Rammas Echor

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Rammas Echor
Wall
Rammas Echor.png
General Information
Other namesThe Rammas
LocationEastern Gondor
TypeWall
DescriptionA wall around the Pelennor Fields
RegionsGondor
History
Createdbetween T.A. 2953 and 2984
Destroyed15 March T.A. 3019
EventsBattle of Pelennor Fields
GalleryImages of Rammas Echor
"Foam dyed with blood flamed at sunset;
as beacons mountains burned at evening;
red fell the dew in Rammas Echor.
"
Song of the Mounds of Mundburg[1]

The Rammas Echor was the great wall that surrounded the Pelennor Fields. It was one of the defensive works of Minas Tirith.

Description

It was a great wall, over 10 leagues in length, encircling the hitherto defenseless townlands of the city. At it furthest point, it was four leagues from the Great Gate. There were three main gates to the Pelennor; north, east and south.[2] The eastern gate and accompanying watch-towers were known as the Causeway Forts[3] and were the strongest section. It looked out over the road to Osgiliath and the banks of the Anduin. On the southern end, at Harlond, the wall was only one league from the city.[2]

History

This outer defense-work of the city of Minas Tirith was built by Steward Ecthelion II as part of the defenses of Gondor, which had become necessary after the final loss of Ithilien in T.A. 2954.[4] It fell in ruin but was repaired on the order of Steward Denethor II.

The Rammas was easily breached by by the armies of Sauron under their Black Captain on 13 March 3019. Denethor II had put little guard on the Northern end,[2] and the Causeway Forts were taken by the enemy at great loss.[3]

Etymology

Rammas is Sindarin for "great wall". echor means "outer circle".[5] The name therefore means "Great-wall circle".[6]

Portrayal in adaptations

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

The Rammas Echor does not appear, but it is mentioned by Théoden, who tells Grimbold to take his company right, "after you pass the Wall."[7]

2004: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (video game):

The Southern Gate of the Rammas Echor is a mission in the Path of the King. The objective for the player - Aragorn, Gimli or Legolas - to take the gate. This can only be achieved by destroying a tower, and using the rubble to take the wall.[8]

References