Minas Morgul: Difference between revisions

From Tolkien Gateway
m (Updated infobox)
(18 intermediate revisions by 10 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{cleanup}}
{{location infobox
{{location infobox
| name=Minas Morgul
| name=Minas Morgul
Line 5: Line 4:
| caption="The Tower of the Moon" by [[Ted Nasmith]]
| caption="The Tower of the Moon" by [[Ted Nasmith]]
| pronun=
| pronun=
| othernames=Minas Ithil, Tower of the Moon, Tower of the Rising Moon, Moon-tower, Tower of Black Sorcery, Dead City
| othernames=''Minas Ithil'' ([[Sindarin|S]]), ''Dushgoi'' ([[Orkish|O]]), Tower of the Moon, Tower of the Rising Moon, Moon-tower, Tower of Black Sorcery, Dead City
| location=on [[Ephel Dúath]], facing [[Gondor]]
| location=[[Ephel Dúath]], facing [[Gondor]]
| type=City
| type=City
| description=
| description=
Line 15: Line 14:
| destroyed=
| destroyed=
| events=
| events=
}}'''Minas Morgul''' (originally called '''Minas Ithil''') was the twin city of [[Minas Tirith]] before its fall to the forces of [[Sauron]] in the [[Third Age]].
}}
'''Minas Morgul''' (originally called '''Minas Ithil''') was the twin city of [[Minas Tirith]] before its fall to the forces of [[Sauron]] in the [[Third Age]].
 
==Description==
[[File:Matthew Burton - Minas Morgul.jpg|300px|thumb|''Minas Morgul'' by Matthew Burton]]
In its prime, Minas Ithil was a beautiful place. The moon cast silver light throughout the courtyards and streets, and reflected off the marble walls, so that it seemed to shine, the houses shining white as well. The city also had one tall tower, with many windows, that rotated slowly. The city was accessed by a road, which was said to gleam like the city's white marble walls, running over a bridge as it crossed [[Imlad Morgul]]. Large meadows were placed on both banks of the stream.
 
When it was taken by the forces of evil, the beauty was replaced by terror. The lovely white light was replaced by a sickly corpse-pale light, the meadows were filled with sick pale flowers, and Imlad Morgul began to steam cold poisonous vapours. At the head of the bridge crossing the stream the bestial and human figures that stood there were corrupted. <ref>{{TT|Stairs}}</ref>
 
{{blockquote|Not the imprisoned moonlight welling through the marble walls of Minas Ithil long ago, Tower of the Moon, fair and radiant in the hollow of the hills. Paler indeed than the moon ailing in some slow eclipse was the light of it now, wavering and blowing like a noisome exhalation of decay, a corpse-light, a light that illuminated nothing.|''[[The Two Towers]]'', "[[The Stairs of Cirith Ungol]]"}}


==History==
==History==
Line 21: Line 29:
After the destruction of [[Númenor]], [[Isildur]] and [[Anárion]], the sons of [[Elendil]], landed in [[Gondor]]. Isildur built Minas Ithil near the mountainous border of [[Mordor]] from where he would rule the fief of [[Ithilien]]; while Anárion built [[Minas Anor]] to rule over the fief of [[Anórien]]. Minas Ithil housed a ''[[Palantíri|palantír]]'', the [[Ithil-stone]].
After the destruction of [[Númenor]], [[Isildur]] and [[Anárion]], the sons of [[Elendil]], landed in [[Gondor]]. Isildur built Minas Ithil near the mountainous border of [[Mordor]] from where he would rule the fief of [[Ithilien]]; while Anárion built [[Minas Anor]] to rule over the fief of [[Anórien]]. Minas Ithil housed a ''[[Palantíri|palantír]]'', the [[Ithil-stone]].


When [[Sauron]] returned after escaping [[Númenor]]'s destruction, he attacked the exiles of Númenor, and his forces [[Fall of Minas Ithil|took Minas Ithil]] by storm. When the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]] defeated Sauron in the year {{SA|3429}}, Minas Ithil was restored as a watchtower.
When [[Sauron]] returned after escaping [[Númenor]]'s destruction, he attacked the exiles of Númenor, and his forces [[First Fall of Minas Ithil|took Minas Ithil]] by storm. When the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]] defeated Sauron in the year {{SA|3429}}, Minas Ithil was restored as a watchtower.


===Third Age===
===Third Age===
In {{TA|1980}}, the [[Nazgûl]] returned to Mordor (after the defeat of the [[Witch-king]] of [[Angmar]] in the north of Middle-earth).
After the defeat of the [[Witch-king]] of [[Angmar]] in the north, he returned to Mordor in {{TA|1980}} summoning the other [[Nazgûl]] with him, to prepare the return of their master. A few years later ({{TA|2000}}) they laid siege to Minas Ithil and [[Third Age 2002|two years later]] they managed to take the city.<ref name=ta>{{App|TA}}</ref> The [[Ithil-stone]], was also captured and later used by Sauron to influence [[Saruman]] and [[Denethor|Denethor II]].<ref name=ta/><ref>{{App|Stewards}}</ref>


The [[Nazgûl|Ringwraiths]] laid siege to Minas Ithil shortly after their return, in {{TA|2002}}, and they took the city for their master, Sauron (who was still hidden at the time).
Minas Ithil was occupied by fell creatures, and it changed into a foul, evil place.  As a result, it came to be called Minas Morgul, which in the [[Gondor Sindarin|tongue of Gondor]] means "Tower of Dark Sorcery". Many [[Gondorians]] fled from [[Ithilien]].<ref name=gondor/>


Minas Ithil was occupied by fell creatures, and it changed into a foul, evil place. As a result, it came to be called Minas Morgul, which in the [[Gondor Sindarin|tongue of Gondor]] means "Tower of Dark Sorcery". The [[Ithil-stone]], was captured and later used by Sauron to influence [[Denethor|Denethor II]] during the War of the Ring.
From Minas Morgul the Lord of the Nazgûl twice challenged his old enemy, King [[Eärnur]]. Finally Eärnur rode with his knights against Morgul. He never returned, ending the line of the [[Kings of Gondor]].<ref name=ta/><ref name=gondor>{{App|Gondor}}</ref>


During the [[Watchful Peace]] the lords of Morgul had secretly bred the [[Uruk-hai]], and in {{TA|2475}} these creatures assailed and overran Ithilien.
During the [[Watchful Peace]], the lords of Morgul had secretly bred the [[Uruk-hai]], and in {{TA|2475}} these creatures assailed and overran Ithilien.
[[File:Daniel Pilla - The Nazgul from Minas Morgul.jpg|thumb|left|Daniel Pilla - ''The Nazgul from Minas Morgul'']]
[[File:Daniel Pilla - The Nazgul from Minas Morgul.jpg|thumb|left|''The Nazgul from Minas Morgul'' by [[:Category:Images by Daniel Pilla|Daniel Pilla]]]]
During the [[War of the Ring]], a host from Minas Morgul set forth toward [[Minas Tirith]]. The host was witnessed by Frodo, Sam and Gollum. After some [[Faramir's defense of Osgiliath|opposition in Osgiliath]], the Morgul-host proceeded to [[Pelennor Fields]] and lay [[Siege of Gondor|siege]]. However the host, including the city's garrison was devastated during the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]].
 
===War of the Ring===
During the [[War of the Ring]], a host from Minas Morgul set forth toward [[Minas Tirith]]. The host was witnessed by Frodo, Sam and Gollum. After some [[Faramir's defence of Osgiliath|opposition in Osgiliath]], the Morgul-host proceeded to [[Pelennor Fields]] and lay [[Siege of Gondor|siege]]. However the host, including the city's garrison was devastated during the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]].


Following the battle, the [[Army of the West]] pulled down the bridge leading to [[Morgul Vale]] and set its fields aflame. They met no opposition as the entire city's garrison had been killed at the Battle.   
Following the battle, the [[Army of the West]] pulled down the bridge leading to [[Morgul Vale]] and set its fields aflame. They met no opposition as the entire city's garrison had been killed at the Battle.   


After the War of the Ring, [[Faramir]] was made [[Prince of Ithilien]] by King [[Aragorn|Elessar]], who advised him to make his abode in the [[Emyn Arnen]] southeast of Minas Tirith for even though Minas Morgul was completely abandoned, the land was such a terror on the minds of Men that it would not be fit for habitation or even Mannish contact for many years. Eventually, the city was rebuilt as Minas Ithil and the evil that tainted the land was at last gone.
After the War of the Ring, [[Faramir]] was made [[Prince of Ithilien]] by King [[Aragorn|Elessar]], who advised him to make his abode in the [[Emyn Arnen]] south-east of Minas Tirith for "Minas Ithil in Morgul Vale shall be utterly destroyed, and though it may in time to come be made clean, no man may dwell there for many long years". <ref>{{RK|V15}}</ref> It is not know if the city was ever rebuilt.
 
==Geography==
Minas Morgul was situated deep within a long-tilted valley, that ran back far into the mountains. Some way within the valley’s arms, high on a rocky seat upon the black knees of the [[Ephel Dúath]], stood the walls and tower of the city. The city could be accessed from the west by a road that led from the crossroads in Ithilien, eventually spanning a white bridge that passed over the stream in the midst of the valley, and went on, winding up past the city’s gate.  
 
Although no eastern gate to the city is described it can be assumed that there was another entrance facing towards Mordor as it was from Minas Morgul that the armies of Sauron issued forth in the War of the Ring.
 
==Etymology==
For the two [[Sindarin]] names that Minas Morgul has had:
* ''Minas Morgul'': ''[[minas]]'' ("tower") + ''[[morgul]]'' ("black sorcery") = "Tower of Sorcery"<ref name=Council>{{FR|II2}}</ref>{{rp|245}}
* ''Minas Ithil'': ''[[minas]]'' ("tower") + ''[[Moon#Other names|ithil]]'' ("moon") = "Tower of the (Rising) Moon"<ref name=Council></ref>{{rp|244}}
 
In [[Orkish]], Minas Morgul was known as '''''Dushgoi'''''.<ref>{{WR|2|VIII}}, p. 226. Cf. note 47</ref>


==Description==
==Portrayal in adaptations==
[[File:Matthew Burton - Minas Morgul.jpg|350px|thumb|Matthew Burton - ''Minas Morgul'']]
'''[[1987]]-[[1996|96]]: ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing]]'':'''
In its prime, Minas Ithil was a beautiful place. The moon cast silver light throughout the courtyards and streets, and reflected off the marble walls, so that it seemed to shine. The houses also shone white. The city also had one tall tower, with many windows, that rotated slowly. The city was accessed by a road, which was said to gleam like the city's white marble walls, running over a bridge as it crossed [[Imlad Morgul]]. Large meadows were placed on both banks of the stream.  
:The ''[[Minas Ithil (book)|Minas Ithil]]'' city module contains detailed information about Minas Ithil in T.A. 1640 and three adventures that take place in Minas Ithil.


When it was taken by the forces of evil, the beauty was replaced by terror. The lovely white light was replaced by a sickly corpse-pale light, the meadows were filled with sick pale flowers, and Imlad Morgul began to steam cold poisonous vapours. At the head of the bridge crossing the stream the bestial and human figures that stood there were corrupted. <ref>{{TT|Stairs}}</ref>
:''[[The Kin-strife]] campaign module contains detailed information about Minas Ithil during the time of the [[Kin-strife]] and three adventures that take place in Minas Ithil.


{{blockquote|Not the imprisoned moonlight welling through the marble walls of Minas Ithil long ago, Tower of the Moon, fair and radiant in the hollow of the hills. Paler indeed than the moon ailing in some slow eclipse was the light of it now, wavering and blowing like a noisome exhalation of decay, a corpse-light, a light that illuminated nothing.|[[The Stairs of Cirith Ungol]]}}
'''2001: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
:The Nazgûl are shown exiting the fortress, beginning their search for [[Bilbo Baggins]] who is in possession of [[The One Ring]].


==Etymology==
'''2003: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]'':'''
For the two main names that Minas Morgul has had:
:[[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]], [[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]], and [[Gollum]] pass the fortress during their journey to [[Mordor]]. It is portrayed as dark with sharp walls, illuminated by a green, hazy light. Frodo, influenced by the power of the Ring, approaches the entrance to the city, but is stopped by Sam and Gollum. A large army and the [[Witch King]] mounted on a flying [[fell beast]] are shown exiting the city, signifying the start of the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]].
* Minas Morgul is [[Sindarin]] from ''[[minas]]'' "tower" and ''[[morgul]]'' "black sorcery";{{fact}}
* Minas Ithilis [[Sindarin]] from ''[[minas]]'' "tower" and ''[[Moon#Other names|ithil]]'' "moon"{{fact}}


== See also ==
'''[[2019]]: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
* [[:Category:Images of Minas Morgul|Images of Minas Morgul]]
:During the march of the Host of the West towards the [[Black Gate]] [[Gandalf]] destroys the bridge leading out of Minas Morgul to prevent [[Aragorn]]'s armies from being flanked. After the downfall of Sauron this action has an unintentional effect of protecting the Dead City itself from any attack from the west. Following Aragorn's coronation, King Elessar charges steward [[Faramir]] and the [[Rangers of Ithilien]] with reclaiming the [[Morgul Vale]] and cleansing the Dead City.
{{Gallery
|title=Minas Morgul in adaptations
|height=150
|width=250
|lines=2
|File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Minas Morgul.jpg|Minas Morgul in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
}}


{{References}}
{{References}}
Line 59: Line 87:
[[Category:Mordor]]
[[Category:Mordor]]
[[Category:Sieges]]
[[Category:Sieges]]
[[Category:Sindarin locations]]
[[de:Minas Morgul]]
[[de:Minas Morgul]]
[[fi:Minas Morgul]]
[[fi:Minas Morgul]]
[[fr:encyclo/geographie/villes_tours_et_forteresses/mordor/minas_morgul]]
[[fr:encyclo/geographie/villes_tours_et_forteresses/mordor/minas_morgul]]

Revision as of 15:57, 18 October 2021

Minas Morgul
City
Ted Nasmith - The Tower of the Moon.jpg
"The Tower of the Moon" by Ted Nasmith
General Information
Other namesMinas Ithil (S), Dushgoi (O), Tower of the Moon, Tower of the Rising Moon, Moon-tower, Tower of Black Sorcery, Dead City
LocationEphel Dúath, facing Gondor
TypeCity
People and History
InhabitantsGondorians, Orcs and Nazgûl
CreatedAfter S.A. 3320
GalleryImages of Minas Morgul

Minas Morgul (originally called Minas Ithil) was the twin city of Minas Tirith before its fall to the forces of Sauron in the Third Age.

Description

Minas Morgul by Matthew Burton

In its prime, Minas Ithil was a beautiful place. The moon cast silver light throughout the courtyards and streets, and reflected off the marble walls, so that it seemed to shine, the houses shining white as well. The city also had one tall tower, with many windows, that rotated slowly. The city was accessed by a road, which was said to gleam like the city's white marble walls, running over a bridge as it crossed Imlad Morgul. Large meadows were placed on both banks of the stream.

When it was taken by the forces of evil, the beauty was replaced by terror. The lovely white light was replaced by a sickly corpse-pale light, the meadows were filled with sick pale flowers, and Imlad Morgul began to steam cold poisonous vapours. At the head of the bridge crossing the stream the bestial and human figures that stood there were corrupted. [1]

Not the imprisoned moonlight welling through the marble walls of Minas Ithil long ago, Tower of the Moon, fair and radiant in the hollow of the hills. Paler indeed than the moon ailing in some slow eclipse was the light of it now, wavering and blowing like a noisome exhalation of decay, a corpse-light, a light that illuminated nothing.
—The Two Towers, "The Stairs of Cirith Ungol"

History

Second Age

After the destruction of Númenor, Isildur and Anárion, the sons of Elendil, landed in Gondor. Isildur built Minas Ithil near the mountainous border of Mordor from where he would rule the fief of Ithilien; while Anárion built Minas Anor to rule over the fief of Anórien. Minas Ithil housed a palantír, the Ithil-stone.

When Sauron returned after escaping Númenor's destruction, he attacked the exiles of Númenor, and his forces took Minas Ithil by storm. When the Last Alliance of Elves and Men defeated Sauron in the year S.A. 3429, Minas Ithil was restored as a watchtower.

Third Age

After the defeat of the Witch-king of Angmar in the north, he returned to Mordor in T.A. 1980 summoning the other Nazgûl with him, to prepare the return of their master. A few years later (T.A. 2000) they laid siege to Minas Ithil and two years later they managed to take the city.[2] The Ithil-stone, was also captured and later used by Sauron to influence Saruman and Denethor II.[2][3]

Minas Ithil was occupied by fell creatures, and it changed into a foul, evil place. As a result, it came to be called Minas Morgul, which in the tongue of Gondor means "Tower of Dark Sorcery". Many Gondorians fled from Ithilien.[4]

From Minas Morgul the Lord of the Nazgûl twice challenged his old enemy, King Eärnur. Finally Eärnur rode with his knights against Morgul. He never returned, ending the line of the Kings of Gondor.[2][4]

During the Watchful Peace, the lords of Morgul had secretly bred the Uruk-hai, and in T.A. 2475 these creatures assailed and overran Ithilien.

The Nazgul from Minas Morgul by Daniel Pilla

War of the Ring

During the War of the Ring, a host from Minas Morgul set forth toward Minas Tirith. The host was witnessed by Frodo, Sam and Gollum. After some opposition in Osgiliath, the Morgul-host proceeded to Pelennor Fields and lay siege. However the host, including the city's garrison was devastated during the Battle of the Pelennor Fields.

Following the battle, the Army of the West pulled down the bridge leading to Morgul Vale and set its fields aflame. They met no opposition as the entire city's garrison had been killed at the Battle.

After the War of the Ring, Faramir was made Prince of Ithilien by King Elessar, who advised him to make his abode in the Emyn Arnen south-east of Minas Tirith for "Minas Ithil in Morgul Vale shall be utterly destroyed, and though it may in time to come be made clean, no man may dwell there for many long years". [5] It is not know if the city was ever rebuilt.

Geography

Minas Morgul was situated deep within a long-tilted valley, that ran back far into the mountains. Some way within the valley’s arms, high on a rocky seat upon the black knees of the Ephel Dúath, stood the walls and tower of the city. The city could be accessed from the west by a road that led from the crossroads in Ithilien, eventually spanning a white bridge that passed over the stream in the midst of the valley, and went on, winding up past the city’s gate.

Although no eastern gate to the city is described it can be assumed that there was another entrance facing towards Mordor as it was from Minas Morgul that the armies of Sauron issued forth in the War of the Ring.

Etymology

For the two Sindarin names that Minas Morgul has had:

  • Minas Morgul: minas ("tower") + morgul ("black sorcery") = "Tower of Sorcery"[6]:245
  • Minas Ithil: minas ("tower") + ithil ("moon") = "Tower of the (Rising) Moon"[6]:244

In Orkish, Minas Morgul was known as Dushgoi.[7]

Portrayal in adaptations

1987-96: Middle-earth Role Playing:

The Minas Ithil city module contains detailed information about Minas Ithil in T.A. 1640 and three adventures that take place in Minas Ithil.
The Kin-strife campaign module contains detailed information about Minas Ithil during the time of the Kin-strife and three adventures that take place in Minas Ithil.

2001: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring:

The Nazgûl are shown exiting the fortress, beginning their search for Bilbo Baggins who is in possession of The One Ring.

2003: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King:

Frodo, Sam, and Gollum pass the fortress during their journey to Mordor. It is portrayed as dark with sharp walls, illuminated by a green, hazy light. Frodo, influenced by the power of the Ring, approaches the entrance to the city, but is stopped by Sam and Gollum. A large army and the Witch King mounted on a flying fell beast are shown exiting the city, signifying the start of the Battle of the Pelennor Fields.

2019: The Lord of the Rings Online:

During the march of the Host of the West towards the Black Gate Gandalf destroys the bridge leading out of Minas Morgul to prevent Aragorn's armies from being flanked. After the downfall of Sauron this action has an unintentional effect of protecting the Dead City itself from any attack from the west. Following Aragorn's coronation, King Elessar charges steward Faramir and the Rangers of Ithilien with reclaiming the Morgul Vale and cleansing the Dead City.
Minas Morgul in adaptations
Minas Morgul in The Lord of the Rings Online  

References

  1. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "The Stairs of Cirith Ungol"
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Third Age"
  3. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Gondor and the Heirs of Anárion", "The Stewards"
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Gondor and the Heirs of Anárion"
  5. ↑
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "The Council of Elrond"
  7. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Ring, "Part Two: The Ring Goes East", "VIII. Kirith Ungol", p. 226. Cf. note 47
Retrieved from "https://tolkiengateway.net/w/index.php?title=Minas_Morgul&oldid=336706"