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{{disambig-more|Lonely Mountain|[[Lonely Mountain (disambiguation)]]}}
{{disambig-more|Lonely Mountain|[[Lonely Mountain (disambiguation)]]}}
{{kingdom
{{location infobox
| image = [[Image:Rob Alexander - The Lonely Mountain.jpg|250px]]
| name=Lonely Mountain
| name = Erebor
| image=[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Smaug flies round the Mountain.jpg|250px]]
| meaning = Lonely Mountain
| caption="Smaug flies round the Mountain" by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]
| type = Monarchy/Lordship
| pronun=
| hidep=yes
| othernames=''Erebor'' ([[Sindarin|S]])
| headofstate = [[King under the Mountain]]/[[King of Durin's folk]]
| location=North-east of [[Rhovanion]]
| executive =  
| type=Mountain
| legislative =
| description=A large mountain apart from any other ranges.
| judicial =
| regions=
| capital =
| towns=
| language = [[Westron]], [[Khuzdul]]  
| inhabitants=Generally, [[Dwarves]]. It was once occupied by [[Smaug]] the [[Dragon]].
| location = North of [[Lake-town|Esgaroth]], west of the [[Iron Hills]],
| created=
| populace= Dwarves
| destroyed=
| currency =  
| events=[[Sack of Erebor]], [[Siege of Erebor]]
| religious =  
| gallery=the Lonely Mountain
| holiday =  
}}
| anthem =  
 
| formed = Part of the Exiled [[Dwarves of the Grey Mountains]] led by King [[Thrór]] in [[Third Age 2590|T.A. 2590]]
The '''Lonely Mountain''' ([[Sindarin|S.]] '''''Erebor''''') was a large mountain in the north-east of [[Rhovanion]]. It was the source of the river [[River Running|Running]] and a major [[Dwarves|Dwarven]] [[Dwarf realms|stronghold]], the [[Kingdom under the Mountain]], at the end of the [[Third Age]] and well into the [[Fourth Age|Fourth]].
| established = [[Third Age 2590|T.A. 2590]]
| reorganized =  
| fragmented =  
| dissolved = [[Third Age 2770 | T.A. 2770]]
| restored = [[Third Age 2941 | T.A. 2941]]
}}{{Pronounce|Erebor.mp3|Ardamir}}
'''Erebor''', or the '''Lonely Mountain''' (which it translates as from [[Sindarin]]), was a mountain in the northeast of [[Rhovanion (region)|Rhovanion]]. It was the source of the river [[River Running|Running]], and a major [[Dwarves|Dwarven]] [[Dwarf realms|stronghold]] at the end of the [[Third Age]] and well into the [[Fourth Age|Fourth]].


==History==
==History==
===[[Years of the Trees]] and the [[First Age]]===
The [[Longbeards]] had control of Erebor since at least the early [[Second Age]].<ref>{{PM|Relations}}</ref>


Erebor was first discovered and colonized by the [[Longbeards]] some time after [[Durin|Durin I]] awoke in [[Mount Gundabad]].{{fact}}  It was inhabited  by a mining colony for thousands of years, and was connected by the [[Forest Road]]; Which was built by the Dwarves to connect all of its mining colonies.  It ran from the [[High Pass]] through [[Mirkwood|Greenwood the Great]] (Later called Mirkwood) to the river [[River Running|Running]] that went all the way up to the [[Iron Hills]], which was east of Erebor.
With the awakening of [[Durin's Bane]] in the capital of [[Moria|Khazad-dûm]], [[Thráin I]] led a group of Dwarves to Erebor. Once there, the dwarves dug caves and halls to form an underground city, thus establishing the [[Kingdom under the Mountain]] in {{TA|1999}}.<ref name=ta>{{App|TA}}</ref> During Thráin's rule many riches were mined from the depths of the mountain, including the [[Arkenstone]]. The increased prosperity of the region led to the developpement of the town of [[Dale]], built by [[Men of Dale|Men]] between its slopes.


===From Colony to Capital===
Thráin's son [[Thorin I]] abandoned the Mountain in {{TA|2210}} in favour of the [[Grey Mountains]], which were largely unexplored and richer, as well as in the hopes of reuniting the Longbeards. These mountains were likely larger than Erebor; but after the [[War of the Dwarves and Dragons]], in {{TA|2590}}, King [[Thrór]] led a group back to the Lonely Mountain, re-establishing it as the capital of Durin's folk, while some would follow his brother Grór into the [[Iron Hills]].


Erebor continued as a colony for millenia, until the awakening of [[Durin's Bane]] in the capital of [[Khazad-dûm]].  In [[Third Age 1980 | T.A.1980]],  King [[Durin VI]] was killed by the creature, and in [[Third Age 1981 | 1981]] after the death of Durin's oldest son and heir King [[Náin I]]; the next in line [[Thráin I]] with the rest of his people fled Khazad-dùm (Renamed Moria). 
Erebor grew prosperous once more, and they mined, and made larger tunnels and halls than the previous time in the Lonely Mountain. The Dwarves of Erebor were treated with Reverence by the Men of Dale. The Market and relationship between these two settlements was the wonder of the North. It was a great and happy life. This did not last long.  
Thráin with those who would follow him, went to the colony in Erebor in [[Third Age 1999 | 1999]]. Where he made himself [[King under the Mountain]], and relocated the capital of the Longbeards.
Under Thráin's rule the [[Arkenstone]] was discovered, and many riches were mined from its depths; After Thráin's death and his son [[Thorin I]] had ruled in Erebor for ten years, he abandoned the mountain in [[Third Age 2210 | 2210]] for the [[Grey Mountains]]; where his people were now gathering.


===Decline===
===[[Sack of Erebor]]===
[[File:Donato Giancola - The Coming of Smaug.jpg|left|thumb|''The Coming of Smaug'' by [[Donato Giancola]]]]
The great dragon [[Smaug]] had lust for the Dwarven riches and had heard of the Prosperous kingdom of Erebor. In {{TA|2770}} he descended on the mountain driving out the Dwarves and destroying the town of [[Dale]]. The Lonely Mountain was empty for almost two hundred years, save Smaug who slept in the innermost chamber on a great pile of wealth. None dared approached it while the Dragon lived.


After King Thorin left the mountain was once again a colony, and its status as capital city was transfered to the Ered Mithrin.
In the year {{TA|2941}} with Gandalf's council and planning, King [[Thorin II]] and a small company of friends and family actually made it to the Lonely Mountain. After the Dragon Smaug had realized that the Dwarves had been helped by the [[Lake-men]] he went to their town of [[Lake-town|Esgaroth]] intent on destroying them, only to be killed by a man named [[Bard]].


It was nearly four hundred years before Durin's folk returned in mass to Erebor.  The reason for this being that the [[Dwarves of the Grey Mountains]] had been fighting a [[War of the Dwarves and Dragons |war]] against the [[Dragons]], who had plagued the Dwarves for hundreds of years.  In the year  [[Third Age 2590 | 2589]] King [[Náin II]] and middle son [[Frór]] were killed by a great [[Cold-drake]] at the entrance to their halls, which led to the decision by the two remaining heirs, [[Thrór]] and [[Grór]], to leave the mountains with those who wished to follow them.
===Return of the Longbeards===
===Reestablishment===
With the help of a [[Hobbits|Hobbit]] named [[Bilbo Baggins]] Thorin and company were able to retake the city and the treasure, therefore allowing Thorin to proclaim himself [[King under the Mountain]]. But, now succumbing to Dragon Sickness, Thorin refused to give any of the treasure to the Men of Esgaroth, for compensation of the Fallen [[Esgaroth]] and the [[Elves of Mirkwood]], [[Thorin and Company]] were placed under siege (not to be confused with the later [[Siege of Erebor]].)
The [[Third Age 2590|following year]] the now king Thrór, led a group back to Erebor, while his borther Grór led another portion to the Iron Hills, and even some stayed behind in the Ered Mithrin.
[[File:Matt Stewart - The Battle Under the Mountain.jpg|thumb|''The Battle Under the Mountain'' by [[Matt Stewart]]]]
Things nearly came to blows when Thorin's cousin [[Dáin Ironfoot]] (Grór's grandson) arrived as aid to his kinsman and nearly went to battle against the besiegers. But Gandalf interceded and warned them all of a great host of [[Orcs]] and [[Wargs]] coming to take the mountain. So the Elves, Men, and Dwarves made an alliance, and fought the [[Battle of Five Armies|bloody battle]] against their foes in the valley before the gate. In the end the defenders were victorious against the Orcs and Wargs, thanks to the late arrivals of the [[Eagles]] and [[Beorn]]. Though the battle was won, Thorin was mortally wounded during the battle, but finally, after so many years of longing, Dáin took up the kingship of Durin's folk, and returned the Longbeards to the Lonely Mountain, and restored it to its former glory.


Thrór eventually made it to Erebor, and declared himself [[King under the Mountain]]. Under Thrór's rule Erebor once again became the capital of Durin's folk, the [[Dwarves of Erebor]] became the best crafters and masons in Wilderland, trade increased with their kinsman  in the Iron Hills and elsewhere, and they also became very rich.
The Longbeards would set about the task of rebuilding their kingdom, which included various improvements to the Mountain itself. [[Gloin]] would tell [[Frodo Baggins]] of creations such as towers built on the Mountain, and roads dug deep underground.<ref>{{FR|Meetings}}</ref> Yet neither the Lonely Mountain nor its occupants would escape the eye of the great [[Sauron|Shadow]] that rose in the last years of the Third Age.


===[[Sack of Erebor]] and exile===
During the [[War of the Ring]], at the same time [[Minas Tirith]] was besieged, an army of [[Easterlings]], under Sauron's rule, invaded the [[Kingdom of Dale]] after [[Brand]] was driven back to Dale and Erebor.. The Dwarves aided the [[Men of Dale]] who fought in the [[Battle of Dale|great battle]] at the feet of the Mountain for three days, before King [[Brand]] and King Dáin were killed at its very gates, forcing Men and Dwarves to retreat into the mountain. They held out for several days until word reached the ears of the Easterlings that the great hosts of Sauron in the south had been defeated, who despaired and lost hope. When the besieged saw this they came forth from the Lonely Mountain, and attacked their enemy driving them from Dale across the Running.<ref>{{app|Great}}</ref>


But with this new found prosperity came trouble.  it wasn't long before the great dragon [[Smaug]] heard of their great wealth, and one day decided to take their treasure for himself.  in the year [[Third Age 2770 | 2770]] Smaug descended on the mountain in a ball of fire.  He killed King [[Girion]] of [[Dale]] with many of his knights, and he killed a large amount of the Dwarves living in the mountain.  Most of the survivors fled to the Iron Hills, others went with the royal family into exile, and some simply went their own way.
Erebor and Dale continued to prosper into the [[Fourth Age]], with it still prospering and going strong even after the Longbeards reclaimed [[Khazad-dûm]].


The Lonely Mountain was empty for over two hundred years, save the ever vigilant Smaug who slept in the inner most chamber on a great pile of wealth. But while Durin's folk wandered from the mountain to [[Dunland]] to the northern [[Blue Mountains]]; they ever longed for the halls of Erebor.
==Geography==
[[File:Jef Murray - The Lonely Mountain 2.jpg|thumb|''The Lonely Mountain'' by [[Jef Murray]]]]
The Lonely Mountain was possibly 3,500 meters tall, as it was snowcapped at spring. Geologically, it was rich in metals and jewels.<ref>[[Karen Fonstad]], ''[[The Atlas of Middle-earth]]''</ref>


===The Quest of Erebor and restoration===
The mountain was star-shaped with six ridges radiating as spurs from the peak.


It wasn't until Thrór's grandson [[Thorin|Thorin II Oakenshield]] met the Wizard [[Gandalf]] that the hopes of retaking Erebor seemed possible.  Indeed in the year [[Third Age 2941 | 2941]] with Gandalf's council, king Thorin and a small company of friends and family actually made it to the Lonely Mountain.  After the Dragon Smaug had realized that the Dwarves had been helped by the [[Men of Dale]]  he went to their town of [[Lake-town|Esgaroth]] intent on destroying them. Only to be killed by a man named [[Bard]]. 
The south-western spur contained [[Ravenhill]] housing a Dwarven guard-post. Between the two western spurs was a narrow vale which was the exit of the [[Back Door]], behind an overhanging cliff. Rough steps ascended to the top of the southern ridge along a narrow ledge turning east behind a boulder into a steep bay.
With the help of a [[Hobbits|Hobbit]] named [[Bilbo Baggins]] Thorin and company were able to retake the city and the treasure.  Therefore allowing Thorin to proclaim himself King under the Mountain.  But after refusing to give any of the treasure to the Men of Esgaroth, and the [[Elves of Mirkwood]], the mountain and the Dwarves and Hobbit in it were put under a bloodless siege.
Things nearly came to blows when Thorin's cousin [[Dáin Ironfoot]] (Grór's grandson) arrived as aid to his kinsman and nearly went to battle against the besiegers.  But Gandalf interceded and warned them all of a great host of [[Orcs]] and [[Wargs]] coming to take the mountain.  So the Elves, Men, and Dwarves made an alliance, and fought a [[Battle of Five Armies | bloody batte]] against their foes in the valley before the gate of Erebor.


In the end the defenders were victorious against the Orcs and Wargs, but king Thorin was mortally wounded and his nephews were both killed in the battle, and after Thorin's death Dáin was made king of Durin's folk and of the mountain. Finally after so many years of longing the Longbeards finally  could return to Erebor.
Inside, the mountain was dug with passages and tunnels leading to cellars and halls and mansions such as the great chamber of Thrór near the Front Gate. A secret tunnel led to the "bottommost cellar".


===Prosperity and the [[War of the Ring]]===
The main entrance into the mountain was the [[Front Gate|Gate of Erebor]] on the south side, opening onto a valley between two great spurs of the mountain. The [[River Running]] sprang from beneath the mountain and issued from the [[Front Gate]], forming a waterfall that fell into the valley below.


Under Dáin's rule the Dwarves of Erebor became very rich and prosperous.  They rebuilt the town of [[Dale]], their trade greatly increased with their kinsman in the Iron Hills once again and with Men; and Erebor was restored to its original greatness.
Inside the gate was a broad paved road that went alongside the river in a wide curve leading into the mountain. Not very far from the entrance was the [[Great Chamber of Thrór]] where feasts and councils were held.
But once again trouble began to brew in the east.  The Men of Dale were nearing war with the [[Easterlings]], and in the year [[Third Age 3019 | 3019]] an emissary from [[Sauron]] came to Erebor and told Dáin that if he were to give up the location of Bilbo (Who had discovered the [[Ring of Power]] in his travels) that Sauron would return to him the three remaining [[Seven Rings|Dwarven rings]].  But being wary of the emissary, Dáin sent his kinsmen [[Glóin (King of Durin's Folk)|Glóin]] to [[Rivendell]] to warn Bilbo that Sauron was after him.


Several months later war broke out between Dale and the East.  Dale was driven from their borders at the river Running, and was besieged in their city of Dale for three days in what became the [[Battle of Dale]].  Even with the aid of the Dwarves they could not stop the advance of the Easterlings; and on the third day as the Men and Dwarves retreated into the mountain, King [[Brand]] and King Dáin were killed at the its very gates. The Dwarves and Men held out for several days until word reached the ears of the Easterlings that the great hosts of Sauron in the south had been defeated in the [[Battle of the Morannon]].  With this news fear fell on the besiegers.  When the besieged saw this they came forth from the Erebor, and attacked their enemy driving them from Dale across the Running, never to be bothered again.
In the Lower Halls, there was a vast chamber called the [[Great Hall of Thráin]] at the root of the mountain. From there a secret passageway led to a hidden door in the western side of the mountain. The [[Back Door]] was invisible from the outside except on Durin's Day, when the light of the setting sun would reveal the keyhole.
 
After the death of his father, [[Thorin Stonehelm|Thorin III Stonehelm]] became king of Durin's folk, and Erebor.  Little is known of his reign other than his people helping rebuild the cities of [[Gondor]] and the fortress of [[Helm's Deep]], and part of his people moving to the [[Glittering Caves]].  Erebor continued to prosper until the world grew old and the races of Durin ended.
 
==Description==
Erebor was possibly 3500 feet tall, as it was snowcapped at spring. Geologically, it was rich in metals and jewels.<ref>[[Karen Fonstad]] ''[[The Atlas of Middle-earth]]''</ref>
 
The mountain was star-shaped with six ridges radiating as spurs from the peak.
 
The south-western spur contained [[Ravenhill]] housing a Dwarven guard-post. Between the two western spurs was a narrow vale which was the exit of the [[Back Door]], behind an overhanging cliff. Rough steps ascended to the top of the southern ridge along a narrow ledge turning east behind a boulder into a steep bay.


Inside, the mountain was dug with passages and tunnels leading to cellars and halls and mansions such as the great chamber of Thror near the Front Gate. A secret tunnel led to the "bottommost cellar"
==Etymology==
{{Pronounce|Erebor.mp3|Ardamir}}
''Erebor'' is the [[Sindarin]] translation of "Lonely Mountain" and can be analyzed as ''[[ereb]]'' + ''[[orod|or(od)]]''.


The main entrance into the mountain was the [[Gate of Erebor]] on the south side, opening onto a valley between two great spurs of the mountain. At the end of the southwestern spur was [[Ravenhill]], where there was a lookout post. The [[River Running]] sprang from beneath the mountain and issued from the [[Front Gate]], forming a waterfall that fell into the valley below.
==Portrayal in adaptations==
{{Gallery
|title=The Lonely Mountain in adaptations
|height=150
|width=200
|lines=3
|File:The Hobbit - The Desolation of Smaug - Erebor.jpg|The Lonely Mountain, as it appeared in [[The Hobbit (film series)|''The Hobbit'' film trilogy]]
|File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Lonely Mountain.jpg|The Lonely Mountain in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
}}


Inside the gate was a broad paved road that went alongside the river in a wide curve leading into the mountain. Not very far from the entrance was the Great Chamber of Thror where feasts and councils were held.  
'''2013: ''[[The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug]]'':'''
:The Dwarves enter when the Dragon is still inside. When Smaug notices them, they lead him to the smithies where they make him start them up, so they can smelt gold. This gold they cast in a giant mold, making a giant golden statue. They remove the mold and, because it did not yet dry, the hot gold flows towards Smaug, severly wounding him. Wanting to take revenge, he flies towards [[Lake town]].  


In the Lower Halls, there was a vast chamber called the Great Hall of Thráin at the root of the mountain. From there a secret passageway led to a hidden door in the western side of the mountain. The [[Back Door]] was invisible from the outside except on Durin's Day, when the light of the setting sun would reveal the keyhole.
'''2018: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:After a minor appearance depicting the [[Siege of Erebor]], Erebor proper was added in 2018 as part of [[Eryn Lasgalen]] and the [[Dale]]-lands. After the breaking of the siege, it is now ruled by King [[Thorin Stonehelm]] who must deal with some of the enemy's army still remaining near his lands. Other than the main hall of Erebor, players can also visit the living quarters, the burial tombs as well as several hidden chambers within the Mountain.


{{references}}
{{references}}
* [[J.R.R. Tolkien]], ''[[The Hobbit]]'', passim.
{{companyroute}}{{durinskings}}
* [[J.R.R. Tolkien]], ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', [[Many Meetings]]
* [[J.R.R. Tolkien]], ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', [[The Council of Elrond]]
* [[J.R.R. Tolkien]], ''[[The Return of the King]]'', passim.
* [[J.R.R. Tolkien]], ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix A]]: III Durin's Folk
* [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] and [[Christopher Tolkien]] (ed.), ''[[Unfinished Tales]]'', [[The Quest of Erebor]]
* [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] and [[Christopher Tolkien]] (ed.), ''[[The Peoples of Middle-earth]]''
[[Category:Cities, Towns and Villages]]
[[Category:Dwarven Realms]]
[[Category:Mountains]]
[[Category:Mountains]]
[[Category:Rhovanion]]
[[Category:Rhovanion]]
[[Category:Sieges]]
[[Category:Sindarin Locations]]
[[de:Erebor]]
[[de:Erebor]]
[[fr:encyclo/geographie/reliefs/rhovanion/erebor]]
[[fi:Erebor]]
[[fi:Erebor]]

Latest revision as of 15:25, 18 June 2023

"I shan't call it the end, till we've cleared up the mess." — Sam
This article or section needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of article quality.
The name Lonely Mountain refers to more than one character, item or concept. For a list of other meanings, see Lonely Mountain (disambiguation).
Lonely Mountain
Mountain
J.R.R. Tolkien - Smaug flies round the Mountain.jpg
"Smaug flies round the Mountain" by J.R.R. Tolkien
General Information
Other namesErebor (S)
LocationNorth-east of Rhovanion
TypeMountain
DescriptionA large mountain apart from any other ranges.
People and History
InhabitantsGenerally, Dwarves. It was once occupied by Smaug the Dragon.
EventsSack of Erebor, Siege of Erebor
GalleryImages of the Lonely Mountain

The Lonely Mountain (S. Erebor) was a large mountain in the north-east of Rhovanion. It was the source of the river Running and a major Dwarven stronghold, the Kingdom under the Mountain, at the end of the Third Age and well into the Fourth.

History[edit | edit source]

The Longbeards had control of Erebor since at least the early Second Age.[1]

With the awakening of Durin's Bane in the capital of Khazad-dûm, Thráin I led a group of Dwarves to Erebor. Once there, the dwarves dug caves and halls to form an underground city, thus establishing the Kingdom under the Mountain in T.A. 1999.[2] During Thráin's rule many riches were mined from the depths of the mountain, including the Arkenstone. The increased prosperity of the region led to the developpement of the town of Dale, built by Men between its slopes.

Thráin's son Thorin I abandoned the Mountain in T.A. 2210 in favour of the Grey Mountains, which were largely unexplored and richer, as well as in the hopes of reuniting the Longbeards. These mountains were likely larger than Erebor; but after the War of the Dwarves and Dragons, in T.A. 2590, King Thrór led a group back to the Lonely Mountain, re-establishing it as the capital of Durin's folk, while some would follow his brother Grór into the Iron Hills.

Erebor grew prosperous once more, and they mined, and made larger tunnels and halls than the previous time in the Lonely Mountain. The Dwarves of Erebor were treated with Reverence by the Men of Dale. The Market and relationship between these two settlements was the wonder of the North. It was a great and happy life. This did not last long.

Sack of Erebor[edit | edit source]

The Coming of Smaug by Donato Giancola

The great dragon Smaug had lust for the Dwarven riches and had heard of the Prosperous kingdom of Erebor. In T.A. 2770 he descended on the mountain driving out the Dwarves and destroying the town of Dale. The Lonely Mountain was empty for almost two hundred years, save Smaug who slept in the innermost chamber on a great pile of wealth. None dared approached it while the Dragon lived.

In the year T.A. 2941 with Gandalf's council and planning, King Thorin II and a small company of friends and family actually made it to the Lonely Mountain. After the Dragon Smaug had realized that the Dwarves had been helped by the Lake-men he went to their town of Esgaroth intent on destroying them, only to be killed by a man named Bard.

Return of the Longbeards[edit | edit source]

With the help of a Hobbit named Bilbo Baggins Thorin and company were able to retake the city and the treasure, therefore allowing Thorin to proclaim himself King under the Mountain. But, now succumbing to Dragon Sickness, Thorin refused to give any of the treasure to the Men of Esgaroth, for compensation of the Fallen Esgaroth and the Elves of Mirkwood, Thorin and Company were placed under siege (not to be confused with the later Siege of Erebor.)

The Battle Under the Mountain by Matt Stewart

Things nearly came to blows when Thorin's cousin Dáin Ironfoot (Grór's grandson) arrived as aid to his kinsman and nearly went to battle against the besiegers. But Gandalf interceded and warned them all of a great host of Orcs and Wargs coming to take the mountain. So the Elves, Men, and Dwarves made an alliance, and fought the bloody battle against their foes in the valley before the gate. In the end the defenders were victorious against the Orcs and Wargs, thanks to the late arrivals of the Eagles and Beorn. Though the battle was won, Thorin was mortally wounded during the battle, but finally, after so many years of longing, Dáin took up the kingship of Durin's folk, and returned the Longbeards to the Lonely Mountain, and restored it to its former glory.

The Longbeards would set about the task of rebuilding their kingdom, which included various improvements to the Mountain itself. Gloin would tell Frodo Baggins of creations such as towers built on the Mountain, and roads dug deep underground.[3] Yet neither the Lonely Mountain nor its occupants would escape the eye of the great Shadow that rose in the last years of the Third Age.

During the War of the Ring, at the same time Minas Tirith was besieged, an army of Easterlings, under Sauron's rule, invaded the Kingdom of Dale after Brand was driven back to Dale and Erebor.. The Dwarves aided the Men of Dale who fought in the great battle at the feet of the Mountain for three days, before King Brand and King Dáin were killed at its very gates, forcing Men and Dwarves to retreat into the mountain. They held out for several days until word reached the ears of the Easterlings that the great hosts of Sauron in the south had been defeated, who despaired and lost hope. When the besieged saw this they came forth from the Lonely Mountain, and attacked their enemy driving them from Dale across the Running.[4]

Erebor and Dale continued to prosper into the Fourth Age, with it still prospering and going strong even after the Longbeards reclaimed Khazad-dûm.

Geography[edit | edit source]

The Lonely Mountain by Jef Murray

The Lonely Mountain was possibly 3,500 meters tall, as it was snowcapped at spring. Geologically, it was rich in metals and jewels.[5]

The mountain was star-shaped with six ridges radiating as spurs from the peak.

The south-western spur contained Ravenhill housing a Dwarven guard-post. Between the two western spurs was a narrow vale which was the exit of the Back Door, behind an overhanging cliff. Rough steps ascended to the top of the southern ridge along a narrow ledge turning east behind a boulder into a steep bay.

Inside, the mountain was dug with passages and tunnels leading to cellars and halls and mansions such as the great chamber of Thrór near the Front Gate. A secret tunnel led to the "bottommost cellar".

The main entrance into the mountain was the Gate of Erebor on the south side, opening onto a valley between two great spurs of the mountain. The River Running sprang from beneath the mountain and issued from the Front Gate, forming a waterfall that fell into the valley below.

Inside the gate was a broad paved road that went alongside the river in a wide curve leading into the mountain. Not very far from the entrance was the Great Chamber of Thrór where feasts and councils were held.

In the Lower Halls, there was a vast chamber called the Great Hall of Thráin at the root of the mountain. From there a secret passageway led to a hidden door in the western side of the mountain. The Back Door was invisible from the outside except on Durin's Day, when the light of the setting sun would reveal the keyhole.

Etymology[edit | edit source]

Erebor is the Sindarin translation of "Lonely Mountain" and can be analyzed as ereb + or(od).

Portrayal in adaptations[edit | edit source]

The Lonely Mountain in adaptations
The Lonely Mountain, as it appeared in The Hobbit film trilogy  
The Lonely Mountain in The Lord of the Rings Online  

2013: The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug:

The Dwarves enter when the Dragon is still inside. When Smaug notices them, they lead him to the smithies where they make him start them up, so they can smelt gold. This gold they cast in a giant mold, making a giant golden statue. They remove the mold and, because it did not yet dry, the hot gold flows towards Smaug, severly wounding him. Wanting to take revenge, he flies towards Lake town.

2018: The Lord of the Rings Online:

After a minor appearance depicting the Siege of Erebor, Erebor proper was added in 2018 as part of Eryn Lasgalen and the Dale-lands. After the breaking of the siege, it is now ruled by King Thorin Stonehelm who must deal with some of the enemy's army still remaining near his lands. Other than the main hall of Erebor, players can also visit the living quarters, the burial tombs as well as several hidden chambers within the Mountain.

References

Route of Thorin and Company
Bag End · Green Dragon · The Shire · Lone-lands · Last Bridge · Trollshaws · Trolls' cave · Rivendell · High Pass · Front Porch · Goblin-town · Goblin-gate · Eagle's Eyrie · Carrock · Beorn's Hall · Wilderland · Forest Gate · Elf-path · Mirkwood · Elvenking's Halls · Forest River · Lake-town · Long Lake · River Running · Desolation of the Dragon · Ravenhill · Back Door · Lonely Mountain · Great Hall of Thráin
Kings of Durin's Folk
Durin I* (Y.T.) · Durin II* · Durin III* (fl. S.A. 1600) · Durin IV* · Durin V* · Durin VI* (until T.A. 1980) · Náin I* (1980 - 1981) · Thráin I (1981 - 2190) · Thorin I (2190 - 2289) · Glóin (2289 - 2385) · Óin (2385 - 2488) · Náin II (2488 - 2585) · Dáin I (2585 - 2589) · Thrór (2585 - 2790) · Thráin II (2790 - captured 2845, d. 2850) · Thorin II Oakenshield (after 2845 - 2941) · Dáin II Ironfoot (2941 - 3019) · Thorin III Stonehelm (T.A. 3019 - Fourth Age) · Durin VII (Fourth Age)*
* Kings of Khazad-dûm · Kings under the Mountain