Tolkien Gateway - User contributions [en]

Talk:Gil-galad

2013-04-09T07:18:04Z

95.22.94.140:

Ereinion Gil-galad was the son of Fingon (vide. Quenta Silmarillion - after the fall of Turgon, Ereinion Gil-Galad sone of Fingon was named High King Of The Noldor in Middle Earth.

:I'm afraid this is a question of Canon. But most Tolkienists agree that this was a mistake on the part of Christopher Tolkien, as almost all of Tolkien's later works say he is Orodreth's son. It is not his only marked mistake in the Silmarillion, though the Silmarillion is largely dependable. --[[User:Narfil Palùrfalas|Narfil Palùrfalas]] 09:54, 1 September 2006 (EDT)

==Undo==
I undid the changes made by [[Special:Contributions/95.22.94.140|an anonymous user]] showing preference to the version of the published Silmarillion. We have consciously preferred the "later" version for some time; such a pro-Silmarillion revision should not be done ''ad hoc'', but require some discussion and agreement first, as we did with [[Celeborn]]. [[User:Sage|Sage]] 09:26, 4 April 2013 (UTC)
:Other than that, I tend to express a preference on the "later notes". [[User:Sage|Sage]] 10:26, 4 April 2013 (UTC)
::I have the same preference. --{{User:Mith/sig}} 10:29, 7 April 2013 (UTC)
:::+1 --[[User:Amroth|Amroth]] 13:59, 8 April 2013 (UTC)

Sorry for changing it without warning, but as it was simply a rearrangement of the text, I thought it wouldn't be so important, since all the alternate versions are still referenced and everybody can choose whatever s/he prefers. I guess that most people who stumble in this article do it because they have read the Silm or LOTR, not "The Shibboleth of Fëanor", so it's really confusing placing the less-known version first. Moreover, that revised version of the story was never included in the Silmarillion, and C.Tolkien had doubts wether it was definitive or not, or if his father would have included it in the narratives after all.{{Unsigned|95.22.94.140}}

:My preference would be: if Tolkien wrote about a certain concept in any of the works published during his life-time, we use that as the "main" version in an article (no matter if a later note contradicts the concept as originally published). When different posthumously published writings disagree about a concept, we have at least two choices: (1) to use the most well-known version (often = ''The Silm'') or (2) the latest version (final intent). Here, I'm not sure which is best, taking into account the readers of the encyclopedia. The first choice would perhaps be more "encyclopedic", while the second would be more "Tolkienologistic". Perhaps we will have to decide from case to case, unless we want the same standard applied on each and every article.--[[User:Morgan|Morgan]] 17:45, 7 April 2013 (UTC)

::Agree. Though I admit that I have a preference for the most polished works and the main narratives over the essays or notes (late or not). This is mainly because the essays are derived from the narratives, more concerned with linguistic/philosophical matters than the legends themselves, and many times incomplete. I think it's also very difficult to discern what is a true "final intent" and what it's just a fleeting idea, specially when new ideas appear in some notes, but never again reappear in other writings.

Talk:Gil-galad

2013-04-07T17:05:53Z

95.22.94.140:

Orodreth

2013-04-04T18:53:42Z

95.22.94.140: Undo revision 228491 by Ederchil (talk)

{{sources}}
{{expansion}}
{{disambig-two|the Elf of Nargothrond|the Steward of Gondor|[[Orodreth (Steward of Gondor)]]}}
{{noldor infobox
| image=[[Image:Marya Filatova - Orodreth.jpg|250px]]
| name=Orodreth
| othernames=''Artaresto''
| titles=[[King of Nargothrond]]
| position=Warden of [[Minas Tirith (Beleriand)|Minas Tirith]] ({{FA|60}} - {{FA|457|n}})
| location=[[Nargothrond]]
| affiliation=
| language=
| birth=during [[Years of the Trees]]
| birthlocation=[[Tirion]]
| rule={{FA|465}} - {{FA|495|n}}
| death={{FA|495}}
| deathlocation=[[Battle of Tumhalad|Battle]] of [[Tumhalad]]
| age=
| house=[[House of Finarfin]]
| parentage=[[Finarfin]] and [[Eärwen]]
| siblings=[[Finrod]], [[Angrod]], [[Aegnor]], and [[Galadriel]]
| spouse=
| children=[[Finduilas]]
| gender=Male
| height=
| hair=Dark{{fact}}
| eyes=
| clothing=
| weapons=
| steed=
}}

In the published version of ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', '''Orodreth''' was an Elf of the [[First Age]], the second son of Finarfin (with Finrod, Angrod, [[Aegnor]], and [[Galadriel]] being his siblings), and a ruler of [[Nargothrond]]. His name in [[Quenya]] was '''Artaresto''' (pron. {{IPA|[ˌartaˈresto]}}). Orodreth was born in [[Valinor]].

==History==
Orodreth held the isle of [[Minas Tirith (Beleriand)|Minas Tirith]] in the vale of [[Sirion]] until [[Sauron]] overran the isle and turned it into [[Tol-in-Gaurhoth]]. Orodreth then fled south to Nargothrond.

When [[Beren]] came to Nargothrond, Finrod went with him on his quest for the [[Silmarils|Silmaril]]. However [[Celegorm]] and [[Curufin]] the [[Sons of Fëanor]] were also at Nargothrond, and forced Finrod to help Beren alone, without his people. Orodreth took up the crown, ruling as regent, but the [[Sons of Fëanor]] held the real power. Curufin called him "a dullard slow" in the [[Lay of Leithian]], and with his brother Celegorm plotted to take over Nargothrond if news came of Finrod's death. However when news came that Finrod had been killed and Tol-in-Gaurhoth destroyed, the Sons of Fëanor were shamed and fell from power – the people cried out that the maiden [[Lúthien]] had done what the Sons of Fëanor had not (thrown down Sauron). Orodreth returned to power and expelled the Sons of Fëanor from Nargothrond.

When [[Túrin|Túrin Turambar]] arrived in Nargothrond he quickly became Orodreth's closest councillor. Turin convinced Orodreth and the people of Nargothrond to abandon their secretive 'guerilla' strategies and declare open war against [[Morgoth]]. Though initially appearing successful, this policy eventually led to the destruction of Nargothrond: Orodreth was slain along with most of his forces at the disastrous [[Battle of Tumhalad]], leaving his people defenceless in the [[sack of Nargothrond]] by [[Glaurung]] the dragon and the forces of Morgoth.

==Etymology==

The name ''Orodreth'' is glossed as "mountaineer".<ref>{{PE|17}}, p. 182</ref>

== Other Versions of the Legendarium ==

In earlier versions of [[the Silmarillion]] legendarium as detailed in ''[[The History of Middle-earth]]'' series, Orodreth was a more important character, and the original king of Nargothrond. However his importance diminished over time.

In Tolkien's late genealogies he was made the son of Angrod and [[Eldalótë]], a [[Noldor]]in lady whose name in [[Sindarin]] became Edhellos. Together with [[Turgon]]'s daughter [[Idril]] and possibly [[Curufin]]'s son [[Celebrimbor]], he was one of the few members of the Noldorin royal family in the third generation to come into exile . In this version, both [[Finduilas]] and [[Gil-galad]] were his children, while in the published Silmarillion, Gil-Galad was the son of Orodreth's cousin [[Fingon]].<ref>The Shibboleth of Fëanor, in "History of Middle Earth vol. XII: The Peoples of Middle Earth" </ref>

{{familytree/start}}
{{familytree| | | | FIN |y| EAR | | | |FIN=[[Finarfin]]|EAR=[[Eärwen]]}}
{{familytree| |,|-|-|-|v|^|-|-|v|-|-|.}}
{{familytree| FND | | ANG | | AEG | | GAL | FND=[[Finrod]]|ANG=[[Angrod]]|AEG=[[Aegnor]]|GAL=[[Galadriel]]}}
{{familytree| | | | | |!| | | | | | | }}
{{familytree| | | | | ORO | | | | | | |ORO='''ORODRETH'''}}
{{familytree| | | |,|-|^|-|.| | | | | }}
{{familytree| | | GIL | | FIN | | | | |GIL=[[Gil-galad]]|FIN=[[Finduilas]]}}
{{familytree/end}}

Since this later revision wasn't integrated in any of his father's narratives, [[Christopher Tolkien]] didn't include it in the published text. However, unlike in the matter of Gil-galad, Christopher Tolkien believed that the decision to make Orodreth the son of Angrod was final.
An earlier idea was that Orodreth's son was named Hallas, but Gil-galad replaced him.

In his last writings, Tolkien changed Orodreth's name to '''[[Artaher]]''' (Quenya) / '''Arothir''' (Sindarin), but it was never introduced in any narratives, so Christopher Tolkien left the name Orodreth unchanged. It is probable the Sindarin name Orodreth would have been retained nonetheless: Tolkien seldom changed names after they had long been used, even if only in unpublished writings.

==See also==
* [[:Category:Images of Orodreth|Images of Orodreth]]
{{references}}

[[Category:Characters in The Children of Húrin]]
[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]
[[Category:House of Finarfin]]
[[Category:House of Olwë]]
[[de:Orodreth (Elb)]]
[[fr:encyclo/personnages/elfes/noldor/orodreth]]
[[fi:Orodreth]]

Talk:Orodreth

2013-04-04T18:48:08Z

95.22.94.140:

==Move==
Move to Orodreth? --{{User:Mith/sig}} 20:05, 13 December 2010 (UTC)

:Yes. And before you start asking, [[Finduilas|Finduilas of Nargothrond]] too. -- {{User:Ederchil/sig}} 20:10, 13 December 2010 (UTC)

==Silmarillion vs. Late notes==

Why was my revision, which placed the genealogy from Silmarillion above the later one, removed?
There was nothing factually wrong in it. And it's completely arbitrary to use as main source the later notes, giving a version of the story that wasn't introduced in any narrative and it's pretty much obscure. Not to mention the confusion for readers.
Following the same logic, you should change as well the article about Finrod Felagund and state that he was married, because that's what the last notes on the matter say (HoME vol. XII: "On Dwarves and Men", "The Shibboleth of Fëanor"), even when this contradicts everything that is said in the main narratives.
The question is, why is given preference to quickly written notes (that we don't even know if were definitive or not) over the big bulk of narratives that is extant? That would require that all references to the making of the Sun and the Moon are removed as well from the articles, because that's what the last notes on the matter say. But what's the point of talking about the stories that "could" have been, but never were? We would be talking about a fictional book that was never written. {{unsigned|95.22.94.140 }}

:It was reverted because the intro that does not comply with [[Tolkien Gateway:Manual of Style|the Manual of Style]]. That you left a link to "Elf (Middle-earth)" in there is a dead giveaway you just copied if off wikipedia . Also, no not mess with headers. It may need a rewrite to comply with our new ideas towards canon, but that doesn't mean we have to accept everything that's added. --{{User:Ederchil/sig}} 17:38, 4 April 2013 (UTC)

No, it wasn't just "copied off" from Wikipedia. It was me the one who edited the Wikipedia article, following some complaints precisely about this issue in that page. In fact, the original article in this page was an obvious copy of the original article in Wikipedia, that followed all that "Orodreth son of Angrod" version, so that's not an excuse. And what has to do the style with the content? Just because there's a wrong link doesn't mean that the content is wrong.

Orodreth

2013-04-04T17:06:43Z

95.22.94.140: See note in Orodreth:Talk

{{sources}}
{{expansion}}
{{disambig-two|the Elf of Nargothrond|the Steward of Gondor|[[Orodreth (Steward of Gondor)]]}}
{{noldor infobox
| image=[[Image:Marya Filatova - Orodreth.jpg|250px]]
| name=Orodreth
| othernames=''Artaresto''
| titles=[[King of Nargothrond]]
| position=Warden of [[Minas Tirith (Beleriand)|Minas Tirith]] ({{FA|60}} - {{FA|457|n}})
| location=[[Nargothrond]]
| affiliation=
| language=
| birth=during [[Years of the Trees]]
| birthlocation=[[Tirion]]
| rule={{FA|465}} - {{FA|495|n}}
| death={{FA|495}}
| deathlocation=[[Battle of Tumhalad|Battle]] of [[Tumhalad]]
| age=
| house=[[House of Finarfin]]
| parentage=[[Finarfin]] and [[Eärwen]]
| siblings=[[Finrod]], [[Angrod]], [[Aegnor]], and [[Galadriel]]
| spouse=
| children=[[Finduilas]]
| gender=Male
| height=
| hair=Dark{{fact}}
| eyes=
| clothing=
| weapons=
| steed=
}}

In the published version of ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', '''Orodreth''' was an [[Elf (Middle-earth)|Elf]] of the [[First Age]], the second son of Finarfin (with Finrod, Angrod, [[Aegnor]], and [[Galadriel]] being his siblings), and a ruler of [[Nargothrond]]. His name in [[Quenya]] was '''Artaresto''' (pron. {{IPA|[ˌartaˈresto]}}). Orodreth was born in [[Valinor]].

==History==
Orodreth held the isle of [[Minas Tirith (Beleriand)|Minas Tirith]] in the vale of [[Sirion]] until [[Sauron]] overran the isle and turned it into [[Tol-in-Gaurhoth]]. Orodreth then fled south to Nargothrond.

When [[Beren]] came to Nargothrond, Finrod went with him on his quest for the [[Silmarils|Silmaril]]. However [[Celegorm]] and [[Curufin]] the [[Sons of Fëanor]] were also at Nargothrond, and forced Finrod to help Beren alone, without his people. Orodreth took up the crown, ruling as regent, but the [[Sons of Fëanor]] held the real power. Curufin called him "a dullard slow" in the [[Lay of Leithian]], and with his brother Celegorm plotted to take over Nargothrond if news came of Finrod's death. However when news came that Finrod had been killed and Tol-in-Gaurhoth destroyed, the Sons of Fëanor were shamed and fell from power – the people cried out that the maiden [[Lúthien]] had done what the Sons of Fëanor had not (thrown down Sauron). Orodreth returned to power and expelled the Sons of Fëanor from Nargothrond.

When [[Túrin|Túrin Turambar]] arrived in Nargothrond he quickly became Orodreth's closest councillor. Turin convinced Orodreth and the people of Nargothrond to abandon their secretive 'guerilla' strategies and declare open war against [[Morgoth]]. Though initially appearing successful, this policy eventually led to the destruction of Nargothrond: Orodreth was slain along with most of his forces at the disastrous [[Battle of Tumhalad]], leaving his people defenceless in the [[sack of Nargothrond]] by [[Glaurung]] the dragon and the forces of Morgoth.

==Etymology==

The name ''Orodreth'' is glossed as "mountaineer".<ref>{{PE|17}}, p. 182</ref>

== Other Versions of the Legendarium ==

In earlier versions of [[the Silmarillion]] legendarium as detailed in ''[[The History of Middle-earth]]'' series, Orodreth was a more important character, and the original king of Nargothrond. However his importance diminished over time.

In Tolkien's late genealogies he was made the son of Angrod and [[Eldalótë]], a [[Noldor]]in lady whose name in [[Sindarin]] became Edhellos. Together with [[Turgon]]'s daughter [[Idril]] and possibly [[Curufin]]'s son [[Celebrimbor]], he was one of the few members of the Noldorin royal family in the third generation to come into exile . In this version, both [[Finduilas]] and [[Gil-galad]] were his children, while in the published Silmarillion, Gil-Galad was the son of Orodreth's cousin [[Fingon]].<ref>The Shibboleth of Fëanor, in "History of Middle Earth vol. XII: The Peoples of Middle Earth" </ref> Orodreth and his father held [[Dorthonion]], but his son [[Gil-galad]] was sent to relative safety in [[Nargothrond]] with his granduncle Finrod.{{Citation needed|date=August 2007}}.

{{familytree/start}}
{{familytree| | | | FIN |y| EAR | | | |FIN=[[Finarfin]]|EAR=[[Eärwen]]}}
{{familytree| |,|-|-|-|v|^|-|-|v|-|-|.}}
{{familytree| FND | | ANG | | AEG | | GAL | FND=[[Finrod]]|ANG=[[Angrod]]|AEG=[[Aegnor]]|GAL=[[Galadriel]]}}
{{familytree| | | | | |!| | | | | | | }}
{{familytree| | | | | ORO | | | | | | |ORO='''ORODRETH'''}}
{{familytree| | | |,|-|^|-|.| | | | | }}
{{familytree| | | GIL | | FIN | | | | |GIL=[[Gil-galad]]|FIN=[[Finduilas]]}}
{{familytree/end}}

Since this later revision wasn't integrated in any of his father's narratives, [[Christopher Tolkien]] didn't include it in the published text. However, unlike in the matter of Gil-galad, Christopher Tolkien believed that the decision to make Orodreth the son of Angrod was final.
An earlier idea was that Orodreth's son was named Hallas, but Gil-galad replaced him.

In his last writings, Tolkien changed Orodreth's name to '''[[Artaher]]''' (Quenya) / '''Arothir''' (Sindarin), but it was never introduced in any narratives, so Christopher Tolkien left the name Orodreth unchanged. It is probable the Sindarin name Orodreth would have been retained nonetheless: Tolkien seldom changed names after they had long been used, even if only in unpublished writings.

==See also==
* [[:Category:Images of Orodreth|Images of Orodreth]]
{{references}}

[[Category:Characters in The Children of Húrin]]
[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]
[[Category:House of Finarfin]]
[[Category:House of Olwë]]
[[de:Orodreth (Elb)]]
[[fr:encyclo/personnages/elfes/noldor/orodreth]]
[[fi:Orodreth]]

Talk:Orodreth

2013-04-04T16:40:21Z

95.22.94.140:

Gil-galad

2013-04-04T16:31:36Z

95.22.94.140: See note in Orodreth:Talk

{{noldor infobox
| image=[[File:Soni Alcorn-Hender - Gil-galad at the Last Alliance.jpg|250px]]
| name=Gil-galad
| othernames=''Artanáro''/''Rodnor'' ([[Quenya|Q]]/[[Sindarin|S]], [[Father-name|fn]]), ''Ereinion'' ([[Sindarin|S]], [[Epessë|epessë]])
| titles=[[High King of the Noldor]]
| position=
| location=[[Havens of Sirion]]; [[Lindon]]
| affiliation=[[Last Alliance of Elves and Men|Last Alliance]]
| language=[[Quenya]] and [[Sindarin]]
| birth=c. {{FA|450}}
| birthlocation=Unknown
| rule={{FA|510}} - {{SA|3441}}
| death={{SA|3441}}
| deathlocation=[[Siege of Barad-dûr]]
| age=c. 3581
| house=[[House of Fingolfin]]
| parentage=[[Fingon]]
| siblings=none
| spouse=
| children=
| gender=Male
| height=
| hair=
| eyes=
| clothing=
| weapons=[[Aeglos]]
| steed=
}}
{{Pronounce|Ereinion Gil-galad.mp3|Ardamir}}
<center>{{quote|Gil-galad was an Elven-king Of him the harpers sadly sing The last whose realm was fair and free Between the Mountains and the Sea.|From [[The Fall of Gil-galad]], as translated by [[Bilbo Baggins]]}}</center>
'''Ereinion Gil-galad''' ([[Sindarin|S]], pron. {{IPA|[eˈreɪnjon ˈɡilɡalad]}}) was the sixth and last [[High King of the Noldor]]. In the published Silmarillion he is the son of [[Fingon]].

== History ==
===First Age===
The exact date and place of Gil-galad's birth is not given.

He was still a child at the time of the [[Dagor Bragollach]] when [[Morgoth]] broke the [[Siege of Angband]]. As a result his father sent him (and his mother<ref name="Ruin">{{WJ|Ruin}}</ref>) to [[Círdan]] at the [[Havens of the Falas]] for safekeeping.<ref>{{S|Fingolfin}}</ref> After the fall of Minas Tirith, the [[Pass of Sirion]] was open to Morgoth's hosts although they were still kept at bay by the still mighty realm of [[Hithlum]] and also the power of Nargothrond. Hithlum was destroyed after the [[Nirnaeth Arnoediad]] and thus there was now power left that could withstand the enemies and the ports at the Falas were besieged and captured. Yet Círdan, Gil-galad and many other Elves could flee from death on ship and etablished a refuge upon the [[Isle of Balar]] and a small haven at the [[Mouths of Sirion]].<ref>{{S|Fifth}}</ref>

In the Nirnaeth Arnoediad [[Fingon]], High King of the Noldor, was slain, and the crown passed to his brother [[Turgon]] in Gondolin. When Gondolin was lost, Gil-galad received the Kingship of the Noldor.<ref>{{S|Gondolin}}</ref> He and Círdan maintained the refuge upon Balar and the small port at the Sirion estuary until the [[War of Wrath]] and the end of the First Age.

===Second Age===
After the destruction of [[Beleriand]] during the [[War of Wrath]], Gil-galad founded a kingdom in [[Lindon]] in the far northwest of Middle-earth, roughly between the [[Blue Mountains]] and the [[Belegaer|Great Sea]] around the [[Gulf of Lhûn]] and the havens [[Forlond]], [[Harlond]] and [[Mithlond]] were founded.<ref name="Rings">{{S|Rings}}</ref> Many Elves, both [[Sindar]] and [[Noldor]] joined him. But soon there was again unrest among the Noldor, and many of them left Lindon and led by [[Celebrimbor]] founded the realm of [[Eregion]], probably also stirred up by the finding of [[Mithril]] in [[Khazad-dûm]]. Also some Sindar and many of the [[Nandor]] did not wish to live with the Noldor, who had done them [[Sack of Doriath|great evil]], and migrated eastwards to [[Lothlórien]] or [[Greenwood the Great]].

When Prince [[Aldarion]] of [[Númenor]] came to [[Middle-earth]], they established friendship with the [[Elves]]. In {{SA|882}} Gil-galad gave him [[Gil-galad's letter|a letter for his father]], the [[King of Númenor]], [[Tar-Meneldur]]. He warned him that a new shadow was arisen in the [[East]] and beseeched him for aid.<ref>{{UT|Aldarion}}</ref>

[[File:Lelia - Gil-Galad.jpg|200px|thumb|left|'''Gil-galad''' by Lelia.]]Around the year 1000 of the Second Age, Sauron tried to make contact with the Elves under the name [[Annatar]], the "Lord of Gifts". But Gil-galad and Círdan did not trust him and rejected his proposals. Sauron though, was welcomed in Eregion and the [[Rings of Power]] were forged.<ref name="Rings"/> Around {{SA|1600}} Sauron had forged [[the One Ring]], and in 1695 he invaded [[Eriador]], the [[War of the Elves and Sauron]] began.<ref name="PM">{{PM|Second}}</ref> Celebrimbor had rescued the Three Rings of the Elves in time, sending [[Narya]] and [[Vilya]] to Gil-galad, while the third ring [[Nenya]] was given to [[Galadriel]].<ref name="Galadriel">{{UT|Galadriel}}</ref>

Sauron conquered [[Eregion]] quickly and the forces from Lindon that Gil-galad had sent under command of [[Elrond]] came too late and were too small and fled far north, where Elrond etablished the stronghold of [[Rivendell|Imladris]].<ref name="Galadriel"/>

The war lasted on, until a great fleet of the [[Númenóreans]] arrived at Lindon. With united forces, Sauron's army was driven back and defeated near [[Sarnford]] and withdrew to [[Tharbad]] were he was reinforced. But the Númenórean's Admiral [[Tar-Minastir]] had send a fleet up river Gwathló and Sauron's army was attacked in the rear and utterly defeated.<ref name="Galadriel"/> After this war, the Elves were not further troubled by Sauron for a long time. During this time, Gil-galad passed the rings Narya and Vilya to Círdan and Elrond.<ref name="Galadriel"/>

After the [[Downfall of Númenor]], [[Elendil]] and his sons came to Middle-earth and founded the realms of [[Gondor]] in the south and [[Arnor]] in the north. Gondor was soon attacked by Sauron and Elendil's son [[Isildur]] had to flee, and sailed north to his father, where the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]] was formed with Gil-galad.

It took several years for the Allies to gather their forces but ultimately they marched on Mordor and defeated a great army in the [[Battle of Dagorlad]]. They broke through [[Cirith Gorgor]] and besieged [[Sauron]]'s [[Dark Tower]].

When the siege had lasted seven years, it became so pressing that Sauron himself sallied forth. By his power the siege was broken and his army advanced to the slopes of [[Orodruin]]. There he was engaged by Elendil and Gil-galad in single combat. Both Gil-galad and Elendil were killed by Sauron's hands. Gil-galad was the last High King of Noldor.

Gil-galad's weapon was the spear [[Aeglos (spear)|Aeglos]].

== Other Versions of the Legendarium ==

Gil-galad was originally, and briefly, conceived as a descendant of [[Fëanor]].

Later, and through the writing of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', he was considered a son of [[Finrod Felagund]], until Tolkien decided that Felagund was unmarried and childless.

A marginal note by Tolkien from around this time (the late 1950s) suggested that Gil-galad might be the son of [[Fingon]]. This suggestion was taken up by Tolkien's son and literary executor [[Christopher Tolkien]] in the published version of ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', which states that Gil-galad is the son of [[Fingon]]. [[Christopher Tolkien|Christopher]] later stated in ''[[The Peoples of Middle-earth]]'' that this decision to make Gil-galad a son of Fingon was an editorial mistake on his part, and did not represent his father's conception of the character. He suggested that it would have been better to have left Gil-galad's parentage obscure.

Tolkien's final decision for Gil-galad's parentage appears to have been that he was a son of [[Orodreth]], who was at the same time changed from being a son of [[Finarfin]] to a son of [[Angrod]].<ref>The Shibboleth of Fëanor (History of Middle Earth vol.XII)</ref> This conception, however, was never incorporated into the written stories of ''The Silmarillion'', and aspects of it — notably the downgrading of Orodreth into a son of Angrod — would have required considerable reworking of the existing text.

== Etymology ==

''Gil-galad'' is a [[Sindarin]] name, meaning "Star of bright light". The name consists of the elements ''[[gil]]'' ("star") + ''[[galad]]'' ("radiance")<ref name=RGEO>{{RGEO|Notes}}, p. 73</ref>. According to a note this name was given to him because of the brightness of his eyes <ref name="Ruin"/>.

[[File:Shrunken Gil-galad.jpg|thumb|[[Mark Ferguson]] as Gil-galad in [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]]]
''Gil-galad ''was his [[Amilessë|mother-name]], and it was his preferred name in his youth. His [[father-name]] was '''''Rodnor''''' (pron. {{IPA|[ˈrodnor]}}), or in [[Quenya]], '''''Artanáro''''' (pron. {{IPA|[ˌartaˈnaːro]}}).

As High King of the Noldor, his [[epessë]] was '''''Ereinion''''', "Scion of Kings" (from ''[[erain]]'' = "kings" and ''[[ion]]'' = "son").

== Revised genealogy ==
{{familytree/start}}
{{familytree | | | | | | | ARF |y| EAR | | | | | | |ARF=[[Finarfin]]|EAR=[[Eärwen]]}}
{{familytree | |,|-|-|-|v|-|-|-|^|-|-|-|v|-|-|-|.| |}}
{{familytree | FIN | | ANG |y| ELD | | AEG | | GAL |FIN=[[Finrod]]|ANG=[[Angrod]]|ELD=[[Eldalótë]]|AEG=[[Aegnor]]|GAL=[[Galadriel]] }}
{{familytree | | | | | | | |!| | | | | | | | | | | |}}
{{familytree | | | | | | | ORO | | | | | | | | | | |ORO=[[Orodreth]]}}
{{familytree | | | | |,|-|-|^|-|-|.| | | | | | | | |}}
{{familytree | | | | GIL | | | | FIN | | | | | | | |GIL='''GIL-GALAD'''|FIN=[[Finduilas]] }}
{{familytree/end}}

{{seq-start}}
{{seq-head
| race=noldor
| house=[[Fingolfin|House of Fingolfin]]
| born=c. {{FA|450}}
| died={{SA|3441}}
}}
{{seq
| prow=
| pvac=
| prev=[[Turgon]]
| list=6th [[High King of the Noldor]]
| dates={{FA|510}} - {{SA|3441}}
| next=Abandoned
| nvac=None
| nrow=
}}
{{seq-end}}

== Portrayals in adaptations==
'''2001''': ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
:In the prologue, Gil-galad can be seen holding one of the three Elven rings. Later, he is seen wielding his spear Aeglos in the Battle of the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]]. His death is not shown, and he does not take down Sauron. He is played by [[Mark Ferguson]].

== See Also ==
* [[:Category:Images of Gil-galad|Images of Gil-galad]].
{{references}}
[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]
[[Category:House of Fingolfin]]
[[Category:House of Finarfin]]
[[Category:amilessi]]
[[Category:Sindarin names]]
[[Category:Rulers in Beleriand]]
[[de:Gil-galad]]
[[fr:encyclo:personnages:elfes:noldor:gil-galad]]
[[fi:Gil-galad]]

Talk:Orodreth

2013-04-04T16:28:47Z

95.22.94.140:

Orodreth

2013-04-04T16:11:37Z

95.22.94.140: Undo revision 228469 by Sage (talk)

{{sources}}
{{expansion}}
{{disambig-two|the Elf of Nargothrond|the Steward of Gondor|[[Orodreth (Steward of Gondor)]]}}
{{noldor infobox
| image=[[Image:Marya Filatova - Orodreth.jpg|250px]]
| name=Orodreth
| othernames=''Artaresto''
| titles=[[King of Nargothrond]]
| position=Warden of [[Minas Tirith (Beleriand)|Minas Tirith]] ({{FA|60}} - {{FA|457|n}})
| location=[[Nargothrond]]
| affiliation=
| language=
| birth=during [[Years of the Trees]]
| birthlocation=[[Tirion]]
| rule={{FA|465}} - {{FA|495|n}}
| death={{FA|495}}
| deathlocation=[[Battle of Tumhalad|Battle]] of [[Tumhalad]]
| age=
| house=[[House of Finarfin]]
| parentage=[[Finarfin]] and [[Eärwen]]
| siblings=[[Finrod]], [[Angrod]], [[Aegnor]], and [[Galadriel]]
| spouse=
| children=[[Finduilas]]
| gender=Male
| height=
| hair=Dark{{fact}}
| eyes=
| clothing=
| weapons=
| steed=
}}

In the published version of ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', '''Orodreth''' was an [[Elf (Middle-earth)|Elf]] of the [[First Age]], the second son of Finarfin (with Finrod, Angrod, [[Aegnor]], and [[Galadriel]] being his siblings), and a ruler of [[Nargothrond]]. His name in [[Quenya]] was '''Artaresto''' (pron. {{IPA|[ˌartaˈresto]}}). Orodreth was born in [[Valinor]].

==History==
Orodreth held the isle of [[Minas Tirith (Beleriand)|Minas Tirith]] in the vale of [[Sirion]] until [[Sauron]] overran the isle and turned it into [[Tol-in-Gaurhoth]]. Orodreth then fled south to Nargothrond.

When [[Beren]] came to Nargothrond, Finrod went with him on his quest for the [[Silmarils|Silmaril]]. However [[Celegorm]] and [[Curufin]] the [[Sons of Fëanor]] were also at Nargothrond, and forced Finrod to help Beren alone, without his people. Orodreth took up the crown, ruling as regent, but the [[Sons of Fëanor]] held the real power. Curufin called him "a dullard slow" in the [[Lay of Leithian]], and with his brother Celegorm plotted to take over Nargothrond if news came of Finrod's death. However when news came that Finrod had been killed and Tol-in-Gaurhoth destroyed, the Sons of Fëanor were shamed and fell from power – the people cried out that the maiden [[Lúthien]] had done what the Sons of Fëanor had not (thrown down Sauron). Orodreth returned to power and expelled the Sons of Fëanor from Nargothrond.

When [[Túrin|Túrin Turambar]] arrived in Nargothrond he quickly became Orodreth's closest councillor. Turin convinced Orodreth and the people of Nargothrond to abandon their secretive 'guerilla' strategies and declare open war against [[Morgoth]]. Though initially appearing successful, this policy eventually led to the destruction of Nargothrond: Orodreth was slain along with most of his forces at the disastrous [[Battle of Tumhalad]], leaving his people defenceless in the [[sack of Nargothrond]] by [[Glaurung]] the dragon and the forces of Morgoth.

==Etymology==

The name ''Orodreth'' is glossed as "mountaineer".<ref>{{PE|17}}, p. 182</ref>

== Other Versions of the Legendarium ==

In earlier versions of [[the Silmarillion]] legendarium as detailed in ''[[The History of Middle-earth]]'' series, Orodreth was a more important character, and the original king of Nargothrond. However his importance diminished over time.

In Tolkien's late genealogies he was made the son of Angrod and [[Eldalótë]], a [[Noldor]]in lady whose name in [[Sindarin]] became Edhellos. Together with [[Turgon]]'s daughter [[Idril]] and possibly [[Curufin]]'s son [[Celebrimbor]], he was one of the few members of the Noldorin royal family in the third generation to come into exile . In this version, both [[Finduilas]] and [[Gil-galad]] were his children, while in the published Silmarillion, Gil-Galad was the son of Orodreth's cousin [[Fingon]].<ref>The Shibboleth of Fëanor, in "History of Middle Earth vol. XII: The Peoples of Middle Earth" </ref> Orodreth and his father held [[Dorthonion]], but his son [[Gil-galad]] was sent to relative safety in [[Nargothrond]] with his granduncle Finrod.{{Citation needed|date=August 2007}}.

{{familytree/start}}
{{familytree| | | | FIN |y| EAR | | | |FIN=[[Finarfin]]|EAR=[[Eärwen]]}}
{{familytree| |,|-|-|-|v|^|-|-|v|-|-|.}}
{{familytree| FND | | ANG | | AEG | | GAL | FND=[[Finrod]]|ANG=[[Angrod]]|AEG=[[Aegnor]]|GAL=[[Galadriel]]}}
{{familytree| | | | | |!| | | | | | | }}
{{familytree| | | | | ORO | | | | | | |ORO='''ORODRETH'''}}
{{familytree| | | |,|-|^|-|.| | | | | }}
{{familytree| | | GIL | | FIN | | | | |GIL=[[Gil-galad]]|FIN=[[Finduilas]]}}
{{familytree/end}}

Since this later revision wasn't integrated in any of his father's narratives, [[Christopher Tolkien]] didn't include it in the published text. However, unlike in the matter of Gil-galad, Christopher Tolkien believed that the decision to make Orodreth the son of Angrod was final.
An earlier idea was that Orodreth's son was named Hallas, but Gil-galad replaced him.

In his last writings, Tolkien changed Orodreth's name to '''[[Artaher]]''' (Quenya) / '''Arothir''' (Sindarin), but it was never introduced in any narratives, so Christopher Tolkien left the name Orodreth unchanged. It is probable the Sindarin name Orodreth would have been retained nonetheless: Tolkien seldom changed names after they had long been used, even if only in unpublished writings.

==See also==
* [[:Category:Images of Orodreth|Images of Orodreth]]
{{references}}

[[Category:Characters in The Children of Húrin]]
[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]
[[Category:House of Finarfin]]
[[Category:House of Olwë]]
[[de:Orodreth (Elb)]]
[[fr:encyclo/personnages/elfes/noldor/orodreth]]
[[fi:Orodreth]]

Gil-galad

2013-04-04T00:17:00Z

95.22.94.140: /* Genealogy */

Gil-galad

2013-04-04T00:14:55Z

95.22.94.140: Gave preference to the version included in the published Silmarillion, instead of the version in Tolkien's later notes.

{{noldor infobox
| image=[[File:Soni Alcorn-Hender - Gil-galad at the Last Alliance.jpg|250px]]
| name=Gil-galad
| othernames=''Artanáro''/''Rodnor'' ([[Quenya|Q]]/[[Sindarin|S]], [[Father-name|fn]]), ''Ereinion'' ([[Sindarin|S]], [[Epessë|epessë]])
| titles=[[High King of the Noldor]]
| position=
| location=[[Havens of Sirion]]; [[Lindon]]
| affiliation=[[Last Alliance of Elves and Men|Last Alliance]]
| language=[[Quenya]] and [[Sindarin]]
| birth=c. {{FA|450}}
| birthlocation=Unknown
| rule={{FA|510}} - {{SA|3441}}
| death={{SA|3441}}
| deathlocation=[[Siege of Barad-dûr]]
| age=c. 3581
| house=[[House of Fingolfin]]
| parentage=[[Fingon]]
| siblings=none
| spouse=
| children=
| gender=Male
| height=
| hair=
| eyes=
| clothing=
| weapons=[[Aeglos]]
| steed=
}}
{{Pronounce|Ereinion Gil-galad.mp3|Ardamir}}
<center>{{quote|Gil-galad was an Elven-king Of him the harpers sadly sing The last whose realm was fair and free Between the Mountains and the Sea.|From [[The Fall of Gil-galad]], as translated by [[Bilbo Baggins]]}}</center>
'''Ereinion Gil-galad''' ([[Sindarin|S]], pron. {{IPA|[eˈreɪnjon ˈɡilɡalad]}}) was the sixth and last [[High King of the Noldor]]. In the published Silmarillion he is the son of [[Fingon]].

== History ==
===First Age===
The exact date and place of Gil-galad's birth is not given.

He was still a child at the time of the [[Dagor Bragollach]] when [[Morgoth]] broke the [[Siege of Angband]]. As a result his father sent him (and his mother<ref name="Ruin">{{WJ|Ruin}}</ref>) to [[Círdan]] at the [[Havens of the Falas]] for safekeeping.<ref>{{S|Fingolfin}}</ref> After the fall of Minas Tirith, the [[Pass of Sirion]] was open to Morgoth's hosts although they were still kept at bay by the still mighty realm of [[Hithlum]] and also the power of Nargothrond. Hithlum was destroyed after the [[Nirnaeth Arnoediad]] and thus there was now power left that could withstand the enemies and the ports at the Falas were besieged and captured. Yet Círdan, Gil-galad and many other Elves could flee from death on ship and etablished a refuge upon the [[Isle of Balar]] and a small haven at the [[Mouths of Sirion]].<ref>{{S|Fifth}}</ref>

In the Nirnaeth Arnoediad [[Fingon]], High King of the Noldor, was slain, and the crown passed to his brother [[Turgon]] in Gondolin. When Gondolin was lost, Gil-galad received the Kingship of the Noldor.<ref>{{S|Gondolin}}</ref> He and Círdan maintained the refuge upon Balar and the small port at the Sirion estuary until the [[War of Wrath]] and the end of the First Age.

===Second Age===
After the destruction of [[Beleriand]] during the [[War of Wrath]], Gil-galad founded a kingdom in [[Lindon]] in the far northwest of Middle-earth, roughly between the [[Blue Mountains]] and the [[Belegaer|Great Sea]] around the [[Gulf of Lhûn]] and the havens [[Forlond]], [[Harlond]] and [[Mithlond]] were founded.<ref name="Rings">{{S|Rings}}</ref> Many Elves, both [[Sindar]] and [[Noldor]] joined him. But soon there was again unrest among the Noldor, and many of them left Lindon and led by [[Celebrimbor]] founded the realm of [[Eregion]], probably also stirred up by the finding of [[Mithril]] in [[Khazad-dûm]]. Also some Sindar and many of the [[Nandor]] did not wish to live with the Noldor, who had done them [[Sack of Doriath|great evil]], and migrated eastwards to [[Lothlórien]] or [[Greenwood the Great]].

When Prince [[Aldarion]] of [[Númenor]] came to [[Middle-earth]], they established friendship with the [[Elves]]. In {{SA|882}} Gil-galad gave him [[Gil-galad's letter|a letter for his father]], the [[King of Númenor]], [[Tar-Meneldur]]. He warned him that a new shadow was arisen in the [[East]] and beseeched him for aid.<ref>{{UT|Aldarion}}</ref>

[[File:Lelia - Gil-Galad.jpg|200px|thumb|left|'''Gil-galad''' by Lelia.]]Around the year 1000 of the Second Age, Sauron tried to make contact with the Elves under the name [[Annatar]], the "Lord of Gifts". But Gil-galad and Círdan did not trust him and rejected his proposals. Sauron though, was welcomed in Eregion and the [[Rings of Power]] were forged.<ref name="Rings"/> Around {{SA|1600}} Sauron had forged [[the One Ring]], and in 1695 he invaded [[Eriador]], the [[War of the Elves and Sauron]] began.<ref name="PM">{{PM|Second}}</ref> Celebrimbor had rescued the Three Rings of the Elves in time, sending [[Narya]] and [[Vilya]] to Gil-galad, while the third ring [[Nenya]] was given to [[Galadriel]].<ref name="Galadriel">{{UT|Galadriel}}</ref>

Sauron conquered [[Eregion]] quickly and the forces from Lindon that Gil-galad had sent under command of [[Elrond]] came too late and were too small and fled far north, where Elrond etablished the stronghold of [[Rivendell|Imladris]].<ref name="Galadriel"/>

The war lasted on, until a great fleet of the [[Númenóreans]] arrived at Lindon. With united forces, Sauron's army was driven back and defeated near [[Sarnford]] and withdrew to [[Tharbad]] were he was reinforced. But the Númenórean's Admiral [[Tar-Minastir]] had send a fleet up river Gwathló and Sauron's army was attacked in the rear and utterly defeated.<ref name="Galadriel"/> After this war, the Elves were not further troubled by Sauron for a long time. During this time, Gil-galad passed the rings Narya and Vilya to Círdan and Elrond.<ref name="Galadriel"/>

After the [[Downfall of Númenor]], [[Elendil]] and his sons came to Middle-earth and founded the realms of [[Gondor]] in the south and [[Arnor]] in the north. Gondor was soon attacked by Sauron and Elendil's son [[Isildur]] had to flee, and sailed north to his father, where the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]] was formed with Gil-galad.

It took several years for the Allies to gather their forces but ultimately they marched on Mordor and defeated a great army in the [[Battle of Dagorlad]]. They broke through [[Cirith Gorgor]] and besieged [[Sauron]]'s [[Dark Tower]].

When the siege had lasted seven years, it became so pressing that Sauron himself sallied forth. By his power the siege was broken and his army advanced to the slopes of [[Orodruin]]. There he was engaged by Elendil and Gil-galad in single combat. Both Gil-galad and Elendil were killed by Sauron's hands. Gil-galad was the last High King of Noldor.

Gil-galad's weapon was the spear [[Aeglos (spear)|Aeglos]].

== Other Versions of the Legendarium ==

Gil-galad was originally, and briefly, conceived as a descendant of [[Fëanor]].

Later, and through the writing of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', he was considered a son of [[Finrod Felagund]], until Tolkien decided that Felagund was unmarried and childless.

A marginal note by Tolkien from around this time (the late 1950s) suggested that Gil-galad might be the son of [[Fingon]]. This suggestion was taken up by Tolkien's son and literary executor [[Christopher Tolkien]] in the published version of ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', which states that Gil-galad is the son of [[Fingon]]. [[Christopher Tolkien|Christopher]] later stated in ''[[The Peoples of Middle-earth]]'' that this decision to make Gil-galad a son of Fingon was an editorial mistake on his part, and did not represent his father's conception of the character. He suggested that it would have been better to have left Gil-galad's parentage obscure.

Tolkien's final decision for Gil-galad's parentage appears to have been that he was a son of [[Orodreth]], who was at the same time changed from being a son of [[Finarfin]] to a son of [[Angrod]].<ref>The Shibboleth of Fëanor (History of Middle Earth vol.XII)</ref> This conception, however, was never incorporated into the written stories of ''The Silmarillion'', and aspects of it — notably the downgrading of Orodreth into a son of Angrod — would have required considerable reworking of the existing text.

== Etymology ==

''Gil-galad'' is a [[Sindarin]] name, meaning "Star of bright light". The name consists of the elements ''[[gil]]'' ("star") + ''[[galad]]'' ("radiance")<ref name=RGEO>{{RGEO|Notes}}, p. 73</ref>. According to a note this name was given to him because of the brightness of his eyes <ref name="Ruin"/>.

[[File:Shrunken Gil-galad.jpg|thumb|[[Mark Ferguson]] as Gil-galad in [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]]]
''Gil-galad ''was his [[Amilessë|mother-name]], and it was his preferred name in his youth. His [[father-name]] was '''''Rodnor''''' (pron. {{IPA|[ˈrodnor]}}), or in [[Quenya]], '''''Artanáro''''' (pron. {{IPA|[ˌartaˈnaːro]}}).

As High King of the Noldor, his [[epessë]] was '''''Ereinion''''', "Scion of Kings" (from ''[[erain]]'' = "kings" and ''[[ion]]'' = "son").

== Genealogy ==
{{familytree/start}}
{{familytree | | | | | | | ARF |y| EAR | | | | | | |ARF=[[Finarfin]]|EAR=[[Eärwen]]}}
{{familytree | |,|-|-|-|v|-|-|-|^|-|-|-|v|-|-|-|.| |}}
{{familytree | FIN | | ANG |y| ELD | | AEG | | GAL |FIN=[[Finrod]]|ANG=[[Angrod]]|ELD=[[Eldalótë]]|AEG=[[Aegnor]]|GAL=[[Galadriel]] }}
{{familytree | | | | | | | |!| | | | | | | | | | | |}}
{{familytree | | | | | | | ORO | | | | | | | | | | |ORO=[[Orodreth]]}}
{{familytree | | | | |,|-|-|^|-|-|.| | | | | | | | |}}
{{familytree | | | | GIL | | | | FIN | | | | | | | |GIL='''GIL-GALAD'''|FIN=[[Finduilas]] }}
{{familytree/end}}

{{seq-start}}
{{seq-head
| race=noldor
| house=[[Fingolfin|House of Fingolfin]]
| born=c. {{FA|450}}
| died={{SA|3441}}
}}
{{seq
| prow=
| pvac=
| prev=[[Turgon]]
| list=6th [[High King of the Noldor]]
| dates={{FA|510}} - {{SA|3441}}
| next=Abandoned
| nvac=None
| nrow=
}}
{{seq-end}}

== Portrayals in adaptations==
'''2001''': ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
:In the prologue, Gil-galad can be seen holding one of the three Elven rings. Later, he is seen wielding his spear Aeglos in the Battle of the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]]. His death is not shown, and he does not take down Sauron. He is played by [[Mark Ferguson]].

== See Also ==
* [[:Category:Images of Gil-galad|Images of Gil-galad]].
{{references}}
[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]
[[Category:House of Fingolfin]]
[[Category:House of Finarfin]]
[[Category:amilessi]]
[[Category:Sindarin names]]
[[Category:Rulers in Beleriand]]
[[de:Gil-galad]]
[[fr:encyclo:personnages:elfes:noldor:gil-galad]]
[[fi:Gil-galad]]

Orodreth

2013-04-03T23:25:09Z

95.22.94.140: Gave preference to the version included in the published Silmarillion, instead of the version in Tolkien's later notes.

{{sources}}
{{expansion}}
{{disambig-two|the Elf of Nargothrond|the Steward of Gondor|[[Orodreth (Steward of Gondor)]]}}
{{noldor infobox
| image=[[Image:Marya Filatova - Orodreth.jpg|250px]]
| name=Orodreth
| othernames=''Artaresto''
| titles=[[King of Nargothrond]]
| position=Warden of [[Minas Tirith (Beleriand)|Minas Tirith]] ({{FA|60}} - {{FA|457|n}})
| location=[[Nargothrond]]
| affiliation=
| language=
| birth=during [[Years of the Trees]]
| birthlocation=[[Tirion]]
| rule={{FA|465}} - {{FA|495|n}}
| death={{FA|495}}
| deathlocation=[[Battle of Tumhalad|Battle]] of [[Tumhalad]]
| age=
| house=[[House of Finarfin]]
| parentage=[[Finarfin]] and [[Eärwen]]
| siblings=[[Finrod]], [[Angrod]], [[Aegnor]], and [[Galadriel]]
| spouse=
| children=[[Finduilas]]
| gender=Male
| height=
| hair=Dark{{fact}}
| eyes=
| clothing=
| weapons=
| steed=
}}

In the published version of ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', '''Orodreth''' was an [[Elf (Middle-earth)|Elf]] of the [[First Age]], the second son of Finarfin (with Finrod, Angrod, [[Aegnor]], and [[Galadriel]] being his siblings), and a ruler of [[Nargothrond]]. His name in [[Quenya]] was '''Artaresto''' (pron. {{IPA|[ˌartaˈresto]}}). Orodreth was born in [[Valinor]].

==History==
Orodreth held the isle of [[Minas Tirith (Beleriand)|Minas Tirith]] in the vale of [[Sirion]] until [[Sauron]] overran the isle and turned it into [[Tol-in-Gaurhoth]]. Orodreth then fled south to Nargothrond.

When [[Beren]] came to Nargothrond, Finrod went with him on his quest for the [[Silmarils|Silmaril]]. However [[Celegorm]] and [[Curufin]] the [[Sons of Fëanor]] were also at Nargothrond, and forced Finrod to help Beren alone, without his people. Orodreth took up the crown, ruling as regent, but the [[Sons of Fëanor]] held the real power. Curufin called him "a dullard slow" in the [[Lay of Leithian]], and with his brother Celegorm plotted to take over Nargothrond if news came of Finrod's death. However when news came that Finrod had been killed and Tol-in-Gaurhoth destroyed, the Sons of Fëanor were shamed and fell from power – the people cried out that the maiden [[Lúthien]] had done what the Sons of Fëanor had not (thrown down Sauron). Orodreth returned to power and expelled the Sons of Fëanor from Nargothrond.

When [[Túrin|Túrin Turambar]] arrived in Nargothrond he quickly became Orodreth's closest councillor. Turin convinced Orodreth and the people of Nargothrond to abandon their secretive 'guerilla' strategies and declare open war against [[Morgoth]]. Though initially appearing successful, this policy eventually led to the destruction of Nargothrond: Orodreth was slain along with most of his forces at the disastrous [[Battle of Tumhalad]], leaving his people defenceless in the [[sack of Nargothrond]] by [[Glaurung]] the dragon and the forces of Morgoth.

==Etymology==

The name ''Orodreth'' is glossed as "mountaineer".<ref>{{PE|17}}, p. 182</ref>

== Other Versions of the Legendarium ==

In earlier versions of [[the Silmarillion]] legendarium as detailed in ''[[The History of Middle-earth]]'' series, Orodreth was a more important character, and the original king of Nargothrond. However his importance diminished over time.

In Tolkien's late genealogies he was made the son of Angrod and [[Eldalótë]], a [[Noldor]]in lady whose name in [[Sindarin]] became Edhellos. Together with [[Turgon]]'s daughter [[Idril]] and possibly [[Curufin]]'s son [[Celebrimbor]], he was one of the few members of the Noldorin royal family in the third generation to come into exile . In this version, both [[Finduilas]] and [[Gil-galad]] were his children, while in the published Silmarillion, Gil-Galad was the son of Orodreth's cousin [[Fingon]].<ref>The Shibboleth of Fëanor, in "History of Middle Earth vol. XII: The Peoples of Middle Earth" </ref> Orodreth and his father held [[Dorthonion]], but his son [[Gil-galad]] was sent to relative safety in [[Nargothrond]] with his granduncle Finrod.{{Citation needed|date=August 2007}}.

{{familytree/start}}
{{familytree| | | | FIN |y| EAR | | | |FIN=[[Finarfin]]|EAR=[[Eärwen]]}}
{{familytree| |,|-|-|-|v|^|-|-|v|-|-|.}}
{{familytree| FND | | ANG | | AEG | | GAL | FND=[[Finrod]]|ANG=[[Angrod]]|AEG=[[Aegnor]]|GAL=[[Galadriel]]}}
{{familytree| | | | | |!| | | | | | | }}
{{familytree| | | | | ORO | | | | | | |ORO='''ORODRETH'''}}
{{familytree| | | |,|-|^|-|.| | | | | }}
{{familytree| | | GIL | | FIN | | | | |GIL=[[Gil-galad]]|FIN=[[Finduilas]]}}
{{familytree/end}}

Since this later revision wasn't integrated in any of his father's narratives, [[Christopher Tolkien]] didn't include it in the published text. However, unlike in the matter of Gil-galad, Christopher Tolkien believed that the decision to make Orodreth the son of Angrod was final.
An earlier idea was that Orodreth's son was named Hallas, but Gil-galad replaced him.

In his last writings, Tolkien changed Orodreth's name to '''[[Artaher]]''' (Quenya) / '''Arothir''' (Sindarin), but it was never introduced in any narratives, so Christopher Tolkien left the name Orodreth unchanged. It is probable the Sindarin name Orodreth would have been retained nonetheless: Tolkien seldom changed names after they had long been used, even if only in unpublished writings.

==See also==
* [[:Category:Images of Orodreth|Images of Orodreth]]
{{references}}

[[Category:Characters in The Children of Húrin]]
[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]
[[Category:House of Finarfin]]
[[Category:House of Olwë]]
[[de:Orodreth (Elb)]]
[[fr:encyclo/personnages/elfes/noldor/orodreth]]
[[fi:Orodreth]]