E-O-T-A-B-L-I-S-H-Y-D…possible variant emphasis from alternate word construction.</ref> and the Dimrill<ref group="note">D-I-M-R-I-L…possible variant word construction or rune usage.</ref> Stair..." | ||
* "...of Kheled-zâram | * "...of Kheled-zâram<ref group="note">K-I-E-L-E-D-Z-A-R-A-M…possible variant emphasis from alternate word construction.</ref> and Fundin slain..." | ||
* "...of Durin of Ered Luin | * "...of Durin of Ered Luin<ref group="note">E-N-E-D---L-U-I-N…possible variant word construction or rune usage.</ref> settle in the..." | ||
* "...one thousand and twenty news of fall..." | * "...one thousand and twenty news of fall..." | ||
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* "...forces of Sauron's army gates to Moria..." | * "...forces of Sauron's army gates to Moria..." | ||
* "...service | * "...service<ref group="note">S-E-R-V-I-CH-E…possible variant rune usage.</ref> of Lorien elves(') trade..." | ||
* "...second | * "...second<ref group="note">D-E-CH-O-N-D…possible variant word construction and/or rune usage; variant emphasis also possible.</ref> level shaft sunk to forty..." | ||
* "...year seventy-two | * "...year seventy-two<ref group="note">S-E-V-E-N-T-A---T-W-O…possible variant word construction or rune usage.</ref> Great Gate..." | ||
* "...Zirakzigil in year forty of the..." | * "...Zirakzigil in year forty of the..." | ||
* "...caves | * "...caves<ref group="note">CH-A-V-E-S…possible variant rune usage.</ref> above Kheled-zâram<ref group="note">K-H-E-L-E-D---Z-A-R-M…possible variant emphasis from alternate word construction.</ref> great rices..." | ||
* "...in seams to east of Durin's door..." | * "...in seams to east of Durin's door..." | ||
* "...growth of trade to western | * "...growth of trade to western<ref group="note">W-E-S-T-R-N…possible variant word construction or rune usage.</ref> gate year..." | ||
* "...ninety-seven | * "...ninety-seven<ref group="note">N-I-N-T-Y---S-E-V-E-N…possible variant word construction or rune usage.</ref> Eregion laid waste by billions..." | ||
* "...of Eregion founded by Noldor | * "...of Eregion founded by Noldor<ref group="note">N-O-L-D-O-N…possible variant word construction or rune usage.</ref> bring..." | ||
* "...shut against hordes and continuous | * "...shut against hordes and continuous<ref group="note">A-G-A-I-N-T-S-O-R-D-E-S---&---G-O-N-T-I-N-U-O-U-S…possible variant phrase and/or word construction and/or rune usage.</ref> attacks..." | ||
* "...year seven | * "...year seven <ref group="note">S-E-V-N…possible variant word construction or rune usage</ref> hundred and fifty..." | ||
* "...made in New Zealand. Dragon..." | * "...made in New Zealand. Dragon..." | ||
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====Translation Notes==== | ====Translation Notes==== | ||
<references group="note"/> | |||
====The Use of English==== | ====The Use of English==== | ||
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====Variances==== | ====Variances==== | ||
Justification for the variances that appear in the Mazarbul wall text comes from Tolkien himself. He specifically claims having used a similar methodology when creating samples of the [[Book of Mazarbul]]: "...the text was cast into English spelt as at present, but modified as it might be by writers...who where transliterating the English into a different alphabet"; "...since documents of this kind nearly always show uses of letters or shapes that are peculiar and rarely or never found elsewhere, a few such features are also introduced..." (''same reference as above'', pp. 298-9). Thus, the variances found in the Chamber of Mazarbul wall runes represent, as closely as possible, the idiosyncracies found in the original Westron. | Justification for the variances that appear in the Mazarbul wall text comes from Tolkien himself. He specifically claims having used a similar methodology when creating samples of the [[Book of Mazarbul]]: "...the text was cast into English spelt as at present, but modified as it might be by writers...who where transliterating the English into a different alphabet"; "...since documents of this kind nearly always show uses of letters or shapes that are peculiar and rarely or never found elsewhere, a few such features are also introduced..." (''same reference as above'', pp. 298-9). Thus, the variances found in the Chamber of Mazarbul wall runes represent, as closely as possible, the idiosyncracies found in the original Westron. | ||
===Behind the Scenes=== | ===Behind the Scenes=== | ||
[[File:Alan Lee - Chamber of Mazarbul concept.jpg|250px|thumb|left|''Concept illustration of the Chamber of Mazarbul'' by [[Alan Lee]]]] | |||
[[ | |||
The Chamber of Mazarbul was commonly referred to by the filmmakers as "Balin's Tomb" (as it was, more specifically, the site of said tomb). | The Chamber of Mazarbul was commonly referred to by the filmmakers as "Balin's Tomb" (as it was, more specifically, the site of said tomb). | ||
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Grant Major authored the English text that would be carved in runes onto the chamber walls by carefully scoring the books for information about Moria's history. His findings were transcribed into the runes that adorn the walls, along with translations of certain sentences into Khuzdul by [[David Salo]]. | Grant Major authored the English text that would be carved in runes onto the chamber walls by carefully scoring the books for information about Moria's history. His findings were transcribed into the runes that adorn the walls, along with translations of certain sentences into Khuzdul by [[David Salo]]. | ||
The runes on the chamber walls were the catalyst for one of the biggest fiascoes for the art department during production. A visiting Tolkien scholar claimed to have seen inane comments written on the walls. The art department searched the wall runes carefully but could find no offending sentences. The scholar revealed that he had simply been told this by a member of the crew. Grant Major and [[Dan Hennah]] assumed this was said crew member's idea of a joke. But the scholar later said that he had heard this from a member of the Weta Workshop minatures crew and that the offending comments in fact appeared on the miniature of the Second Hall of Khazad-dûm, though they were unable to be read in the final film and could not be translated using the Dwarvish runes anyway. (See [[Second Hall]]). In truth, no such "inane comments" exist on the Mazarbul Chamber wall runes. | The runes on the chamber walls were the catalyst for one of the biggest fiascoes for the art department during production. A visiting Tolkien scholar claimed to have seen inane comments written on the walls. The art department searched the wall runes carefully but could find no offending sentences. The scholar revealed that he had simply been told this by a member of the crew. Grant Major and [[Dan Hennah]] assumed this was said crew member's idea of a joke. But the scholar later said that he had heard this from a member of the Weta Workshop minatures crew and that the offending comments in fact appeared on the miniature of the Second Hall of Khazad-dûm, though they were unable to be read in the final film and could not be translated using the Dwarvish runes anyway. (See [[Second Hall]]). In truth, no such "inane comments" exist on the Mazarbul Chamber wall runes. --> | ||
'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':''' | |||
:The Chamber of Mazarbul is the final stand in the battle for the [[Twenty-first Hall]], one of the three battles where the Iron Garrison battle Orcs to drive them out of [[Moria|Khazad-dûm]] in [[The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria|Mines of Moria]], Book V: "Drums in the Deep". | |||
* [[ | ==See also== | ||
* [[ | * [[North End]] | ||
* | * [[Seventh Level]] | ||
* [[Twenty-first Hall]] | |||
* [[Balin's Tomb]] | |||
* [[Battle of the Chamber of Mazarbul]] | |||
{{references}} | |||
* [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (extended edition)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (extended edition)]] Audio Commentaries (Scene 35)<!--For section 3.4--> | |||
* [[Gary Russell]]'s ''[[The Art of The Fellowship of the Ring]]'': "Moria" | |||
* Alan Lee's ''[[The Lord of the Rings Sketchbook]]'': "Moria" | |||
==External links== | |||
*[http://www.elvish.org/gwaith/movie.htm Fellowship of the Word-smiths: Other Movie Inscriptions] - A web page discussing many inscriptions from the movies, including those found on the Mazarbul walls. | |||
*[ | *[http://home.planet.nl/~raas0056/mazarbul/ Mazarbul Wall Inscriptions Analysis] - A web site discussing the transcription of the Mazarbul wall runes from screen to page. | ||
*[http://www.geocities.com/shire_society/mazarbul_analysis.html Mazarbul Wall Rune Analysis (English Only)] A detailed analysis of the English Mazarbul wall rune text. | |||
*[ | * [http://www.geocities.com/shire_society/mazarbul_incident.html Mazarbul Wall Rune Incident] A detailed analysis of the incident with comments from those involved. | ||
[[Category:Buildings]] | |||
[[Category:Moria]] | |||
[[de:Kammer von Mazarbul]] | |||
[[fi:Mazarbulin Kammio]] |
Latest revision as of 16:07, 12 August 2022
This article or section needs to be rewritten to comply with Tolkien Gateway's higher standards... |
The Chamber of Mazarbul was the old chamber of records of Khazad-dûm. Probably built during the earlier years of Khazad-dûm, it was later used as a base by Balin when he began his ill-fated attempt at recolonization in the late Third Age.
Mazarbul means "records" in Khuzdul.[1] So the "Chamber of Mazarbul" means the "Chamber of Records". This name is similar to the Book of Records found in that chamber.
History[edit | edit source]
The chamber itself was probably built at around the same time as the Twenty-first Hall in the Seventh Level. This would have been slightly later than the earliest Dwarven delvings, which were to be found in the lower levels near the Great Gates.
In T.A. 2989, Balin led a group of Dwarves to recolonize Moria. Balin chose the Twenty-first Hall as his headquarters and set up his seat in the Chamber of Mazarbul. When Balin was killed a few years later, he was laid to rest in a tomb inside the chamber. It was there where the remnants of the colony made their last stand, and perished.[2][3]
The Fellowship found the chamber thirty years after Balin came to Moria and it was here that Gandalf found the Book of Mazarbul, a record of Balin's recolonization efforts. While still in the chamber, the Fellowship was attacked by a band of Orcs. After a brief fight, they retreated through the east door. Gandalf attempted to guard the door against the Balrog, until the roof of the Chamber collapsed.[3]
Geography and appearance[edit | edit source]
The chamber was located to the right of a pathway that branched off the north end of the Twenty-first hall. When the Fellowship found the chamber as they passed through Moria, Balin's Tomb was located inside it, and a bright shaft of sunlight streamed in from outside the mountain to land directly on the tomb.[2]
The chamber was large, square, and dimly lit.[2] There were two stone doors leading into it (one entrance from the Twenty-first Hall, one from the stair tunnels that the Fellowship later used to flee the Balrog). Many deep recesses were cut into the chamber rock containing chests that had been looted by the Orcs inhabiting Moria. A deep dust had fallen upon the entire room by the time the Fellowship entered it, and the remains of a long-abandoned battle site were to be seen strewn across the floor.[3]
Portrayal in adaptations[edit | edit source]
2001: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring:
- In Peter Jackson's The Fellowship of the Ring (Scene 35: Balin's Tomb and Scene 36: The Bridge of Khazad-dûm), the Chamber of Mazarbul is presented much as it is described in the books, with a few notable exceptions.
- It is placed in the center of the Twenty-first Hall, rather than on the right of a corridor running off the hall to the north.
- There is only one proper door explicitly shown leading into the chamber, rather than the two described in the book. This door is also made of wood in the film, rather than stone. There is, however, one smashed doorway out of the back of the chamber, with the window illuminating Balin's tomb above it, which the Fellowship flee out of.
- A well is also introduced into the layout, directly below the shaft of light. This well was found in the guardroom of the Crossroads in the book, but was transplanted here to serve greater dramatic purpose.
2007: The Lord of the Rings Online:
- The Chamber of Mazarbul is the final stand in the battle for the Twenty-first Hall, one of the three battles where the Iron Garrison battle Orcs to drive them out of Khazad-dûm in Mines of Moria, Book V: "Drums in the Deep".
See also[edit | edit source]
References
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, "Words, Phrases and Passages in Various Tongues in The Lord of the Rings: Eldarin Roots and Stems", in Parma Eldalamberon XVII (edited by Christopher Gilson), p. 47
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "A Journey in the Dark"
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "The Bridge of Khazad-dûm"
- The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (extended edition) Audio Commentaries (Scene 35)
- Gary Russell's The Art of The Fellowship of the Ring: "Moria"
- Alan Lee's The Lord of the Rings Sketchbook: "Moria"
External links[edit | edit source]
- Fellowship of the Word-smiths: Other Movie Inscriptions - A web page discussing many inscriptions from the movies, including those found on the Mazarbul walls.
- Mazarbul Wall Inscriptions Analysis - A web site discussing the transcription of the Mazarbul wall runes from screen to page.
- Mazarbul Wall Rune Analysis (English Only) A detailed analysis of the English Mazarbul wall rune text.
- Mazarbul Wall Rune Incident A detailed analysis of the incident with comments from those involved.