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'''Sirion''' was a river of [[Middle-earth]] in the [[First Age]], the principal river of [[Beleriand]]. During most of its course it was the border between East and West Beleriand. [[Karen Wynn Fonstad]] estimates its length as 390 miles in her [[The Atlas of Middle-earth|Atlas of Middle-earth]].
'''Sirion''' was a river of [[Middle-earth]] in the [[First Age]], the principal river of [[Beleriand]]. During most of its course it was the border between [[East Beleriand]] and [[West Beleriand]]. From the [[Pass of Sirion]] to its mouth, the river was 130 leagues in length.<ref name="Beleriand">{{S|Beleriand}}</ref>
 


== Source ==
== Source ==
The Sirion's source was at [[Eithel Sirion]] on the eastern side of the [[Ered Wethrin]], which lay in between [[Ard-galen]] (later Anfauglith) and [[Mithrim]] and [[Hithlum]]. It was guarded by the tower of Barad Eithel.
The Sirion's source was at [[Eithel Sirion]] on the eastern side of the [[Ered Wethrin]], which lay in between [[Ard-galen]] (later Anfauglith) and [[Mithrim]] and [[Hithlum]].<ref name="Map">{{S|Map}}</ref> It was guarded by the tower of [[Barad Eithel]].<ref name="Beleriand"/>


== Course ==
== Course ==
Sirion flowed southwards along the border of the Ered Wethrin, passing through the Fen of Serech before entering the narrow steep-sided valley between the Ered Wethrin and the [[Echoriath]] named the '''Pass of Sirion'''. Sirion then continued south into Beleriand, with the [[Forest of Brethil]] to the west, and [[Dimbar]] and then [[Doriath]] to the east.  After leaving Doriath at Aelin-uial (the [[Fens of Sirion]]) it plunged below ground in the Falls of Sirion at [[Andram]] (the Long Wall), where the ground fell steeply. Three leagues southwards the Sirion exited the underground caves at the '''Gates of Sirion'''. It then flowed southwards through '''Nan-Tathren''' until it reached the [[Bay of Balar]], part of [[Belegaer]], at the [[Mouths of Sirion]].
Sirion flowed southwards along the border of the Ered Wethrin, passing through the [[Fen of Serech]] before entering the narrow steep-sided valley between the Ered Wethrin and the [[Echoriath]] named the Pass of Sirion. Sirion then continued south into Beleriand, with the [[Forest of Brethil]] to the west, and [[Dimbar]] and then [[Doriath]] to the east.  After leaving Doriath at Aelin-uial (the [[Fens of Sirion]]) it plunged below ground in the [[Falls of Sirion]] at [[Andram]] (the Long Wall), where the ground fell steeply. Three leagues southwards the Sirion exited the underground caves at the [[Gates of Sirion]]. It then flowed southwards through [[Nan-tathren|Nan-Tathren]] until it reached the [[Bay of Balar]], part of [[Belegaer]], at the [[Mouths of Sirion]].<ref name="Map"/>


== Tributaries ==
== Tributaries ==
In order from north to south, the principal tributaries of the Sirion were the Rivil, flowing from Dorthonion until it met Sirion in the Fen of Serech; the Mindeb, which had its source in [[Nan Dungortheb]] and the [[Ered Gorgoroth]], the [[Teiglin]], the [[Esgalduin]] of Doriath; the [[Aros]] flowing south from Dorthonion (and also containing the waters of the [[Celon]] from the Hills of [[Himring]] and [[Himlad]]) which met at Aelin-uial, and the [[Narog]], which joined Sirion in Nan-Tathren.
In order from north to south, the principal tributaries of the Sirion were the [[Rivil]], flowing from Dorthonion until it met Sirion in the Fen of Serech; the former [[Dry River]], the [[Mindeb]], which had its source in [[Nan Dungortheb]] and the [[Ered Gorgoroth]], the [[Teiglin]], the [[Esgalduin]] of Doriath; the [[Aros]] flowing south from Dorthonion and west along the [[Forest of Region]] (and also containing the waters of the [[Celon]] from the Hills of [[Himring]] and [[Himlad]]) which met at Aelin-uial, and the [[Narog]], which joined Sirion in Nan-Tathren.<ref name="Map"/>


== Crossing Points ==
== Crossing Points ==
The main crossing point mentioned in the Silmarillion was the [[Ford of Brithiach]] where the road from Himlad which crossed the Esgalduin at [[Iant Iaur]] crossed Sirion, and the Ferries of Doriath.
The main crossing point was the [[Ford of Brithiach]] where the road from Himlad which crossed the Esgalduin at [[Iant Iaur]] crossed Sirion north of [[Brethil]]. There was also a bridge within Doriath.<ref name="Map"/> King [[Thingol]]'s [[Marchwardens]] also kept secret ferries near [[Aelin-uial]] to cross the river.<ref>{{S|Turin}}</ref>


== Settlements ==
== Settlements ==
Barad Eithel, at the source of the Sirion in the Ered Wethrin, was a chief fortress of [[Fingolfin]] and his son [[Fingon]], probably guarding a pass into their realm of Mithrim. Further south, in the Pass of Sirion, lay Tol Sirion (see below). After the Coming of Men, the [[Edain]] of the [[House of Haleth]] made their home in the Forest of Brethil, and the [[Sindar]] ruled by [[Thingol]] lay secure within the Girdle of [[Melian]] in their realm of Doriath. At the outflow of Sirion into Belegaer, after the destruction of [[Eglarest]] and [[Brithombar]], the Havens of Sirion were built by [[Círdan]] and his people.
Barad Eithel, at the source of the Sirion in the Ered Wethrin, was a chief fortress of [[Fingolfin]] and his son [[Fingon]],<ref name="Beleriand"/> which guarded the pass into their realm of Mithrim. Further south, in the [[Pass of Sirion]], lay [[Tol Sirion]] (see below). After the Coming of Men, the [[Edain]] of the [[House of Haleth]] made their home in the Forest of Brethil,<ref>{{S|West}}</ref> and the [[Sindar]] ruled by [[Thingol]] lay secure within the Girdle of [[Melian]] in their realm of Doriath.<ref>{{S|Sindar}}</ref> At the outflow of Sirion into Belegaer, after the destruction of [[Eglarest]] and [[Brithombar]], the Havens of Sirion were built by [[Círdan]] and his people.<ref>{{S|Fifth}}</ref>
 


== Islands ==
== Islands ==
The most important island in Sirion was Tol Sirion. The original [[Minas Tirith]] was built here by [[Finrod Felagund]] in the strategic location controlling the Pass of Sirion where it entered Beleriand between the Ered Wethrin and the Echoriath. Shortly after [[Dagor Bragollach]] it was captured by Sauron and the island became known as Tol-in-Gaurhoth.
The most important island in Sirion was Tol Sirion.<ref name="Map"/> The original [[Minas Tirith (Beleriand)|Minas Tirith]] was built here by [[Finrod|Finrod Felagund]] in the strategic location controlling the Pass of Sirion where it entered Beleriand between the Ered Wethrin and the Echoriath.<ref name="Beleriand"/> Shortly after [[Dagor Bragollach]] it was captured by Sauron and the island became known as [[Tol-in-Gaurhoth]].<ref>{{S|Fingolfin}}</ref>


==Etymology==
==Etymology==
Sirion means something like "Great River" in [[Elvish]]{{vague}}, composed of the element ''sir-'' plus the nominal suffix ''-ion''. Its name in [[Khuzdul]] was ''Gabilân''


[[Category:Rivers in Beleriand]]
''Sirion'' is a [[Sindarin]]/[[Noldorin]] name which contains the element ''[[sîr]]''.<ref name=LR>{{LR|Etymologies}}, p. 385</ref> Depending on the meaning of the second element, the name could either mean "great river" or "land of waters" (''[[-ion]]'' as augmentative suffix or archaic plural genitive suffix).<ref>[http://www.tolkiendil.com/langues/english/i-lam_arth/compound_sindarin_names#S Compound Sindarin Names in Middle-earth] at [http://www.tolkiendil.com Tolkiendil.com] (accessed 10 July 2011)</ref>
 
Its name in [[Khuzdul]] was ''[[Gabilān]]'', with the element ''[[Gabil]]'' - "Great".<ref>{{WJ|Maeglin}}, p. 336</ref>
 
{{references}}
[[Category:Rivers]]
[[Category:Quenya locations]]
[[Category:Sindarin locations]]
 
[[de:Sirion]]
[[fi:Sirion]]
[[fr:encyclo/geographie/eaux/beleriand/sirion]]

Revision as of 11:14, 25 November 2014

Sirion was a river of Middle-earth in the First Age, the principal river of Beleriand. During most of its course it was the border between East Beleriand and West Beleriand. From the Pass of Sirion to its mouth, the river was 130 leagues in length.[1]

Source

The Sirion's source was at Eithel Sirion on the eastern side of the Ered Wethrin, which lay in between Ard-galen (later Anfauglith) and Mithrim and Hithlum.[2] It was guarded by the tower of Barad Eithel.[1]

Course

Sirion flowed southwards along the border of the Ered Wethrin, passing through the Fen of Serech before entering the narrow steep-sided valley between the Ered Wethrin and the Echoriath named the Pass of Sirion. Sirion then continued south into Beleriand, with the Forest of Brethil to the west, and Dimbar and then Doriath to the east. After leaving Doriath at Aelin-uial (the Fens of Sirion) it plunged below ground in the Falls of Sirion at Andram (the Long Wall), where the ground fell steeply. Three leagues southwards the Sirion exited the underground caves at the Gates of Sirion. It then flowed southwards through Nan-Tathren until it reached the Bay of Balar, part of Belegaer, at the Mouths of Sirion.[2]

Tributaries

In order from north to south, the principal tributaries of the Sirion were the Rivil, flowing from Dorthonion until it met Sirion in the Fen of Serech; the former Dry River, the Mindeb, which had its source in Nan Dungortheb and the Ered Gorgoroth, the Teiglin, the Esgalduin of Doriath; the Aros flowing south from Dorthonion and west along the Forest of Region (and also containing the waters of the Celon from the Hills of Himring and Himlad) which met at Aelin-uial, and the Narog, which joined Sirion in Nan-Tathren.[2]

Crossing Points

The main crossing point was the Ford of Brithiach where the road from Himlad which crossed the Esgalduin at Iant Iaur crossed Sirion north of Brethil. There was also a bridge within Doriath.[2] King Thingol's Marchwardens also kept secret ferries near Aelin-uial to cross the river.[3]

Settlements

Barad Eithel, at the source of the Sirion in the Ered Wethrin, was a chief fortress of Fingolfin and his son Fingon,[1] which guarded the pass into their realm of Mithrim. Further south, in the Pass of Sirion, lay Tol Sirion (see below). After the Coming of Men, the Edain of the House of Haleth made their home in the Forest of Brethil,[4] and the Sindar ruled by Thingol lay secure within the Girdle of Melian in their realm of Doriath.[5] At the outflow of Sirion into Belegaer, after the destruction of Eglarest and Brithombar, the Havens of Sirion were built by Círdan and his people.[6]

Islands

The most important island in Sirion was Tol Sirion.[2] The original Minas Tirith was built here by Finrod Felagund in the strategic location controlling the Pass of Sirion where it entered Beleriand between the Ered Wethrin and the Echoriath.[1] Shortly after Dagor Bragollach it was captured by Sauron and the island became known as Tol-in-Gaurhoth.[7]

Etymology

Sirion is a Sindarin/Noldorin name which contains the element sîr.[8] Depending on the meaning of the second element, the name could either mean "great river" or "land of waters" (-ion as augmentative suffix or archaic plural genitive suffix).[9]

Its name in Khuzdul was Gabilān, with the element Gabil - "Great".[10]

References