Tolkien Gateway - User contributions [en]

Uruk-hai

2012-03-23T15:36:43Z

173.160.21.89: /* Appearance */

{{cleanup}}
{{race
|image=[[Image:John Howe - The Uruk-hai.jpg|250px]]
|name= Uruk-hai
|dominions=[[Isengard|Northern Rohan and Isengard]], [[Mordor]]
|languages=Various dialects of the [[Black Speech]], [[Westron]]
|height=
|length=
|skincolor=
|haircolor=
|feathers=
|distinctions= Large build
|lifespan=
|members= [[Uglúk]], [[Mauhúr]]
}}
{{quote|...and others, too, came out of the forest. Great Orcs, who also bore the White Hand of [[Isengard]]: that kind is stronger and more fell than all the others.|[[Éomer]]<ref name="Riders">{{TT|Riders}}</ref>}}

The '''Uruk-hai''' were a new breed of [[Orcs]] that appeared during the [[Third Age]].

==Appearance==
The Uruk-hai made up a large part of [[Saruman]]'s army, together with the [[Dunland|Dunlendings]] and other [[Men|Mannish]] enemies of [[Rohan]], and similar large Orcs also served as the elite troops of [[Mordor]]. They were faster than normal Orcs and could travel during the day without being weakened. They were not only faster but smarter, stronger and larger, though some were still shorter than Men. There are suggestions that the Uruk-hai were the result of crossbreeding Orcs and [[Men]]. Certainly, other creatures in Saruman's armies, and under his command in the Shire, appear to have been hybrids, though these "[[half-orcs]]" were as tall as Men and are never described simply as Orcs, as the Uruk-hai frequently are. It is never explained exactly ''how'' Orcs were hybridized with Men, whether through cross-breeding or some form of alchemy used to infuse Orcs with mannish qualities. [[Treebeard]] openly wonders if they are Orcs that have been somehow "improved", or Men that were corrupted with Orc-like qualities, or if they were indeed a blending of Men and Orcs, an act which Treebeard considered to be "a black evil". Saruman's army of Uruk-hai fought against [[Kings of Rohan|King]] [[Théoden]] of Rohan and his people at [[Battle of the Hornburg|Helm's Deep]].

The race of uruks, described as "black orcs of great strength", first appeared about the year [[Third Age 2475|2475]] of the Third Age, when they conquered [[Ithilien]] and destroyed the city of [[Osgiliath]]. These were evidently of Sauron's breeding, but it is not clear whether or not these uruks should be regarded as identical with the Uruk-hai, who could be a further 'improvement' to the race achieved by Saruman.

The Orcs and Uruks in the service of [[Barad-dûr]], the folk of Mordor, used the symbol of the [[Eye of Sauron|Red Eye of Sauron]]. The Red Eye was also painted on their shields. At least one, a guard on the march with [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]] and [[Peregrin Took|Pippin]], had a black knife with a long saw-edged blade, used by Pippin to cut through the ropes on his hands. These Uruks of Mordor referred to Sauron as the Great Eye, and [[Grishnákh]] was their captain. They were all long-armed and crook-legged, not as tall as the [[Isengard|Isengarder]] Uruks but larger than the [[Moria]] Orcs. They could see better in the dark than the Isengarders could.

The Uruk-hai of [[Saruman|Saruman the White]] used an S [[Cirth|elf-rune]] wrought in white metal on the front of their iron helms. It was clear this "S" stood for Saruman, because their shields had a small white hand (the symbol of Saruman) centered on a black field. [[Aragorn]] commented that their gear was not in the manner of other Orcs at all. Instead of curved scimitars, they used short, broad-bladed swords. Their great [[Bows|bows]] were made of yew wood, in length and shape as those of Men. They also appeared different physically: greater stature, swarthy, slant-eyed, thick legs and large hands. Although they did not like the light of the [[Sun]], they could withstand it better than other orcs. Saruman promised them man-flesh as a treat. He aided them with his wizardry as well: when Aragorn, [[Gimli]], and [[Legolas]] followed the party of Uruks who kidnapped Merry and Pippin, Saruman's will caused weariness of the heart for the pursuers and lent speed to the Orcs. [[Uglúk]] led the Uruk-hai of Isengard, and since they were the strongest he felt that he led the [[Hobbits|hobbit]] march as well, insisting on going back by way of Isengard. This was the group that slew [[Boromir]].

==Etymology==
The name ''Uruk-hai'' has the element '''''uruk''''', which is a [[Black Speech]] word meaning "Orc".<ref>{{App|F1iv}}</ref><ref name=WJAC>{{WJ|AC}}, pp. 389-91</ref><ref name=L144>{{L|144}}</ref><ref name=PE17_47>{{PE|17}}, p. 47</ref> (For related words in other languages, see [[Orcs#Orcs in Tolkien's languages|Orcs in Tolkien's languages]].) The element ''[[hai|-hai]]'', also present in [[Olog-hai]] and [[Oghor-hai]], means "folk, people".

==Portrayal in adaptations==
In both [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)]] and [[The Return of the King (1980 film)]], Uruk-hai are portrayed identical as (and without distinction to) the [[Orcs]].

'''1988: ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien's War in Middle Earth]]'':'''
[[File:WiMe-Isengard&Uruks&Orcs-1-.png|thumb|150px]]
:The Uruk-hai are portrayed as figures with purple armor and a shield.

'''2001-3: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy]]'':'''

In [[The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy|Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]], Saruman appears to be the only one who created the Uruks. They are shown in the movie as being released from a kind of membrane in the mud deep under Isengard (special commentary on the DVD edition explained that they were trying to base the scene on a early description of Tolkien's that Orcs "worm their way out of the ground like maggots"). In the movies Uruk-hai are described as a crossbreed between Orcs and "goblin-men". This is presumably a reference to the [[Goblin-men]] and [[Half-orcs]] in Saruman's service, creatures that blend the traits of Orcs and Men. These Uruks are sent after the Fellowship, and their leader is [[Lurtz]], a movie-only character.

His Uruks included Pikemen, Swordsmen, Archers, and [[Berserker|Berserkers]].
The Berserkers are the shock troops. When they were first spawned a helmet filled with blood was placed on their heads, so that they were filled with a bloodlust for their enemies. They carry doubly-bent swords, and forgo any armour in lieu of agility, slaying foes left and right, completely devoid of fear and pain. Pikemen, as the name suggests, carry long pikes, while archers carry [[crossbows]]. Swordsmen wield a straight iron sword, hooked at the tip, and deadly in an Uruk-hai's strong grip. They also use bladed shields, as seen in [[Amon Hen]] during [[Aragorn]]'s fight against Lurtz.

The Uruks were also very efficient using siege equipment, and had been trained to use crossbows with deadly accuracy. The Uruks, like the lesser Orcs, seemed to not care of each other's presence, shown by the battering ram wielders at Helm's Deep, barging each other off of the thin bridge. The Uruks also hated the Orcs, believing they were a lesser being and often rioting, e.g. in the tower of Cirith Ungol when Shagrat and Gorbag argued over Frodo's vest of Mithril and starting a mass war within the tower. The Uruks seem also to be able to control natural urges more than the Orcs, e.g. the Orcs demanded to eat the Hobbits they had captured, while the Uruks were protective. It would seem the only way Orcs were better than Uruks is in treachery, lying and being devious. The Uruks are also not seen to ever ride a mount, possibly due to size, weight and build (the Wargs which attacked the Rohan migration were ridden by trained Orcs).

'''2003: ''[[EA's The Return of the King]]'':'''
:Uruk-hai appear as enemies in the "Battle of Helm's Deep" and "Fangorn Forest" missions, retaining the movie appearance.

'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War of the Ring]]'':'''
:Uruks become available after a storyline mission in which Saruman manages to perfect his creation.

'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth]]'':'''
:Uruks compose most of the units of Isengard faction: swordsmen, pikemen, crossbowmen, in addition to Uruks operating siege engines are available, following the movie appearance.

'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'':'''
:Most of Uruk-hai units from the first game return with little if any changes in behavior.

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Multiple Uruks are used by the Enemy in different parts of Middle-Earth. In addition to White Hand Uruks, notable are the Angmar Uruks and the Black Uruks from Dol Guldur, all sporting a variety of different appearances. Players can play as Uruks as part of the "Monster Play" game option.

'''2009: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Conquest]]'':'''
:Uruk-hai appear as enemies during the Battle of Helm's Deep.

==See also==
* [[Olog-hai]]

{{references}}
[[Category:Uruk-hai| ]]
[[Category:Servants of Saruman]]
[[Category:Servants of Sauron]]
[[de:Uruk-hai]]
[[fr:encyclo/peuples/orques/uruk-hai]]
[[fi:Uruk-hai]]

Uruk-hai

2012-03-23T15:36:15Z

173.160.21.89: /* Portrayal in adaptations */

{{cleanup}}
{{race
|image=[[Image:John Howe - The Uruk-hai.jpg|250px]]
|name= Uruk-hai
|dominions=[[Isengard|Northern Rohan and Isengard]], [[Mordor]]
|languages=Various dialects of the [[Black Speech]], [[Westron]]
|height=
|length=
|skincolor=
|haircolor=
|feathers=
|distinctions= Large build
|lifespan=
|members= [[Uglúk]], [[Mauhúr]]
}}
{{quote|...and others, too, came out of the forest. Great Orcs, who also bore the White Hand of [[Isengard]]: that kind is stronger and more fell than all the others.|[[Éomer]]<ref name="Riders">{{TT|Riders}}</ref>}}

The '''Uruk-hai''' were a new breed of [[Orcs]] that appeared during the [[Third Age]].

==Appearance==
The Uruk-hai made up a large part of [[Saruman]]'s army, together with the [[Dunland|Dunlendings]] and other [[Men|Mannish]] enemies of [[Rohan]], and similar large Orcs also served as the elite troops of [[Mordor]]. They were faster than normal Orcs and could travel during the day without being weakened. They were not only faster but smarter, stronger and larger, though some were still shorter than Men. There are suggestions that the Uruk-hai were the result of crossbreeding Orcs and [[Men]]. Certainly, other creatures in Saruman's armies, and under his command in the Shire, appear to have been hybrids, though these "[[half-orcs]]" were as tall as Men and are never described simply as Orcs, as the Uruk-hai frequently are. It is never explained exactly ''how'' Orcs were hybridized with Men, whether through cross-breeding or some form of alchemy used to infuse Orcs with mannish qualities. [[Treebeard]] openly wonders if they are Orcs that have been somehow "improved", or Men that were corrupted with Orc-like qualities, or if they were indeed a blending of Men and Orcs, an act which Treebeard considered to be "a black evil". Saruman's army of Uruk-hai fought against [[Kings of Rohan|King]] [[Théoden]] of Rohan and his people at [[Battle of the Hornburg|Helm's Deep]].

The race of uruks, described as "black orcs of great strength" first appeared about the year [[Third Age 2475|2475]] of the Third Age, when they conquered [[Ithilien]] and destroyed the city of [[Osgiliath]]. These were evidently of Sauron's breeding, but it is not clear whether or not these uruks should be regarded as identical with the Uruk-hai, who could be a further 'improvement' to the race achieved by Saruman.

The Orcs and Uruks in the service of [[Barad-dûr]], the folk of Mordor, used the symbol of the [[Eye of Sauron|Red Eye of Sauron]]. The Red Eye was also painted on their shields. At least one, a guard on the march with [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]] and [[Peregrin Took|Pippin]], had a black knife with a long saw-edged blade, used by Pippin to cut through the ropes on his hands. These Uruks of Mordor referred to Sauron as the Great Eye, and [[Grishnákh]] was their captain. They were all long-armed and crook-legged, not as tall as the [[Isengard|Isengarder]] Uruks but larger than the [[Moria]] Orcs. They could see better in the dark than the Isengarders could.

The Uruk-hai of [[Saruman|Saruman the White]] used an S [[Cirth|elf-rune]] wrought in white metal on the front of their iron helms. It was clear this "S" stood for Saruman, because their shields had a small white hand (the symbol of Saruman) centered on a black field. [[Aragorn]] commented that their gear was not in the manner of other Orcs at all. Instead of curved scimitars, they used short, broad-bladed swords. Their great [[Bows|bows]] were made of yew wood, in length and shape as those of Men. They also appeared different physically: greater stature, swarthy, slant-eyed, thick legs and large hands. Although they did not like the light of the [[Sun]], they could withstand it better than other orcs. Saruman promised them man-flesh as a treat. He aided them with his wizardry as well: when Aragorn, [[Gimli]], and [[Legolas]] followed the party of Uruks who kidnapped Merry and Pippin, Saruman's will caused weariness of the heart for the pursuers and lent speed to the Orcs. [[Uglúk]] led the Uruk-hai of Isengard, and since they were the strongest he felt that he led the [[Hobbits|hobbit]] march as well, insisting on going back by way of Isengard. This was the group that slew [[Boromir]].

==Etymology==
The name ''Uruk-hai'' has the element '''''uruk''''', which is a [[Black Speech]] word meaning "Orc".<ref>{{App|F1iv}}</ref><ref name=WJAC>{{WJ|AC}}, pp. 389-91</ref><ref name=L144>{{L|144}}</ref><ref name=PE17_47>{{PE|17}}, p. 47</ref> (For related words in other languages, see [[Orcs#Orcs in Tolkien's languages|Orcs in Tolkien's languages]].) The element ''[[hai|-hai]]'', also present in [[Olog-hai]] and [[Oghor-hai]], means "folk, people".

==Portrayal in adaptations==
In both [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)]] and [[The Return of the King (1980 film)]], Uruk-hai are portrayed identical as (and without distinction to) the [[Orcs]].

'''1988: ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien's War in Middle Earth]]'':'''
[[File:WiMe-Isengard&Uruks&Orcs-1-.png|thumb|150px]]
:The Uruk-hai are portrayed as figures with purple armor and a shield.

'''2001-3: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy]]'':'''

In [[The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy|Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]], Saruman appears to be the only one who created the Uruks. They are shown in the movie as being released from a kind of membrane in the mud deep under Isengard (special commentary on the DVD edition explained that they were trying to base the scene on a early description of Tolkien's that Orcs "worm their way out of the ground like maggots"). In the movies Uruk-hai are described as a crossbreed between Orcs and "goblin-men". This is presumably a reference to the [[Goblin-men]] and [[Half-orcs]] in Saruman's service, creatures that blend the traits of Orcs and Men. These Uruks are sent after the Fellowship, and their leader is [[Lurtz]], a movie-only character.

His Uruks included Pikemen, Swordsmen, Archers, and [[Berserker|Berserkers]].
The Berserkers are the shock troops. When they were first spawned a helmet filled with blood was placed on their heads, so that they were filled with a bloodlust for their enemies. They carry doubly-bent swords, and forgo any armour in lieu of agility, slaying foes left and right, completely devoid of fear and pain. Pikemen, as the name suggests, carry long pikes, while archers carry [[crossbows]]. Swordsmen wield a straight iron sword, hooked at the tip, and deadly in an Uruk-hai's strong grip. They also use bladed shields, as seen in [[Amon Hen]] during [[Aragorn]]'s fight against Lurtz.

The Uruks were also very efficient using siege equipment, and had been trained to use crossbows with deadly accuracy. The Uruks, like the lesser Orcs, seemed to not care of each other's presence, shown by the battering ram wielders at Helm's Deep, barging each other off of the thin bridge. The Uruks also hated the Orcs, believing they were a lesser being and often rioting, e.g. in the tower of Cirith Ungol when Shagrat and Gorbag argued over Frodo's vest of Mithril and starting a mass war within the tower. The Uruks seem also to be able to control natural urges more than the Orcs, e.g. the Orcs demanded to eat the Hobbits they had captured, while the Uruks were protective. It would seem the only way Orcs were better than Uruks is in treachery, lying and being devious. The Uruks are also not seen to ever ride a mount, possibly due to size, weight and build (the Wargs which attacked the Rohan migration were ridden by trained Orcs).

'''2003: ''[[EA's The Return of the King]]'':'''
:Uruk-hai appear as enemies in the "Battle of Helm's Deep" and "Fangorn Forest" missions, retaining the movie appearance.

'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War of the Ring]]'':'''
:Uruks become available after a storyline mission in which Saruman manages to perfect his creation.

'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth]]'':'''
:Uruks compose most of the units of Isengard faction: swordsmen, pikemen, crossbowmen, in addition to Uruks operating siege engines are available, following the movie appearance.

'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'':'''
:Most of Uruk-hai units from the first game return with little if any changes in behavior.

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Multiple Uruks are used by the Enemy in different parts of Middle-Earth. In addition to White Hand Uruks, notable are the Angmar Uruks and the Black Uruks from Dol Guldur, all sporting a variety of different appearances. Players can play as Uruks as part of the "Monster Play" game option.

'''2009: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Conquest]]'':'''
:Uruk-hai appear as enemies during the Battle of Helm's Deep.

==See also==
* [[Olog-hai]]

{{references}}
[[Category:Uruk-hai| ]]
[[Category:Servants of Saruman]]
[[Category:Servants of Sauron]]
[[de:Uruk-hai]]
[[fr:encyclo/peuples/orques/uruk-hai]]
[[fi:Uruk-hai]]

War of Wrath

2012-03-22T00:03:55Z

173.160.21.89: /* Aftermath */

{{expansion}}
{{sources}}
{{battle
| name=War of Wrath
| image=[[File:Per Sjögren - War of Wrath.jpg|300px]]
| conflict=[[War of Wrath]]
| date=c. [[First Age 545|F.A. 545]] - [[First Age 587|587]]
| place=[[Beleriand]]
| result=Decisive victory for the [[Host of the Valar]], Drowning of [[Beleriand]], Expulsion of [[Morgoth]] from Arda
| side1=[[Morgoth]] and his minions, including [[Balrogs]], [[Orcs]], and [[Dragons]]
| side2=The [[Host of the Valar]], including the [[Vanyar]] and [[Eärendil]]
| commanders1=
{{Morgoth blazon}}
* [[Ancalagon]] †
| commanders2=
{{Eärendil blazon}}
{{Finarfin blazon}}
* [[Eönwë]]
* [[Thorondor]]
| forces1= Millions
| forces2= Hundreds of thousands
| casual1=Virtually entire force
| casual2=Unknown, but most likely severe.
|}}

The '''War of Wrath''', or the '''Great Battle''', was the final [[Wars of Beleriand|battle]] against [[Morgoth]] at the end of the [[First Age]], and the greatest battle ever fought in all of [[Middle-earth]].

==History==
=== Prelude ===
500 years into the First Age, Morgoth had become mighty in Middle-earth, not least because of the strife among the [[Noldor]]. The mariner [[Eärendil]], wearing the [[Silmarils|Silmaril]] on his brow, came to [[Valinor]], the first with mortal blood to set foot there, and begged the [[Valar]] to help the enslaved [[Elves]] and [[Men]] of Middle-earth.

The Valar were moved by Eärendil's plea, and along with the [[Vanyar]] and Noldor that were in Valinor, riding in the ships of the [[Teleri]], came to Middle-earth in a mighty host. They marched across [[Beleriand]], and met the forces of Morgoth in the plains of [[Anfauglith]].

=== The Great Battle ===
The Valar and the Elves destroyed the [[Balrogs]], all save a few who fled and hid themselves, and the armies of the [[Orcs]] perished like straw in a great fire. While the [[Edain#The Three Houses|Three Houses of the Edain]] fought with the Valar, many other Men fought against them and perished. Facing defeat, Morgoth released his ultimate weapon, the winged [[Dragons]], which had never been seen before, and drove the Valar back. The leader of these dragons was the powerful [[Ancalagon|Ancalagon the Black]].

Then [[Eärendil]] came with his sky-ship [[Vingilótë|Vingilot]], along with the [[Eagles]], and they fought the dragons, in the end slaying Ancalagon, the mightiest of the dragon horde, who broke the towers of [[Thangorodrim]] in his fall.

Morgoth was captured hiding in the deepest dungeon of Angband and bound with his old chain Angainor; the two Silmarils still in his possession were taken by the Maia [[Eönwë]] and guarded (whence they were later stolen by [[Maedhros]] and [[Maglor]]). In the end the Valar thrust him "through the [[Door of Night]], beyond the [[Walls of the World]], into the [[The Void|Timeless Void]]", where he remains until the [[Last Battle]] and the Day of Doom. Only then shall he be utterly destroyed.
[[Image:Doors_of_Night.jpg|left|200px|thumb|left|"The Doors of Night" by [[John Howe]].]]

=== Aftermath ===
The wreckage of the war was immense; most of the land west of the [[Ered Luin]], as well as a large part of the central part of the mountains, was laid waste and soon after sank beneath the waves. The two great Dwarf cities of [[Nogrod]] and [[Belegost]] were also ruined forcing their populaces to flee. Most of the Elves went to the West, while others went East. The Valar raised up the island of [[Númenor]] in the Western Sea as a new home for the [[Edain]].

{{references}}
{{warsofbeleriand}}

[[Category:Conflicts of the First Age]]
[[de:Krieg des Zorns]]
[[fi:Vihan Sota]]
[[fr:encyclo/evenements/1a/guerres/guerre_de_la_grande_colere]]

Moria

2012-03-22T00:01:27Z

173.160.21.89: /* Portrayal in Adaptations */

{{sources}}
{{disambig-more|Moria|[[Moria (disambiguation)]]}}
{{kingdom
| image =[[Image:Peter Jackson's Moria.jpg|250px]]
| name =Moria
| meaning = "Dark Chasm"
| type = Monarchy
| headofstate = [[King of Khazad-dûm]] and for a short period the [[Lord of Moria]]
| executive =
| legislative =
| judicial =
| capital = Khazad-dûm
| language = [[Khuzdul]], [[Elvish]], [[Westron]]
| location = The centeral [[Misty Mountains]], a couple miles north of the [[Gladden River|Gladden]] river
| populace= House of the [[Longbeard]] Dwarves, and later also the [[Firebeards]] and [[Broadbeams]]
| currency =
| religious =
| holiday =
| anthem =
| formed = The eldest [[Fathers of the Dwarves|Father of the Dwarves]], [[Durin|Durin I]]
| established = Mid to later [[Years of the Trees]]
| reorganized =
| fragmented =
| dissolved = [[Third Age 1981]]
| restored = Sometime during the [[Fourth Age]]
}}
{{quote|After the end of the [[First Age]] the power and wealth of [[Khazad-dûm]] was much increased; for it was enriched by many people and much lore and craft. . .|[[Appendix A]]}}
'''Khazad-dûm''', latterly known as '''Moria''' (also known as ''The Black Chasm'', ''The Black Pit'', ''[[Khazad-dûm#Names|Dwarrowdelf]]'', ''[[Khazad-dûm#Names|Hadhodrond]]'', ''[[Khazad-dûm#Names|Casarrondo]]'' and ''[[Khazad-dûm#Names|Phurunargian]]''), was the grandest and most famous of the mansions of the [[Dwarves]]. There, for many thousands of years, a thriving [[Dwarf realms|Dwarvish community]] created the greatest city ever known.

It lay in the central parts of the [[Misty Mountains]], tunnelled and carved through the living rock of the mountains themselves. By the [[Second Age]] a traveler could pass through it from the west of the range to the east.
== History ==
===Foundation===
It was founded in very ancient days by [[Durin|Durin the Deathless]]. [[Durin]] awoke at [[Mount Gundabad]] in the [[Misty Mountains]], who came upon a shimmering lake beneath the mountain [[Celebdil]], with a crown of stars reflected in its waters. He named that lake in the [[Dwarvish]] tongue, [[Kheled-zâram]], the [[Mirrormere]] and it remained a revered place among Dwarves of all houses ever afterwards. There in the caves above started the building of Khazad-dûm and also ''Dwarrowdelf'' by [[Men]], ''Hadhodrond'' by the [[Sindar]], and ''[[Casarrondo]]'' by the [[Noldor|Ñoldor]].

===First Age===
Durin the Deathless thus became King Durin I of Khazad-dûm. Afterwards, other rulers of Khazad-dûm were sometimes named Durin, as they were considered to be his reincarnations, who the dwarves believed came to live again among [[Durin's folk|his people]].

As the millennia passed, the descendants of Durin sat upon the throne of Khazad-dûm, and their cavernous city became famous throughout the world. It even has a passing mention in [[Quenta Silmarillion]], the tale of the [[Elf-lords]] and their wars far to the west, though to them it was no more than a distant rumour they heard from the [[Dwarves]] of the [[Blue Mountains]] on their borders.

===Second Age===
[[Image:J.R.R. Tolkien - Doors of Durin.jpg|thumb|right|Doors of Durin]]

In c. 40 of the Second Age after Beleriand was destroyed by the [[War of Wrath]], most of the Dwarves of [[Nogrod]] and [[Belegost]] began leaving en masse from their now ruined cities for Khazad-dûm. The city was enriched not just in numbers, but in the western Houses' skills in smithing, crafting and masonry. All these factors created a renaissance for Khazad-dûm, and brought its prosperity to its zenith.

After the Sinking of Beleriand, the [[Noldor]] founded a country of their own by the western gate of Khazad-dûm, [[Eregion]]. A rare friendship sprang up between the Dwarves and the Elves of this new land. Eregion's ruler, [[Celebrimbor]], helped to construct the famous and magical gate that became known as the [[West-gate of Moria]], and indeed went so far as to present King [[Durin III]] with a [[Rings of Power|Ring of Power]]. The friendship of Khazad-dûm and Eregion came to a sudden end, however, in II 1697. [[Sauron]] [[Sack of Eregion|overran]] the country of the Elves, and despite the best efforts of the Dwarves to help them, he succeeded in destroying Eregion and driving away the survivors. With the Elves dead or fleeing far away, the doors of Khazad-dûm were sealed against Sauron's forces, and Khazad-dûm went into seclusion.
It was also during this time that the Orcs reinvaded the mountains and made war on the Dwarves, [[First Sacking of Gundabad|taking]] [[Mount Gundabad]] from the Kingdom of Durin.

Their seclusion was broken for a time with the beginning of the [[War of the Last Alliance]]. The Dwarves, led by King [[Durin IV]], fought alongside the Elves and Men in their campaign to defeat Sauron for the last time. With the conclusion of the war the Dwarves went back to their country, and resumed their seclusion from the world.

===Third Age===

During this time Khazad-dûm further expanded its treasures, but despite this its numbers began to dwindle. Most of its great wealth was based on the [[Mithril]] that was found in its mines, and as the centuries passed, the Dwarves mined deeper and deeper for the precious metal. In the year III 1980, they dug too deep, and unleashed a nameless terror from the depths beneath the city. The creature wreaked dreadful destruction, and in slaying the then King, [[Durin VI]], became known as [[Durin's Bane]]. In the following year, Durin's son, [[Náin I]], was also lost, and the Dwarves fled their ancient home.

After millennia as one of the richest cities in [[Middle-earth]], Khazad-dûm stood dark and empty, but for the brooding menace the Dwarves had released. In that time it was given a new name, [[Moria]], the [[Black Pit]].

The monster - a Balrog of [[Morgoth]], as was later known - lurked alone in Moria for nearly five hundred years. After that time, the old city of Khazad-dûm began to be peopled again, but not by Dwarves. Orcs from the North began to enter the abandoned city to raid its treasuries, and occupy it. They also began to worship the Balrog as their deity. Soon afterwards, Sauron directed his creatures there, and Moria began to fill with Orcs and Trolls from [[Mordor]]. Though the orcs' numbers were greatly reduced in the [[Battle of Azanulbizar|Battle of Nanduhirion]], fought in the valley beneath Moria's [[East-gate]] in III 2799, the Balrog could not be bested, and Khazad-dûm remained a place of darkness.

At some point between 2841 and 2941 the Wizard [[Gandalf]] entered the city looking for King Thráin II who had disappeared on journey to Erebor.

====Balin's expedition====
In III 2989, there was an attempt by the Longbeards to reclaim their ancient home. The [[Balin's colony|expedition]] was led by [[Balin]], who had accompanied [[Bilbo Baggins]] on the [[Quest of Erebor]]. He led a [[Balin's Colony | colony]] of Dwarves there from [[Erebor]]. The Colony was successful at first, killing a considerable number of Orcs, taking many of the Eastern halls and finding many lost treasures such as [[Durin's Axe]]. They were however defeated and slain by the Orcs in 2994.

Possibly at some point after this [[Aragorn]] Chieftain of the Dúnedain entered Moria for some unknown purpose.

====The Fellowship's passage====
[[Image:Aleksandr Kortich - 03.jpg|thumb|right|The Company in Khazad-dûm]]
When [[Frodo Baggins]] set out from [[Rivendell]] with the [[Fellowship of the Ring|Fellowship]], they at first planned to travel over the Misty Mountains. When they were stopped by heavy snow on [[Caradhras|Mount Caradhras]], they found themselves pursued by wolves and Orcs, and fled into Moria, so as to go under the mountains. There, they found Balin's journal in the [[Book of Mazarbul]] and learned the fate of his expedition. They were then set upon by a host of [[Trolls]] and Orcs, and they discovered that the terror was, in fact, a [[Balrogs|Balrog]] of [[Morgoth]]. Gandalf fought the Balrog on a narrow bridge and succeeded in destroying a section of bridge to make the Balrog fall. As it fell, the Balrog snagged Gandalf's leg with its whip of thongs and pulled him after it, sending them both plunging into the abyss spanned by the bridge. The rest of the Fellowship managed to escape Moria and reach [[Lothlórien|Lórien]] mostly unharmed.

Unknown to the Fellowship, both Gandalf and the Balrog survived the fall and fought a ferocious battle from the depths of Moria to the mountains above, demolishing the top of the legendary [[Endless Stair]] and a part of the surrounding mountain peak in the process. Gandalf cast down the Balrog upon the mountainside and lived just long enough to see it die, but his story was not yet ended. (See [[Gandalf]]'s entry for further details.)

While Gandalf had felled the Balrog, Moria remained a place of evil creatures until the Fourth Age.<ref>{{SD|XI2}}, p. 122</ref>

====Retaking and Reign of Durin VII====
Though little information is given, the retaking of Khazad-dûm by [[Durin VII]] seems to have occurred during the [[Fourth Age]]. He became [[King of Durin's Folk]], and led a final return to the city. He was successful, and long after the War of the Ring, the Dwarves of Durin's line reclaimed their inheritance, and the hammers rang again in their great halls beneath the Misty Mountains until the race of Dwarves ended.

==Layout==
Khazad-dûm was a huge array of chambers, passages, mines, halls, stores and pits. In general, areas were either classed as ''mines'' or ''city''. The mines were working sections of Khazad-dûm whilst the city was the area of habitation.

The city areas of Khazad-dûm were clustered primarily to the east; these were the oldest parts of the kingdom and had access to the [[Great Gates]]. They were structured into seven Levels and seven Deeps. The Levels stretched above the gate whilst the Deeps were set deeper within the mountain below the level of the East-gate. It is possible that the First Level (on which the Great Gates were set) and the First Deep were highly intertwined.

The eastern section of the city spaces had also been delved in such a manner as to have light shafts to illuminate their chambers. One example of this is the [[Chamber of Mazarbul]] which was located on the eastern edge of the [[Seventh Level]].

The mine areas of Khazad-dûm were interlaced with the city spaces, but spread also westward toward the [[Doors of Durin]]. The mines ran deeper and further than any other tunnels within Khazad-dûm, and it is possible that more of the lower Deeps were given over to mining, although this is only conjecture.

The defined change between ''mines'' and ''city'' can be seen when the [[Fellowship of the Ring|Fellowship]] pass through Moria - there is a marked difference between the early passages and chambers and those of the city structures illuminated by Gandalf.

Far below Moria, there are abysses, spaces and tunnels not known even by the Dwarves, but known by the Balrog. [[World-gnawing nameless things|Unknown beings]] gnaw the earth and make them, far from the knowledge of any lore.

==Etymology==

The name ''Moria'' is composed of the [[Sindarin]] elements ''[[mor]]'' "black, dark" and ''[[iâ]]'' "void, abyss".<ref>{{S|Appendix}}, entries ''mor'' and ''iâ''</ref><ref>{{L|297}}, pp. 382-3</ref> Khazad-dûm was so called in [[Sindarin]] by the [[Gwaith-i-Mírdain]], as for them it was was but a "Dark Chasm". Although the Dwarves considered it a derogatory name, [[Celebrimbor]] went as far as to write the name "Moria" on the [[West-gate of Moria|West-gate]].{{fact}}

==Names==

The name ''Khazad-dûm'' in [[Khuzdul]] means "Dwarves' Mansion(s)". ''Khazâd'' being the plural of ''[[khuzd]]'' "Dwarves" while ''[[dûm]]'' (or possibly rather ''tûm'') a word for "excavation(s), hall(s), mansion(s)" (it is not clear if the second word is in singular or plural form).

The Elves translated it as '''''Casarrondo''''' ([[Quenya]], name given by the [[Noldor]])<ref>{{WJ|AB}}, p. 389,</ref> or '''''Hadhodrond''''' ([[Sindarin]]). The word ''Hadhodrond'' is composed of the elements ''[[hadhod]]'' (an attempt by the Elves to render ''[[Khazâd]]'', (the Dwarves' name for their own kind, into Elvish sounds) + ''[[rond]]'' ("cavern").{{fact}}

'''''Phurunargian''''' meaning "'''Dwarrowdelf'''" or "Dwarf-delving" was the [[Westron]] name for Khazad-dûm.<ref name=AppF2>{{App|F2}}</ref><ref name=PEPhurunargian/> The word derives from the [[Sundocarme|root]] PHUR ("to delve") and ''[[narak|narg-]]'' ("dwarf").<ref name=PEPhurunargian>{{PE|17}}, pp. 35, 137</ref> [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] noted that the form ''Phurunargian'' was "archaic" Westron although he did not mention the elements that make it archaic (over a possible vernacular form).<ref>{{HM|N}}, p. 769</ref><ref name=AppF2/>

==Portrayal in Adaptations==
'''2001: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring|Peter Jackson's The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
:Moria is portrayed prominently in the Theatrical Edition, while Extended Edition gives it even more attention - notably, Mithril is introduced to the audience properly.

'''2002: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|Vivendi's The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
:During the Moria levels the player for the most part controls Gandalf, only once is focus switched to Frodo instead.

'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth]]'':'''
:The entire journey through Moria takes place in one level, which can be completed in several minutes. The iconic location are portrayed immediately next to each other and in the end, Gandalf defeats the Balrog and continues journey with the Fellowship.

'''2008: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria]]'':'''
[[File:Map - Moria.jpg|thumb|400px|Map of Moria from ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''.]]
:''Mines of Moria'' was the first major expansion of the game, released in November 2008. Almost the entirety of Moria is present in the game, with players able to freely journey from the West Gate to the East Gate and from the Cliffs of Zirakzigil to the very Foundations of Stone where nameless things dwell.

:Moria is divided into several major sub-areas, depicted on the map above. '''The Great Delving''' lies directly next to the West Gate and links ancient Dwarven mines to palaces, academies and foundries founded during Khazad-dum's glory days. '''Durin's Way''' is the area, where, according to legend, Durin himself first braved the mines before bringing his folk in there. '''Zelem-Melek''' is home to both numerous [[Orc]] encampments and the famed [[Twenty-first Hall]]. '''Silvertine Lodes''' refers to the mining area located directly under [[Silvertine]], much like the '''Redhorn Lodes''' are the mining area under the peaks of [[Redhorn]]. '''The Water-Works''' hosts both a large underground lake and ancient Dwarven gears, wheels and devices that delivered the fresh water throughout the whole kingdom once. '''The Flaming Deeps''' is an area that reeks with fire and where few could survive for long - it appears that [[Durin's Bane]] resided there following his reawakening. '''Nud-Melek''' mostly consists of the [[Second Hall]] and the [[First Hall]]. The '''Foundations of Stone''' are located below the deepest delving of the Dwarves; no light has ever shined there and, as Gandalf recounted, nameless creatures older than the world gnaw at the roots of the mountains.

:Surprisingly for those seeing it for the first time, Moria in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'' is very much inhabited. In an original storyline by Turbine, Dwarves from the [[Iron Hills]] sent by [[Dain Ironfoot]] arrive in Moria shortly after the Fellowship to learn the fate of [[Balin]]'s expedition. With Durin's Bane recently gone, the Orcs and Goblins of Moria are in great disarray, which allows the Dwarves to move in and establish encampments at all major crossroads. Fresh supplies are coming from both East and West gates, preventing the Iron Hill Garrison from being cut off like Balin was. However, the developers noted that they aware that Moria wasn't re-colonized until the [[Fourth Age]] in [[canon]], meaning that at some point in the future of the game the Iron Garrison may be forced to leave the mines.

'''2009: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Conquest]]'':'''
:Several levels of both good and evil campaigns take place in Moria.

== See Also ==
* [[:Category:Images of Moria|Images of Moria]]

{{references}}
[[Category:Cities, Towns and Villages]]
[[Category:Khuzdul words]]
[[Category:Moria ]]

[[de:Khazad-dûm]]
[[fi:Moria]]
[[fr:encyclo/geographie/villes_tours_et_forteresses/monts_brumeux/khazad-dum]]

Moria

2012-03-21T23:56:36Z

173.160.21.89: /* Second Age */

{{sources}}
{{disambig-more|Moria|[[Moria (disambiguation)]]}}
{{kingdom
| image =[[Image:Peter Jackson's Moria.jpg|250px]]
| name =Moria
| meaning = "Dark Chasm"
| type = Monarchy
| headofstate = [[King of Khazad-dûm]] and for a short period the [[Lord of Moria]]
| executive =
| legislative =
| judicial =
| capital = Khazad-dûm
| language = [[Khuzdul]], [[Elvish]], [[Westron]]
| location = The centeral [[Misty Mountains]], a couple miles north of the [[Gladden River|Gladden]] river
| populace= House of the [[Longbeard]] Dwarves, and later also the [[Firebeards]] and [[Broadbeams]]
| currency =
| religious =
| holiday =
| anthem =
| formed = The eldest [[Fathers of the Dwarves|Father of the Dwarves]], [[Durin|Durin I]]
| established = Mid to later [[Years of the Trees]]
| reorganized =
| fragmented =
| dissolved = [[Third Age 1981]]
| restored = Sometime during the [[Fourth Age]]
}}
{{quote|After the end of the [[First Age]] the power and wealth of [[Khazad-dûm]] was much increased; for it was enriched by many people and much lore and craft. . .|[[Appendix A]]}}
'''Khazad-dûm''', latterly known as '''Moria''' (also known as ''The Black Chasm'', ''The Black Pit'', ''[[Khazad-dûm#Names|Dwarrowdelf]]'', ''[[Khazad-dûm#Names|Hadhodrond]]'', ''[[Khazad-dûm#Names|Casarrondo]]'' and ''[[Khazad-dûm#Names|Phurunargian]]''), was the grandest and most famous of the mansions of the [[Dwarves]]. There, for many thousands of years, a thriving [[Dwarf realms|Dwarvish community]] created the greatest city ever known.

It lay in the central parts of the [[Misty Mountains]], tunnelled and carved through the living rock of the mountains themselves. By the [[Second Age]] a traveler could pass through it from the west of the range to the east.
== History ==
===Foundation===
It was founded in very ancient days by [[Durin|Durin the Deathless]]. [[Durin]] awoke at [[Mount Gundabad]] in the [[Misty Mountains]], who came upon a shimmering lake beneath the mountain [[Celebdil]], with a crown of stars reflected in its waters. He named that lake in the [[Dwarvish]] tongue, [[Kheled-zâram]], the [[Mirrormere]] and it remained a revered place among Dwarves of all houses ever afterwards. There in the caves above started the building of Khazad-dûm and also ''Dwarrowdelf'' by [[Men]], ''Hadhodrond'' by the [[Sindar]], and ''[[Casarrondo]]'' by the [[Noldor|Ñoldor]].

===First Age===
Durin the Deathless thus became King Durin I of Khazad-dûm. Afterwards, other rulers of Khazad-dûm were sometimes named Durin, as they were considered to be his reincarnations, who the dwarves believed came to live again among [[Durin's folk|his people]].

As the millennia passed, the descendants of Durin sat upon the throne of Khazad-dûm, and their cavernous city became famous throughout the world. It even has a passing mention in [[Quenta Silmarillion]], the tale of the [[Elf-lords]] and their wars far to the west, though to them it was no more than a distant rumour they heard from the [[Dwarves]] of the [[Blue Mountains]] on their borders.

===Second Age===
[[Image:J.R.R. Tolkien - Doors of Durin.jpg|thumb|right|Doors of Durin]]

In c. 40 of the Second Age after Beleriand was destroyed by the [[War of Wrath]], most of the Dwarves of [[Nogrod]] and [[Belegost]] began leaving en masse from their now ruined cities for Khazad-dûm. The city was enriched not just in numbers, but in the western Houses' skills in smithing, crafting and masonry. All these factors created a renaissance for Khazad-dûm, and brought its prosperity to its zenith.

After the Sinking of Beleriand, the [[Noldor]] founded a country of their own by the western gate of Khazad-dûm, [[Eregion]]. A rare friendship sprang up between the Dwarves and the Elves of this new land. Eregion's ruler, [[Celebrimbor]], helped to construct the famous and magical gate that became known as the [[West-gate of Moria]], and indeed went so far as to present King [[Durin III]] with a [[Rings of Power|Ring of Power]]. The friendship of Khazad-dûm and Eregion came to a sudden end, however, in II 1697. [[Sauron]] [[Sack of Eregion|overran]] the country of the Elves, and despite the best efforts of the Dwarves to help them, he succeeded in destroying Eregion and driving away the survivors. With the Elves dead or fleeing far away, the doors of Khazad-dûm were sealed against Sauron's forces, and Khazad-dûm went into seclusion.
It was also during this time that the Orcs reinvaded the mountains and made war on the Dwarves, [[First Sacking of Gundabad|taking]] [[Mount Gundabad]] from the Kingdom of Durin.

Their seclusion was broken for a time with the beginning of the [[War of the Last Alliance]]. The Dwarves, led by King [[Durin IV]], fought alongside the Elves and Men in their campaign to defeat Sauron for the last time. With the conclusion of the war the Dwarves went back to their country, and resumed their seclusion from the world.

===Third Age===

During this time Khazad-dûm further expanded its treasures, but despite this its numbers began to dwindle. Most of its great wealth was based on the [[Mithril]] that was found in its mines, and as the centuries passed, the Dwarves mined deeper and deeper for the precious metal. In the year III 1980, they dug too deep, and unleashed a nameless terror from the depths beneath the city. The creature wreaked dreadful destruction, and in slaying the then King, [[Durin VI]], became known as [[Durin's Bane]]. In the following year, Durin's son, [[Náin I]], was also lost, and the Dwarves fled their ancient home.

After millennia as one of the richest cities in [[Middle-earth]], Khazad-dûm stood dark and empty, but for the brooding menace the Dwarves had released. In that time it was given a new name, [[Moria]], the [[Black Pit]].

The monster - a Balrog of [[Morgoth]], as was later known - lurked alone in Moria for nearly five hundred years. After that time, the old city of Khazad-dûm began to be peopled again, but not by Dwarves. Orcs from the North began to enter the abandoned city to raid its treasuries, and occupy it. They also began to worship the Balrog as their deity. Soon afterwards, Sauron directed his creatures there, and Moria began to fill with Orcs and Trolls from [[Mordor]]. Though the orcs' numbers were greatly reduced in the [[Battle of Azanulbizar|Battle of Nanduhirion]], fought in the valley beneath Moria's [[East-gate]] in III 2799, the Balrog could not be bested, and Khazad-dûm remained a place of darkness.

At some point between 2841 and 2941 the Wizard [[Gandalf]] entered the city looking for King Thráin II who had disappeared on journey to Erebor.

====Balin's expedition====
In III 2989, there was an attempt by the Longbeards to reclaim their ancient home. The [[Balin's colony|expedition]] was led by [[Balin]], who had accompanied [[Bilbo Baggins]] on the [[Quest of Erebor]]. He led a [[Balin's Colony | colony]] of Dwarves there from [[Erebor]]. The Colony was successful at first, killing a considerable number of Orcs, taking many of the Eastern halls and finding many lost treasures such as [[Durin's Axe]]. They were however defeated and slain by the Orcs in 2994.

Possibly at some point after this [[Aragorn]] Chieftain of the Dúnedain entered Moria for some unknown purpose.

====The Fellowship's passage====
[[Image:Aleksandr Kortich - 03.jpg|thumb|right|The Company in Khazad-dûm]]
When [[Frodo Baggins]] set out from [[Rivendell]] with the [[Fellowship of the Ring|Fellowship]], they at first planned to travel over the Misty Mountains. When they were stopped by heavy snow on [[Caradhras|Mount Caradhras]], they found themselves pursued by wolves and Orcs, and fled into Moria, so as to go under the mountains. There, they found Balin's journal in the [[Book of Mazarbul]] and learned the fate of his expedition. They were then set upon by a host of [[Trolls]] and Orcs, and they discovered that the terror was, in fact, a [[Balrogs|Balrog]] of [[Morgoth]]. Gandalf fought the Balrog on a narrow bridge and succeeded in destroying a section of bridge to make the Balrog fall. As it fell, the Balrog snagged Gandalf's leg with its whip of thongs and pulled him after it, sending them both plunging into the abyss spanned by the bridge. The rest of the Fellowship managed to escape Moria and reach [[Lothlórien|Lórien]] mostly unharmed.

Unknown to the Fellowship, both Gandalf and the Balrog survived the fall and fought a ferocious battle from the depths of Moria to the mountains above, demolishing the top of the legendary [[Endless Stair]] and a part of the surrounding mountain peak in the process. Gandalf cast down the Balrog upon the mountainside and lived just long enough to see it die, but his story was not yet ended. (See [[Gandalf]]'s entry for further details.)

While Gandalf had felled the Balrog, Moria remained a place of evil creatures until the Fourth Age.<ref>{{SD|XI2}}, p. 122</ref>

====Retaking and Reign of Durin VII====
Though little information is given, the retaking of Khazad-dûm by [[Durin VII]] seems to have occurred during the [[Fourth Age]]. He became [[King of Durin's Folk]], and led a final return to the city. He was successful, and long after the War of the Ring, the Dwarves of Durin's line reclaimed their inheritance, and the hammers rang again in their great halls beneath the Misty Mountains until the race of Dwarves ended.

==Layout==
Khazad-dûm was a huge array of chambers, passages, mines, halls, stores and pits. In general, areas were either classed as ''mines'' or ''city''. The mines were working sections of Khazad-dûm whilst the city was the area of habitation.

The city areas of Khazad-dûm were clustered primarily to the east; these were the oldest parts of the kingdom and had access to the [[Great Gates]]. They were structured into seven Levels and seven Deeps. The Levels stretched above the gate whilst the Deeps were set deeper within the mountain below the level of the East-gate. It is possible that the First Level (on which the Great Gates were set) and the First Deep were highly intertwined.

The eastern section of the city spaces had also been delved in such a manner as to have light shafts to illuminate their chambers. One example of this is the [[Chamber of Mazarbul]] which was located on the eastern edge of the [[Seventh Level]].

The mine areas of Khazad-dûm were interlaced with the city spaces, but spread also westward toward the [[Doors of Durin]]. The mines ran deeper and further than any other tunnels within Khazad-dûm, and it is possible that more of the lower Deeps were given over to mining, although this is only conjecture.

The defined change between ''mines'' and ''city'' can be seen when the [[Fellowship of the Ring|Fellowship]] pass through Moria - there is a marked difference between the early passages and chambers and those of the city structures illuminated by Gandalf.

Far below Moria, there are abysses, spaces and tunnels not known even by the Dwarves, but known by the Balrog. [[World-gnawing nameless things|Unknown beings]] gnaw the earth and make them, far from the knowledge of any lore.

==Etymology==

The name ''Moria'' is composed of the [[Sindarin]] elements ''[[mor]]'' "black, dark" and ''[[iâ]]'' "void, abyss".<ref>{{S|Appendix}}, entries ''mor'' and ''iâ''</ref><ref>{{L|297}}, pp. 382-3</ref> Khazad-dûm was so called in [[Sindarin]] by the [[Gwaith-i-Mírdain]], as for them it was was but a "Dark Chasm". Although the Dwarves considered it a derogatory name, [[Celebrimbor]] went as far as to write the name "Moria" on the [[West-gate of Moria|West-gate]].{{fact}}

==Names==

The name ''Khazad-dûm'' in [[Khuzdul]] means "Dwarves' Mansion(s)". ''Khazâd'' being the plural of ''[[khuzd]]'' "Dwarves" while ''[[dûm]]'' (or possibly rather ''tûm'') a word for "excavation(s), hall(s), mansion(s)" (it is not clear if the second word is in singular or plural form).

The Elves translated it as '''''Casarrondo''''' ([[Quenya]], name given by the [[Noldor]])<ref>{{WJ|AB}}, p. 389,</ref> or '''''Hadhodrond''''' ([[Sindarin]]). The word ''Hadhodrond'' is composed of the elements ''[[hadhod]]'' (an attempt by the Elves to render ''[[Khazâd]]'', (the Dwarves' name for their own kind, into Elvish sounds) + ''[[rond]]'' ("cavern").{{fact}}

'''''Phurunargian''''' meaning "'''Dwarrowdelf'''" or "Dwarf-delving" was the [[Westron]] name for Khazad-dûm.<ref name=AppF2>{{App|F2}}</ref><ref name=PEPhurunargian/> The word derives from the [[Sundocarme|root]] PHUR ("to delve") and ''[[narak|narg-]]'' ("dwarf").<ref name=PEPhurunargian>{{PE|17}}, pp. 35, 137</ref> [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] noted that the form ''Phurunargian'' was "archaic" Westron although he did not mention the elements that make it archaic (over a possible vernacular form).<ref>{{HM|N}}, p. 769</ref><ref name=AppF2/>

==Portrayal in Adaptations==
'''2001: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring|Peter Jackson's The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
:Moria is portrayed prominently in the Theatrical Edition, while Extended Edition gives it even more attention - notably, Mithril is introduced to the audience properly.

'''2002: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|Vivendi's The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
:During the Moria levels the player for the most part controls Gandalf, only once is focus switched to Frodo instead.

'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth]]'':'''
:The entire journey through Moria takes place in one level, which can be completed in several minutes. The iconic location are portrayed immediately next to each other and in the end, Gandalf defeats the Balrog and continues journey with the Fellowship.

'''2008: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria]]'':'''
[[File:Map - Moria.jpg|thumb|400px|Map of Moria from ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''.]]
:''Mines of Moria'' was the first major expansion of the game, released in November 2008. Almost the entirety of Moria is present in the game, with players able to freely journey from the West Gate to the East Gate and from the Cliffs of Zirakzigil to the very Foundations of Stone where nameless things dwell.

:Moria is divided into several major sub-areas, depicted on the map above. '''The Great Delving''' lies directly next to the West Gate and links ancient Dwarven mines to palaces, academies and foundries founded during Khazad-dum's glory days. '''Durin's Way''' is the area, where, according to legend, Durin himself first braved the mines before bringing his folk in there. '''Zelem-Melek''' is home to both numerous [[Orc]] encampments and the famed [[Twenty-first Hall]]. '''Silvertine Lodes''' refers to the mining area located directly under [[Silvertine]], much like the '''Redhorn Lodes''' are the mining area under the peaks of [[Redhorn]]. '''The Water-Works''' hosts both a large underground lake and ancient Dwarven gears, wheels and devices that delivered the fresh water throughout the whole kingdom once. '''The Flaming Deeps''' is an area that reeks with fire and where few could survive for long - it appears that [[Durin's Bane]] resided there following his reawakening. '''Nud-Melek''' mostly consists of the [[Second Hall]] and the [[First Hall]]. The '''Foundations of Stone''' are located below the deepest delving of the Dwarves, no light has ever shined there and Nameless creatures older than the world gnaw at the roots of the mountains.

:Surprisingly for those seeing it for the first time, Moria in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'' is very much inhabited. In an original storyline by Turbine, Dwarves from the [[Iron Hills]] send by [[Dain Ironfoot]] arrive in Moria shortly after the Fellowship to learn the fate of [[Balin]]'s expedition. With Durin's Bane recently gone, the Orcs and Goblins of Moria are in great disarray, which allows the Dwarves to move in and establish encampments at all major crossroads. Fresh supplies are coming from both East and West gates, preventing the Iron Hill Garrison from being cut off like Balin was. However, the developers noted that they aware that Moria wasn't re-colonized until the [[Fourth Age]] in [[canon]], meaning that at some point in the future of the game the Iron Garrison may be forces to leave the mines.

'''2009: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Conquest]]'':'''
:Several levels of both good and evil campaigns take place in Moria.

== See Also ==
* [[:Category:Images of Moria|Images of Moria]]

{{references}}
[[Category:Cities, Towns and Villages]]
[[Category:Khuzdul words]]
[[Category:Moria ]]

[[de:Khazad-dûm]]
[[fi:Moria]]
[[fr:encyclo/geographie/villes_tours_et_forteresses/monts_brumeux/khazad-dum]]

Balin

2012-03-21T23:41:08Z

173.160.21.89: /* Expedition to Moria and His Death */

{{dwarves infobox
| image=[[Image:Visitbilbo.jpg|250px]]
| name=Balin
| othernames=[[Lord of Moria]]
| life={{TA|2763}} - [[10 November]], {{TA|2994}}
| realm=[[Thorin's Halls]], [[Erebor]], [[Khazad-dûm]]
| parentage=[[Fundin]]
| lineage=[[Durin's line]]
| hood=Red
| gender=Male
}}
{{Pronounce|Balin.mp3|Ardamir}}
'''Balin''' was a [[Dwarves|Dwarven]] leader, the son of [[Fundin]] and elder brother of [[Dwalin]]. He was [[Thorin and Company|one of the Dwarves]] that travelled with [[Bilbo Baggins]] and [[Gandalf]] to reclaim [[Erebor]].

==History==
===Early Life===
Balin was born in {{TA|2763}}, the son of [[Fundin]]. When he was seven years old, [[Smaug]] came to [[Erebor|the Lonely Mountain]]. After the Dwarves were driven out at great loss in {{TA|2770}}, Balin and his father [[Fundin]] lived with their king [[Thrór]] in [[Dunland]]. His brother [[Dwalin]] was born [[Third Age 2772|two years later]].<ref name="Durin">{{App|A3}}</ref>

[[Fundin]] fought in the [[War of the Dwarves and Orcs]], and fell in the [[Battle of Azanulbizar]]. His body was burned.<ref name="Durin"/><ref group="note">No information is given about Balin's involvement in the war. In a note considered for inclusion in [[Appendix A]] published in ''[[The Peoples of Middle-earth]]'', Tolkien stated that Dwarves would be of fighting age around thirty. Balin was 30 at the start and 36 at the end of the war, so it is conceivable that he participated.</ref> After the war, the Dwarves returned to their homes. The war was won, but dearly bought. The Longbeards under [[Thráin II]] at first returned to their forges in Dunland, but they moved into [[Eriador]] shortly after, and colonized the [[Blue Mountains]].

Thráin longed to return to Erebor, and with Balin and Dwalin and a few others he went on an expedition to their ancient hall. Sauron had them in his sights, eager to take the [[Ring of Thrór]] from the exiled king. [[Wolves]], [[orcs]] and evil birds harassed the small company as they came east. One night, as they had crossed the [[Anduin]], an evil rain forced them into the eaves of [[Mirkwood]], and the company was split. Thráin was never seen again, and Balin and Dwalin returned to the Blue Mountains to report the news to [[Thorin]], the new king of Durin's line.<ref name="Durin"/>

===Quest of Erebor===
Thorin was eager to retake Erebor, and Balin joined him. The second eldest of the group, Balin often stood look-out.<ref name="Mutton">{{H|Mutton}}</ref> Originally not very fond of Bilbo, he grew to appreciate him over time,<ref name="Barrels">{{H|Barrels}}</ref> especially after Bilbo managed to elude his watch and pop up right under his nose after the group escaped the [[Misty Mountains]].<ref>{{H|Flies}}</ref>

At Erebor, Balin accompanied Bilbo down the secret passage, and later showed him the Ravenhill.<ref>{{H|Inside}}</ref> Balin fought valiantly in the [[Battle of Five Armies]], and survived to great glory. Some years later, Balin accompanied Gandalf to visit Bilbo and informed him of the prosperity of Erebor and [[Dale]].<ref>{{H|Return}}</ref>

===Expedition to Moria and His Death===
Though the riches of Erebor made the Dwarves prosperous again, there were many who longed to return to [[Moria]]. [[Dain Ironfoot]] counseled against it, but Balin mounted an expedition in {{TA|2989}}.
<ref name="Many Meetings">{{FR|Meetings}}</ref> They hoped to regain the treasures, and Balin had also hoped to find the [[Ring of Thrór]], which was assumed to be lost when [[Thrór]] entered the Gates years before.<ref name="Council">{{FR|Council}}</ref>

Together with [[Flói]], [[Óin]], [[Ori]], [[Frár]], [[Lóni]], [[Náli]] and many other Dwarves, Balin entered [[Dimrill Dale]]. After a short battle in which Flói and several others were killed, the group entered the [[Great Gate]]. They stayed in the Twenty-First Hall, and Balin set up his throne in the [[Chamber of Mazarbul]]. He proclaimed himself [[Lord of Moria]].<ref name="Bridge">{{FR|Bridge}}</ref>

For five years the colony thrived. They managed to find many old treasures, mithril, and armories. But on [[10 November]] {{TA|2994}}, Balin was caught unawares outside the gates. As he went to look in [[Mirrormere]], an orc archer fatally shot him. Balin's body was placed in a tomb in the Chamber of Mazarbul.<ref name="Bridge"/>

But the archer was just the van of the orcs. An onslaught of orcs came up the [[Silverlode]], and the surviving Dwarves had to bar themselves in. [[Óin]] led a group west, hoping to escape through the [[Doors of Durin]], but the [[Watcher in the Water]] killed him. The Dwarves were locked in. After a fierce battle in the halls, the orcs were victorious; the colony was completely wiped out.<ref name="Bridge"/>

[[Glóin]] and his son [[Gimli]] were sent to [[Rivendell]] to seek news about the colony. Gimli eventually learned of their fate when he crossed the dwarven realm with the [[Company of the Ring]]. He would report it to Dain later.<ref name="Bridge"/>

==Etymology==
Though most names from the Dwarves in ''The Hobbit'' come from the [[Völuspá]], ''Balin'' is not one of them. The name rhymes with [[Dwalin]], but has no apparent meaning.<ref>{{HM|AH}}, "Roast Mutton", note 20</ref>

[[Jim Allan]] has suggested that ''Balin'' may be derived from [[Old Norse]] ''bál'' ("fire"), thus meaning "Burning-one". Allan also links the name to ''[[Wikipedia:Le Morte d'Arthur|Le Morte d'Arthur]]'', which includes a character named ''Balyn'' (spelled ''Balin'' in some editions) and to a ''Beli'' of ''[[Wikipedia:Mabinogion|The Mabinogion]]''.<ref>[[Jim Allan]], "Giving of Names", in ''[[An Introduction to Elvish]]'', p. 223</ref><ref group=note>It is known that Tolkien worked on editions of both ''Le Morte d'Arthur'' and ''The Mabinogion''; cf. ''[[The Fall of Arthur]]'' and ''[[Pwyll Prince of Dyved]]'', respectively.</ref>

== Other versions of the Legendarium ==

In the earliest drafts of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', Balin had a son named [[Burin]] (or [[Frár]]). Burin accompanied [[Glóin]] to the [[Council of Elrond]], and became part of the [[Fellowship of the Ring]]. The character was changed to [[Gimli]], son of Glóin in the final version.<ref>{{RS|Elrond}}</ref>

== Genealogy ==
{{familytree/start}}
{{familytree| | | | | | | FAR | | | | | | |FAR=[[Farin]]}}
{{familytree| | | |,|-|-|-|^|-|-|-|.| | | |}}
{{familytree| | | FUN | | | | | | GRO | | |FUN=[[Fundin]]|GRO=[[Gróin]]}}
{{familytree| |,|-|^|-|.| | | |,|-|^|-|.| |}}
{{familytree| BAL | | DWA | | OIN | | GLO |BAL='''BALIN'''|DWA=[[Dwalin]]|OIN=[[Óin son of Gróin|Óin]]|GLO=[[Glóin son of Gróin|Glóin]]}}
{{familytree/end}}

==Portrayal in Adaptations==
<center><gallery perrow=3>
File:Balin The Hobbit 1977.png|<center>[[The Hobbit (1977 film)]]
File:Balin David T. Wenzel's The_Hobbit.png|<center>[[The Hobbit (comic book)]]
File:Balinstomb.jpg|<center>[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]
File:Balins tomb viv fotr.png|<center>[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)]]
File:Balin The Hobbit 2003.png|<center>[[The Hobbit (2003 video game)]]
File:Balin's Tomb Battle for Middle-earth.png|<center>[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth]]
</gallery></center>

'''1966: ''[[The Hobbit (1966 film)]]'':'''
:Balin is omitted. [[Thorin Oakenshield]] only travels with an unnamed guard and the princess of Dale.<ref name="Deitch">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=UBnVL1Y2src|articlename=The Hobbit.mp4|dated=5 January 2012|website=YouTube|accessed=10 January 2012}}</ref>

'''1968: ''[[The Hobbit (1968 radio series)]]'':'''
:Balin is played by [[Peter Pratt]].<ref name="RT1968">Radio Times, Volume 180, No. 1968, [[26 September|September 26]], [[1968]]</ref>

'''1977: ''[[The Hobbit (1977 film)]]'':'''
:Balin's voice is provided by [[Don Messick]]. It is unknown if he survived the [[Battle of Five Armies]], as only six of the original survive (with Thorin and Bombur among the casualties and Óin and Glóin amongst the survivors).<ref>[[The Hobbit (1977 film)]], "Farewell, Thorin"</ref>

'''1979: ''[[The Hobbit (1979 radio series)]]'':'''
:Balin is played an uncredited actor.

'''1982: ''[[The Hobbit (1982 video game)]]'':'''
:Balin is omitted; Thorin is the only companion of the player, [[Bilbo Baggins]].<ref>''[http://www.worldofspectrum.org/showmag.cgi?mag=ZXComputing/Issue8304/Pages/ZXComputing830400076.jpg ZX Computing]'', 8304 (April/May 1983), p. 76 (accessed 24 March 2011)</ref>

'''1989: ''[[The Hobbit (comic book)]]'':'''
:Balin is portrayed white-haired and quite old; he looks distinctly older than his brother [[Dwalin]], whose hair is still a very dark grey. His role is unchanged from the book; he is the lookout, and visits Bilbo in the epilogue.

'''2001: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
:Balin is mentioned by [[Gimli]] as the King of Moria, and his tomb is seen in Moria.<ref>{{fotree}}, "[[Balin's Tomb (scene)|Balin's Tomb]]"</ref> No mention is made about the past of Moria and his expedition, and Gimli seems confident he is still alive.<ref>{{fotree}}, "[[Moria (scene)|Moria]]"</ref>

'''2002: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)]]'':'''
:Balin's Tomb is visited between the levels "2nd Hall" and "Abyss Fight". It is a block of stone, raised from the ground by four ornamental legs.

'''2003: ''[[The Hobbit (2003 video game)]]'':'''
:No actor is credited for the role of Balin. He is one of the older dwarves, and has a long white beard. He is the team's lookout.<ref>[[The Hobbit (2003 video game)]], "Roast Mutton"</ref>

'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth]]'':'''
:Balin's Tomb is one of the objectives of the first act in the Good Campaign. Several groups of orcs, as well as three trolls, have to be fought off before a break in the wall allows access to the next hall and the Bridge.<ref>[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth]], "Moria"</ref>

'''2011: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Aragorn's Quest]]'':'''
:Balin's Tomb is featured in Moria.

'''2012-3: ''[[The Hobbit films]]'':'''
:Balin will be played by [[Ken Stott]].<ref name="PJCasting">{{webcite|author=[[Peter Jackson]]|articleurl=http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150168211921558|articlename=Production begins in New Zealand on The Hobbit|dated=20-March-2011|website=[http://www.facebook.com/ Facebook]|accessed=23-Dec-2011}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[:Category:Images of Balin|Images of Balin]]

{{seq-start}}
{{seq-head
| race=dwarf
| house=[[Durin's Folk|House of Durin]]
| born={{TA|2763}}
| died={{TA|2995}}
}}
{{seq
| pvac=Vacant
| prev=Last held by: [[Náin I]], 1008 years earlier
| list=[[Kings of Khazad-dûm|King of Khazad-dûm]]
| dates={{TA|2989}} - {{TA|2995|n}}
| next=Vacant: [[Durin VII]], in the [[Fourth Age]]
| nvac=None
}}
{{seq-end}}
{{references|note}}
{{Thorin and Company}}

[[Category:Characters in The Hobbit]]
[[Category:Dwarves]]

[[de:Balin]]
[[fr:encyclo:personnages:nains:3a:balin]]
[[fi:Balin]]

Uttermost East

2011-12-27T23:22:13Z

173.160.21.89: /* Land of the Sun */

{{Unnamed2}}
{{noncanon}}
The '''Uttermost East''' refers to the notion of a land in the extreme [[East]] of [[Arda]] (beyond [[Rhûn]]), described in the early versions of the [[Legendarium]].
==''Oronto''==
In ''[[The Book of Lost Tales Part One]]'', the easternmost land of Arda was called '''''[[Oronto]]''''' ("East"). This region was connected to the [[Great Lands]], laying directly east of [[Palisor]], with no separating water. The huge peak [[Kalórmë]] stood in ''Oronto''.<ref name=LT1>{{LT1|IX}}</ref>

[[Oromë]] described the East to the [[Valar]], saying that "''there is a silent beach and dark empty seas''". It is also told that [[Aulë ]]and [[Ulmo]] "''builded great havens'' [of the Sun and Moon] ''beside the soundless sea''".<ref name=LT1/><ref>{{SM|5e}}</ref>

==Land of the Sun==
In the ''[[The Ambarkanta|Ambarkanta]]'', the '''Eastern Land''', known to the Elves of [[Aman]] as the '''Land of the Sun'''<ref name=5b>{{SM|5b}}</ref> or the '''Burnt Land of the Sun'''<ref name=A5>{{SM|A5}}</ref>, was a land east of [[Middle-earth]] where the [[Sun]] rose at dawn. The land was separated from [[Endor]] by the waters of the [[East Sea]].

In the Land of the Sun was a great, curve-shaped mountain range called the [[Wall of the Sun]], which corresponded symmetrically to the [[Pelóri Mountains]] of Aman.<ref name=5b/>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
In the game ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing]]'' by [[Iron Crown Enterprises]], a [[Sindarin]] name for the Uttermost East — Romenor (Easternesse) — was given,{{fact}} although it does not appear in any of [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]'s writings. This name is also used in [[Michael Martinez]]' ''[[Parma Endorion]]''.
==See also==
*[[Uttermost West]]
*[[Dark Land]]
{{references}}
[[Category:Arda]]
[[Category:Regions]]
[[Category:Non-Canon Locations]]

Arnor

2011-12-21T19:03:19Z

173.160.21.89: /* Chieftains of the Dúnedain */ Nomads are pastoralists; the word doesn't mean just anyone who wanders

{{kingdom
| image = [[Image:Arnor map.gif|250px]]
| name = Arnor
| meaning= Land of the King, High Lands
| type = Monarchy
| hidep=yes
| headofstate = (High) King of [[Arnor]] (and Gondor), King of the [[Reunited Kingdom]]
| executive = Council of Arnor
| legislative =
| judicial =
| capital = [[Annúminas]]
| language = [[Westron]]
| location = [[Eriador]]
| populous = [[Men]], [[Hobbits|Hobbits]], [[Elves]], [[Dúnedain]]
| currency =
| religious = State Eru worship
| holiday =
| anthem =
| formed = [[Downfall of Númenor]] in [[Second Age 3319|S.A. 3319]]
| established = [[Second Age 3320|S.A. 3320]]
| reorganized = [[Third Age 861|T.A. 861]]
| dissolved = [[Third Age 1974|T.A. 1974 ]]
| restored = [[Fourth Age 1|F.O. 1]]
| era = Second/Third/Fourth Ages
}}

{{Pronounce|Arnor.mp3|Ardamir}}

'''Arnor''', or the '''Northern Kingdom''', was a kingdom of the [[Dúnedain]] in the land of [[Eriador]] in [[Middle-earth]]. It was the original seat of the [[Kings of Arnor|High King of Arnor]] who ruled over both Arnor and Gondor.

==History==

=== Early History ===

Arnor was founded at the end of the [[Second Age]] (S.A. 3320) by [[Elendil]], whose sons founded [[Gondor]] at the same time. The history of the [[Two Kingdoms|two kingdoms]] is intertwined; both kingdoms are known as the Realms of the [[Dúnedain]] in exile.

Before the foundation of Arnor there was already a sizable Númenórean population living there, a result of the slow emigration of [[Númenóreans]] which had started under [[Tar-Meneldur]] and [[Tar-Aldarion]]. Before the arrival of the [[Dúnedain]] Arnor was home to [[Middle Men]] of [[Edain]] stock, and the early colonists soon interbred with the indigenous population. Elendil and his people were aided by Noldorin High King Gil-galad and his people, and his ships sailed up the Lune river. He established the city of Annúminas as his capital. Arnor was originally favored over the more southern regions (Gondor) because the [[Elves]] under [[Gil-galad]] lived near it across the river [[Lhûn]].<ref>''[[The Silmarillion]]'', [[Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age]], p. 360.</ref> However, in later days after the Númenóreans fell under [[Sauron|Sauron's]] shadow they settled more to the south. This led to a situation where [[Elendil]] arrived in an area populated by people who, unlike his own [[Númenóreans]], were mainly still friends with the [[Elves]], and unlike [[Gondor]] to the south in Arnor much knowledge of the [[Elder Days]] was preserved. [[Image:Ann18.jpg|left|220px|thumb|''Palace Complex at Annúminas'' by Steven White, Jr.]]

=== The [[Palantíri]] ===

The '''[[Palantíri]]''' or 'seeing stones' were spherical stones that could communicate with each other and give visual impressions to a skilled remote user. These stones were divided originally between [[Elendil]] and his two sons. They were usually heavily guarded and under the control of the kings. There were seven of these stones in total, with three of them assigned to the northern kingdom, with the other four going to Gondor.<ref>''[[The Silmarillion]]'', [[Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age]], p. 362.</ref> They were:

* the [[Elostirion-stone]], in the tower of [[Elostirion]], and was used to communicate with the master stone in [[Tol Eressëa]] of the Elves, along the Straight Road. It could not contact the other Middle-Earth stones.

* the [[Amon Sûl-stone]], in the watchtower of [[Weathertop|Amon Sûl]]. A large stone, it was often used to contact its corresponding large stone in Gondor, at the great dome in [[Osgiliath]].

* the [[Annúminas-stone]], in the capital city of [[Annúminas]]. Though one of the lesser stones, it was the stone most often used by the [[Kings of Arnor]].

=== [[War of the Last Alliance]] ===

[[Image:Peter Jackson's Isildur2.jpg|right|220px|thumb|''Isildur'' in Peter Jackson's ''Fellowship of the Ring'']] At the end of the Second Age, Arnor allied itself with Noldorin High King [[Gil-galad]] in a great alliance opposing Sauron, the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]]. In conjunction with southern forces from Gondor, they confronted Sauron's armies in the [[War of the Last Alliance]]. This war was fought over a period of several years on the [[Battle of Dagorlad|Dagorlad plain]] and in Mordor itself, at the [[Siege of Barad-dûr]]. Both [[Elendil]] and his son [[Anárion]] were slain in this conflict, but [[Isildur]] cut the One Ring from Sauron's finger and prevailed. [[Elrond]], Gil-galad's herald, urged Isildur to cast it into Mt. Doom and destroy it, but Isildur refused, and the Ring survived. Arnor suffered heavy casualties in the war, and some parts of the land were partially depopulated.<ref>''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix A]], p. 1018.</ref>

Arnor's second king [[Isildur]] (also King of [[Gondor]]) was killed in [[Third Age 2|T.A. 2]] by [[Orcs]] in the disastrous [[Battle of the Gladden Fields]]. His three eldest sons were killed with him, but the fourth and youngest, [[Valandil (King of Arnor)|Valandil]], who had remained at [[Rivendell]] due to his youth, became king of Arnor (T.A 2). [[Isildur]] also lost [[the One Ring]] at this time, when it slipped off his finger as he tried to escape pursuing Orcs. Arnor never fully recovered from this devastating loss of its manpower.

Because [[Valandil (King of Arnor)|Valandil]] and his heirs did not claim the throne of [[Gondor]] the realms were split, but Arnor's ruler kept the title [[High King of the Dúnedain|High King]], whereas in the south the ruler was 'just' King.

=== Decline and Breakup ===

{{Transcribed|Arnor_tengwar.png|Arnor|Tengwar, Sindarin mode}}
Arnor's capital was [[Annúminas]] on [[Lake Evendim]], but by [[Third Age 861|T.A. 861]] [[Fornost Erain]] had become the capital instead as Annúminas became depopulated and was slowly abandoned.

 After the death of its tenth king, [[Eärendur (King of Arnor)|Eärendur]], in [[Third Age 861|T.A. 861]], Arnor was shaken by civil war between the three sons of [[Eärendur (King of Arnor)|Eärendur]]. The eldest son, [[Amlaith]], claimed Kingship over all Arnor but was reduced to only ruling the region of Arthedain as his kingdom, while the other sons founded the breakaway kingdoms of [[Cardolan]] and [[Rhudaur]].

Arnor was refounded ''de jure'' by [[Arthedain|Arthedain's]] king [[Argeleb I]], when [[Cardolan]] placed itself under the suzerainty of Arthedain. However, even Arthedain was eventually destroyed. The people of Arnor were mostly wiped out by the continuing wars, but the [[Hobbits]] survived in [[the Shire]], Men survived in [[Bree]] and probably other villages, and the [[Dúnedain]] of Arnor created new homes in the [[Angle of Eriador|Angle]] south of [[Rivendell]], where some of them became known as the [[Rangers of the North]].<ref name="lotr1018">''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix A]], p. 1018.</ref>

=== Conflict with Angmar ===

[[Image:Grant Gould - The Witch King.jpg|right|thumb|220px|''The Witch King'' by Eliot Gould]] Arnor's greatest enemy in the north by the middle of the Third Age was Angmar, ruled by the [[Witch-king|Witch King of Angmar]]. During the reign of Malvegil (c. [[Third Age 1300|T.A. 1300]]), this new power arose beyond the [[Ettenmoors]]. This land became populated with the Orcs and men of Sauron, and began attacking Rhudaur and Cardolan. Eventually this Witch-king was identified as in fact the chief of Sauron's Ringwraiths. Years later, Argeleb I of [[Arthedain]], reasserted control over [[Cardolan]], and fortified a line along the [[Weather Hills]]. Despite this action, Argeleb fell in battle with Angmar and its ally, [[Rhudaur]]. His son Arveleg, however, counterattacked in conjunction with Cardolan and drove the enemy back. He held this frontier in force for quite some years successfully.

[[Image:BFME2 - Weathertop.jpg|left|220px|thumb|''Weathertop'' from BFME2]] Then in [[Third Age 1409|T.A. 1409]], Angmar crossed the Hoarwell river into Cardolan and attacked again. This time, Weathertop was captured and Arveleg fell in battle. While Amon Sûl fell, the palantír was recovered and taken to Fornost. While Cardolan was laid waste, Angmar was eventually stopped by Elven forces from [[Lindon]] and [[Rivendell]], where [[Elrond]] countered them.

=== The [[Great Plague]] ===

Another threat appeared to the northern successor kingdoms, this time one that swords and spears could not deter. A [[Great Plague|major plague]] began in the east, in the vicinity of the [[Sea of Rhûn]], northeast of [[Mordor]]. After doing great damage in [[Rhovanion (Realm)|Rhovanion]], it struck [[Osgiliath]] in Gondor in {{TA|1636}}, killing [[Telemnar|King Telemnar]] and his family. In seriously affected areas, the plague killed 50% or more of the populace. This plague, which barely affected western Gondor, spread northwards to [[Cardolan]].

In Cardolan, it struck severely, wiping out the last of Dúnedain of [[Cardolan]] at the [[Barrow-downs]]. The Witch-king, exploiting the tragedy, sent evil spirits, the [[Barrow-wights]], to infest the area. The Hobbits of the Shire were damaged by it, but not heavily. The plague lost its strength, however, at this point, so that most of [[Arthedain]] was unaffected.<ref name="lotr1023">''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix A]], p. 1023.</ref>

=== The Fall of Arthedain ===

In [[Third Age 1974|T.A. 1974]], the final chapter in [[Arthedain|Arthedain's]] history began. The Witch-king attacked during the harsh winter weather. The capital of [[Fornost]] fell, and the remaining Arnorian forces were driven over the Lune river into Lindon. King [[Arvedui]] was compelled to flee to [[Forochel]], and ask aid of the Snowmen there. His son, [[Aranarth]], journeyed to [[Círdan]] at the Havens to inform him of Arthedain's fall. Círdan responded by sending a ship north to rescue Arvedui. When the [[Snowmen of Forochel]] saw the ship arrive, they were uncomfortable and nervous about the escape plan.<ref name="lotr1018">''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix A]], p. 1018.</ref> Their chief replied to Arvedui:
{{quote|Do not mount on this sea-monster! If they have them, let the seamen bring us food and other things that we need, and you may stay here till the Witch-king goes home. For in summer his power wanes; but now his breath is deadly, and his cold arm is long.|''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix A]], p. 1018}}

It turned out that the Snowmen were right. A storm blew in that night and drove the ice towards the shore, and the ship was crushed and sank, with great loss of life, including King Arvedui. He unfortunately fulfilled [[Malbeth the Seer|Malbeth the Seer's]] prophecy about him at his birth that he would be the 'Last king' of Arthedain. So the North-kingdom ended, but the [[Hobbits]] survived in the Shire. They eventually chose a [[Thain]] from among themselves to replace the King, and the first of these was [[Bucca of the Marish]], in [[Third Age 1979|T.A. 1979]].

=== Showdown with Angmar ===

Envoys from Arthedain had journeyed to Gondor to ask assistance from the southern Dúnedain in fighting the Witch-king's forces. Gondor, however, was preoccupied with its own threats from the [[Easterlings]], and so could not respond immediately. Gondor had been in a weakened condition since the death of King Ondoher and his two sons in the [[Battle of the Camp]] fighting the Easterlings in [[Third Age 1944|T.A. 1944]]. [[Arvedui]] of Arnor tried to claim the southern throne but this claim was rejected by Gondor. [[Eärnil II|Eärnil]], the victorious commander in the above battle and a member of the royal house, claimed the throne, and was confirmed by the Gondorian royal council.<ref name="lotr1023">''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix A]], p. 1023.</ref>

[[Image:Amir Salehi - Servant of Death.jpg|right|220px|thumb|''Servant of Death'' by Amir Salehi]]King Arvedui sent increasingly urgent messages to Gondor about the crisis he faced from Angmar's continuing assaults. [[Eärnil II]] was unable to react quickly due to his need to order Gondor after succeeding to the throne, however. The king sent his son and heir [[Eärnur]] north to the Havens with a powerful fleet. Unfortunately, it was not in time to save [[Arthedain]], and the northern kingdom perished. When Eärnur's naval forces landed in the [[Grey Havens]], they dazzled both Men and Elves with their size and majesty. From these ships debarked the most powerful army seen in the north of Middle-earth in centuries. Círdan's people were quite impressed with the strength of Gondor's army, particularly its [[Gondorian Military Forces#Gondorian Knights and Cavalry Forces|cavalry forces]], dominated by riders from the [[Vales of Anduin]]. [[Círdan]] and Eärnur combined their forces, along with the remnant of Arnor's army, in the greatest joint Elf-Man army since the [[War of the Last Alliance]]; this great [[Host of the West (Arnor)|Host of the West]] re-crossed the River Lune and marched northward.<ref name="lotr1026">''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', p. 1026.</ref> These allies drove relentlessly toward the Arnorian capital of [[Fornost]], where the Witch-king had occupied the palace complex there.

=== Angmar is Vanquished ===

When the Witch-king saw the invading [[Host of the West (Arnor)|Host]], he failed to take it for the serious threat that it in fact was. Instead of awaiting the invaders in the fortress city of Fornost, he confidently marched his forces out to meet them in the open. He expected to defeat them as easily as had vanquished Arvedui's forces the previous year. But there was an appreciable difference this time-- the ground and naval might of Gondor. The allied Host continued to advance, and instead of establishing a merely defensive position, they attacked him from the [[Hills of Evendim]], and a [[Battle of Fornost|large battle]] broke out. The Witch-king's army could not stand before the allies, however, and began to retreat back towards their capital. Any hopes for an orderly withdrawl were in vain, however.

[[Image:Lena - Glorfindel.jpg|left|220px|thumb|''Glorfindel'' by Lena]][[Gondorian Military Forces#Gondorian Knights and Cavalry Forces|Gondorian cavalry forces]], attacking from the north, routed the forces of Angmar, and put them to flight signaling an end to what became known as the [[Battle of Fornost]]. The Witch-king, in full flight, forsook his new conquests, and made for Angmar. But the cavalry under [[Eärnur]] continued the pursuit and rode down what remained of his forces. To add to his difficulties, an Elven force under [[Glorfindel]] also attacked from [[Rivendell]], and completed his forces' destruction. At the last, the Witch-king charged Eärnur in frustration, but his horse shied away from the evil wraith. As Eärnur once again mastered his horse, Glorfindel uttered his famous prophecy:
{{quote|Do not pursue him! He will not return to this land. Far off yet is his doom, and not by the hand of man will he fall.|''The Lord of the Rings'', [[Appendix A]], p. 1027.}}
This prophecy would not be fulfilled until a thousand years later, at the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]].

=== [[Chieftains of the Dúnedain]] ===

After the death of King Arvedui, his son, [[Aranarth]], perceived that the northern Dúnedain had become too few to reestablish the realm of [[Arthedain]]. He took his dwindling people and turned them into wanderers who traveled from place to place in [[Eriador]]. Instead of calling himself a king or prince, he assumed the title [[Chieftains of the Dúnedain|Chieftain]]. Through them the royal line of Arnor was maintained successfully for a thousand years until the refounding of Arnor in [[Fourth Age 1|F.O. 1]]. Aranarth brought his son [[Arahael]] to [[Rivendell]] and gave him to [[Elrond]] for safekeeping until he was grown. This became a tradition that was followed through the rest of the Third Age. Also brought to Elrond were the heirlooms of the House of Elendil: the [[Sceptre of Annúminas]], the [[Ring of Barahir]], the shards of [[Narsil]], and the [[Star of Elendil]].<ref name="lotr1018">''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix A]], p. 1018.</ref>

So the Dúnedain survived in the shadows, waiting for a better day when the kingdom of Arnor would be reborn. There were sixteen Chieftains in direct descent, with [[Aragorn|Aragorn Elessar]] being the last. There were many perils in Eriador in that time, and many of the Chieftains died premature deaths. One of these was Aragorn II's father, [[Arathorn II]], who was slain by Orcs raiding the area.

=== [[War of the Ring]] ===

[[Image:ME-GondorKing.png|right|220px|thumb|Banner of Arnor (Reunited Kingdom)]] The Kingdom of Arnor had been fallen for a thousand years by the time the [[War of the Ring]] broke out, but northern forces did participate in the War. [[Aragorn|Aragorn II]] was a [[Rangers of the North|Dúnedain Ranger of the North]], and there were several hundred of them operating during the conflict. A company of this group accompanied Aragorn through the [[Paths of the Dead]] and during the attack on [[Umbar]] which captured the Corsair fleet. They were with him at the last battle, fighting under his banner, at the [[Battle of the Morannon]], where [[Sauron]] was finally thrown down.

There was conflict in other areas of the North. There were three different invasions of [[Lothlórien]], which were thrown back by the Elven army under [[Celeborn]] and [[Thranduil]]. Finally, Celeborn led an attack resulting in the [[Fall of Dol Guldur|capture of Dol Guldur]] and put an end to Sauron's northern threat.

There was also a battle fought in [[the Shire]], between Saruman's [[Ruffians]] and [[Hobbits|Hobbit]] militia forces. This was the last battle fought in the [[War of the Ring]], and resulted in the death of Saruman and the death or capture of his followers. This became known as the [[Battle of Bywater]], and represents the Hobbit contribution to the War.<ref name="lotr992-996">''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[The Scouring of the Shire]], pp. 992-996.</ref>

== Restoration and the [[Reunited Kingdom]] ==

[[Image:Rowena Morrill - The Last Steward of Gondor.jpg|left|220px|thumb|''The Last Steward of Gondor'' by Rowena Morrill]]Faramir, son of Denethor II the last Ruling Steward, presented his rod of office to the new king, and received it back from him. [[Aragorn|Aragorn II]] then was crowned by [[Gandalf]] as [[Aragorn|King Elessar]], refounded the Kingdom of Arnor as part of the [[Reunited Kingdom]], and made [[Annúminas]] his new capital city.<ref name="lotr1019">''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix A]], p. 1019.</ref> He was wed to the Elven princess Arwen, who became [[Arwen|Queen Evenstar]] of Arnor and Gondor. After the fall of [[Sauron]] Arnor was safe again for resettlement of Men, and although it remained less populated than [[Gondor]] to the south, in time Arnor became a more densely populated region again, even if it had dwindled in size due to the independence of [[the Shire]]. The area encompassed by the Reunited Kingdom now encompassed the territory of the [[Two Kingdoms]] at their greatest extent. In the North, this included all the land between the [[Lune|River Lune]] and the [[Misty Mountains]], and in the South included all the land between Dunland in the west, to the [[Far Harad]] southwards, to [[Rhûn]] in the east. The reborn kingdom continued on into the Fourth Age, with [[Eldarion]] eventually succeeding his father to the throne of this now empire-sized state.

== Regions of Arnor ==

* [[Arthedain]], core of the north-kingdom bordering the Lune
* [[Cardolan]], south of the [[Great East Road]], east of the Brandywine
* [[Rhudaur]], between the Weather Hills and the [[Misty Mountains]]

== Cities, Fortresses and Watchtowers ==

* [[Annúminas]], the old capital on the shore of Lake Evendim
* [[Fornost]], the new capital of the successor state of Arthedain
* [[Bree]], a trading center located on the Great East Road
* [[Lond Daer]], an old harbor town founded by Númenóreans
* [[Weathertop|Amon Sûl]], also called Weathertop, a watchtower on the highest of the Weather Hills
* [[Elostirion]], a watchtower in the Tower Hills
* [[Tharbad]], a fortified town and port along the River Greyflood on the southern border of Arnor

== Languages ==

The people of Arnor were of Númenórean stock, so the predominant language spoken by them was [[Westron]]. With the proximity of the Elves of [[Lindon]], at least some of the population, especially the upper classes, were probably fluent in Quenya and Eldarin.

== Etymology ==

'''''Arnor''''' was the colloquial name for the '''North Kingdom'''. The North Kingdom, as the land was called at its conception, was also known as ''Turmen Follondiéva'' in [[Quenya]] and ''Arthor na Forlonnas'' in [[Sindarin]]. These names quickly fell out of use, in favor of ''Arnor'': the ''Land of the King'', so called for the kingship of [[Elendil]], and to seal its precedence over the [[Gondor|southern realm]]. In full, poetic Sindarin, it was called ''Arannor'', which mirrored its Quenya name, '''''Arandórë'''''.<ref>{{PE|17}}, p. 28</ref> Though technically ''Arandórë'' would have a Sindarin form ''Ardor'', [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] chose ''Arnor'' because it sounded better. This linguistic change was ascribed to a later, Mannish development of Sindarin.<ref>{{L|347}}</ref><ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 17</ref> The form '''''Arnanórë''''' is also seen.{{fact}}

==See also==

* [[Kings of Arnor]]
* [[Kings of Gondor]]
* [[Gondor]]
* [[War of the Last Alliance]]
* [[War of the Ring]]

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[[Category:Sindarin Locations]]
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