Avathar

From Tolkien Gateway
Avathar
Region
Lady Elleth - Unlight.jpg
"Unlight" by Lady Elleth
General Information
PronunciationQ, [ˈaβaθar])
LocationSouth-eastern region of Aman, east of the Pelóri
TypeRegion
DescriptionDark strip of land
InhabitantsUngoliant
GalleryImages of Avathar

Avathar was the land in the south-eastern part of Aman, south of Valinor. It formed a dark strip of land at the feet of the Pelóri Mountains. It seems to have been totally deserted and forgotten and in ancient times Ungoliant made her home there.[1]

Etymology[edit | edit source]

In "The Later Quenta Silmarillion" section of Morgoth's Ring, Tolkien translates Avathar as "The Shadows" in "ancient" Quenya;[2] this translation also appears in The Silmarillion.[3]

However, in the "Quendi and Eldar", Tolkien states that Avathar has no Elvish translation, meaning that it must have been adapted from its Valarin name.[4] (however, in the Index to that book it still says "The Shadows" in a short description[5])

Other versions of the legendarium[edit | edit source]

In early versions of The Silmarillion, the region where Ungoliant dwelt prior to the Darkening of Valinor was called Arvalin.[6]

See also[edit | edit source]

References

  1. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Darkening of Valinor"
  2. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Morgoth's Ring, "Part Three. The Later Quenta Silmarillion: (II) The Second Phase: Of the Darkening of Valinor", p. 284
  3. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Index of Names", Avathar
  4. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "Part Four. Quendi and Eldar: Appendix D. *Kwen, Quenya, and the Elvish (especially Ñoldorin) words for 'Language': Note on the 'Language of the Valar'", p. 404
  5. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "Index"
  6. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "The Grey Annals": §105