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The '''Ephel Dúath''', or '''Mountains of Shadow''', were a range of mountains that guarded [[Mordor]]'s western and southern borders.  
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{{disambig-two|the mountain range of [[Mordor]]|mountains of [[Beleriand]]|[[Ered Wethrin]]}}
[[Image:Rob Alexander - Mountains of Shadow.jpg|thumb|''Mountains of Shadow'' by [[Rob Alexander]]]]
The '''Ephel Dúath''', or the '''Mountains of Shadow''', were a range of mountains that guarded [[Mordor]]'s western and southern borders.  


==Geography==
==Geography==
The mountain range met the [[Ered Lithui]] at the [[Morannon]], so that between them the mountain ranges effectively seal off Mordor from invasion on three sides. The Pass of [[Cirith Ungol]] was the only known pass through them, forming road between [[Minas Morgul]] and the [[Tower of Cirith Ungol]].  
The mountain range met the [[Ered Lithui]] at the [[Morannon]], so that between them the mountain ranges effectively seal off Mordor from invasion on three sides.<ref>{{RK|Map}}</ref>
 
There were only two known passes through them: the "Nameless Pass" that ran between [[Minas Morgul]] and Mordor, and the nearby Pass of [[Cirith Ungol]].  The Morannon was the only pass through Mordor's outer mountain chains through which large armies could easily pass, but apparently small amounts of troops were able to slowly funnel through the Nameless Pass.  However, the Pass of Cirith Ungol was extremely inaccessible, involving climbing up or down the section called the Straight Stair, making it practically impossible to for easy travel of large numbers of troops, much less horses and wagons.<ref>{{TT|IV8}}</ref>
 
==History==
On [[10 March]] {{TA|3019}}, [[Frodo Baggins]], [[Samwise Gamgee]], and [[Gollum]] began their ascent of the stairs to [[Shelob's Lair]]. The hobbits, abandoned by Gollum, entered the lair on [[12 March]] and Frodo was captured by [[Orcs]] the next day.  On [[14 March]] Sam helped Frodo to escape from the [[Tower of Cirith Ungol]] and thus they completed their harrowing passage of the Ephel Dúath.<ref>{{App|Great}}</ref>


==Etymology==
==Etymology==
'''Ephel Dúath''' is [[Sindarin]]. It means "outer fences of shadow", from ''[[ephel]]'', "outer fence" or "encircling fence", and ''[[dúath]]'', "shadow".
''Ephel Dúath'' (pron. {{IPA|[ˈefːel ˈduˑ.aθ]}}) is [[Sindarin]]. It means "outer fences of shadow", from ''[[ephel]]'', "outer fence" or "encircling fence", and ''[[dúath]]'', "shadow".


[[Category:Mountains]]
{{references}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ephel Duath}}
[[Category:Mountain ranges]]
[[Category:Mordor]]
[[Category:Mordor]]
[[Category:Sindarin locations]]
[[de:Ephel Dúath]]
[[fr:encyclo/geographie/reliefs/mordor/ephel_duath]]
[[fi:Ephel Dúath]]

Revision as of 00:33, 3 August 2013

This article is about the mountain range of Mordor. For the mountains of Beleriand, see Ered Wethrin.
Mountains of Shadow by Rob Alexander

The Ephel Dúath, or the Mountains of Shadow, were a range of mountains that guarded Mordor's western and southern borders.

Geography

The mountain range met the Ered Lithui at the Morannon, so that between them the mountain ranges effectively seal off Mordor from invasion on three sides.[1]

There were only two known passes through them: the "Nameless Pass" that ran between Minas Morgul and Mordor, and the nearby Pass of Cirith Ungol. The Morannon was the only pass through Mordor's outer mountain chains through which large armies could easily pass, but apparently small amounts of troops were able to slowly funnel through the Nameless Pass. However, the Pass of Cirith Ungol was extremely inaccessible, involving climbing up or down the section called the Straight Stair, making it practically impossible to for easy travel of large numbers of troops, much less horses and wagons.[2]

History

On 10 March T.A. 3019, Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee, and Gollum began their ascent of the stairs to Shelob's Lair. The hobbits, abandoned by Gollum, entered the lair on 12 March and Frodo was captured by Orcs the next day. On 14 March Sam helped Frodo to escape from the Tower of Cirith Ungol and thus they completed their harrowing passage of the Ephel Dúath.[3]

Etymology

Ephel Dúath (pron. [ˈefːel ˈduˑ.aθ]) is Sindarin. It means "outer fences of shadow", from ephel, "outer fence" or "encircling fence", and dúath, "shadow".

References