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For those living in the [[Westlands]], the '''East''' refers to [[Rhûn]] (which name indeed means "east" in [[Sindarin]]) and all unknown lands beyond.
For those living in the [[Westlands]], the '''East''' refers to all unknown lands beyond.


Not much is known about the lands or peoples outside the Westlands. [[Cuiviénen]], the lake where the [[Elves]] [[awakening of the Elves|awoke]], was somewhere in the East of Middle-earth<ref>{{S|Captivity}}</ref>. The eastern parts of the continent also featured two great mountain ranges, the [[Red Mountains|Red]] and [[Yellow Mountains]] where some of the [[Fathers of the Dwarves]] awoke<ref name="Dwarves">{{PM|Dwarves}}</ref>. And [[Hildórien]], the origin of [[Men]], was also somewhere in the east<ref>{{S|Men}}</ref>. Beyond these, the continent ended on the shores of the [[East Sea]].
The [[Quenya]] name for the East is ''[[Rómen]]'', which is also the name of a [[Tengwar|letter]]. In [[Sindarin]] the East is called ''[[Rhûn]]'', which is also the name of a specific region to the east of the Westlands.  


But the stories follow only the [[Eldar]] and the [[Edain]] who migrated [[West]].
==Geography==
Not much is known about the lands or peoples outside the Westlands. [[Cuiviénen]], the lake where the [[Elves]] [[awakening of the Elves|awoke]], was somewhere in the East of Middle-earth<ref>{{S|Captivity}}</ref>. The eastern parts of the continent also featured two great mountain ranges, the [[Orocarni|Red]] and [[Yellow Mountains]] where some of the [[Fathers of the Dwarves]] awoke<ref name="Dwarves">{{PM|Dwarves}}</ref>. And [[Hildórien]], the origin of [[Men]], was also somewhere in the east<ref>{{S|Men}}</ref>. Beyond these, the continent of [[Middle-earth]] ended on the shores of the [[East Sea]].


In the [[Second Age|Second]] or [[Third Age]]s the [[Blue Wizards]] went into the East, never to return<ref name="PMLast">{{PM|Last}}, pp. 384-85</ref>. [[Saruman]] also joined them before returning and occupying [[Isengard]]. During the [[Watchful Peace]], [[Sauron]] went to hiding in the East for 400 years and gathered the Easterlings to his service; the Blue Wizards failed to discover him<ref name="PMLast"/>.
==Peoples==
==Peoples==
The [[Avari]] remained in the East, and other Elves who abandoned the [[Great March]] to the West. Eventually some of the Avari would also migrate West.<ref>{{PE|17}}, p. 53</ref><ref>{{WJ|Author}}, Note 9</ref>
The [[Avari]] remained in the East, and other Elves who abandoned the [[Great March]] to the West. Eventually some of the Avari would also migrate West.<ref>{{PE|17}}, p. 53</ref><ref>{{WJ|Author}}, Note 9</ref>
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To the further east, the Red Mountains were occupied by the [[Dwarves|Dwarven]] clans of [[Ironfists]], [[Stiffbeards]], [[Blacklocks]] and [[Stonefoots]].<ref>{{PM|X}}, pp. 301, 322 (note 24)</ref>
To the further east, the Red Mountains were occupied by the [[Dwarves|Dwarven]] clans of [[Ironfists]], [[Stiffbeards]], [[Blacklocks]] and [[Stonefoots]].<ref>{{PM|X}}, pp. 301, 322 (note 24)</ref>
In the [[Second Age|Second]] or [[Third Age]]s the [[Blue Wizards]] went into the East, never to return<ref name="PMLast">{{PM|Last}}, pp. 384-85</ref>. [[Saruman]] also joined them before returning and occupying [[Isengard]]. During the [[Watchful Peace]], [[Sauron]] went to hiding in the East for 400 years and gathered the Easterlings to his service; the Blue Wizards failed to discover him<ref name="PMLast"/>.
==Other notes==
==Other notes==
As the general direction of the [[West]] was revered by the [[Gondorians]],<ref>{{TT|Window}}</ref> conversely the East had evil connotations in some contexts as it where [[Mordor]] lay; the people of Gondor endured the east wind but do not ask it for tidings, because it came from the "[[Sauron|Evil in the East]]".<ref>{{TT|III1}}</ref>
Unlike the Elven maps, the maps drawn by the Dwarves displayed the East on the top, as can be seen on the [[Thrór's Map]].
Unlike the Elven maps, the maps drawn by the Dwarves displayed the East on the top, as can be seen on the [[Thrór's Map]].
==See also==
==See also==
*[[Uttermost East]]
*[[Uttermost East]]
*[[Last Desert]]
*[[Last Desert]]
*[[Rómen]]
*[[Uttermost West]]
*[[West]]
{{references}}
{{references}}
[[Category:Middle-earth]]
[[Category:Middle-earth]]
[[Category:Eastern_lands]]
[[Category:Eastern_lands]]

Revision as of 14:20, 6 November 2016

For those living in the Westlands, the East refers to all unknown lands beyond.

The Quenya name for the East is Rómen, which is also the name of a letter. In Sindarin the East is called Rhûn, which is also the name of a specific region to the east of the Westlands.

Geography

Not much is known about the lands or peoples outside the Westlands. Cuiviénen, the lake where the Elves awoke, was somewhere in the East of Middle-earth[1]. The eastern parts of the continent also featured two great mountain ranges, the Red and Yellow Mountains where some of the Fathers of the Dwarves awoke[2]. And Hildórien, the origin of Men, was also somewhere in the east[3]. Beyond these, the continent of Middle-earth ended on the shores of the East Sea.

Peoples

The Avari remained in the East, and other Elves who abandoned the Great March to the West. Eventually some of the Avari would also migrate West.[4][5]

The Men living in the East were known as Easterlings, being various tribes of Men of Darkness, such as the Wainriders, the Balchoth and the Variags.

To the further east, the Red Mountains were occupied by the Dwarven clans of Ironfists, Stiffbeards, Blacklocks and Stonefoots.[6]

In the Second or Third Ages the Blue Wizards went into the East, never to return[7]. Saruman also joined them before returning and occupying Isengard. During the Watchful Peace, Sauron went to hiding in the East for 400 years and gathered the Easterlings to his service; the Blue Wizards failed to discover him[7].

Other notes

As the general direction of the West was revered by the Gondorians,[8] conversely the East had evil connotations in some contexts as it where Mordor lay; the people of Gondor endured the east wind but do not ask it for tidings, because it came from the "Evil in the East".[9]

Unlike the Elven maps, the maps drawn by the Dwarves displayed the East on the top, as can be seen on the Thrór's Map.

See also

References

  1. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Coming of the Elves and the Captivity of Melkor"
  2. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "Of Dwarves and Men"
  3. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of Men"
  4. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, "Words, Phrases and Passages in Various Tongues in The Lord of the Rings", in Parma Eldalamberon XVII (edited by Christopher Gilson), p. 53
  5. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "Part Four. Quendi and Eldar: Author's Notes to Quendi and Eldar", Note 9
  6. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "Of Dwarves and Men", pp. 301, 322 (note 24)
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "XIII. Last Writings", pp. 384-85
  8. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "The Window on the West"
  9. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "The Departure of Boromir"
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