Cirith Ungol
Cirith Ungol | |
---|---|
Pass | |
"Cirith Ungol" by Rob Alexander | |
General Information | |
Location | Ephel Dúath |
Type | Pass |
People and History | |
Inhabitants | Men, Orcs, Shelob |
Events | Quest of the Ring |
Gallery | Images of Cirith Ungol |
Cirith Ungol was a pass through the Ephel Dúath.
The pass of Cirith Ungol was located in a cleft on the slope of the mountain on the left side of the Morgul Pass and could be reached by climbing the stairs of Cirith Ungol at the beginning of the Morgul Vale[1] and by passing trough a tunnel[2] and taking a long flight of broad shallow steps to the cleft[3] with the crown of the pass after which the road turned left and plunged steeply down.[4]
The pass of Cirith Ungol was probably named after the giant spider Shelob, who dwelt there.[5] It was also referred to as the "high pass".[6][7][3]
The pass of Cirith Ungol was guarded by the Tower of Cirith Ungol, that was built by the Men of Gondor after the War of the Last Alliance as an eastern oupost of the defences of Ithilien to keep enemies in Mordor.[4]
During the War of the Ring, in March T.A. 3019, Gollum led Frodo Baggins and Samwise Gamgee up the Stairs of Cirith Ungol[1] into Shelob's lair.[2]
It is not known whether the pass and the tower were called Cirith Ungol when the Men of Gondor held it.
Etymology
Cirith Ungol (pron. [ˈkiriθ ˈuŋɡol]) is a Sindarin name meaning "Spider's Cleft", composed of cirith and ungol.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "The Stairs of Cirith Ungol"
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "Shelob's Lair"
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "The Choices of Master Samwise"
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Tower of Cirith Ungol"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "Index", "Cirith Ungol [Pass of the Spider]"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "The Black Gate is Closed"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "The Forbidden Pool"