Tolkien Gateway - User contributions [en]

ArdaCraft

2025-05-16T08:28:55Z

Fornad01: Added Tolk Soc award nomination

{{video game infobox
| image = ArdaCraft_Logo_New.png
| name = ArdaCraft
| developer = Mojang, Conquest Reforged
| platform = PC
| releasedate = [[15 November]] [[2014]]
| genre = [[wikipedia:Sandbox game|Sandbox]]

}}

'''''ArdaCraft''''' is a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minecraft Minecraft] build server recreating the world of J.R.R. Tolkien's [[Middle-earth]].<ref>{{webcite|author=Lauren Keating|articleurl=http://www.techtimes.com/articles/82094/20150904/minecraft-users-recreate-shire-lord-rings.htm/|articlename=Minecraft Users Recreate The Shire From 'The Lord Of The Rings'|dated=4 September 2015|website=Tech Times|accessed=28 October 2020}}</ref> The project began on 15 November 2014 and as of August 2024 has completed around a third of Middle-earth at a 1:58 scale. The final size of the map is estimated at around 2,300 square kilometres (~890 square miles), making it the largest re-creation of Middle-earth ever attempted, outside of works relying on [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Procedural_generation procedural generation].

==Conception==
[[File:ArdaCraft Rivendell.jpg|thumb|[[Rivendell]] was completed in 2018|left]]
The project was founded by players Fornad and dags, who believed that they could use Minecraft to re-create Middle-earth in the late Third Age in a larger and more accurate way than had ever been attempted before in any video game. Given its popularity and shallow learning curve, Minecraft was a good medium in which to work. However, the limitations of the game led ArdaCraft towards a modded approach, where it was able to use more textures and models than were available in the normal game. Eventually it adopted the [http://conquestreforged.com/ Conquest Reforged mod] in order to do this.

The project is run by volunteers and funded by donations, and is an entirely non-profit endeavour.

==Approach==
[[File:ArdaCraft Hobbiton.png|thumb|ArdaCraft's [[Hobbiton]] drew heavily upon Tolkien's watercolour]]
Despite being built in the blocky environment of Minecraft, ArdaCraft focuses on geological, botanical, and historical research in order to make its world as believable as possible. This includes researching historical farming techniques, understanding the likely climate of various areas in order to predict the kinds of plant species which should occur there, and examining analagous historical cultures for various regions - for example, Iron Age Celts for [[Dunland]], the Anglo-Saxons for [[Rohan]], or various ancient Mediterranean cultures (particularly the Eastern Roman Empire) for [[Gondor]].

In addition, a heavy emphasis is placed upon lore accuracy. Tolkien's legendarium, letters and sketches are all analysed to create as good of a representation of his world as possible, given the constraints of the game.

Other details are added to the world to help explorers feel more immersed. For instance, the project has its own soundtrack, composed by volunteers. The sun angle changes in the sky as the player gets further south, corresponding to the lines of latitude indicated by Tolkien. Real-world constellations that are below the horizon in the north are revealed in the south.

==Progress==
[[File:Middle-earth DEM (ArdaCraft).png|left|thumb|ArdaCraft's Digital Elevation Model (DEM) of Middle-earth is the most detailed ever made]]
As of August 2024, regions and locations which have been completed or are being worked on include [[The Shire]], The [[Blue Mountains]], [[Lindon]], [[Bree-land]], [[Arnor]], the [[Angle]], [[Forochel]], [[Rivendell]], the [[Vales of Anduin]], [[Lothlórien]], [[Isengard]], [[Emyn Muil]], [[Rohan]], [[Dunland]], [[Tharbad]], [[Moria]], and [[Gondor]]. Regions such as [[Mirkwood]] and [[Erebor]] are planned for the future.

They have also created the most detailed heightmap of Middle-earth ever made during the course of their work, which is in the early stages of being used for the [[Digital Tolkien Project]]. It aims for accuracy with the texts above all else, with the various - often contradictory - maps of Middle-earth published by J.R.R. Tolkien and [[Christopher Tolkien]] acting as a secondary source. As it is a three-dimensional map, the sightlines described in the text have also been taken into account to ensure complete accuracy.

ArdaCraft's founder presented the project's work to the [[The Tolkien Society|Tolkien Society]] at [[Oxonmoot]] 2024, and in 2025 the project was nominated for the [[The Tolkien Society Awards|Tolkien Society Award]] for Best Online Content.<ref>{{Cite web|articleurl=https://www.tolkiensociety.org/2025/04/vote-now-in-tolkien-society-awards-2025/|articlename=Vote Now in Tolkien Society Awards 2025|author=Jeremy Edmonds|dated=15 April 2025|accessed=16 May 2025}}</ref>
==See also==
*[[:Category:Games|Games]]

==External links==
*[https://ardacraft.me/ Official website]
*[http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoqngW24Nl6yS-u99vE4E1Q YouTube channel]
*[https://www.instagram.com/ardacraft/ Instagram]

{{References}}
{{Videogames}}
[[Category:Microsoft Windows games]]
[[Category:Modifications]]
[[Category:Open world games]]

ArdaCraft

2024-08-13T08:11:50Z

Fornad01:

{{video game infobox
| image = ArdaCraft_Logo_New.png
| name = ArdaCraft
| developer = Mojang, Conquest Reforged
| platform = PC
| releasedate = [[15 November]] [[2014]]
| genre = [[wikipedia:Sandbox game|Sandbox]]

}}

'''''ArdaCraft''''' is a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minecraft Minecraft] build server recreating the world of J.R.R. Tolkien's [[Middle-earth]].<ref>{{webcite|author=Lauren Keating|articleurl=http://www.techtimes.com/articles/82094/20150904/minecraft-users-recreate-shire-lord-rings.htm/|articlename=Minecraft Users Recreate The Shire From 'The Lord Of The Rings'|dated=4 September 2015|website=Tech Times|accessed=28 October 2020}}</ref> The project began on 15 November 2014 and as of August 2024 has completed around a third of Middle-earth at a 1:58 scale. The final size of the map is estimated at around 2,300 square kilometres (~890 square miles), making it the largest re-creation of Middle-earth ever attempted, outside of works relying on [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Procedural_generation procedural generation].

==Conception==
[[File:ArdaCraft Rivendell.jpg|thumb|[[Rivendell]] was completed in 2018|left]]
The project was founded by players Fornad and dags, who believed that they could use Minecraft to re-create Middle-earth in the late Third Age in a larger and more accurate way than had ever been attempted before in any video game. Given its popularity and shallow learning curve, Minecraft was a good medium in which to work. However, the limitations of the game led ArdaCraft towards a modded approach, where it was able to use more textures and models than were available in the normal game. Eventually it adopted the [http://conquestreforged.com/ Conquest Reforged mod] in order to do this.

The project is run by volunteers and funded by donations, and is an entirely non-profit endeavour.

==Approach==
[[File:ArdaCraft Hobbiton.png|thumb|ArdaCraft's [[Hobbiton]] drew heavily upon Tolkien's watercolour]]
Despite being built in the blocky environment of Minecraft, ArdaCraft focuses on geological, botanical, and historical research in order to make its world as believable as possible. This includes researching historical farming techniques, understanding the likely climate of various areas in order to predict the kinds of plant species which should occur there, and examining analagous historical cultures for various regions - for example, Iron Age Celts for [[Dunland]], the Anglo-Saxons for [[Rohan]], or various ancient Mediterranean cultures (particularly the Eastern Roman Empire) for [[Gondor]].

In addition, a heavy emphasis is placed upon lore accuracy. Tolkien's legendarium, letters and sketches are all analysed to create as good of a representation of his world as possible, given the constraints of the game.

Other details are added to the world to help explorers feel more immersed. For instance, the project has its own soundtrack, composed by volunteers. The sun angle changes in the sky as the player gets further south, corresponding to the lines of latitude indicated by Tolkien. Real-world constellations that are below the horizon in the north are revealed in the south.

==Progress==
[[File:Middle-earth DEM (ArdaCraft).png|left|thumb|ArdaCraft's Digital Elevation Model (DEM) of Middle-earth is the most detailed ever made]]
As of August 2024, regions and locations which have been completed or are being worked on include [[The Shire]], The [[Blue Mountains]], [[Lindon]], [[Bree-land]], [[Arnor]], the [[Angle (Eriador)|Angle]], [[Forochel]], [[Rivendell]], the [[Vales of Anduin]], [[Lothlórien]], [[Isengard]], [[Emyn Muil]], [[Rohan]], [[Dunland]], [[Tharbad]], [[Moria]], and [[Gondor]]. Regions such as [[Mirkwood]] and [[Erebor]] are planned for the future.

They have also created the most detailed heightmap of Middle-earth ever made during the course of their work, which is in the early stages of being used for the [[Digital Tolkien Project]]. It aims for accuracy with the texts above all else, with the various - often contradictory - maps of Middle-earth published by J.R.R. Tolkien and [[Christopher Tolkien]] acting as a secondary source. As it is a three-dimensional map, the sightlines described in the text have also been taken into account to ensure complete accuracy.

ArdaCraft's founder presented the project's work to the [[The Tolkien Society|Tolkien Society]] at [[Oxonmoot]] 2024.
==See also==
*[[:Category:Games|Games]]

==External links==
*[https://ardacraft.me/ Official website]
*[http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoqngW24Nl6yS-u99vE4E1Q YouTube channel]
*[https://www.instagram.com/ardacraft/ Instagram]

{{References}}
{{Videogames}}
[[Category:Microsoft Windows games]]
[[Category:Modifications]]
[[Category:Open world games]]

ArdaCraft

2024-08-12T21:42:31Z

Fornad01: /* External links */

{{video game infobox
| image = ArdaCraft_Logo_New.png
| name = ArdaCraft
| developer = Mojang, Conquest Reforged
| platform = PC
| releasedate = [[15 November]] [[2014]]
| genre = [[wikipedia:Sandbox game|Sandbox]]

}}

'''''ArdaCraft''''' is a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minecraft Minecraft] build server recreating the world of J.R.R. Tolkien's [[Middle-earth]].<ref>{{webcite|author=Lauren Keating|articleurl=http://www.techtimes.com/articles/82094/20150904/minecraft-users-recreate-shire-lord-rings.htm/|articlename=Minecraft Users Recreate The Shire From 'The Lord Of The Rings'|dated=4 September 2015|website=Tech Times|accessed=28 October 2020}}</ref> The project began on 15 November 2014 and as of August 2023 has completed around a third of Middle-earth at a 1:58 scale. The final size of the map is estimated at around 2,300 square kilometres (~890 square miles), making it the largest re-creation of Middle-earth ever attempted, outside of works relying on [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Procedural_generation procedural generation].

==Conception==
[[File:ArdaCraft Rivendell.jpg|thumb|[[Rivendell]] was completed in 2018|left]]
The project was founded by players Fornad and dags, who believed that they could use Minecraft to re-create Middle-earth in the late Third Age in a larger and more accurate way than had ever been attempted before in any video game. Given its popularity and shallow learning curve, Minecraft was a good medium in which to work. However, the limitations of the game led ArdaCraft towards a modded approach, where it was able to use more textures and models than were available in the normal game. Eventually it adopted the [http://conquestreforged.com/ Conquest Reforged mod] in order to do this.

The project is run by volunteers and funded by donations, and is an entirely non-profit endeavour.

==Approach==
[[File:ArdaCraft Hobbiton.png|thumb|ArdaCraft's [[Hobbiton]] drew heavily upon Tolkien's watercolour]]
Despite being built in the blocky environment of Minecraft, ArdaCraft focuses on geological, botanical, and historical research in order to make its world as believable as possible. This includes researching historical farming techniques, understanding the likely climate of various areas in order to predict the kinds of plant species which should occur there, and examining analagous historical cultures for various regions - for example, Iron Age Celts for [[Dunland]], the Anglo-Saxons for [[Rohan]], or various ancient Mediterranean cultures (particularly the Eastern Roman Empire) for [[Gondor]].

In addition, a heavy emphasis is placed upon lore accuracy. Tolkien's legendarium, letters and sketches are all analysed to create as good of a representation of his world as possible, given the constraints of the game.

Other details are added to the world to help explorers feel more immersed. For instance, the project has its own soundtrack, composed by volunteers. The sun angle changes in the sky as the player gets further south, corresponding to the lines of latitude indicated by Tolkien. Real-world constellations that are below the horizon in the north are revealed in the south.

==Progress==
[[File:Middle-earth DEM (ArdaCraft).png|left|thumb|ArdaCraft's Digital Elevation Model (DEM) of Middle-earth is the most detailed ever made]]
As of August 2024, regions and locations which have been completed or are being worked on include [[The Shire]], The [[Blue Mountains]], [[Lindon]], [[Bree-land]], [[Arnor]], the [[Angle (Eriador)|Angle]], [[Forochel]], [[Rivendell]], the [[Vales of Anduin]], [[Lothlórien]], [[Isengard]], [[Emyn Muil]], [[Rohan]], [[Dunland]], [[Tharbad]], [[Moria]], and [[Gondor]]. Regions such as [[Mirkwood]] and [[Erebor]] are planned for the future.

They have also created the most detailed heightmap of Middle-earth ever made during the course of their work, which is in the early stages of being used for the [[Digital Tolkien Project]]. It aims for accuracy with the texts above all else, with the various - often contradictory - maps of Middle-earth published by J.R.R. Tolkien and [[Christopher Tolkien]] acting as a secondary source. As it is a three-dimensional map, the sightlines described in the text have also been taken into account to ensure complete accuracy.

ArdaCraft's founder presented the project's work to the [[The Tolkien Society|Tolkien Society]] at [[Oxonmoot]] 2024.
==See also==
*[[:Category:Games|Games]]

==External links==
*[https://ardacraft.me/ Official website]
*[http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoqngW24Nl6yS-u99vE4E1Q YouTube channel]
*[https://www.instagram.com/ardacraft/ Instagram]

{{References}}
{{Videogames}}
[[Category:Microsoft Windows games]]
[[Category:Modifications]]
[[Category:Open world games]]

ArdaCraft

2024-08-12T21:13:27Z

Fornad01: /* Progress */

{{video game infobox
| image = ArdaCraft_Logo_New.png
| name = ArdaCraft
| developer = Mojang, Conquest Reforged
| platform = PC
| releasedate = [[15 November]] [[2014]]
| genre = [[wikipedia:Sandbox game|Sandbox]]

}}

'''''ArdaCraft''''' is a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minecraft Minecraft] build server recreating the world of J.R.R. Tolkien's [[Middle-earth]].<ref>{{webcite|author=Lauren Keating|articleurl=http://www.techtimes.com/articles/82094/20150904/minecraft-users-recreate-shire-lord-rings.htm/|articlename=Minecraft Users Recreate The Shire From 'The Lord Of The Rings'|dated=4 September 2015|website=Tech Times|accessed=28 October 2020}}</ref> The project began on 15 November 2014 and as of August 2023 has completed around a third of Middle-earth at a 1:58 scale. The final size of the map is estimated at around 2,300 square kilometres (~890 square miles), making it the largest re-creation of Middle-earth ever attempted, outside of works relying on [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Procedural_generation procedural generation].

==Conception==
[[File:ArdaCraft Rivendell.jpg|thumb|[[Rivendell]] was completed in 2018|left]]
The project was founded by players Fornad and dags, who believed that they could use Minecraft to re-create Middle-earth in the late Third Age in a larger and more accurate way than had ever been attempted before in any video game. Given its popularity and shallow learning curve, Minecraft was a good medium in which to work. However, the limitations of the game led ArdaCraft towards a modded approach, where it was able to use more textures and models than were available in the normal game. Eventually it adopted the [http://conquestreforged.com/ Conquest Reforged mod] in order to do this.

The project is run by volunteers and funded by donations, and is an entirely non-profit endeavour.

==Approach==
[[File:ArdaCraft Hobbiton.png|thumb|ArdaCraft's [[Hobbiton]] drew heavily upon Tolkien's watercolour]]
Despite being built in the blocky environment of Minecraft, ArdaCraft focuses on geological, botanical, and historical research in order to make its world as believable as possible. This includes researching historical farming techniques, understanding the likely climate of various areas in order to predict the kinds of plant species which should occur there, and examining analagous historical cultures for various regions - for example, Iron Age Celts for [[Dunland]], the Anglo-Saxons for [[Rohan]], or various ancient Mediterranean cultures (particularly the Eastern Roman Empire) for [[Gondor]].

In addition, a heavy emphasis is placed upon lore accuracy. Tolkien's legendarium, letters and sketches are all analysed to create as good of a representation of his world as possible, given the constraints of the game.

Other details are added to the world to help explorers feel more immersed. For instance, the project has its own soundtrack, composed by volunteers. The sun angle changes in the sky as the player gets further south, corresponding to the lines of latitude indicated by Tolkien. Real-world constellations that are below the horizon in the north are revealed in the south.

==Progress==
[[File:Middle-earth DEM (ArdaCraft).png|left|thumb|ArdaCraft's Digital Elevation Model (DEM) of Middle-earth is the most detailed ever made]]
As of August 2024, regions and locations which have been completed or are being worked on include [[The Shire]], The [[Blue Mountains]], [[Lindon]], [[Bree-land]], [[Arnor]], the [[Angle (Eriador)|Angle]], [[Forochel]], [[Rivendell]], the [[Vales of Anduin]], [[Lothlórien]], [[Isengard]], [[Emyn Muil]], [[Rohan]], [[Dunland]], [[Tharbad]], [[Moria]], and [[Gondor]]. Regions such as [[Mirkwood]] and [[Erebor]] are planned for the future.

They have also created the most detailed heightmap of Middle-earth ever made during the course of their work, which is in the early stages of being used for the [[Digital Tolkien Project]]. It aims for accuracy with the texts above all else, with the various - often contradictory - maps of Middle-earth published by J.R.R. Tolkien and [[Christopher Tolkien]] acting as a secondary source. As it is a three-dimensional map, the sightlines described in the text have also been taken into account to ensure complete accuracy.

ArdaCraft's founder presented the project's work to the [[The Tolkien Society|Tolkien Society]] at [[Oxonmoot]] 2024.
==See also==
*[[:Category:Games|Games]]

==External links==
*[https://ardacraft.me/ Official website]
*[http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoqngW24Nl6yS-u99vE4E1Q YouTube channel]

{{References}}
{{Videogames}}
[[Category:Microsoft Windows games]]
[[Category:Modifications]]
[[Category:Open world games]]

ArdaCraft

2024-08-12T20:48:41Z

Fornad01:

{{video game infobox
| image = ArdaCraft_Logo_New.png
| name = ArdaCraft
| developer = Mojang, Conquest Reforged
| platform = PC
| releasedate = [[15 November]] [[2014]]
| genre = [[wikipedia:Sandbox game|Sandbox]]

}}

'''''ArdaCraft''''' is a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minecraft Minecraft] build server recreating the world of J.R.R. Tolkien's [[Middle-earth]].<ref>{{webcite|author=Lauren Keating|articleurl=http://www.techtimes.com/articles/82094/20150904/minecraft-users-recreate-shire-lord-rings.htm/|articlename=Minecraft Users Recreate The Shire From 'The Lord Of The Rings'|dated=4 September 2015|website=Tech Times|accessed=28 October 2020}}</ref> The project began on 15 November 2014 and as of August 2023 has completed around a third of Middle-earth at a 1:58 scale. The final size of the map is estimated at around 2,300 square kilometres (~890 square miles), making it the largest re-creation of Middle-earth ever attempted, outside of works relying on [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Procedural_generation procedural generation].

==Conception==
[[File:ArdaCraft Rivendell.jpg|thumb|[[Rivendell]] was completed in 2018|left]]
The project was founded by players Fornad and dags, who believed that they could use Minecraft to re-create Middle-earth in the late Third Age in a larger and more accurate way than had ever been attempted before in any video game. Given its popularity and shallow learning curve, Minecraft was a good medium in which to work. However, the limitations of the game led ArdaCraft towards a modded approach, where it was able to use more textures and models than were available in the normal game. Eventually it adopted the [http://conquestreforged.com/ Conquest Reforged mod] in order to do this.

The project is run by volunteers and funded by donations, and is an entirely non-profit endeavour.

==Approach==
[[File:ArdaCraft Hobbiton.png|thumb|ArdaCraft's [[Hobbiton]] drew heavily upon Tolkien's watercolour]]
Despite being built in the blocky environment of Minecraft, ArdaCraft focuses on geological, botanical, and historical research in order to make its world as believable as possible. This includes researching historical farming techniques, understanding the likely climate of various areas in order to predict the kinds of plant species which should occur there, and examining analagous historical cultures for various regions - for example, Iron Age Celts for [[Dunland]], the Anglo-Saxons for [[Rohan]], or various ancient Mediterranean cultures (particularly the Eastern Roman Empire) for [[Gondor]].

In addition, a heavy emphasis is placed upon lore accuracy. Tolkien's legendarium, letters and sketches are all analysed to create as good of a representation of his world as possible, given the constraints of the game.

Other details are added to the world to help explorers feel more immersed. For instance, the project has its own soundtrack, composed by volunteers. The sun angle changes in the sky as the player gets further south, corresponding to the lines of latitude indicated by Tolkien. Real-world constellations that are below the horizon in the north are revealed in the south.

==Progress==
[[File:Middle-earth DEM (ArdaCraft).png|left|thumb|ArdaCraft's Digital Elevation Model (DEM) of Middle-earth is the most detailed ever made]]
As of August 2024, regions and locations which have been completed or are being worked on include [[The Shire]], The [[Blue Mountains]], [[Lindon]], [[Bree-land]], [[Arnor]], the [[Angle (Eriador)|Angle]], [[Forochel]], [[Rivendell]], the [[Vales of Anduin]], [[Lothlórien]], [[Isengard]], [[Emyn Muil]], [[Rohan]], [[Dunland]], [[Tharbad]], [[Moria]], and [[Gondor]]. Regions such as [[Mirkwood]] and [[Erebor]] are planned for the future.

They have also created the most detailed heightmap of Middle-earth ever made during the course of their work, which is in the early stages of being used for the [[Digital Tolkien Project]]. It aims for absolute accuracy with the text above all else, with the various - often contradictory - maps of Middle-earth published by J.R.R. Tolkien and Christopher Tolkien acting as a secondary source.

ArdaCraft's founder presented the project's work to the [[The Tolkien Society|Tolkien Society]] at [[Oxonmoot]] 2024.
==See also==
*[[:Category:Games|Games]]

==External links==
*[https://ardacraft.me/ Official website]
*[http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoqngW24Nl6yS-u99vE4E1Q YouTube channel]

{{References}}
{{Videogames}}
[[Category:Microsoft Windows games]]
[[Category:Modifications]]
[[Category:Open world games]]

ArdaCraft

2024-08-12T20:39:29Z

Fornad01: /* Progress */

{{video game infobox
| image = ArdaCraft_Logo_New.png
| name = ArdaCraft
| developer = Mojang, Conquest Reforged
| platform = PC
| releasedate = [[15 November]] [[2014]]
| genre = [[wikipedia:Sandbox game|Sandbox]]

}}

'''''ArdaCraft''''' is a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minecraft Minecraft] build server recreating the world of J.R.R. Tolkien's [[Middle-earth]].<ref>{{webcite|author=Lauren Keating|articleurl=http://www.techtimes.com/articles/82094/20150904/minecraft-users-recreate-shire-lord-rings.htm/|articlename=Minecraft Users Recreate The Shire From 'The Lord Of The Rings'|dated=4 September 2015|website=Tech Times|accessed=28 October 2020}}</ref> The project began on 15 November 2014 and as of August 2023 has completed around a third of Middle-earth at a 1:58 scale. The final size of the map is estimated at around 2,300 square kilometres (~890 square miles), making it the largest re-creation of Middle-earth ever attempted, outside of works relying on [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Procedural_generation procedural generation].

==Conception==
[[File:ArdaCraft Rivendell.jpg|thumb|[[Rivendell]] was completed in 2018|left]]
The project was founded by players Fornad and dags, who believed that they could use Minecraft to re-create Middle-earth in the late Third Age in a larger and more accurate way than had ever been attempted before in any video game. Given its popularity and shallow learning curve, Minecraft was a good medium in which to work. However, the limitations of the game led ArdaCraft towards a modded approach, where it was able to use more textures and models than were available in the normal game. Eventually it adopted the [http://conquestreforged.com/ Conquest Reforged mod] in order to do this.

The project is run by volunteers and funded by donations, and is an entirely non-profit endeavour.

==Approach==
[[File:ArdaCraft Hobbiton.png|thumb|ArdaCraft's [[Hobbiton]] drew heavily upon Tolkien's watercolour]]
Despite being built in the blocky environment of Minecraft, ArdaCraft focuses on geological, botanical, and historical research in order to make its world as believable as possible. This includes researching historical farming techniques, understanding the likely climate of various areas in order to predict the kinds of plant species which should occur there, and examining analagous historical cultures for various regions - for example, Iron Age Celts for [[Dunland]], the Anglo-Saxons for [[Rohan]], or various ancient Mediterranean cultures (particularly the Eastern Roman Empire) for [[Gondor]].

In addition, a heavy emphasis is placed upon lore accuracy. Tolkien's legendarium, letters and sketches are all analysed to create as good of a representation of his world as possible, given the constraints of the game.

Other details are added to the world to help explorers feel more immersed. For instance, the project has its own soundtrack, composed by volunteers. The sun angle changes in the sky as the player gets further south, corresponding to the lines of latitude indicated by Tolkien. Real-world constellations that are below the horizon in the north are revealed in the south.

==Progress==
[[File:Middle-earth DEM (ArdaCraft).png|left|thumb|ArdaCraft's Digital Elevation Model (DEM) of Middle-earth is the most detailed ever made]]
As of August 2024, regions and locations which have been completed or are being worked on include [[The Shire]], The [[Blue Mountains]], [[Lindon]], [[Bree-land]], [[Arnor]], the [[Angle (Eriador)|Angle]], [[Forochel]], [[Rivendell]], the [[Vales of Anduin]], [[Lothlórien]], [[Isengard]], [[Emyn Muil]], [[Rohan]], [[Dunland]], [[Tharbad]], [[Moria]], and [[Gondor]]. Regions such as [[Mirkwood]] and [[Erebor]] are planned for the future.

They have also created the most detailed heightmap of Middle-earth ever made during the course of their work, which is in the early stages of being used for the [[Digital Tolkien Project]].

ArdaCraft's founder presented the project's work to the [[The Tolkien Society|Tolkien Society]] at [[Oxonmoot]] 2024.

==See also==
*[[:Category:Games|Games]]

==External links==
*[https://ardacraft.me/ Official website]
*[http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoqngW24Nl6yS-u99vE4E1Q YouTube channel]

{{References}}
{{Videogames}}
[[Category:Microsoft Windows games]]
[[Category:Modifications]]
[[Category:Open world games]]

File:Middle-earth DEM (ArdaCraft).png

2024-08-12T20:29:19Z

Fornad01:

A DEM (Digital Elevation Model) of Middle-earth created for the ArdaCraft project

File:ArdaCraft Rivendell.jpg

2024-08-12T20:20:55Z

Fornad01: Fornad01 uploaded a new version of File:ArdaCraft Rivendell.jpg

== Licensing ==
{{GFDL-self|Fornad95}}

[[Category:Images of Rivendell]]

ArdaCraft

2024-08-12T20:18:56Z

Fornad01: Minor updates

{{video game infobox
| image = ArdaCraft_Logo_New.png
| name = ArdaCraft
| developer = Mojang, Conquest Reforged
| platform = PC
| releasedate = [[15 November]] [[2014]]
| genre = [[wikipedia:Sandbox game|Sandbox]]

}}

'''''ArdaCraft''''' is a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minecraft Minecraft] build server recreating the world of J.R.R. Tolkien's [[Middle-earth]].<ref>{{webcite|author=Lauren Keating|articleurl=http://www.techtimes.com/articles/82094/20150904/minecraft-users-recreate-shire-lord-rings.htm/|articlename=Minecraft Users Recreate The Shire From 'The Lord Of The Rings'|dated=4 September 2015|website=Tech Times|accessed=28 October 2020}}</ref> The project began on 15 November 2014 and as of August 2023 has completed around a third of Middle-earth at a 1:58 scale. The final size of the map is estimated at around 2300 square kilometres (~890 square miles), making it the largest re-creation of Middle-earth ever attempted, outside of works relying on [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Procedural_generation procedural generation].

==Conception==
[[File:ArdaCraft Rivendell.jpg|thumb|[[Rivendell]] was completed in 2018]]
The project was founded by players Fornad and dags, who believed that they could use Minecraft to re-create Middle-earth in the late Third Age in a larger and more accurate way than had ever been attempted before in any video game. Given its popularity and shallow learning curve, Minecraft was a good medium in which to work. However, the limitations of the game led ArdaCraft towards a modded approach, where it was able to use more textures and models than were available in the normal game. Eventually it adopted the [http://conquestreforged.com/ Conquest Reforged mod] in order to do this.

The project is run by volunteers and funded by donations, and is an entirely non-profit endeavour.

==Approach==
[[File:ArdaCraft Hobbiton.png|thumb|ArdaCraft's [[Hobbiton]] drew heavily upon Tolkien's watercolour]]
Despite being built in the blocky environment of Minecraft, ArdaCraft focuses on geological, botanical, and historical research in order to make its world as believable as possible. This includes researching historical farming techniques, understanding the likely climate of various areas in order to predict the kinds of plant species which should occur there, and examining analagous historical cultures for various regions - for example, Iron Age Celts for [[Dunland]], or the Anglo-Saxons for [[Rohan]]. They have also created the most detailed heightmap of Middle-earth ever made during the course of this project.

In addition, a heavy emphasis is placed upon lore accuracy. Tolkien's legendarium, letters and sketches are all analysed to create as good of a representation of his world as possible, given the constraints of the game.

==Progress==
As of August 2024, regions and locations which have been completed or are being worked on include [[The Shire]], The [[Blue Mountains]], [[Lindon]], [[Bree-land]], [[Arnor]], the [[Angle (Eriador)|Angle]], [[Forochel]], [[Rivendell]], the [[Vales of Anduin]], [[Lothlórien]], [[Isengard]], [[Emyn Muil]], [[Rohan]], [[Dunland]], [[Tharbad]], [[Moria]], and [[Gondor]]. Regions such as [[Mirkwood]] and [[Erebor]] are planned for the future.

ArdaCraft's founder presented the project's work to the [[The Tolkien Society|Tolkien Society]] at [[Oxonmoot]] 2024.

==See also==
*[[:Category:Games|Games]]

==External links==
*[https://ardacraft.me/ Official website]
*[http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoqngW24Nl6yS-u99vE4E1Q YouTube channel]

{{References}}
{{Videogames}}
[[Category:Microsoft Windows games]]
[[Category:Modifications]]
[[Category:Open world games]]

ArdaCraft

2024-08-12T20:14:13Z

Fornad01: Updated Hobbiton image

File:ArdaCraft Hobbiton.png

2024-08-12T20:12:42Z

Fornad01: Fornad01 uploaded a new version of File:ArdaCraft Hobbiton.png

== Licensing ==
{{GFDL-self|Fornad95}}

[[Category:Images of Bag End]]
[[Category:Images of Hobbiton]]

Meneltarma

2024-07-16T12:13:15Z

Fornad01: Added the height reference from NOME and changed the image for the article to more accurately reflect its (relatively small) height

{{disambig-more|Holy Mountain|[[Holy Mountain (disambiguation)]]}}
{{location infobox
| name=Meneltarma
| image=Alan_Lee_-_Of_the_Shape_of_Numenor.jpg
| caption="Of the Shape of Númenor" by [[Alan Lee]]
| pronun=[[Quenya|Q]], {{IPA|[ˌmɛnɛlˈtarma]}}
| othernames=
| location=[[Mittalmar]], central [[Elenna]]
| type=Mountain
| description=Tallest mountain peak in the continent
| regions=
| towns=
| inhabitants=[[Eagles]]
| created=Beginning of the [[Second Age]]
| destroyed=
| events=[[Three Prayers]]
}}
'''Meneltarma''' was a sacred mountain in the centre of [[Númenor]].

==History==
The mountain, also known as the '''Holy Mountain''', was sacred to the [[Númenóreans]] as a holy place devoted to [[Ilúvatar|Eru Ilúvatar]]. A requirement of absolute silence was imposed on any who climbed the mountain. The tradition was so strong and universal that even foreigners felt bound by it.
Only the King was allowed to utter prayers and thanksgivings to Eru Ilúvatar, during the feasts of [[Erukyermë]], [[Erulaitalë]] and [[Eruhantalë]].

Birds and animals did not approach the site, and only the [[Eagles|Eagles of Manwë]] were seen circling over the summit. They were also regarded as sacred guardians of the mountain and all the land.
==Geography==
Meneltarma was the highest peak of the island. It stood at the centre of the island, geographically in the inland regions called [[Mittalmar]]. It stood three thousand feet (914m) above the surrounding plain.<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], [[Carl F. Hostetter]] (ed.), ''[[The Nature of Middle-earth]]'', "Part Three. The World, its Lands, and its Inhabitants: XIII. Of the Land and Beasts of Númenor"</ref>

The base of Meneltarma sloped gently and divided itself into five roots reaching out towards the five divisions of the land. These roots were called [[Tarmasundar]], the ''Roots of the Pillar'', gentle grass-covered highlands. On the southern slopes were located the tombs of [[King of Númenor|Kings and Queens of Númenor]], in a valley called [[Noirinan]].

However, near the summit the slopes became more vertical and could not be ascended easily. The kings later built a spiral road to the peak, beginning at the southern tip of the mountain and winding up to the lip of the summit in the north.
[[Image:Jef Murray - At the foot of the Meneltarma.jpg|thumb|left|''At the foot of the Meneltarma'' by [[Jef Murray]]]]
Meneltarma had a flattened and somehow depressed summit, which was so broad that was able to contain a great multitude during religious ceremonies. However no permanent structure was erected there, and the ceremonies took place in open air. It was said that on a clear day the 'far-sighted' might see [[Tol Eressëa]].

After the destruction of Númenor in which fire burst from the Meneltarma, some amongst the [[Exiles of Númenor|Exiles]] believed that the [[Hallow of Eru]] upon the summit of the mountain remained as an isle in [[Belegaer]]. Some [[Dúnedain]] are even said to have set sail trying to reach the isle, from which the legend held that one could catch a glimpse of the unreachable [[Aman]].<ref>{{S|IV}}</ref>

==Etymology==
''Meneltarma'' is [[Quenya]] for "Pillar of Heaven",<ref>{{VT|42a}}, p. 21</ref> from ''[[menel]]'' ("the heavens, firmament, sky") + ''[[tarma]]'' ("pillar").<ref>{{S|Appendix}}, entries ''[[menel]]'', ''[[tarma]]''</ref>

==Other versions of the legendarium==
The name for the mountain went through a number of iterations. Tolkien considered ''Menelmin, Menelmindo, Menelminda,'' and ''Menelmindon'' before he finally selected ''Meneltarma''.<ref>{{PM|Akallabeth}}, p. 146</ref>

{{references}}
{{numenor}}
[[Category:Mittalmar]]
[[Category:Mountains]]
[[Category:Quenya locations]]

[[de:Meneltarma]]
[[fi:Meneltarma]]
[[fr:encyclo/geographie/reliefs/numenor/meneltarma]]

User talk:Fornad01

2024-03-28T16:32:28Z

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User:Fornad01

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Minas Tirith

2024-03-26T15:17:56Z

Fornad01: /* Geography */

{{disambig-more|Minas Tirith|[[Minas Tirith (disambiguation)]]}}
{{location infobox
| name=Minas Tirith
| image=[[File:Ralph Damiani - Across Middle-earth - The White City.png|250px]]
| caption="The White City" by [[Ralph Damiani]]
| pronun=
| othernames=[[Minas Tirith#History|Minas Anor]] [[Mundburg]] the Tower of Guard the Guarded City Tower of Anor
| location=Easternmost point of the [[White Mountains]], close to [[Anduin]]
| type=City
| description=White city of seven levels
| regions=
| towns=
| inhabitants=[[Gondorians]]
| created={{SA|3320}}<ref name="AppB-2A">{{App|SA}}</ref>
| destroyed=
| events=[[Siege of Minas Tirith]]
}}
{{Quote|But Minas Anor endured, and it was named anew Minas Tirith, the Tower of Guard; for there the kings caused to be built in the citadel [[Tower of Ecthelion|a white tower]], very tall and fair, and its eye was upon many lands. Proud still and strong was that city, and in it the [[White Tree of Gondor|White Tree]] still flowered for a while before the house of the Kings.|''[[The Silmarillion]]'', "[[Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age]]"}}

'''Minas Tirith''' ([[Sindarin|S.]] 'Tower of the Guard') was a city of [[Gondor]], originally called '''Minas Anor'''. From {{TA|1640}}<ref name="AppB-3A"/> onwards it was the capital of the South-kingdom and the seat of its [[Kings of Gondor|Kings]] and ruling [[Stewards of Gondor|Stewards]].

==History==
===Minas Anor===
The city of Minas Tirith was originally a fortress, Minas Anor ([[Sindarin|S.]] 'Tower of the Sun'), which was probably built after the founding of the realm of Gondor in {{SA|3320}} before {{SA|3429}}.<ref name="AppB-2A">{{App|SA}}</ref> It was the western counterpart to [[Minas Ithil]] ([[Sindarin|S.]] 'Tower of the Moon'): though was originally of less importance, and was built as a small fort on the summit of Amon Anor mostly to guard [[Rath Dínen]], the Tombs of the Kings<ref>{{NM|P3xvii}}, Text 2, p. 365</ref>. From Osgiliath the sons of [[Elendil]] jointly ruled the newly-founded [[Gondor|South-kingdom]], but Minas Anor was home to [[Anárion]]'s House and Minas Ithil to [[Isildur]]'s.<ref name="S-Rings">{{S|Rings}}</ref> Therefore when the seven ''[[palantíri]]'' were divided amongst the [[Realms in Exile]] one was placed in Minas Anor.<ref name="AppA">{{App|A}}</ref><ref name="TT-Palantir">{{TT|Palantir}}.</ref>

[[Sauron]] attacked Gondor in {{SA|3429}}, [[First Fall of Minas Ithil|taking]] [[Minas Ithil]] and forcing Isildur to flee north to his father in [[Arnor]]. Anárion meanwhile was besieged in Osgiliath and Minas Anor,<ref name="AppB-2A"/> until he was relieved by the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]]. In {{TA|2}} Isildur planted the second [[White Tree of Gondor]] in Minas Anor in memory of his brother, who had perished during the [[Siege of Barad-dûr]]. From this point the Kingship of Gondor belonged solely to the heirs of Anárion, who continued to rule from Osgiliath.<ref name="AppB-3A">{{App|TA}}</ref><ref name="PM-Heirs">{{PM|Elendil}}</ref>

In {{TA|420}}<ref name="AppB-3A"/> Minas Anor was rebuilt by [[Ostoher]], the seventh [[Kings of Gondor|King of Gondor]], and from his reign onwards the Kings removed there from Osgiliath in the summer.<ref name="AppA"/> It remained the second city of Gondor for the next thousand years as the Kingdom reached the height of its power under the [[Ship-kings]], and then fell into its long decline. Osgiliath was burned and its ''palantír'' lost during the [[Kin-strife]], but the army of [[Castamir]] did not breach the walls of Minas Anor by force<ref group="note">When the Witch-king entered Minas Tirith, he rode "under the archway that no enemy ever yet had passed", meaning that Castamir's army could not have breached the gate. However, given that Castamir reigned for ten years, it is likely that they ceded to him in some other way.</ref>. Its people resented Castamir's rule and were angered by his cruel treatment of Osgiliath, and it is likely that they sided with the forces of [[Eldacar (King of Gondor)|Eldacar]] when he returned from the north in {{TA|1447}}<ref name="Gondor">{{App|Gondor}}</ref>. After the defeat of Castamir, Minas Anor gradually grew more prominent.

In {{TA|1636}} Gondor was devastated by the [[Great Plague]], leaving Osgiliath depopulated and falling into ruin. [[Telemnar]] was killed along with his children and many others of the [[Dúnedain]], and the second White Tree died. Soon afterwards, his nephew [[Tarondor (King of Gondor)|Tarondor]] permanently moved the [[King's House]] to Minas Anor and planted the third White Tree ({{TA|1640}}).<ref name="AppA" /><ref name="AppB-3A" />

For a short time under Tarandor and his heirs the decline of Gondor was slowed, although constant wars with various groups of [[Easterlings]] took their toll. In {{TA|1900}} [[Calimehtar (King of Gondor)|Calimehtar]] built the first [[Tower of Ecthelion|White Tower]] in the Citadel of Minas Anor to house the city's ''palantír''.<ref name="AppB-3A"/> Just over a century later, however, the kingdom was dealt a harsh blow. In {{TA|2002}} Minas Ithil, where the guard on Mordor had long since slackened, was [[Second Fall of Minas Ithil|captured]] by the [[Nazgûl]]. It became known as Minas Morgul, and in turn Minas Anor was renamed Minas Tirith, 'Tower of the Guard' or the 'Guarded City'.<ref name="RK-MinasTirith"/> Soon after [[Eärnur]], the last King of Gondor, was killed in the Morgul Vale, and the lordship of the South-kingdom passed to the [[Stewards]].<ref name="AppA"/>

===Minas Tirith===
[[File:John Howe - Minas Tirith.jpg|thumb|left|"Minas Tirith" by [[John Howe]]]]Following a brief respite in the [[Watchful Peace]], Gondor under the Stewards became increasingly beset by enemies: control of [[Ithilien]] and the ruined bridges of [[Osgiliath]] passed back and forth between Minas Tirith and Minas Morgul, the coastlands were raided by the [[Corsairs of Umbar]], and Easterlings assailed them from the north.<ref name="AppA"/> The Citadel was improved under [[Ecthelion I]] ({{TA|2685}}–{{TA|2698|n}}),<ref name="AppA"/> who rebuilt the[[Tower of Ecthelion| White Tower]] which afterwards bore his name.<ref name="AppB-3A"/> However, the third White Tree died at the same time as the twenty-first Steward, [[Belecthor II]], and this time a new seedling could not be found to replace it. The dead tree was left standing in the Citadel.<ref name="AppA" />

In the reign of [[Ecthelion II]] ({{TA|2953}}–{{TA|2984}})<ref name="AppA"/> Minas Tirith was strengthened against Mordor, where Sauron had now declared himself openly. It was at this time that [[Aragorn]] the future King first came to the city under the name [[Thorongil]], and did great deeds.<ref name="AppA"/>

===War of the Ring===
{{main|Battle of the Pelennor Fields}}
During the [[War of the Ring]], the brunt of [[Mordor]]'s assault on the [[Free peoples]] was directed at Gondor and Minas Tirith. [[Cair Andros]] fell on [[10 March]] {{TA|3019}} and on [[12 March]] a company led by [[Faramir]] was forced to retreat from its defence of Osgiliath.<ref name="AppB-3A"/> An effort was made to repair the Rammas Echor, but this came too late.<ref name="RK-MinasTirith"/> With the crossings of Anduin taken the Pelennor was overrun, and Minas Tirith was besieged by a great army of Morgul orcs and Easterlings led by the [[Witch-king]]. The city was under-manned, and its defenders had little hope; on [[15 March]] the Great Gate was breached and the last ruling Steward, [[Denethor|Denethor II]], burned himself in despair.<ref name="RK-Siege">{{RK|Siege}}</ref><ref name="RK-Pyre">{{RK|Pyre}}</ref> But [[Gandalf]] was also present, and rescuing Faramir from his father he took charge of the defence of Minas Tirith. The [[Rohirrim]] under [[Théoden]] also came unlooked for to the city's aid, and [[Aragorn]] led a force up the river from [[Pelargir]]. Seeing this [[Imrahil]], [[Prince of Dol Amroth]], led a sally from the city, and the three armies were able to break the siege in the decisive [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]].<ref name="RK-Pelennor">{{RK|Battle}}</ref>

On [[1 May]] {{TA|3019}}, returning with the victorious from the [[Battle of the Morannon]], Aragorn was crowned on the plain outside Minas Tirith, and he entered the city as King Elessar. On [[25 June]] he discovered a sapling of the line of [[Nimloth of Númenor|Nimloth]] in a hidden hallow of Mount Mindolluin. This was planted in the Court of the Fountain – the fourth White Tree of Gondor.<ref name="RK-StewardKing">{{RK|Steward}}.</ref><ref name="AppB-3A"/>

===Fourth Age===
Under King Elessar Minas Tirith was restored and made more beautiful than ever before: the Great Gate was reforged of ''[[mithril]]'' and steel by the [[Dwarves]] of the [[Glittering Caves]],<ref>{{App|Durin}}, p. 1080</ref> led by [[Gimli]], the streets were paved with white marble and the city was filled with trees and fountains. Dwarves came to work in the city and [[Elves]] enjoyed coming to it.<ref>{{RK|Steward}}, p. 968</ref>

==Geography==
[[Image:J.R.R. Tolkien - Minas Tirith.jpg|left|thumb|"Minas Tirith" (unfinished drawing) by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]]]
At some point in the past, the city was considered to be part of the region of [[Anórien]] but was considered separate by the time of the War of the Ring.<ref name=Nomen>{{HM|N}}, entry Sunlending, p. 776</ref>

The city was situated on the [[Hill of Guard]] – the "out-thrust knee" of [[Mount Mindolluin]], connected to the main mass of the mountain by a narrow 'shoulder'.<ref name="RK-MinasTirith">{{RK|MT}}.</ref><ref name="WR-MinasTirith">{{WR|3|III}}.</ref> It faced eastward towards Osgiliath, over the [[Pelennor Fields]] surrounding the city, fertile townlands stretching from the walls of the city proper to the [[Rammas Echor]].<ref name="RK-MinasTirith"/>

The city was built on the hill with seven concentric tiers cut on the hill culminating in the [[Citadel of Gondor|Citadel]] at the summit, 700 feet above the plain below. The outer wall was called the [[City Wall]] and was black, of the same material used in [[Orthanc]]. The City Wall was vulnerable only to earthquakes capable of rending the ground where it stood.<ref name="RK-MinasTirith"/>

Each level was walled and held a gate with each gate faced a different direction: only the great gate and that of the seventh level faced east; the gate to the second level faced southeast, and that to the third faced northeast; so altering between the two such that the path up through the levels wound to and fro rather than following a straight line. An outcropping of rock as high as the seventh level bisected all the lower levels except the lowest on the line of the [[Great Gate of Minas Tirith|Great Gate]]. The winding path through the city therefore passed through tunnels in this 'keel' five times.

The '''First Level''' included the [[Rath Celerdain]], a white paved street with an inn, the [[Old Guesthouse]].

The '''Sixth Level''' contained stables for riders, and the [[Houses of Healing]]. There was also [[Fen Hollen]], a door which was almost always closed, leading to [[Rath Dínen]]<ref name="RK-MinasTirith" />, the 'shoulder' of rock that joined the Hill to the main mass of Mount Mindolluin rose to the level of the fifth wall and was fortified with large ramparts, where the tombs of the Kings of Gondor and their Stewards lay. The uppermost tunnel was delved into the spur of rock that jutted out of the eastern face of the Hill; The keystone of its archway was carved with the head of a crowned King. [[Guards of the Citadel]] manned the Seventh Gate which faced eastward in line with the Great Gate 700 feet below and emerged into the Citadel, the city's strongest point, surrounded by high walls and battlements on the 'keel'.

The '''Citadel''' housed the [[Court of the Fountain (Minas Tirith)|Court of the Fountain]] and the [[Tower of Ecthelion]], which brought the total height of the city to 1000 feet.<ref group="note">On the basis of this figure and unpublished sketches by Tolkien [[Karen Wynn Fonstad]] estimated the breadth of the city at 3100 feet in her ''[[The Atlas of Middle-earth|Atlas]]''.</ref> Before the Tower grew the [[White Tree of Gondor|White Tree]] in a court. There were also the [[King's House]], lodgings for the Steward, [[Merethrond]], barracks for the Guard of the Citadel, and other buildings for guests and other workers.

==Etymology==
''Minas Tirith'' is a [[Sindarin]] name,<ref name=PE17>{{PE|17}}, entry S ''Minas Tirith'', p. 31</ref> which means "Tower of Guard"<ref name=Guard/> or "Tower of Watch"<ref name=PE17/>. Paul Strack suggests that the name is a combination of ''[[minas]]'' ("tower", "fort", "city") and ''[[tirith]]'' ("watch", "ward", "guard").<ref>{{webcite|author=Paul Strack|articleurl=https://www.eldamo.org/content/words/word-538283653.html|articlename=S. ''Minas Tirith'' loc.|website=Eldamo|accessed=27 April 2023}}</ref>
==Other names==
''Minas Anor'' is a Sindarin name,<ref name=Eldamo>{{webcite|author=Paul Strack|articleurl=https://www.eldamo.org/content/words/word-2929446519.html|articlename=S. ''Minas Anor'' loc.|website=Eldamo|accessed=27 April 2023}}</ref> which means "Tower of the Sun"<ref>{{RK|Gate}}, p. 884</ref><ref>{{RK|Steward}}, p. 964</ref><ref>{{S|Index}}, entry ''Minas Anor''</ref><ref>{{UT|Index}}, entry ''Minas Anor''</ref> or "Tower of the Setting Sun"<ref>{{FR|Council}}, p. 244</ref><ref>{{S|Rings}}</ref>. Paul Strack suggests that the name is a combination of ''[[minas]]'' ("tower", "fort", "city") and ''[[Sun#Other names|anor]]'' ("sun").<ref name=Eldamo/>

''Mundburg'' is a [[Rohanese]] name, which means "Guardian-fortress".<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 400 citing from the entry Mundburg in the 1966 Index</ref> It probably contains the [[Old English]] element ''mund'', which means "protection".<ref>{{TI|King}}, note 7, p. 449</ref>

Minas Tirith was also referred to as the Tower of Guard<ref name=Guard>{{FR|Council}}, p. 245</ref><ref>{{TT|Departure}}, p. 414 and p. 418</ref><ref>{{TT|King}}, pp. 516-7</ref><ref>{{RK|Siege}}, p. 808</ref><ref>{{RK|Gate}}, p. 891</ref><ref>{{RK|Steward}}, p. 963</ref>, the Guarded City<ref>{{RK|MT}}, p. 751</ref>, and the Tower of Anor<ref>{{RK|Steward}}, p. 963</ref>,

The names Stone-city and Stone-houses were used by the [[Drúedain]].<ref>{{RK|V5}}</ref><ref>[[Robert Foster]], ''[[The Complete Guide to Middle-earth]]'', p. 366</ref>

==Inspiration==
Minas Tirith's most obvious historical parallel is the capital of the Byzantine Empire, Constantinople. Founded by the Roman emperor Constantine, Constantinople would eventually be one of the largest cities of its day and be a fortress under constant attack by its enemies. Similarly, Minas Tirith would become the chief fortification of Gondor in the latter days of its decline.

Like Minas Tirith, the Byzantine capital Constantinople sat near a strategic waterway (the Anduin to the Bay of Tolfalas in the case of Minas Tirith, the Bosporus Strait which divides the Mediterranean and Black Seas in the case of Constantinople) and was protected by massive walls that were virtually impregnable until the rise of effective gunpowder weapons in the real-world 15th century.<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 570</ref>

[[J.R.R. Tolkien]] described Minas Tirith in a long [[Letter to Milton Waldman| letter to Milton Waldman]], that was probably written in late 1951, as the "half-ruinous Byzantine City of Minas Tirith"<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 746</ref> and that of Gondor in its history "fades slowly to decayed Middle-Age, a kind of proud, venerable, but increasingly impotent Byzantium".<ref>{{L|131}}</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
{{Gallery
|title=Minas Tirith in adaptations
|height=150
|width=250
|lines=2
|File:War in Middle Earth - Minas Tirith.gif|Minas Tirith in ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien's War in Middle Earth]]''
|File:The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King - Minas Tirith.jpg|Minas Tirith in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]''
|File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Minas Tirith.jpg|Minas Tirith in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
}}
'''1988: ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien's War in Middle Earth]]'':'''
:Minas Tirith is one of the many battlefields in this game. The city is brown, unlike the books in which it is white.

'''2001: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
:The city appears briefly when Gandalf goes there to discern the identity of [[Bilbo Baggins|Bilbo]]'s [[The One Ring|One Ring]].

'''2002: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]'':'''
:Minas Tirith can be seen in the distance for a few seconds when [[Faramir]] takes [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]], [[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]] and [[Gollum]] to [[Osgiliath]].

'''2003: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]'':'''
:Tolkien's description of the physical layout of Minas Tirith is mostly adhered to in the film, although certain artistic liberties are taken, such as the Tower of Ecthelion being separate from the building which contains the throne room. Despite the description of Minas Tirith's [[Othram]] as a black, indestructible wall, Jackson depicted all of the walls as white, which crumble quickly under attack from Mordor's catapults. The city is also closer to the mountain than in Tolkien's description and sketches. In the film, the city is within clear sight of the mountains surrounding Mordor and the fires of [[Mount Doom]] - so much so, that in at least one night scene the light of Minas Morgul shines on the faces of viewers from the city walls. However, in the books, the mountains were far enough away that from the city they looked like a low dark shadow over the land far away.

:According to the "Making Of" featurettes on the Extended Edition DVDs, the appearance and structure of the city was based upon [[Wikipedia:Mont Saint-Michel|Mont Saint-Michel]], France.

:Portions of Minas Tirith were constructed as full-scale sets (built on the foundations of the disassembled [[Helm's Deep]] set), and the whole city as a highly detailed "[[bigature]]" by [[Weta Workshop]] combined with a detailed three-dimensional digital model, along with the whole of its surrounding environment.

'''2015: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
: Several different versions of the city exist in-game, separated chronologically: under the [[Dawnless Day]], during the [[Siege of Gondor]], after the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]] and during the Great Wedding of [[Aragorn]] and [[Arwen]] at [[Mid-year's Day]]. Each version is explorable and has a different set of quests. The Seven Tiers of the city have been given names: Worker's Tier, Soldier's Tier, Craftsmen's Tier, Player's Tier, Sages' Tier, Master's Tier and the Citadel. Large statues of every past King and Ruling Steward are placed across the city.

{{references|note}}

{{FellowshipRoute}}

[[Category:Minas Tirith]]

[[de:Minas Tirith (Gondor)]]
[[fi:Minas Tirith]]
[[fr:encyclo/geographie/villes_tours_et_forteresses/gondor/minas_tirith]]

Minas Tirith

2024-03-26T14:44:14Z

Fornad01: Traced the history of the White Tree better within the article - the second and fourth trees were previously mentioned but not the third.

{{disambig-more|Minas Tirith|[[Minas Tirith (disambiguation)]]}}
{{location infobox
| name=Minas Tirith
| image=[[File:Ralph Damiani - Across Middle-earth - The White City.png|250px]]
| caption="The White City" by [[Ralph Damiani]]
| pronun=
| othernames=[[Minas Tirith#History|Minas Anor]] [[Mundburg]] the Tower of Guard the Guarded City Tower of Anor
| location=Easternmost point of the [[White Mountains]], close to [[Anduin]]
| type=City
| description=White city of seven levels
| regions=
| towns=
| inhabitants=[[Gondorians]]
| created={{SA|3320}}<ref name="AppB-2A">{{App|SA}}</ref>
| destroyed=
| events=[[Siege of Minas Tirith]]
}}
{{Quote|But Minas Anor endured, and it was named anew Minas Tirith, the Tower of Guard; for there the kings caused to be built in the citadel [[Tower of Ecthelion|a white tower]], very tall and fair, and its eye was upon many lands. Proud still and strong was that city, and in it the [[White Tree of Gondor|White Tree]] still flowered for a while before the house of the Kings.|''[[The Silmarillion]]'', "[[Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age]]"}}

'''Minas Tirith''' ([[Sindarin|S.]] 'Tower of the Guard') was a city of [[Gondor]], originally called '''Minas Anor'''. From {{TA|1640}}<ref name="AppB-3A"/> onwards it was the capital of the South-kingdom and the seat of its [[Kings of Gondor|Kings]] and ruling [[Stewards of Gondor|Stewards]].

==History==
===Minas Anor===
The city of Minas Tirith was originally a fortress, Minas Anor ([[Sindarin|S.]] 'Tower of the Sun'), which was probably built after the founding of the realm of Gondor in {{SA|3320}} before {{SA|3429}}.<ref name="AppB-2A">{{App|SA}}</ref> It was the western counterpart to [[Minas Ithil]] ([[Sindarin|S.]] 'Tower of the Moon'): though was originally of less importance, and was built as a small fort on the summit of Amon Anor mostly to guard [[Rath Dínen]], the Tombs of the Kings<ref>{{NM|P3xvii}}, Text 2, p. 365</ref>. From Osgiliath the sons of [[Elendil]] jointly ruled the newly-founded [[Gondor|South-kingdom]], but Minas Anor was home to [[Anárion]]'s House and Minas Ithil to [[Isildur]]'s.<ref name="S-Rings">{{S|Rings}}</ref> Therefore when the seven ''[[palantíri]]'' were divided amongst the [[Realms in Exile]] one was placed in Minas Anor.<ref name="AppA">{{App|A}}</ref><ref name="TT-Palantir">{{TT|Palantir}}.</ref>

[[Sauron]] attacked Gondor in {{SA|3429}}, [[First Fall of Minas Ithil|taking]] [[Minas Ithil]] and forcing Isildur to flee north to his father in [[Arnor]]. Anárion meanwhile was besieged in Osgiliath and Minas Anor,<ref name="AppB-2A"/> until he was relieved by the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]]. In {{TA|2}} Isildur planted the second [[White Tree of Gondor]] in Minas Anor in memory of his brother, who had perished during the [[Siege of Barad-dûr]]. From this point the Kingship of Gondor belonged solely to the heirs of Anárion, who continued to rule from Osgiliath.<ref name="AppB-3A">{{App|TA}}</ref><ref name="PM-Heirs">{{PM|Elendil}}</ref>

In {{TA|420}}<ref name="AppB-3A"/> Minas Anor was rebuilt by [[Ostoher]], the seventh [[Kings of Gondor|King of Gondor]], and from his reign onwards the Kings removed there from Osgiliath in the summer.<ref name="AppA"/> It remained the second city of Gondor for the next thousand years as the Kingdom reached the height of its power under the [[Ship-kings]], and then fell into its long decline. Osgiliath was burned and its ''palantír'' lost during the [[Kin-strife]], but the army of [[Castamir]] did not breach the walls of Minas Anor by force<ref group="note">When the Witch-king entered Minas Tirith, he rode "under the archway that no enemy ever yet had passed", meaning that Castamir's army could not have breached the gate. However, given that Castamir reigned for ten years, it is likely that they ceded to him in some other way.</ref>. Its people resented Castamir's rule and were angered by his cruel treatment of Osgiliath, and it is likely that they sided with the forces of [[Eldacar (King of Gondor)|Eldacar]] when he returned from the north in {{TA|1447}}<ref name="Gondor">{{App|Gondor}}</ref>. After the defeat of Castamir, Minas Anor gradually grew more prominent.

In {{TA|1636}} Gondor was devastated by the [[Great Plague]], leaving Osgiliath depopulated and falling into ruin. [[Telemnar]] was killed along with his children and many others of the [[Dúnedain]], and the second White Tree died. Soon afterwards, his nephew [[Tarondor (King of Gondor)|Tarondor]] permanently moved the [[King's House]] to Minas Anor and planted the third White Tree ({{TA|1640}}).<ref name="AppA" /><ref name="AppB-3A" />

For a short time under Tarandor and his heirs the decline of Gondor was slowed, although constant wars with various groups of [[Easterlings]] took their toll. In {{TA|1900}} [[Calimehtar (King of Gondor)|Calimehtar]] built the first [[Tower of Ecthelion|White Tower]] in the Citadel of Minas Anor to house the city's ''palantír''.<ref name="AppB-3A"/> Just over a century later, however, the kingdom was dealt a harsh blow. In {{TA|2002}} Minas Ithil, where the guard on Mordor had long since slackened, was [[Second Fall of Minas Ithil|captured]] by the [[Nazgûl]]. It became known as Minas Morgul, and in turn Minas Anor was renamed Minas Tirith, 'Tower of the Guard' or the 'Guarded City'.<ref name="RK-MinasTirith"/> Soon after [[Eärnur]], the last King of Gondor, was killed in the Morgul Vale, and the lordship of the South-kingdom passed to the [[Stewards]].<ref name="AppA"/>

===Minas Tirith===
[[File:John Howe - Minas Tirith.jpg|thumb|left|"Minas Tirith" by [[John Howe]]]]Following a brief respite in the [[Watchful Peace]], Gondor under the Stewards became increasingly beset by enemies: control of [[Ithilien]] and the ruined bridges of [[Osgiliath]] passed back and forth between Minas Tirith and Minas Morgul, the coastlands were raided by the [[Corsairs of Umbar]], and Easterlings assailed them from the north.<ref name="AppA"/> The Citadel was improved under [[Ecthelion I]] ({{TA|2685}}–{{TA|2698|n}}),<ref name="AppA"/> who rebuilt the[[Tower of Ecthelion| White Tower]] which afterwards bore his name.<ref name="AppB-3A"/> However, the third White Tree died at the same time as the twenty-first Steward, [[Belecthor II]], and this time a new seedling could not be found to replace it. The dead tree was left standing in the Citadel.<ref name="AppA" />

In the reign of [[Ecthelion II]] ({{TA|2953}}–{{TA|2984}})<ref name="AppA"/> Minas Tirith was strengthened against Mordor, where Sauron had now declared himself openly. It was at this time that [[Aragorn]] the future King first came to the city under the name [[Thorongil]], and did great deeds.<ref name="AppA"/>

===War of the Ring===
{{main|Battle of the Pelennor Fields}}
During the [[War of the Ring]], the brunt of [[Mordor]]'s assault on the [[Free peoples]] was directed at Gondor and Minas Tirith. [[Cair Andros]] fell on [[10 March]] {{TA|3019}} and on [[12 March]] a company led by [[Faramir]] was forced to retreat from its defence of Osgiliath.<ref name="AppB-3A"/> An effort was made to repair the Rammas Echor, but this came too late.<ref name="RK-MinasTirith"/> With the crossings of Anduin taken the Pelennor was overrun, and Minas Tirith was besieged by a great army of Morgul orcs and Easterlings led by the [[Witch-king]]. The city was under-manned, and its defenders had little hope; on [[15 March]] the Great Gate was breached and the last ruling Steward, [[Denethor|Denethor II]], burned himself in despair.<ref name="RK-Siege">{{RK|Siege}}</ref><ref name="RK-Pyre">{{RK|Pyre}}</ref> But [[Gandalf]] was also present, and rescuing Faramir from his father he took charge of the defence of Minas Tirith. The [[Rohirrim]] under [[Théoden]] also came unlooked for to the city's aid, and [[Aragorn]] led a force up the river from [[Pelargir]]. Seeing this [[Imrahil]], [[Prince of Dol Amroth]], led a sally from the city, and the three armies were able to break the siege in the decisive [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]].<ref name="RK-Pelennor">{{RK|Battle}}</ref>

On [[1 May]] {{TA|3019}}, returning with the victorious from the [[Battle of the Morannon]], Aragorn was crowned on the plain outside Minas Tirith, and he entered the city as King Elessar. On [[25 June]] he discovered a sapling of the line of [[Nimloth of Númenor|Nimloth]] in a hidden hallow of Mount Mindolluin. This was planted in the Court of the Fountain – the fourth White Tree of Gondor.<ref name="RK-StewardKing">{{RK|Steward}}.</ref><ref name="AppB-3A"/>

===Fourth Age===
Under King Elessar Minas Tirith was restored and made more beautiful than ever before: the Great Gate was reforged of ''[[mithril]]'' and steel by the [[Dwarves]] of the [[Glittering Caves]],<ref>{{App|Durin}}, p. 1080</ref> led by [[Gimli]], the streets were paved with white marble and the city was filled with trees and fountains. Dwarves came to work in the city and [[Elves]] enjoyed coming to it.<ref>{{RK|Steward}}, p. 968</ref>

==Geography==
[[Image:J.R.R. Tolkien - Minas Tirith.jpg|left|thumb|"Minas Tirith" (unfinished drawing) by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]]]
Minas Tirith was situated on the [[Hill of Guard]] – the "out-thrust knee" of [[Mount Mindolluin]], connected to the main mass of the mountain by a narrow 'shoulder'.<ref name="RK-MinasTirith">{{RK|MT}}.</ref><ref name="WR-MinasTirith">{{WR|3|III}}.</ref> It faced eastward towards Osgiliath, over the [[Pelennor Fields]] surrounding the city, fertile townlands stretching from the walls of the city proper to the [[Rammas Echor]].<ref name="RK-MinasTirith"/>

The city was built on the hill with seven concentric tiers cut on the hill culminating in the [[Citadel of Gondor|Citadel]] at the summit, 700 feet above the plain below. The outer wall was called the [[City Wall]] and was black, of the same material used in [[Orthanc]]. The City Wall was vulnerable only to earthquakes capable of rending the ground where it stood.<ref name="RK-MinasTirith"/>

Each level was walled and held a gate with each gate faced a different direction: only the great gate and that of the seventh level faced east; the gate to the second level faced southeast, and that to the third faced northeast; so altering between the two such that the path up through the levels wound to and fro rather than following a straight line. An outcropping of rock as high as the seventh level bisected all the lower levels except the lowest on the line of the [[Great Gate of Minas Tirith|Great Gate]]. The winding path through the city therefore passed through tunnels in this 'keel' five times.

The '''First Level''' included the [[Rath Celerdain]], a white paved street with an inn, the [[Old Guesthouse]].

The '''Sixth Level''' contained stables for riders, and the [[Houses of Healing]]. There was also [[Fen Hollen]], a door which was almost always closed, leading to [[Rath Dínen]]<ref name="RK-MinasTirith" />, the 'shoulder' of rock that joined the Hill to the main mass of Mount Mindolluin rose to the level of the fifth wall and was fortified with large ramparts, where the tombs of the Kings of Gondor and their Stewards lay. The uppermost tunnel was delved into the spur of rock that jutted out of the eastern face of the Hill; The keystone of its archway was carved with the head of a crowned King. [[Guards of the Citadel]] manned the Seventh Gate which faced eastward in line with the Great Gate 700 feet below and emerged into the Citadel, the city's strongest point, surrounded by high walls and battlements on the 'keel'.

The '''Citadel''' housed the [[Court of the Fountain (Minas Tirith)|Court of the Fountain]] and the [[Tower of Ecthelion]], which brought the total height of the city to 1000 feet.<ref group="note">On the basis of this figure and unpublished sketches by Tolkien [[Karen Wynn Fonstad]] estimated the breadth of the city at 3100 feet in her ''[[The Atlas of Middle-earth|Atlas]]''.</ref> Before the Tower grew the [[White Tree of Gondor|White Tree]] in a court. There were also the [[King's House]], lodgings for the Steward, [[Merethrond]], barracks for the Guard of the Citadel, and other buildings for guests and other workers.

==Etymology==
''Minas Tirith'' is a [[Sindarin]] name,<ref name=PE17>{{PE|17}}, entry S ''Minas Tirith'', p. 31</ref> which means "Tower of Guard"<ref name=Guard/> or "Tower of Watch"<ref name=PE17/>. Paul Strack suggests that the name is a combination of ''[[minas]]'' ("tower", "fort", "city") and ''[[tirith]]'' ("watch", "ward", "guard").<ref>{{webcite|author=Paul Strack|articleurl=https://www.eldamo.org/content/words/word-538283653.html|articlename=S. ''Minas Tirith'' loc.|website=Eldamo|accessed=27 April 2023}}</ref>
==Other names==
''Minas Anor'' is a Sindarin name,<ref name=Eldamo>{{webcite|author=Paul Strack|articleurl=https://www.eldamo.org/content/words/word-2929446519.html|articlename=S. ''Minas Anor'' loc.|website=Eldamo|accessed=27 April 2023}}</ref> which means "Tower of the Sun"<ref>{{RK|Gate}}, p. 884</ref><ref>{{RK|Steward}}, p. 964</ref><ref>{{S|Index}}, entry ''Minas Anor''</ref><ref>{{UT|Index}}, entry ''Minas Anor''</ref> or "Tower of the Setting Sun"<ref>{{FR|Council}}, p. 244</ref><ref>{{S|Rings}}</ref>. Paul Strack suggests that the name is a combination of ''[[minas]]'' ("tower", "fort", "city") and ''[[Sun#Other names|anor]]'' ("sun").<ref name=Eldamo/>

''Mundburg'' is a [[Rohanese]] name, which means "Guardian-fortress".<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 400 citing from the entry Mundburg in the 1966 Index</ref> It probably contains the [[Old English]] element ''mund'', which means "protection".<ref>{{TI|King}}, note 7, p. 449</ref>

Minas Tirith was also referred to as the Tower of Guard<ref name=Guard>{{FR|Council}}, p. 245</ref><ref>{{TT|Departure}}, p. 414 and p. 418</ref><ref>{{TT|King}}, pp. 516-7</ref><ref>{{RK|Siege}}, p. 808</ref><ref>{{RK|Gate}}, p. 891</ref><ref>{{RK|Steward}}, p. 963</ref>, the Guarded City<ref>{{RK|MT}}, p. 751</ref>, and the Tower of Anor<ref>{{RK|Steward}}, p. 963</ref>,

The names Stone-city and Stone-houses were used by the [[Drúedain]].<ref>{{RK|V5}}</ref><ref>[[Robert Foster]], ''[[The Complete Guide to Middle-earth]]'', p. 366</ref>

==Inspiration==
Minas Tirith's most obvious historical parallel is the capital of the Byzantine Empire, Constantinople. Founded by the Roman emperor Constantine, Constantinople would eventually be one of the largest cities of its day and be a fortress under constant attack by its enemies. Similarly, Minas Tirith would become the chief fortification of Gondor in the latter days of its decline.

Like Minas Tirith, the Byzantine capital Constantinople sat near a strategic waterway (the Anduin to the Bay of Tolfalas in the case of Minas Tirith, the Bosporus Strait which divides the Mediterranean and Black Seas in the case of Constantinople) and was protected by massive walls that were virtually impregnable until the rise of effective gunpowder weapons in the real-world 15th century.<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 570</ref>

[[J.R.R. Tolkien]] described Minas Tirith in a long [[Letter to Milton Waldman| letter to Milton Waldman]], that was probably written in late 1951, as the "half-ruinous Byzantine City of Minas Tirith"<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 746</ref> and that of Gondor in its history "fades slowly to decayed Middle-Age, a kind of proud, venerable, but increasingly impotent Byzantium".<ref>{{L|131}}</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
{{Gallery
|title=Minas Tirith in adaptations
|height=150
|width=250
|lines=2
|File:War in Middle Earth - Minas Tirith.gif|Minas Tirith in ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien's War in Middle Earth]]''
|File:The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King - Minas Tirith.jpg|Minas Tirith in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]''
|File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Minas Tirith.jpg|Minas Tirith in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
}}
'''1988: ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien's War in Middle Earth]]'':'''
:Minas Tirith is one of the many battlefields in this game. The city is brown, unlike the books in which it is white.

'''2001: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
:The city appears briefly when Gandalf goes there to discern the identity of [[Bilbo Baggins|Bilbo]]'s [[The One Ring|One Ring]].

'''2002: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]'':'''
:Minas Tirith can be seen in the distance for a few seconds when [[Faramir]] takes [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]], [[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]] and [[Gollum]] to [[Osgiliath]].

'''2003: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]'':'''
:Tolkien's description of the physical layout of Minas Tirith is mostly adhered to in the film, although certain artistic liberties are taken, such as the Tower of Ecthelion being separate from the building which contains the throne room. Despite the description of Minas Tirith's [[Othram]] as a black, indestructible wall, Jackson depicted all of the walls as white, which crumble quickly under attack from Mordor's catapults. The city is also closer to the mountain than in Tolkien's description and sketches. In the film, the city is within clear sight of the mountains surrounding Mordor and the fires of [[Mount Doom]] - so much so, that in at least one night scene the light of Minas Morgul shines on the faces of viewers from the city walls. However, in the books, the mountains were far enough away that from the city they looked like a low dark shadow over the land far away.

:According to the "Making Of" featurettes on the Extended Edition DVDs, the appearance and structure of the city was based upon [[Wikipedia:Mont Saint-Michel|Mont Saint-Michel]], France.

:Portions of Minas Tirith were constructed as full-scale sets (built on the foundations of the disassembled [[Helm's Deep]] set), and the whole city as a highly detailed "[[bigature]]" by [[Weta Workshop]] combined with a detailed three-dimensional digital model, along with the whole of its surrounding environment.

'''2015: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
: Several different versions of the city exist in-game, separated chronologically: under the [[Dawnless Day]], during the [[Siege of Gondor]], after the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]] and during the Great Wedding of [[Aragorn]] and [[Arwen]] at [[Mid-year's Day]]. Each version is explorable and has a different set of quests. The Seven Tiers of the city have been given names: Worker's Tier, Soldier's Tier, Craftsmen's Tier, Player's Tier, Sages' Tier, Master's Tier and the Citadel. Large statues of every past King and Ruling Steward are placed across the city.

{{references|note}}

{{FellowshipRoute}}

[[Category:Minas Tirith]]

[[de:Minas Tirith (Gondor)]]
[[fi:Minas Tirith]]
[[fr:encyclo/geographie/villes_tours_et_forteresses/gondor/minas_tirith]]

Minas Tirith

2024-03-26T13:41:26Z

Fornad01: Updated the link for Eldacar

{{disambig-more|Minas Tirith|[[Minas Tirith (disambiguation)]]}}
{{location infobox
| name=Minas Tirith
| image=[[File:Ralph Damiani - Across Middle-earth - The White City.png|250px]]
| caption="The White City" by [[Ralph Damiani]]
| pronun=
| othernames=[[Minas Tirith#History|Minas Anor]] [[Mundburg]] the Tower of Guard the Guarded City Tower of Anor
| location=Easternmost point of the [[White Mountains]], close to [[Anduin]]
| type=City
| description=White city of seven levels
| regions=
| towns=
| inhabitants=[[Gondorians]]
| created={{SA|3320}}<ref name="AppB-2A">{{App|SA}}</ref>
| destroyed=
| events=[[Siege of Minas Tirith]]
}}
{{Quote|But Minas Anor endured, and it was named anew Minas Tirith, the Tower of Guard; for there the kings caused to be built in the citadel [[Tower of Ecthelion|a white tower]], very tall and fair, and its eye was upon many lands. Proud still and strong was that city, and in it the [[White Tree of Gondor|White Tree]] still flowered for a while before the house of the Kings.|''[[The Silmarillion]]'', "[[Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age]]"}}

'''Minas Tirith''' ([[Sindarin|S.]] 'Tower of the Guard') was a city of [[Gondor]], originally called '''Minas Anor'''. From {{TA|1640}}<ref name="AppB-3A"/> onwards it was the capital of the South-kingdom and the seat of its [[Kings of Gondor|Kings]] and ruling [[Stewards of Gondor|Stewards]].

==History==
===Minas Anor===
The city of Minas Tirith was originally a fortress, Minas Anor ([[Sindarin|S.]] 'Tower of the Sun'), which was probably built after the founding of the realm of Gondor in {{SA|3320}} before {{SA|3429}}.<ref name="AppB-2A">{{App|SA}}</ref> It was the western counterpart to [[Minas Ithil]] ([[Sindarin|S.]] 'Tower of the Moon'): though was originally of less importance, and was built as a small fort on the summit of Amon Anor mostly to guard [[Rath Dínen]], the Tombs of the Kings<ref>{{NM|P3xvii}}, Text 2, p. 365</ref>. From Osgiliath the sons of [[Elendil]] jointly ruled the newly-founded [[Gondor|South-kingdom]], but Minas Anor was home to [[Anárion]]'s House and Minas Ithil to [[Isildur]]'s.<ref name="S-Rings">{{S|Rings}}</ref> Therefore when the seven ''[[palantíri]]'' were divided amongst the [[Realms in Exile]] one was placed in Minas Anor.<ref name="AppA">{{App|A}}</ref><ref name="TT-Palantir">{{TT|Palantir}}.</ref>

[[Sauron]] attacked Gondor in {{SA|3429}}, [[First Fall of Minas Ithil|taking]] [[Minas Ithil]] and forcing Isildur to flee north to his father in [[Arnor]]. Anárion meanwhile was besieged in Osgiliath and Minas Anor,<ref name="AppB-2A"/> until he was relieved by the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]]. In {{TA|2}} Isildur planted the second [[White Tree of Gondor]] in Minas Anor in memory of his brother, who had perished during the [[Siege of Barad-dûr]]. From this point the Kingship of Gondor belonged solely to the heirs of Anárion, who continued to rule from Osgiliath.<ref name="AppB-3A">{{App|TA}}</ref><ref name="PM-Heirs">{{PM|Elendil}}</ref>

In {{TA|420}}<ref name="AppB-3A"/> Minas Anor was rebuilt by [[Ostoher]], the seventh [[Kings of Gondor|King of Gondor]], and from his reign onwards the Kings removed there from Osgiliath in the summer.<ref name="AppA"/> It remained the second city of Gondor for the next thousand years as the Kingdom reached the height of its power under the [[Ship-kings]], and then fell into its long decline. Osgiliath was burned and its ''palantír'' lost during the [[Kin-strife]], but the army of [[Castamir]] did not breach the walls of Minas Anor by force<ref group="note">When the Witch-king entered Minas Tirith, he rode "under the archway that no enemy ever yet had passed", meaning that Castamir's army could not have breached the gate. However, given that Castamir reigned for ten years, it is likely that they ceded to him in some other way.</ref>. Its people resented Castamir's rule and were angered by his cruel treatment of Osgiliath, and it is likely that they sided with the forces of [[Eldacar (King of Gondor)|Eldacar]] when he returned from the north in {{TA|1447}}<ref name="Gondor">{{App|Gondor}}</ref>. After the defeat of Castamir, Minas Anor gradually grew more prominent. In {{TA|1636}} the old capital was devastated by the [[Great Plague]], leaving it depopulated and falling into ruin. Soon after, [[Tarondor (King of Gondor)|Tarondor]] permanently moved the [[King's House]] to Minas Anor ({{TA|1640}}).<ref name="AppA"/><ref name="AppB-3A"/>

For a short time under Tarandor and his heirs the decline of Gondor was slowed, although constant wars with various groups of [[Easterlings]] took their toll. In {{TA|1900}} [[Calimehtar (King of Gondor)|Calimehtar]] built the first [[Tower of Ecthelion|White Tower]] in the Citadel of Minas Anor to house the city's ''palantír''.<ref name="AppB-3A"/> Just over a century later, however, the kingdom was dealt a harsh blow. In {{TA|2002}} Minas Ithil, where the guard on Mordor had long since slackened, was [[Second Fall of Minas Ithil|captured]] by the [[Nazgûl]]. It became known as Minas Morgul, and in turn Minas Anor was renamed Minas Tirith, 'Tower of the Guard' or the 'Guarded City'.<ref name="RK-MinasTirith"/> Soon after [[Eärnur]], the last King of Gondor, was killed in the Morgul Vale, and the lordship of the South-kingdom passed to the [[Stewards]].<ref name="AppA"/>

===Minas Tirith===
[[File:John Howe - Minas Tirith.jpg|thumb|left|"Minas Tirith" by [[John Howe]]]]Following a brief respite in the [[Watchful Peace]], Gondor under the Stewards became increasingly beset by enemies: control of [[Ithilien]] and the ruined bridges of [[Osgiliath]] passed back and forth between Minas Tirith and Minas Morgul,the coastlands were raided by the [[Corsairs of Umbar]], and Easterlings assailed them from the north.<ref name="AppA"/> The Citadel was improved under [[Ecthelion I]] ({{TA|2685}}–{{TA|2698|n}}),<ref name="AppA"/> who rebuilt the [[Tower of Ecthelion| White Tower]] which afterwards bore his name.<ref name="AppB-3A"/> But equally the White Tree died at the same time as the twenty-first Steward, [[Belecthor II]], and this time a new seedling could not be found to replace it.<ref name="AppA" />

In the reign of [[Ecthelion II]] ({{TA|2953}}–{{TA|2984}})<ref name="AppA"/> Minas Tirith was strengthened against Mordor, where Sauron had now declared himself openly. It was at this time that [[Aragorn]] the future King first came to the city under the name [[Thorongil]], and did great deeds.<ref name="AppA"/>

===War of the Ring===
{{main|Battle of the Pelennor Fields}}
During the [[War of the Ring]], the brunt of [[Mordor]]'s assault on the [[Free peoples]] was directed at Gondor and Minas Tirith. [[Cair Andros]] fell on [[10 March]] {{TA|3019}} and on [[12 March]] a company led by [[Faramir]] was forced to retreat from its defence of Osgiliath.<ref name="AppB-3A"/> An effort was made to repair the Rammas Echor, but this came too late.<ref name="RK-MinasTirith"/> With the crossings of Anduin taken the Pelennor was overrun, and Minas Tirith was besieged by a great army of Morgul orcs and Easterlings led by the [[Witch-king]]. The city was under-manned, and its defenders had little hope; on [[15 March]] the Great Gate was breached and the last ruling Steward, [[Denethor|Denethor II]], burned himself in despair.<ref name="RK-Siege">{{RK|Siege}}</ref><ref name="RK-Pyre">{{RK|Pyre}}</ref> But [[Gandalf]] was also present, and rescuing Faramir from his father he took charge of the defence of Minas Tirith. The [[Rohirrim]] under [[Théoden]] also came unlooked for to the city's aid, and [[Aragorn]] led a force up the river from [[Pelargir]]. Seeing this [[Imrahil]], [[Prince of Dol Amroth]], led a sally from the city, and the three armies were able to break the siege in the decisive [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]].<ref name="RK-Pelennor">{{RK|Battle}}</ref>

On [[1 May]] {{TA|3019}}, returning with the victorious from the [[Battle of the Morannon]], Aragorn was crowned on the plain outside Minas Tirith, and he entered the city as King Elessar. On [[25 June]] he discovered a sapling of the line of [[Nimloth of Númenor|Nimloth]] in a hidden hallow of Mount Mindolluin. This was planted in the Court of the Fountain – the fourth White Tree of Gondor.<ref name="RK-StewardKing">{{RK|Steward}}.</ref><ref name="AppB-3A"/>

===Fourth Age===
Under King Elessar Minas Tirith was restored and made more beautiful than ever before: the Great Gate was reforged of ''[[mithril]]'' and steel by the [[Dwarves]] of the [[Glittering Caves]],<ref>{{App|Durin}}, p. 1080</ref> led by [[Gimli]], the streets were paved with white marble and the city was filled with trees and fountains. Dwarves came to work in the city and [[Elves]] enjoyed coming to it.<ref>{{RK|Steward}}, p. 968</ref>

==Geography==
[[Image:J.R.R. Tolkien - Minas Tirith.jpg|left|thumb|"Minas Tirith" (unfinished drawing) by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]]]
Minas Tirith was situated on the [[Hill of Guard]] – the "out-thrust knee" of [[Mount Mindolluin]], connected to the main mass of the mountain by a narrow 'shoulder'.<ref name="RK-MinasTirith">{{RK|MT}}.</ref><ref name="WR-MinasTirith">{{WR|3|III}}.</ref> It faced eastward towards Osgiliath, over the [[Pelennor Fields]] surrounding the city, fertile townlands stretching from the walls of the city proper to the [[Rammas Echor]].<ref name="RK-MinasTirith"/>

The city was built on the hill with seven concentric tiers cut on the hill culminating in the [[Citadel of Gondor|Citadel]] at the summit, 700 feet above the plain below. The outer wall was called the [[City Wall]] and was black, of the same material used in [[Orthanc]]. The City Wall was vulnerable only to earthquakes capable of rending the ground where it stood.<ref name="RK-MinasTirith"/>

Each level was walled and held a gate with each gate faced a different direction: only the great gate and that of the seventh level faced east; the gate to the second level faced southeast, and that to the third faced northeast; so altering between the two such that the path up through the levels wound to and fro rather than following a straight line. An outcropping of rock as high as the seventh level bisected all the lower levels except the lowest on the line of the [[Great Gate of Minas Tirith|Great Gate]]. The winding path through the city therefore passed through tunnels in this 'keel' five times.

The '''First Level''' included the [[Rath Celerdain]], a white paved street with an inn, the [[Old Guesthouse]].

The '''Sixth Level''' contained stables for riders, and the [[Houses of Healing]]. There was also [[Fen Hollen]], a door which was almost always closed, leading to [[Rath Dínen]]<ref name="RK-MinasTirith" />, the 'shoulder' of rock that joined the Hill to the main mass of Mount Mindolluin rose to the level of the fifth wall and was fortified with large ramparts, where the tombs of the Kings of Gondor and their Stewards lay. The uppermost tunnel was delved into the spur of rock that jutted out of the eastern face of the Hill; The keystone of its archway was carved with the head of a crowned King. [[Guards of the Citadel]] manned the Seventh Gate which faced eastward in line with the Great Gate 700 feet below and emerged into the Citadel, the city's strongest point, surrounded by high walls and battlements on the 'keel'.

The '''Citadel''' housed the [[Court of the Fountain (Minas Tirith)|Court of the Fountain]] and the [[Tower of Ecthelion]], which brought the total height of the city to 1000 feet.<ref group="note">On the basis of this figure and unpublished sketches by Tolkien [[Karen Wynn Fonstad]] estimated the breadth of the city at 3100 feet in her ''[[The Atlas of Middle-earth|Atlas]]''.</ref> Before the Tower grew the [[White Tree of Gondor|White Tree]] in a court. There were also the [[King's House]], lodgings for the Steward, [[Merethrond]], barracks for the Guard of the Citadel, and other buildings for guests and other workers.

==Etymology==
''Minas Tirith'' is a [[Sindarin]] name,<ref name=PE17>{{PE|17}}, entry S ''Minas Tirith'', p. 31</ref> which means "Tower of Guard"<ref name=Guard/> or "Tower of Watch"<ref name=PE17/>. Paul Strack suggests that the name is a combination of ''[[minas]]'' ("tower", "fort", "city") and ''[[tirith]]'' ("watch", "ward", "guard").<ref>{{webcite|author=Paul Strack|articleurl=https://www.eldamo.org/content/words/word-538283653.html|articlename=S. ''Minas Tirith'' loc.|website=Eldamo|accessed=27 April 2023}}</ref>
==Other names==
''Minas Anor'' is a Sindarin name,<ref name=Eldamo>{{webcite|author=Paul Strack|articleurl=https://www.eldamo.org/content/words/word-2929446519.html|articlename=S. ''Minas Anor'' loc.|website=Eldamo|accessed=27 April 2023}}</ref> which means "Tower of the Sun"<ref>{{RK|Gate}}, p. 884</ref><ref>{{RK|Steward}}, p. 964</ref><ref>{{S|Index}}, entry ''Minas Anor''</ref><ref>{{UT|Index}}, entry ''Minas Anor''</ref> or "Tower of the Setting Sun"<ref>{{FR|Council}}, p. 244</ref><ref>{{S|Rings}}</ref>. Paul Strack suggests that the name is a combination of ''[[minas]]'' ("tower", "fort", "city") and ''[[Sun#Other names|anor]]'' ("sun").<ref name=Eldamo/>

''Mundburg'' is a [[Rohanese]] name, which means "Guardian-fortress".<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 400 citing from the entry Mundburg in the 1966 Index</ref> It probably contains the [[Old English]] element ''mund'', which means "protection".<ref>{{TI|King}}, note 7, p. 449</ref>

Minas Tirith was also referred to as the Tower of Guard<ref name=Guard>{{FR|Council}}, p. 245</ref><ref>{{TT|Departure}}, p. 414 and p. 418</ref><ref>{{TT|King}}, pp. 516-7</ref><ref>{{RK|Siege}}, p. 808</ref><ref>{{RK|Gate}}, p. 891</ref><ref>{{RK|Steward}}, p. 963</ref>, the Guarded City<ref>{{RK|MT}}, p. 751</ref>, and the Tower of Anor<ref>{{RK|Steward}}, p. 963</ref>,

The names Stone-city and Stone-houses were used by the [[Drúedain]].<ref>{{RK|V5}}</ref><ref>[[Robert Foster]], ''[[The Complete Guide to Middle-earth]]'', p. 366</ref>

==Inspiration==
Minas Tirith's most obvious historical parallel is the capital of the Byzantine Empire, Constantinople. Founded by the Roman emperor Constantine, Constantinople would eventually be one of the largest cities of its day and be a fortress under constant attack by its enemies. Similarly, Minas Tirith would become the chief fortification of Gondor in the latter days of its decline.

Like Minas Tirith, the Byzantine capital Constantinople sat near a strategic waterway (the Anduin to the Bay of Tolfalas in the case of Minas Tirith, the Bosporus Strait which divides the Mediterranean and Black Seas in the case of Constantinople) and was protected by massive walls that were virtually impregnable until the rise of effective gunpowder weapons in the real-world 15th century.<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 570</ref>

[[J.R.R. Tolkien]] described Minas Tirith in a long [[Letter to Milton Waldman| letter to Milton Waldman]], that was probably written in late 1951, as the "half-ruinous Byzantine City of Minas Tirith"<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 746</ref> and that of Gondor in its history "fades slowly to decayed Middle-Age, a kind of proud, venerable, but increasingly impotent Byzantium".<ref>{{L|131}}</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
{{Gallery
|title=Minas Tirith in adaptations
|height=150
|width=250
|lines=2
|File:War in Middle Earth - Minas Tirith.gif|Minas Tirith in ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien's War in Middle Earth]]''
|File:The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King - Minas Tirith.jpg|Minas Tirith in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]''
|File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Minas Tirith.jpg|Minas Tirith in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
}}
'''1988: ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien's War in Middle Earth]]'':'''
:Minas Tirith is one of the many battlefields in this game. The city is brown, unlike the books in which it is white.

'''2001: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
:The city appears briefly when Gandalf goes there to discern the identity of [[Bilbo Baggins|Bilbo]]'s [[The One Ring|One Ring]].

'''2002: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]'':'''
:Minas Tirith can be seen in the distance for a few seconds when [[Faramir]] takes [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]], [[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]] and [[Gollum]] to [[Osgiliath]].

'''2003: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]'':'''
:Tolkien's description of the physical layout of Minas Tirith is mostly adhered to in the film, although certain artistic liberties are taken, such as the Tower of Ecthelion being separate from the building which contains the throne room. Despite the description of Minas Tirith's [[Othram]] as a black, indestructible wall, Jackson depicted all of the walls as white, which crumble quickly under attack from Mordor's catapults. The city is also closer to the mountain than in Tolkien's description and sketches. In the film, the city is within clear sight of the mountains surrounding Mordor and the fires of [[Mount Doom]] - so much so, that in at least one night scene the light of Minas Morgul shines on the faces of viewers from the city walls. However, in the books, the mountains were far enough away that from the city they looked like a low dark shadow over the land far away.

:According to the "Making Of" featurettes on the Extended Edition DVDs, the appearance and structure of the city was based upon [[Wikipedia:Mont Saint-Michel|Mont Saint-Michel]], France.

:Portions of Minas Tirith were constructed as full-scale sets (built on the foundations of the disassembled [[Helm's Deep]] set), and the whole city as a highly detailed "[[bigature]]" by [[Weta Workshop]] combined with a detailed three-dimensional digital model, along with the whole of its surrounding environment.

'''2015: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
: Several different versions of the city exist in-game, separated chronologically: under the [[Dawnless Day]], during the [[Siege of Gondor]], after the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]] and during the Great Wedding of [[Aragorn]] and [[Arwen]] at [[Mid-year's Day]]. Each version is explorable and has a different set of quests. The Seven Tiers of the city have been given names: Worker's Tier, Soldier's Tier, Craftsmen's Tier, Player's Tier, Sages' Tier, Master's Tier and the Citadel. Large statues of every past King and Ruling Steward are placed across the city.

{{references|note}}

{{FellowshipRoute}}

[[Category:Minas Tirith]]

[[de:Minas Tirith (Gondor)]]
[[fi:Minas Tirith]]
[[fr:encyclo/geographie/villes_tours_et_forteresses/gondor/minas_tirith]]

Minas Tirith

2024-03-26T12:48:06Z

Fornad01: Changed 'forces' to 'army' so that it reads better.

{{disambig-more|Minas Tirith|[[Minas Tirith (disambiguation)]]}}
{{location infobox
| name=Minas Tirith
| image=[[File:Ralph Damiani - Across Middle-earth - The White City.png|250px]]
| caption="The White City" by [[Ralph Damiani]]
| pronun=
| othernames=[[Minas Tirith#History|Minas Anor]] [[Mundburg]] the Tower of Guard the Guarded City Tower of Anor
| location=Easternmost point of the [[White Mountains]], close to [[Anduin]]
| type=City
| description=White city of seven levels
| regions=
| towns=
| inhabitants=[[Gondorians]]
| created={{SA|3320}}<ref name="AppB-2A">{{App|SA}}</ref>
| destroyed=
| events=[[Siege of Minas Tirith]]
}}
{{Quote|But Minas Anor endured, and it was named anew Minas Tirith, the Tower of Guard; for there the kings caused to be built in the citadel [[Tower of Ecthelion|a white tower]], very tall and fair, and its eye was upon many lands. Proud still and strong was that city, and in it the [[White Tree of Gondor|White Tree]] still flowered for a while before the house of the Kings.|''[[The Silmarillion]]'', "[[Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age]]"}}

'''Minas Tirith''' ([[Sindarin|S.]] 'Tower of the Guard') was a city of [[Gondor]], originally called '''Minas Anor'''. From {{TA|1640}}<ref name="AppB-3A"/> onwards it was the capital of the South-kingdom and the seat of its [[Kings of Gondor|Kings]] and ruling [[Stewards of Gondor|Stewards]].

==History==
===Minas Anor===
The city of Minas Tirith was originally a fortress, Minas Anor ([[Sindarin|S.]] 'Tower of the Sun'), which was probably built after the founding of the realm of Gondor in {{SA|3320}} before {{SA|3429}}.<ref name="AppB-2A">{{App|SA}}</ref> It was the western counterpart to [[Minas Ithil]] ([[Sindarin|S.]] 'Tower of the Moon'): though was originally of less importance, and was built as a small fort on the summit of Amon Anor mostly to guard [[Rath Dínen]], the Tombs of the Kings<ref>{{NM|P3xvii}}, Text 2, p. 365</ref>. From Osgiliath the sons of [[Elendil]] jointly ruled the newly-founded [[Gondor|South-kingdom]], but Minas Anor was home to [[Anárion]]'s House and Minas Ithil to [[Isildur]]'s.<ref name="S-Rings">{{S|Rings}}</ref> Therefore when the seven ''[[palantíri]]'' were divided amongst the [[Realms in Exile]] one was placed in Minas Anor.<ref name="AppA">{{App|A}}</ref><ref name="TT-Palantir">{{TT|Palantir}}.</ref>

[[Sauron]] attacked Gondor in {{SA|3429}}, [[First Fall of Minas Ithil|taking]] [[Minas Ithil]] and forcing Isildur to flee north to his father in [[Arnor]]. Anárion meanwhile was besieged in Osgiliath and Minas Anor,<ref name="AppB-2A"/> until he was relieved by the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]]. In {{TA|2}} Isildur planted the second [[White Tree of Gondor]] in Minas Anor in memory of his brother, who had perished during the [[Siege of Barad-dûr]]. From this point the Kingship of Gondor belonged solely to the heirs of Anárion, who continued to rule from Osgiliath.<ref name="AppB-3A">{{App|TA}}</ref><ref name="PM-Heirs">{{PM|Elendil}}</ref>

In {{TA|420}}<ref name="AppB-3A"/> Minas Anor was rebuilt by [[Ostoher]], the seventh [[Kings of Gondor|King of Gondor]], and from his reign onwards the Kings removed there from Osgiliath in the summer.<ref name="AppA"/> It remained the second city of Gondor for the next thousand years as the Kingdom reached the height of its power under the [[Ship-kings]], and then fell into its long decline. Osgiliath was burned and its ''palantír'' lost during the [[Kin-strife]], but the army of [[Castamir]] did not breach the walls of Minas Anor by force<ref group="note">When the Witch-king entered Minas Tirith, he rode "under the archway that no enemy ever yet had passed", meaning that Castamir's army could not have breached the gate. However, given that Castamir reigned for ten years, it is likely that they ceded to him in some other way.</ref>. Its people resented Castamir's rule and were angered by his cruel treatment of Osgiliath, and it is likely that they sided with the forces of [[Eldacar]] when he returned from the north in {{TA|1447}}<ref name="Gondor">{{App|Gondor}}</ref>. After the defeat of Castamir, Minas Anor gradually grew more prominent. In {{TA|1636}} the old capital was devastated by the [[Great Plague]], leaving it depopulated and falling into ruin. Soon after, [[Tarondor (King of Gondor)|Tarondor]] permanently moved the [[King's House]] to Minas Anor ({{TA|1640}}).<ref name="AppA"/><ref name="AppB-3A"/>

For a short time under Tarandor and his heirs the decline of Gondor was slowed, although constant wars with various groups of [[Easterlings]] took their toll. In {{TA|1900}} [[Calimehtar (King of Gondor)|Calimehtar]] built the first [[Tower of Ecthelion|White Tower]] in the Citadel of Minas Anor to house the city's ''palantír''.<ref name="AppB-3A"/> Just over a century later, however, the kingdom was dealt a harsh blow. In {{TA|2002}} Minas Ithil, where the guard on Mordor had long since slackened, was [[Second Fall of Minas Ithil|captured]] by the [[Nazgûl]]. It became known as Minas Morgul, and in turn Minas Anor was renamed Minas Tirith, 'Tower of the Guard' or the 'Guarded City'.<ref name="RK-MinasTirith"/> Soon after [[Eärnur]], the last King of Gondor, was killed in the Morgul Vale, and the lordship of the South-kingdom passed to the [[Stewards]].<ref name="AppA"/>

===Minas Tirith===
[[File:John Howe - Minas Tirith.jpg|thumb|left|"Minas Tirith" by [[John Howe]]]]Following a brief respite in the [[Watchful Peace]], Gondor under the Stewards became increasingly beset by enemies: control of [[Ithilien]] and the ruined bridges of [[Osgiliath]] passed back and forth between Minas Tirith and Minas Morgul,the coastlands were raided by the [[Corsairs of Umbar]], and Easterlings assailed them from the north.<ref name="AppA"/> The Citadel was improved under [[Ecthelion I]] ({{TA|2685}}–{{TA|2698|n}}),<ref name="AppA"/> who rebuilt the [[Tower of Ecthelion| White Tower]] which afterwards bore his name.<ref name="AppB-3A"/> But equally the White Tree died at the same time as the twenty-first Steward, [[Belecthor II]], and this time a new seedling could not be found to replace it.<ref name="AppA" />

In the reign of [[Ecthelion II]] ({{TA|2953}}–{{TA|2984}})<ref name="AppA"/> Minas Tirith was strengthened against Mordor, where Sauron had now declared himself openly. It was at this time that [[Aragorn]] the future King first came to the city under the name [[Thorongil]], and did great deeds.<ref name="AppA"/>

===War of the Ring===
{{main|Battle of the Pelennor Fields}}
During the [[War of the Ring]], the brunt of [[Mordor]]'s assault on the [[Free peoples]] was directed at Gondor and Minas Tirith. [[Cair Andros]] fell on [[10 March]] {{TA|3019}} and on [[12 March]] a company led by [[Faramir]] was forced to retreat from its defence of Osgiliath.<ref name="AppB-3A"/> An effort was made to repair the Rammas Echor, but this came too late.<ref name="RK-MinasTirith"/> With the crossings of Anduin taken the Pelennor was overrun, and Minas Tirith was besieged by a great army of Morgul orcs and Easterlings led by the [[Witch-king]]. The city was under-manned, and its defenders had little hope; on [[15 March]] the Great Gate was breached and the last ruling Steward, [[Denethor|Denethor II]], burned himself in despair.<ref name="RK-Siege">{{RK|Siege}}</ref><ref name="RK-Pyre">{{RK|Pyre}}</ref> But [[Gandalf]] was also present, and rescuing Faramir from his father he took charge of the defence of Minas Tirith. The [[Rohirrim]] under [[Théoden]] also came unlooked for to the city's aid, and [[Aragorn]] led a force up the river from [[Pelargir]]. Seeing this [[Imrahil]], [[Prince of Dol Amroth]], led a sally from the city, and the three armies were able to break the siege in the decisive [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]].<ref name="RK-Pelennor">{{RK|Battle}}</ref>

On [[1 May]] {{TA|3019}}, returning with the victorious from the [[Battle of the Morannon]], Aragorn was crowned on the plain outside Minas Tirith, and he entered the city as King Elessar. On [[25 June]] he discovered a sapling of the line of [[Nimloth of Númenor|Nimloth]] in a hidden hallow of Mount Mindolluin. This was planted in the Court of the Fountain – the fourth White Tree of Gondor.<ref name="RK-StewardKing">{{RK|Steward}}.</ref><ref name="AppB-3A"/>

===Fourth Age===
Under King Elessar Minas Tirith was restored and made more beautiful than ever before: the Great Gate was reforged of ''[[mithril]]'' and steel by the [[Dwarves]] of the [[Glittering Caves]],<ref>{{App|Durin}}, p. 1080</ref> led by [[Gimli]], the streets were paved with white marble and the city was filled with trees and fountains. Dwarves came to work in the city and [[Elves]] enjoyed coming to it.<ref>{{RK|Steward}}, p. 968</ref>

==Geography==
[[Image:J.R.R. Tolkien - Minas Tirith.jpg|left|thumb|"Minas Tirith" (unfinished drawing) by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]]]
Minas Tirith was situated on the [[Hill of Guard]] – the "out-thrust knee" of [[Mount Mindolluin]], connected to the main mass of the mountain by a narrow 'shoulder'.<ref name="RK-MinasTirith">{{RK|MT}}.</ref><ref name="WR-MinasTirith">{{WR|3|III}}.</ref> It faced eastward towards Osgiliath, over the [[Pelennor Fields]] surrounding the city, fertile townlands stretching from the walls of the city proper to the [[Rammas Echor]].<ref name="RK-MinasTirith"/>

The city was built on the hill with seven concentric tiers cut on the hill culminating in the [[Citadel of Gondor|Citadel]] at the summit, 700 feet above the plain below. The outer wall was called the [[City Wall]] and was black, of the same material used in [[Orthanc]]. The City Wall was vulnerable only to earthquakes capable of rending the ground where it stood.<ref name="RK-MinasTirith"/>

Each level was walled and held a gate with each gate faced a different direction: only the great gate and that of the seventh level faced east; the gate to the second level faced southeast, and that to the third faced northeast; so altering between the two such that the path up through the levels wound to and fro rather than following a straight line. An outcropping of rock as high as the seventh level bisected all the lower levels except the lowest on the line of the [[Great Gate of Minas Tirith|Great Gate]]. The winding path through the city therefore passed through tunnels in this 'keel' five times.

The '''First Level''' included the [[Rath Celerdain]], a white paved street with an inn, the [[Old Guesthouse]].

The '''Sixth Level''' contained stables for riders, and the [[Houses of Healing]]. There was also [[Fen Hollen]], a door which was almost always closed, leading to [[Rath Dínen]]<ref name="RK-MinasTirith" />, the 'shoulder' of rock that joined the Hill to the main mass of Mount Mindolluin rose to the level of the fifth wall and was fortified with large ramparts, where the tombs of the Kings of Gondor and their Stewards lay. The uppermost tunnel was delved into the spur of rock that jutted out of the eastern face of the Hill; The keystone of its archway was carved with the head of a crowned King. [[Guards of the Citadel]] manned the Seventh Gate which faced eastward in line with the Great Gate 700 feet below and emerged into the Citadel, the city's strongest point, surrounded by high walls and battlements on the 'keel'.

The '''Citadel''' housed the [[Court of the Fountain (Minas Tirith)|Court of the Fountain]] and the [[Tower of Ecthelion]], which brought the total height of the city to 1000 feet.<ref group="note">On the basis of this figure and unpublished sketches by Tolkien [[Karen Wynn Fonstad]] estimated the breadth of the city at 3100 feet in her ''[[The Atlas of Middle-earth|Atlas]]''.</ref> Before the Tower grew the [[White Tree of Gondor|White Tree]] in a court. There were also the [[King's House]], lodgings for the Steward, [[Merethrond]], barracks for the Guard of the Citadel, and other buildings for guests and other workers.

==Etymology==
''Minas Tirith'' is a [[Sindarin]] name,<ref name=PE17>{{PE|17}}, entry S ''Minas Tirith'', p. 31</ref> which means "Tower of Guard"<ref name=Guard/> or "Tower of Watch"<ref name=PE17/>. Paul Strack suggests that the name is a combination of ''[[minas]]'' ("tower", "fort", "city") and ''[[tirith]]'' ("watch", "ward", "guard").<ref>{{webcite|author=Paul Strack|articleurl=https://www.eldamo.org/content/words/word-538283653.html|articlename=S. ''Minas Tirith'' loc.|website=Eldamo|accessed=27 April 2023}}</ref>
==Other names==
''Minas Anor'' is a Sindarin name,<ref name=Eldamo>{{webcite|author=Paul Strack|articleurl=https://www.eldamo.org/content/words/word-2929446519.html|articlename=S. ''Minas Anor'' loc.|website=Eldamo|accessed=27 April 2023}}</ref> which means "Tower of the Sun"<ref>{{RK|Gate}}, p. 884</ref><ref>{{RK|Steward}}, p. 964</ref><ref>{{S|Index}}, entry ''Minas Anor''</ref><ref>{{UT|Index}}, entry ''Minas Anor''</ref> or "Tower of the Setting Sun"<ref>{{FR|Council}}, p. 244</ref><ref>{{S|Rings}}</ref>. Paul Strack suggests that the name is a combination of ''[[minas]]'' ("tower", "fort", "city") and ''[[Sun#Other names|anor]]'' ("sun").<ref name=Eldamo/>

''Mundburg'' is a [[Rohanese]] name, which means "Guardian-fortress".<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 400 citing from the entry Mundburg in the 1966 Index</ref> It probably contains the [[Old English]] element ''mund'', which means "protection".<ref>{{TI|King}}, note 7, p. 449</ref>

Minas Tirith was also referred to as the Tower of Guard<ref name=Guard>{{FR|Council}}, p. 245</ref><ref>{{TT|Departure}}, p. 414 and p. 418</ref><ref>{{TT|King}}, pp. 516-7</ref><ref>{{RK|Siege}}, p. 808</ref><ref>{{RK|Gate}}, p. 891</ref><ref>{{RK|Steward}}, p. 963</ref>, the Guarded City<ref>{{RK|MT}}, p. 751</ref>, and the Tower of Anor<ref>{{RK|Steward}}, p. 963</ref>,

The names Stone-city and Stone-houses were used by the [[Drúedain]].<ref>{{RK|V5}}</ref><ref>[[Robert Foster]], ''[[The Complete Guide to Middle-earth]]'', p. 366</ref>

==Inspiration==
Minas Tirith's most obvious historical parallel is the capital of the Byzantine Empire, Constantinople. Founded by the Roman emperor Constantine, Constantinople would eventually be one of the largest cities of its day and be a fortress under constant attack by its enemies. Similarly, Minas Tirith would become the chief fortification of Gondor in the latter days of its decline.

Like Minas Tirith, the Byzantine capital Constantinople sat near a strategic waterway (the Anduin to the Bay of Tolfalas in the case of Minas Tirith, the Bosporus Strait which divides the Mediterranean and Black Seas in the case of Constantinople) and was protected by massive walls that were virtually impregnable until the rise of effective gunpowder weapons in the real-world 15th century.<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 570</ref>

[[J.R.R. Tolkien]] described Minas Tirith in a long [[Letter to Milton Waldman| letter to Milton Waldman]], that was probably written in late 1951, as the "half-ruinous Byzantine City of Minas Tirith"<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 746</ref> and that of Gondor in its history "fades slowly to decayed Middle-Age, a kind of proud, venerable, but increasingly impotent Byzantium".<ref>{{L|131}}</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
{{Gallery
|title=Minas Tirith in adaptations
|height=150
|width=250
|lines=2
|File:War in Middle Earth - Minas Tirith.gif|Minas Tirith in ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien's War in Middle Earth]]''
|File:The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King - Minas Tirith.jpg|Minas Tirith in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]''
|File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Minas Tirith.jpg|Minas Tirith in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
}}
'''1988: ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien's War in Middle Earth]]'':'''
:Minas Tirith is one of the many battlefields in this game. The city is brown, unlike the books in which it is white.

'''2001: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
:The city appears briefly when Gandalf goes there to discern the identity of [[Bilbo Baggins|Bilbo]]'s [[The One Ring|One Ring]].

'''2002: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]'':'''
:Minas Tirith can be seen in the distance for a few seconds when [[Faramir]] takes [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]], [[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]] and [[Gollum]] to [[Osgiliath]].

'''2003: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]'':'''
:Tolkien's description of the physical layout of Minas Tirith is mostly adhered to in the film, although certain artistic liberties are taken, such as the Tower of Ecthelion being separate from the building which contains the throne room. Despite the description of Minas Tirith's [[Othram]] as a black, indestructible wall, Jackson depicted all of the walls as white, which crumble quickly under attack from Mordor's catapults. The city is also closer to the mountain than in Tolkien's description and sketches. In the film, the city is within clear sight of the mountains surrounding Mordor and the fires of [[Mount Doom]] - so much so, that in at least one night scene the light of Minas Morgul shines on the faces of viewers from the city walls. However, in the books, the mountains were far enough away that from the city they looked like a low dark shadow over the land far away.

:According to the "Making Of" featurettes on the Extended Edition DVDs, the appearance and structure of the city was based upon [[Wikipedia:Mont Saint-Michel|Mont Saint-Michel]], France.

:Portions of Minas Tirith were constructed as full-scale sets (built on the foundations of the disassembled [[Helm's Deep]] set), and the whole city as a highly detailed "[[bigature]]" by [[Weta Workshop]] combined with a detailed three-dimensional digital model, along with the whole of its surrounding environment.

'''2015: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
: Several different versions of the city exist in-game, separated chronologically: under the [[Dawnless Day]], during the [[Siege of Gondor]], after the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]] and during the Great Wedding of [[Aragorn]] and [[Arwen]] at [[Mid-year's Day]]. Each version is explorable and has a different set of quests. The Seven Tiers of the city have been given names: Worker's Tier, Soldier's Tier, Craftsmen's Tier, Player's Tier, Sages' Tier, Master's Tier and the Citadel. Large statues of every past King and Ruling Steward are placed across the city.

{{references|note}}

{{FellowshipRoute}}

[[Category:Minas Tirith]]

[[de:Minas Tirith (Gondor)]]
[[fi:Minas Tirith]]
[[fr:encyclo/geographie/villes_tours_et_forteresses/gondor/minas_tirith]]

Rammas Echor

2024-03-26T12:46:26Z

Fornad01: Made a minor edit for grammatical clarity - split a single sentence into three.

{{location infobox
| name=Rammas Echor
| image=[[File:Rammas Echor.png|250px]]
| caption=Rammas Echor from [[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King'' (2003 video game)]]
| pronun=
| othernames=The Rammas
| location=Eastern [[Gondor]]
| type=Wall
| description=A wall around the [[Pelennor Fields]]
| regions=
| towns=
| inhabitants=
| created=between {{TA|2435}} and {{TA|2984|n}}
| destroyed=[[15 March]] {{TA|3019}}
| events=[[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]]
}}
The '''Rammas Echor''' was the great wall that surrounded the city of [[Minas Tirith]] and the [[Pelennor Fields]], its farmlands and pastures.<ref name=MT>{{RK|MT}}, p. 750</ref>

==Geography==
The ''Rammas Echor'' was ten leagues (thirty miles<ref>{{HM|RC}}, citing from an unpublished manuscript of "Hobbit long measures", p. 23</ref>) or more in length.<ref name=MT/> It ran from the northeastern feet of the [[Mindolluin]] mountain about ten miles northwest of Minas Tirith in approximately the shape of three quarters of a circle back to the southeastern feet of the mountain about more than three miles southwest of Minas Tirith.<ref name=Map>{{RK|Map}}</ref> Since Minas Tirith was close to the southwestern end of the wall,<ref name=Map/> its furthest point was four leagues (twelve miles) from the [[Great Gate of Minas Tirith|Great Gate]] of the city<ref name=MT/> where the [[Causeway Forts]] were located<ref name=Map/> and its nearest point was a bit more than one league (three miles) Minas Tirith where the [[Harlond (Gondor)|Harlond]], the city's harbour on the river [[Anduin]] was located.<ref name=MT/> There were three main gates in the wall, [[Forannest|one]] in its northwest where the [[North-way]] led to the [[Great West Road]], one flanked by the Causeway Forts in its northeast where the [[Causeway (Gondor)|Causeway]] ran to the city of [[Osgiliath]] at the Anduin and one in its southwest where the [[South Road]] ran to the city of [[Pelargir]].<ref name=Map/> It is possible that a road from the Great Gate of Minas Tirith passed through a gate in the south-eastern part of the wall to reach the Harlond<ref>[[Catherine McIlwaine]], ''[[Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth]]'', "Map of part of Gondor", p. 389</ref> because many roads crossed the green fields of the Pelennor Fields<ref>{{RK|MT}}, p. 763</ref>.

==History==
The ''Rammas Echor'' was built with a great amount of labour after the province of [[Ithilien]] fell under the shadow of the Enemy<ref name=MT/> during the rule of [[Steward of Gondor|Steward]] [[Denethor (disambiguation)|Denethor]],<ref name=UI>{{HM|UI}}, entry ''Rammas Echor'', "built under Denethor's lordship", p. 512</ref> but it is not specified if it was during the rule of Steward [[Denethor I]] or Steward [[Denethor|Denethor II]].

It is possible that it was built during the lordship of Denethor I to protect the Pelennor Fields. [[Uruks]] from [[Mordor]] appeared during the last years of his rule and attacked Ithilien and conquered Osgiliath in {{TA|2475}} so that the city was finally ruined and abandoned by its population, and its great stone-bridge over the river Anduin was broken. The borders of Gondor were under constant threat from his rule onwards.<ref>{{App|Stewards}}, entry for Steward Denethor I, p. 1053</ref>

It is also possible<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 546</ref> that it was built during the rule of Denethor II. This is less likely, as it already seemed to be partly ruinous and was under repair<ref>{{RK|MT}}, pp. 748-9</ref> on [[9 March]] {{TA|3019}}<ref name=Great>{{App|Great}}, p. 1093</ref> only 35 years after Denethor II became Steward of Gondor in {{TA|2984}}.<ref>{{App|TA}}, entry for the year 2984, p. 1090</ref> Additionally, Minas Tirith was falling more and more into decay and had only half of its original population in that year,<ref>{{RK|MT}}, p. 752</ref> which indicates a shortage of a labour force for the great labour that would be required to construct a thirty-mile long wall. Finally, Gondor had conquered back Osgiliath in the days of the youth of Denethor II to hold it as an outpost and to rebuild the bridge so that its troops could cross over the river,<ref>{{RK|MT}}, p. 764</ref> which would have been a risk for the Pelennor Fields if they had not been protected against raids by a wall at that time. [[Ghân-buri-ghân]], the chieftain of the [[Drúedain]] of [[Drúadan Forest]], referred to the Rammas Echor as the "Stone-folk's new walls",<ref name=Ride>{{RK|Ride}}, p. 834</ref> but it is not clear what age he considered "new" to mean and how far back the memory of his people reached.

Early in the morning on [[11 March]] {{TA|3019}}<ref name=Great/> Steward Denethor II at a meeting of his [[Council of Gondor|Council]] decided that the Rammas Echor and Osgiliath should be manned and defended against the enemy. His younger son [[Faramir]] volunteered to command the forces that defended Osgiliath and the Rammas Echor, knowing that they could cause the enemy to loose ten times their own losses during the attempt to cross the river Anduin, but that the long retreat of his forces from far out there would be dangerous if the enemy managed to cross the river.<ref name=Siege>{{RK|Siege}}, p. 817</ref>

On [[12 March]],<ref name=Great/> the attacking Morgul-host that was led by the Witch-king and outnumbered the defenders ten times managed to cross the Anduin on a large number of floats and barges that they had secretly built on the eastern side of Osgiliath so that Faramir retreated and rallied his men to the Causeway Forts.<ref name=Siege/>

In the early hours of [[13 March]],<ref name=Great/> the forces of [[Sauron]] blasted breaches in the Rammas Echor in many locations and wrecked the Causeway Forts. The defenders had to retreat over the Pelennor Fields to the Great Gate of Minas Tirith with Faramir leading the rearguard. When cavarly from [[Harad]] overtook the retreating men and caused them to rout, the entire remaining cavalry of Minas Tirith charged from the city, attacked the enemy forces and escorted the retreating men including Faramir, who had been shot with a dart during a fight with a mounted champion of Harad, back to the city. Only two thirds of the defenders including Faramir made it back to Minas Tirith.<ref>{{RK|Siege}}, pp. 818-20</ref>

In the evening of [[14 March]],<ref name=Great/> the riders of the [[Rohirrim]] led by their [[King of Rohan|King]] [[Théoden]] and guided by the Drúedain of Drúadan Forest reached the [[Grey Wood]]. Ghân-buri-ghân, the chieftain of the Drúedain, informed them that his scouts had seen no enemies between the Grey Wood and the Rammas Eachor and had seen that [[Orcs]] had made breaches in the Rammas Echor with explosives and that many Orcs were busy on the walls, but that they did not pay attention to their surroundings, because they seemed to think that the forces of Sauron watched all the approaching roads. Théoden's nephew [[Éomer]] was happy to hear those reports, because he had feared that the enemy could have defended the Rammas Echor for a long time if it had been intact.<ref name=Ride/>

In the early hours of [[15 March]],<ref name=Great/> the riders of the Rohirrim arrived at the northwestern gate of the Rammas Echor and found that the gate was ruined, that there was a great breach in the wall east of the gate and that only a few Orcs were left on the wall, which were busy destroying it and did not pay attention to the risk of enemies approaching from the north. The Rohirrim were able to surprise the Orcs and quickly killed them or drove them away and to use the ruined gate and the breach in the wall to ride into the Pelennor Fields.<ref>{{RK|Ride}}, p. 837</ref>

==Etymology==
''Rammas Echor'' is a [[Sindarin]] name. It means "great wall of the outer circle".<ref>{{S|Appendix}}, entry ''echor''</ref> It is a compound of ''[[rammas]]'' ("great wall") and ''[[echor]]'' ("outer circle").<ref name=UI/>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
'''2003: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]:'''
:The Rammas Echor does not appear, but it is mentioned by Théoden, who tells [[Grimbold]] to take his company right, "after you pass the Wall."<ref>''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]'', "[[The Ride of the Rohirrim (scene)|The Ride of the Rohirrim]]"</ref>

'''2004: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King'' (video game)]]:'''
:The Southern Gate of the Rammas Echor is a mission in the Path of the King. The objective for the player - Aragorn, Gimli or Legolas - to take the gate. This can only be achieved by destroying a tower, and using the rubble to take the wall.<ref>[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King'' (video game)]], "The Southern Gate"</ref>

{{references}}
[[Category:Gondor]]
[[Category:Sindarin locations]]
[[Category:Walls]]
[[de:Rammas Echor]]
[[fi:Rammas Echor]]
[[fr:encyclo/geographie/villes_tours_et_forteresses/gondor/minas_tirith/rammas_echor]]

Minas Tirith

2024-03-26T11:56:33Z

Fornad01: Deleted section as per discussion on the TG Discord. It is entirely speculative and in fact contradicts canon given we are told the exact height of the city in the text.

{{disambig-more|Minas Tirith|[[Minas Tirith (disambiguation)]]}}
{{location infobox
| name=Minas Tirith
| image=[[File:Ralph Damiani - Across Middle-earth - The White City.png|250px]]
| caption="The White City" by [[Ralph Damiani]]
| pronun=
| othernames=[[Minas Tirith#History|Minas Anor]] [[Mundburg]] the Tower of Guard the Guarded City Tower of Anor
| location=Easternmost point of the [[White Mountains]], close to [[Anduin]]
| type=City
| description=White city of seven levels
| regions=
| towns=
| inhabitants=[[Gondorians]]
| created={{SA|3320}}<ref name="AppB-2A">{{App|SA}}</ref>
| destroyed=
| events=[[Siege of Minas Tirith]]
}}
{{Quote|But Minas Anor endured, and it was named anew Minas Tirith, the Tower of Guard; for there the kings caused to be built in the citadel [[Tower of Ecthelion|a white tower]], very tall and fair, and its eye was upon many lands. Proud still and strong was that city, and in it the [[White Tree of Gondor|White Tree]] still flowered for a while before the house of the Kings.|''[[The Silmarillion]]'', "[[Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age]]"}}

'''Minas Tirith''' ([[Sindarin|S.]] 'Tower of the Guard') was a city of [[Gondor]], originally called '''Minas Anor'''. From {{TA|1640}}<ref name="AppB-3A"/> onwards it was the capital of the South-kingdom and the seat of its [[Kings of Gondor|Kings]] and ruling [[Stewards of Gondor|Stewards]].

==History==
===Minas Anor===
The city of Minas Tirith was originally a fortress, Minas Anor ([[Sindarin|S.]] 'Tower of the Sun'), which was probably built after the founding of the realm of Gondor in {{SA|3320}} before {{SA|3429}}.<ref name="AppB-2A">{{App|SA}}</ref> It was the western counterpart to [[Minas Ithil]] ([[Sindarin|S.]] 'Tower of the Moon'): though was originally of less importance, and was built as a small fort on the summit of Amon Anor mostly to guard [[Rath Dínen]], the Tombs of the Kings<ref>{{NM|P3xvii}}, Text 2, p. 365</ref>. From Osgiliath the sons of [[Elendil]] jointly ruled the newly-founded [[Gondor|South-kingdom]], but Minas Anor was home to [[Anárion]]'s House and Minas Ithil to [[Isildur]]'s.<ref name="S-Rings">{{S|Rings}}</ref> Therefore when the seven ''[[palantíri]]'' were divided amongst the [[Realms in Exile]] one was placed in Minas Anor.<ref name="AppA">{{App|A}}</ref><ref name="TT-Palantir">{{TT|Palantir}}.</ref>

[[Sauron]] attacked Gondor in {{SA|3429}}, [[First Fall of Minas Ithil|taking]] [[Minas Ithil]] and forcing Isildur to flee north to his father in [[Arnor]]. Anárion meanwhile was besieged in Osgiliath and Minas Anor,<ref name="AppB-2A"/> until he was relieved by the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]]. In {{TA|2}} Isildur planted the second [[White Tree of Gondor]] in Minas Anor in memory of his brother, who had perished during the [[Siege of Barad-dûr]]. From this point the Kingship of Gondor belonged solely to the heirs of Anárion, who continued to rule from Osgiliath.<ref name="AppB-3A">{{App|TA}}</ref><ref name="PM-Heirs">{{PM|Elendil}}</ref>

In {{TA|420}}<ref name="AppB-3A"/> Minas Anor was rebuilt by [[Ostoher]], the seventh [[Kings of Gondor|King of Gondor]], and from his reign onwards the Kings removed there from Osgiliath in the summer.<ref name="AppA"/> It remained the second city of Gondor for the next thousand years as the Kingdom reached the height of its power under the [[Ship-kings]], and then fell into its long decline. Osgiliath was burned and its ''palantír'' lost during the [[Kin-strife]], but the forces of [[Castamir]] did not breach the walls of Minas Anor by force<ref group="note">When the Witch-king entered Minas Tirith, he rode "under the archway that no enemy ever yet had passed", meaning that Castamir's army could not have breached the gate. However, given that Castamir reigned for ten years, it is likely that they ceded to him in some other way.</ref>. Its people resented Castamir's rule and were angered by his cruel treatment of Osgiliath, and it is likely that they sided with the forces of [[Eldacar]] when he returned from the north in {{TA|1447}}<ref name="Gondor">{{App|Gondor}}</ref>. After the defeat of Castamir, Minas Anor gradually grew more prominent. In {{TA|1636}} the old capital was devastated by the [[Great Plague]], leaving it depopulated and falling into ruin. Soon after, [[Tarondor (King of Gondor)|Tarondor]] permanently moved the [[King's House]] to Minas Anor ({{TA|1640}}).<ref name="AppA"/><ref name="AppB-3A"/>

For a short time under Tarandor and his heirs the decline of Gondor was slowed, although constant wars with various groups of [[Easterlings]] took their toll. In {{TA|1900}} [[Calimehtar (King of Gondor)|Calimehtar]] built the first [[Tower of Ecthelion|White Tower]] in the Citadel of Minas Anor to house the city's ''palantír''.<ref name="AppB-3A"/> Just over a century later, however, the kingdom was dealt a harsh blow. In {{TA|2002}} Minas Ithil, where the guard on Mordor had long since slackened, was [[Second Fall of Minas Ithil|captured]] by the [[Nazgûl]]. It became known as Minas Morgul, and in turn Minas Anor was renamed Minas Tirith, 'Tower of the Guard' or the 'Guarded City'.<ref name="RK-MinasTirith"/> Soon after [[Eärnur]], the last King of Gondor, was killed in the Morgul Vale, and the lordship of the South-kingdom passed to the [[Stewards]].<ref name="AppA"/>

===Minas Tirith===
[[File:John Howe - Minas Tirith.jpg|thumb|left|"Minas Tirith" by [[John Howe]]]]Following a brief respite in the [[Watchful Peace]], Gondor under the Stewards became increasingly beset by enemies: control of [[Ithilien]] and the ruined bridges of [[Osgiliath]] passed back and forth between Minas Tirith and Minas Morgul,the coastlands were raided by the [[Corsairs of Umbar]], and Easterlings assailed them from the north.<ref name="AppA"/> The Citadel was improved under [[Ecthelion I]] ({{TA|2685}}–{{TA|2698|n}}),<ref name="AppA"/> who rebuilt the [[Tower of Ecthelion| White Tower]] which afterwards bore his name.<ref name="AppB-3A"/> But equally the White Tree died at the same time as the twenty-first Steward, [[Belecthor II]], and this time a new seedling could not be found to replace it.<ref name="AppA" />

In the reign of [[Ecthelion II]] ({{TA|2953}}–{{TA|2984}})<ref name="AppA"/> Minas Tirith was strengthened against Mordor, where Sauron had now declared himself openly. It was at this time that [[Aragorn]] the future King first came to the city under the name [[Thorongil]], and did great deeds.<ref name="AppA"/>

===War of the Ring===
{{main|Battle of the Pelennor Fields}}
During the [[War of the Ring]], the brunt of [[Mordor]]'s assault on the [[Free peoples]] was directed at Gondor and Minas Tirith. [[Cair Andros]] fell on [[10 March]] {{TA|3019}} and on [[12 March]] a company led by [[Faramir]] was forced to retreat from its defence of Osgiliath.<ref name="AppB-3A"/> An effort was made to repair the Rammas Echor, but this came too late.<ref name="RK-MinasTirith"/> With the crossings of Anduin taken the Pelennor was overrun, and Minas Tirith was besieged by a great army of Morgul orcs and Easterlings led by the [[Witch-king]]. The city was under-manned, and its defenders had little hope; on [[15 March]] the Great Gate was breached and the last ruling Steward, [[Denethor|Denethor II]], burned himself in despair.<ref name="RK-Siege">{{RK|Siege}}</ref><ref name="RK-Pyre">{{RK|Pyre}}</ref> But [[Gandalf]] was also present, and rescuing Faramir from his father he took charge of the defence of Minas Tirith. The [[Rohirrim]] under [[Théoden]] also came unlooked for to the city's aid, and [[Aragorn]] led a force up the river from [[Pelargir]]. Seeing this [[Imrahil]], [[Prince of Dol Amroth]], led a sally from the city, and the three armies were able to break the siege in the decisive [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]].<ref name="RK-Pelennor">{{RK|Battle}}</ref>

On [[1 May]] {{TA|3019}}, returning with the victorious from the [[Battle of the Morannon]], Aragorn was crowned on the plain outside Minas Tirith, and he entered the city as King Elessar. On [[25 June]] he discovered a sapling of the line of [[Nimloth of Númenor|Nimloth]] in a hidden hallow of Mount Mindolluin. This was planted in the Court of the Fountain – the fourth White Tree of Gondor.<ref name="RK-StewardKing">{{RK|Steward}}.</ref><ref name="AppB-3A"/>

===Fourth Age===
Under King Elessar Minas Tirith was restored and made more beautiful than ever before: the Great Gate was reforged of ''[[mithril]]'' and steel by the [[Dwarves]] of the [[Glittering Caves]],<ref>{{App|Durin}}, p. 1080</ref> led by [[Gimli]], the streets were paved with white marble and the city was filled with trees and fountains. Dwarves came to work in the city and [[Elves]] enjoyed coming to it.<ref>{{RK|Steward}}, p. 968</ref>

==Geography==
[[Image:J.R.R. Tolkien - Minas Tirith.jpg|left|thumb|"Minas Tirith" (unfinished drawing) by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]]]
Minas Tirith was situated on the [[Hill of Guard]] – the "out-thrust knee" of [[Mount Mindolluin]], connected to the main mass of the mountain by a narrow 'shoulder'.<ref name="RK-MinasTirith">{{RK|MT}}.</ref><ref name="WR-MinasTirith">{{WR|3|III}}.</ref> It faced eastward towards Osgiliath, over the [[Pelennor Fields]] surrounding the city, fertile townlands stretching from the walls of the city proper to the [[Rammas Echor]].<ref name="RK-MinasTirith"/>

The city was built on the hill with seven concentric tiers cut on the hill culminating in the [[Citadel of Gondor|Citadel]] at the summit, 700 feet above the plain below. The outer wall was called the [[City Wall]] and was black, of the same material used in [[Orthanc]]. The City Wall was vulnerable only to earthquakes capable of rending the ground where it stood.<ref name="RK-MinasTirith"/>

Each level was walled and held a gate with each gate faced a different direction: only the great gate and that of the seventh level faced east; the gate to the second level faced southeast, and that to the third faced northeast; so altering between the two such that the path up through the levels wound to and fro rather than following a straight line. An outcropping of rock as high as the seventh level bisected all the lower levels except the lowest on the line of the [[Great Gate of Minas Tirith|Great Gate]]. The winding path through the city therefore passed through tunnels in this 'keel' five times.

The '''First Level''' included the [[Rath Celerdain]], a white paved street with an inn, the [[Old Guesthouse]].

The '''Sixth Level''' contained stables for riders, and the [[Houses of Healing]]. There was also [[Fen Hollen]], a door which was almost always closed, leading to [[Rath Dínen]]<ref name="RK-MinasTirith" />, the 'shoulder' of rock that joined the Hill to the main mass of Mount Mindolluin rose to the level of the fifth wall and was fortified with large ramparts, where the tombs of the Kings of Gondor and their Stewards lay. The uppermost tunnel was delved into the spur of rock that jutted out of the eastern face of the Hill; The keystone of its archway was carved with the head of a crowned King. [[Guards of the Citadel]] manned the Seventh Gate which faced eastward in line with the Great Gate 700 feet below and emerged into the Citadel, the city's strongest point, surrounded by high walls and battlements on the 'keel'.

The '''Citadel''' housed the [[Court of the Fountain (Minas Tirith)|Court of the Fountain]] and the [[Tower of Ecthelion]], which brought the total height of the city to 1000 feet.<ref group="note">On the basis of this figure and unpublished sketches by Tolkien [[Karen Wynn Fonstad]] estimated the breadth of the city at 3100 feet in her ''[[The Atlas of Middle-earth|Atlas]]''.</ref> Before the Tower grew the [[White Tree of Gondor|White Tree]] in a court. There were also the [[King's House]], lodgings for the Steward, [[Merethrond]], barracks for the Guard of the Citadel, and other buildings for guests and other workers.

==Etymology==
''Minas Tirith'' is a [[Sindarin]] name,<ref name=PE17>{{PE|17}}, entry S ''Minas Tirith'', p. 31</ref> which means "Tower of Guard"<ref name=Guard/> or "Tower of Watch"<ref name=PE17/>. Paul Strack suggests that the name is a combination of ''[[minas]]'' ("tower", "fort", "city") and ''[[tirith]]'' ("watch", "ward", "guard").<ref>{{webcite|author=Paul Strack|articleurl=https://www.eldamo.org/content/words/word-538283653.html|articlename=S. ''Minas Tirith'' loc.|website=Eldamo|accessed=27 April 2023}}</ref>
==Other names==
''Minas Anor'' is a Sindarin name,<ref name=Eldamo>{{webcite|author=Paul Strack|articleurl=https://www.eldamo.org/content/words/word-2929446519.html|articlename=S. ''Minas Anor'' loc.|website=Eldamo|accessed=27 April 2023}}</ref> which means "Tower of the Sun"<ref>{{RK|Gate}}, p. 884</ref><ref>{{RK|Steward}}, p. 964</ref><ref>{{S|Index}}, entry ''Minas Anor''</ref><ref>{{UT|Index}}, entry ''Minas Anor''</ref> or "Tower of the Setting Sun"<ref>{{FR|Council}}, p. 244</ref><ref>{{S|Rings}}</ref>. Paul Strack suggests that the name is a combination of ''[[minas]]'' ("tower", "fort", "city") and ''[[Sun#Other names|anor]]'' ("sun").<ref name=Eldamo/>

''Mundburg'' is a [[Rohanese]] name, which means "Guardian-fortress".<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 400 citing from the entry Mundburg in the 1966 Index</ref> It probably contains the [[Old English]] element ''mund'', which means "protection".<ref>{{TI|King}}, note 7, p. 449</ref>

Minas Tirith was also referred to as the Tower of Guard<ref name=Guard>{{FR|Council}}, p. 245</ref><ref>{{TT|Departure}}, p. 414 and p. 418</ref><ref>{{TT|King}}, pp. 516-7</ref><ref>{{RK|Siege}}, p. 808</ref><ref>{{RK|Gate}}, p. 891</ref><ref>{{RK|Steward}}, p. 963</ref>, the Guarded City<ref>{{RK|MT}}, p. 751</ref>, and the Tower of Anor<ref>{{RK|Steward}}, p. 963</ref>,

The names Stone-city and Stone-houses were used by the [[Drúedain]].<ref>{{RK|V5}}</ref><ref>[[Robert Foster]], ''[[The Complete Guide to Middle-earth]]'', p. 366</ref>

==Inspiration==
Minas Tirith's most obvious historical parallel is the capital of the Byzantine Empire, Constantinople. Founded by the Roman emperor Constantine, Constantinople would eventually be one of the largest cities of its day and be a fortress under constant attack by its enemies. Similarly, Minas Tirith would become the chief fortification of Gondor in the latter days of its decline.

Like Minas Tirith, the Byzantine capital Constantinople sat near a strategic waterway (the Anduin to the Bay of Tolfalas in the case of Minas Tirith, the Bosporus Strait which divides the Mediterranean and Black Seas in the case of Constantinople) and was protected by massive walls that were virtually impregnable until the rise of effective gunpowder weapons in the real-world 15th century.<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 570</ref>

[[J.R.R. Tolkien]] described Minas Tirith in a long [[Letter to Milton Waldman| letter to Milton Waldman]], that was probably written in late 1951, as the "half-ruinous Byzantine City of Minas Tirith"<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 746</ref> and that of Gondor in its history "fades slowly to decayed Middle-Age, a kind of proud, venerable, but increasingly impotent Byzantium".<ref>{{L|131}}</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
{{Gallery
|title=Minas Tirith in adaptations
|height=150
|width=250
|lines=2
|File:War in Middle Earth - Minas Tirith.gif|Minas Tirith in ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien's War in Middle Earth]]''
|File:The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King - Minas Tirith.jpg|Minas Tirith in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]''
|File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Minas Tirith.jpg|Minas Tirith in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
}}
'''1988: ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien's War in Middle Earth]]'':'''
:Minas Tirith is one of the many battlefields in this game. The city is brown, unlike the books in which it is white.

'''2001: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
:The city appears briefly when Gandalf goes there to discern the identity of [[Bilbo Baggins|Bilbo]]'s [[The One Ring|One Ring]].

'''2002: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]'':'''
:Minas Tirith can be seen in the distance for a few seconds when [[Faramir]] takes [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]], [[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]] and [[Gollum]] to [[Osgiliath]].

'''2003: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]'':'''
:Tolkien's description of the physical layout of Minas Tirith is mostly adhered to in the film, although certain artistic liberties are taken, such as the Tower of Ecthelion being separate from the building which contains the throne room. Despite the description of Minas Tirith's [[Othram]] as a black, indestructible wall, Jackson depicted all of the walls as white, which crumble quickly under attack from Mordor's catapults. The city is also closer to the mountain than in Tolkien's description and sketches. In the film, the city is within clear sight of the mountains surrounding Mordor and the fires of [[Mount Doom]] - so much so, that in at least one night scene the light of Minas Morgul shines on the faces of viewers from the city walls. However, in the books, the mountains were far enough away that from the city they looked like a low dark shadow over the land far away.

:According to the "Making Of" featurettes on the Extended Edition DVDs, the appearance and structure of the city was based upon [[Wikipedia:Mont Saint-Michel|Mont Saint-Michel]], France.

:Portions of Minas Tirith were constructed as full-scale sets (built on the foundations of the disassembled [[Helm's Deep]] set), and the whole city as a highly detailed "[[bigature]]" by [[Weta Workshop]] combined with a detailed three-dimensional digital model, along with the whole of its surrounding environment.

'''2015: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
: Several different versions of the city exist in-game, separated chronologically: under the [[Dawnless Day]], during the [[Siege of Gondor]], after the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]] and during the Great Wedding of [[Aragorn]] and [[Arwen]] at [[Mid-year's Day]]. Each version is explorable and has a different set of quests. The Seven Tiers of the city have been given names: Worker's Tier, Soldier's Tier, Craftsmen's Tier, Player's Tier, Sages' Tier, Master's Tier and the Citadel. Large statues of every past King and Ruling Steward are placed across the city.

{{references|note}}

{{FellowshipRoute}}

[[Category:Minas Tirith]]

[[de:Minas Tirith (Gondor)]]
[[fi:Minas Tirith]]
[[fr:encyclo/geographie/villes_tours_et_forteresses/gondor/minas_tirith]]

User talk:Fornad01

2024-03-26T11:55:18Z

Fornad01: /* Edits to the Minas Tirith page */ Reply

{{Template:Welcome|realName=|name=Fornad01}}

-- [[User:Mith|'''Mith''']] ([[User talk:Mith|'''Talk''']]/[[Special:Contributions/Mith|Contribs]]/[[Special:Editcount/Mith/Edits|Edits]]) 23:21, 28 October 2020 (UTC)

==Edits to the Rammas Echor page==
Thank you for your interest in Tolkien Gateway and for taking the time to create a user account and your interest to contribute to the content of the Rammas Echor page. It seems that you did not read the [[Tolkien Gateway:Manual of Style]], which was mentioned on the discussion page (talk page) of your user page and did not read the [[Help:References]] page before making your edit. I noticed that you did not write your text in an in-universe style as would have been required by the manual of style. Since you wrote your text in an out-of-universe style in which you mentioned the sources of your statements directly in the text instead of in references (which appear like footnoes), I reverted your edits. It would make it easier for other users to review your edit if you do not split it up into many micro-edits. I will edit the Rammas Echor page and will check if I can include information from your edit in an in universe style. I read your post on r tolkienfans on reddit and read the thread on the Barrow Downs forum that was mentioned there with great interest. --[[User:Akhorahil|Akhôrahil]] ([[User talk:Akhorahil|talk]]) 13:34, 23 May 2023 (UTC)
:::Hi - thanks for making those changes. Apologies for not writing it out correctly! I'm glad you found this tidbit interesting. [[User:Fornad01|Fornad]] ([[User talk:Fornad01|talk]]) 09:44, 4 June 2023 (UTC)

==Edits to the Angle (Eriador) page==
The content that you introduced was interesting and potentially relevant for the page. However, you again wrote the content in an out-of-universe style in which you mentioned the sources of your statements directly in the text instead of in references, after I had informed you not to do this and pointed out the Manual of Style to you. In addition, you wrote the references as clear text. I recommend to have a look at our templates for references for various books (e.g. Template:FR for The Fellowship of the Ring, Template:TT for The Two Towers, Template:RK for The Return of the King, Template:App for The Appendices of LOTR, Template:PM for The Peoples of Middle-earth, Template:NM for The Nature of Middle-earth, Template:UT for Unfinished Tales of Númenor and Middle-earth, Template:S for the Silmarillion, Template:HM for various books, etc.) and to use templates for references in the future. The only thing that you need to add manually in the templates after the brackets are page numbers (for books of editions where Help:References encourages to use page numbers), notes or footnoes). --[[User:Akhorahil|Akhôrahil]] ([[User talk:Akhorahil|talk]]) 14:05, 14 August 2023 (UTC)

==Edits to the Minas Tirith page==
I reverted two of your edits to the Minas Tirith page, because they introduced speculative content that was not disclosed as speculative in your text and that was not supported by the references that you cited or because they were mostly unnecessary. Just because the Annals of the Kings and Rulers (i.e. Appendix A) of LOTR does not mention the details of the conflicts during the Kinstrife in Gondor does not mean that we know what Castamir did to get control of Minas Anor. The Annals say nothing if the population of Minas Anor flocked to Eldacar. The only mention folk from Anórien and they do not specify if Minas Anor was considered to be a part of Anórien at that time. We do not know when Minas Anor or Minas Tirith ceased to be a part of Anórien, because Tolkien was not specific about that. --[[User:Akhorahil|Akhôrahil]] ([[User talk:Akhorahil|talk]]) 11:19, 26 March 2024 (UTC)

:> Just because the Annals of the Kings and Rulers (i.e. Appendix A) of LOTR does not mention the details of the conflicts during the Kinstrife in Gondor does not mean that we know what Castamir did to get control of Minas Anor.
:We know that when the Witch-king enters MT, he rides "under the archway that no enemy ever yet had passed", which means that Castamir's army could not possibly have breached Minas Anor by force. I intended to add this as a footnote and asked in the Discord how to do this.
:> The Annals say nothing if the population of Minas Anor flocked to Eldacar.
:They say this:
:"This [the treatment of Osgiliath] was remembered in Minas Anor and in Ithilien; and there love for Castamir was further lessened when it became seen that he cared little for the land..."
:This is in contrast to his supporters, who are said to be "the people of the coasts and of the great havens of Pelargir and Umbar."
:I think it's extremely clear that Minas Anor sided with Eldacar given what we are told about their opinion of him. At best we could say that "the folk of Minas Anor disliked Castamir and probably sided with Eldacar in 1447". But I think that this is an important part of the city's history and shouldn't be so quickly passed over in the article. [[User:Fornad01|Fornad]] ([[User talk:Fornad01|talk]]) 11:32, 26 March 2024 (UTC)
:I've edited the page in a less speculative manner and I've also included the footnote. Hopefully that passes muster! [[User:Fornad01|Fornad]] ([[User talk:Fornad01|talk]]) 11:55, 26 March 2024 (UTC)

Minas Tirith

2024-03-26T11:54:21Z

Fornad01: /* Minas Anor */

{{disambig-more|Minas Tirith|[[Minas Tirith (disambiguation)]]}}
{{location infobox
| name=Minas Tirith
| image=[[File:Ralph Damiani - Across Middle-earth - The White City.png|250px]]
| caption="The White City" by [[Ralph Damiani]]
| pronun=
| othernames=[[Minas Tirith#History|Minas Anor]] [[Mundburg]] the Tower of Guard the Guarded City Tower of Anor
| location=Easternmost point of the [[White Mountains]], close to [[Anduin]]
| type=City
| description=White city of seven levels
| regions=
| towns=
| inhabitants=[[Gondorians]]
| created={{SA|3320}}<ref name="AppB-2A">{{App|SA}}</ref>
| destroyed=
| events=[[Siege of Minas Tirith]]
}}
{{Quote|But Minas Anor endured, and it was named anew Minas Tirith, the Tower of Guard; for there the kings caused to be built in the citadel [[Tower of Ecthelion|a white tower]], very tall and fair, and its eye was upon many lands. Proud still and strong was that city, and in it the [[White Tree of Gondor|White Tree]] still flowered for a while before the house of the Kings.|''[[The Silmarillion]]'', "[[Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age]]"}}

'''Minas Tirith''' ([[Sindarin|S.]] 'Tower of the Guard') was a city of [[Gondor]], originally called '''Minas Anor'''. From {{TA|1640}}<ref name="AppB-3A"/> onwards it was the capital of the South-kingdom and the seat of its [[Kings of Gondor|Kings]] and ruling [[Stewards of Gondor|Stewards]].

==History==
===Minas Anor===
The city of Minas Tirith was originally a fortress, Minas Anor ([[Sindarin|S.]] 'Tower of the Sun'), which was probably built after the founding of the realm of Gondor in {{SA|3320}} before {{SA|3429}}.<ref name="AppB-2A">{{App|SA}}</ref> It was the western counterpart to [[Minas Ithil]] ([[Sindarin|S.]] 'Tower of the Moon'): though was originally of less importance, and was built as a small fort on the summit of Amon Anor mostly to guard [[Rath Dínen]], the Tombs of the Kings<ref>{{NM|P3xvii}}, Text 2, p. 365</ref>. From Osgiliath the sons of [[Elendil]] jointly ruled the newly-founded [[Gondor|South-kingdom]], but Minas Anor was home to [[Anárion]]'s House and Minas Ithil to [[Isildur]]'s.<ref name="S-Rings">{{S|Rings}}</ref> Therefore when the seven ''[[palantíri]]'' were divided amongst the [[Realms in Exile]] one was placed in Minas Anor.<ref name="AppA">{{App|A}}</ref><ref name="TT-Palantir">{{TT|Palantir}}.</ref>

[[Sauron]] attacked Gondor in {{SA|3429}}, [[First Fall of Minas Ithil|taking]] [[Minas Ithil]] and forcing Isildur to flee north to his father in [[Arnor]]. Anárion meanwhile was besieged in Osgiliath and Minas Anor,<ref name="AppB-2A"/> until he was relieved by the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]]. In {{TA|2}} Isildur planted the second [[White Tree of Gondor]] in Minas Anor in memory of his brother, who had perished during the [[Siege of Barad-dûr]]. From this point the Kingship of Gondor belonged solely to the heirs of Anárion, who continued to rule from Osgiliath.<ref name="AppB-3A">{{App|TA}}</ref><ref name="PM-Heirs">{{PM|Elendil}}</ref>

In {{TA|420}}<ref name="AppB-3A"/> Minas Anor was rebuilt by [[Ostoher]], the seventh [[Kings of Gondor|King of Gondor]], and from his reign onwards the Kings removed there from Osgiliath in the summer.<ref name="AppA"/> It remained the second city of Gondor for the next thousand years as the Kingdom reached the height of its power under the [[Ship-kings]], and then fell into its long decline. Osgiliath was burned and its ''palantír'' lost during the [[Kin-strife]], but the forces of [[Castamir]] did not breach the walls of Minas Anor by force<ref group="note">When the Witch-king entered Minas Tirith, he rode "under the archway that no enemy ever yet had passed", meaning that Castamir's army could not have breached the gate. However, given that Castamir reigned for ten years, it is likely that they ceded to him in some other way.</ref>. Its people resented Castamir's rule and were angered by his cruel treatment of Osgiliath, and it is likely that they sided with the forces of [[Eldacar]] when he returned from the north in {{TA|1447}}<ref name="Gondor">{{App|Gondor}}</ref>. After the defeat of Castamir, Minas Anor gradually grew more prominent. In {{TA|1636}} the old capital was devastated by the [[Great Plague]], leaving it depopulated and falling into ruin. Soon after, [[Tarondor (King of Gondor)|Tarondor]] permanently moved the [[King's House]] to Minas Anor ({{TA|1640}}).<ref name="AppA"/><ref name="AppB-3A"/>

For a short time under Tarandor and his heirs the decline of Gondor was slowed, although constant wars with various groups of [[Easterlings]] took their toll. In {{TA|1900}} [[Calimehtar (King of Gondor)|Calimehtar]] built the first [[Tower of Ecthelion|White Tower]] in the Citadel of Minas Anor to house the city's ''palantír''.<ref name="AppB-3A"/> Just over a century later, however, the kingdom was dealt a harsh blow. In {{TA|2002}} Minas Ithil, where the guard on Mordor had long since slackened, was [[Second Fall of Minas Ithil|captured]] by the [[Nazgûl]]. It became known as Minas Morgul, and in turn Minas Anor was renamed Minas Tirith, 'Tower of the Guard' or the 'Guarded City'.<ref name="RK-MinasTirith"/> Soon after [[Eärnur]], the last King of Gondor, was killed in the Morgul Vale, and the lordship of the South-kingdom passed to the [[Stewards]].<ref name="AppA"/>

===Minas Tirith===
[[File:John Howe - Minas Tirith.jpg|thumb|left|"Minas Tirith" by [[John Howe]]]]Following a brief respite in the [[Watchful Peace]], Gondor under the Stewards became increasingly beset by enemies: control of [[Ithilien]] and the ruined bridges of [[Osgiliath]] passed back and forth between Minas Tirith and Minas Morgul,the coastlands were raided by the [[Corsairs of Umbar]], and Easterlings assailed them from the north.<ref name="AppA"/> The Citadel was improved under [[Ecthelion I]] ({{TA|2685}}–{{TA|2698|n}}),<ref name="AppA"/> who rebuilt the [[Tower of Ecthelion| White Tower]] which afterwards bore his name.<ref name="AppB-3A"/> But equally the White Tree died at the same time as the twenty-first Steward, [[Belecthor II]], and this time a new seedling could not be found to replace it.<ref name="AppA" />

In the reign of [[Ecthelion II]] ({{TA|2953}}–{{TA|2984}})<ref name="AppA"/> Minas Tirith was strengthened against Mordor, where Sauron had now declared himself openly. It was at this time that [[Aragorn]] the future King first came to the city under the name [[Thorongil]], and did great deeds.<ref name="AppA"/>

===War of the Ring===
{{main|Battle of the Pelennor Fields}}
During the [[War of the Ring]], the brunt of [[Mordor]]'s assault on the [[Free peoples]] was directed at Gondor and Minas Tirith. [[Cair Andros]] fell on [[10 March]] {{TA|3019}} and on [[12 March]] a company led by [[Faramir]] was forced to retreat from its defence of Osgiliath.<ref name="AppB-3A"/> An effort was made to repair the Rammas Echor, but this came too late.<ref name="RK-MinasTirith"/> With the crossings of Anduin taken the Pelennor was overrun, and Minas Tirith was besieged by a great army of Morgul orcs and Easterlings led by the [[Witch-king]]. The city was under-manned, and its defenders had little hope; on [[15 March]] the Great Gate was breached and the last ruling Steward, [[Denethor|Denethor II]], burned himself in despair.<ref name="RK-Siege">{{RK|Siege}}</ref><ref name="RK-Pyre">{{RK|Pyre}}</ref> But [[Gandalf]] was also present, and rescuing Faramir from his father he took charge of the defence of Minas Tirith. The [[Rohirrim]] under [[Théoden]] also came unlooked for to the city's aid, and [[Aragorn]] led a force up the river from [[Pelargir]]. Seeing this [[Imrahil]], [[Prince of Dol Amroth]], led a sally from the city, and the three armies were able to break the siege in the decisive [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]].<ref name="RK-Pelennor">{{RK|Battle}}</ref>

On [[1 May]] {{TA|3019}}, returning with the victorious from the [[Battle of the Morannon]], Aragorn was crowned on the plain outside Minas Tirith, and he entered the city as King Elessar. On [[25 June]] he discovered a sapling of the line of [[Nimloth of Númenor|Nimloth]] in a hidden hallow of Mount Mindolluin. This was planted in the Court of the Fountain – the fourth White Tree of Gondor.<ref name="RK-StewardKing">{{RK|Steward}}.</ref><ref name="AppB-3A"/>

===Fourth Age===
Under King Elessar Minas Tirith was restored and made more beautiful than ever before: the Great Gate was reforged of ''[[mithril]]'' and steel by the [[Dwarves]] of the [[Glittering Caves]],<ref>{{App|Durin}}, p. 1080</ref> led by [[Gimli]], the streets were paved with white marble and the city was filled with trees and fountains. Dwarves came to work in the city and [[Elves]] enjoyed coming to it.<ref>{{RK|Steward}}, p. 968</ref>

==Geography==
[[Image:J.R.R. Tolkien - Minas Tirith.jpg|left|thumb|"Minas Tirith" (unfinished drawing) by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]]]
Minas Tirith was situated on the [[Hill of Guard]] – the "out-thrust knee" of [[Mount Mindolluin]], connected to the main mass of the mountain by a narrow 'shoulder'.<ref name="RK-MinasTirith">{{RK|MT}}.</ref><ref name="WR-MinasTirith">{{WR|3|III}}.</ref> It faced eastward towards Osgiliath, over the [[Pelennor Fields]] surrounding the city, fertile townlands stretching from the walls of the city proper to the [[Rammas Echor]].<ref name="RK-MinasTirith"/>

The city was built on the hill with seven concentric tiers cut on the hill culminating in the [[Citadel of Gondor|Citadel]] at the summit, 700 feet above the plain below. The outer wall was called the [[City Wall]] and was black, of the same material used in [[Orthanc]]. The City Wall was vulnerable only to earthquakes capable of rending the ground where it stood.<ref name="RK-MinasTirith"/>

Each level was walled and held a gate with each gate faced a different direction: only the great gate and that of the seventh level faced east; the gate to the second level faced southeast, and that to the third faced northeast; so altering between the two such that the path up through the levels wound to and fro rather than following a straight line. An outcropping of rock as high as the seventh level bisected all the lower levels except the lowest on the line of the [[Great Gate of Minas Tirith|Great Gate]]. The winding path through the city therefore passed through tunnels in this 'keel' five times.

The '''First Level''' included the [[Rath Celerdain]], a white paved street with an inn, the [[Old Guesthouse]].

The '''Sixth Level''' contained stables for riders, and the [[Houses of Healing]]. There was also [[Fen Hollen]], a door which was almost always closed, leading to [[Rath Dínen]]<ref name="RK-MinasTirith" />, the 'shoulder' of rock that joined the Hill to the main mass of Mount Mindolluin rose to the level of the fifth wall and was fortified with large ramparts, where the tombs of the Kings of Gondor and their Stewards lay. The uppermost tunnel was delved into the spur of rock that jutted out of the eastern face of the Hill; The keystone of its archway was carved with the head of a crowned King. [[Guards of the Citadel]] manned the Seventh Gate which faced eastward in line with the Great Gate 700 feet below and emerged into the Citadel, the city's strongest point, surrounded by high walls and battlements on the 'keel'.

The '''Citadel''' housed the [[Court of the Fountain (Minas Tirith)|Court of the Fountain]] and the [[Tower of Ecthelion]], which brought the total height of the city to 1000 feet.<ref group="note">On the basis of this figure and unpublished sketches by Tolkien [[Karen Wynn Fonstad]] estimated the breadth of the city at 3100 feet in her ''[[The Atlas of Middle-earth|Atlas]]''.</ref> Before the Tower grew the [[White Tree of Gondor|White Tree]] in a court. There were also the [[King's House]], lodgings for the Steward, [[Merethrond]], barracks for the Guard of the Citadel, and other buildings for guests and other workers.

==Non-canon statistics==
[[Image:Ryszard_Derdziński_-_Minas_Tirith.jpg|thumb|right|"Minas Tirith" by [[Ryszard Derdziński]]]]
In ''[[The Atlas of Middle-earth]]'', [[Karen Wynn Fonstad]] estimates the diameter of the city to be 3,100 feet for the First Circle of the City.

According to the [[New Line Cinema|New Line]] book ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Weapons and Warfare]]'', the height of Minas Tirith (in the films) from the foot of the gates to the top of the Tower of Ecthelion (which individually is said to be 300 feet tall) is around 1,000 feet (304.8 m), and the diameter of the city almost three-quarters of a mile (3,960 feet). The book also suggests that the towering bastion of stone, shaped like the keel of a ship, which rose from behind the Great Gates on the first level to the citadel on the seventh, was a quarter of a mile tall (1 320 feet). However this height does not take into account the Tower of Ecthelion, which was situated on the seventh level, meaning that in total the city is some 1,620 feet tall (493.7 m). This means that the city's total height is somewhere between 1,000 feet (304.8 m) and 1,620 feet (493.7 m).

==Etymology==
''Minas Tirith'' is a [[Sindarin]] name,<ref name=PE17>{{PE|17}}, entry S ''Minas Tirith'', p. 31</ref> which means "Tower of Guard"<ref name=Guard/> or "Tower of Watch"<ref name=PE17/>. Paul Strack suggests that the name is a combination of ''[[minas]]'' ("tower", "fort", "city") and ''[[tirith]]'' ("watch", "ward", "guard").<ref>{{webcite|author=Paul Strack|articleurl=https://www.eldamo.org/content/words/word-538283653.html|articlename=S. ''Minas Tirith'' loc.|website=Eldamo|accessed=27 April 2023}}</ref>
==Other names==
''Minas Anor'' is a Sindarin name,<ref name=Eldamo>{{webcite|author=Paul Strack|articleurl=https://www.eldamo.org/content/words/word-2929446519.html|articlename=S. ''Minas Anor'' loc.|website=Eldamo|accessed=27 April 2023}}</ref> which means "Tower of the Sun"<ref>{{RK|Gate}}, p. 884</ref><ref>{{RK|Steward}}, p. 964</ref><ref>{{S|Index}}, entry ''Minas Anor''</ref><ref>{{UT|Index}}, entry ''Minas Anor''</ref> or "Tower of the Setting Sun"<ref>{{FR|Council}}, p. 244</ref><ref>{{S|Rings}}</ref>. Paul Strack suggests that the name is a combination of ''[[minas]]'' ("tower", "fort", "city") and ''[[Sun#Other names|anor]]'' ("sun").<ref name=Eldamo/>

''Mundburg'' is a [[Rohanese]] name, which means "Guardian-fortress".<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 400 citing from the entry Mundburg in the 1966 Index</ref> It probably contains the [[Old English]] element ''mund'', which means "protection".<ref>{{TI|King}}, note 7, p. 449</ref>

Minas Tirith was also referred to as the Tower of Guard<ref name=Guard>{{FR|Council}}, p. 245</ref><ref>{{TT|Departure}}, p. 414 and p. 418</ref><ref>{{TT|King}}, pp. 516-7</ref><ref>{{RK|Siege}}, p. 808</ref><ref>{{RK|Gate}}, p. 891</ref><ref>{{RK|Steward}}, p. 963</ref>, the Guarded City<ref>{{RK|MT}}, p. 751</ref>, and the Tower of Anor<ref>{{RK|Steward}}, p. 963</ref>,

The names Stone-city and Stone-houses were used by the [[Drúedain]].<ref>{{RK|V5}}</ref><ref>[[Robert Foster]], ''[[The Complete Guide to Middle-earth]]'', p. 366</ref>

==Inspiration==
Minas Tirith's most obvious historical parallel is the capital of the Byzantine Empire, Constantinople. Founded by the Roman emperor Constantine, Constantinople would eventually be one of the largest cities of its day and be a fortress under constant attack by its enemies. Similarly, Minas Tirith would become the chief fortification of Gondor in the latter days of its decline.

Like Minas Tirith, the Byzantine capital Constantinople sat near a strategic waterway (the Anduin to the Bay of Tolfalas in the case of Minas Tirith, the Bosporus Strait which divides the Mediterranean and Black Seas in the case of Constantinople) and was protected by massive walls that were virtually impregnable until the rise of effective gunpowder weapons in the real-world 15th century.<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 570</ref>

[[J.R.R. Tolkien]] described Minas Tirith in a long [[Letter to Milton Waldman| letter to Milton Waldman]], that was probably written in late 1951, as the "half-ruinous Byzantine City of Minas Tirith"<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 746</ref> and that of Gondor in its history "fades slowly to decayed Middle-Age, a kind of proud, venerable, but increasingly impotent Byzantium".<ref>{{L|131}}</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
{{Gallery
|title=Minas Tirith in adaptations
|height=150
|width=250
|lines=2
|File:War in Middle Earth - Minas Tirith.gif|Minas Tirith in ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien's War in Middle Earth]]''
|File:The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King - Minas Tirith.jpg|Minas Tirith in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]''
|File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Minas Tirith.jpg|Minas Tirith in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
}}
'''1988: ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien's War in Middle Earth]]'':'''
:Minas Tirith is one of the many battlefields in this game. The city is brown, unlike the books in which it is white.

'''2001: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
:The city appears briefly when Gandalf goes there to discern the identity of [[Bilbo Baggins|Bilbo]]'s [[The One Ring|One Ring]].

'''2002: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]'':'''
:Minas Tirith can be seen in the distance for a few seconds when [[Faramir]] takes [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]], [[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]] and [[Gollum]] to [[Osgiliath]].

'''2003: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]'':'''
:Tolkien's description of the physical layout of Minas Tirith is mostly adhered to in the film, although certain artistic liberties are taken, such as the Tower of Ecthelion being separate from the building which contains the throne room. Despite the description of Minas Tirith's [[Othram]] as a black, indestructible wall, Jackson depicted all of the walls as white, which crumble quickly under attack from Mordor's catapults. The city is also closer to the mountain than in Tolkien's description and sketches. In the film, the city is within clear sight of the mountains surrounding Mordor and the fires of [[Mount Doom]] - so much so, that in at least one night scene the light of Minas Morgul shines on the faces of viewers from the city walls. However, in the books, the mountains were far enough away that from the city they looked like a low dark shadow over the land far away.

:According to the "Making Of" featurettes on the Extended Edition DVDs, the appearance and structure of the city was based upon [[Wikipedia:Mont Saint-Michel|Mont Saint-Michel]], France.

:Portions of Minas Tirith were constructed as full-scale sets (built on the foundations of the disassembled [[Helm's Deep]] set), and the whole city as a highly detailed "[[bigature]]" by [[Weta Workshop]] combined with a detailed three-dimensional digital model, along with the whole of its surrounding environment.

'''2015: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
: Several different versions of the city exist in-game, separated chronologically: under the [[Dawnless Day]], during the [[Siege of Gondor]], after the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]] and during the Great Wedding of [[Aragorn]] and [[Arwen]] at [[Mid-year's Day]]. Each version is explorable and has a different set of quests. The Seven Tiers of the city have been given names: Worker's Tier, Soldier's Tier, Craftsmen's Tier, Player's Tier, Sages' Tier, Master's Tier and the Citadel. Large statues of every past King and Ruling Steward are placed across the city.

{{references|note}}

{{FellowshipRoute}}

[[Category:Minas Tirith]]

[[de:Minas Tirith (Gondor)]]
[[fi:Minas Tirith]]
[[fr:encyclo/geographie/villes_tours_et_forteresses/gondor/minas_tirith]]

User:Fornad01

2024-03-26T11:47:38Z

Fornad01:

Founder and administrator of [[ArdaCraft]].

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2024-03-26T11:47:29Z

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2024-03-26T11:32:38Z

Fornad01: /* Edits to the Minas Tirith page */ Reply

Minas Tirith

2024-03-26T11:05:42Z

Fornad01: Made some improvements to the ROTK film section to better reflect the changes made

{{disambig-more|Minas Tirith|[[Minas Tirith (disambiguation)]]}}
{{location infobox
| name=Minas Tirith
| image=[[File:Ralph Damiani - Across Middle-earth - The White City.png|250px]]
| caption="The White City" by [[Ralph Damiani]]
| pronun=
| othernames=[[Minas Tirith#History|Minas Anor]] [[Mundburg]] the Tower of Guard the Guarded City Tower of Anor
| location=Easternmost point of the [[White Mountains]], close to [[Anduin]]
| type=City
| description=White city of seven levels
| regions=
| towns=
| inhabitants=[[Gondorians]]
| created={{SA|3320}}<ref name="AppB-2A">{{App|SA}}</ref>
| destroyed=
| events=[[Siege of Minas Tirith]]
}}
{{Quote|But Minas Anor endured, and it was named anew Minas Tirith, the Tower of Guard; for there the kings caused to be built in the citadel [[Tower of Ecthelion|a white tower]], very tall and fair, and its eye was upon many lands. Proud still and strong was that city, and in it the [[White Tree of Gondor|White Tree]] still flowered for a while before the house of the Kings.|''[[The Silmarillion]]'', "[[Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age]]"}}

'''Minas Tirith''' ([[Sindarin|S.]] 'Tower of the Guard') was a city of [[Gondor]], originally called '''Minas Anor'''. From {{TA|1640}}<ref name="AppB-3A"/> onwards it was the capital of the South-kingdom and the seat of its [[Kings of Gondor|Kings]] and ruling [[Stewards of Gondor|Stewards]].

==History==
===Minas Anor===
The city of Minas Tirith was originally a fortress, Minas Anor ([[Sindarin|S.]] 'Tower of the Sun'), which was probably built after the founding of the realm of Gondor in {{SA|3320}} before {{SA|3429}}.<ref name="AppB-2A">{{App|SA}}</ref> It was the western counterpart to [[Minas Ithil]] ([[Sindarin|S.]] 'Tower of the Moon'): though was originally of less importance, and was built as a small fort on the summit of Amon Anor mostly to guard [[Rath Dínen]], the Tombs of the Kings<ref>{{NM|P3xvii}}, Text 2, p. 365</ref>. From Osgiliath the sons of [[Elendil]] jointly ruled the newly-founded [[Gondor|South-kingdom]], but Minas Anor was home to [[Anárion]]'s House and Minas Ithil to [[Isildur]]'s.<ref name="S-Rings">{{S|Rings}}</ref> Therefore when the seven ''[[palantíri]]'' were divided amongst the [[Realms in Exile]] one was placed in Minas Anor.<ref name="AppA">{{App|A}}</ref><ref name="TT-Palantir">{{TT|Palantir}}.</ref>

[[Sauron]] attacked Gondor in {{SA|3429}}, [[First Fall of Minas Ithil|taking]] [[Minas Ithil]] and forcing Isildur to flee north to his father in [[Arnor]]. Anárion meanwhile was besieged in Osgiliath and Minas Anor,<ref name="AppB-2A"/> until he was relieved by the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]]. In {{TA|2}} Isildur planted the second [[White Tree of Gondor]] in Minas Anor in memory of his brother, who had perished during the [[Siege of Barad-dûr]]. From this point the Kingship of Gondor belonged solely to the heirs of Anárion, who continued to rule from Osgiliath.<ref name="AppB-3A">{{App|TA}}</ref><ref name="PM-Heirs">{{PM|Elendil}}</ref>

In {{TA|420}}<ref name="AppB-3A"/> Minas Anor was rebuilt by [[Ostoher]], the seventh [[Kings of Gondor|King of Gondor]], and from his reign onwards the Kings removed there from Osgiliath in the summer.<ref name="AppA"/> It remained the second city of Gondor for the next thousand years as the Kingdom reached the height of its power under the [[Ship-kings]], and then fell into its long decline. Osgiliath was burned and its ''palantír'' lost during the [[Kin-strife]], but the army of [[Castamir]] did not breach the walls of Minas Anor by force. Its people resented Castamir's rule and were angered by his cruel treatment of Osgiliath, and they (along with the rest of the folk of [[Anórien]]) sided with the forces of [[Eldacar]] when he returned from the north in {{TA|1447}}<ref name="Gondor">{{App|Gondor}}</ref>. After the defeat of Castamir, Minas Anor gradually grew more prominent. In {{TA|1636}} the old capital was devastated by the [[Great Plague]], leaving it depopulated and falling into ruin. Soon after, [[Tarondor (King of Gondor)|Tarondor]] permanently moved the [[King's House]] to Minas Anor ({{TA|1640}}).<ref name="AppA"/><ref name="AppB-3A"/>

For a short time under Tarandor and his heirs the decline of Gondor was slowed, although constant wars with various groups of [[Easterlings]] took their toll. In {{TA|1900}} [[Calimehtar (King of Gondor)|Calimehtar]] built the first [[Tower of Ecthelion|White Tower]] in the Citadel of Minas Anor to house the city's ''palantír''.<ref name="AppB-3A"/> Just over a century later, however, the kingdom was dealt a harsh blow. In {{TA|2002}} Minas Ithil, where the guard on Mordor had long since slackened, was [[Second Fall of Minas Ithil|captured]] by the [[Nazgûl]]. It became known as Minas Morgul, and in turn Minas Anor was renamed Minas Tirith, 'Tower of the Guard' or the 'Guarded City'.<ref name="RK-MinasTirith"/> Soon after [[Eärnur]], the last King of Gondor, was killed in the Morgul Vale, and the lordship of the South-kingdom passed to the [[Stewards]].<ref name="AppA"/>

===Minas Tirith===
[[File:John Howe - Minas Tirith.jpg|thumb|left|"Minas Tirith" by [[John Howe]]]]Following a brief respite in the [[Watchful Peace]], Gondor under the Stewards became increasingly beset by enemies: control of [[Ithilien]] and the ruined bridges of [[Osgiliath]] passed back and forth between Minas Tirith and Minas Morgul,the coastlands were raided by the [[Corsairs of Umbar]], and Easterlings assailed them from the north.<ref name="AppA"/> The Citadel was improved under [[Ecthelion I]] ({{TA|2685}}–{{TA|2698|n}}),<ref name="AppA"/> who rebuilt the [[Tower of Ecthelion| White Tower]] which afterwards bore his name.<ref name="AppB-3A"/> But equally the White Tree died at the same time as the twenty-first Steward, [[Belecthor II]], and this time a new seedling could not be found to replace it.<ref name="AppA" />

In the reign of [[Ecthelion II]] ({{TA|2953}}–{{TA|2984}})<ref name="AppA"/> Minas Tirith was strengthened against Mordor, where Sauron had now declared himself openly. It was at this time that [[Aragorn]] the future King first came to the city under the name [[Thorongil]], and did great deeds.<ref name="AppA"/>

===War of the Ring===
{{main|Battle of the Pelennor Fields}}
During the [[War of the Ring]], the brunt of [[Mordor]]'s assault on the [[Free peoples]] was directed at Gondor and Minas Tirith. [[Cair Andros]] fell on [[10 March]] {{TA|3019}} and on [[12 March]] a company led by [[Faramir]] was forced to retreat from its defence of Osgiliath.<ref name="AppB-3A"/> An effort was made to repair the Rammas Echor, but this came too late.<ref name="RK-MinasTirith"/> With the crossings of Anduin taken the Pelennor was overrun, and Minas Tirith was besieged by a great army of Morgul orcs and Easterlings led by the [[Witch-king]]. The city was under-manned, and its defenders had little hope; on [[15 March]] the Great Gate was breached and the last ruling Steward, [[Denethor|Denethor II]], burned himself in despair.<ref name="RK-Siege">{{RK|Siege}}</ref><ref name="RK-Pyre">{{RK|Pyre}}</ref> But [[Gandalf]] was also present, and rescuing Faramir from his father he took charge of the defence of Minas Tirith. The [[Rohirrim]] under [[Théoden]] also came unlooked for to the city's aid, and [[Aragorn]] led a force up the river from [[Pelargir]]. Seeing this [[Imrahil]], [[Prince of Dol Amroth]], led a sally from the city, and the three armies were able to break the siege in the decisive [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]].<ref name="RK-Pelennor">{{RK|Battle}}</ref>

On [[1 May]] {{TA|3019}}, returning with the victorious from the [[Battle of the Morannon]], Aragorn was crowned on the plain outside Minas Tirith, and he entered the city as King Elessar. On [[25 June]] he discovered a sapling of the line of [[Nimloth of Númenor|Nimloth]] in a hidden hallow of Mount Mindolluin. This was planted in the Court of the Fountain – the fourth White Tree of Gondor.<ref name="RK-StewardKing">{{RK|Steward}}.</ref><ref name="AppB-3A"/>

===Fourth Age===
Under King Elessar Minas Tirith was restored and made more beautiful than ever before: the Great Gate was reforged of ''[[mithril]]'' and steel by the [[Dwarves]] of the [[Glittering Caves]],<ref>{{App|Durin}}, p. 1080</ref> led by [[Gimli]], the streets were paved with white marble and the city was filled with trees and fountains. Dwarves came to work in the city and [[Elves]] enjoyed coming to it.<ref>{{RK|Steward}}, p. 968</ref>

==Geography==
[[Image:J.R.R. Tolkien - Minas Tirith.jpg|left|thumb|"Minas Tirith" (unfinished drawing) by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]]]
Minas Tirith was situated on the [[Hill of Guard]] – the "out-thrust knee" of [[Mount Mindolluin]], connected to the main mass of the mountain by a narrow 'shoulder'.<ref name="RK-MinasTirith">{{RK|MT}}.</ref><ref name="WR-MinasTirith">{{WR|3|III}}.</ref> It faced eastward towards Osgiliath, over the [[Pelennor Fields]] surrounding the city, fertile townlands stretching from the walls of the city proper to the [[Rammas Echor]].<ref name="RK-MinasTirith"/>

The city was built on the hill with seven concentric tiers cut on the hill culminating in the [[Citadel of Gondor|Citadel]] at the summit, 700 feet above the plain below. The outer wall was called the [[City Wall]] and was black, of the same material used in [[Orthanc]]. The City Wall was vulnerable only to earthquakes capable of rending the ground where it stood.<ref name="RK-MinasTirith"/>

Each level was walled and held a gate with each gate faced a different direction: only the great gate and that of the seventh level faced east; the gate to the second level faced southeast, and that to the third faced northeast; so altering between the two such that the path up through the levels wound to and fro rather than following a straight line. An outcropping of rock as high as the seventh level bisected all the lower levels except the lowest on the line of the [[Great Gate of Minas Tirith|Great Gate]]. The winding path through the city therefore passed through tunnels in this 'keel' five times.

The '''First Level''' included the [[Rath Celerdain]], a white paved street with an inn, the [[Old Guesthouse]].

The '''Sixth Level''' contained stables for riders, and the [[Houses of Healing]]. There was also [[Fen Hollen]], a door which was almost always closed, leading to [[Rath Dínen]]<ref name="RK-MinasTirith" />, the 'shoulder' of rock that joined the Hill to the main mass of Mount Mindolluin rose to the level of the fifth wall and was fortified with large ramparts, where the tombs of the Kings of Gondor and their Stewards lay. The uppermost tunnel was delved into the spur of rock that jutted out of the eastern face of the Hill; The keystone of its archway was carved with the head of a crowned King. [[Guards of the Citadel]] manned the Seventh Gate which faced eastward in line with the Great Gate 700 feet below and emerged into the Citadel, the city's strongest point, surrounded by high walls and battlements on the 'keel'.

The '''Citadel''' housed the [[Court of the Fountain (Minas Tirith)|Court of the Fountain]] and the [[Tower of Ecthelion]], which brought the total height of the city to 1000 feet.<ref group="note">On the basis of this figure and unpublished sketches by Tolkien [[Karen Wynn Fonstad]] estimated the breadth of the city at 3100 feet in her ''[[The Atlas of Middle-earth|Atlas]]''.</ref> Before the Tower grew the [[White Tree of Gondor|White Tree]] in a court. There were also the [[King's House]], lodgings for the Steward, [[Merethrond]], barracks for the Guard of the Citadel, and other buildings for guests and other workers.

==Non-canon statistics==
[[Image:Ryszard_Derdziński_-_Minas_Tirith.jpg|thumb|right|"Minas Tirith" by [[Ryszard Derdziński]]]]
In ''[[The Atlas of Middle-earth]]'', [[Karen Wynn Fonstad]] estimates the diameter of the city to be 3,100 feet for the First Circle of the City.

According to the [[New Line Cinema|New Line]] book ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Weapons and Warfare]]'', the height of Minas Tirith (in the films) from the foot of the gates to the top of the Tower of Ecthelion (which individually is said to be 300 feet tall) is around 1,000 feet (304.8 m), and the diameter of the city almost three-quarters of a mile (3,960 feet). The book also suggests that the towering bastion of stone, shaped like the keel of a ship, which rose from behind the Great Gates on the first level to the citadel on the seventh, was a quarter of a mile tall (1 320 feet). However this height does not take into account the Tower of Ecthelion, which was situated on the seventh level, meaning that in total the city is some 1,620 feet tall (493.7 m). This means that the city's total height is somewhere between 1,000 feet (304.8 m) and 1,620 feet (493.7 m).

==Etymology==
''Minas Tirith'' is a [[Sindarin]] name,<ref name=PE17>{{PE|17}}, entry S ''Minas Tirith'', p. 31</ref> which means "Tower of Guard"<ref name=Guard/> or "Tower of Watch"<ref name=PE17/>. Paul Strack suggests that the name is a combination of ''[[minas]]'' ("tower", "fort", "city") and ''[[tirith]]'' ("watch", "ward", "guard").<ref>{{webcite|author=Paul Strack|articleurl=https://www.eldamo.org/content/words/word-538283653.html|articlename=S. ''Minas Tirith'' loc.|website=Eldamo|accessed=27 April 2023}}</ref>
==Other names==
''Minas Anor'' is a Sindarin name,<ref name=Eldamo>{{webcite|author=Paul Strack|articleurl=https://www.eldamo.org/content/words/word-2929446519.html|articlename=S. ''Minas Anor'' loc.|website=Eldamo|accessed=27 April 2023}}</ref> which means "Tower of the Sun"<ref>{{RK|Gate}}, p. 884</ref><ref>{{RK|Steward}}, p. 964</ref><ref>{{S|Index}}, entry ''Minas Anor''</ref><ref>{{UT|Index}}, entry ''Minas Anor''</ref> or "Tower of the Setting Sun"<ref>{{FR|Council}}, p. 244</ref><ref>{{S|Rings}}</ref>. Paul Strack suggests that the name is a combination of ''[[minas]]'' ("tower", "fort", "city") and ''[[Sun#Other names|anor]]'' ("sun").<ref name=Eldamo/>

''Mundburg'' is a [[Rohanese]] name, which means "Guardian-fortress".<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 400 citing from the entry Mundburg in the 1966 Index</ref> It probably contains the [[Old English]] element ''mund'', which means "protection".<ref>{{TI|King}}, note 7, p. 449</ref>

Minas Tirith was also referred to as the Tower of Guard<ref name=Guard>{{FR|Council}}, p. 245</ref><ref>{{TT|Departure}}, p. 414 and p. 418</ref><ref>{{TT|King}}, pp. 516-7</ref><ref>{{RK|Siege}}, p. 808</ref><ref>{{RK|Gate}}, p. 891</ref><ref>{{RK|Steward}}, p. 963</ref>, the Guarded City<ref>{{RK|MT}}, p. 751</ref>, and the Tower of Anor<ref>{{RK|Steward}}, p. 963</ref>,

The names Stone-city and Stone-houses were used by the [[Drúedain]].<ref>{{RK|V5}}</ref><ref>[[Robert Foster]], ''[[The Complete Guide to Middle-earth]]'', p. 366</ref>

==Inspiration==
Minas Tirith's most obvious historical parallel is the capital of the Byzantine Empire, Constantinople. Founded by the Roman emperor Constantine, Constantinople would eventually be one of the largest cities of its day and be a fortress under constant attack by its enemies. Similarly, Minas Tirith would become the chief fortification of Gondor in the latter days of its decline.

Like Minas Tirith, the Byzantine capital Constantinople sat near a strategic waterway (the Anduin to the Bay of Tolfalas in the case of Minas Tirith, the Bosporus Strait which divides the Mediterranean and Black Seas in the case of Constantinople) and was protected by massive walls that were virtually impregnable until the rise of effective gunpowder weapons in the real-world 15th century.<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 570</ref>

[[J.R.R. Tolkien]] described Minas Tirith in a long [[Letter to Milton Waldman| letter to Milton Waldman]], that was probably written in late 1951, as the "half-ruinous Byzantine City of Minas Tirith"<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 746</ref> and that of Gondor in its history "fades slowly to decayed Middle-Age, a kind of proud, venerable, but increasingly impotent Byzantium".<ref>{{L|131}}</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
{{Gallery
|title=Minas Tirith in adaptations
|height=150
|width=250
|lines=2
|File:War in Middle Earth - Minas Tirith.gif|Minas Tirith in ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien's War in Middle Earth]]''
|File:The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King - Minas Tirith.jpg|Minas Tirith in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]''
|File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Minas Tirith.jpg|Minas Tirith in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
}}
'''1988: ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien's War in Middle Earth]]'':'''
:Minas Tirith is one of the many battlefields in this game. The city is brown, unlike the books in which it is white.

'''2001: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
:The city appears briefly when Gandalf goes there to discern the identity of [[Bilbo Baggins|Bilbo]]'s [[The One Ring|One Ring]].

'''2002: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]'':'''
:Minas Tirith can be seen in the distance for a few seconds when [[Faramir]] takes [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]], [[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]] and [[Gollum]] to [[Osgiliath]].

'''2003: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]'':'''
:Tolkien's description of the physical layout of Minas Tirith is mostly adhered to in the film, although certain artistic liberties are taken, such as the Tower of Ecthelion being separate from the building which contains the throne room. Despite the description of Minas Tirith's [[Othram]] as a black, indestructible wall, Jackson depicted all of the walls as white, which crumble quickly under attack from Mordor's catapults. The city is also closer to the mountain than in Tolkien's description and sketches. In the film, the city is within clear sight of the mountains surrounding Mordor and the fires of [[Mount Doom]] - so much so, that in at least one night scene the light of Minas Morgul shines on the faces of viewers from the city walls. However, in the books, the mountains were far enough away that from the city they looked like a low dark shadow over the land far away.

:According to the "Making Of" featurettes on the Extended Edition DVDs, the appearance and structure of the city was based upon [[Wikipedia:Mont Saint-Michel|Mont Saint-Michel]], France.

:Portions of Minas Tirith were constructed as full-scale sets (built on the foundations of the disassembled [[Helm's Deep]] set), and the whole city as a highly detailed "[[bigature]]" by [[Weta Workshop]] combined with a detailed three-dimensional digital model, along with the whole of its surrounding environment.

'''2015: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
: Several different versions of the city exist in-game, separated chronologically: under the [[Dawnless Day]], during the [[Siege of Gondor]], after the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]] and during the Great Wedding of [[Aragorn]] and [[Arwen]] at [[Mid-year's Day]]. Each version is explorable and has a different set of quests. The Seven Tiers of the city have been given names: Worker's Tier, Soldier's Tier, Craftsmen's Tier, Player's Tier, Sages' Tier, Master's Tier and the Citadel. Large statues of every past King and Ruling Steward are placed across the city.

{{references|note}}

{{FellowshipRoute}}

[[Category:Minas Tirith]]

[[de:Minas Tirith (Gondor)]]
[[fi:Minas Tirith]]
[[fr:encyclo/geographie/villes_tours_et_forteresses/gondor/minas_tirith]]

Minas Tirith

2024-03-26T10:53:59Z

Fornad01: /* Minas Anor */

{{disambig-more|Minas Tirith|[[Minas Tirith (disambiguation)]]}}
{{location infobox
| name=Minas Tirith
| image=[[File:Ralph Damiani - Across Middle-earth - The White City.png|250px]]
| caption="The White City" by [[Ralph Damiani]]
| pronun=
| othernames=[[Minas Tirith#History|Minas Anor]] [[Mundburg]] the Tower of Guard the Guarded City Tower of Anor
| location=Easternmost point of the [[White Mountains]], close to [[Anduin]]
| type=City
| description=White city of seven levels
| regions=
| towns=
| inhabitants=[[Gondorians]]
| created={{SA|3320}}<ref name="AppB-2A">{{App|SA}}</ref>
| destroyed=
| events=[[Siege of Minas Tirith]]
}}
{{Quote|But Minas Anor endured, and it was named anew Minas Tirith, the Tower of Guard; for there the kings caused to be built in the citadel [[Tower of Ecthelion|a white tower]], very tall and fair, and its eye was upon many lands. Proud still and strong was that city, and in it the [[White Tree of Gondor|White Tree]] still flowered for a while before the house of the Kings.|''[[The Silmarillion]]'', "[[Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age]]"}}

'''Minas Tirith''' ([[Sindarin|S.]] 'Tower of the Guard') was a city of [[Gondor]], originally called '''Minas Anor'''. From {{TA|1640}}<ref name="AppB-3A"/> onwards it was the capital of the South-kingdom and the seat of its [[Kings of Gondor|Kings]] and ruling [[Stewards of Gondor|Stewards]].

==History==
===Minas Anor===
The city of Minas Tirith was originally a fortress, Minas Anor ([[Sindarin|S.]] 'Tower of the Sun'), which was probably built after the founding of the realm of Gondor in {{SA|3320}} before {{SA|3429}}.<ref name="AppB-2A">{{App|SA}}</ref> It was the western counterpart to [[Minas Ithil]] ([[Sindarin|S.]] 'Tower of the Moon'): though was originally of less importance, and was built as a small fort on the summit of Amon Anor mostly to guard [[Rath Dínen]], the Tombs of the Kings<ref>{{NM|P3xvii}}, Text 2, p. 365</ref>. From Osgiliath the sons of [[Elendil]] jointly ruled the newly-founded [[Gondor|South-kingdom]], but Minas Anor was home to [[Anárion]]'s House and Minas Ithil to [[Isildur]]'s.<ref name="S-Rings">{{S|Rings}}</ref> Therefore when the seven ''[[palantíri]]'' were divided amongst the [[Realms in Exile]] one was placed in Minas Anor.<ref name="AppA">{{App|A}}</ref><ref name="TT-Palantir">{{TT|Palantir}}.</ref>

[[Sauron]] attacked Gondor in {{SA|3429}}, [[First Fall of Minas Ithil|taking]] [[Minas Ithil]] and forcing Isildur to flee north to his father in [[Arnor]]. Anárion meanwhile was besieged in Osgiliath and Minas Anor,<ref name="AppB-2A"/> until he was relieved by the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]]. In {{TA|2}} Isildur planted the second [[White Tree of Gondor]] in Minas Anor in memory of his brother, who had perished during the [[Siege of Barad-dûr]]. From this point the Kingship of Gondor belonged solely to the heirs of Anárion, who continued to rule from Osgiliath.<ref name="AppB-3A">{{App|TA}}</ref><ref name="PM-Heirs">{{PM|Elendil}}</ref>

In {{TA|420}}<ref name="AppB-3A"/> Minas Anor was rebuilt by [[Ostoher]], the seventh [[Kings of Gondor|King of Gondor]], and from his reign onwards the Kings removed there from Osgiliath in the summer.<ref name="AppA"/> It remained the second city of Gondor for the next thousand years as the Kingdom reached the height of its power under the [[Ship-kings]], and then fell into its long decline. Osgiliath was burned and its ''palantír'' lost during the [[Kin-strife]], but the army of [[Castamir]] did not breach the walls of Minas Anor by force. Its people resented Castamir's rule and were angered by his cruel treatment of Osgiliath, and they (along with the rest of the folk of [[Anórien]]) sided with the forces of [[Eldacar]] when he returned from the north in {{TA|1447}}<ref name="Gondor">{{App|Gondor}}</ref>. After the defeat of Castamir, Minas Anor gradually grew more prominent. In {{TA|1636}} the old capital was devastated by the [[Great Plague]], leaving it depopulated and falling into ruin. Soon after, [[Tarondor (King of Gondor)|Tarondor]] permanently moved the [[King's House]] to Minas Anor ({{TA|1640}}).<ref name="AppA"/><ref name="AppB-3A"/>

For a short time under Tarandor and his heirs the decline of Gondor was slowed, although constant wars with various groups of [[Easterlings]] took their toll. In {{TA|1900}} [[Calimehtar (King of Gondor)|Calimehtar]] built the first [[Tower of Ecthelion|White Tower]] in the Citadel of Minas Anor to house the city's ''palantír''.<ref name="AppB-3A"/> Just over a century later, however, the kingdom was dealt a harsh blow. In {{TA|2002}} Minas Ithil, where the guard on Mordor had long since slackened, was [[Second Fall of Minas Ithil|captured]] by the [[Nazgûl]]. It became known as Minas Morgul, and in turn Minas Anor was renamed Minas Tirith, 'Tower of the Guard' or the 'Guarded City'.<ref name="RK-MinasTirith"/> Soon after [[Eärnur]], the last King of Gondor, was killed in the Morgul Vale, and the lordship of the South-kingdom passed to the [[Stewards]].<ref name="AppA"/>

===Minas Tirith===
[[File:John Howe - Minas Tirith.jpg|thumb|left|"Minas Tirith" by [[John Howe]]]]Following a brief respite in the [[Watchful Peace]], Gondor under the Stewards became increasingly beset by enemies: control of [[Ithilien]] and the ruined bridges of [[Osgiliath]] passed back and forth between Minas Tirith and Minas Morgul,the coastlands were raided by the [[Corsairs of Umbar]], and Easterlings assailed them from the north.<ref name="AppA"/> The Citadel was improved under [[Ecthelion I]] ({{TA|2685}}–{{TA|2698|n}}),<ref name="AppA"/> who rebuilt the [[Tower of Ecthelion| White Tower]] which afterwards bore his name.<ref name="AppB-3A"/> But equally the White Tree died at the same time as the twenty-first Steward, [[Belecthor II]], and this time a new seedling could not be found to replace it.<ref name="AppA" />

In the reign of [[Ecthelion II]] ({{TA|2953}}–{{TA|2984}})<ref name="AppA"/> Minas Tirith was strengthened against Mordor, where Sauron had now declared himself openly. It was at this time that [[Aragorn]] the future King first came to the city under the name [[Thorongil]], and did great deeds.<ref name="AppA"/>

===War of the Ring===
{{main|Battle of the Pelennor Fields}}
During the [[War of the Ring]], the brunt of [[Mordor]]'s assault on the [[Free peoples]] was directed at Gondor and Minas Tirith. [[Cair Andros]] fell on [[10 March]] {{TA|3019}} and on [[12 March]] a company led by [[Faramir]] was forced to retreat from its defence of Osgiliath.<ref name="AppB-3A"/> An effort was made to repair the Rammas Echor, but this came too late.<ref name="RK-MinasTirith"/> With the crossings of Anduin taken the Pelennor was overrun, and Minas Tirith was besieged by a great army of Morgul orcs and Easterlings led by the [[Witch-king]]. The city was under-manned, and its defenders had little hope; on [[15 March]] the Great Gate was breached and the last ruling Steward, [[Denethor|Denethor II]], burned himself in despair.<ref name="RK-Siege">{{RK|Siege}}</ref><ref name="RK-Pyre">{{RK|Pyre}}</ref> But [[Gandalf]] was also present, and rescuing Faramir from his father he took charge of the defence of Minas Tirith. The [[Rohirrim]] under [[Théoden]] also came unlooked for to the city's aid, and [[Aragorn]] led a force up the river from [[Pelargir]]. Seeing this [[Imrahil]], [[Prince of Dol Amroth]], led a sally from the city, and the three armies were able to break the siege in the decisive [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]].<ref name="RK-Pelennor">{{RK|Battle}}</ref>

On [[1 May]] {{TA|3019}}, returning with the victorious from the [[Battle of the Morannon]], Aragorn was crowned on the plain outside Minas Tirith, and he entered the city as King Elessar. On [[25 June]] he discovered a sapling of the line of [[Nimloth of Númenor|Nimloth]] in a hidden hallow of Mount Mindolluin. This was planted in the Court of the Fountain – the fourth White Tree of Gondor.<ref name="RK-StewardKing">{{RK|Steward}}.</ref><ref name="AppB-3A"/>

===Fourth Age===
Under King Elessar Minas Tirith was restored and made more beautiful than ever before: the Great Gate was reforged of ''[[mithril]]'' and steel by the [[Dwarves]] of the [[Glittering Caves]],<ref>{{App|Durin}}, p. 1080</ref> led by [[Gimli]], the streets were paved with white marble and the city was filled with trees and fountains. Dwarves came to work in the city and [[Elves]] enjoyed coming to it.<ref>{{RK|Steward}}, p. 968</ref>

==Geography==
[[Image:J.R.R. Tolkien - Minas Tirith.jpg|left|thumb|"Minas Tirith" (unfinished drawing) by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]]]
Minas Tirith was situated on the [[Hill of Guard]] – the "out-thrust knee" of [[Mount Mindolluin]], connected to the main mass of the mountain by a narrow 'shoulder'.<ref name="RK-MinasTirith">{{RK|MT}}.</ref><ref name="WR-MinasTirith">{{WR|3|III}}.</ref> It faced eastward towards Osgiliath, over the [[Pelennor Fields]] surrounding the city, fertile townlands stretching from the walls of the city proper to the [[Rammas Echor]].<ref name="RK-MinasTirith"/>

The city was built on the hill with seven concentric tiers cut on the hill culminating in the [[Citadel of Gondor|Citadel]] at the summit, 700 feet above the plain below. The outer wall was called the [[City Wall]] and was black, of the same material used in [[Orthanc]]. The City Wall was vulnerable only to earthquakes capable of rending the ground where it stood.<ref name="RK-MinasTirith"/>

Each level was walled and held a gate with each gate faced a different direction: only the great gate and that of the seventh level faced east; the gate to the second level faced southeast, and that to the third faced northeast; so altering between the two such that the path up through the levels wound to and fro rather than following a straight line. An outcropping of rock as high as the seventh level bisected all the lower levels except the lowest on the line of the [[Great Gate of Minas Tirith|Great Gate]]. The winding path through the city therefore passed through tunnels in this 'keel' five times.

The '''First Level''' included the [[Rath Celerdain]], a white paved street with an inn, the [[Old Guesthouse]].

The '''Sixth Level''' contained stables for riders, and the [[Houses of Healing]]. There was also [[Fen Hollen]], a door which was almost always closed, leading to [[Rath Dínen]]<ref name="RK-MinasTirith" />, the 'shoulder' of rock that joined the Hill to the main mass of Mount Mindolluin rose to the level of the fifth wall and was fortified with large ramparts, where the tombs of the Kings of Gondor and their Stewards lay. The uppermost tunnel was delved into the spur of rock that jutted out of the eastern face of the Hill; The keystone of its archway was carved with the head of a crowned King. [[Guards of the Citadel]] manned the Seventh Gate which faced eastward in line with the Great Gate 700 feet below and emerged into the Citadel, the city's strongest point, surrounded by high walls and battlements on the 'keel'.

The '''Citadel''' housed the [[Court of the Fountain (Minas Tirith)|Court of the Fountain]] and the [[Tower of Ecthelion]], which brought the total height of the city to 1000 feet.<ref group="note">On the basis of this figure and unpublished sketches by Tolkien [[Karen Wynn Fonstad]] estimated the breadth of the city at 3100 feet in her ''[[The Atlas of Middle-earth|Atlas]]''.</ref> Before the Tower grew the [[White Tree of Gondor|White Tree]] in a court. There were also the [[King's House]], lodgings for the Steward, [[Merethrond]], barracks for the Guard of the Citadel, and other buildings for guests and other workers.

==Non-canon statistics==
[[Image:Ryszard_Derdziński_-_Minas_Tirith.jpg|thumb|right|"Minas Tirith" by [[Ryszard Derdziński]]]]
In ''[[The Atlas of Middle-earth]]'', [[Karen Wynn Fonstad]] estimates the diameter of the city to be 3,100 feet for the First Circle of the City.

According to the [[New Line Cinema|New Line]] book ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Weapons and Warfare]]'', the height of Minas Tirith (in the films) from the foot of the gates to the top of the Tower of Ecthelion (which individually is said to be 300 feet tall) is around 1,000 feet (304.8 m), and the diameter of the city almost three-quarters of a mile (3,960 feet). The book also suggests that the towering bastion of stone, shaped like the keel of a ship, which rose from behind the Great Gates on the first level to the citadel on the seventh, was a quarter of a mile tall (1 320 feet). However this height does not take into account the Tower of Ecthelion, which was situated on the seventh level, meaning that in total the city is some 1,620 feet tall (493.7 m). This means that the city's total height is somewhere between 1,000 feet (304.8 m) and 1,620 feet (493.7 m).

==Etymology==
''Minas Tirith'' is a [[Sindarin]] name,<ref name=PE17>{{PE|17}}, entry S ''Minas Tirith'', p. 31</ref> which means "Tower of Guard"<ref name=Guard/> or "Tower of Watch"<ref name=PE17/>. Paul Strack suggests that the name is a combination of ''[[minas]]'' ("tower", "fort", "city") and ''[[tirith]]'' ("watch", "ward", "guard").<ref>{{webcite|author=Paul Strack|articleurl=https://www.eldamo.org/content/words/word-538283653.html|articlename=S. ''Minas Tirith'' loc.|website=Eldamo|accessed=27 April 2023}}</ref>
==Other names==
''Minas Anor'' is a Sindarin name,<ref name=Eldamo>{{webcite|author=Paul Strack|articleurl=https://www.eldamo.org/content/words/word-2929446519.html|articlename=S. ''Minas Anor'' loc.|website=Eldamo|accessed=27 April 2023}}</ref> which means "Tower of the Sun"<ref>{{RK|Gate}}, p. 884</ref><ref>{{RK|Steward}}, p. 964</ref><ref>{{S|Index}}, entry ''Minas Anor''</ref><ref>{{UT|Index}}, entry ''Minas Anor''</ref> or "Tower of the Setting Sun"<ref>{{FR|Council}}, p. 244</ref><ref>{{S|Rings}}</ref>. Paul Strack suggests that the name is a combination of ''[[minas]]'' ("tower", "fort", "city") and ''[[Sun#Other names|anor]]'' ("sun").<ref name=Eldamo/>

''Mundburg'' is a [[Rohanese]] name, which means "Guardian-fortress".<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 400 citing from the entry Mundburg in the 1966 Index</ref> It probably contains the [[Old English]] element ''mund'', which means "protection".<ref>{{TI|King}}, note 7, p. 449</ref>

Minas Tirith was also referred to as the Tower of Guard<ref name=Guard>{{FR|Council}}, p. 245</ref><ref>{{TT|Departure}}, p. 414 and p. 418</ref><ref>{{TT|King}}, pp. 516-7</ref><ref>{{RK|Siege}}, p. 808</ref><ref>{{RK|Gate}}, p. 891</ref><ref>{{RK|Steward}}, p. 963</ref>, the Guarded City<ref>{{RK|MT}}, p. 751</ref>, and the Tower of Anor<ref>{{RK|Steward}}, p. 963</ref>,

The names Stone-city and Stone-houses were used by the [[Drúedain]].<ref>{{RK|V5}}</ref><ref>[[Robert Foster]], ''[[The Complete Guide to Middle-earth]]'', p. 366</ref>

==Inspiration==
Minas Tirith's most obvious historical parallel is the capital of the Byzantine Empire, Constantinople. Founded by the Roman emperor Constantine, Constantinople would eventually be one of the largest cities of its day and be a fortress under constant attack by its enemies. Similarly, Minas Tirith would become the chief fortification of Gondor in the latter days of its decline.

Like Minas Tirith, the Byzantine capital Constantinople sat near a strategic waterway (the Anduin to the Bay of Tolfalas in the case of Minas Tirith, the Bosporus Strait which divides the Mediterranean and Black Seas in the case of Constantinople) and was protected by massive walls that were virtually impregnable until the rise of effective gunpowder weapons in the real-world 15th century.<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 570</ref>

[[J.R.R. Tolkien]] described Minas Tirith in a long [[Letter to Milton Waldman| letter to Milton Waldman]], that was probably written in late 1951, as the "half-ruinous Byzantine City of Minas Tirith"<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 746</ref> and that of Gondor in its history "fades slowly to decayed Middle-Age, a kind of proud, venerable, but increasingly impotent Byzantium".<ref>{{L|131}}</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
{{Gallery
|title=Minas Tirith in adaptations
|height=150
|width=250
|lines=2
|File:War in Middle Earth - Minas Tirith.gif|Minas Tirith in ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien's War in Middle Earth]]''
|File:The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King - Minas Tirith.jpg|Minas Tirith in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]''
|File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Minas Tirith.jpg|Minas Tirith in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
}}
'''1988: ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien's War in Middle Earth]]'':'''
:Minas Tirith is one of the many battlefields in this game. The city is brown, unlike the books in which it is white.

'''2001: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
:The city appears briefly when Gandalf goes there to discern the identity of [[Bilbo Baggins|Bilbo]]'s [[The One Ring|One Ring]].

'''2002: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]'':'''
:Minas Tirith can be seen in the distance for a few seconds when [[Faramir]] takes [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]], [[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]] and [[Gollum]] to [[Osgiliath]].

'''2003: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]'':'''
:Tolkien's description of the physical layout of Minas Tirith is followed scrupulously in [[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]] film, although certain artistic liberties are taken, such as the top of the rock being flattened and paved, along with being the location for the coronation of [[Aragorn]], which in the book occurs instead on the Pelennor Field outside Minas Tirith, he then enters the city as King. In the film version it is within clear sight of the mountains surrounding Mordor and the fires of [[Mount Doom]], so much that in at least one night scene the light of it shines on the faces of viewers from the city walls. However, in the books, the mountains were far enough away that from the city they looked like a low dark shadow over the land far away.

:According to the "Making Of" featurettes on the Extended Edition DVDs, the appearance and structure of the city was based upon [[Wikipedia:Mont Saint-Michel|Mont Saint-Michel]], France.

:Portions of Minas Tirith were constructed as full-scale sets (built on the foundations of the disassembled [[Helm's Deep]] set), and the whole city as a highly detailed "[[bigature]]" by [[Weta Workshop]] combined with a detailed three-dimensional digital model, along with the whole of its surrounding environment. Despite the description of Minas Tirith's [[Othram]] as a black, indestructible wall, Jackson depicted all of the walls as white, which also are destructible.

:In the films, the towers of Minas Tirith are equipped with 100 [[Wikipedia:Trebuchet|trebuchets]]. These played a significant role in the siege in the movie, as they were responsible for destroying many orcs, siege towers and catapults; some were smashed to bits by fell beasts, but all were repaired in the end.

'''2015: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
: Several different versions of the city exist in-game, separated chronologically: under the [[Dawnless Day]], during the [[Siege of Gondor]], after the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]] and during the Great Wedding of [[Aragorn]] and [[Arwen]] at [[Mid-year's Day]]. Each version is explorable and has a different set of quests. The Seven Tiers of the city have been given names: Worker's Tier, Soldier's Tier, Craftsmen's Tier, Player's Tier, Sages' Tier, Master's Tier and the Citadel. Large statues of every past King and Rulind Steward are placed across the city.

{{references|note}}

{{FellowshipRoute}}

[[Category:Minas Tirith]]

[[de:Minas Tirith (Gondor)]]
[[fi:Minas Tirith]]
[[fr:encyclo/geographie/villes_tours_et_forteresses/gondor/minas_tirith]]

Minas Tirith

2024-03-26T10:47:22Z

Fornad01: /* Minas Anor */

{{disambig-more|Minas Tirith|[[Minas Tirith (disambiguation)]]}}
{{location infobox
| name=Minas Tirith
| image=[[File:Ralph Damiani - Across Middle-earth - The White City.png|250px]]
| caption="The White City" by [[Ralph Damiani]]
| pronun=
| othernames=[[Minas Tirith#History|Minas Anor]] [[Mundburg]] the Tower of Guard the Guarded City Tower of Anor
| location=Easternmost point of the [[White Mountains]], close to [[Anduin]]
| type=City
| description=White city of seven levels
| regions=
| towns=
| inhabitants=[[Gondorians]]
| created={{SA|3320}}<ref name="AppB-2A">{{App|SA}}</ref>
| destroyed=
| events=[[Siege of Minas Tirith]]
}}
{{Quote|But Minas Anor endured, and it was named anew Minas Tirith, the Tower of Guard; for there the kings caused to be built in the citadel [[Tower of Ecthelion|a white tower]], very tall and fair, and its eye was upon many lands. Proud still and strong was that city, and in it the [[White Tree of Gondor|White Tree]] still flowered for a while before the house of the Kings.|''[[The Silmarillion]]'', "[[Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age]]"}}

'''Minas Tirith''' ([[Sindarin|S.]] 'Tower of the Guard') was a city of [[Gondor]], originally called '''Minas Anor'''. From {{TA|1640}}<ref name="AppB-3A"/> onwards it was the capital of the South-kingdom and the seat of its [[Kings of Gondor|Kings]] and ruling [[Stewards of Gondor|Stewards]].

==History==
===Minas Anor===
The city of Minas Tirith was originally a fortress, Minas Anor ([[Sindarin|S.]] 'Tower of the Sun'), which was probably built after the founding of the realm of Gondor in {{SA|3320}} before {{SA|3429}}.<ref name="AppB-2A">{{App|SA}}</ref> It was the western counterpart to [[Minas Ithil]] ([[Sindarin|S.]] 'Tower of the Moon'): though was originally of less importance, and was built as a small fort on the summit of Amon Anor mostly to guard [[Rath Dínen]], the Tombs of the Kings<ref>{{NM|P3xvii}}, Text 2, p. 365</ref>. From Osgiliath the sons of [[Elendil]] jointly ruled the newly-founded [[Gondor|South-kingdom]], but Minas Anor was home to [[Anárion]]'s House and Minas Ithil to [[Isildur]]'s.<ref name="S-Rings">{{S|Rings}}</ref> Therefore when the seven ''[[palantíri]]'' were divided amongst the [[Realms in Exile]] one was placed in Minas Anor.<ref name="AppA">{{App|A}}</ref><ref name="TT-Palantir">{{TT|Palantir}}.</ref>

[[Sauron]] attacked Gondor in {{SA|3429}}, [[First Fall of Minas Ithil|taking]] [[Minas Ithil]] and forcing Isildur to flee north to his father in [[Arnor]]. Anárion meanwhile was besieged in Osgiliath and Minas Anor,<ref name="AppB-2A"/> until he was relieved by the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]]. In {{TA|2}} Isildur planted the second [[White Tree of Gondor]] in Minas Anor in memory of his brother, who had perished during the [[Siege of Barad-dûr]]. From this point the Kingship of Gondor belonged solely to the heirs of Anárion, who continued to rule from Osgiliath.<ref name="AppB-3A">{{App|TA}}</ref><ref name="PM-Heirs">{{PM|Elendil}}</ref>

In {{TA|420}}<ref name="AppB-3A"/> Minas Anor was rebuilt by [[Ostoher]], the seventh [[Kings of Gondor|King of Gondor]], and from his reign onwards the Kings removed there from Osgiliath in the summer.<ref name="AppA"/> It remained the second city of Gondor for the next thousand years as the Kingdom reached the height of its power under the [[Ship-kings]], and then fell into its long decline. Osgiliath was burned and its ''palantír'' lost during the [[Kin-strife]], but the forces of [[Castamir]] did not breach the walls of Minas Anor by force. Its people resented Castamir's rule and were angered by his cruel treatment of Osgiliath, and they (along with the rest of the folk of [[Anórien]]) sided with the forces of [[Eldacar]] when he returned from the north in {{TA|1447}}<ref name="Gondor">{{App|Gondor}}</ref>. After the defeat of Castamir, Minas Anor gradually grew more prominent. In {{TA|1636}} the old capital was devastated by the [[Great Plague]], leaving it depopulated and falling into ruin. Soon after, [[Tarondor (King of Gondor)|Tarondor]] permanently moved the [[King's House]] to Minas Anor ({{TA|1640}}).<ref name="AppA"/><ref name="AppB-3A"/>

For a short time under Tarandor and his heirs the decline of Gondor was slowed, although constant wars with various groups of [[Easterlings]] took their toll. In {{TA|1900}} [[Calimehtar (King of Gondor)|Calimehtar]] built the first [[Tower of Ecthelion|White Tower]] in the Citadel of Minas Anor to house the city's ''palantír''.<ref name="AppB-3A"/> Just over a century later, however, the kingdom was dealt a harsh blow. In {{TA|2002}} Minas Ithil, where the guard on Mordor had long since slackened, was [[Second Fall of Minas Ithil|captured]] by the [[Nazgûl]]. It became known as Minas Morgul, and in turn Minas Anor was renamed Minas Tirith, 'Tower of the Guard' or the 'Guarded City'.<ref name="RK-MinasTirith"/> Soon after [[Eärnur]], the last King of Gondor, was killed in the Morgul Vale, and the lordship of the South-kingdom passed to the [[Stewards]].<ref name="AppA"/>

===Minas Tirith===
[[File:John Howe - Minas Tirith.jpg|thumb|left|"Minas Tirith" by [[John Howe]]]]Following a brief respite in the [[Watchful Peace]], Gondor under the Stewards became increasingly beset by enemies: control of [[Ithilien]] and the ruined bridges of [[Osgiliath]] passed back and forth between Minas Tirith and Minas Morgul,the coastlands were raided by the [[Corsairs of Umbar]], and Easterlings assailed them from the north.<ref name="AppA"/> The Citadel was improved under [[Ecthelion I]] ({{TA|2685}}–{{TA|2698|n}}),<ref name="AppA"/> who rebuilt the [[Tower of Ecthelion| White Tower]] which afterwards bore his name.<ref name="AppB-3A"/> But equally the White Tree died at the same time as the twenty-first Steward, [[Belecthor II]], and this time a new seedling could not be found to replace it.<ref name="AppA" />

In the reign of [[Ecthelion II]] ({{TA|2953}}–{{TA|2984}})<ref name="AppA"/> Minas Tirith was strengthened against Mordor, where Sauron had now declared himself openly. It was at this time that [[Aragorn]] the future King first came to the city under the name [[Thorongil]], and did great deeds.<ref name="AppA"/>

===War of the Ring===
{{main|Battle of the Pelennor Fields}}
During the [[War of the Ring]], the brunt of [[Mordor]]'s assault on the [[Free peoples]] was directed at Gondor and Minas Tirith. [[Cair Andros]] fell on [[10 March]] {{TA|3019}} and on [[12 March]] a company led by [[Faramir]] was forced to retreat from its defence of Osgiliath.<ref name="AppB-3A"/> An effort was made to repair the Rammas Echor, but this came too late.<ref name="RK-MinasTirith"/> With the crossings of Anduin taken the Pelennor was overrun, and Minas Tirith was besieged by a great army of Morgul orcs and Easterlings led by the [[Witch-king]]. The city was under-manned, and its defenders had little hope; on [[15 March]] the Great Gate was breached and the last ruling Steward, [[Denethor|Denethor II]], burned himself in despair.<ref name="RK-Siege">{{RK|Siege}}</ref><ref name="RK-Pyre">{{RK|Pyre}}</ref> But [[Gandalf]] was also present, and rescuing Faramir from his father he took charge of the defence of Minas Tirith. The [[Rohirrim]] under [[Théoden]] also came unlooked for to the city's aid, and [[Aragorn]] led a force up the river from [[Pelargir]]. Seeing this [[Imrahil]], [[Prince of Dol Amroth]], led a sally from the city, and the three armies were able to break the siege in the decisive [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]].<ref name="RK-Pelennor">{{RK|Battle}}</ref>

On [[1 May]] {{TA|3019}}, returning with the victorious from the [[Battle of the Morannon]], Aragorn was crowned on the plain outside Minas Tirith, and he entered the city as King Elessar. On [[25 June]] he discovered a sapling of the line of [[Nimloth of Númenor|Nimloth]] in a hidden hallow of Mount Mindolluin. This was planted in the Court of the Fountain – the fourth White Tree of Gondor.<ref name="RK-StewardKing">{{RK|Steward}}.</ref><ref name="AppB-3A"/>

===Fourth Age===
Under King Elessar Minas Tirith was restored and made more beautiful than ever before: the Great Gate was reforged of ''[[mithril]]'' and steel by the [[Dwarves]] of the [[Glittering Caves]],<ref>{{App|Durin}}, p. 1080</ref> led by [[Gimli]], the streets were paved with white marble and the city was filled with trees and fountains. Dwarves came to work in the city and [[Elves]] enjoyed coming to it.<ref>{{RK|Steward}}, p. 968</ref>

==Geography==
[[Image:J.R.R. Tolkien - Minas Tirith.jpg|left|thumb|"Minas Tirith" (unfinished drawing) by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]]]
Minas Tirith was situated on the [[Hill of Guard]] – the "out-thrust knee" of [[Mount Mindolluin]], connected to the main mass of the mountain by a narrow 'shoulder'.<ref name="RK-MinasTirith">{{RK|MT}}.</ref><ref name="WR-MinasTirith">{{WR|3|III}}.</ref> It faced eastward towards Osgiliath, over the [[Pelennor Fields]] surrounding the city, fertile townlands stretching from the walls of the city proper to the [[Rammas Echor]].<ref name="RK-MinasTirith"/>

The city was built on the hill with seven concentric tiers cut on the hill culminating in the [[Citadel of Gondor|Citadel]] at the summit, 700 feet above the plain below. The outer wall was called the [[City Wall]] and was black, of the same material used in [[Orthanc]]. The City Wall was vulnerable only to earthquakes capable of rending the ground where it stood.<ref name="RK-MinasTirith"/>

Each level was walled and held a gate with each gate faced a different direction: only the great gate and that of the seventh level faced east; the gate to the second level faced southeast, and that to the third faced northeast; so altering between the two such that the path up through the levels wound to and fro rather than following a straight line. An outcropping of rock as high as the seventh level bisected all the lower levels except the lowest on the line of the [[Great Gate of Minas Tirith|Great Gate]]. The winding path through the city therefore passed through tunnels in this 'keel' five times.

The '''First Level''' included the [[Rath Celerdain]], a white paved street with an inn, the [[Old Guesthouse]].

The '''Sixth Level''' contained stables for riders, and the [[Houses of Healing]]. There was also [[Fen Hollen]], a door which was almost always closed, leading to [[Rath Dínen]]<ref name="RK-MinasTirith" />, the 'shoulder' of rock that joined the Hill to the main mass of Mount Mindolluin rose to the level of the fifth wall and was fortified with large ramparts, where the tombs of the Kings of Gondor and their Stewards lay. The uppermost tunnel was delved into the spur of rock that jutted out of the eastern face of the Hill; The keystone of its archway was carved with the head of a crowned King. [[Guards of the Citadel]] manned the Seventh Gate which faced eastward in line with the Great Gate 700 feet below and emerged into the Citadel, the city's strongest point, surrounded by high walls and battlements on the 'keel'.

The '''Citadel''' housed the [[Court of the Fountain (Minas Tirith)|Court of the Fountain]] and the [[Tower of Ecthelion]], which brought the total height of the city to 1000 feet.<ref group="note">On the basis of this figure and unpublished sketches by Tolkien [[Karen Wynn Fonstad]] estimated the breadth of the city at 3100 feet in her ''[[The Atlas of Middle-earth|Atlas]]''.</ref> Before the Tower grew the [[White Tree of Gondor|White Tree]] in a court. There were also the [[King's House]], lodgings for the Steward, [[Merethrond]], barracks for the Guard of the Citadel, and other buildings for guests and other workers.

==Non-canon statistics==
[[Image:Ryszard_Derdziński_-_Minas_Tirith.jpg|thumb|right|"Minas Tirith" by [[Ryszard Derdziński]]]]
In ''[[The Atlas of Middle-earth]]'', [[Karen Wynn Fonstad]] estimates the diameter of the city to be 3,100 feet for the First Circle of the City.

According to the [[New Line Cinema|New Line]] book ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Weapons and Warfare]]'', the height of Minas Tirith (in the films) from the foot of the gates to the top of the Tower of Ecthelion (which individually is said to be 300 feet tall) is around 1,000 feet (304.8 m), and the diameter of the city almost three-quarters of a mile (3,960 feet). The book also suggests that the towering bastion of stone, shaped like the keel of a ship, which rose from behind the Great Gates on the first level to the citadel on the seventh, was a quarter of a mile tall (1 320 feet). However this height does not take into account the Tower of Ecthelion, which was situated on the seventh level, meaning that in total the city is some 1,620 feet tall (493.7 m). This means that the city's total height is somewhere between 1,000 feet (304.8 m) and 1,620 feet (493.7 m).

==Etymology==
''Minas Tirith'' is a [[Sindarin]] name,<ref name=PE17>{{PE|17}}, entry S ''Minas Tirith'', p. 31</ref> which means "Tower of Guard"<ref name=Guard/> or "Tower of Watch"<ref name=PE17/>. Paul Strack suggests that the name is a combination of ''[[minas]]'' ("tower", "fort", "city") and ''[[tirith]]'' ("watch", "ward", "guard").<ref>{{webcite|author=Paul Strack|articleurl=https://www.eldamo.org/content/words/word-538283653.html|articlename=S. ''Minas Tirith'' loc.|website=Eldamo|accessed=27 April 2023}}</ref>
==Other names==
''Minas Anor'' is a Sindarin name,<ref name=Eldamo>{{webcite|author=Paul Strack|articleurl=https://www.eldamo.org/content/words/word-2929446519.html|articlename=S. ''Minas Anor'' loc.|website=Eldamo|accessed=27 April 2023}}</ref> which means "Tower of the Sun"<ref>{{RK|Gate}}, p. 884</ref><ref>{{RK|Steward}}, p. 964</ref><ref>{{S|Index}}, entry ''Minas Anor''</ref><ref>{{UT|Index}}, entry ''Minas Anor''</ref> or "Tower of the Setting Sun"<ref>{{FR|Council}}, p. 244</ref><ref>{{S|Rings}}</ref>. Paul Strack suggests that the name is a combination of ''[[minas]]'' ("tower", "fort", "city") and ''[[Sun#Other names|anor]]'' ("sun").<ref name=Eldamo/>

''Mundburg'' is a [[Rohanese]] name, which means "Guardian-fortress".<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 400 citing from the entry Mundburg in the 1966 Index</ref> It probably contains the [[Old English]] element ''mund'', which means "protection".<ref>{{TI|King}}, note 7, p. 449</ref>

Minas Tirith was also referred to as the Tower of Guard<ref name=Guard>{{FR|Council}}, p. 245</ref><ref>{{TT|Departure}}, p. 414 and p. 418</ref><ref>{{TT|King}}, pp. 516-7</ref><ref>{{RK|Siege}}, p. 808</ref><ref>{{RK|Gate}}, p. 891</ref><ref>{{RK|Steward}}, p. 963</ref>, the Guarded City<ref>{{RK|MT}}, p. 751</ref>, and the Tower of Anor<ref>{{RK|Steward}}, p. 963</ref>,

The names Stone-city and Stone-houses were used by the [[Drúedain]].<ref>{{RK|V5}}</ref><ref>[[Robert Foster]], ''[[The Complete Guide to Middle-earth]]'', p. 366</ref>

==Inspiration==
Minas Tirith's most obvious historical parallel is the capital of the Byzantine Empire, Constantinople. Founded by the Roman emperor Constantine, Constantinople would eventually be one of the largest cities of its day and be a fortress under constant attack by its enemies. Similarly, Minas Tirith would become the chief fortification of Gondor in the latter days of its decline.

Like Minas Tirith, the Byzantine capital Constantinople sat near a strategic waterway (the Anduin to the Bay of Tolfalas in the case of Minas Tirith, the Bosporus Strait which divides the Mediterranean and Black Seas in the case of Constantinople) and was protected by massive walls that were virtually impregnable until the rise of effective gunpowder weapons in the real-world 15th century.<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 570</ref>

[[J.R.R. Tolkien]] described Minas Tirith in a long [[Letter to Milton Waldman| letter to Milton Waldman]], that was probably written in late 1951, as the "half-ruinous Byzantine City of Minas Tirith"<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 746</ref> and that of Gondor in its history "fades slowly to decayed Middle-Age, a kind of proud, venerable, but increasingly impotent Byzantium".<ref>{{L|131}}</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
{{Gallery
|title=Minas Tirith in adaptations
|height=150
|width=250
|lines=2
|File:War in Middle Earth - Minas Tirith.gif|Minas Tirith in ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien's War in Middle Earth]]''
|File:The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King - Minas Tirith.jpg|Minas Tirith in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]''
|File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Minas Tirith.jpg|Minas Tirith in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
}}
'''1988: ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien's War in Middle Earth]]'':'''
:Minas Tirith is one of the many battlefields in this game. The city is brown, unlike the books in which it is white.

'''2001: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
:The city appears briefly when Gandalf goes there to discern the identity of [[Bilbo Baggins|Bilbo]]'s [[The One Ring|One Ring]].

'''2002: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]'':'''
:Minas Tirith can be seen in the distance for a few seconds when [[Faramir]] takes [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]], [[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]] and [[Gollum]] to [[Osgiliath]].

'''2003: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]'':'''
:Tolkien's description of the physical layout of Minas Tirith is followed scrupulously in [[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]] film, although certain artistic liberties are taken, such as the top of the rock being flattened and paved, along with being the location for the coronation of [[Aragorn]], which in the book occurs instead on the Pelennor Field outside Minas Tirith, he then enters the city as King. In the film version it is within clear sight of the mountains surrounding Mordor and the fires of [[Mount Doom]], so much that in at least one night scene the light of it shines on the faces of viewers from the city walls. However, in the books, the mountains were far enough away that from the city they looked like a low dark shadow over the land far away.

:According to the "Making Of" featurettes on the Extended Edition DVDs, the appearance and structure of the city was based upon [[Wikipedia:Mont Saint-Michel|Mont Saint-Michel]], France.

:Portions of Minas Tirith were constructed as full-scale sets (built on the foundations of the disassembled [[Helm's Deep]] set), and the whole city as a highly detailed "[[bigature]]" by [[Weta Workshop]] combined with a detailed three-dimensional digital model, along with the whole of its surrounding environment. Despite the description of Minas Tirith's [[Othram]] as a black, indestructible wall, Jackson depicted all of the walls as white, which also are destructible.

:In the films, the towers of Minas Tirith are equipped with 100 [[Wikipedia:Trebuchet|trebuchets]]. These played a significant role in the siege in the movie, as they were responsible for destroying many orcs, siege towers and catapults; some were smashed to bits by fell beasts, but all were repaired in the end.

'''2015: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
: Several different versions of the city exist in-game, separated chronologically: under the [[Dawnless Day]], during the [[Siege of Gondor]], after the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]] and during the Great Wedding of [[Aragorn]] and [[Arwen]] at [[Mid-year's Day]]. Each version is explorable and has a different set of quests. The Seven Tiers of the city have been given names: Worker's Tier, Soldier's Tier, Craftsmen's Tier, Player's Tier, Sages' Tier, Master's Tier and the Citadel. Large statues of every past King and Rulind Steward are placed across the city.

{{references|note}}

{{FellowshipRoute}}

[[Category:Minas Tirith]]

[[de:Minas Tirith (Gondor)]]
[[fi:Minas Tirith]]
[[fr:encyclo/geographie/villes_tours_et_forteresses/gondor/minas_tirith]]

Corn

2024-03-10T22:16:46Z

Fornad01: Clarification

{{quote|Where is the spring and the harvest and the tall corn growing?|[[Aragorn]]<ref>{{TT|III6}}</ref>}}
{{plant infobox
| name=Corn
| image=The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring - Corn.jpg
| caption=Cornfield in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]''
| pronun=
| othernames=Barley, rye, wheat, oats
| location=[[Númenor]], [[Middle-earth]], [[Aman]]
| notablefor=
| family=
| appearance=
}}
'''Corn''' is a general name for various cereal crops, barley, rye, wheat and oats. It should not be confused with [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maize maize].

==History==
Corn was one of the creations of [[Yavanna]].<ref name="Vala">{{S|Vala}}</ref> Corn grew in [[Aman]] which had in it the strong life of the Blessed Realms. This corn grew swiftly and needed only a little sunlight to ripen, and if it was sown at any season (save in frost), it soon sprouted. This corn was brought to [[Middle-earth]] although it did not thrive and would not endure northern winds that came from [[Angband]]. None were permitted to handle this grain, save the elven-maidens of Yavanna, the [[Yavannildi]], who also knew the art of making [[lembas]].<ref>{{PM|Lembas}}</ref>

According to [[Treebeard]], [[Men]] learned the cultivation of corn by the [[Entwives]] of the [[Brown Lands]], and they were greatly praised for it. That information, however, passed into legend.<ref>{{TT|Treebeard}}</ref>

Corn was also introduced to [[Númenor]], who learned to cultivate it. During the [[Ban of the Valar]], the [[Númenóreans]] spread their knowledge of corn and agriculture throughout [[Middle-earth]], and so, this crop was introduced to the [[Middle Men]].<ref name="Aka">{{S|Akallabeth}}</ref>

The area that would later be known as [[the Shire]] was known for its fertility. The [[Kings of Arnor]] made many farmlands there, and aside from wine, corn was the main produce. Though the land was deserted by the time they came to live there, the [[Hobbits]] continued used their land for similar crop.<ref name="Concerning">{{FR|Hobbits}}</ref> In {{TA|3018}} as he prepared to leave the Shire, [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] noticed that due to the fine weather in the summer and autumn "the corn was tall and full".<ref>{{FR|I3}}</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
'''2001: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
:Probably due to the dialectical homonym of the New World crop (''[[wikipedia:Maize|Zea mays]]''), [[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]] and [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] walk through a field of maize.<ref>''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring|The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', "[[A Short Cut to Mushrooms (scene)|A Short Cut to Mushrooms]]"</ref>
{{references}}
[[Category:Plants]]

Círdan

2024-01-21T21:30:27Z

Fornad01: /* Third Age */

{{sindar infobox
| name=Círdan
| image=[[File:Jef Murray - Cirdan.jpg|250px]]
| caption="Cirdan" by [[Jef Murray]]
| pronun=[[Sindarin|S]], {{IPA|[ˈkiːrdan]}}
| othernames=''Nōwē'' ([[Primitive Elvish|PE]])''Ciryatan'' ([[Quenya|Q]])''Cirdan of Lune''<ref name=Lune>{{PM|Elendil}}, ''The Northern Line of Arnor: the Isildurioni'', entry '''entry 25: Arvedui''', p. 195</ref><ref name=Moon>{{PM|Third}}, entry '''1975''', p. 232</ref>''Cirdan the Shipwright''<ref name=Aman/>
| titles=
| position=Lord of the [[Falas]]Master of the [[Grey Havens]]
| location=[[Cuiviénen]][[Sea of Rhûn]][[Falas]][[Isle of Balar]][[Grey Havens]][[Aman]] (after the departure of the [[Last Ship]])
| affiliation=[[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]][[White Council]][[Host of the West (Arnor)|Host of the West]]
| language=[[Common Eldarin]][[Sindarin]][[Quenya]][[Westron]]
| birth=Between {{YT|1050}} and {{YT|1105|n}}<ref name="LastWritingsN">{{PM|Last}}, note 29</ref>
| birthlocation=[[Cuiviénen]]<ref name="LastWritingsN"/>
| rule={{YT|1149}} - {{FA|473}} ([[Falas]]) {{FA|473}} - {{FA|587}} ([[Isle of Balar]]) {{SA|1}} - after {{FoA|171}}<ref name=prologue/> ([[Grey Havens]])
| sailedwest=After {{FoA|171}}, on the [[Last Ship]]<ref name=prologue>{{FR|Prologue}}</ref><ref name=eriador/>
| sailedfrom=[[Grey Havens]]
| age=at least 11,008 years<ref group=note>This figure is arrived at by taking the latest possible year of birth of Círdan ({{YT|1105}} - the year in which the [[Great Journey]] of the [[Eldar]] from [[Cuiviénen]] began), adding the 395 [[Valian years]] (where one Valian year = 9.582 solar years) + 590 solar years of the late [[First Age]] + 3,441 solar years of the [[Second Age]] + 3,021 solar years of the [[Third Age]] + 171 solar years of the beginning of the [[Fourth Age]] (since {{FoA|171}} is the earliest date in which the [[Last Ship]] bearing Círdan to [[Aman]] sailed away).Therefore, all these years combined give the approximate value of 11,008 years. However, readers should keep in mind that the above figure is the most conservative estimate, and that Círdan's actual age at the time of his departure from [[Middle-earth]] in the early Fourth Age is almost certainly greater than the one given above.</ref>
| notablefor=''[[#Significance|See below]]''
| house=
| parentage=Unknown (Círdan was a kinsman of [[Thingol]] and [[Olwë]];<ref name=Cirdan>{{PM|Last}}, "Círdan"</ref> he was also related to the mother of [[Voronwë]]<ref>{{UT|Tuor}}, p. 45</ref>)
| siblings=
| spouse=
| children=
| gender=Male
| height=Very tall<ref name="Havens"/>
| hair=Silver; with a long beard (in his old age)<ref name="Havens"/>
| eyes="Keen as stars"<ref name="Havens"/>
| clothing=
| weapons=
| steed=
}}
{{quote|As they came to the gates Círdan the Shipwright came forth to greet them. Very tall he was, and his beard was long, and he was grey and old, save that his eyes were keen as stars; and he looked at them and bowed, and said 'All is now ready.'|''[[The Return of the King]]'', "[[The Grey Havens]]"}}

'''Círdan''' was one of the highest and most noble of the [[Sindar]],<ref name=Cirdan/> lord of the [[Falas]] during the [[First Age]], and Master of the [[Grey Havens]] through the [[Second Age|Second]], [[Third Age|Third]], and [[Fourth Age]].

He was one of the wisest and most foresighted of the [[Elves]], and by the [[Second Age]], one of the oldest named [[Elves]] in [[Middle-earth]] to remain so throughout that age and into the [[Fourth Age]] as well.

He was also gifted [[Narya]], one of the [[Three Rings]], by [[Celebrimbor]] until he surrendered it to [[Gandalf]]. As the Lord of the Havens, he oversaw the departure of the Elves of Middle-earth to the West and eventually sought the [[Last Ship]] with his kinsman [[Celeborn]].{{fact}}

== History ==
=== First Age ===
==== Early life ====
Círdan, born '''Nōwē'''<ref name=Cirdan/>, was kin of both [[Elwë]] and [[Olwë]], the kings of the [[Teleri]].<ref name=Cirdan/> Of shipbuilding, whether by their first homes at [[Cuiviénen]] or when the [[Teleri]] dwelt by the [[Sea of Rhûn]], Nōwē was always the foremost and most skilled in the craft.<ref name="LastWritingsN"/> During the push westward, seeking to go to [[Valinor]], Nōwē and his followers kept going where most of his kin fell away throughout the journey.{{fact}}

Despite Nōwē's great eagerness to see the [[light of Valinor]] (his "greatest desire"),<ref name=Cirdan/> he loyally searched for [[Elwë]] upon his disappearance. Because of this, the [[Teleri]] missed the first trip on [[Tol Eressëa]] to [[Valinor]], on which went their kin, the [[Noldor]] and the [[Vanyar]]. They took for their king [[Olwë]], and while waiting for [[Ulmo]] to return for them, Nōwē headed the art of making and sailing ships, growing impatient. From this profession he took the name "'''Círdan'''" which means "shipwright" in [[Sindarin]]. The [[Teleri]] also developed a great friendship with [[Ossë]]. At the same time, although most of the Teleri had given up, Círdan sought [[Elwë]] longer and harder than most of his kin, partly because of his love for him and his allegiance.<ref name=Cirdan/>

Because of this, Círdan came to the shores too late during the second embarking of Eressëa.<ref name=Cirdan/> He came to the sands to find them departed, and as he stood forlorn he saw far-off a glimmer of light upon Eressëa as it vanished into the West over [[Belegaer]]. But into his heart came a message from the [[Valar]] which warned him that his ship could not endure the voyage, nor would any ship for many years, until the time when his work would be of utmost worth, remembered in song. Círdan answered in obeyance, and saw a vision of [[Vingilot|a ship]].<ref name=Cirdan/>

==== Lord of the Falas ====
===== Foundation =====
[[File:Peter Xavier Price - Cirdan, Lord of the Falathrim.jpg|225px|thumb|left|''Cirdan, Lord of the Falathrim'' by [[Peter Xavier Price]]]]
Círdan therefore remained with those Teleri who had chosen to stay east of the Sea for love of Ossë, and became their lord. The folk became known as the [[Falathrim]], "''people of the foaming shore''", and dwelt in the [[Falas]] by the sea. There they built many ships, and the mighty [[Havens of the Falas]], and found pearls which they sent to their king, [[Thingol]] of [[Doriath]], who was known as Elwë.<ref name="Sindar">{{S|Sindar}}</ref>

When [[Morgoth]] broke forth in the [[First Battle]] in {{YT|1497}}, Círdan was cut off and unable to come to Thingol's aid. Further, although Thingol prevailed with the help of the [[Laiquendi]], the Green-elves of [[Ossiriand]], the Falathrim were driven to the very edge of the sea, where they were besieged for some months, until the [[Return of the Noldor]] from Aman, when [[Fëanor]] struck at [[Morgoth]] from the north. The siege of the Falas was abandoned as the [[Orcs]] were ordered northward to help their master, where they were all destroyed by [[Celegorm]] and his forces, and the Falas was saved.<ref name="Sindar"/><ref name="return">{{S|Return}}</ref>

===== Wars of the Noldor =====
Círdan attended the [[Mereth Aderthad]] with many of his people, where he swore oaths of friendship with the Noldor.<ref name="return"/> Between Círdan and [[Finrod Felagund]], [[King of Nargothrond]], there was friendship and alliance, and with the aid of the [[Noldor]] the havens of [[Brithombar]] and [[Eglarest]] were built anew.<ref name="Belerian">{{S|Beleriand}}</ref>

When the tales began spreading (sown by [[Morgoth]]) of the [[Kinslaying of Alqualondë]], Círdan, being very wise even at that time, was greatly troubled, feeling that these rumors sprouted from great malice. Knowing the jealousy and dissention among the Noldor, he guessed that the malice was that of the kinslayers. Therefore he dutifully sent messages to his overlord Thingol, telling him all that he had heard. This resulted in Thingol banning the speaking of [[Quenya]] and greater strife between the Sindar and the Noldor.<ref>{{S|Noldor}}</ref>

Círdan made up for his lack of participation in the [[Wars of Beleriand|wars of the Noldor]] with his role in the [[Second Assault on Hithlum]], coming to the timely aid of [[Fingon]] when he was most needed. The ships of Círdan sailed up the [[Firth of Drengist]] in great stength and then struck the unsuspecting [[Orcs]] from the west, giving victory to the Elves.<ref name="Fingolfin">{{S|Fingolfin}}</ref>

Many years later, in {{FA|472}}, after the disastrous [[Nirnaeth Arnoediad]], many fugitives came for shelter in Círdan's havens. The Falathrim mariners harassed the orcs in guerilla attacks from the sea. But it was only a matter of time before [[Morgoth]] attacked. Then came the disastrous [[Fall of the Falas]]. Though both [[Brithombar]] and [[Eglarest]] were strong, with mighty walls, both fell one at a time due to the impressive array of siege-masters Morgoth had in his train. Although Círdan's people fought valiantly, the walls were broken and most of the Falathrim killed or enslaved. [[Barad Nimras]] was cast down, and the Falas laid to waste. But Círdan and some of his followers escaped by sea, and he took with him the young [[Gil-galad]], one of the last of the princes of the Noldor. They came to the [[Isle of Balar]] and founded a new refuge, but kept a foothold at the [[Mouths of Sirion]], keeping ships hidden in the reeds there.<ref name="Fifth">{{S|Fifth}}</ref>

==== Refuge in Balar ====
[[Turgon]], the King of [[Gondolin]], receiving the dreadful news, requested that Círdan send mariners to seek [[Valinor]] and the aid of the [[Valar]]. Círdan built seven swift ships, and sent them westward. None returned, save for only [[Voronwë|one mariner]] of the [[Gondolindrim]] who was also his kinsman.<ref name="Tuor">{{UT|1}}</ref> The way to the West was closed.<ref name="Fifth"/>

Eventually Círdan served as messenger, when [[Ulmo]] delivered him a message for [[Orodreth]], the King of [[Nargothrond]], warning of the doom of Nargothrond, and ordering him to shut his gates and cast down the bridge. The warning went unheeded, resulting in the [[Fall of Nargothrond]] in {{FA|495}}.{{fact}}

After news came to Balar of the [[Fall of Gondolin]], [[Gil-galad]] was proclaimed [[High King of the Noldor]]. Círdan soon after became a fast friend of the young half-elf [[Eärendil]] son of [[Tuor]] and [[Idril]], who had grown up essentially under his shadow, and was apprenticed to him. Círdan aided Eärendil in building the ship [[Vingilot]], giving him advice and help. Círdan doubtless remembered his vision, and this ship was indeed a fulfillment of it.<ref name=Cirdan/>

Círdan and Gil-galad came with their ships from Balar too late to prevent the disastrous [[Third Kinslaying]], when the [[Mouths of Sirion|Havens of Sirion]] were ambushed and many fell. But Eärendil was not there, rather on a voyage, and the [[Silmaril]] of [[Beren]] and [[Lúthien]] had been spirited away by [[Elwing]] his wife. Thus, wielding the Silmaril, Eärendil came to [[Valinor]] and found the forgiveness of the [[Valar]].<ref name="Earendil">{{S|Earendil}}</ref> From that time on, Círdan was given foresight surpassing that of any of the Elves,<ref name=Cirdan/> perhaps some special grace of the Valar for his deeds in this world-changing episode (like the return of [[Glorfindel]], who also contributed significantly).{{fact}}

After the [[War of Wrath]], Círdan, heeding the bidding of the Valar long ago, once more obediently abstained from finding his heart's desire and going West, but with a small following remained in [[Middle-earth]].

=== Second Age ===
The continents were shifted, but Círdan still took up his abode by the sea, at the [[Grey Havens]], which the Elves built in the newly-formed [[Gulf of Lune]] whence the [[Eldar]] could sail the [[Straight Road]], but most of them were unwilling at first to forsake the lands they fought in and preferred to linger there.<ref name=rings>{{S|Rings}}</ref>

At the very beginning of the [[Second Age]], Círdan was instrumental in devising and overseeing the construction of the boats that were used to transport the remnants of the [[Edain]] to their new land, which would later become the realm of [[Númenor]].<ref name=Edain>{{NM|P3xiii}}, p. 339</ref>

Círdan personally elected the Elven captains and helmsmen who were in charge of transporting the Edain to Númenor, and since those boats were small, it took a great number of such boats to transfer all of the Edain and their possessions - a process that took at least 50 years, and which only ended when the Valar instructed Círdan to cease any future migration of Men to the island.<ref name=Edain/>

Many centuries later, in {{SA|600}}, Círdan welcomed the friendly and then-unfallen [[Númenóreans]], making friends with [[Vëantur]], chief of the mariners of [[Tar-Elendil]], and later teaching [[Tar-Aldarion|Aldarion]] his grandson of ships (both management and construction) and seaside architecture,<ref name="Wife">{{UT|Wife}}</ref> doubtless being the foremost authority on both.{{fact}}

Círdan advised against the creation of the [[Rings of Power]] when [[Sauron|Annatar]] came, but, like Galadriel, his counsel went unheeded in the midst of the ambition of the [[Gwaith-i-Mírdain]]. Nevertheless, when the [[Three Rings]] were hidden, Celebrimbor had appointed him to inherit one of them and so, Círdan received [[Narya]], the Ring of Fire.<ref name="rings"/> [[Sauron]], having revealed himself in the [[Sack of Eregion|destruction of Eregion]] and empowered by [[the One Ring]] he had forged, [[sack of Eregion|invaded]] [[Eriador]] in the same blow; however, he dared not attempt to take Círdan's [[Mithlond]] or [[Lindon]], fearing they were too strong because they had the help of the [[Númenóreans]].<ref name="rings"/>

Círdan joined the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]], and fought alongside [[Gil-galad]]. Many fell there, including [[Gil-galad]] and [[Elendil]]. After the battle, with Elrond, he urged [[Isildur]], Elendil's heir, to throw the captured One Ring into [[Orodruin]], where it would be unmade, but Isildur refused.<ref name="rings"/><ref name="Council">{{FR|Council}}</ref>

=== Third Age ===
{{blockquote|Take this ring, Master… for your labours will be heavy; but it will support you in the weariness that you have taken upon yourself. For this is the Ring of Fire, and with it you may rekindle hearts in a world that grows chill. But as for me, my heart is with the [[Belegaer|Sea]], and I will dwell by the grey shores until the [[Last Ship|last ship]] sails. I will await you.| Círdan to Gandalf, ''[[Appendix B]]''}}

[[File:Alystraea - Cirdan.jpg|250px|thumb|right|''Cirdan'' by [[:Category:Images by Alystraea|Alystraea]]]]
After the [[War of the Last Alliance]] and the death of Gil-galad, Círdan remained the Lord of the Havens<ref name="rings"/>. For more than a thousand years they went undisturbed,<ref name="AppB2">{{App|B2}}</ref> but at around {{TA|1050}}, a shadow began to lengthen. It was at this time the [[Istari]], sent by the [[Valar]], came. Círdan was the most foresighted of all Elves in Middle-earth, and he alone knew the true purpose of the Istari.<ref name="AppB2"/> He also saw deep into the future of Gandalf, and gave him [[Narya]], his greatest possession and one of the most secret and sought-after treasures in the world.<ref name="rings"/>

Throughout the [[Angmar War]], the Elves of Lindon under Círdan supported [[Arnor]]. They assisted King [[Arveleg I|Arveleg]] and the men of [[Cardolan]] drive off the [[Hill-men]] from the [[Weather Hills]]. Later, with Círdan’s help, Arveleg's young son, [[Araphor]], drove [[Angmar]]'s armies from [[Fornost]] and the [[North Downs]]. Combining forces with [[Rivendell]], and the [[Galadhrim]] who joined them from beyond the [[Misty Mountains]], they subdued Angmar for some time.<ref name=eriador>{{App|Eriador}}</ref>

In {{TA|1975}}, Círdan sent Elven sailors from Lindon on a ship to [[Forochel]] to rescue the lost king [[Arvedui]]. The crew endured a perilous journey, but Arvedui rashly attempted to return that winter, and all aboard perished. The next year, Círdan and the Elves of Lindon [[Host of the West (Arnor)|joined]] with the remnants of [[Arnor]] in the victorious [[Battle of Fornost]].<ref name=eriador/><ref>{{App|Gondor}}</ref> Later, Círdan took control of the abandoned [[palantíri|Elendil Stone]] on [[Emyn Beraid]], which could gaze into the [[Tol Eressëa|lost west]] and was without link to the other ''[[palantíri]]''.<ref name="Palantiri">{{UT|Palantiri}}</ref>

Nothing more is mentioned of his actions until the [[War of the Ring]] in {{TA|3018}} and later in {{TA|3021|n}}. [[Galdor of the Havens|Galdor]] was his messenger to [[Rivendell]] and attended the [[Council of Elrond]], speaking with authority on his lord's behalf.<ref name="Council"/>

The last mention of Círdan came with the end of the Third Age. When the Ringbearers came to Mithlond, Círdan greeted them before the gates. Although [[Gandalf]], [[Galadriel]], and [[Elrond]] passed west on the [[White Ship|ship]] he had built for them, Círdan seems to have remained for a time.{{fact}}

=== Later history ===
{{main|Last Ship}}
Círdan maintained the haven at least into the early [[Fourth Age]], but it was recognized that eventually, its purpose would reach an end when no more Eldar wished to cross the [[Sea]]. At that time, Círdan would abandon the Grey Havens and finally travel the [[Straight Road]] himself.<ref name=eriador/> On some unknown date, he sailed west aboard the [[Last Ship]] with his kinsman [[Celeborn]], but when he did so, he took with him the last living memory of the [[Elder Days]] in [[Middle-earth]].<ref name=prologue/>

== Etymology ==
{{Pronounce|Cirdan.mp3|Ardamir}}
''Círdan'' is a [[Sindarin]] name. It means "Shipbuilder"<ref>{{PE|17}}, p. 27</ref><ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}, entries '''KIR-''' and '''TAN-'''</ref> or "Shipwright"<ref>{{PM|Last}}, "Círdan", p. 385</ref>.

The [[Quenya]] cognate was '''''Ciryatan''''' (pron. {{IPA|[ˈkirʲatan]}}).<ref>{{S|Appendix}}, entry "kir-''</ref>

== Other names ==
Círdan's original name was '''''Nōwē'''''. According to [[Paul Strack]], it was a [[Primitive Elvish]] name, but its meaning is unclear.<ref>{{webcite|author=[[Paul Strack]]|articleurl=https://eldamo.org/content/words/word-2331717483.html|articlename=✶ ''Nōwē'' pn.|website=Eldamo|accessed=10 October 2023}}</ref>

He was also called '''''Cirdan the Shipwright''''',<ref name=Aman>{{AA|70}}, p. 85</ref> as well as '''''Cirdan of Lune'''''<ref name=Lune/><ref name=Moon/> (in both instances, without accent over the letter ''i'', though).

== Appearance ==
In the last years of the Third Age, Círdan appeared very old save for his eyes which "''were keen as stars''"; he also had a long beard.<ref name="Havens">{{RK|Havens}}, p. 1030</ref> Likely, he had grown a beard since having reached his [[Elven life cycle#"Cycles of life" and aging|third cycle of life]].<ref>{{VT|41b}}, p. 9</ref>

== Significance ==
[[File:David Greset - Cirdan the Carpenter.jpg|130px|thumb|left|''Cirdan the Carpenter'' by [[:Category:Images by David Greset|David Greset]]]]
Círdan had a profound effect upon the course of Middle-earth history. He was a loyal servant and friend of [[Elwë]], sacrificing his heart's desire in search of him.<ref name=Cirdan/>

This loyalty and sense of duty shows up numerous times over the course of history, including his second sacrifice in his submission to the [[Valar]],<ref name=Cirdan/> and his sending of troubling and potentially destructive rumors to his overlord Thingol.

He was also the most foresighted of the Elves, a consequence of the gift from the Valar.<ref name="AppB2"/><ref name=Cirdan/> He conceivably saved Elven civilization with the founding of the havens at the [[Mouths of Sirion]],<ref name="Fifth"/> and with the fostering of both [[Gil-galad]] and [[Eärendil]].<ref name="Earendil"/> His precious gift of [[Narya]] to [[Gandalf]] was also timely and valuable.<ref name="AppB2"/> He was clearly favored by [[Ulmo]], seen by the number of messages passed through him.

== Genealogy ==
<div style="overflow-x: scroll; overflow-y: hidden; border: 1px solid #AAAAAA; padding: 3px; background: #EEEEEE;">
{{familytree/start}}
{{familytree | | | | | |F|~|~|~|~|~|~|~|~|7| | | | | | | | | | | | | |}}
{{familytree | | | | | |:| | | | | | | | |D|~|~|~|~|~|~|~|7| | | | | |}}
{{familytree | |,|-|-|-|+|-|-|-|.| | | | |:| | | | | | | |:| | | | | |}}
{{familytree | THI | | OLW | | ELM | | | CÍR | | | | | | UNK |y| ARA |THI=[[Thingol]] ''d. {{FA|503}}''|OLW=[[Olwë]] ''b. {{YT}}''|ELM=[[Elmo]] ''b. {{YT}}''|CÍR='''CÍRDAN''' ''b. {{YT}}''|UNK=''unknown mother''|ARA=[[Aranwë]] ''b. {{YT}}''}}
{{familytree | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |!| | | |}}

{{familytree | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | VOR | | |VOR=[[Voronwë]] ''b. {{FA}}''}}
{{familytree/end}}
</div>

== Other versions of the legendarium ==
=== ''The Lord of the Rings'' drafts ===
The character of Círdan is a fairly late addition to [[Tolkien]]'s [[legendarium]], with his first appearance in the drafts of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' (dating to the early [[1940]]s) being in an outline of what would become the eleventh chapter, ''[[The Palantír]]'', of the first book in ''[[The Two Towers]]''.<ref name=Wright>{{WR|1|VI}}, pp. 76-7</ref>

The name ''Círdan'' in this outline was spelled as ''Cirdan'', and in one other instance as ''Kirdan''.<ref name=Wright/>

Nonetheless, in a draft for the chapter ''[[Many Partings]]'', the term ''Círdan'' is used.<ref>{{SD|Partings}}, p. 67</ref>

=== ''The Etymologies'' ===
However, Círdan's first appearance in the legendarium as a whole seems to be in ''[[The Etymologies]]'' (dating from the late [[1930]]s), where his name was instead given as ''C(e)irdan'' ("shipbuilder" in [[Noldorin]]), with the ''(e)'' probably indicating a development from the Noldorin word ''[[ceir]]'' ("ship"). The name ''Ceirdan'' was itself changed from an earlier form ''Certhan''.<ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}, entry '''TAN-''', p. 390</ref>

=== Later legendarium ===
In a late text called ''[[The Rivers and Beacon-hills of Gondor]]'' (c. [[1969]]), there appears a passage in which Tolkien briefly considered Círdan as being one of the Noldor,<ref name=Weird>{{NM|P3xxii}}, pp. 387-8</ref> in a text explaining the origin of the name ''[[Belfalas]]'':

{{blockquote|There appears, however, in the beginning of the Second Age, to have been a group of Sindar who went south. They were a remnant, it seems, of the people of Doriath, who harboured still their grudge against the Noldor and left the Grey Havens because these and all the ships there were commanded by '''Círdan (a Noldo)'''.|''[[The Rivers and Beacon-hills of Gondor]]'', ''"Belfalas"'' <ref name=Weird/>}}

However, [[Carl Hostetter]] later comments, quoting [[Christopher Tolkien]]'s own commentary on the text:

{{blockquote|The manuscript page ends mid-sentence, and without reaching an explanation of the element ''Bel-''. Christopher Tolkien writes: "It was perhaps a purely experimental extension of the history, at once abandoned; but the assertion that Círdan was a Noldo is very strange. This runs clean counter to the entire tradition concerning him — yet it is essential to the idea sketched in this passage. Possibly it was his realization of this that led my father to abandon it in mid-sentence."|''[[The Rivers and Beacon-hills of Gondor]]'', "Commentary on the text ''Belfalas''" <ref name=Weird/>}}

At no other point in the legendarium was Círdan ever considered a Noldo.

== Portrayal in adaptations ==
{{Gallery
|title=Círdan in adaptations
|height=150
|width=250
|lines=2
|File:Decipher - Círdan.jpg|Círdan in [[The Lord of the Rings Trading Card Game]]
|File:SBG - Cirdan.jpeg|Círdan in [[The Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game]]
|File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Círdan.jpg|Círdan in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
}}

'''2001: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
:His role as lieutenant of Gil-galad is given to [[Elrond]] instead (Elrond was Gil-galad's herald in the books). He does, however, appear very briefly in Galadriel's Monologue at the start of the movie, in the very brief shot of the three elven ringbearers.

'''2003: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]'':'''
:Círdan briefly appears as Frodo and Bilbo make their trip to the lands of the West.

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Círdan appears in several flashbacks depicting the the [[War of the Last Alliance]].

'''2022: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power]]'':'''
:It has been confirmed that Círdan will appear in the series' second season.<ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=https://time.com/6205027/cirdan-the-rings-of-power-season-2/|articlename=Exclusive: This Fan-Favorite Character Is Joining the Second Season of The Rings of Power|dated=15 August 2022|website=Time.com|accessed=4 January 2023}}</ref>

{{references|notes}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cirdan}}

{{seq-start}}
{{seq-head
| race=sindar
| house=
| born=Between {{YT|1050}} and {{YT|1105|n}}
| died=Sailed west after {{FoA|171}}
}}
{{seq
| pvac=None
| prev=New position
| list=Lord of the [[Falas]]
| dates={{YT|1149}} – {{FA|473}}
| nvac=None
| next=[[Falas]] overrun by [[Morgoth]]'s forces
}}
{{seq
| pvac=None
| prev=New position
| list=Lord of the [[Grey Havens]]
| dates={{SA|1}} – after {{FoA|171}}
| nvac=None
| next=Sailed west on the [[Last Ship]]
}}
{{seq
| pvac=None
| prev=''[[Celebrimbor]], as its creator''
| list=[[Three Keepers|Keeper]] of [[Narya]]
| dates=c. {{SA|1600}} - c. {{TA|1000}}
| next=[[Gandalf]]
}}
{{seq-end}}

[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]
[[Category:First Age characters]]
[[Category:Fourth Age characters]]
[[Category:Mariners]]
[[Category:Moriquendi]]
[[Category:Nelyar]]
[[Category:Noldorin names]]
[[Category:Rulers in Middle-earth]]
[[Category:Second Age characters]]
[[Category:Sindar]]
[[Category:Sindarin names]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]
[[de:Círdan]]
[[fr:encyclo:personnages:elfes:teleri:sindar:cirdan]]
[[fi:Círdan]]

Círdan

2024-01-21T21:29:50Z

Fornad01: As discussed on the Discord - Cirdan's title

{{sindar infobox
| name=Círdan
| image=[[File:Jef Murray - Cirdan.jpg|250px]]
| caption="Cirdan" by [[Jef Murray]]
| pronun=[[Sindarin|S]], {{IPA|[ˈkiːrdan]}}
| othernames=''Nōwē'' ([[Primitive Elvish|PE]])''Ciryatan'' ([[Quenya|Q]])''Cirdan of Lune''<ref name=Lune>{{PM|Elendil}}, ''The Northern Line of Arnor: the Isildurioni'', entry '''entry 25: Arvedui''', p. 195</ref><ref name=Moon>{{PM|Third}}, entry '''1975''', p. 232</ref>''Cirdan the Shipwright''<ref name=Aman/>
| titles=
| position=Lord of the [[Falas]]Master of the [[Grey Havens]]
| location=[[Cuiviénen]][[Sea of Rhûn]][[Falas]][[Isle of Balar]][[Grey Havens]][[Aman]] (after the departure of the [[Last Ship]])
| affiliation=[[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]][[White Council]][[Host of the West (Arnor)|Host of the West]]
| language=[[Common Eldarin]][[Sindarin]][[Quenya]][[Westron]]
| birth=Between {{YT|1050}} and {{YT|1105|n}}<ref name="LastWritingsN">{{PM|Last}}, note 29</ref>
| birthlocation=[[Cuiviénen]]<ref name="LastWritingsN"/>
| rule={{YT|1149}} - {{FA|473}} ([[Falas]]) {{FA|473}} - {{FA|587}} ([[Isle of Balar]]) {{SA|1}} - after {{FoA|171}}<ref name=prologue/> ([[Grey Havens]])
| sailedwest=After {{FoA|171}}, on the [[Last Ship]]<ref name=prologue>{{FR|Prologue}}</ref><ref name=eriador/>
| sailedfrom=[[Grey Havens]]
| age=at least 11,008 years<ref group=note>This figure is arrived at by taking the latest possible year of birth of Círdan ({{YT|1105}} - the year in which the [[Great Journey]] of the [[Eldar]] from [[Cuiviénen]] began), adding the 395 [[Valian years]] (where one Valian year = 9.582 solar years) + 590 solar years of the late [[First Age]] + 3,441 solar years of the [[Second Age]] + 3,021 solar years of the [[Third Age]] + 171 solar years of the beginning of the [[Fourth Age]] (since {{FoA|171}} is the earliest date in which the [[Last Ship]] bearing Círdan to [[Aman]] sailed away).Therefore, all these years combined give the approximate value of 11,008 years. However, readers should keep in mind that the above figure is the most conservative estimate, and that Círdan's actual age at the time of his departure from [[Middle-earth]] in the early Fourth Age is almost certainly greater than the one given above.</ref>
| notablefor=''[[#Significance|See below]]''
| house=
| parentage=Unknown (Círdan was a kinsman of [[Thingol]] and [[Olwë]];<ref name=Cirdan>{{PM|Last}}, "Círdan"</ref> he was also related to the mother of [[Voronwë]]<ref>{{UT|Tuor}}, p. 45</ref>)
| siblings=
| spouse=
| children=
| gender=Male
| height=Very tall<ref name="Havens"/>
| hair=Silver; with a long beard (in his old age)<ref name="Havens"/>
| eyes="Keen as stars"<ref name="Havens"/>
| clothing=
| weapons=
| steed=
}}
{{quote|As they came to the gates Círdan the Shipwright came forth to greet them. Very tall he was, and his beard was long, and he was grey and old, save that his eyes were keen as stars; and he looked at them and bowed, and said 'All is now ready.'|''[[The Return of the King]]'', "[[The Grey Havens]]"}}

'''Círdan''' was one of the highest and most noble of the [[Sindar]],<ref name=Cirdan/> lord of the [[Falas]] during the [[First Age]], and Master of the [[Grey Havens]] through the [[Second Age|Second]], [[Third Age|Third]], and [[Fourth Age]].

He was one of the wisest and most foresighted of the [[Elves]], and by the [[Second Age]], one of the oldest named [[Elves]] in [[Middle-earth]] to remain so throughout that age and into the [[Fourth Age]] as well.

He was also gifted [[Narya]], one of the [[Three Rings]], by [[Celebrimbor]] until he surrendered it to [[Gandalf]]. As the Lord of the Havens, he oversaw the departure of the Elves of Middle-earth to the West and eventually sought the [[Last Ship]] with his kinsman [[Celeborn]].{{fact}}

== History ==
=== First Age ===
==== Early life ====
Círdan, born '''Nōwē'''<ref name=Cirdan/>, was kin of both [[Elwë]] and [[Olwë]], the kings of the [[Teleri]].<ref name=Cirdan/> Of shipbuilding, whether by their first homes at [[Cuiviénen]] or when the [[Teleri]] dwelt by the [[Sea of Rhûn]], Nōwē was always the foremost and most skilled in the craft.<ref name="LastWritingsN"/> During the push westward, seeking to go to [[Valinor]], Nōwē and his followers kept going where most of his kin fell away throughout the journey.{{fact}}

Despite Nōwē's great eagerness to see the [[light of Valinor]] (his "greatest desire"),<ref name=Cirdan/> he loyally searched for [[Elwë]] upon his disappearance. Because of this, the [[Teleri]] missed the first trip on [[Tol Eressëa]] to [[Valinor]], on which went their kin, the [[Noldor]] and the [[Vanyar]]. They took for their king [[Olwë]], and while waiting for [[Ulmo]] to return for them, Nōwē headed the art of making and sailing ships, growing impatient. From this profession he took the name "'''Círdan'''" which means "shipwright" in [[Sindarin]]. The [[Teleri]] also developed a great friendship with [[Ossë]]. At the same time, although most of the Teleri had given up, Círdan sought [[Elwë]] longer and harder than most of his kin, partly because of his love for him and his allegiance.<ref name=Cirdan/>

Because of this, Círdan came to the shores too late during the second embarking of Eressëa.<ref name=Cirdan/> He came to the sands to find them departed, and as he stood forlorn he saw far-off a glimmer of light upon Eressëa as it vanished into the West over [[Belegaer]]. But into his heart came a message from the [[Valar]] which warned him that his ship could not endure the voyage, nor would any ship for many years, until the time when his work would be of utmost worth, remembered in song. Círdan answered in obeyance, and saw a vision of [[Vingilot|a ship]].<ref name=Cirdan/>

==== Lord of the Falas ====
===== Foundation =====
[[File:Peter Xavier Price - Cirdan, Lord of the Falathrim.jpg|225px|thumb|left|''Cirdan, Lord of the Falathrim'' by [[Peter Xavier Price]]]]
Círdan therefore remained with those Teleri who had chosen to stay east of the Sea for love of Ossë, and became their lord. The folk became known as the [[Falathrim]], "''people of the foaming shore''", and dwelt in the [[Falas]] by the sea. There they built many ships, and the mighty [[Havens of the Falas]], and found pearls which they sent to their king, [[Thingol]] of [[Doriath]], who was known as Elwë.<ref name="Sindar">{{S|Sindar}}</ref>

When [[Morgoth]] broke forth in the [[First Battle]] in {{YT|1497}}, Círdan was cut off and unable to come to Thingol's aid. Further, although Thingol prevailed with the help of the [[Laiquendi]], the Green-elves of [[Ossiriand]], the Falathrim were driven to the very edge of the sea, where they were besieged for some months, until the [[Return of the Noldor]] from Aman, when [[Fëanor]] struck at [[Morgoth]] from the north. The siege of the Falas was abandoned as the [[Orcs]] were ordered northward to help their master, where they were all destroyed by [[Celegorm]] and his forces, and the Falas was saved.<ref name="Sindar"/><ref name="return">{{S|Return}}</ref>

===== Wars of the Noldor =====
Círdan attended the [[Mereth Aderthad]] with many of his people, where he swore oaths of friendship with the Noldor.<ref name="return"/> Between Círdan and [[Finrod Felagund]], [[King of Nargothrond]], there was friendship and alliance, and with the aid of the [[Noldor]] the havens of [[Brithombar]] and [[Eglarest]] were built anew.<ref name="Belerian">{{S|Beleriand}}</ref>

When the tales began spreading (sown by [[Morgoth]]) of the [[Kinslaying of Alqualondë]], Círdan, being very wise even at that time, was greatly troubled, feeling that these rumors sprouted from great malice. Knowing the jealousy and dissention among the Noldor, he guessed that the malice was that of the kinslayers. Therefore he dutifully sent messages to his overlord Thingol, telling him all that he had heard. This resulted in Thingol banning the speaking of [[Quenya]] and greater strife between the Sindar and the Noldor.<ref>{{S|Noldor}}</ref>

Círdan made up for his lack of participation in the [[Wars of Beleriand|wars of the Noldor]] with his role in the [[Second Assault on Hithlum]], coming to the timely aid of [[Fingon]] when he was most needed. The ships of Círdan sailed up the [[Firth of Drengist]] in great stength and then struck the unsuspecting [[Orcs]] from the west, giving victory to the Elves.<ref name="Fingolfin">{{S|Fingolfin}}</ref>

Many years later, in {{FA|472}}, after the disastrous [[Nirnaeth Arnoediad]], many fugitives came for shelter in Círdan's havens. The Falathrim mariners harassed the orcs in guerilla attacks from the sea. But it was only a matter of time before [[Morgoth]] attacked. Then came the disastrous [[Fall of the Falas]]. Though both [[Brithombar]] and [[Eglarest]] were strong, with mighty walls, both fell one at a time due to the impressive array of siege-masters Morgoth had in his train. Although Círdan's people fought valiantly, the walls were broken and most of the Falathrim killed or enslaved. [[Barad Nimras]] was cast down, and the Falas laid to waste. But Círdan and some of his followers escaped by sea, and he took with him the young [[Gil-galad]], one of the last of the princes of the Noldor. They came to the [[Isle of Balar]] and founded a new refuge, but kept a foothold at the [[Mouths of Sirion]], keeping ships hidden in the reeds there.<ref name="Fifth">{{S|Fifth}}</ref>

==== Refuge in Balar ====
[[Turgon]], the King of [[Gondolin]], receiving the dreadful news, requested that Círdan send mariners to seek [[Valinor]] and the aid of the [[Valar]]. Círdan built seven swift ships, and sent them westward. None returned, save for only [[Voronwë|one mariner]] of the [[Gondolindrim]] who was also his kinsman.<ref name="Tuor">{{UT|1}}</ref> The way to the West was closed.<ref name="Fifth"/>

Eventually Círdan served as messenger, when [[Ulmo]] delivered him a message for [[Orodreth]], the King of [[Nargothrond]], warning of the doom of Nargothrond, and ordering him to shut his gates and cast down the bridge. The warning went unheeded, resulting in the [[Fall of Nargothrond]] in {{FA|495}}.{{fact}}

After news came to Balar of the [[Fall of Gondolin]], [[Gil-galad]] was proclaimed [[High King of the Noldor]]. Círdan soon after became a fast friend of the young half-elf [[Eärendil]] son of [[Tuor]] and [[Idril]], who had grown up essentially under his shadow, and was apprenticed to him. Círdan aided Eärendil in building the ship [[Vingilot]], giving him advice and help. Círdan doubtless remembered his vision, and this ship was indeed a fulfillment of it.<ref name=Cirdan/>

Círdan and Gil-galad came with their ships from Balar too late to prevent the disastrous [[Third Kinslaying]], when the [[Mouths of Sirion|Havens of Sirion]] were ambushed and many fell. But Eärendil was not there, rather on a voyage, and the [[Silmaril]] of [[Beren]] and [[Lúthien]] had been spirited away by [[Elwing]] his wife. Thus, wielding the Silmaril, Eärendil came to [[Valinor]] and found the forgiveness of the [[Valar]].<ref name="Earendil">{{S|Earendil}}</ref> From that time on, Círdan was given foresight surpassing that of any of the Elves,<ref name=Cirdan/> perhaps some special grace of the Valar for his deeds in this world-changing episode (like the return of [[Glorfindel]], who also contributed significantly).{{fact}}

After the [[War of Wrath]], Círdan, heeding the bidding of the Valar long ago, once more obediently abstained from finding his heart's desire and going West, but with a small following remained in [[Middle-earth]].

=== Second Age ===
The continents were shifted, but Círdan still took up his abode by the sea, at the [[Grey Havens]], which the Elves built in the newly-formed [[Gulf of Lune]] whence the [[Eldar]] could sail the [[Straight Road]], but most of them were unwilling at first to forsake the lands they fought in and preferred to linger there.<ref name=rings>{{S|Rings}}</ref>

At the very beginning of the [[Second Age]], Círdan was instrumental in devising and overseeing the construction of the boats that were used to transport the remnants of the [[Edain]] to their new land, which would later become the realm of [[Númenor]].<ref name=Edain>{{NM|P3xiii}}, p. 339</ref>

Círdan personally elected the Elven captains and helmsmen who were in charge of transporting the Edain to Númenor, and since those boats were small, it took a great number of such boats to transfer all of the Edain and their possessions - a process that took at least 50 years, and which only ended when the Valar instructed Círdan to cease any future migration of Men to the island.<ref name=Edain/>

Many centuries later, in {{SA|600}}, Círdan welcomed the friendly and then-unfallen [[Númenóreans]], making friends with [[Vëantur]], chief of the mariners of [[Tar-Elendil]], and later teaching [[Tar-Aldarion|Aldarion]] his grandson of ships (both management and construction) and seaside architecture,<ref name="Wife">{{UT|Wife}}</ref> doubtless being the foremost authority on both.{{fact}}

Círdan advised against the creation of the [[Rings of Power]] when [[Sauron|Annatar]] came, but, like Galadriel, his counsel went unheeded in the midst of the ambition of the [[Gwaith-i-Mírdain]]. Nevertheless, when the [[Three Rings]] were hidden, Celebrimbor had appointed him to inherit one of them and so, Círdan received [[Narya]], the Ring of Fire.<ref name="rings"/> [[Sauron]], having revealed himself in the [[Sack of Eregion|destruction of Eregion]] and empowered by [[the One Ring]] he had forged, [[sack of Eregion|invaded]] [[Eriador]] in the same blow; however, he dared not attempt to take Círdan's [[Mithlond]] or [[Lindon]], fearing they were too strong because they had the help of the [[Númenóreans]].<ref name="rings"/>

Círdan joined the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]], and fought alongside [[Gil-galad]]. Many fell there, including [[Gil-galad]] and [[Elendil]]. After the battle, with Elrond, he urged [[Isildur]], Elendil's heir, to throw the captured One Ring into [[Orodruin]], where it would be unmade, but Isildur refused.<ref name="rings"/><ref name="Council">{{FR|Council}}</ref>

=== Third Age ===
{{blockquote|Take this ring, Master… for your labours will be heavy; but it will support you in the weariness that you have taken upon yourself. For this is the Ring of Fire, and with it you may rekindle hearts in a world that grows chill. But as for me, my heart is with the [[Belegaer|Sea]], and I will dwell by the grey shores until the [[Last Ship|last ship]] sails. I will await you.| Círdan to Gandalf, ''[[Appendix B]]''}}

[[File:Alystraea - Cirdan.jpg|250px|thumb|right|''Cirdan'' by [[:Category:Images by Alystraea|Alystraea]]]]
After the [[War of the Last Alliance]] and the death of Gil-galad, Círdan remained the Lord of the Havens<ref name="rings"/> For more than a thousand years they went undisturbed,<ref name="AppB2">{{App|B2}}</ref> but at around {{TA|1050}}, a shadow began to lengthen. It was at this time the [[Istari]], sent by the [[Valar]], came. Círdan was the most foresighted of all Elves in Middle-earth, and he alone knew the true purpose of the Istari.<ref name="AppB2"/> He also saw deep into the future of Gandalf, and gave him [[Narya]], his greatest possession and one of the most secret and sought-after treasures in the world.<ref name="rings"/>

Throughout the [[Angmar War]], the Elves of Lindon under Círdan supported [[Arnor]]. They assisted King [[Arveleg I|Arveleg]] and the men of [[Cardolan]] drive off the [[Hill-men]] from the [[Weather Hills]]. Later, with Círdan’s help, Arveleg's young son, [[Araphor]], drove [[Angmar]]'s armies from [[Fornost]] and the [[North Downs]]. Combining forces with [[Rivendell]], and the [[Galadhrim]] who joined them from beyond the [[Misty Mountains]], they subdued Angmar for some time.<ref name=eriador>{{App|Eriador}}</ref>

In {{TA|1975}}, Círdan sent Elven sailors from Lindon on a ship to [[Forochel]] to rescue the lost king [[Arvedui]]. The crew endured a perilous journey, but Arvedui rashly attempted to return that winter, and all aboard perished. The next year, Círdan and the Elves of Lindon [[Host of the West (Arnor)|joined]] with the remnants of [[Arnor]] in the victorious [[Battle of Fornost]].<ref name=eriador/><ref>{{App|Gondor}}</ref> Later, Círdan took control of the abandoned [[palantíri|Elendil Stone]] on [[Emyn Beraid]], which could gaze into the [[Tol Eressëa|lost west]] and was without link to the other ''[[palantíri]]''.<ref name="Palantiri">{{UT|Palantiri}}</ref>

Nothing more is mentioned of his actions until the [[War of the Ring]] in {{TA|3018}} and later in {{TA|3021|n}}. [[Galdor of the Havens|Galdor]] was his messenger to [[Rivendell]] and attended the [[Council of Elrond]], speaking with authority on his lord's behalf.<ref name="Council"/>

The last mention of Círdan came with the end of the Third Age. When the Ringbearers came to Mithlond, Círdan greeted them before the gates. Although [[Gandalf]], [[Galadriel]], and [[Elrond]] passed west on the [[White Ship|ship]] he had built for them, Círdan seems to have remained for a time.{{fact}}

=== Later history ===
{{main|Last Ship}}
Círdan maintained the haven at least into the early [[Fourth Age]], but it was recognized that eventually, its purpose would reach an end when no more Eldar wished to cross the [[Sea]]. At that time, Círdan would abandon the Grey Havens and finally travel the [[Straight Road]] himself.<ref name=eriador/> On some unknown date, he sailed west aboard the [[Last Ship]] with his kinsman [[Celeborn]], but when he did so, he took with him the last living memory of the [[Elder Days]] in [[Middle-earth]].<ref name=prologue/>

== Etymology ==
{{Pronounce|Cirdan.mp3|Ardamir}}
''Círdan'' is a [[Sindarin]] name. It means "Shipbuilder"<ref>{{PE|17}}, p. 27</ref><ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}, entries '''KIR-''' and '''TAN-'''</ref> or "Shipwright"<ref>{{PM|Last}}, "Círdan", p. 385</ref>.

The [[Quenya]] cognate was '''''Ciryatan''''' (pron. {{IPA|[ˈkirʲatan]}}).<ref>{{S|Appendix}}, entry "kir-''</ref>

== Other names ==
Círdan's original name was '''''Nōwē'''''. According to [[Paul Strack]], it was a [[Primitive Elvish]] name, but its meaning is unclear.<ref>{{webcite|author=[[Paul Strack]]|articleurl=https://eldamo.org/content/words/word-2331717483.html|articlename=✶ ''Nōwē'' pn.|website=Eldamo|accessed=10 October 2023}}</ref>

He was also called '''''Cirdan the Shipwright''''',<ref name=Aman>{{AA|70}}, p. 85</ref> as well as '''''Cirdan of Lune'''''<ref name=Lune/><ref name=Moon/> (in both instances, without accent over the letter ''i'', though).

== Appearance ==
In the last years of the Third Age, Círdan appeared very old save for his eyes which "''were keen as stars''"; he also had a long beard.<ref name="Havens">{{RK|Havens}}, p. 1030</ref> Likely, he had grown a beard since having reached his [[Elven life cycle#"Cycles of life" and aging|third cycle of life]].<ref>{{VT|41b}}, p. 9</ref>

== Significance ==
[[File:David Greset - Cirdan the Carpenter.jpg|130px|thumb|left|''Cirdan the Carpenter'' by [[:Category:Images by David Greset|David Greset]]]]
Círdan had a profound effect upon the course of Middle-earth history. He was a loyal servant and friend of [[Elwë]], sacrificing his heart's desire in search of him.<ref name=Cirdan/>

This loyalty and sense of duty shows up numerous times over the course of history, including his second sacrifice in his submission to the [[Valar]],<ref name=Cirdan/> and his sending of troubling and potentially destructive rumors to his overlord Thingol.

He was also the most foresighted of the Elves, a consequence of the gift from the Valar.<ref name="AppB2"/><ref name=Cirdan/> He conceivably saved Elven civilization with the founding of the havens at the [[Mouths of Sirion]],<ref name="Fifth"/> and with the fostering of both [[Gil-galad]] and [[Eärendil]].<ref name="Earendil"/> His precious gift of [[Narya]] to [[Gandalf]] was also timely and valuable.<ref name="AppB2"/> He was clearly favored by [[Ulmo]], seen by the number of messages passed through him.

== Genealogy ==
<div style="overflow-x: scroll; overflow-y: hidden; border: 1px solid #AAAAAA; padding: 3px; background: #EEEEEE;">
{{familytree/start}}
{{familytree | | | | | |F|~|~|~|~|~|~|~|~|7| | | | | | | | | | | | | |}}
{{familytree | | | | | |:| | | | | | | | |D|~|~|~|~|~|~|~|7| | | | | |}}
{{familytree | |,|-|-|-|+|-|-|-|.| | | | |:| | | | | | | |:| | | | | |}}
{{familytree | THI | | OLW | | ELM | | | CÍR | | | | | | UNK |y| ARA |THI=[[Thingol]] ''d. {{FA|503}}''|OLW=[[Olwë]] ''b. {{YT}}''|ELM=[[Elmo]] ''b. {{YT}}''|CÍR='''CÍRDAN''' ''b. {{YT}}''|UNK=''unknown mother''|ARA=[[Aranwë]] ''b. {{YT}}''}}
{{familytree | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |!| | | |}}

{{familytree | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | VOR | | |VOR=[[Voronwë]] ''b. {{FA}}''}}
{{familytree/end}}
</div>

== Other versions of the legendarium ==
=== ''The Lord of the Rings'' drafts ===
The character of Círdan is a fairly late addition to [[Tolkien]]'s [[legendarium]], with his first appearance in the drafts of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' (dating to the early [[1940]]s) being in an outline of what would become the eleventh chapter, ''[[The Palantír]]'', of the first book in ''[[The Two Towers]]''.<ref name=Wright>{{WR|1|VI}}, pp. 76-7</ref>

The name ''Círdan'' in this outline was spelled as ''Cirdan'', and in one other instance as ''Kirdan''.<ref name=Wright/>

Nonetheless, in a draft for the chapter ''[[Many Partings]]'', the term ''Círdan'' is used.<ref>{{SD|Partings}}, p. 67</ref>

=== ''The Etymologies'' ===
However, Círdan's first appearance in the legendarium as a whole seems to be in ''[[The Etymologies]]'' (dating from the late [[1930]]s), where his name was instead given as ''C(e)irdan'' ("shipbuilder" in [[Noldorin]]), with the ''(e)'' probably indicating a development from the Noldorin word ''[[ceir]]'' ("ship"). The name ''Ceirdan'' was itself changed from an earlier form ''Certhan''.<ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}, entry '''TAN-''', p. 390</ref>

=== Later legendarium ===
In a late text called ''[[The Rivers and Beacon-hills of Gondor]]'' (c. [[1969]]), there appears a passage in which Tolkien briefly considered Círdan as being one of the Noldor,<ref name=Weird>{{NM|P3xxii}}, pp. 387-8</ref> in a text explaining the origin of the name ''[[Belfalas]]'':

{{blockquote|There appears, however, in the beginning of the Second Age, to have been a group of Sindar who went south. They were a remnant, it seems, of the people of Doriath, who harboured still their grudge against the Noldor and left the Grey Havens because these and all the ships there were commanded by '''Círdan (a Noldo)'''.|''[[The Rivers and Beacon-hills of Gondor]]'', ''"Belfalas"'' <ref name=Weird/>}}

However, [[Carl Hostetter]] later comments, quoting [[Christopher Tolkien]]'s own commentary on the text:

{{blockquote|The manuscript page ends mid-sentence, and without reaching an explanation of the element ''Bel-''. Christopher Tolkien writes: "It was perhaps a purely experimental extension of the history, at once abandoned; but the assertion that Círdan was a Noldo is very strange. This runs clean counter to the entire tradition concerning him — yet it is essential to the idea sketched in this passage. Possibly it was his realization of this that led my father to abandon it in mid-sentence."|''[[The Rivers and Beacon-hills of Gondor]]'', "Commentary on the text ''Belfalas''" <ref name=Weird/>}}

At no other point in the legendarium was Círdan ever considered a Noldo.

== Portrayal in adaptations ==
{{Gallery
|title=Círdan in adaptations
|height=150
|width=250
|lines=2
|File:Decipher - Círdan.jpg|Círdan in [[The Lord of the Rings Trading Card Game]]
|File:SBG - Cirdan.jpeg|Círdan in [[The Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game]]
|File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Círdan.jpg|Círdan in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
}}

'''2001: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
:His role as lieutenant of Gil-galad is given to [[Elrond]] instead (Elrond was Gil-galad's herald in the books). He does, however, appear very briefly in Galadriel's Monologue at the start of the movie, in the very brief shot of the three elven ringbearers.

'''2003: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]'':'''
:Círdan briefly appears as Frodo and Bilbo make their trip to the lands of the West.

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Círdan appears in several flashbacks depicting the the [[War of the Last Alliance]].

'''2022: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power]]'':'''
:It has been confirmed that Círdan will appear in the series' second season.<ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=https://time.com/6205027/cirdan-the-rings-of-power-season-2/|articlename=Exclusive: This Fan-Favorite Character Is Joining the Second Season of The Rings of Power|dated=15 August 2022|website=Time.com|accessed=4 January 2023}}</ref>

{{references|notes}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cirdan}}

{{seq-start}}
{{seq-head
| race=sindar
| house=
| born=Between {{YT|1050}} and {{YT|1105|n}}
| died=Sailed west after {{FoA|171}}
}}
{{seq
| pvac=None
| prev=New position
| list=Lord of the [[Falas]]
| dates={{YT|1149}} – {{FA|473}}
| nvac=None
| next=[[Falas]] overrun by [[Morgoth]]'s forces
}}
{{seq
| pvac=None
| prev=New position
| list=Lord of the [[Grey Havens]]
| dates={{SA|1}} – after {{FoA|171}}
| nvac=None
| next=Sailed west on the [[Last Ship]]
}}
{{seq
| pvac=None
| prev=''[[Celebrimbor]], as its creator''
| list=[[Three Keepers|Keeper]] of [[Narya]]
| dates=c. {{SA|1600}} - c. {{TA|1000}}
| next=[[Gandalf]]
}}
{{seq-end}}

[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]
[[Category:First Age characters]]
[[Category:Fourth Age characters]]
[[Category:Mariners]]
[[Category:Moriquendi]]
[[Category:Nelyar]]
[[Category:Noldorin names]]
[[Category:Rulers in Middle-earth]]
[[Category:Second Age characters]]
[[Category:Sindar]]
[[Category:Sindarin names]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]
[[de:Círdan]]
[[fr:encyclo:personnages:elfes:teleri:sindar:cirdan]]
[[fi:Círdan]]

Morgul Pass

2024-01-06T19:23:49Z

Fornad01:

__NOTOC__
The '''Morgul Pass''' was a pass in a great ravine at the head of the [[Morgul Vale]] that led over the [[Ephel Dúath]].<ref>{{RK|Map}}</ref><ref name=Stairs>{{TT|Stairs}}, p. 710</ref>

The Morgul Pass was also referred to as the "main pass".<ref name=Stairs/><ref>{{TT|Gate}}, p. 643</ref>

The '''Nameless Pass''' was probably another name for the Morgul Pass, because the wraith-road ran from the dead city in a great ravine at the head of the [[Morgul Vale|Morgul Valley]] to the Nameless Pass, which [[Frodo]] could see from above on the winding stairs that led to the tunnel and the pass of [[Cirith Ungol]] that was guarded by the [[Tower of Cirith Ungol]]<ref name=Stairs/><ref name=WR>{{WR|2|VIII}}, an earlier version uses Morghul Pass instead of Nameless Pass when Frodo looks down from the stairs into the Morgul Vale, p. 195</ref> and because a broad road ran from the Tower of Cirith Ungol down to join the road that came over the Morgul Pass.<ref name=Tower/> As a consequence, the Nameless Pass was probably not another name for the pass of [[Cirith Ungol]].<ref>{{RK|Index}}, contrary to the entries "Cirith Ungol [Pass of the Spider] (High Pass, Nameless Pass)" and "Nameless Pass ''see'' Cirith Ungol"</ref> The pass of Cirith Ungol was located in a cleft on the slope of the mountain on the north side of the Morgul pass and could be reached by climbing the stairs of Cirith Ungol at the beginning of the Morgul Vale,<ref name=Stairs/> passing through a tunnel,<ref>{{TT|Lair}}, p. 717</ref> and taking a long flight of broad shallow steps to the cleft<ref>{{TT|Choices}}, p. 733</ref> and the crown of the pass, after which the road turned left and plunged steeply down to the [[Tower of Cirith Ungol]].<ref name=Tower/> Beyond the tower, it turned a couple of bends and went steeply down to join the [[Morgul-road|Morgul-road.]]

The [[Morgul-road]] ran from [[Osgiliath]]<ref>{{TT|Journey}}, pp. 701-2</ref> to the Morgul Vale. It then crossed a bridge over the river [[Morgulduin]], wound up to the gate of the city of [[Minas Morgul]]<ref>{{TT|Stairs}}, p. 704</ref> and then went on through the great ravine at the head of the Morgul Vale over the Morgul Pass.<ref>{{TT|Stairs}}, p. 710</ref> It then descended to the valley between the Ephel Dúath and the Morgai, passed over a bridge of stone,<ref>{{RK|Shadow}}, pp. 916, 920</ref> and through a jagged rift in the Morgai out into [[Gorgoroth]] and on to [[Barad-dûr]].<ref name=Tower>{{RK|Tower}}, p. 900</ref>

== History ==
During the [[War of the Ring]], Frodo, [[Sam]] and [[Gollum]] took the stairs of Cirith Ungol that led to the pass of Cirith Ungol, because they wanted to avoid passing by close to [[Minas Morgul]] and as a consequence did not use the Morgul Pass.<ref name=Stairs/> After the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]] the army of the West left a strong guard at the Cross-roads to defend it in case enemies came over the Morgul Pass from [[Mordor]] or came up from the South.<ref>{{RK|Gate}}, p. 885</ref>

== Drawing ==
[[J.R.R. Tolkien]] made [[Shelob's Lair (manuscript)|a drawing]] that shows the top of the stairs of Cirith Ungol, the entrance to the tunnel with the pass of Cirith Ungol after the exit from the tunnel and the topmost turret of the Tower of Cirith Ungol behind a mountain peak with another broader pass on the right side of the pass of Cirith Ungol and a mountain ridge between the pass of Cirith Ungol and the other broader pass.<ref>{{HM|PT}}, picture 28. Shelob's Lair</ref>

== Other versions of the legendarium ==
An earlier version of what would later become the chapter The Stairs of Cirith Ungol mentions that Frodo saw the glimmer of the wraith-road that led over the ''Morghul Pass'' from the city when he looked down from the stairs into the Morgul Vale.<ref name=WR/>

{{References}}
[[Category:Mordor]]
[[Category:Passes]]
[[fi:Morgulin sola]]

Morgul-road

2024-01-06T19:22:39Z

Fornad01: /* Course */

__NOTOC__
The '''Morgul-road'''<ref name=Shadow>{{RK|Shadow}}, pp. 916, 920</ref><ref name=Great>{{App|Great}}, entry for the year 3019, March 9, p. 1093</ref>, also referred to as the '''Morgul-way'''<ref>{{RK|Shadow}}, p. 923</ref> or '''wraith-road'''<ref name=Stairs>{{TT|Stairs}}, p. 710</ref>, was an ancient road in [[Gondor]] and [[Mordor]].

== Course ==
The [[Morgul-road]] ran from [[Osgiliath]]<ref>{{TT|Journey}}, pp. 701-2</ref> to the Morgul Vale. It then crossed a bridge over the river [[Morgulduin]], wound up to the gate of the city of [[Minas Morgul]]<ref>{{TT|Stairs}}, p. 704</ref> and then went on through the great ravine at the head of the Morgul Vale over the Morgul Pass.<ref>{{TT|Stairs}}, p. 710</ref> It then descended to the valley between the Ephel Dúath and the Morgai, passed over a bridge of stone,<ref>{{RK|Shadow}}, pp. 916, 920</ref> and through a jagged rift in the Morgai out into [[Gorgoroth]] and on to [[Barad-dûr]].<ref name=Tower>{{RK|Tower}}, p. 900</ref> Although it was safer than the more northerly and narrow [[Pass of Cirith Ungol]] due to avoiding the threat posed by [[Shelob]], it was a longer road.<ref name=Choices>{{TT|Choices}}</ref>

== History ==
The road was constructed in the high days of [[Gondor]] to connect [[Minas Tirith]] with [[Minas Morgul]], when they were still called the '''Minas Anor''' ("Tower of the Sun") and '''Minas Ithil''' ("Tower of the Moon").<ref>{{RK|Gate}}, p. 884</ref> It is possible that the part of the road from Minas Morgul over the Morgul Pass to the point below the [[Tower of Cirith Ungol]] was constructed when Gondor built the latter tower after the [[War of the Last Alliance]] to watch [[Mordor]].

On March 9 {{TA|3019}} at dusk<ref name=Great/> [[Frodo Baggins]], [[Samwise Gamgee]] and [[Gollum]] reached the Morgul-road at the [[Cross-roads]].<ref name=Great/> On the next day<ref>{{App|Great}}, entry for the year 3019, March 10, p. 1093</ref> they continue on the road before it crosses the bridge over the Morgulduin and decide to leave the road to climb the [[Stairs of Cirith Ungol]] to avoid continuing on to Minas Morgul and risking detection.

On March 18 and 19 {{TA|3019}} the [[Host of the West]] marched on the road from Minas Tirith to the Morgul Vale.<ref>{{App|Great}}, entries for the year 3019, March 18 and 19, p. 1094</ref>

== Other versions of the legendarium ==
In notes on the chronology '''Osgiliath road''' is mentioned as another name for the Morgul-road.<ref>{{WR|3|III}}, "Morgul-road [= Osgiliath road]", p. 295</ref>

{{References}}
[[Category:Gondor]]
[[Category:Mordor]]
[[Category:Roads and streets]]

Stairs of Cirith Ungol

2024-01-06T12:49:20Z

Fornad01:

{{disambig-more|Cirith Ungol|[[Cirith Ungol (disambiguation)]]}}
The '''Stairs of Cirith Ungol''' were a pair of steep stairs cut into the [[Ephel Dúath|Mountains of Shadow]] on the borders of [[Mordor]]. They led upward and away from [[Minas Morgul]], the city that guarded the main pass through the mountains, to reach [[Cirith Ungol]], a higher and lesser pass guarded by the [[Tower of Cirith Ungol]]. The first of the stairs was the steepest, the [[Straight Stair]], which led up to a narrow passage that seemed to go on for miles. After that came the second set of stairs, the [[Winding Stair]], which led up to the tunnel through [[Shelob's Lair]] and then on to Cirith Ungol itself.<ref>{{TT|IV8}}</ref> They formed part of the swiftest path over the mountains from [[Gorgoroth]] to Minas Morgul.<ref name=Choices>{{TT|Choices}}</ref>

It is unknown who made the Stairs: they may have been originally carved by [[Sauron]]'s servants, or perhaps later by the [[Gondorians]] when they raised the Tower to guard the pass. Whatever their origin, they were known to the [[Orcs]] that inhabited the Tower in the later [[Third Age]], although [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] and [[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]] were still able to use them to find a way into [[Mordor]].
{{references}}
{{FellowshipRoute}}
[[Category:Mordor]]
[[Category:Roads and streets]]

[[de:Gerade Treppe]]
[[de:Gewundene Treppe]]
[[fi:Cirith Ungolin portaat]]

Stairs of Cirith Ungol

2024-01-06T12:48:04Z

Fornad01:

{{disambig-more|Cirith Ungol|[[Cirith Ungol (disambiguation)]]}}
The '''Stairs of Cirith Ungol''' were a pair of steep stairs cut into the [[Ephel Dúath|Mountains of Shadow]] on the borders of [[Mordor]]. They led upward and away from [[Minas Morgul]], the city that guarded the main pass through the mountains, to reach [[Cirith Ungol]], a higher and lesser pass guarded by the [[Tower of Cirith Ungol]]. The first of the stairs was the steepest, the [[Straight Stair]], which led up to a narrow passage that seemed to go on for miles. After that came the second set of stairs, the [[Winding Stair]], which led up to Cirith Ungol itself.<ref>{{TT|IV8}}</ref> Despite the danger posed by Shelob, it was the swiftest path over the mountains from [[Gorgoroth]] to Minas Morgul.<ref name=Choices>{{TT|Choices}}</ref>

It is unknown who made the Stairs: they may have been originally carved by [[Sauron]]'s servants, or perhaps later by the [[Gondorians]] when they raised the Tower to guard the pass. Whatever their origin, they were known to the [[Orcs]] that inhabited the Tower in the later [[Third Age]], although [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] and [[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]] were still able to use them to find a way into [[Mordor]].
{{references}}
{{FellowshipRoute}}
[[Category:Mordor]]
[[Category:Roads and streets]]

[[de:Gerade Treppe]]
[[de:Gewundene Treppe]]
[[fi:Cirith Ungolin portaat]]

Cirith Ungol

2024-01-06T12:45:04Z

Fornad01:

{{disambig-more|Cirith Ungol|[[Cirith Ungol (disambiguation)]]}}
{{location infobox
| name=Cirith Ungol
| image=[[File:Rob Alexander - Cirith Ungol.jpg|250px]]
| caption="Cirith Ungol" by Rob Alexander
| pronun=[[Sindarin|S]], {{IPA|[ˈkiriθ ˈuŋɡol]}}
| othernames=
| location=[[Ephel Dúath]]
| type=Pass
| description=
| regions=
| towns=
| inhabitants=[[Men]], [[Orcs]], [[Shelob]]
| created=
| destroyed=
| events=[[Quest of the Ring]]
}}
'''Cirith Ungol''' was a pass through the [[Ephel Dúath]] that led into [[Mordor]].

==Appearance==
The pass was located in a cleft on the slope of the mountain on the north-east side of the [[Morgul Vale]], above and to the north of the [[Morgul Pass]]. It could be reached by climbing the [[Stairs of Cirith Ungol]] at the beginning of the [[Morgul Vale]],<ref name=Stairs>{{TT|Stairs}}</ref> passing through a tunnel,<ref name=Lair>{{TT|Lair}}</ref> and taking a long flight of broad, shallow steps to the cleft<ref name=Choices>{{TT|Choices}}</ref> with the crown of the pass after which the road turned left and plunged steeply down to the [[Tower of Cirith Ungol]].<ref name=Tower>{{RK|Tower}}</ref> Beyond the tower, it turned a couple of bends and went steeply down to join the [[Morgul-road|Morgul-road.]] Despite the danger posed by Shelob, it was the swiftest path over the mountains from [[Gorgoroth]] to [[Minas Morgul]].<ref name=Choices>{{TT|Choices}}</ref>

The pass of Cirith Ungol was probably named after the giant [[spiders|spider]] [[Shelob]], who dwelt there.<ref>{{RK|Index}}, "Cirith Ungol [Pass of the Spider]"</ref> It was also referred to as the "high pass".<ref>{{TT|Gate}}</ref><ref>{{TT|Pool}}</ref><ref Name=Choices/>

==History==
===Before the War of the Ring===
The pass was first called '''''Cirith Dúath''''' ("Shadow Cleft"). This name was used during the [[War of the Last Alliance]], when [[Isildur]] sent his sons [[Aratan]] and [[Ciryon]] to [[Minas Ithil]] to prevent the forces of Sauron from escaping through the pass.<ref>{{UT|7a}}, note 11</ref> After the War of the Last Alliance, the [[Men of Gondor]] built a tower at the eastern end of Cirith Dúath as an eastern outpost of the defences of [[Ithilien]] to keep enemies in Mordor. This tower was later called the Tower of Cirith Ungol.<ref name=Tower/>

===War of the Ring===
During the [[War of the Ring]], in [[March]] {{TA|3019}}, [[Gollum]] led [[Frodo Baggins]] and [[Samwise Gamgee]] up the Stairs of Cirith Ungol,<ref name=Stairs/> into [[Shelob's lair]].<ref name=Lair/>

==Etymology==
{{Pronounce|Cirith Ungol.mp3|Ardamir}}
''Cirith Ungol'' is a [[Sindarin]] name. It means "Cleft of the Spider". It contains the elements ''[[cirith]]'' ("cleft", "a narrow passage cut through earth or rock (like a railway cutting)") and ''[[Spiders#Names|ungol]]'' ("spider").<ref>{{HM|N}}, p. 767 entry '''Cleft, The'''</ref>

==Other versions of the legendarium==
In earlier drafts Cirith Ungol was called Kirith Ungol and was guarded by Minas Morgul instead of the Tower of Cirith Ungol. It was first the main pass into Mordor or a cleft near the main pass and was located where [[Cirith Gorgor]] is located in the final version.<ref>{{WR|2|II}}, p. 104 and p. 106</ref><ref>{{WR|2|III}}, p. 124</ref><ref>{{TI|MIII}}, p. 309 and p. 310</ref> Later it became a high pass that was first on the south side<ref>{{WR|2|VI}}, p. 173</ref> and finally on the north side of the Morgul vale.<ref>{{WR|2|VIII}}, p. 186</ref>

==Drawing==
[[J.R.R. Tolkien]] made a drawing that shows the top of the stairs of Cirith Ungol, the entrance to the tunnel with the pass of Cirith Ungol after the exit from the tunnel and the topmost turret of the Tower of Cirith Ungol behind a mountain peak with another broader pass on the right side of the pass of Cirith Ungol and a mountain ridge between the pass of Cirith Ungol and the other broader pass.<ref>{{HM|PT}}, picture 28. Shelob's Lair</ref>

{{References}}
{{FellowshipRoute}}
[[Category:Mordor]]
[[Category:Passes]]
[[Category:Sindarin locations]]
[[de:Cirith Ungol]]
[[fi:Cirith Ungol]]
[[fr:encyclo:geographie:reliefs:mordor:cirith_ungol]]

Morgul-road

2024-01-06T12:23:58Z

Fornad01:

__NOTOC__
The '''Morgul-road'''<ref name=Shadow>{{RK|Shadow}}, pp. 916, 920</ref><ref name=Great>{{App|Great}}, entry for the year 3019, March 9, p. 1093</ref>, also referred to as the '''Morgul-way'''<ref>{{RK|Shadow}}, p. 923</ref> or '''wraith-road'''<ref name=Stairs>{{TT|Stairs}}, p. 710</ref>, was an ancient road in [[Gondor]] and [[Mordor]].

== Course ==
The [[Morgul-road]] ran from [[Osgiliath]]<ref>{{TT|Journey}}, pp. 701-2</ref> to the Morgul Vale. It then crossed a bridge over the river [[Morgulduin]], wound up to the gate of the city of [[Minas Morgul]]<ref>{{TT|Stairs}}, p. 704</ref> and then went on through the great ravine at the head of the Morgul Vale over the Morgul Pass.<ref>{{TT|Stairs}}, p. 710</ref> It then descended to the valley between the Ephel Dúath and the Morgai, passed over a bridge of stone,<ref>{{RK|Shadow}}, pp. 916, 920</ref> and through a jagged rift in the Morgai out into [[Gorgoroth]] and on to [[Barad-dûr]].<ref name=Tower>{{RK|Tower}}, p. 900</ref>

== History ==
The road was constructed in the high days of [[Gondor]] to connect [[Minas Tirith]] with [[Minas Morgul]], when they were still called the '''Minas Anor''' ("Tower of the Sun") and '''Minas Ithil''' ("Tower of the Moon").<ref>{{RK|Gate}}, p. 884</ref> It is possible that the part of the road from Minas Morgul over the Morgul Pass to the point below the [[Tower of Cirith Ungol]] was constructed when Gondor built the latter tower after the [[War of the Last Alliance]] to watch [[Mordor]].

On March 9 {{TA|3019}} at dusk<ref name=Great/> [[Frodo Baggins]], [[Samwise Gamgee]] and [[Gollum]] reached the Morgul-road at the [[Cross-roads]].<ref name=Great/> On the next day<ref>{{App|Great}}, entry for the year 3019, March 10, p. 1093</ref> they continue on the road before it crosses the bridge over the Morgulduin and decide to leave the road to climb the [[Stairs of Cirith Ungol]] to avoid continuing on to Minas Morgul and risking detection.

On March 18 and 19 {{TA|3019}} the [[Host of the West]] marched on the road from Minas Tirith to the Morgul Vale.<ref>{{App|Great}}, entries for the year 3019, March 18 and 19, p. 1094</ref>

== Other versions of the legendarium ==
In notes on the chronology '''Osgiliath road''' is mentioned as another name for the Morgul-road.<ref>{{WR|3|III}}, "Morgul-road [= Osgiliath road]", p. 295</ref>

{{References}}
[[Category:Gondor]]
[[Category:Mordor]]
[[Category:Roads and streets]]

Morgul-road

2024-01-06T12:23:20Z

Fornad01: /* Course */

__NOTOC__
The '''Morgul-road'''<ref name=Shadow>{{RK|Shadow}}, pp. 916, 920</ref><ref name=Great>{{App|Great}}, entry for the year 3019, March 9, p. 1093</ref>, also reffered to as the '''Morgul-way'''<ref>{{RK|Shadow}}, p. 923</ref> or '''wraith-road'''<ref name=Stairs>{{TT|Stairs}}, p. 710</ref>, was an ancient road in [[Gondor]] and [[Mordor]].

== Course ==
The [[Morgul-road]] ran from [[Osgiliath]]<ref>{{TT|Journey}}, pp. 701-2</ref> to the Morgul Vale. It then crossed a bridge over the river [[Morgulduin]], wound up to the gate of the city of [[Minas Morgul]]<ref>{{TT|Stairs}}, p. 704</ref> and then went on through the great ravine at the head of the Morgul Vale over the Morgul Pass.<ref>{{TT|Stairs}}, p. 710</ref> It then descended to the valley between the Ephel Dúath and the Morgai, passed over a bridge of stone,<ref>{{RK|Shadow}}, pp. 916, 920</ref> and through a jagged rift in the Morgai out into [[Gorgoroth]] and on to [[Barad-dûr]].<ref name=Tower>{{RK|Tower}}, p. 900</ref>

== History ==
The road was constructed in the high days of [[Gondor]] to connect [[Minas Tirith]] with [[Minas Morgul]], when they were still called the '''Minas Anor''' ("Tower of the Sun") and '''Minas Ithil''' ("Tower of the Moon").<ref>{{RK|Gate}}, p. 884</ref> It is possible that the part of the road from Minas Morgul over the Morgul Pass to the point below the [[Tower of Cirith Ungol]] was constructed when Gondor built the latter tower after the [[War of the Last Alliance]] to watch [[Mordor]].

On March 9 {{TA|3019}} at dusk<ref name=Great/> [[Frodo Baggins]], [[Samwise Gamgee]] and [[Gollum]] reached the Morgul-road at the [[Cross-roads]].<ref name=Great/> On the next day<ref>{{App|Great}}, entry for the year 3019, March 10, p. 1093</ref> they continue on the road before it crosses the bridge over the Morgulduin and decide to leave the road to climb the [[Stairs of Cirith Ungol]] to avoid continuing on to Minas Morgul and risking detection.

On March 18 and 19 {{TA|3019}} the [[Host of the West]] marched on the road from Minas Tirith to the Morgul Vale.<ref>{{App|Great}}, entries for the year 3019, March 18 and 19, p. 1094</ref>

== Other versions of the legendarium ==
In notes on the chronology '''Osgiliath road''' is mentioned as another name for the Morgul-road.<ref>{{WR|3|III}}, "Morgul-road [= Osgiliath road]", p. 295</ref>

{{References}}
[[Category:Gondor]]
[[Category:Mordor]]
[[Category:Roads and streets]]

Morgul Pass

2024-01-06T12:22:26Z

Fornad01:

__NOTOC__
The '''Morgul Pass''' was a pass in a great ravine at the head of the [[Morgul Vale]] that led over the [[Ephel Dúath]].<ref>{{RK|Map}}</ref><ref name=Stairs>{{TT|Stairs}}, p. 710</ref>

The Morgul Pass was also referred to as the "main pass".<ref name=Stairs/><ref>{{TT|Gate}}, p. 643</ref>

The '''Nameless Pass''' was probably another name for the Morgul Pass, because the wraith-road ran from the dead city in a great ravine at the head of the [[Morgul Vale|Morgul Valley]] to the Nameless Pass, which [[Frodo]] could see from above on the winding stairs that led to the tunnel and the pass of [[Cirith Ungol]] that was guarded by the [[Tower of Cirith Ungol]]<ref name=Stairs/><ref name=WR>{{WR|2|VIII}}, an earlier version uses Morghul Pass instead of Nameless Pass when Frodo looks down from the stairs into the Morgul Vale, p. 195</ref> and because a broad road ran from the Tower of Cirith Ungol down to join the road that came over the Morgul Pass.<ref name=Tower/> As a consequence, the Nameless Pass was probably not another name for the pass of [[Cirith Ungol]].<ref>{{RK|Index}}, contrary to the entries "Cirith Ungol [Pass of the Spider] (High Pass, Nameless Pass)" and "Nameless Pass ''see'' Cirith Ungol"</ref> The pass of Cirith Ungol was located in a cleft on the slope of the mountain on the north side of the Morgul pass and could be reached by climbing the stairs of Cirith Ungol at the beginning of the Morgul Vale,<ref name=Stairs/> passing through a tunnel,<ref>{{TT|Lair}}, p. 717</ref> and taking a long flight of broad shallow steps to the cleft<ref>{{TT|Choices}}, p. 733</ref> and the crown of the pass, after which the road turned a couple of bends and plunged steeply down to the [[Tower of Cirith Ungol]].<ref name=Tower>{{RK|Tower}}</ref> Beyond the tower, it turned a couple of bends and went steeply down to join the [[Morgul-road|Morgul-road.]]

The [[Morgul-road]] ran from [[Osgiliath]]<ref>{{TT|Journey}}, pp. 701-2</ref> to the Morgul Vale. It then crossed a bridge over the river [[Morgulduin]], wound up to the gate of the city of [[Minas Morgul]]<ref>{{TT|Stairs}}, p. 704</ref> and then went on through the great ravine at the head of the Morgul Vale over the Morgul Pass.<ref>{{TT|Stairs}}, p. 710</ref> It then descended to the valley between the Ephel Dúath and the Morgai, passed over a bridge of stone,<ref>{{RK|Shadow}}, pp. 916, 920</ref> and through a jagged rift in the Morgai out into [[Gorgoroth]] and on to [[Barad-dûr]].<ref name=Tower>{{RK|Tower}}, p. 900</ref>

== History ==
During the [[War of the Ring]], Frodo, [[Sam]] and [[Gollum]] took the stairs of Cirith Ungol that led to the pass of Cirith Ungol, because they wanted to avoid passing by close to [[Minas Morgul]] and as a consequence did not use the Morgul Pass.<ref name=Stairs/> After the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]] the army of the West left a strong guard at the Cross-roads to defend it in case enemies came over the Morgul Pass from [[Mordor]] or came up from the South.<ref>{{RK|Gate}}, p. 885</ref>

== Drawing ==
[[J.R.R. Tolkien]] made [[Shelob's Lair (manuscript)|a drawing]] that shows the top of the stairs of Cirith Ungol, the entrance to the tunnel with the pass of Cirith Ungol after the exit from the tunnel and the topmost turret of the Tower of Cirith Ungol behind a mountain peak with another broader pass on the right side of the pass of Cirith Ungol and a mountain ridge between the pass of Cirith Ungol and the other broader pass.<ref>{{HM|PT}}, picture 28. Shelob's Lair</ref>

== Other versions of the legendarium ==
An earlier version of what would later become the chapter The Stairs of Cirith Ungol mentions that Frodo saw the glimmer of the wraith-road that led over the ''Morghul Pass'' from the city when he looked down from the stairs into the Morgul Vale.<ref name=WR/>

{{References}}
[[Category:Mordor]]
[[Category:Passes]]
[[fi:Morgulin sola]]

Cirith Ungol

2024-01-06T12:21:35Z

Fornad01:

{{disambig-more|Cirith Ungol|[[Cirith Ungol (disambiguation)]]}}
{{location infobox
| name=Cirith Ungol
| image=[[File:Rob Alexander - Cirith Ungol.jpg|250px]]
| caption="Cirith Ungol" by Rob Alexander
| pronun=[[Sindarin|S]], {{IPA|[ˈkiriθ ˈuŋɡol]}}
| othernames=
| location=[[Ephel Dúath]]
| type=Pass
| description=
| regions=
| towns=
| inhabitants=[[Men]], [[Orcs]], [[Shelob]]
| created=
| destroyed=
| events=[[Quest of the Ring]]
}}
'''Cirith Ungol''' was a pass through the [[Ephel Dúath]] that led into [[Mordor]].

==Appearance==
The pass was located in a cleft on the slope of the mountain on the north-east side of the [[Morgul Vale]], above and to the north of the [[Morgul Pass]]. It could be reached by climbing the [[Stairs of Cirith Ungol]] at the beginning of the [[Morgul Vale]],<ref name=Stairs>{{TT|Stairs}}</ref> passing through a tunnel,<ref name=Lair>{{TT|Lair}}</ref> and taking a long flight of broad, shallow steps to the cleft<ref name=Choices>{{TT|Choices}}</ref> with the crown of the pass after which the road turned left and plunged steeply down to the [[Tower of Cirith Ungol]].<ref name=Tower>{{RK|Tower}}</ref> Beyond the tower, it turned a couple of bends and went steeply down to join the [[Morgul-road|Morgul-road.]]

The pass of Cirith Ungol was probably named after the giant [[spiders|spider]] [[Shelob]], who dwelt there.<ref>{{RK|Index}}, "Cirith Ungol [Pass of the Spider]"</ref> It was also referred to as the "high pass".<ref>{{TT|Gate}}</ref><ref>{{TT|Pool}}</ref><ref Name=Choices/>

==History==
===Before the War of the Ring===
The pass was first called '''''Cirith Dúath''''' ("Shadow Cleft"). This name was used during the [[War of the Last Alliance]], when [[Isildur]] sent his sons [[Aratan]] and [[Ciryon]] to [[Minas Ithil]] to prevent the forces of Sauron from escaping through the pass.<ref>{{UT|7a}}, note 11</ref> After the War of the Last Alliance, the [[Men of Gondor]] built a tower at the eastern end of Cirith Dúath as an eastern outpost of the defences of [[Ithilien]] to keep enemies in Mordor. This tower was later called the Tower of Cirith Ungol.<ref name=Tower/>

===War of the Ring===
During the [[War of the Ring]], in [[March]] {{TA|3019}}, [[Gollum]] led [[Frodo Baggins]] and [[Samwise Gamgee]] up the Stairs of Cirith Ungol,<ref name=Stairs/> into [[Shelob's lair]].<ref name=Lair/>

==Etymology==
{{Pronounce|Cirith Ungol.mp3|Ardamir}}
''Cirith Ungol'' is a [[Sindarin]] name. It means "Cleft of the Spider". It contains the elements ''[[cirith]]'' ("cleft", "a narrow passage cut through earth or rock (like a railway cutting)") and ''[[Spiders#Names|ungol]]'' ("spider").<ref>{{HM|N}}, p. 767 entry '''Cleft, The'''</ref>

==Other versions of the legendarium==
In earlier drafts Cirith Ungol was called Kirith Ungol and was guarded by Minas Morgul instead of the Tower of Cirith Ungol. It was first the main pass into Mordor or a cleft near the main pass and was located where [[Cirith Gorgor]] is located in the final version.<ref>{{WR|2|II}}, p. 104 and p. 106</ref><ref>{{WR|2|III}}, p. 124</ref><ref>{{TI|MIII}}, p. 309 and p. 310</ref> Later it became a high pass that was first on the south side<ref>{{WR|2|VI}}, p. 173</ref> and finally on the north side of the Morgul vale.<ref>{{WR|2|VIII}}, p. 186</ref>

==Drawing==
[[J.R.R. Tolkien]] made a drawing that shows the top of the stairs of Cirith Ungol, the entrance to the tunnel with the pass of Cirith Ungol after the exit from the tunnel and the topmost turret of the Tower of Cirith Ungol behind a mountain peak with another broader pass on the right side of the pass of Cirith Ungol and a mountain ridge between the pass of Cirith Ungol and the other broader pass.<ref>{{HM|PT}}, picture 28. Shelob's Lair</ref>

{{References}}
{{FellowshipRoute}}
[[Category:Mordor]]
[[Category:Passes]]
[[Category:Sindarin locations]]
[[de:Cirith Ungol]]
[[fi:Cirith Ungol]]
[[fr:encyclo:geographie:reliefs:mordor:cirith_ungol]]

Cirith Ungol

2024-01-06T12:20:29Z

Fornad01:

{{disambig-more|Cirith Ungol|[[Cirith Ungol (disambiguation)]]}}
{{location infobox
| name=Cirith Ungol
| image=[[File:Rob Alexander - Cirith Ungol.jpg|250px]]
| caption="Cirith Ungol" by Rob Alexander
| pronun=[[Sindarin|S]], {{IPA|[ˈkiriθ ˈuŋɡol]}}
| othernames=
| location=[[Ephel Dúath]]
| type=Pass
| description=
| regions=
| towns=
| inhabitants=[[Men]], [[Orcs]], [[Shelob]]
| created=
| destroyed=
| events=[[Quest of the Ring]]
}}
'''Cirith Ungol''' was a pass through the [[Ephel Dúath]] that led into [[Mordor]].

==Appearance==
The pass was located in a cleft on the slope of the mountain on the north-east side of the [[Morgul Vale]], above and to the north of the [[Morgul Pass]]. It could be reached by climbing the [[Stairs of Cirith Ungol]] at the beginning of the [[Morgul Vale]],<ref name=Stairs>{{TT|Stairs}}</ref> passing through a tunnel,<ref name=Lair>{{TT|Lair}}</ref> and taking a long flight of broad, shallow steps to the cleft<ref name=Choices>{{TT|Choices}}</ref> with the crown of the pass after which the road turned a couple of bends and plunged steeply down to the [[Tower of Cirith Ungol]].<ref name=Tower>{{RK|Tower}}</ref> Beyond the tower, it turned a couple of bends and plunged steeply down to join the [[Morgul-road|Morgul-road.]]

The pass of Cirith Ungol was probably named after the giant [[spiders|spider]] [[Shelob]], who dwelt there.<ref>{{RK|Index}}, "Cirith Ungol [Pass of the Spider]"</ref> It was also referred to as the "high pass".<ref>{{TT|Gate}}</ref><ref>{{TT|Pool}}</ref><ref Name=Choices/>

==History==
===Before the War of the Ring===
The pass was first called '''''Cirith Dúath''''' ("Shadow Cleft"). This name was used during the [[War of the Last Alliance]], when [[Isildur]] sent his sons [[Aratan]] and [[Ciryon]] to [[Minas Ithil]] to prevent the forces of Sauron from escaping through the pass.<ref>{{UT|7a}}, note 11</ref> After the War of the Last Alliance, the [[Men of Gondor]] built a tower at the eastern end of Cirith Dúath as an eastern outpost of the defences of [[Ithilien]] to keep enemies in Mordor. This tower was later called the Tower of Cirith Ungol.<ref name=Tower/>

===War of the Ring===
During the [[War of the Ring]], in [[March]] {{TA|3019}}, [[Gollum]] led [[Frodo Baggins]] and [[Samwise Gamgee]] up the Stairs of Cirith Ungol,<ref name=Stairs/> into [[Shelob's lair]].<ref name=Lair/>

==Etymology==
{{Pronounce|Cirith Ungol.mp3|Ardamir}}
''Cirith Ungol'' is a [[Sindarin]] name. It means "Cleft of the Spider". It contains the elements ''[[cirith]]'' ("cleft", "a narrow passage cut through earth or rock (like a railway cutting)") and ''[[Spiders#Names|ungol]]'' ("spider").<ref>{{HM|N}}, p. 767 entry '''Cleft, The'''</ref>

==Other versions of the legendarium==
In earlier drafts Cirith Ungol was called Kirith Ungol and was guarded by Minas Morgul instead of the Tower of Cirith Ungol. It was first the main pass into Mordor or a cleft near the main pass and was located where [[Cirith Gorgor]] is located in the final version.<ref>{{WR|2|II}}, p. 104 and p. 106</ref><ref>{{WR|2|III}}, p. 124</ref><ref>{{TI|MIII}}, p. 309 and p. 310</ref> Later it became a high pass that was first on the south side<ref>{{WR|2|VI}}, p. 173</ref> and finally on the north side of the Morgul vale.<ref>{{WR|2|VIII}}, p. 186</ref>

==Drawing==
[[J.R.R. Tolkien]] made a drawing that shows the top of the stairs of Cirith Ungol, the entrance to the tunnel with the pass of Cirith Ungol after the exit from the tunnel and the topmost turret of the Tower of Cirith Ungol behind a mountain peak with another broader pass on the right side of the pass of Cirith Ungol and a mountain ridge between the pass of Cirith Ungol and the other broader pass.<ref>{{HM|PT}}, picture 28. Shelob's Lair</ref>

{{References}}
{{FellowshipRoute}}
[[Category:Mordor]]
[[Category:Passes]]
[[Category:Sindarin locations]]
[[de:Cirith Ungol]]
[[fi:Cirith Ungol]]
[[fr:encyclo:geographie:reliefs:mordor:cirith_ungol]]

Morgul Pass

2024-01-06T12:16:19Z

Fornad01: Grammatical improvements + added the bends in the road from Cirith Ungol to the Morgul-road

__NOTOC__
The '''Morgul Pass''' was a pass in a great ravine at the head of the [[Morgul Vale]] that led over the [[Ephel Dúath]].<ref>{{RK|Map}}</ref><ref name=Stairs>{{TT|Stairs}}, p. 710</ref>

The Morgul Pass was also referred to as the "main pass".<ref name=Stairs/><ref>{{TT|Gate}}, p. 643</ref>

The '''Nameless Pass''' was probably another name for the Morgul Pass, because the wraith-road ran from the dead city in a great ravine at the head of the [[Morgul Vale|Morgul Valley]] to the Nameless Pass, which [[Frodo]] could see from above on the winding stairs that led to the tunnel and the pass of [[Cirith Ungol]] that was guarded by the [[Tower of Cirith Ungol]]<ref name=Stairs/><ref name=WR>{{WR|2|VIII}}, an earlier version uses Morghul Pass instead of Nameless Pass when Frodo looks down from the stairs into the Morgul Vale, p. 195</ref> and because a broad road ran from the Tower of Cirith Ungol down to join the road that came over the Morgul Pass.<ref name=Tower/> As a consequence, the Nameless Pass was probably not another name for the pass of [[Cirith Ungol]].<ref>{{RK|Index}}, contrary to the entries "Cirith Ungol [Pass of the Spider] (High Pass, Nameless Pass)" and "Nameless Pass ''see'' Cirith Ungol"</ref> The pass of Cirith Ungol was located in a cleft on the slope of the mountain on the north side of the Morgul pass and could be reached by climbing the stairs of Cirith Ungol at the beginning of the Morgul Vale,<ref name=Stairs/> passing through a tunnel,<ref>{{TT|Lair}}, p. 717</ref> and taking a long flight of broad shallow steps to the cleft<ref>{{TT|Choices}}, p. 733</ref> and the crown of the pass, after which the road turned a couple of bends and plunged steeply down.<ref>{{RK|Tower}}, p. 898</ref>

The [[Morgul-road]] ran from [[Osgiliath]]<ref>{{TT|Journey}}, pp. 701-2</ref> to the Morgul Vale. It then crossed a bridge over the river [[Morgulduin]], wound up to the gate of the city of [[Minas Morgul]]<ref>{{TT|Stairs}}, p. 704</ref> and then went on through the great ravine at the head of the Morgul Vale over the Morgul Pass.<ref>{{TT|Stairs}}, p. 710</ref> It then descended to the valley between the Ephel Dúath and the Morgai, passed over a bridge of stone,<ref>{{RK|Shadow}}, pp. 916, 920</ref> and through a jagged rift in the Morgai out into [[Gorgoroth]] and on to [[Barad-dûr]].<ref name=Tower>{{RK|Tower}}, p. 900</ref>

== History ==
During the [[War of the Ring]], Frodo, [[Sam]] and [[Gollum]] took the stairs of Cirith Ungol that led to the pass of Cirith Ungol, because they wanted to avoid passing by close to [[Minas Morgul]] and as a consequence did not use the Morgul Pass.<ref name=Stairs/> After the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]] the army of the West left a strong guard at the Cross-roads to defend it in case enemies came over the Morgul Pass from [[Mordor]] or came up from the South.<ref>{{RK|Gate}}, p. 885</ref>

== Drawing ==
[[J.R.R. Tolkien]] made [[Shelob's Lair (manuscript)|a drawing]] that shows the top of the stairs of Cirith Ungol, the entrance to the tunnel with the pass of Cirith Ungol after the exit from the tunnel and the topmost turret of the Tower of Cirith Ungol behind a mountain peak with another broader pass on the right side of the pass of Cirith Ungol and a mountain ridge between the pass of Cirith Ungol and the other broader pass.<ref>{{HM|PT}}, picture 28. Shelob's Lair</ref>

== Other versions of the legendarium ==
An earlier version of what would later become the chapter The Stairs of Cirith Ungol mentions that Frodo saw the glimmer of the wraith-road that led over the ''Morghul Pass'' from the city when he looked down from the stairs into the Morgul Vale.<ref name=WR/>

{{References}}
[[Category:Mordor]]
[[Category:Passes]]
[[fi:Morgulin sola]]

Cross-roads

2023-12-30T19:19:35Z

Fornad01: /* Inconsistencies */

[[File:Ted Nasmith - At the Cross-roads.jpg|thumb|[[Ted Nasmith]] - At the Cross-roads]]
The '''Cross-roads of the Fallen King''' was the point in the land of [[Ithilien]] where the north-south [[Harad Road]] was crossed by the east-west road from [[Osgiliath]] to [[Minas Ithil]] (later [[Minas Morgul]]).<ref>{{RK|Map}}</ref>
==History==
Originally maintained by the [[Gondorians|Men of Gondor]], who grew tall trees and built a statue of a [[Kings of Gondor|king]], the Cross-roads had effectively fallen under the control of [[Sauron]] at the time of the [[War of the Ring]]. [[Orcs]] had befouled the statue; its head had been knocked off and replaced by a stone effigy.

On their way to [[Mordor]], [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]], [[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]], and [[Gollum]] came to the Cross-roads around [[March 10]]. They were in a belt of trees of vast size. Next to the road leading to [[Osgiliath]] they found the defiled statue, but seeing its fallen head gave Frodo hope, for nature crowned it with flowers.<ref>{{TT|IV7}}</ref>

Sometime later, in the evening of [[March 18]], a vanguard of [[Army of the West]] passed by the Cross-roads. [[Aragorn]] ordered a fanfare of trumpeteers and ceremoniously reclaimed the lands in the name of the Lords of Gondor. Soldiers broke the defiling stone-head and restored the statue also washing the scrawls away.

The [[March 19|next day]] they were joined by the main Host. Before leaving, they stationed a strong force of archers there, to guard against any attack from the East or South, and resumed their course towards [[Mordor]].<ref>{{RK|V10}}</ref>

==Inconsistencies==

The statue of the Fallen King is said to have a carven beard in the text.<ref>{{TT|IV7}}</ref> However, in a note published in [[The Nature of Middle-earth]], Tolkien stated that the kingly line of Númenor (and subsequently Gondor and Arnor) would be unable to grow beards due to their Elvish ancestry.<ref>{{NM|P2v}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[:Category:Images of the Headless King|Images of the Headless King]]
{{references}}
{{FellowshipRoute}}
[[Category:Roads and streets]]
[[Category:Gondor]]
[[de:Scheideweg]]
[[fr:encyclo:geographie:routes:croisee_des_chemins]]
[[fi:Murtuneen kuninkaan tienristeys]]

Cross-roads

2023-12-30T19:17:43Z

Fornad01:

[[File:Ted Nasmith - At the Cross-roads.jpg|thumb|[[Ted Nasmith]] - At the Cross-roads]]
The '''Cross-roads of the Fallen King''' was the point in the land of [[Ithilien]] where the north-south [[Harad Road]] was crossed by the east-west road from [[Osgiliath]] to [[Minas Ithil]] (later [[Minas Morgul]]).<ref>{{RK|Map}}</ref>
==History==
Originally maintained by the [[Gondorians|Men of Gondor]], who grew tall trees and built a statue of a [[Kings of Gondor|king]], the Cross-roads had effectively fallen under the control of [[Sauron]] at the time of the [[War of the Ring]]. [[Orcs]] had befouled the statue; its head had been knocked off and replaced by a stone effigy.

On their way to [[Mordor]], [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]], [[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]], and [[Gollum]] came to the Cross-roads around [[March 10]]. They were in a belt of trees of vast size. Next to the road leading to [[Osgiliath]] they found the defiled statue, but seeing its fallen head gave Frodo hope, for nature crowned it with flowers.<ref>{{TT|IV7}}</ref>

Sometime later, in the evening of [[March 18]], a vanguard of [[Army of the West]] passed by the Cross-roads. [[Aragorn]] ordered a fanfare of trumpeteers and ceremoniously reclaimed the lands in the name of the Lords of Gondor. Soldiers broke the defiling stone-head and restored the statue also washing the scrawls away.

The [[March 19|next day]] they were joined by the main Host. Before leaving, they stationed a strong force of archers there, to guard against any attack from the East or South, and resumed their course towards [[Mordor]].<ref>{{RK|V10}}</ref>

==Inconsistencies==

The statue of the Fallen King is said to have a beard in the text.<ref>{{TT|IV7}}</ref> However, in a note published in [[The Nature of Middle-earth]], Tolkien stated that the kingly line of Númenor (and subsequently Gondor and Arnor) would be unable to grow beards due to their Elvish ancestry.<ref>{{NM|P2v}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[:Category:Images of the Headless King|Images of the Headless King]]
{{references}}
{{FellowshipRoute}}
[[Category:Roads and streets]]
[[Category:Gondor]]
[[de:Scheideweg]]
[[fr:encyclo:geographie:routes:croisee_des_chemins]]
[[fi:Murtuneen kuninkaan tienristeys]]

Talk:Minas Tirith

2023-11-27T13:54:15Z

Fornad01: /* Main Image */ Reply

== Felix Sotomayor's Picture ==
Sotomayor's ''Minas Tirith'' does not resemble Tolkien's description of the capital of Gondor. If we're going to use the image, it will have to be with the First Age fortress of [[Minas Tirith in Beleriand]], which guarded the Pass of Sirion. I've moved the image there.

:Sounds good, your right it doesn't resemble [[Minas Tirith|Minas Tirith in Gondor]], are we positive it is supposed to be the Minas Tirith in Beleriand though? If it's really just a poorly created version of Minas Tirith in Gondor we can remove it all together. --[[User:Hyarion|Hyarion]] 18:24, 20 April 2006 (EDT)

::AFAIK, Tolkien really didn't give a description of Orodreth's Minas Tirith. Since many other images are nothing more than good guesses, and Sotomayor's picture is quite good, I don't have problem using it. --[[User:Ebakunin|Ebakunin]] 18:52, 20 April 2006 (EDT)

:::I do think it's meant to be MT in Gondor, as I see seven sections and a high tower on the top. It does look more like a fort than a city, though. --[[User:Earendilyon|Earendilyon]] 03:04, 21 April 2006 (EDT)

::::One of Minas Tirith's main features is the jutting bastion of rock that looks like half an arch. Jackson's RotK nailed the look and feel of the capital. You're probably right about Sotomayor's intention, but his picture is definitely wrong for Gondor's Minas Tirith. --[[User:Ebakunin|Ebakunin]] 12:34, 21 April 2006 (EDT)

:::::I agree. If there is only one picture known for a specific article, then yes, we might insert it regardless of the lack of canonocity but in this case there are so many images of Minas Tirith, we should make sure the images shown represent the city as best as possible. --[[User:Hyarion|Hyarion]] 12:37, 21 April 2006 (EDT)

== Info from book and from movies ==

I think this article needs to diversify more clearly between info from [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]]'s writings and PJs movies. For example, where does the reference to "a battery of 100 trebuchets" originate? I can't recall it from the book. --[[User:Earendilyon|Earendilyon]] 16:22, 21 April 2006 (EDT)

:I definitely agree. I think we should try and make it a standard to have a "Portrayal in adaptions" heading for the articles which have information related to [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]. ''But'' I do think it would be alright to show an image from the films as one of the main images for the article, as you have to admit, there are a lot of things they did a great job portraying. --[[User:Hyarion|Hyarion]] 16:47, 21 April 2006 (EDT)

::There's no ''but'' there, really, as almost all pictures (except [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]]'s own) are adaptations. And as the source is normally given, I've no problem with adding them to articles. [Nicest thing would be of course, to have as many pictures as possible made by the Professor himself.] --[[User:Earendilyon|Earendilyon]] 16:53, 21 April 2006 (EDT)

:::I agree, I think we have most of the [[:Category:Images by J.R.R. Tolkien|Professor's images]] uploaded too. It's just difficult with the purists who see an image from the films and automatically dislike the article. Hard to please everyone. --[[User:Hyarion|Hyarion]] 19:14, 21 April 2006 (EDT)

== Proportions ==

<pre>The breadth of the city would have average 3100 feet.<ref>[[The History of Middle-earth]], ''[[Sauron Defeated]]'', Illustration on p. 64</ref></pre>
I'm hesitant to remove this, because it ''is'' referenced. However, the reference doesn't appear to be correct. There are no illustrations of Minas Tirith in ''Sauron Defeated''. The only think I can think of is that the editor meant ''The War of the Ring'', but I can't see how one can draw an indications of scale from the two sketches of Minas Tirith there. {{User:Aule the Smith/sig}} 13:05, 21 August 2010 (UTC)
:There is a ''description'' of a sketch of Minas Tirith by Tolkien on p. 67 (in my copy) of Sauron Defeated but again there's no indication of scale there – just a description of where the buildings in the Citadel are situated. {{User:Aule the Smith/sig}} 13:53, 21 August 2010 (UTC)

::The figure is not from anything in ''[[The History of Middle-earth|THOME]]'': it's from [[Karen Wynn Fonstad]]'s ''[[The Atlas of Middle-earth]]''. Page 138 with references from p. 198 (small bracketed comments are my own):
::''Tolkien revealed no dimensions of the hill except that of election — 700 feet;<ref name="eight">[[The Return of the King|RK]], 24 (First line of page 12 in my edition; paragraph 36 of "[[Minas Tirith (chapter)|Minas Tirith]]")</ref> but they may be estimated by comparing two drawings, one of Minas Tirith and one of the Citadel.<ref name="nine">[[The War of the Ring|VIII]], 290; [[Sauron Defeated|IX]], 64; Marquette Archives (''The Atlas'' was released in 1994 and references to ''Sauron Defeated'' are based on the typescript. I can't find this drawing.)</ref> If the diameter of the White Tower were about 150 feet, the breadth of the city would have averaged 3100 feet.<ref name="ten">If the Tower were wider than 150 feet, it would have appeared stout in spite of its 300-foot height (50 fathoms - [[The Return of the King|RK]], 24). Note that the Tower was described as "a spike" — not tiered as shown in [[The War of the Ring|VIII]], 261; [[Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien|P]], 27 (167 or 169 in ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator|Artist and Illustrator]]'', I'm guessing)</ref>
<references/>
::I'm not sure what to make of that. --{{User:Mith/sig}} 14:35, 21 August 2010 (UTC)

:::Well, I suppose Fonstad ''had'' to make a rough guess at the size of the city to draw her map, and that's as good an estimate as any. But in the grand scheme of things it's an incidental figure, and since it's also decidedly non-canon I think I will go ahead and remove it. {{User:Aule the Smith/sig}} 17:08, 21 August 2010 (UTC)

::::I think it's a useful piece of information to leave in the context of a "JRRT doesn't state the size of Minas Tirith; in KWF's TAOME she estimates 3,100 feet" sentence. It's something others might find useful so long as we don't give it authenticity (after all, we put non-canonical stuff in "Portrayal of Adaptations" all the time). It's up to you, of course. --{{User:Mith/sig}} 18:02, 21 August 2010 (UTC)

== Anárion ==

The [[Anárion]] issue is quite frustrating. There seems to be no disagreement that he founded Minas Anor (and Isildur Minas Tirith) amongst the secondary sources, but I can't find it stated explicitly by Tolkien anywhere. {{User:Aule the Smith/sig}} 10:39, 22 August 2010 (UTC)

: I can't find this sourced either. The closest I can get to it (and what some websites source) is this quote from ''[[Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age]]'':
:"''Other strong places they built also upon either hand: Minas Ithil, the Tower of the Rising Moon, eastward upon a shoulder of the Mountains of Shadow as a threat to Mordor; and to the westward Minas Anor, the Tower of the Setting Sun, at the feet of Mount Mindolluin, as a shield against the wild men of the dales. In Minas Ithil was the house of Isildur, and in Minas Anor the house of Anárion, but they shared the realm between them and their thrones were set side by side in the Great Hall of Osgiliath.''"
:Robert Foster just calls Minas Anor, the "Fortress-city of Anárion". I'm going to keep looking because nearly every source I've read does say this. I must be missing something. --{{User:Mith/sig}} 12:05, 22 August 2010 (UTC)

::That will do for now at least. {{User:Aule the Smith/sig}} 12:26, 22 August 2010 (UTC)

== Move ==

How about deleting [[Minas Tirith]] (which redirects here) and moving this there? {{User:Aule the Smith/sig}} 16:34, 31 August 2010 (UTC)

:Agreed. --{{User:Ederchil/sig}} 16:39, 31 August 2010 (UTC)

:: Yup. --{{User:Mith/sig}} 14:25, 1 September 2010 (UTC)

:::I would prefer that. I agree. --{{User:KingAragorn/sig}} 14:28, 1 September 2010 (UTC)

:It would be best if an admin could do it (i.e. delete [[Minas Tirith]] and do a proper move), or we'll break the page history. {{User:Aule the Smith/sig}} 15:19, 1 September 2010 (UTC)

== Geography ==

{blockquote|Each of the seven levels stood 100 feet higher than the one below it and was surrounded by a white wall|}

While I was doing my researches about the creation of a 3D model of MT, I consulted this wiki and found this line, but I've not found any info/ref in the books validating this quote. 
If there's a reference it would be interesting to know it, if not I would simply remove this line. 
-- [[User:Melvasul|Melvasul]] 13:44, 17 December 2018 (UTC)

:Thanks for pointing out the issue. I'll add a template asking for a reference for the claim. And if not found, it indeed needs to removed.--[[User:Morgan|Morgan]] 15:27, 15 December 2018 (UTC)

::I think it's been lifted from Wikpedia, whch also has the claim, but is a poor extrapolation of this quote:

::{{blockquote|The entrance to the Citadel also looked eastward, but was delved in the heart of the rock; thence a long lamp-lit slope ran up to the seventh gate. Thus men reached at last the High Court, and the Place of the Fountain before the feet of the White Tower: tall and shapely, fifty fathoms from its base to the pinnacle, where the banner of the Stewards floated a thousand feet above the plain.|{{RK|Minas}}}}

::So the seventh level stands 700 feet from the plain, and someone has inaccurately assumed a) that all levels are equal and b) they are dividing 700 feet by 7 levels (when it should be 6, of course, as the first level is ground level). I have removed the claim. --{{User:Mith/sig}} 17:34, 15 December 2018 (UTC)

:::Perfect, it sounded really strange when I was analysing it with other Tolkienian on FB who neither knew this quote nor they see how it would have been, physically, possible to live in the highest level(100ft in a lower radius would have meant a way too high inclination)
:::I may not be completely familiar with this formatting, I apologise in advance for any mistake(and my English too)-- [[User:Melvasul|Melvasul]] 13:44, 17 December 2018 (UTC)

== Main Image ==

[[File:Ralph Damiani - Across Middle-earth - The White City.png|thumb|right]]
Just to let anyone know, the current main image is from Ralph Damiani's "Across Middle Earth" series, in which he explicitly painted landscapes from ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''. So the image is a derivation of an adaptation, the same way as painting of a movie version of Minas Tirith such as [[:File:Kimberly - Minas Tirith.jpg|this one]]. You may want to choose some other drawing for the main image to keep it more adaptation-neutral. [[User:Malachi|Malachi]] ([[User talk:Malachi|talk]]) 20:41, 25 April 2023 (UTC)

:It looks like they’ve been heavily inspired by Ted Naismith’s illustration of Minas Tirith.
:[[File:Ted Nasmith - Gandalf Rides to Minas Tirith.jpg|300px]]

:I’m not fussed that technically it is from an adaptation and whilst I prefer Naismith’s version I think either option is fine. -[[User:JR Snow|JR Snow]] ([[User talk:JR Snow|talk]]) 22:57, 25 April 2023 (UTC)

::It's not imperative to keep portrayals out of the infoboxes. I love that one by Nasmith, but Damiani's is better, as it is more focused on the city. --[[User:LorenzoCB|LorenzoCB]] ([[User talk:LorenzoCB|talk]]) 10:17, 26 April 2023 (UTC)
:::It should also be mentioned that Damiani's has the (correct) black outer wall whilst Nasmith's does not. [[User:Fornad01|Fornad]] ([[User talk:Fornad01|talk]]) 13:54, 27 November 2023 (UTC)

Talk:Aragorn

2023-11-27T13:51:46Z

Fornad01: /* Beard */ Reply

Especially after looking at the review on the Yrch website, I would like to suggest again that we automatically direct to the primary character of a certain name with a note at the top to reach a disambiguation page for the others, like is done in Wikipedia. So anyone searching for Aragorn would go automatically to Aragorn II. I know that last time this was brought up it was decided against, but I would like to renew the suggestion now. --[[User:Narfil Palùrfalas|Narfil Palùrfalas]] 20:30, 5 June 2006 (EDT)

:We seem to be fairly stubborn (in a good way) about our stance on this issue. Unfortunately it seems to be fairly even sides and I think we will just have to wait until more contributors with opinions on the matter come along. I'm willing to be swayed but at present I still believe treating characters and articles equally is a better approach.

:When I see someone searching for Aragorn I see fans who aren't aware that Aragorn of the Fellowship is really the second, thus they learn new information. Then I see the scholars looking for information on the first Aragorn, and they are able to locate it more quickly than being redirected to an article they don't wish to be at, and having to click yet another link to find what they are looking for.

:Which reminds me, this article should contain information on not only what ''Aragorn'' means in other langauges, but how [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] derived it. --[[User:Hyarion|Hyarion]] 22:39, 5 June 2006 (EDT)

::I agree with Hyarion on no automatic redirects. Major characters are in '''bold''', so the uneducated user should be able to find what they are looking for without any problems. --[[User:Ebakunin|Ebakunin]] 23:14, 5 June 2006 (EDT)

== Titles box ==

I have several issues with the information in the box in the titles section.
# The [[House of Telcontar]] is not a cadet branch of the [[House of Isildur]], for cadet means junior in the sense that there is a senior branch in existence simultaneously, at least in the beginning. The House of Isildur is, however, in the quite unusual position that the senior branch has always continued, no junior branch ever taking over as new senior branch, and the House of Telcontar is merely the continuation of that one senior branch.
# The box suggests that the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] ended on 16 February, T.A. 3019, or at the very least that it became leaderless at that point. Yet the article on the Fellowship itself correctly states that it was only broken, not disbanded on '''2'''6 February, T.A. 3019, being disbanded by King Elessar in the chapter ''Many Partings'' at Isengard (that being on 22 August, T.A. 3019). This clearly implies Aragorn was up to that time still, or again, its leader.
# ‘House of Telcontar’ is used as a title, which it isn’t, the title should be ‘Head of the House of Telcontar’.
I think all these are errors that should be corrected. — [[User:Mithrennaith|Mithrennaith]] 01:35, 7 September 2010 (UTC)
: I agree with you at point 2 and 3. But I don't really understand what you mean with point 1. --[[User:Amroth|Amroth]] 14:35, 7 September 2010 (UTC)
::The House of Telcontar cannot be a cadet branch of the House of Isildur, because there never was any branch of the House of Isildur senior to it. It never split off from the House of Isildur, it is the continuation of the most senior branch the House of Isildur ever had. — [[User:Mithrennaith|Mithrennaith]] 17:50, 7 September 2010 (UTC)
:::I’ve got two further points:
::::4. The previous [[Kings of Arnor|King of Arnor]] was not [[Arvedui]], 1046 (actually 1044) years earlier, but [[Eärendur (King of Arnor)|Eärendur]], 2158 years earlier. 5. As the vacancy of the northern kingship since Arvedui, the vacancy of the kingship of Gondor since [[Eärnur]] has been miscalculated as if Aragorn commenced his rule in 3021 instead of 3019: it should be 969 years, instead of 971.
:::— [[User:Mithrennaith|Mithrennaith]] 04:01, 8 September 2010 (UTC)

::::Feel free to change all of these! The information in the current box I just copied from the previous one without thought. --{{User:Mith/sig}} 10:52, 8 September 2010 (UTC)

:::::If I remember good then the descendents of [[Argeleb I]] claimed to be the King of Arnor. --[[User:Amroth|Amroth]]

::::::It's a common misconception (often peddled by editors of this site), but they ''claimed'' to be Kings of Arnor, but were still Kings of Arthedain. In Appendix A it lists them as "Kings of Arthedain", and not Arnor. --{{User:Mith/sig}} 12:45, 8 September 2010 (UTC)
:::::::But [[Arthedain]] and [[Cardolan]] accepted it, and [[Rhudaur]] was destroyed. --[[User:Amroth|Amroth]]
::::::::And still, in all lists, as in [[Appendix A]] I ii and in [[The Heirs of Elendil]], they are listed as "Kings of Arthedain".
::::::::I think I will change these points. I’m just wondering where else ‘cadet branch’ may have been misused (think I saw another case pass by when I was on a ramble checking life-spans of Dúnadan Kings). — [[User:Mithrennaith|Mithrennaith]] 19:51, 8 September 2010 (UTC)

== Aragorn: Other Names ==

In ''The Two Towers'', Éomer the Third Marshal of the Riddermark calls Aragorn "Wingfoot". I was wondering if that could be added to the list of Other Names for Aragorn. Thanks! {{unsigned|Cecelia Kjolsrud}}

:It's already there, but we appreciate your concern! --[[User:DoctorWellington|DoctorWellington]] 23:07, 28 November 2018 (UTC)

::Thanks! {{unsigned|Cecelia Kjolsrud}}

== Beard ==

From NOME:

> ''A note was sent to Patricia Finney (Dec. 9/72), answering a question about beards, that mentioned some of the male characters which she and a friend did not imagine as having beards. I replied that I myself imagined Aragorn, Denethor, Imrahil, Boromir, Faramir as beardless. This, I said, I supposed not to be due to any custom of shaving, but a racial characteristic. None of the Eldar had any beards, and this was a general racial characteristic of all Elves in my "world". Any element of an Elvish strain in human ancestry was very dominant and lasting (receding only slowly — as might be seen in Númenóreans of royal descent, in the matter of longevity also). The tribes of Men from whom the Númenóreans were descended were normal, and hence the majority of them would have beards. But the royal house was half-elven, having two strains of Elvish race in their ancestry through Lüthien of Doriath (royal Sindarin) and Idril of Gondolin (royal Noldorin). The effects were long-lasting: e.g. in a tendency to a stature a little above the average, to a greater (though steadily decreasing) longevity, and probably most lastingly in beardlessness. Thus none of the Númenórean chieftains of descent from Elros (whether kings or not) would be bearded. It is stated that Elendil was descended from Silmarién, a royal princess. Hence Aragorn and all his ancestors were beardless.''

Is there art of Aragorn without a beard that would be more suitable for the main image? [[User:Fornad01|Fornad]] ([[User talk:Fornad01|talk]]) 11:17, 12 August 2023 (UTC)

:I nominate [https://tolkiengateway.net/w/images/6/6e/Yulia_Alekseeva_-_Aragorn_in_Rivendell.jpg this one], as per the Discord discussions. - [[User:IvarTheBoneless|IvarTheBoneless]] ([[User talk:IvarTheBoneless|talk]]) 17:04, 26 November 2023 (UTC)
::I concur. [[User:JR Snow|JR Snow]] ([[User talk:JR Snow|talk]]) 10:10, 27 November 2023 (UTC)
:::Changed! [[User:Fornad01|Fornad]] ([[User talk:Fornad01|talk]]) 13:51, 27 November 2023 (UTC)

Aragorn

2023-11-27T13:50:15Z

Fornad01:

{{disambig-two|the King of the [[Reunited Kingdom]]|5th [[Chieftain of the Dúnedain]]|[[Aragorn I]]}}
{{sources}}
{{arnorian infobox
| name=Aragorn
| image=[[File:Yulia_Alekseeva_-_Aragorn_in_Rivendell.jpg|250px]]
| caption="Aragorn in Rivendell" by Yulia Alekseeva
| pronun=[[Sindarin|S]], {{IPA|[ˈaraɡorn]}}
| othernames=''See [[Aragorn#Other names|below]]''
| titles=[[Chieftain of the Dúnedain]] [[High King of the Dúnedain]] [[King of Gondor and Arnor]]<ref>{{S|Rings}}</ref> [[King of the West]]<ref>{{App|Great}}</ref> Lord of the [[Westlands]]
| position=[[Rangers of the North|Ranger]] Leader of the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] (after [[Gandalf]]'s death) King of the [[Reunited Kingdom]]
| location=[[Rivendell]] [[Gondor]] [[Arnor]] [[Rohan]] [[Rhûn]] and [[Harad]]<ref>{{FR|Council}}, p. 248</ref>
| affiliation=[[Fellowship of the Ring]]
| language=[[Westron]] [[Sindarin]] [[Quenya]]
| birth=[[1 March]], {{TA|2931}}
| birthlocation=[[Eriador]]
| rule={{TA|2933}} - {{TA|3019|n}} (Chieftain) {{TA|3019}} - {{FoA|120}} (King)
| death=[[1 March]], {{FoA|120}}<ref>{{App|B5}}, entry '''1541''', p. 1098</ref>
| deathlocation=[[Gondor]]
| age=210
| notablefor=Reuniting the [[Reunited Kingdom|Kingdoms of Arnor and Gondor]]
| house=[[House of Isildur]] Founder of the [[House of Telcontar]]
| parentage=[[Arathorn II]] (father) [[Gilraen]] (mother) [[Elrond]] (foster father)
| siblings=
| spouse=[[Arwen]]
| children=[[Eldarion]] At least two daughters<ref name="Tale">{{App|Tale}}</ref>
| gender=Male
| height=At least 6'6<nowiki>''</nowiki> (1.98 m)<ref name="RC">{{HM|RC}}, p. 272 citing from a note written by J.R.R. Tolkien approximately in 1969</ref><ref>{{NM|P2vi}}, p. 194</ref>
| hair=Dark, flecked with grey<ref name="Sign">{{FR|Sign}}</ref>
| eyes=Grey<ref name="Sign"/>
| clothing=High leather boots, dark-green cloak (as a [[Rangers of the North|Ranger]])<ref name="Sign"/> Pure white mantle, black mail girt with silver (as a King)<ref>{{RK|Steward}}</ref>
| weapons=[[Andúril]]
| steed=[[Roheryn]] [[Hasufel]]
}}
<center>{{quote|Tall as the sea-kings of old, he stood above all that were near; ancient of days he seemed and yet in the flower of manhood; and wisdom sat upon his brow, and strength and healing were in his hands, and a light was about him.|''[[The Return of the King]]'', "[[The Steward and the King]]"}}</center>

'''Aragorn II''' was the son of [[Arathorn II]] and [[Gilraen]]. He was the last [[Chieftains of the Dúnedain|Chieftain of the Dúnedain]] and a direct descendant through many<ref group="note">Aragorn II is of the 39th generation descended from Isildur, through 23 generations of the Kings of Arnor and Arthedain (beginning with [[Valandil (King of Arnor)|Valandil]] and ending with [[Arvedui]]) and 15 generations of the Chieftains of the Dúnedain (beginning with [[Aranarth]] and ending with Arathorn II).</ref> generations of [[Isildur]], the last [[High King of the Dúnedain|High King]] of both [[Arnor]] and [[Gondor]]. Aragorn would become the greatest [[Men|Man]] of his time, leading the [[Dúnedain|Men of the West]] against [[Sauron]]'s forces, helping to destroy [[the One Ring]], and reuniting the [[Reunited Kingdom|Kingdoms of Arnor and Gondor]].

== History ==
=== Early life ===
Aragorn was born in {{TA|2931}} to the Chieftain Arathorn, and received the name Aragorn. His grandmother, [[Ivorwen]], noted with [[foresight]] that Aragorn would one day wear on his breast a green stone.<ref>{{PM|Foreword}}</ref>

A legend says that the [[Wizards|Wizard]] [[Gandalf]] had brought [[Elfstone|such a stone]], called the Elessar, from [[Valinor]]. He gave the Elessar to the [[Elves|Elven]] Lady [[Galadriel]], and remarked prophetically that she would pass it to another, who will also be called Elessar.<ref>{{UT|6}}</ref> From this would come Aragorn's royal name ''Elessar'' ([[Quenya]] for "Elfstone").
[[File:Anna Kulisz - Elrond and Estel.jpg|thumb|left|''Elrond and Estel'' by [[:Category:Images by Anna Kulisz|Anna Kulisz]]]]
When Aragorn was two years old, his father was slain when an [[Orcs|Orc]] arrow pierced his eye. As was the tradition of his people, Aragorn was fostered in [[Rivendell]] by [[Elrond]] as if he was his own son. The [[Wise]] decided that his identity was to be kept secret, as he would be vulnerable to [[Sauron|the Enemy]]. Aragorn was called '''''[[Estel]]''''' ([[Sindarin]] for "Hope") instead. During his life in Rivendell he accompanied the sons of Elrond, [[Elrohir]] and [[Elladan]], on their journeys.<ref name="Tale"/>

"Estel" grew to be fair and noble, and was seemingly more mature than his age. When Aragorn was twenty-one years old, after returning from a journey with the [[twins]] in {{TA|2952}}, Elrond decided to reveal his true name and ancestry. As part of this revelation, Elrond delivered to him the heirlooms of [[House of Isildur|his House]]: the shards of [[Narsil]] and the [[Ring of Barahir]]. Elrond also said that he should earn the [[Sceptre of Annúminas]]. The next day, full of hope, Aragorn was sitting in the forest singing a part of the ''[[Lay of Leithian|Lay of Lúthien]]''; as he sang of the meeting [[Beren]] and [[Lúthien]], [[Arwen]], daughter of Elrond, who had newly returned from [[Lothlórien]], appeared to him. Aragorn thought that Lúthien herself had appeared, and fell in love.<ref name="Tale"/>
[[File:Stephen Hickman - Aragorn and Arwen.jpg|thumb|left|''Aragorn and Arwen'' by [[Stephen Hickman]]]]

=== Life as a Ranger ===
Estel took up his proper name as Aragorn, sixteenth of the Chieftains of the Dúnedain, and after he took leave of his mother and Elrond he went into [[The Wild]].<ref name="Tale"/> In {{TA|2953}} he was not present in Rivendell for the last meeting of the [[White Council]]. Aragorn met [[Gandalf|Gandalf the Grey]] in {{TA|2956}}, and they became great friends.<ref name="TA">{{App|TA}}</ref> At Gandalf's advice he started to become interested in [[the Shire]] and became known as '''''Strider''''' in this region.
[[File:Catherine Chmiel - Ecthelion,Thorongil and Boromir study.jpg|thumb|right|''"Thorongil" with Ecthelion II'' by [[Catherine Karina Chmiel]]]]
From {{TA|2957}} to {{TA|2980}} Aragorn took great journeys aiding the [[West]] against [[Sauron]] and his allies. After serving King [[Thengel]] of [[Rohan]], he went to [[Ruling Steward|Steward]] [[Ecthelion II]] of [[Gondor]],<ref name="TA"/> who was in dire need of able men to guard his realm from Mordor. Aragorn kept his identity secret but as he wore a silver star upon his cloak, and was swift and keen-eyed, the [[Gondorians]] called him '''''Thorongil''''' (Sindarin for "Eagle of the Star"). He was a great leader by land and sea and Ecthelion trusted and loved him most. Some believed that there was rivalry between him and the Steward's son, [[Denethor]], who probably knew his identity as [[Heir of Isildur]], and suspected that he and Gandalf worked to supplant him. Thorongil however saw himself only as the servant of the Steward, whom he advised to not trust [[Saruman]] and instead to welcome Gandalf (whom Denethor didn't trust or love).

Ecthelion was anticipating an attack from Sauron who had just returned, and Thorongil warned him that in that event the [[Southern Fiefs]] would be vulnerable to the [[Corsairs of Umbar]]. He was allowed by Ecthelion to take few ships and lead an [[Surprise Attack on Umbar|attack against Umbar]]; at night he burned many ships, and in a fight slew the [[Captain of the Haven]] with only few casualties. Great honour awaited him in [[Minas Tirith]] but he did not return; while in [[Pelargir]], he sent a farewell message to Ecthelion, speaking of other tasks calling him, and saying that fate would not bring him again to Gondor soon. To the grief and wonder of his companions he crossed the [[Anduin]] and was last seen staring at the [[Mountains of Shadow]].<ref>{{App|Stewards}}</ref> He left Gondor to travel into the far East and South "exploring the hearts of men good and evil" and learning about the "plots and devices" of the servants of the Dark Lord. His exploits ensured the survival of the [[West]] much later during the [[War of the Ring]].

Later in 2980 on his return to Rivendell he entered [[Lothlórien]], and there once again met Arwen in [[Caras Galadhon]]. For one season they wandered together in Lothlórien. At midsummer he gave her the heirloom of his House, the [[Ring of Barahir]], and Arwen pledged her hand to him in marriage.<ref name="Tale"/>

Elrond gave his foster-son permission to marry his daughter, on the condition that he must first become king of both Gondor and Arnor, for only a king would be worthy of Arwen's hand. This harsh condition had a precedent: King [[Thingol]]'s request that [[Beren]] obtain a [[Silmarils|Silmaril]] from [[Morgoth]] before marrying his daughter [[Lúthien]].<ref name="Tale"/>

=== Hunt for Gollum ===
In the year {{TA|3001}}, as a now revealed [[Sauron]] continued to regain power in [[Mordor]], Aragorn began assisting [[Gandalf]] in his search for news of [[Gollum]]. Gandalf suspected that the ring [[Bilbo Baggins]] found near Gollum's lake was in fact [[the One Ring]]. In {{TA|3007}}, he briefly returned to [[Eriador]] where he visited his mother for the last time. She died before that year's spring.

In {{TA|3009}} Gandalf and Aragorn renewed their hunt for Gollum, searching intermittently in the [[vales of Anduin]], [[Mirkwood]], and [[Rhovanion]], even to the confines of [[Mordor]], without knowing that around that time Gollum ventured into Mordor, and was captured by Sauron.<ref name="TA"/> [[Third Age 3017|After eight years]] Gollum was released and Aragorn finally overtook him in the [[Dead Marshes]]<ref name="TA"/> on [[1 February]]. With Gollum he travelled through the northern [[Emyn Muil]], to prevent being found by Sauron's spies, and crossed the Anduin at the [[Sarn Gebir]]. He travelled further north along the edges of [[Fangorn Forest]] and through Lothlórien,<ref name="UT">{{UT|Hunt}}</ref> where the Elves sent a message to Gandalf.<ref>{{UT|Hunt}}, Note 5</ref> He travelled alongside the Anduin to the north until he arrived at the [[Carrock]]. With the aid of the [[Beornings]] he crossed the Anduin with Gollum and entered [[Mirkwood]]. He took Gollum to [[Thranduil]] to be held captive.<ref name="UT"/><ref name="TA"/> He then returned west where he met with Gandalf at [[Sarn Ford]] and learned of [[Frodo Baggins]]' plan to leave the Shire with the Ring in late September. Aragorn then continued his own journey.<ref name="Strider">{{FR|Strider}}</ref>

=== The War of the Ring ===
When Aragorn returned to his area, the [[Elves]] who followed [[Gildor Inglorion]] told Aragorn the [[Nazgûl|Black Riders]] had been seen, and Gandalf had been missing and there were no messages from him. Aragorn and his [[Rangers of the North|Rangers]] kept watch over the border of [[the Shire]] and the [[East Road]] waiting for sight of Frodo but there was no news of them leaving [[Buckland]].<ref name="Strider"/>

While staying in [[Bree]], Aragorn crossed the paths of four hobbits in [[The Prancing Pony]]. Aragorn watched as the hobbits clumsily hid their names and intentions, and as [[Frodo Baggins]], the leader of the party, fell from a table and disappeared as he put the ring on. Aragorn, whose name was given as Strider, seemed to show no surprise, only annoyance at Frodo’s foolish vanishing act. He arranged for an interview that night, where he warned them of the Black Riders and [[Bill Ferny]], then bluntly requested that they use him as a guide. After some consideration, and a note given them by the forgetful [[Barliman Butterbur]] from Gandalf condoning him, Frodo agreed.
[[File:Jef Murray - Amon Sûl.jpg|thumb|left|[[Jef Murray]] - ''Amon Sûl'']]
Aragorn’s plan to reach Rivendell was to first head toward [[Archet]] and bear right to [[Weathertop]]. After the ambush at Weathertop and the wounding of Frodo, [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]] took over the position as leader of the Hobbits. After a while they met [[Glorfindel]], a friend of Aragorn’s, and it was not much later that they arrived in Rivendell.
[[File:Darrell Sweet - The Reforging of the Sword.jpg|thumb|[[Darrell Sweet]] - ''The Reforging of the Sword'']]
After the Council of Elrond Aragorn became a member of the [[Fellowship of the Ring]]. As a preparation for his travel, the ancient shards of [[Narsil]], the heirloom of his House, were reforged after 3 millennia. Aragorn carried the Sword Reforged, and renamed it [[Andúril]].

Aragorn's intentions were to travel with the company for a while before returning to [[Gondor]] with [[Boromir]]. Aragorn encouraged the taking of the [[Caradhras|Redhorn Pass]], which ended in disaster. He conceded to Gandalf’s choice to pass through [[Moria]], but warned Gandalf to be cautious if he entered Moria, because he had a very evil memory from his previous visit to Moria. Indeed, after Gandalf fell into the abyss with [[Durin's Bane]], Aragorn was naturally elected leader of the company, despite some resentment by Boromir.

==== Leading the Fellowship of the Ring ====
Aragorn again amazed the rest of the Fellowship by his apparent closeness to the people of [[Lothlórien]], and his friendship with [[Celeborn]] and [[Galadriel]]. At their departure, Galadriel offered him the [[Elfstone]] as a wedding gift from the family of the Elven bride to the groom, foretelling his marriage to Arwen.<ref>{{MR|P3II3}}</ref> It was worn by Aragorn ever after and from that he later took the name '''Elessar'''.

Even at the [[Rauros|Falls of Rauros]] he was undecided, leaving it to Frodo for the final decision. For though it was obvious he wished to go to [[Minas Tirith]] with Boromir, he yet felt that it was his duty to go where the [[Ring-bearers|Ring-bearer]] chose.

[[File:Inger Edelfeldt - Death of Boromir.jpg|thumb|200px|right|''Death of Boromir'' by [[Inger Edelfeldt]]]]
After Frodo escaped him and Boromir perished, he with the remaining members of the Fellowship, namely [[Legolas]] and [[Gimli]], chose to try and save [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]] and [[Peregrin Took|Pippin]] from the [[Uruk-hai]] that had ambushed them, forming the group that would later be known as the [[Three Hunters]].

He met [[Éomer]] in the fields of [[Rohan]], and an instant friendship formed, both feeling the honesty and lordliness of the other. Éomer took a risk for his sake, giving him horses, with the promise that one day soon Aragorn would return to [[Edoras]]. Aragorn, tracking the Hobbits, followed into Fangorn Forest, where he met the resurrected [[Gandalf|Gandalf the White]]. After the restoration of [[Théoden]], he rode to [[Helm's Deep]] to fight in the [[Battle of the Hornburg]]. There he, alongside his new-found “brother” Éomer, and King Théoden, marshaled the defence against [[Saruman]]’s army. His revealed majesty upon the battlements of the Hornburg as he waited for the dawn caused some of the [[Dunlendings|Wild men]] to pause and shudder, and he heralded the return of Gandalf with [[Erkenbrand]].

After Pippin’s terrifying experience with the [[Orthanc-stone]], Gandalf presented it in a formal manner to Aragorn, its rightful master, who hinted that it would be used by him eventually. After the departure of Gandalf and Pippin to Minas Tirith, he rode for a while longer with Théoden, meeting up with his friend [[Halbarad]] of the North, [[Elladan]] and [[Elrohir]], and a company of staunch and fearless Rangers. Elladan and Elrohir gave him a message from Elrond: "''The days are short. If thou art in haste, remember the [[Paths of the Dead]]''". Halbarad bore a gift from the Lady Arwen – the [[Standard of Elendil]]. Aragorn knew the path set before him.

==== The Return of the King ====
A little while later Aragorn took his companions and his rangers and set out for [[Dunharrow]], departing from the King’s company. His course was clear: to take the Paths of the Dead, to summon the [[Oathbreakers|Dead Men]]. In Dunharrow, he met the lady [[Éowyn]], who had fallen in love with him. After making it clear that he could not accept her love, he turned towards the evil road with the dawn.

[[File:Ted Nasmith - Thus Came Aragorn.jpg|thumb|right|''Thus Came Aragorn'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
The [[Grey Company]] passed through the [[Dark Door]] and the [[Dwimorberg]], the Dead following, and coming at last to the [[Stone of Erech]], Aragorn summoned them to his aid. They drew their swords and blew their horns in answer, and swept down upon the [[Corsairs of Umbar|Corsairs]] at [[Pelargir]] drove the mariners away. Aragorn released them, and took the [[Black Ships]] north to Minas Tirith, where the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]] raged. The Standard of Elendil broke forth, and his Dúnedain swept down, giving the final blow to the army of [[Gothmog (Lieutenant of Morgul)|Gothmog]]. The counter-attacked army of [[Sauron]] crumbled utterly, but Aragorn did not enter the city.

Aragorn, furling his banner, appointed [[Imrahil]] the temporary lord of the City, as the law demanded. Eventually, however, Aragorn did come to the [[Houses of Healing]], where he tended and restored Merry, Éowyn, and [[Faramir]], in accordance with the prophecy “''The hands of the king are the hands of a healer, and so shall the rightful king be known''”. Many of the people of Minas Tirith came to Aragorn and followed him, asking that he heal those they knew. Aragorn worked late into the night, before finally leaving the city, hooded and cloaked. When in the morning the people saw the banner of [[Dol Amroth]], they wondered if the Return of the King had been but a dream.<ref name=Houses>{{RK|Houses}}</ref>

[[File:Inger Edelfeldt - The Crowning of Aragorn.jpg|thumb|left|''The Crowning of Aragorn'' by [[Inger Edelfeldt]]]]
Aragorn held [[Last Debate|council]] with his trusted companions, namely Gandalf, Éomer, Imrahil, and Elrond’s sons – Halbarad had fallen in battle. He agreed to draw forth the forces of [[Mordor]] for the benefit of the [[Quest of the Ring]], and so arranged matters for the [[Battle of the Morannon]]. After the destruction of the Ring in [[Mount Doom|Orodruin]] and victory at the [[Morannon]], Aragorn returned at last in the triumphant manner that befitted his position. He was crowned at the gates of Minas Tirith, winning the hearts of the people of [[Gondor]].

=== Reign as Elessar ===
Aragorn ruled the [[Reunited Kingdom]] of Gondor and Arnor until year 120 of the [[Fourth Age]].

Some days after his coronation, Gandalf took Elessar up the slopes of Mount [[Mindolluin]], and there he found the scion of [[Nimloth of Númenor|Nimloth]], the symbol of his mastery of the [[Reunited Kingdom]]. Elrond and Arwen came to Gondor and Elrond gave Elessar the [[Sceptre of Annúminas]] signifying the Kingship of Arnor. He wedded Arwen on Midsummer's day of 3019, and then was forced to bid his old friends farewell. He turned back to his new kingdom as the [[Fourth Age]] dawned and the Ringbearers left the shores of Middle-earth forever.

One of his first tasks in the re-ordering of his realm was the restoration of [[Orthanc]] and ordered the [[Orthanc-stone]] to be returned there. With this opportunity, many secrets and hoarded treasures were revealed including the [[Elendilmir]] which Saruman took from Isildur's body. Elessar received the Elemdilmir with reverence and took it with him as he established his full kingship of [[Arnor]].<ref>{{UT|Isen}}</ref>

Elessar gave his [[Steward]] Faramir the title [[Lord of Emyn Arnen]] and created him as [[Prince of Ithilien]]<ref>{{RK|Steward}}</ref>. He declared the [[Drúadan Forest]] to belong to the [[Drúedain]] and a protected enclave of his Kingdom.<ref>{{RK|Partings}}</ref> He also re-established the Great [[Council of Gondor]] whose chief councellor was the Steward<ref>{{L|244}}</ref>. He also renewed the [[Oath of Cirion]] with Éomer.

As for [[the Shire]], he declared it a Free Land under the protection of the Northern Sceptre and forbade Men from entering it. He appointed the [[Thain]], the [[Master of Buckland]], and the [[Mayor of Michel Delving]] Counsellors of the North-kingdom. Also he offered to the Shire the [[Westmarch|lands]] up to the [[Tower Hills|Emyn Beraid]].<ref name=later>{{App|Later}}</ref>

He founded the royal [[House of Telcontar]], he had a son, [[Eldarion]], and a number of daughters.

King Elessar died after 210 years of life and 122 years of rule and was succeeded by his son [[Eldarion]]. His wife Arwen, now mortal, gave up her life shortly afterwards in year 121, aged 2,901.

== Personality ==
Aragorn held his heritage in high esteem and was willing to commit to a single path in life in the name of love.<ref name="Tale"/> He possessed a nigh indomitable will, as he psychically challenged [[Sauron]] for control of the [[Palantir]] of [[Orthanc]] and proved to be victorious.<ref name=Company>{{RK|Company}}</ref> Yet this will did not prevent him from honoring his own word and the words of his forebears.<ref name=Debate>{{RK|Debate}}</ref> However, he was not immune to self-doubt, as he doubted his decisions in leading the Fellowship after Gandalf's death in Moria, and blamed himself for their hardships.{{fact}}

== Etymology ==
{{Pronounce|Aragorn Elessar.mp3|Ardamir}}
'''''Aragorn''''' is a [[Sindarin]] name. It means "revered king".<ref>{{PE|17}}, p. 31 entry S ''Ara(n)gorn''</ref><ref name=PE17Turgond>{{PE|17}}, p. 113 entry S '''Turgond-'''</ref> It contains the phonetic reduction ''ara'' of ''[[aran]]'' ("king") and the adjective ''[[gorn|(n)gorn]]'' ("dreaded, revered").<ref name=PE17Turgond/>

This clear etymology from Tolkien was not revealed until the publication in 2007 of "Words, Phrases & Passages in ''The Lord of the Rings''", a late 1950s manuscript. Before that, several theories were proposed:
*[[Ruth S. Noel]] and several others proposed "King of the Tree",<ref>[[Ruth S. Noel]], ''[[The Languages of Tolkien's Middle-earth]]'', p. 114</ref> but Tolkien specifically said that this was not the case.<ref>{{L|347}}</ref>
*[[David Salo]] deduces "Having Kingly Valor"<ref>[[David Salo]], ''[[A Gateway to Sindarin]]'', p. 341</ref> from Tolkien's cryptic "'Kingly Valour' (for so is that name interpreted)".<ref>{{PM|Foreword}}, p. xii</ref> This is still the most often cited etymology; Robert Ireland's ''[[A Tolkien Dictionary]]'' gives the variation "Royal Zeal".<ref>Robert Ireland, ''[[A Tolkien Dictionary]]'', [http://www.quicksilver899.com/Tolkien/LOTR/LOTR_AC.html The Lord of the Rings A-C].</ref>
*[[Carl F. Hostetter]] proposed the meanings "King of the Globe" or "King of the Hill" in his analysis of the [[King's Letter]].<ref>[[Carl F. Hostetter]], "The 'King's Letter': An Historical and Comparative Analysis", [[Vinyar Tengwar 31|''Vinyar Tengwar'' 31]], p. 18</ref>

The [[Quenya]] form of ''Aragorn'' was '''''Arakorno'''''.<ref name="WP">{{PE|17}}, p. 70 f. entry Q '''ar''' in the translation of the sentence into Quenya ''Sanome tarne Olórin, Arakorno, [...]''</ref>

== Other names ==
* '''Aragorn II''' - Aragorn's name as [[Chieftains of the Dúnedain|Chieftain of the Dúnedain]]. He was possibly named after [[Aragorn I]].
* [[Thorongil]] - [[Sindarin|S]] "Eagle of the Star", a pseudonym used in [[Gondor]] and [[Rohan]]. Pronounced {{IPA|[θoˈroŋɡil]}}.
* '''Elessar''' - [[Quenya|Q]] "Elfstone", Aragorn's name as a king. Despite popular use as such, Aragorn was never known as "Aragorn Elessar", "Aragorn II Elessar" or "[[The Return of the King (1980 film)|King Aragorn]]". Pronounced {{IPA|[eˈlesːar]}}.
* '''Edhelharn''' - The [[Sindarin]] equivalent of Elessar, used in the King's Letter.<ref>{{SD|XI2}}, p. 128ff</ref> '''Edhelharn''' is the [[Sindarin]] word for [[Elfstone]] ([[Quenya|Q]]. ''[[Elessar]]''). Pronounced {{IPA|[eˈðel.harn]}}.
* [[Elfstone]] - The [[Westron|Common Speech]] version of the previous two.
* [[Envinyatar|''Envinyatar'']] - [[Quenya|Q]] "the Renewer".
* [[Estel]] - [[Quenya|Q]]. Usually glossed as "Hope", the concept ''estel'' more widely means "hope, trust, a temper of mind, steady fixed in purpose, and difficult to dissuade and unlikely to fall into despair or abandon its purpose". Pronounced {{IPA|[ˈestel]}}.
* [[Strider (Aragorn)|Strider]] - A sobriquet given by the men of [[Bree]]. Aragorn used it mockingly.
* '''Wingfoot''' - An honorary name given by [[Éomer]] after the pursuit of the [[Uruk-hai]] through the [[Eastemnet]].<ref>{{TT|III2}}</ref>
* [[Telcontar]] - A [[Quenya]] form of "Strider", this was the name of Elessar's Royal House. It was not used independently. Pronounced {{IPA|[telˈkontar]}}.
* [[Heir of Isildur|Isildur's Heir]] - A poetic address, as he was the heir of [[Isildur]].
* '''The Dúnadan''' - "[[Dúnedain|Man of the West]]", a name given by [[Bilbo Baggins]] when their friendship evolved.
* '''Longshanks''' - another, though less frequently used, sobriquet in Bree, ascribed to [[Bill Ferny]]. The legs of the [[Bree-landers|Bree-men]] were shorter than the legs of the [[Dúnedain]].
* '''Arakorno''' - A rare Quenya form of Aragorn, which only appeared in a discussion about the words for Quenya.<ref name="WP"/> Pronounced {{IPA|[ˌaraˈkorno]}}.

== Genealogy ==
This is an abbreviated family tree; see '''''[[Ancestry of Aragorn II]]''''' for Aragorn's full line of descent.

<div style="overflow-x: scroll; overflow-y: hidden; border: 1px solid #AAAAAA; padding: 3px; background: #EEEEEE;">
{{familytree/start}}
{{familytree | EAR |y| ELW | | GAL |y| CEL |GAL=[[Galadriel]]|CEL=[[Celeborn]]|EAR=[[Eärendil]]|ELW=[[Elwing]]}}
{{familytree | | | |)|-|-|-|.| | | |!| | | |}}
{{familytree | | | ROS | | RON |y| CLB | | |ROS=[[Elros]]|RON=[[Elrond]]|CLB=[[Celebrían]]}}
{{familytree | | | |:| | | | | |!| | | | | |}}
{{familytree | | | KON | | | | |!| | | | | |KON=''[[Kings of Númenor]]''}}
{{familytree | | | |:| | | | | |!| | | | | |}}
{{familytree | | | LOA | | | | |!| | | | | |LOA=''[[Lords of Andúnië]]''}}
{{familytree | | | |:| | | | | |!| | | | | |}}
{{familytree | | | ELE | | | | |!| | | | | |ELE=[[Elendil]]}}
{{familytree | |,|-|^|-|.| | | |!| | | | | |}}
{{familytree | ISI | | ANA | | |!| | | | | |ISI=[[Isildur]]|ANA=[[Anárion]]}}
{{familytree | |:| | | |:| | | |!| | | | | |}}
{{familytree | KOA | | KOG | | |!| | | | | |KOA=''[[Kings of Arnor]]''|KOG=''[[Kings of Gondor]]''}}
{{familytree | |:| | | |:| | | |!| | | | | |}}
{{familytree | KOA | | OND | | |!| | | | | |OND=[[Ondoher]]|KOA=''[[Kings of Arthedain]]''}}
{{familytree | |:| | | |!| | | |!| | | | | |}}
{{familytree | ARV |V| FIR | | |!| | | | | |ARV=[[Arvedui]]|FIR=[[Fíriel]]}}
{{familytree | | | |:| | | | | |!| | | | | |}}
{{familytree | | | COD | | | | |!| | | | | |COD=''[[Chieftains of the Dúnedain]]''}}
{{familytree | | | |:| | | | | |!| | | | | |}}
{{familytree | | | ART |y| GIL |!| | | | | |ART=[[Arathorn II]]|GIL=[[Gilraen]]}}
{{familytree | | | | | |!| | | |!| | | | | |}}
{{familytree | | | | | ARA |y| ARW | | | | |ARA='''ARAGORN '''|ARW=[[Arwen]]}}
{{familytree | | | | | |,|-|^|-|.| | | | | |}}
{{familytree | | | | | ELD | | SDS | | | | |ELD=[[Eldarion]]|SDS=''several sisters''}}
{{familytree/end}}
</div>

=== Relation to Arwen ===
Arwen was a very distant cousin of Aragorn. By their marriage, the long-sundered lines of the [[Half-elven]] were joined.<ref name="Numenor">{{App|A1i}}</ref> Their union also served to unite and preserve the bloodlines of the kings of the three kindreds of the High Elves ([[Ingwë]], [[Finwë]], and brothers [[Elwë]], [[Olwë]], and [[Elmo]]) as well as the only line with [[Maiar]]in blood through Arwen's great-great-grandmother, [[Melian]]. There were at least two marriages between descendants of Elendil in Aragorn's ancestry, so Aragorn was related to Arwen by blood along at least three lines.

Through his father, Arathorn II, Aragorn was Arwen's first cousin sixty-two times removed through his ancestor Arvedui and sixty-seven times removed through his ancestor Fíriel. Both of these lines descend through four<ref name="Numenor"/> generations of the Kings of Númenor, Silmariën, eighteen<ref>{{UT|Kings}}</ref> generations of the Lords of Andúnië, and Elendil, as well as Aranarth and fifteen<ref name="North">{{App|North}}</ref> succeeding generations of the Chieftains of the Dúnedain, including Aragorn himself. Aragorn's mother Gilraen was also descended from Aranarth,<ref name="North"/> but the number of generations between them is unknown.

== Other versions of the legendarium ==
In the earliest unpublished versions of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' (see ''[[The History of The Lord of the Rings]]''), the character that later became Aragorn was called '''''[[Trotter]]''''' instead of Strider, and was a [[Hobbits|Hobbit]] instead of a [[Men|Man]]. He had wooden feet, because he had once traveled to Mordor and been tortured there with the character envisioned as a relative of Bilbo and Frodo. This name would carry over when the character was revised into a man and would remain in use for much of the book's composition. During writing of the latter portions of Book II, Tolkien would temporarily rename the character, ''[[Elfstone]]'' on the proposition that a man should not have an Elvish name. Another name considered was ''[[Ingold]].''<ref name="comp">{{HM|RC}}</ref>

== Portrayal in adaptations ==
{{Gallery
|title=Aragorn in adaptations
|height=150
|width=250
|lines=2
|File:War in Middle Earth - Aragorn and Frodo against a Nazgul.png|Aragorn with [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] in ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien's War in Middle Earth]]''
|File:The Lord of the Rings (1978 film) - Strider.jpg|Strider in [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]
|File:The Return of the King (1980 film) - Aragorn.jpg|Aragorn in [[The Return of the King (1980 film)|''The Return of the King'' (1980 film)]]
|File:The Lord of the Rings (film series) - Aragorn.jpg|Aragorn in [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]
|File:The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring (video game) - Aragorn.JPG|Aragorn in [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]
|File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Aragorn.jpg|Aragorn in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
|File:2011-12-23 00061.jpg|Aragorn in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]''
|File:LEGO Aragorn poster.png|Aragorn as a ''[[Lego]] mini figure''
}}

=== Films ===
'''1978: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)]]'':'''
:The voice of Aragorn is provided by [[John Hurt]]. Some critics have accused this character of looking too much like a [[wikipedia:Stereotypes_of_Native_Americans|Native American stereotype]].{{Citation needed}}

'''1980: ''[[The Return of the King (1980 film)]]'':'''
:Aragorn was voiced by [[Theodore Bikel]] in the 1980 [[Rankin/Bass]] animated film. His role is dramatically reduced to a handful of scenes and there is no mention of any previous involvement with the [[Fellowship of the Ring]].

'''2001: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
:Aragorn is played by [[Viggo Mortensen]], though [[Stuart Townsend]] was originally cast in the role. Townsend was deemed too young. Mortensen had just two weeks to train for his first scene, the standoff with the [[Nazgûl]] at [[Weathertop]]. Utilizing the modern "reluctant hero" trope, Mortensen portrays Aragorn full of self-doubt, while he is much more sure of himself in the book.

'''2002: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]'':'''
:Aragorn's part is this film is largely similar to the events in book. The most significant difference is that, in the book, there was no [[Wargs|Warg]] attack on the party traveling to Helm's Deep and Aragorn did not fall down a cliff.

'''2003: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]'':'''
:Aragorn finally steps into his role as king after having a lot of self-doubt beforehand.

'''2014: ''[[The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies]]'':'''
:Although he is not physically present, he is mentioned by [[Thranduil]] to his son, [[Legolas]]. Thranduil tells Legolas to seek a young ranger known as "Strider" and that Legolas would have to discover Strider's true name for himself. In the continuity of the films, Aragorn would have been 27 rather than a ten-year-old child.

=== Television ===
'''1993: [[Hobitit|''Hobitit'']]:'''
:Aragorn is portrayed by [[Kari Väänänen]], the same actor who played [[Gollum]] in the series.

=== Radio series ===
'''1955: [[The Lord of the Rings (1955 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1955 radio series)]]:'''
:The voice of Aragorn is provided by [[Godfrey Kenton]].

'''1979: [[The Lord of the Rings (1979 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1979 radio series)]]:'''
:The voice of Aragorn is provided by [[Tom Luce]].

'''1981: [[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1981 radio series)]]:'''
:Aragorn was voiced by [[Robert Stephens]]. For his early scenes, according to [[John McAndrew]] (Pippin) Stephens adopted an accurate Bristol accent to help suggest the disguise Strider adopted in Bree.

'''2001-2003: [[Pán prsteňov (2001-2003 Slovak radio series)|''Pán prsteňov'' (2001-2003 Slovak radio series)]]:'''
:The voice of Aragorn is provided by Boris Farkaš.

=== Games ===
'''1988: ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien's War in Middle Earth]]'':'''
:Aragorn is a playable character. He has brown hair and is bearded, he bears a golden sword.

'''2002: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]:'''
:[[Daran Norris]] provided the voice of Aragorn, who is one of the three playable characters.

'''2002: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers'' (video game)]]:'''
:Aragorn is one of the three playable characters, as well as narrator for most of the game. He is versatile in both melee and ranged attacks. Viggo Mortensen reprises his role from the film trilogy.

'''2003: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King'' (video game)]]:'''
:Aragorn is a playable character, his storyline is dubbed "Path of a King". He journey through Paths of the Dead with Legolas and Gimli, later they fight on Pelennor fields and at the Black Gate. Chris Edgerly takes over for Mortensen as Aragorn's voice actor.

'''2003: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War of the Ring|Sierra's War of the Ring]]'':'''
:Aragorn is a Hero Unit for the Free People side. He is present in Lothlorien, Battle of Hornburg and Siege of the Minas Morgul.

'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth]]'':'''
:Aragorn is a Hero Unit for the Rohan faction in skirmishes, he also accompanies the Fellowship in the storyline mode.

'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'':'''
:Aragorn is now the Hero for the Men of the West faction.

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:In the Prologue, Aragorn saves Men/Hobbit characters from brigands, but is forced to leave soon, as he has to intercept Frodo in Bree. Later arriving at the Prancing Pony, the characters meet him again and help him looking in surrounding area for Hobbits, who did not arrive in time. When player returns, Aragorn and the Hobbits already departed, and their next meeting is in Rivendell, where Aragorn entrusts the player with defence of the North while the Fellowship is gone. Later, in [[Lothlórien]], Aragorn is seen residing in [[Caras Galadhon]].

'''2009: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Conquest]]'':'''
:Aragorn is a playable hero available in several missions.

'''2011: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]'':'''
:Aragorn is an important character of the game, and is mentioned as one of the much honored heroes of the [[War of the Ring]] in the introduction of the game.<ref name="Prologue">[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]], ''Prologue''</ref>
:He is a friend of two of the game's main characters, [[Eradan (video game character)|Eradan]] and [[Andriel]]. Aragorn had met [[Andriel]] during his visits at [[Rivendell]],<ref name="Backstory Andriel">{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://www.warinthenorth.com/the-game/heroes/backstory#elfAnchor|articlename=Elven Character: Andriel's History|dated=|website=War in the North|accessed=25 December 2011}}</ref> while he had met Eradan, when he served as Ranger at Sarn Ford. Aragorn was impressed by his skills and bravery, and taught him much about tracking. Eradan was a companion of Aragorn on many of his journeys. Aragorn trusted Eradan much, though he never told him what the reason was behind the protection of [[the Shire]].<ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://www.warinthenorth.com/the-game/heroes/backstory#dunedainAnchor|articlename=Human Character: Eradan's History|dated=|website=War in the North|accessed=24 December 2011}}</ref>

:Eradan, Andriel and [[Farin (video game character)|Farin]] meet Aragorn in the Prancing Pony to warn him, on Halbarad's request, after the Nazgûl attacked and defeated the [[Rangers of the North|Rangers]] at [[Sarn Ford]], and entered the Shire. They also tell him about an conservation between the Witch-king and [[Agandaûr]], which the three heroes overheard shortly after the attack. Agandaûr summoned the [[Orcs of the Misty Mountains]] and assembled an army in [[Fornost]], which plans to aid the Nazgûl in their search to [[the One Ring]]. Aragorn sends Eradan, Andriel and Farin to Fornost, to stop Agandaûr and his army.<ref name="Prologue"/> While Eradan, Andriel, Farin, [[Elladan]] and [[Elrohir]] stopped Agandaûr's army,<ref>[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]], ''Chapter 1: Fornost''</ref> Aragorn met with [[Frodo Baggins]] and left Bree.<ref>[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]], ''Chapter 2: The Barrow Downs'', Bree</ref>

'''2012: ''[[Lego|Lego The Lord of the Rings]]'':'''
:A mini figure of Aragorn is included in the [[Lego#Sets|sets]] '''Attack at Weathertop''', '''The Battle of Helm's Deep''', '''The Battle at the Black gate''', and '''The Pirate ship ambush'''.<ref name="2012 sets">{{webcite|author=Calisuri|articleurl=http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2012/02/12/53563-more-lord-of-the-rings-lego-details-from-toy-fare-2012/|articlename=More Lord of the Rings LEGO Details from Toy Fare 2012|dated=12 February 2012|website=TORN|accessed=18 February 2012}}</ref>

== See also ==
*'''[[Timeline of Aragorn]]'''
*[http://dare.ubvu.vu.nl/bitstream/1871/10975/1/Aragorn_Final.pdf "Aragorn Seen Through Different Media"] by [[Connie Veugen]], comparing the introduction of Strider in Ralph Bakshi's film, the 1981 BBC radio play, Peter Jackson's film and [[Vivendi]]'s [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|video game]] of ''The Fellowship of the Ring.

{{references|notes}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Aragorn}}

== Titles ==
{{seq-start}}
{{seq-head
| race=arnorian
| house=Founder of the [[House of Telcontar]] Cadet branch of the [[House of Isildur]]
| born=[[1 March]], {{TA|2931}}
| died=[[1 March]], {{FoA|120}}
}}
{{seq
| prow=2
| prev=[[Arathorn II]]
| list=16th [[Chieftains of the Dúnedain|Chieftain of the Dúnedain]]
| dates={{TA|2933}} – [[1 May]], {{TA|3019|n}}
| next=Position abolished
| nvac=None
}}
{{seq
| list=39th [[Heir of Isildur|Heir]] of [[Isildur]]
| dates={{TA|2933}} - [[1 March]], {{FoA|120}}
| next=[[Eldarion]]
}}
{{seq
| prev=[[Gandalf]]
| list=Leader of the [[Fellowship of the Ring]]
| dates=[[15 January]] - [[22 August]], {{TA|3019}}
| next=Position abolished
| nvac=None
}}
{{seq
| pvac=Vacant
| prev=Last held by: '''[[Eärnur]]''', 969 years earlier
| list=34th [[Kings of Gondor|King of Gondor]]
| dates=[[1 May]], {{TA|3019}} – [[1 March]], {{FoA|120}}
| next=[[Eldarion]]
| nrow=4
}}
{{seq
| pvac=Vacant
| prev=Last held by: '''[[Eärendur (King of Arnor)|Eärendur]]''', 2,158 years earlier
| list=11th [[Kings of Arnor|King of Arnor]]
| dates=[[1 May]], {{TA|3019}} – [[1 March]], {{FoA|120}}
}}
{{seq
| pvac=Vacant
| prev=Last held by: '''[[Isildur]]''', 3,017 years earlier
| list=1st [[High King of the Dúnedain|High King]] of the [[Reunited Kingdom]]
| dates=[[1 May]], {{TA|3019}} – [[1 March]], {{FoA|120}}
}}
{{seq
| pvac=None
| prev=New title
| list=Head of the [[House of Telcontar]]
| dates=[[1 May]], {{TA|3019}} – [[1 March]], {{FoA|120}}
}}
{{seq-end}}

{{councilofelrond}}
{{fellowship}}
{{FellowshipRoute}}
{{northernline}}
{{southernline}}
{{lordoftheringsfilms}}

[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]
[[Category:Chieftains of the Dúnedain]]
[[Category:Fourth Age characters]]
[[Category:House of Isildur]]
[[Category:House of Telcontar]]
[[Category:Mariners]]
[[Category:Rulers of Arnor]]
[[Category:Rulers of Gondor]]
[[Category:Sindarin names]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]

[[de:Aragorn II.]]
[[fi:Aragorn II]]
[[fr:/encyclo/personnages/hommes/3adunedain/dunedain_du_nord/aragorn_ii]]

Aragorn

2023-11-27T13:49:56Z

Fornad01:

{{disambig-two|the King of the [[Reunited Kingdom]]|5th [[Chieftain of the Dúnedain]]|[[Aragorn I]]}}
{{sources}}
{{arnorian infobox
| name=Aragorn
| image=[[File:Yulia_Alekseeva_-_Aragorn_in_Rivendell.jpg|250px]]
| caption="Aragorn in Rivendell" by [[Yulia Alekseeva]]
| pronun=[[Sindarin|S]], {{IPA|[ˈaraɡorn]}}
| othernames=''See [[Aragorn#Other names|below]]''
| titles=[[Chieftain of the Dúnedain]] [[High King of the Dúnedain]] [[King of Gondor and Arnor]]<ref>{{S|Rings}}</ref> [[King of the West]]<ref>{{App|Great}}</ref> Lord of the [[Westlands]]
| position=[[Rangers of the North|Ranger]] Leader of the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] (after [[Gandalf]]'s death) King of the [[Reunited Kingdom]]
| location=[[Rivendell]] [[Gondor]] [[Arnor]] [[Rohan]] [[Rhûn]] and [[Harad]]<ref>{{FR|Council}}, p. 248</ref>
| affiliation=[[Fellowship of the Ring]]
| language=[[Westron]] [[Sindarin]] [[Quenya]]
| birth=[[1 March]], {{TA|2931}}
| birthlocation=[[Eriador]]
| rule={{TA|2933}} - {{TA|3019|n}} (Chieftain) {{TA|3019}} - {{FoA|120}} (King)
| death=[[1 March]], {{FoA|120}}<ref>{{App|B5}}, entry '''1541''', p. 1098</ref>
| deathlocation=[[Gondor]]
| age=210
| notablefor=Reuniting the [[Reunited Kingdom|Kingdoms of Arnor and Gondor]]
| house=[[House of Isildur]] Founder of the [[House of Telcontar]]
| parentage=[[Arathorn II]] (father) [[Gilraen]] (mother) [[Elrond]] (foster father)
| siblings=
| spouse=[[Arwen]]
| children=[[Eldarion]] At least two daughters<ref name="Tale">{{App|Tale}}</ref>
| gender=Male
| height=At least 6'6<nowiki>''</nowiki> (1.98 m)<ref name="RC">{{HM|RC}}, p. 272 citing from a note written by J.R.R. Tolkien approximately in 1969</ref><ref>{{NM|P2vi}}, p. 194</ref>
| hair=Dark, flecked with grey<ref name="Sign">{{FR|Sign}}</ref>
| eyes=Grey<ref name="Sign"/>
| clothing=High leather boots, dark-green cloak (as a [[Rangers of the North|Ranger]])<ref name="Sign"/> Pure white mantle, black mail girt with silver (as a King)<ref>{{RK|Steward}}</ref>
| weapons=[[Andúril]]
| steed=[[Roheryn]] [[Hasufel]]
}}
<center>{{quote|Tall as the sea-kings of old, he stood above all that were near; ancient of days he seemed and yet in the flower of manhood; and wisdom sat upon his brow, and strength and healing were in his hands, and a light was about him.|''[[The Return of the King]]'', "[[The Steward and the King]]"}}</center>

'''Aragorn II''' was the son of [[Arathorn II]] and [[Gilraen]]. He was the last [[Chieftains of the Dúnedain|Chieftain of the Dúnedain]] and a direct descendant through many<ref group="note">Aragorn II is of the 39th generation descended from Isildur, through 23 generations of the Kings of Arnor and Arthedain (beginning with [[Valandil (King of Arnor)|Valandil]] and ending with [[Arvedui]]) and 15 generations of the Chieftains of the Dúnedain (beginning with [[Aranarth]] and ending with Arathorn II).</ref> generations of [[Isildur]], the last [[High King of the Dúnedain|High King]] of both [[Arnor]] and [[Gondor]]. Aragorn would become the greatest [[Men|Man]] of his time, leading the [[Dúnedain|Men of the West]] against [[Sauron]]'s forces, helping to destroy [[the One Ring]], and reuniting the [[Reunited Kingdom|Kingdoms of Arnor and Gondor]].

== History ==
=== Early life ===
Aragorn was born in {{TA|2931}} to the Chieftain Arathorn, and received the name Aragorn. His grandmother, [[Ivorwen]], noted with [[foresight]] that Aragorn would one day wear on his breast a green stone.<ref>{{PM|Foreword}}</ref>

A legend says that the [[Wizards|Wizard]] [[Gandalf]] had brought [[Elfstone|such a stone]], called the Elessar, from [[Valinor]]. He gave the Elessar to the [[Elves|Elven]] Lady [[Galadriel]], and remarked prophetically that she would pass it to another, who will also be called Elessar.<ref>{{UT|6}}</ref> From this would come Aragorn's royal name ''Elessar'' ([[Quenya]] for "Elfstone").
[[File:Anna Kulisz - Elrond and Estel.jpg|thumb|left|''Elrond and Estel'' by [[:Category:Images by Anna Kulisz|Anna Kulisz]]]]
When Aragorn was two years old, his father was slain when an [[Orcs|Orc]] arrow pierced his eye. As was the tradition of his people, Aragorn was fostered in [[Rivendell]] by [[Elrond]] as if he was his own son. The [[Wise]] decided that his identity was to be kept secret, as he would be vulnerable to [[Sauron|the Enemy]]. Aragorn was called '''''[[Estel]]''''' ([[Sindarin]] for "Hope") instead. During his life in Rivendell he accompanied the sons of Elrond, [[Elrohir]] and [[Elladan]], on their journeys.<ref name="Tale"/>

"Estel" grew to be fair and noble, and was seemingly more mature than his age. When Aragorn was twenty-one years old, after returning from a journey with the [[twins]] in {{TA|2952}}, Elrond decided to reveal his true name and ancestry. As part of this revelation, Elrond delivered to him the heirlooms of [[House of Isildur|his House]]: the shards of [[Narsil]] and the [[Ring of Barahir]]. Elrond also said that he should earn the [[Sceptre of Annúminas]]. The next day, full of hope, Aragorn was sitting in the forest singing a part of the ''[[Lay of Leithian|Lay of Lúthien]]''; as he sang of the meeting [[Beren]] and [[Lúthien]], [[Arwen]], daughter of Elrond, who had newly returned from [[Lothlórien]], appeared to him. Aragorn thought that Lúthien herself had appeared, and fell in love.<ref name="Tale"/>
[[File:Stephen Hickman - Aragorn and Arwen.jpg|thumb|left|''Aragorn and Arwen'' by [[Stephen Hickman]]]]

=== Life as a Ranger ===
Estel took up his proper name as Aragorn, sixteenth of the Chieftains of the Dúnedain, and after he took leave of his mother and Elrond he went into [[The Wild]].<ref name="Tale"/> In {{TA|2953}} he was not present in Rivendell for the last meeting of the [[White Council]]. Aragorn met [[Gandalf|Gandalf the Grey]] in {{TA|2956}}, and they became great friends.<ref name="TA">{{App|TA}}</ref> At Gandalf's advice he started to become interested in [[the Shire]] and became known as '''''Strider''''' in this region.
[[File:Catherine Chmiel - Ecthelion,Thorongil and Boromir study.jpg|thumb|right|''"Thorongil" with Ecthelion II'' by [[Catherine Karina Chmiel]]]]
From {{TA|2957}} to {{TA|2980}} Aragorn took great journeys aiding the [[West]] against [[Sauron]] and his allies. After serving King [[Thengel]] of [[Rohan]], he went to [[Ruling Steward|Steward]] [[Ecthelion II]] of [[Gondor]],<ref name="TA"/> who was in dire need of able men to guard his realm from Mordor. Aragorn kept his identity secret but as he wore a silver star upon his cloak, and was swift and keen-eyed, the [[Gondorians]] called him '''''Thorongil''''' (Sindarin for "Eagle of the Star"). He was a great leader by land and sea and Ecthelion trusted and loved him most. Some believed that there was rivalry between him and the Steward's son, [[Denethor]], who probably knew his identity as [[Heir of Isildur]], and suspected that he and Gandalf worked to supplant him. Thorongil however saw himself only as the servant of the Steward, whom he advised to not trust [[Saruman]] and instead to welcome Gandalf (whom Denethor didn't trust or love).

Ecthelion was anticipating an attack from Sauron who had just returned, and Thorongil warned him that in that event the [[Southern Fiefs]] would be vulnerable to the [[Corsairs of Umbar]]. He was allowed by Ecthelion to take few ships and lead an [[Surprise Attack on Umbar|attack against Umbar]]; at night he burned many ships, and in a fight slew the [[Captain of the Haven]] with only few casualties. Great honour awaited him in [[Minas Tirith]] but he did not return; while in [[Pelargir]], he sent a farewell message to Ecthelion, speaking of other tasks calling him, and saying that fate would not bring him again to Gondor soon. To the grief and wonder of his companions he crossed the [[Anduin]] and was last seen staring at the [[Mountains of Shadow]].<ref>{{App|Stewards}}</ref> He left Gondor to travel into the far East and South "exploring the hearts of men good and evil" and learning about the "plots and devices" of the servants of the Dark Lord. His exploits ensured the survival of the [[West]] much later during the [[War of the Ring]].

Later in 2980 on his return to Rivendell he entered [[Lothlórien]], and there once again met Arwen in [[Caras Galadhon]]. For one season they wandered together in Lothlórien. At midsummer he gave her the heirloom of his House, the [[Ring of Barahir]], and Arwen pledged her hand to him in marriage.<ref name="Tale"/>

Elrond gave his foster-son permission to marry his daughter, on the condition that he must first become king of both Gondor and Arnor, for only a king would be worthy of Arwen's hand. This harsh condition had a precedent: King [[Thingol]]'s request that [[Beren]] obtain a [[Silmarils|Silmaril]] from [[Morgoth]] before marrying his daughter [[Lúthien]].<ref name="Tale"/>

=== Hunt for Gollum ===
In the year {{TA|3001}}, as a now revealed [[Sauron]] continued to regain power in [[Mordor]], Aragorn began assisting [[Gandalf]] in his search for news of [[Gollum]]. Gandalf suspected that the ring [[Bilbo Baggins]] found near Gollum's lake was in fact [[the One Ring]]. In {{TA|3007}}, he briefly returned to [[Eriador]] where he visited his mother for the last time. She died before that year's spring.

In {{TA|3009}} Gandalf and Aragorn renewed their hunt for Gollum, searching intermittently in the [[vales of Anduin]], [[Mirkwood]], and [[Rhovanion]], even to the confines of [[Mordor]], without knowing that around that time Gollum ventured into Mordor, and was captured by Sauron.<ref name="TA"/> [[Third Age 3017|After eight years]] Gollum was released and Aragorn finally overtook him in the [[Dead Marshes]]<ref name="TA"/> on [[1 February]]. With Gollum he travelled through the northern [[Emyn Muil]], to prevent being found by Sauron's spies, and crossed the Anduin at the [[Sarn Gebir]]. He travelled further north along the edges of [[Fangorn Forest]] and through Lothlórien,<ref name="UT">{{UT|Hunt}}</ref> where the Elves sent a message to Gandalf.<ref>{{UT|Hunt}}, Note 5</ref> He travelled alongside the Anduin to the north until he arrived at the [[Carrock]]. With the aid of the [[Beornings]] he crossed the Anduin with Gollum and entered [[Mirkwood]]. He took Gollum to [[Thranduil]] to be held captive.<ref name="UT"/><ref name="TA"/> He then returned west where he met with Gandalf at [[Sarn Ford]] and learned of [[Frodo Baggins]]' plan to leave the Shire with the Ring in late September. Aragorn then continued his own journey.<ref name="Strider">{{FR|Strider}}</ref>

=== The War of the Ring ===
When Aragorn returned to his area, the [[Elves]] who followed [[Gildor Inglorion]] told Aragorn the [[Nazgûl|Black Riders]] had been seen, and Gandalf had been missing and there were no messages from him. Aragorn and his [[Rangers of the North|Rangers]] kept watch over the border of [[the Shire]] and the [[East Road]] waiting for sight of Frodo but there was no news of them leaving [[Buckland]].<ref name="Strider"/>

While staying in [[Bree]], Aragorn crossed the paths of four hobbits in [[The Prancing Pony]]. Aragorn watched as the hobbits clumsily hid their names and intentions, and as [[Frodo Baggins]], the leader of the party, fell from a table and disappeared as he put the ring on. Aragorn, whose name was given as Strider, seemed to show no surprise, only annoyance at Frodo’s foolish vanishing act. He arranged for an interview that night, where he warned them of the Black Riders and [[Bill Ferny]], then bluntly requested that they use him as a guide. After some consideration, and a note given them by the forgetful [[Barliman Butterbur]] from Gandalf condoning him, Frodo agreed.
[[File:Jef Murray - Amon Sûl.jpg|thumb|left|[[Jef Murray]] - ''Amon Sûl'']]
Aragorn’s plan to reach Rivendell was to first head toward [[Archet]] and bear right to [[Weathertop]]. After the ambush at Weathertop and the wounding of Frodo, [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]] took over the position as leader of the Hobbits. After a while they met [[Glorfindel]], a friend of Aragorn’s, and it was not much later that they arrived in Rivendell.
[[File:Darrell Sweet - The Reforging of the Sword.jpg|thumb|[[Darrell Sweet]] - ''The Reforging of the Sword'']]
After the Council of Elrond Aragorn became a member of the [[Fellowship of the Ring]]. As a preparation for his travel, the ancient shards of [[Narsil]], the heirloom of his House, were reforged after 3 millennia. Aragorn carried the Sword Reforged, and renamed it [[Andúril]].

Aragorn's intentions were to travel with the company for a while before returning to [[Gondor]] with [[Boromir]]. Aragorn encouraged the taking of the [[Caradhras|Redhorn Pass]], which ended in disaster. He conceded to Gandalf’s choice to pass through [[Moria]], but warned Gandalf to be cautious if he entered Moria, because he had a very evil memory from his previous visit to Moria. Indeed, after Gandalf fell into the abyss with [[Durin's Bane]], Aragorn was naturally elected leader of the company, despite some resentment by Boromir.

==== Leading the Fellowship of the Ring ====
Aragorn again amazed the rest of the Fellowship by his apparent closeness to the people of [[Lothlórien]], and his friendship with [[Celeborn]] and [[Galadriel]]. At their departure, Galadriel offered him the [[Elfstone]] as a wedding gift from the family of the Elven bride to the groom, foretelling his marriage to Arwen.<ref>{{MR|P3II3}}</ref> It was worn by Aragorn ever after and from that he later took the name '''Elessar'''.

Even at the [[Rauros|Falls of Rauros]] he was undecided, leaving it to Frodo for the final decision. For though it was obvious he wished to go to [[Minas Tirith]] with Boromir, he yet felt that it was his duty to go where the [[Ring-bearers|Ring-bearer]] chose.

[[File:Inger Edelfeldt - Death of Boromir.jpg|thumb|200px|right|''Death of Boromir'' by [[Inger Edelfeldt]]]]
After Frodo escaped him and Boromir perished, he with the remaining members of the Fellowship, namely [[Legolas]] and [[Gimli]], chose to try and save [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]] and [[Peregrin Took|Pippin]] from the [[Uruk-hai]] that had ambushed them, forming the group that would later be known as the [[Three Hunters]].

He met [[Éomer]] in the fields of [[Rohan]], and an instant friendship formed, both feeling the honesty and lordliness of the other. Éomer took a risk for his sake, giving him horses, with the promise that one day soon Aragorn would return to [[Edoras]]. Aragorn, tracking the Hobbits, followed into Fangorn Forest, where he met the resurrected [[Gandalf|Gandalf the White]]. After the restoration of [[Théoden]], he rode to [[Helm's Deep]] to fight in the [[Battle of the Hornburg]]. There he, alongside his new-found “brother” Éomer, and King Théoden, marshaled the defence against [[Saruman]]’s army. His revealed majesty upon the battlements of the Hornburg as he waited for the dawn caused some of the [[Dunlendings|Wild men]] to pause and shudder, and he heralded the return of Gandalf with [[Erkenbrand]].

After Pippin’s terrifying experience with the [[Orthanc-stone]], Gandalf presented it in a formal manner to Aragorn, its rightful master, who hinted that it would be used by him eventually. After the departure of Gandalf and Pippin to Minas Tirith, he rode for a while longer with Théoden, meeting up with his friend [[Halbarad]] of the North, [[Elladan]] and [[Elrohir]], and a company of staunch and fearless Rangers. Elladan and Elrohir gave him a message from Elrond: "''The days are short. If thou art in haste, remember the [[Paths of the Dead]]''". Halbarad bore a gift from the Lady Arwen – the [[Standard of Elendil]]. Aragorn knew the path set before him.

==== The Return of the King ====
A little while later Aragorn took his companions and his rangers and set out for [[Dunharrow]], departing from the King’s company. His course was clear: to take the Paths of the Dead, to summon the [[Oathbreakers|Dead Men]]. In Dunharrow, he met the lady [[Éowyn]], who had fallen in love with him. After making it clear that he could not accept her love, he turned towards the evil road with the dawn.

[[File:Ted Nasmith - Thus Came Aragorn.jpg|thumb|right|''Thus Came Aragorn'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
The [[Grey Company]] passed through the [[Dark Door]] and the [[Dwimorberg]], the Dead following, and coming at last to the [[Stone of Erech]], Aragorn summoned them to his aid. They drew their swords and blew their horns in answer, and swept down upon the [[Corsairs of Umbar|Corsairs]] at [[Pelargir]] drove the mariners away. Aragorn released them, and took the [[Black Ships]] north to Minas Tirith, where the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]] raged. The Standard of Elendil broke forth, and his Dúnedain swept down, giving the final blow to the army of [[Gothmog (Lieutenant of Morgul)|Gothmog]]. The counter-attacked army of [[Sauron]] crumbled utterly, but Aragorn did not enter the city.

Aragorn, furling his banner, appointed [[Imrahil]] the temporary lord of the City, as the law demanded. Eventually, however, Aragorn did come to the [[Houses of Healing]], where he tended and restored Merry, Éowyn, and [[Faramir]], in accordance with the prophecy “''The hands of the king are the hands of a healer, and so shall the rightful king be known''”. Many of the people of Minas Tirith came to Aragorn and followed him, asking that he heal those they knew. Aragorn worked late into the night, before finally leaving the city, hooded and cloaked. When in the morning the people saw the banner of [[Dol Amroth]], they wondered if the Return of the King had been but a dream.<ref name=Houses>{{RK|Houses}}</ref>

[[File:Inger Edelfeldt - The Crowning of Aragorn.jpg|thumb|left|''The Crowning of Aragorn'' by [[Inger Edelfeldt]]]]
Aragorn held [[Last Debate|council]] with his trusted companions, namely Gandalf, Éomer, Imrahil, and Elrond’s sons – Halbarad had fallen in battle. He agreed to draw forth the forces of [[Mordor]] for the benefit of the [[Quest of the Ring]], and so arranged matters for the [[Battle of the Morannon]]. After the destruction of the Ring in [[Mount Doom|Orodruin]] and victory at the [[Morannon]], Aragorn returned at last in the triumphant manner that befitted his position. He was crowned at the gates of Minas Tirith, winning the hearts of the people of [[Gondor]].

=== Reign as Elessar ===
Aragorn ruled the [[Reunited Kingdom]] of Gondor and Arnor until year 120 of the [[Fourth Age]].

Some days after his coronation, Gandalf took Elessar up the slopes of Mount [[Mindolluin]], and there he found the scion of [[Nimloth of Númenor|Nimloth]], the symbol of his mastery of the [[Reunited Kingdom]]. Elrond and Arwen came to Gondor and Elrond gave Elessar the [[Sceptre of Annúminas]] signifying the Kingship of Arnor. He wedded Arwen on Midsummer's day of 3019, and then was forced to bid his old friends farewell. He turned back to his new kingdom as the [[Fourth Age]] dawned and the Ringbearers left the shores of Middle-earth forever.

One of his first tasks in the re-ordering of his realm was the restoration of [[Orthanc]] and ordered the [[Orthanc-stone]] to be returned there. With this opportunity, many secrets and hoarded treasures were revealed including the [[Elendilmir]] which Saruman took from Isildur's body. Elessar received the Elemdilmir with reverence and took it with him as he established his full kingship of [[Arnor]].<ref>{{UT|Isen}}</ref>

Elessar gave his [[Steward]] Faramir the title [[Lord of Emyn Arnen]] and created him as [[Prince of Ithilien]]<ref>{{RK|Steward}}</ref>. He declared the [[Drúadan Forest]] to belong to the [[Drúedain]] and a protected enclave of his Kingdom.<ref>{{RK|Partings}}</ref> He also re-established the Great [[Council of Gondor]] whose chief councellor was the Steward<ref>{{L|244}}</ref>. He also renewed the [[Oath of Cirion]] with Éomer.

As for [[the Shire]], he declared it a Free Land under the protection of the Northern Sceptre and forbade Men from entering it. He appointed the [[Thain]], the [[Master of Buckland]], and the [[Mayor of Michel Delving]] Counsellors of the North-kingdom. Also he offered to the Shire the [[Westmarch|lands]] up to the [[Tower Hills|Emyn Beraid]].<ref name=later>{{App|Later}}</ref>

He founded the royal [[House of Telcontar]], he had a son, [[Eldarion]], and a number of daughters.

King Elessar died after 210 years of life and 122 years of rule and was succeeded by his son [[Eldarion]]. His wife Arwen, now mortal, gave up her life shortly afterwards in year 121, aged 2,901.

== Personality ==
Aragorn held his heritage in high esteem and was willing to commit to a single path in life in the name of love.<ref name="Tale"/> He possessed a nigh indomitable will, as he psychically challenged [[Sauron]] for control of the [[Palantir]] of [[Orthanc]] and proved to be victorious.<ref name=Company>{{RK|Company}}</ref> Yet this will did not prevent him from honoring his own word and the words of his forebears.<ref name=Debate>{{RK|Debate}}</ref> However, he was not immune to self-doubt, as he doubted his decisions in leading the Fellowship after Gandalf's death in Moria, and blamed himself for their hardships.{{fact}}

== Etymology ==
{{Pronounce|Aragorn Elessar.mp3|Ardamir}}
'''''Aragorn''''' is a [[Sindarin]] name. It means "revered king".<ref>{{PE|17}}, p. 31 entry S ''Ara(n)gorn''</ref><ref name=PE17Turgond>{{PE|17}}, p. 113 entry S '''Turgond-'''</ref> It contains the phonetic reduction ''ara'' of ''[[aran]]'' ("king") and the adjective ''[[gorn|(n)gorn]]'' ("dreaded, revered").<ref name=PE17Turgond/>

This clear etymology from Tolkien was not revealed until the publication in 2007 of "Words, Phrases & Passages in ''The Lord of the Rings''", a late 1950s manuscript. Before that, several theories were proposed:
*[[Ruth S. Noel]] and several others proposed "King of the Tree",<ref>[[Ruth S. Noel]], ''[[The Languages of Tolkien's Middle-earth]]'', p. 114</ref> but Tolkien specifically said that this was not the case.<ref>{{L|347}}</ref>
*[[David Salo]] deduces "Having Kingly Valor"<ref>[[David Salo]], ''[[A Gateway to Sindarin]]'', p. 341</ref> from Tolkien's cryptic "'Kingly Valour' (for so is that name interpreted)".<ref>{{PM|Foreword}}, p. xii</ref> This is still the most often cited etymology; Robert Ireland's ''[[A Tolkien Dictionary]]'' gives the variation "Royal Zeal".<ref>Robert Ireland, ''[[A Tolkien Dictionary]]'', [http://www.quicksilver899.com/Tolkien/LOTR/LOTR_AC.html The Lord of the Rings A-C].</ref>
*[[Carl F. Hostetter]] proposed the meanings "King of the Globe" or "King of the Hill" in his analysis of the [[King's Letter]].<ref>[[Carl F. Hostetter]], "The 'King's Letter': An Historical and Comparative Analysis", [[Vinyar Tengwar 31|''Vinyar Tengwar'' 31]], p. 18</ref>

The [[Quenya]] form of ''Aragorn'' was '''''Arakorno'''''.<ref name="WP">{{PE|17}}, p. 70 f. entry Q '''ar''' in the translation of the sentence into Quenya ''Sanome tarne Olórin, Arakorno, [...]''</ref>

== Other names ==
* '''Aragorn II''' - Aragorn's name as [[Chieftains of the Dúnedain|Chieftain of the Dúnedain]]. He was possibly named after [[Aragorn I]].
* [[Thorongil]] - [[Sindarin|S]] "Eagle of the Star", a pseudonym used in [[Gondor]] and [[Rohan]]. Pronounced {{IPA|[θoˈroŋɡil]}}.
* '''Elessar''' - [[Quenya|Q]] "Elfstone", Aragorn's name as a king. Despite popular use as such, Aragorn was never known as "Aragorn Elessar", "Aragorn II Elessar" or "[[The Return of the King (1980 film)|King Aragorn]]". Pronounced {{IPA|[eˈlesːar]}}.
* '''Edhelharn''' - The [[Sindarin]] equivalent of Elessar, used in the King's Letter.<ref>{{SD|XI2}}, p. 128ff</ref> '''Edhelharn''' is the [[Sindarin]] word for [[Elfstone]] ([[Quenya|Q]]. ''[[Elessar]]''). Pronounced {{IPA|[eˈðel.harn]}}.
* [[Elfstone]] - The [[Westron|Common Speech]] version of the previous two.
* [[Envinyatar|''Envinyatar'']] - [[Quenya|Q]] "the Renewer".
* [[Estel]] - [[Quenya|Q]]. Usually glossed as "Hope", the concept ''estel'' more widely means "hope, trust, a temper of mind, steady fixed in purpose, and difficult to dissuade and unlikely to fall into despair or abandon its purpose". Pronounced {{IPA|[ˈestel]}}.
* [[Strider (Aragorn)|Strider]] - A sobriquet given by the men of [[Bree]]. Aragorn used it mockingly.
* '''Wingfoot''' - An honorary name given by [[Éomer]] after the pursuit of the [[Uruk-hai]] through the [[Eastemnet]].<ref>{{TT|III2}}</ref>
* [[Telcontar]] - A [[Quenya]] form of "Strider", this was the name of Elessar's Royal House. It was not used independently. Pronounced {{IPA|[telˈkontar]}}.
* [[Heir of Isildur|Isildur's Heir]] - A poetic address, as he was the heir of [[Isildur]].
* '''The Dúnadan''' - "[[Dúnedain|Man of the West]]", a name given by [[Bilbo Baggins]] when their friendship evolved.
* '''Longshanks''' - another, though less frequently used, sobriquet in Bree, ascribed to [[Bill Ferny]]. The legs of the [[Bree-landers|Bree-men]] were shorter than the legs of the [[Dúnedain]].
* '''Arakorno''' - A rare Quenya form of Aragorn, which only appeared in a discussion about the words for Quenya.<ref name="WP"/> Pronounced {{IPA|[ˌaraˈkorno]}}.

== Genealogy ==
This is an abbreviated family tree; see '''''[[Ancestry of Aragorn II]]''''' for Aragorn's full line of descent.

<div style="overflow-x: scroll; overflow-y: hidden; border: 1px solid #AAAAAA; padding: 3px; background: #EEEEEE;">
{{familytree/start}}
{{familytree | EAR |y| ELW | | GAL |y| CEL |GAL=[[Galadriel]]|CEL=[[Celeborn]]|EAR=[[Eärendil]]|ELW=[[Elwing]]}}
{{familytree | | | |)|-|-|-|.| | | |!| | | |}}
{{familytree | | | ROS | | RON |y| CLB | | |ROS=[[Elros]]|RON=[[Elrond]]|CLB=[[Celebrían]]}}
{{familytree | | | |:| | | | | |!| | | | | |}}
{{familytree | | | KON | | | | |!| | | | | |KON=''[[Kings of Númenor]]''}}
{{familytree | | | |:| | | | | |!| | | | | |}}
{{familytree | | | LOA | | | | |!| | | | | |LOA=''[[Lords of Andúnië]]''}}
{{familytree | | | |:| | | | | |!| | | | | |}}
{{familytree | | | ELE | | | | |!| | | | | |ELE=[[Elendil]]}}
{{familytree | |,|-|^|-|.| | | |!| | | | | |}}
{{familytree | ISI | | ANA | | |!| | | | | |ISI=[[Isildur]]|ANA=[[Anárion]]}}
{{familytree | |:| | | |:| | | |!| | | | | |}}
{{familytree | KOA | | KOG | | |!| | | | | |KOA=''[[Kings of Arnor]]''|KOG=''[[Kings of Gondor]]''}}
{{familytree | |:| | | |:| | | |!| | | | | |}}
{{familytree | KOA | | OND | | |!| | | | | |OND=[[Ondoher]]|KOA=''[[Kings of Arthedain]]''}}
{{familytree | |:| | | |!| | | |!| | | | | |}}
{{familytree | ARV |V| FIR | | |!| | | | | |ARV=[[Arvedui]]|FIR=[[Fíriel]]}}
{{familytree | | | |:| | | | | |!| | | | | |}}
{{familytree | | | COD | | | | |!| | | | | |COD=''[[Chieftains of the Dúnedain]]''}}
{{familytree | | | |:| | | | | |!| | | | | |}}
{{familytree | | | ART |y| GIL |!| | | | | |ART=[[Arathorn II]]|GIL=[[Gilraen]]}}
{{familytree | | | | | |!| | | |!| | | | | |}}
{{familytree | | | | | ARA |y| ARW | | | | |ARA='''ARAGORN '''|ARW=[[Arwen]]}}
{{familytree | | | | | |,|-|^|-|.| | | | | |}}
{{familytree | | | | | ELD | | SDS | | | | |ELD=[[Eldarion]]|SDS=''several sisters''}}
{{familytree/end}}
</div>

=== Relation to Arwen ===
Arwen was a very distant cousin of Aragorn. By their marriage, the long-sundered lines of the [[Half-elven]] were joined.<ref name="Numenor">{{App|A1i}}</ref> Their union also served to unite and preserve the bloodlines of the kings of the three kindreds of the High Elves ([[Ingwë]], [[Finwë]], and brothers [[Elwë]], [[Olwë]], and [[Elmo]]) as well as the only line with [[Maiar]]in blood through Arwen's great-great-grandmother, [[Melian]]. There were at least two marriages between descendants of Elendil in Aragorn's ancestry, so Aragorn was related to Arwen by blood along at least three lines.

Through his father, Arathorn II, Aragorn was Arwen's first cousin sixty-two times removed through his ancestor Arvedui and sixty-seven times removed through his ancestor Fíriel. Both of these lines descend through four<ref name="Numenor"/> generations of the Kings of Númenor, Silmariën, eighteen<ref>{{UT|Kings}}</ref> generations of the Lords of Andúnië, and Elendil, as well as Aranarth and fifteen<ref name="North">{{App|North}}</ref> succeeding generations of the Chieftains of the Dúnedain, including Aragorn himself. Aragorn's mother Gilraen was also descended from Aranarth,<ref name="North"/> but the number of generations between them is unknown.

== Other versions of the legendarium ==
In the earliest unpublished versions of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' (see ''[[The History of The Lord of the Rings]]''), the character that later became Aragorn was called '''''[[Trotter]]''''' instead of Strider, and was a [[Hobbits|Hobbit]] instead of a [[Men|Man]]. He had wooden feet, because he had once traveled to Mordor and been tortured there with the character envisioned as a relative of Bilbo and Frodo. This name would carry over when the character was revised into a man and would remain in use for much of the book's composition. During writing of the latter portions of Book II, Tolkien would temporarily rename the character, ''[[Elfstone]]'' on the proposition that a man should not have an Elvish name. Another name considered was ''[[Ingold]].''<ref name="comp">{{HM|RC}}</ref>

== Portrayal in adaptations ==
{{Gallery
|title=Aragorn in adaptations
|height=150
|width=250
|lines=2
|File:War in Middle Earth - Aragorn and Frodo against a Nazgul.png|Aragorn with [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] in ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien's War in Middle Earth]]''
|File:The Lord of the Rings (1978 film) - Strider.jpg|Strider in [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]
|File:The Return of the King (1980 film) - Aragorn.jpg|Aragorn in [[The Return of the King (1980 film)|''The Return of the King'' (1980 film)]]
|File:The Lord of the Rings (film series) - Aragorn.jpg|Aragorn in [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]
|File:The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring (video game) - Aragorn.JPG|Aragorn in [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]
|File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Aragorn.jpg|Aragorn in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
|File:2011-12-23 00061.jpg|Aragorn in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]''
|File:LEGO Aragorn poster.png|Aragorn as a ''[[Lego]] mini figure''
}}

=== Films ===
'''1978: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)]]'':'''
:The voice of Aragorn is provided by [[John Hurt]]. Some critics have accused this character of looking too much like a [[wikipedia:Stereotypes_of_Native_Americans|Native American stereotype]].{{Citation needed}}

'''1980: ''[[The Return of the King (1980 film)]]'':'''
:Aragorn was voiced by [[Theodore Bikel]] in the 1980 [[Rankin/Bass]] animated film. His role is dramatically reduced to a handful of scenes and there is no mention of any previous involvement with the [[Fellowship of the Ring]].

'''2001: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
:Aragorn is played by [[Viggo Mortensen]], though [[Stuart Townsend]] was originally cast in the role. Townsend was deemed too young. Mortensen had just two weeks to train for his first scene, the standoff with the [[Nazgûl]] at [[Weathertop]]. Utilizing the modern "reluctant hero" trope, Mortensen portrays Aragorn full of self-doubt, while he is much more sure of himself in the book.

'''2002: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]'':'''
:Aragorn's part is this film is largely similar to the events in book. The most significant difference is that, in the book, there was no [[Wargs|Warg]] attack on the party traveling to Helm's Deep and Aragorn did not fall down a cliff.

'''2003: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]'':'''
:Aragorn finally steps into his role as king after having a lot of self-doubt beforehand.

'''2014: ''[[The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies]]'':'''
:Although he is not physically present, he is mentioned by [[Thranduil]] to his son, [[Legolas]]. Thranduil tells Legolas to seek a young ranger known as "Strider" and that Legolas would have to discover Strider's true name for himself. In the continuity of the films, Aragorn would have been 27 rather than a ten-year-old child.

=== Television ===
'''1993: [[Hobitit|''Hobitit'']]:'''
:Aragorn is portrayed by [[Kari Väänänen]], the same actor who played [[Gollum]] in the series.

=== Radio series ===
'''1955: [[The Lord of the Rings (1955 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1955 radio series)]]:'''
:The voice of Aragorn is provided by [[Godfrey Kenton]].

'''1979: [[The Lord of the Rings (1979 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1979 radio series)]]:'''
:The voice of Aragorn is provided by [[Tom Luce]].

'''1981: [[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1981 radio series)]]:'''
:Aragorn was voiced by [[Robert Stephens]]. For his early scenes, according to [[John McAndrew]] (Pippin) Stephens adopted an accurate Bristol accent to help suggest the disguise Strider adopted in Bree.

'''2001-2003: [[Pán prsteňov (2001-2003 Slovak radio series)|''Pán prsteňov'' (2001-2003 Slovak radio series)]]:'''
:The voice of Aragorn is provided by Boris Farkaš.

=== Games ===
'''1988: ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien's War in Middle Earth]]'':'''
:Aragorn is a playable character. He has brown hair and is bearded, he bears a golden sword.

'''2002: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]:'''
:[[Daran Norris]] provided the voice of Aragorn, who is one of the three playable characters.

'''2002: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers'' (video game)]]:'''
:Aragorn is one of the three playable characters, as well as narrator for most of the game. He is versatile in both melee and ranged attacks. Viggo Mortensen reprises his role from the film trilogy.

'''2003: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King'' (video game)]]:'''
:Aragorn is a playable character, his storyline is dubbed "Path of a King". He journey through Paths of the Dead with Legolas and Gimli, later they fight on Pelennor fields and at the Black Gate. Chris Edgerly takes over for Mortensen as Aragorn's voice actor.

'''2003: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War of the Ring|Sierra's War of the Ring]]'':'''
:Aragorn is a Hero Unit for the Free People side. He is present in Lothlorien, Battle of Hornburg and Siege of the Minas Morgul.

'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth]]'':'''
:Aragorn is a Hero Unit for the Rohan faction in skirmishes, he also accompanies the Fellowship in the storyline mode.

'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'':'''
:Aragorn is now the Hero for the Men of the West faction.

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:In the Prologue, Aragorn saves Men/Hobbit characters from brigands, but is forced to leave soon, as he has to intercept Frodo in Bree. Later arriving at the Prancing Pony, the characters meet him again and help him looking in surrounding area for Hobbits, who did not arrive in time. When player returns, Aragorn and the Hobbits already departed, and their next meeting is in Rivendell, where Aragorn entrusts the player with defence of the North while the Fellowship is gone. Later, in [[Lothlórien]], Aragorn is seen residing in [[Caras Galadhon]].

'''2009: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Conquest]]'':'''
:Aragorn is a playable hero available in several missions.

'''2011: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]'':'''
:Aragorn is an important character of the game, and is mentioned as one of the much honored heroes of the [[War of the Ring]] in the introduction of the game.<ref name="Prologue">[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]], ''Prologue''</ref>
:He is a friend of two of the game's main characters, [[Eradan (video game character)|Eradan]] and [[Andriel]]. Aragorn had met [[Andriel]] during his visits at [[Rivendell]],<ref name="Backstory Andriel">{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://www.warinthenorth.com/the-game/heroes/backstory#elfAnchor|articlename=Elven Character: Andriel's History|dated=|website=War in the North|accessed=25 December 2011}}</ref> while he had met Eradan, when he served as Ranger at Sarn Ford. Aragorn was impressed by his skills and bravery, and taught him much about tracking. Eradan was a companion of Aragorn on many of his journeys. Aragorn trusted Eradan much, though he never told him what the reason was behind the protection of [[the Shire]].<ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://www.warinthenorth.com/the-game/heroes/backstory#dunedainAnchor|articlename=Human Character: Eradan's History|dated=|website=War in the North|accessed=24 December 2011}}</ref>

:Eradan, Andriel and [[Farin (video game character)|Farin]] meet Aragorn in the Prancing Pony to warn him, on Halbarad's request, after the Nazgûl attacked and defeated the [[Rangers of the North|Rangers]] at [[Sarn Ford]], and entered the Shire. They also tell him about an conservation between the Witch-king and [[Agandaûr]], which the three heroes overheard shortly after the attack. Agandaûr summoned the [[Orcs of the Misty Mountains]] and assembled an army in [[Fornost]], which plans to aid the Nazgûl in their search to [[the One Ring]]. Aragorn sends Eradan, Andriel and Farin to Fornost, to stop Agandaûr and his army.<ref name="Prologue"/> While Eradan, Andriel, Farin, [[Elladan]] and [[Elrohir]] stopped Agandaûr's army,<ref>[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]], ''Chapter 1: Fornost''</ref> Aragorn met with [[Frodo Baggins]] and left Bree.<ref>[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]], ''Chapter 2: The Barrow Downs'', Bree</ref>

'''2012: ''[[Lego|Lego The Lord of the Rings]]'':'''
:A mini figure of Aragorn is included in the [[Lego#Sets|sets]] '''Attack at Weathertop''', '''The Battle of Helm's Deep''', '''The Battle at the Black gate''', and '''The Pirate ship ambush'''.<ref name="2012 sets">{{webcite|author=Calisuri|articleurl=http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2012/02/12/53563-more-lord-of-the-rings-lego-details-from-toy-fare-2012/|articlename=More Lord of the Rings LEGO Details from Toy Fare 2012|dated=12 February 2012|website=TORN|accessed=18 February 2012}}</ref>

== See also ==
*'''[[Timeline of Aragorn]]'''
*[http://dare.ubvu.vu.nl/bitstream/1871/10975/1/Aragorn_Final.pdf "Aragorn Seen Through Different Media"] by [[Connie Veugen]], comparing the introduction of Strider in Ralph Bakshi's film, the 1981 BBC radio play, Peter Jackson's film and [[Vivendi]]'s [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|video game]] of ''The Fellowship of the Ring.

{{references|notes}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Aragorn}}

== Titles ==
{{seq-start}}
{{seq-head
| race=arnorian
| house=Founder of the [[House of Telcontar]] Cadet branch of the [[House of Isildur]]
| born=[[1 March]], {{TA|2931}}
| died=[[1 March]], {{FoA|120}}
}}
{{seq
| prow=2
| prev=[[Arathorn II]]
| list=16th [[Chieftains of the Dúnedain|Chieftain of the Dúnedain]]
| dates={{TA|2933}} – [[1 May]], {{TA|3019|n}}
| next=Position abolished
| nvac=None
}}
{{seq
| list=39th [[Heir of Isildur|Heir]] of [[Isildur]]
| dates={{TA|2933}} - [[1 March]], {{FoA|120}}
| next=[[Eldarion]]
}}
{{seq
| prev=[[Gandalf]]
| list=Leader of the [[Fellowship of the Ring]]
| dates=[[15 January]] - [[22 August]], {{TA|3019}}
| next=Position abolished
| nvac=None
}}
{{seq
| pvac=Vacant
| prev=Last held by: '''[[Eärnur]]''', 969 years earlier
| list=34th [[Kings of Gondor|King of Gondor]]
| dates=[[1 May]], {{TA|3019}} – [[1 March]], {{FoA|120}}
| next=[[Eldarion]]
| nrow=4
}}
{{seq
| pvac=Vacant
| prev=Last held by: '''[[Eärendur (King of Arnor)|Eärendur]]''', 2,158 years earlier
| list=11th [[Kings of Arnor|King of Arnor]]
| dates=[[1 May]], {{TA|3019}} – [[1 March]], {{FoA|120}}
}}
{{seq
| pvac=Vacant
| prev=Last held by: '''[[Isildur]]''', 3,017 years earlier
| list=1st [[High King of the Dúnedain|High King]] of the [[Reunited Kingdom]]
| dates=[[1 May]], {{TA|3019}} – [[1 March]], {{FoA|120}}
}}
{{seq
| pvac=None
| prev=New title
| list=Head of the [[House of Telcontar]]
| dates=[[1 May]], {{TA|3019}} – [[1 March]], {{FoA|120}}
}}
{{seq-end}}

{{councilofelrond}}
{{fellowship}}
{{FellowshipRoute}}
{{northernline}}
{{southernline}}
{{lordoftheringsfilms}}

[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]
[[Category:Chieftains of the Dúnedain]]
[[Category:Fourth Age characters]]
[[Category:House of Isildur]]
[[Category:House of Telcontar]]
[[Category:Mariners]]
[[Category:Rulers of Arnor]]
[[Category:Rulers of Gondor]]
[[Category:Sindarin names]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]

[[de:Aragorn II.]]
[[fi:Aragorn II]]
[[fr:/encyclo/personnages/hommes/3adunedain/dunedain_du_nord/aragorn_ii]]

Aragorn

2023-11-27T13:49:09Z

Fornad01: Edited as per Beards discussion on the Talk page

{{disambig-two|the King of the [[Reunited Kingdom]]|5th [[Chieftain of the Dúnedain]]|[[Aragorn I]]}}
{{sources}}
{{arnorian infobox
| name=Aragorn
| image=[[File:Yulia_Alekseeva_-_Aragorn_in_Rivendell.jpg|250px]]
| caption="Elessar" by [[John Howe]]
| pronun=[[Sindarin|S]], {{IPA|[ˈaraɡorn]}}
| othernames=''See [[Aragorn#Other names|below]]''
| titles=[[Chieftain of the Dúnedain]] [[High King of the Dúnedain]] [[King of Gondor and Arnor]]<ref>{{S|Rings}}</ref> [[King of the West]]<ref>{{App|Great}}</ref> Lord of the [[Westlands]]
| position=[[Rangers of the North|Ranger]] Leader of the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] (after [[Gandalf]]'s death) King of the [[Reunited Kingdom]]
| location=[[Rivendell]] [[Gondor]] [[Arnor]] [[Rohan]] [[Rhûn]] and [[Harad]]<ref>{{FR|Council}}, p. 248</ref>
| affiliation=[[Fellowship of the Ring]]
| language=[[Westron]] [[Sindarin]] [[Quenya]]
| birth=[[1 March]], {{TA|2931}}
| birthlocation=[[Eriador]]
| rule={{TA|2933}} - {{TA|3019|n}} (Chieftain) {{TA|3019}} - {{FoA|120}} (King)
| death=[[1 March]], {{FoA|120}}<ref>{{App|B5}}, entry '''1541''', p. 1098</ref>
| deathlocation=[[Gondor]]
| age=210
| notablefor=Reuniting the [[Reunited Kingdom|Kingdoms of Arnor and Gondor]]
| house=[[House of Isildur]] Founder of the [[House of Telcontar]]
| parentage=[[Arathorn II]] (father) [[Gilraen]] (mother) [[Elrond]] (foster father)
| siblings=
| spouse=[[Arwen]]
| children=[[Eldarion]] At least two daughters<ref name="Tale">{{App|Tale}}</ref>
| gender=Male
| height=At least 6'6<nowiki>''</nowiki> (1.98 m)<ref name="RC">{{HM|RC}}, p. 272 citing from a note written by J.R.R. Tolkien approximately in 1969</ref><ref>{{NM|P2vi}}, p. 194</ref>
| hair=Dark, flecked with grey<ref name="Sign">{{FR|Sign}}</ref>
| eyes=Grey<ref name="Sign"/>
| clothing=High leather boots, dark-green cloak (as a [[Rangers of the North|Ranger]])<ref name="Sign"/> Pure white mantle, black mail girt with silver (as a King)<ref>{{RK|Steward}}</ref>
| weapons=[[Andúril]]
| steed=[[Roheryn]] [[Hasufel]]
}}
<center>{{quote|Tall as the sea-kings of old, he stood above all that were near; ancient of days he seemed and yet in the flower of manhood; and wisdom sat upon his brow, and strength and healing were in his hands, and a light was about him.|''[[The Return of the King]]'', "[[The Steward and the King]]"}}</center>

'''Aragorn II''' was the son of [[Arathorn II]] and [[Gilraen]]. He was the last [[Chieftains of the Dúnedain|Chieftain of the Dúnedain]] and a direct descendant through many<ref group="note">Aragorn II is of the 39th generation descended from Isildur, through 23 generations of the Kings of Arnor and Arthedain (beginning with [[Valandil (King of Arnor)|Valandil]] and ending with [[Arvedui]]) and 15 generations of the Chieftains of the Dúnedain (beginning with [[Aranarth]] and ending with Arathorn II).</ref> generations of [[Isildur]], the last [[High King of the Dúnedain|High King]] of both [[Arnor]] and [[Gondor]]. Aragorn would become the greatest [[Men|Man]] of his time, leading the [[Dúnedain|Men of the West]] against [[Sauron]]'s forces, helping to destroy [[the One Ring]], and reuniting the [[Reunited Kingdom|Kingdoms of Arnor and Gondor]].

== History ==
=== Early life ===
Aragorn was born in {{TA|2931}} to the Chieftain Arathorn, and received the name Aragorn. His grandmother, [[Ivorwen]], noted with [[foresight]] that Aragorn would one day wear on his breast a green stone.<ref>{{PM|Foreword}}</ref>

A legend says that the [[Wizards|Wizard]] [[Gandalf]] had brought [[Elfstone|such a stone]], called the Elessar, from [[Valinor]]. He gave the Elessar to the [[Elves|Elven]] Lady [[Galadriel]], and remarked prophetically that she would pass it to another, who will also be called Elessar.<ref>{{UT|6}}</ref> From this would come Aragorn's royal name ''Elessar'' ([[Quenya]] for "Elfstone").
[[File:Anna Kulisz - Elrond and Estel.jpg|thumb|left|''Elrond and Estel'' by [[:Category:Images by Anna Kulisz|Anna Kulisz]]]]
When Aragorn was two years old, his father was slain when an [[Orcs|Orc]] arrow pierced his eye. As was the tradition of his people, Aragorn was fostered in [[Rivendell]] by [[Elrond]] as if he was his own son. The [[Wise]] decided that his identity was to be kept secret, as he would be vulnerable to [[Sauron|the Enemy]]. Aragorn was called '''''[[Estel]]''''' ([[Sindarin]] for "Hope") instead. During his life in Rivendell he accompanied the sons of Elrond, [[Elrohir]] and [[Elladan]], on their journeys.<ref name="Tale"/>

"Estel" grew to be fair and noble, and was seemingly more mature than his age. When Aragorn was twenty-one years old, after returning from a journey with the [[twins]] in {{TA|2952}}, Elrond decided to reveal his true name and ancestry. As part of this revelation, Elrond delivered to him the heirlooms of [[House of Isildur|his House]]: the shards of [[Narsil]] and the [[Ring of Barahir]]. Elrond also said that he should earn the [[Sceptre of Annúminas]]. The next day, full of hope, Aragorn was sitting in the forest singing a part of the ''[[Lay of Leithian|Lay of Lúthien]]''; as he sang of the meeting [[Beren]] and [[Lúthien]], [[Arwen]], daughter of Elrond, who had newly returned from [[Lothlórien]], appeared to him. Aragorn thought that Lúthien herself had appeared, and fell in love.<ref name="Tale"/>
[[File:Stephen Hickman - Aragorn and Arwen.jpg|thumb|left|''Aragorn and Arwen'' by [[Stephen Hickman]]]]

=== Life as a Ranger ===
Estel took up his proper name as Aragorn, sixteenth of the Chieftains of the Dúnedain, and after he took leave of his mother and Elrond he went into [[The Wild]].<ref name="Tale"/> In {{TA|2953}} he was not present in Rivendell for the last meeting of the [[White Council]]. Aragorn met [[Gandalf|Gandalf the Grey]] in {{TA|2956}}, and they became great friends.<ref name="TA">{{App|TA}}</ref> At Gandalf's advice he started to become interested in [[the Shire]] and became known as '''''Strider''''' in this region.
[[File:Catherine Chmiel - Ecthelion,Thorongil and Boromir study.jpg|thumb|right|''"Thorongil" with Ecthelion II'' by [[Catherine Karina Chmiel]]]]
From {{TA|2957}} to {{TA|2980}} Aragorn took great journeys aiding the [[West]] against [[Sauron]] and his allies. After serving King [[Thengel]] of [[Rohan]], he went to [[Ruling Steward|Steward]] [[Ecthelion II]] of [[Gondor]],<ref name="TA"/> who was in dire need of able men to guard his realm from Mordor. Aragorn kept his identity secret but as he wore a silver star upon his cloak, and was swift and keen-eyed, the [[Gondorians]] called him '''''Thorongil''''' (Sindarin for "Eagle of the Star"). He was a great leader by land and sea and Ecthelion trusted and loved him most. Some believed that there was rivalry between him and the Steward's son, [[Denethor]], who probably knew his identity as [[Heir of Isildur]], and suspected that he and Gandalf worked to supplant him. Thorongil however saw himself only as the servant of the Steward, whom he advised to not trust [[Saruman]] and instead to welcome Gandalf (whom Denethor didn't trust or love).

Ecthelion was anticipating an attack from Sauron who had just returned, and Thorongil warned him that in that event the [[Southern Fiefs]] would be vulnerable to the [[Corsairs of Umbar]]. He was allowed by Ecthelion to take few ships and lead an [[Surprise Attack on Umbar|attack against Umbar]]; at night he burned many ships, and in a fight slew the [[Captain of the Haven]] with only few casualties. Great honour awaited him in [[Minas Tirith]] but he did not return; while in [[Pelargir]], he sent a farewell message to Ecthelion, speaking of other tasks calling him, and saying that fate would not bring him again to Gondor soon. To the grief and wonder of his companions he crossed the [[Anduin]] and was last seen staring at the [[Mountains of Shadow]].<ref>{{App|Stewards}}</ref> He left Gondor to travel into the far East and South "exploring the hearts of men good and evil" and learning about the "plots and devices" of the servants of the Dark Lord. His exploits ensured the survival of the [[West]] much later during the [[War of the Ring]].

Later in 2980 on his return to Rivendell he entered [[Lothlórien]], and there once again met Arwen in [[Caras Galadhon]]. For one season they wandered together in Lothlórien. At midsummer he gave her the heirloom of his House, the [[Ring of Barahir]], and Arwen pledged her hand to him in marriage.<ref name="Tale"/>

Elrond gave his foster-son permission to marry his daughter, on the condition that he must first become king of both Gondor and Arnor, for only a king would be worthy of Arwen's hand. This harsh condition had a precedent: King [[Thingol]]'s request that [[Beren]] obtain a [[Silmarils|Silmaril]] from [[Morgoth]] before marrying his daughter [[Lúthien]].<ref name="Tale"/>

=== Hunt for Gollum ===
In the year {{TA|3001}}, as a now revealed [[Sauron]] continued to regain power in [[Mordor]], Aragorn began assisting [[Gandalf]] in his search for news of [[Gollum]]. Gandalf suspected that the ring [[Bilbo Baggins]] found near Gollum's lake was in fact [[the One Ring]]. In {{TA|3007}}, he briefly returned to [[Eriador]] where he visited his mother for the last time. She died before that year's spring.

In {{TA|3009}} Gandalf and Aragorn renewed their hunt for Gollum, searching intermittently in the [[vales of Anduin]], [[Mirkwood]], and [[Rhovanion]], even to the confines of [[Mordor]], without knowing that around that time Gollum ventured into Mordor, and was captured by Sauron.<ref name="TA"/> [[Third Age 3017|After eight years]] Gollum was released and Aragorn finally overtook him in the [[Dead Marshes]]<ref name="TA"/> on [[1 February]]. With Gollum he travelled through the northern [[Emyn Muil]], to prevent being found by Sauron's spies, and crossed the Anduin at the [[Sarn Gebir]]. He travelled further north along the edges of [[Fangorn Forest]] and through Lothlórien,<ref name="UT">{{UT|Hunt}}</ref> where the Elves sent a message to Gandalf.<ref>{{UT|Hunt}}, Note 5</ref> He travelled alongside the Anduin to the north until he arrived at the [[Carrock]]. With the aid of the [[Beornings]] he crossed the Anduin with Gollum and entered [[Mirkwood]]. He took Gollum to [[Thranduil]] to be held captive.<ref name="UT"/><ref name="TA"/> He then returned west where he met with Gandalf at [[Sarn Ford]] and learned of [[Frodo Baggins]]' plan to leave the Shire with the Ring in late September. Aragorn then continued his own journey.<ref name="Strider">{{FR|Strider}}</ref>

=== The War of the Ring ===
When Aragorn returned to his area, the [[Elves]] who followed [[Gildor Inglorion]] told Aragorn the [[Nazgûl|Black Riders]] had been seen, and Gandalf had been missing and there were no messages from him. Aragorn and his [[Rangers of the North|Rangers]] kept watch over the border of [[the Shire]] and the [[East Road]] waiting for sight of Frodo but there was no news of them leaving [[Buckland]].<ref name="Strider"/>

While staying in [[Bree]], Aragorn crossed the paths of four hobbits in [[The Prancing Pony]]. Aragorn watched as the hobbits clumsily hid their names and intentions, and as [[Frodo Baggins]], the leader of the party, fell from a table and disappeared as he put the ring on. Aragorn, whose name was given as Strider, seemed to show no surprise, only annoyance at Frodo’s foolish vanishing act. He arranged for an interview that night, where he warned them of the Black Riders and [[Bill Ferny]], then bluntly requested that they use him as a guide. After some consideration, and a note given them by the forgetful [[Barliman Butterbur]] from Gandalf condoning him, Frodo agreed.
[[File:Jef Murray - Amon Sûl.jpg|thumb|left|[[Jef Murray]] - ''Amon Sûl'']]
Aragorn’s plan to reach Rivendell was to first head toward [[Archet]] and bear right to [[Weathertop]]. After the ambush at Weathertop and the wounding of Frodo, [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]] took over the position as leader of the Hobbits. After a while they met [[Glorfindel]], a friend of Aragorn’s, and it was not much later that they arrived in Rivendell.
[[File:Darrell Sweet - The Reforging of the Sword.jpg|thumb|[[Darrell Sweet]] - ''The Reforging of the Sword'']]
After the Council of Elrond Aragorn became a member of the [[Fellowship of the Ring]]. As a preparation for his travel, the ancient shards of [[Narsil]], the heirloom of his House, were reforged after 3 millennia. Aragorn carried the Sword Reforged, and renamed it [[Andúril]].

Aragorn's intentions were to travel with the company for a while before returning to [[Gondor]] with [[Boromir]]. Aragorn encouraged the taking of the [[Caradhras|Redhorn Pass]], which ended in disaster. He conceded to Gandalf’s choice to pass through [[Moria]], but warned Gandalf to be cautious if he entered Moria, because he had a very evil memory from his previous visit to Moria. Indeed, after Gandalf fell into the abyss with [[Durin's Bane]], Aragorn was naturally elected leader of the company, despite some resentment by Boromir.

==== Leading the Fellowship of the Ring ====
Aragorn again amazed the rest of the Fellowship by his apparent closeness to the people of [[Lothlórien]], and his friendship with [[Celeborn]] and [[Galadriel]]. At their departure, Galadriel offered him the [[Elfstone]] as a wedding gift from the family of the Elven bride to the groom, foretelling his marriage to Arwen.<ref>{{MR|P3II3}}</ref> It was worn by Aragorn ever after and from that he later took the name '''Elessar'''.

Even at the [[Rauros|Falls of Rauros]] he was undecided, leaving it to Frodo for the final decision. For though it was obvious he wished to go to [[Minas Tirith]] with Boromir, he yet felt that it was his duty to go where the [[Ring-bearers|Ring-bearer]] chose.

[[File:Inger Edelfeldt - Death of Boromir.jpg|thumb|200px|right|''Death of Boromir'' by [[Inger Edelfeldt]]]]
After Frodo escaped him and Boromir perished, he with the remaining members of the Fellowship, namely [[Legolas]] and [[Gimli]], chose to try and save [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]] and [[Peregrin Took|Pippin]] from the [[Uruk-hai]] that had ambushed them, forming the group that would later be known as the [[Three Hunters]].

He met [[Éomer]] in the fields of [[Rohan]], and an instant friendship formed, both feeling the honesty and lordliness of the other. Éomer took a risk for his sake, giving him horses, with the promise that one day soon Aragorn would return to [[Edoras]]. Aragorn, tracking the Hobbits, followed into Fangorn Forest, where he met the resurrected [[Gandalf|Gandalf the White]]. After the restoration of [[Théoden]], he rode to [[Helm's Deep]] to fight in the [[Battle of the Hornburg]]. There he, alongside his new-found “brother” Éomer, and King Théoden, marshaled the defence against [[Saruman]]’s army. His revealed majesty upon the battlements of the Hornburg as he waited for the dawn caused some of the [[Dunlendings|Wild men]] to pause and shudder, and he heralded the return of Gandalf with [[Erkenbrand]].

After Pippin’s terrifying experience with the [[Orthanc-stone]], Gandalf presented it in a formal manner to Aragorn, its rightful master, who hinted that it would be used by him eventually. After the departure of Gandalf and Pippin to Minas Tirith, he rode for a while longer with Théoden, meeting up with his friend [[Halbarad]] of the North, [[Elladan]] and [[Elrohir]], and a company of staunch and fearless Rangers. Elladan and Elrohir gave him a message from Elrond: "''The days are short. If thou art in haste, remember the [[Paths of the Dead]]''". Halbarad bore a gift from the Lady Arwen – the [[Standard of Elendil]]. Aragorn knew the path set before him.

==== The Return of the King ====
A little while later Aragorn took his companions and his rangers and set out for [[Dunharrow]], departing from the King’s company. His course was clear: to take the Paths of the Dead, to summon the [[Oathbreakers|Dead Men]]. In Dunharrow, he met the lady [[Éowyn]], who had fallen in love with him. After making it clear that he could not accept her love, he turned towards the evil road with the dawn.

[[File:Ted Nasmith - Thus Came Aragorn.jpg|thumb|right|''Thus Came Aragorn'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
The [[Grey Company]] passed through the [[Dark Door]] and the [[Dwimorberg]], the Dead following, and coming at last to the [[Stone of Erech]], Aragorn summoned them to his aid. They drew their swords and blew their horns in answer, and swept down upon the [[Corsairs of Umbar|Corsairs]] at [[Pelargir]] drove the mariners away. Aragorn released them, and took the [[Black Ships]] north to Minas Tirith, where the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]] raged. The Standard of Elendil broke forth, and his Dúnedain swept down, giving the final blow to the army of [[Gothmog (Lieutenant of Morgul)|Gothmog]]. The counter-attacked army of [[Sauron]] crumbled utterly, but Aragorn did not enter the city.

Aragorn, furling his banner, appointed [[Imrahil]] the temporary lord of the City, as the law demanded. Eventually, however, Aragorn did come to the [[Houses of Healing]], where he tended and restored Merry, Éowyn, and [[Faramir]], in accordance with the prophecy “''The hands of the king are the hands of a healer, and so shall the rightful king be known''”. Many of the people of Minas Tirith came to Aragorn and followed him, asking that he heal those they knew. Aragorn worked late into the night, before finally leaving the city, hooded and cloaked. When in the morning the people saw the banner of [[Dol Amroth]], they wondered if the Return of the King had been but a dream.<ref name=Houses>{{RK|Houses}}</ref>

[[File:Inger Edelfeldt - The Crowning of Aragorn.jpg|thumb|left|''The Crowning of Aragorn'' by [[Inger Edelfeldt]]]]
Aragorn held [[Last Debate|council]] with his trusted companions, namely Gandalf, Éomer, Imrahil, and Elrond’s sons – Halbarad had fallen in battle. He agreed to draw forth the forces of [[Mordor]] for the benefit of the [[Quest of the Ring]], and so arranged matters for the [[Battle of the Morannon]]. After the destruction of the Ring in [[Mount Doom|Orodruin]] and victory at the [[Morannon]], Aragorn returned at last in the triumphant manner that befitted his position. He was crowned at the gates of Minas Tirith, winning the hearts of the people of [[Gondor]].

=== Reign as Elessar ===
Aragorn ruled the [[Reunited Kingdom]] of Gondor and Arnor until year 120 of the [[Fourth Age]].

Some days after his coronation, Gandalf took Elessar up the slopes of Mount [[Mindolluin]], and there he found the scion of [[Nimloth of Númenor|Nimloth]], the symbol of his mastery of the [[Reunited Kingdom]]. Elrond and Arwen came to Gondor and Elrond gave Elessar the [[Sceptre of Annúminas]] signifying the Kingship of Arnor. He wedded Arwen on Midsummer's day of 3019, and then was forced to bid his old friends farewell. He turned back to his new kingdom as the [[Fourth Age]] dawned and the Ringbearers left the shores of Middle-earth forever.

One of his first tasks in the re-ordering of his realm was the restoration of [[Orthanc]] and ordered the [[Orthanc-stone]] to be returned there. With this opportunity, many secrets and hoarded treasures were revealed including the [[Elendilmir]] which Saruman took from Isildur's body. Elessar received the Elemdilmir with reverence and took it with him as he established his full kingship of [[Arnor]].<ref>{{UT|Isen}}</ref>

Elessar gave his [[Steward]] Faramir the title [[Lord of Emyn Arnen]] and created him as [[Prince of Ithilien]]<ref>{{RK|Steward}}</ref>. He declared the [[Drúadan Forest]] to belong to the [[Drúedain]] and a protected enclave of his Kingdom.<ref>{{RK|Partings}}</ref> He also re-established the Great [[Council of Gondor]] whose chief councellor was the Steward<ref>{{L|244}}</ref>. He also renewed the [[Oath of Cirion]] with Éomer.

As for [[the Shire]], he declared it a Free Land under the protection of the Northern Sceptre and forbade Men from entering it. He appointed the [[Thain]], the [[Master of Buckland]], and the [[Mayor of Michel Delving]] Counsellors of the North-kingdom. Also he offered to the Shire the [[Westmarch|lands]] up to the [[Tower Hills|Emyn Beraid]].<ref name=later>{{App|Later}}</ref>

He founded the royal [[House of Telcontar]], he had a son, [[Eldarion]], and a number of daughters.

King Elessar died after 210 years of life and 122 years of rule and was succeeded by his son [[Eldarion]]. His wife Arwen, now mortal, gave up her life shortly afterwards in year 121, aged 2,901.

== Personality ==
Aragorn held his heritage in high esteem and was willing to commit to a single path in life in the name of love.<ref name="Tale"/> He possessed a nigh indomitable will, as he psychically challenged [[Sauron]] for control of the [[Palantir]] of [[Orthanc]] and proved to be victorious.<ref name=Company>{{RK|Company}}</ref> Yet this will did not prevent him from honoring his own word and the words of his forebears.<ref name=Debate>{{RK|Debate}}</ref> However, he was not immune to self-doubt, as he doubted his decisions in leading the Fellowship after Gandalf's death in Moria, and blamed himself for their hardships.{{fact}}

== Etymology ==
{{Pronounce|Aragorn Elessar.mp3|Ardamir}}
'''''Aragorn''''' is a [[Sindarin]] name. It means "revered king".<ref>{{PE|17}}, p. 31 entry S ''Ara(n)gorn''</ref><ref name=PE17Turgond>{{PE|17}}, p. 113 entry S '''Turgond-'''</ref> It contains the phonetic reduction ''ara'' of ''[[aran]]'' ("king") and the adjective ''[[gorn|(n)gorn]]'' ("dreaded, revered").<ref name=PE17Turgond/>

This clear etymology from Tolkien was not revealed until the publication in 2007 of "Words, Phrases & Passages in ''The Lord of the Rings''", a late 1950s manuscript. Before that, several theories were proposed:
*[[Ruth S. Noel]] and several others proposed "King of the Tree",<ref>[[Ruth S. Noel]], ''[[The Languages of Tolkien's Middle-earth]]'', p. 114</ref> but Tolkien specifically said that this was not the case.<ref>{{L|347}}</ref>
*[[David Salo]] deduces "Having Kingly Valor"<ref>[[David Salo]], ''[[A Gateway to Sindarin]]'', p. 341</ref> from Tolkien's cryptic "'Kingly Valour' (for so is that name interpreted)".<ref>{{PM|Foreword}}, p. xii</ref> This is still the most often cited etymology; Robert Ireland's ''[[A Tolkien Dictionary]]'' gives the variation "Royal Zeal".<ref>Robert Ireland, ''[[A Tolkien Dictionary]]'', [http://www.quicksilver899.com/Tolkien/LOTR/LOTR_AC.html The Lord of the Rings A-C].</ref>
*[[Carl F. Hostetter]] proposed the meanings "King of the Globe" or "King of the Hill" in his analysis of the [[King's Letter]].<ref>[[Carl F. Hostetter]], "The 'King's Letter': An Historical and Comparative Analysis", [[Vinyar Tengwar 31|''Vinyar Tengwar'' 31]], p. 18</ref>

The [[Quenya]] form of ''Aragorn'' was '''''Arakorno'''''.<ref name="WP">{{PE|17}}, p. 70 f. entry Q '''ar''' in the translation of the sentence into Quenya ''Sanome tarne Olórin, Arakorno, [...]''</ref>

== Other names ==
* '''Aragorn II''' - Aragorn's name as [[Chieftains of the Dúnedain|Chieftain of the Dúnedain]]. He was possibly named after [[Aragorn I]].
* [[Thorongil]] - [[Sindarin|S]] "Eagle of the Star", a pseudonym used in [[Gondor]] and [[Rohan]]. Pronounced {{IPA|[θoˈroŋɡil]}}.
* '''Elessar''' - [[Quenya|Q]] "Elfstone", Aragorn's name as a king. Despite popular use as such, Aragorn was never known as "Aragorn Elessar", "Aragorn II Elessar" or "[[The Return of the King (1980 film)|King Aragorn]]". Pronounced {{IPA|[eˈlesːar]}}.
* '''Edhelharn''' - The [[Sindarin]] equivalent of Elessar, used in the King's Letter.<ref>{{SD|XI2}}, p. 128ff</ref> '''Edhelharn''' is the [[Sindarin]] word for [[Elfstone]] ([[Quenya|Q]]. ''[[Elessar]]''). Pronounced {{IPA|[eˈðel.harn]}}.
* [[Elfstone]] - The [[Westron|Common Speech]] version of the previous two.
* [[Envinyatar|''Envinyatar'']] - [[Quenya|Q]] "the Renewer".
* [[Estel]] - [[Quenya|Q]]. Usually glossed as "Hope", the concept ''estel'' more widely means "hope, trust, a temper of mind, steady fixed in purpose, and difficult to dissuade and unlikely to fall into despair or abandon its purpose". Pronounced {{IPA|[ˈestel]}}.
* [[Strider (Aragorn)|Strider]] - A sobriquet given by the men of [[Bree]]. Aragorn used it mockingly.
* '''Wingfoot''' - An honorary name given by [[Éomer]] after the pursuit of the [[Uruk-hai]] through the [[Eastemnet]].<ref>{{TT|III2}}</ref>
* [[Telcontar]] - A [[Quenya]] form of "Strider", this was the name of Elessar's Royal House. It was not used independently. Pronounced {{IPA|[telˈkontar]}}.
* [[Heir of Isildur|Isildur's Heir]] - A poetic address, as he was the heir of [[Isildur]].
* '''The Dúnadan''' - "[[Dúnedain|Man of the West]]", a name given by [[Bilbo Baggins]] when their friendship evolved.
* '''Longshanks''' - another, though less frequently used, sobriquet in Bree, ascribed to [[Bill Ferny]]. The legs of the [[Bree-landers|Bree-men]] were shorter than the legs of the [[Dúnedain]].
* '''Arakorno''' - A rare Quenya form of Aragorn, which only appeared in a discussion about the words for Quenya.<ref name="WP"/> Pronounced {{IPA|[ˌaraˈkorno]}}.

== Genealogy ==
This is an abbreviated family tree; see '''''[[Ancestry of Aragorn II]]''''' for Aragorn's full line of descent.

<div style="overflow-x: scroll; overflow-y: hidden; border: 1px solid #AAAAAA; padding: 3px; background: #EEEEEE;">
{{familytree/start}}
{{familytree | EAR |y| ELW | | GAL |y| CEL |GAL=[[Galadriel]]|CEL=[[Celeborn]]|EAR=[[Eärendil]]|ELW=[[Elwing]]}}
{{familytree | | | |)|-|-|-|.| | | |!| | | |}}
{{familytree | | | ROS | | RON |y| CLB | | |ROS=[[Elros]]|RON=[[Elrond]]|CLB=[[Celebrían]]}}
{{familytree | | | |:| | | | | |!| | | | | |}}
{{familytree | | | KON | | | | |!| | | | | |KON=''[[Kings of Númenor]]''}}
{{familytree | | | |:| | | | | |!| | | | | |}}
{{familytree | | | LOA | | | | |!| | | | | |LOA=''[[Lords of Andúnië]]''}}
{{familytree | | | |:| | | | | |!| | | | | |}}
{{familytree | | | ELE | | | | |!| | | | | |ELE=[[Elendil]]}}
{{familytree | |,|-|^|-|.| | | |!| | | | | |}}
{{familytree | ISI | | ANA | | |!| | | | | |ISI=[[Isildur]]|ANA=[[Anárion]]}}
{{familytree | |:| | | |:| | | |!| | | | | |}}
{{familytree | KOA | | KOG | | |!| | | | | |KOA=''[[Kings of Arnor]]''|KOG=''[[Kings of Gondor]]''}}
{{familytree | |:| | | |:| | | |!| | | | | |}}
{{familytree | KOA | | OND | | |!| | | | | |OND=[[Ondoher]]|KOA=''[[Kings of Arthedain]]''}}
{{familytree | |:| | | |!| | | |!| | | | | |}}
{{familytree | ARV |V| FIR | | |!| | | | | |ARV=[[Arvedui]]|FIR=[[Fíriel]]}}
{{familytree | | | |:| | | | | |!| | | | | |}}
{{familytree | | | COD | | | | |!| | | | | |COD=''[[Chieftains of the Dúnedain]]''}}
{{familytree | | | |:| | | | | |!| | | | | |}}
{{familytree | | | ART |y| GIL |!| | | | | |ART=[[Arathorn II]]|GIL=[[Gilraen]]}}
{{familytree | | | | | |!| | | |!| | | | | |}}
{{familytree | | | | | ARA |y| ARW | | | | |ARA='''ARAGORN '''|ARW=[[Arwen]]}}
{{familytree | | | | | |,|-|^|-|.| | | | | |}}
{{familytree | | | | | ELD | | SDS | | | | |ELD=[[Eldarion]]|SDS=''several sisters''}}
{{familytree/end}}
</div>

=== Relation to Arwen ===
Arwen was a very distant cousin of Aragorn. By their marriage, the long-sundered lines of the [[Half-elven]] were joined.<ref name="Numenor">{{App|A1i}}</ref> Their union also served to unite and preserve the bloodlines of the kings of the three kindreds of the High Elves ([[Ingwë]], [[Finwë]], and brothers [[Elwë]], [[Olwë]], and [[Elmo]]) as well as the only line with [[Maiar]]in blood through Arwen's great-great-grandmother, [[Melian]]. There were at least two marriages between descendants of Elendil in Aragorn's ancestry, so Aragorn was related to Arwen by blood along at least three lines.

Through his father, Arathorn II, Aragorn was Arwen's first cousin sixty-two times removed through his ancestor Arvedui and sixty-seven times removed through his ancestor Fíriel. Both of these lines descend through four<ref name="Numenor"/> generations of the Kings of Númenor, Silmariën, eighteen<ref>{{UT|Kings}}</ref> generations of the Lords of Andúnië, and Elendil, as well as Aranarth and fifteen<ref name="North">{{App|North}}</ref> succeeding generations of the Chieftains of the Dúnedain, including Aragorn himself. Aragorn's mother Gilraen was also descended from Aranarth,<ref name="North"/> but the number of generations between them is unknown.

== Other versions of the legendarium ==
In the earliest unpublished versions of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' (see ''[[The History of The Lord of the Rings]]''), the character that later became Aragorn was called '''''[[Trotter]]''''' instead of Strider, and was a [[Hobbits|Hobbit]] instead of a [[Men|Man]]. He had wooden feet, because he had once traveled to Mordor and been tortured there with the character envisioned as a relative of Bilbo and Frodo. This name would carry over when the character was revised into a man and would remain in use for much of the book's composition. During writing of the latter portions of Book II, Tolkien would temporarily rename the character, ''[[Elfstone]]'' on the proposition that a man should not have an Elvish name. Another name considered was ''[[Ingold]].''<ref name="comp">{{HM|RC}}</ref>

== Portrayal in adaptations ==
{{Gallery
|title=Aragorn in adaptations
|height=150
|width=250
|lines=2
|File:War in Middle Earth - Aragorn and Frodo against a Nazgul.png|Aragorn with [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] in ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien's War in Middle Earth]]''
|File:The Lord of the Rings (1978 film) - Strider.jpg|Strider in [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]
|File:The Return of the King (1980 film) - Aragorn.jpg|Aragorn in [[The Return of the King (1980 film)|''The Return of the King'' (1980 film)]]
|File:The Lord of the Rings (film series) - Aragorn.jpg|Aragorn in [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]
|File:The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring (video game) - Aragorn.JPG|Aragorn in [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]
|File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Aragorn.jpg|Aragorn in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
|File:2011-12-23 00061.jpg|Aragorn in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]''
|File:LEGO Aragorn poster.png|Aragorn as a ''[[Lego]] mini figure''
}}

=== Films ===
'''1978: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)]]'':'''
:The voice of Aragorn is provided by [[John Hurt]]. Some critics have accused this character of looking too much like a [[wikipedia:Stereotypes_of_Native_Americans|Native American stereotype]].{{Citation needed}}

'''1980: ''[[The Return of the King (1980 film)]]'':'''
:Aragorn was voiced by [[Theodore Bikel]] in the 1980 [[Rankin/Bass]] animated film. His role is dramatically reduced to a handful of scenes and there is no mention of any previous involvement with the [[Fellowship of the Ring]].

'''2001: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
:Aragorn is played by [[Viggo Mortensen]], though [[Stuart Townsend]] was originally cast in the role. Townsend was deemed too young. Mortensen had just two weeks to train for his first scene, the standoff with the [[Nazgûl]] at [[Weathertop]]. Utilizing the modern "reluctant hero" trope, Mortensen portrays Aragorn full of self-doubt, while he is much more sure of himself in the book.

'''2002: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]'':'''
:Aragorn's part is this film is largely similar to the events in book. The most significant difference is that, in the book, there was no [[Wargs|Warg]] attack on the party traveling to Helm's Deep and Aragorn did not fall down a cliff.

'''2003: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]'':'''
:Aragorn finally steps into his role as king after having a lot of self-doubt beforehand.

'''2014: ''[[The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies]]'':'''
:Although he is not physically present, he is mentioned by [[Thranduil]] to his son, [[Legolas]]. Thranduil tells Legolas to seek a young ranger known as "Strider" and that Legolas would have to discover Strider's true name for himself. In the continuity of the films, Aragorn would have been 27 rather than a ten-year-old child.

=== Television ===
'''1993: [[Hobitit|''Hobitit'']]:'''
:Aragorn is portrayed by [[Kari Väänänen]], the same actor who played [[Gollum]] in the series.

=== Radio series ===
'''1955: [[The Lord of the Rings (1955 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1955 radio series)]]:'''
:The voice of Aragorn is provided by [[Godfrey Kenton]].

'''1979: [[The Lord of the Rings (1979 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1979 radio series)]]:'''
:The voice of Aragorn is provided by [[Tom Luce]].

'''1981: [[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1981 radio series)]]:'''
:Aragorn was voiced by [[Robert Stephens]]. For his early scenes, according to [[John McAndrew]] (Pippin) Stephens adopted an accurate Bristol accent to help suggest the disguise Strider adopted in Bree.

'''2001-2003: [[Pán prsteňov (2001-2003 Slovak radio series)|''Pán prsteňov'' (2001-2003 Slovak radio series)]]:'''
:The voice of Aragorn is provided by Boris Farkaš.

=== Games ===
'''1988: ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien's War in Middle Earth]]'':'''
:Aragorn is a playable character. He has brown hair and is bearded, he bears a golden sword.

'''2002: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]:'''
:[[Daran Norris]] provided the voice of Aragorn, who is one of the three playable characters.

'''2002: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers'' (video game)]]:'''
:Aragorn is one of the three playable characters, as well as narrator for most of the game. He is versatile in both melee and ranged attacks. Viggo Mortensen reprises his role from the film trilogy.

'''2003: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King'' (video game)]]:'''
:Aragorn is a playable character, his storyline is dubbed "Path of a King". He journey through Paths of the Dead with Legolas and Gimli, later they fight on Pelennor fields and at the Black Gate. Chris Edgerly takes over for Mortensen as Aragorn's voice actor.

'''2003: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War of the Ring|Sierra's War of the Ring]]'':'''
:Aragorn is a Hero Unit for the Free People side. He is present in Lothlorien, Battle of Hornburg and Siege of the Minas Morgul.

'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth]]'':'''
:Aragorn is a Hero Unit for the Rohan faction in skirmishes, he also accompanies the Fellowship in the storyline mode.

'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'':'''
:Aragorn is now the Hero for the Men of the West faction.

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:In the Prologue, Aragorn saves Men/Hobbit characters from brigands, but is forced to leave soon, as he has to intercept Frodo in Bree. Later arriving at the Prancing Pony, the characters meet him again and help him looking in surrounding area for Hobbits, who did not arrive in time. When player returns, Aragorn and the Hobbits already departed, and their next meeting is in Rivendell, where Aragorn entrusts the player with defence of the North while the Fellowship is gone. Later, in [[Lothlórien]], Aragorn is seen residing in [[Caras Galadhon]].

'''2009: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Conquest]]'':'''
:Aragorn is a playable hero available in several missions.

'''2011: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]'':'''
:Aragorn is an important character of the game, and is mentioned as one of the much honored heroes of the [[War of the Ring]] in the introduction of the game.<ref name="Prologue">[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]], ''Prologue''</ref>
:He is a friend of two of the game's main characters, [[Eradan (video game character)|Eradan]] and [[Andriel]]. Aragorn had met [[Andriel]] during his visits at [[Rivendell]],<ref name="Backstory Andriel">{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://www.warinthenorth.com/the-game/heroes/backstory#elfAnchor|articlename=Elven Character: Andriel's History|dated=|website=War in the North|accessed=25 December 2011}}</ref> while he had met Eradan, when he served as Ranger at Sarn Ford. Aragorn was impressed by his skills and bravery, and taught him much about tracking. Eradan was a companion of Aragorn on many of his journeys. Aragorn trusted Eradan much, though he never told him what the reason was behind the protection of [[the Shire]].<ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://www.warinthenorth.com/the-game/heroes/backstory#dunedainAnchor|articlename=Human Character: Eradan's History|dated=|website=War in the North|accessed=24 December 2011}}</ref>

:Eradan, Andriel and [[Farin (video game character)|Farin]] meet Aragorn in the Prancing Pony to warn him, on Halbarad's request, after the Nazgûl attacked and defeated the [[Rangers of the North|Rangers]] at [[Sarn Ford]], and entered the Shire. They also tell him about an conservation between the Witch-king and [[Agandaûr]], which the three heroes overheard shortly after the attack. Agandaûr summoned the [[Orcs of the Misty Mountains]] and assembled an army in [[Fornost]], which plans to aid the Nazgûl in their search to [[the One Ring]]. Aragorn sends Eradan, Andriel and Farin to Fornost, to stop Agandaûr and his army.<ref name="Prologue"/> While Eradan, Andriel, Farin, [[Elladan]] and [[Elrohir]] stopped Agandaûr's army,<ref>[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]], ''Chapter 1: Fornost''</ref> Aragorn met with [[Frodo Baggins]] and left Bree.<ref>[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]], ''Chapter 2: The Barrow Downs'', Bree</ref>

'''2012: ''[[Lego|Lego The Lord of the Rings]]'':'''
:A mini figure of Aragorn is included in the [[Lego#Sets|sets]] '''Attack at Weathertop''', '''The Battle of Helm's Deep''', '''The Battle at the Black gate''', and '''The Pirate ship ambush'''.<ref name="2012 sets">{{webcite|author=Calisuri|articleurl=http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2012/02/12/53563-more-lord-of-the-rings-lego-details-from-toy-fare-2012/|articlename=More Lord of the Rings LEGO Details from Toy Fare 2012|dated=12 February 2012|website=TORN|accessed=18 February 2012}}</ref>

== See also ==
*'''[[Timeline of Aragorn]]'''
*[http://dare.ubvu.vu.nl/bitstream/1871/10975/1/Aragorn_Final.pdf "Aragorn Seen Through Different Media"] by [[Connie Veugen]], comparing the introduction of Strider in Ralph Bakshi's film, the 1981 BBC radio play, Peter Jackson's film and [[Vivendi]]'s [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|video game]] of ''The Fellowship of the Ring.

{{references|notes}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Aragorn}}

== Titles ==
{{seq-start}}
{{seq-head
| race=arnorian
| house=Founder of the [[House of Telcontar]] Cadet branch of the [[House of Isildur]]
| born=[[1 March]], {{TA|2931}}
| died=[[1 March]], {{FoA|120}}
}}
{{seq
| prow=2
| prev=[[Arathorn II]]
| list=16th [[Chieftains of the Dúnedain|Chieftain of the Dúnedain]]
| dates={{TA|2933}} – [[1 May]], {{TA|3019|n}}
| next=Position abolished
| nvac=None
}}
{{seq
| list=39th [[Heir of Isildur|Heir]] of [[Isildur]]
| dates={{TA|2933}} - [[1 March]], {{FoA|120}}
| next=[[Eldarion]]
}}
{{seq
| prev=[[Gandalf]]
| list=Leader of the [[Fellowship of the Ring]]
| dates=[[15 January]] - [[22 August]], {{TA|3019}}
| next=Position abolished
| nvac=None
}}
{{seq
| pvac=Vacant
| prev=Last held by: '''[[Eärnur]]''', 969 years earlier
| list=34th [[Kings of Gondor|King of Gondor]]
| dates=[[1 May]], {{TA|3019}} – [[1 March]], {{FoA|120}}
| next=[[Eldarion]]
| nrow=4
}}
{{seq
| pvac=Vacant
| prev=Last held by: '''[[Eärendur (King of Arnor)|Eärendur]]''', 2,158 years earlier
| list=11th [[Kings of Arnor|King of Arnor]]
| dates=[[1 May]], {{TA|3019}} – [[1 March]], {{FoA|120}}
}}
{{seq
| pvac=Vacant
| prev=Last held by: '''[[Isildur]]''', 3,017 years earlier
| list=1st [[High King of the Dúnedain|High King]] of the [[Reunited Kingdom]]
| dates=[[1 May]], {{TA|3019}} – [[1 March]], {{FoA|120}}
}}
{{seq
| pvac=None
| prev=New title
| list=Head of the [[House of Telcontar]]
| dates=[[1 May]], {{TA|3019}} – [[1 March]], {{FoA|120}}
}}
{{seq-end}}

{{councilofelrond}}
{{fellowship}}
{{FellowshipRoute}}
{{northernline}}
{{southernline}}
{{lordoftheringsfilms}}

[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]
[[Category:Chieftains of the Dúnedain]]
[[Category:Fourth Age characters]]
[[Category:House of Isildur]]
[[Category:House of Telcontar]]
[[Category:Mariners]]
[[Category:Rulers of Arnor]]
[[Category:Rulers of Gondor]]
[[Category:Sindarin names]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]

[[de:Aragorn II.]]
[[fi:Aragorn II]]
[[fr:/encyclo/personnages/hommes/3adunedain/dunedain_du_nord/aragorn_ii]]

Angle

2023-08-12T21:03:39Z

Fornad01: /* History */

{{location infobox
| name=Angle
| image=
| caption=
| pronun=
| othernames=
| location=[[Rhudaur]], between the [[Hoarwell]] and [[Bruinen|Loudwater]], south of the [[Trollshaws]]
| type=Region
| description=Triangular area between two rivers
| regions=
| towns=
| inhabitants=
| created=
| destroyed=
| events=Division of ArnorMigration of the [[Stoors]]
}}
The '''Angle''' in [[Eriador]] was the wedge of land between the rivers of [[Hoarwell]] and [[Bruinen|Loudwater]], south of the [[Trollshaws]].<ref>{{UT|Map}}</ref>

==History==
The Angle was originally part of the realm of [[Arnor]].<ref name="Eriador">{{App|Eriador}}</ref> In {{TA|861}}, in the division of Arnor,<ref name="TA">{{App|TA}}</ref> the Angle became part of the kingdom of [[Rhudaur]].<ref name="Eriador"/>

The [[Stoors]], a branch of the race of [[Hobbits]], crossed the [[Misty Mountains]] westward into [[Eriador]] during the middle years of the [[Third Age]]. They were said to have emerged from the [[Redhorn Pass]] in about {{TA|1150|n}}, and from there they spread out across the wide lands, settling along their favoured riverways as far south as [[Tharbad]] and the [[Dunland]] borders. Their most noted settlement, though, was on the more northerly tongue of land - the Angle.<ref name="TA"/>

The [[Stoors]] only remained in the Angle for some two hundred years before they moved on again, but at this point their kind divided. Some travelled west and north, and their descendants eventually merged with the other [[Hobbits]] of [[Bree]] and [[the Shire]]. Others returned across the [[Misty Mountains]] and travelled back down into the [[Vales of Anduin]].<ref name="TA"/>

In later centuries, it is likely that the region became the home of many of the [[Dúnedain]] of the North some time after the fall of [[Arthedain]] in [[Third Age 1974|1974]]. [[David Salo]] shared a note in January 2000 from the [[Marquette University]] archives stating:<blockquote>''There is a short but hardly legible note which Tolkien wrote for insertion into the story of Aragorn and Arwen (and which was not in the event used); it includes information about the location of the Dúnedain. Because of the difficulty of the note, the information is not entirely clear, but it suggests that the Dúnedain lived in woodlands between the Mitheithel and Bruinen.''<ref>[[Index:Unpublished material]]</ref></blockquote>Another manuscript of what would later become Appendix A mentions that [[Ivorwen]] lived with her husband in a “''hidden fastness in the wilds of Eriador''”<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], [[Christopher Tolkien]] (ed.), ''[[The Peoples of Middle-earth]]'', "IX. [[The Making of Appendix A]]": (ii) "[[The Making of Appendix A#The%20Tale%20of%20Aragorn%20and%20Arwen|The Tale of Aragorn and Arwen]]"</ref>. [[Barliman Butterbur|Barliman Butterbur's]] mention to [[Frodo Baggins]] of a saying in [[Bree]], “''there's no accounting for East and West, … meaning the Rangers and the Shire-folk''”, would imply the Bree-landers thought that the Rangers lived to the east of Bree<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', "[[At the Sign of the Prancing Pony]]"</ref>. Taken alongside the narrative's statement that "''no other Men had settled dwellings so far west [as Bree], or within a hundred leagues of the Shire''"<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', "[[At the Sign of the Prancing Pony]]"</ref>, this would leave the eastern parts of the Angle (closer to Rivendell) as being an area a hundred leagues to the east of the Shire where settlements could be located<ref>[[General Map of Middle-earth]]</ref>.

Finally, in [[The Nature of Middle-earth]], this passage was published:<blockquote>''Trolls had lived in the north of the Misty Mountains since the days before memory, especially near the Ettenmoors; but they increased in numbers and wickedness while the realm of Angmar lasted. They then retreated east of the mountains, but about 300 years before the War of the Ring they returned and began to trouble Eriador, in spite of the vigilance of the Rangers, making dens in the hills even as far from the mountains as the North Downs. In the time of Arador a band threatened the house of the Chieftain, which was then in woods near the Hoarwell north of the Trollshaws, though many of the Dúnedain lived in the woods between the Hoarwell and Loudwater.''<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], [[Carl F. Hostetter]] (ed.), ''[[The Nature of Middle-earth]], '<nowiki/>''XVII Silvan Elves and Silvan Elvish''<nowiki/>'''</ref></blockquote>It is possible that this location was chosen by the Dúnedain as the heirs of the [[House of Isildur]] were raised in the nearby [[Rivendell|Rivendell.]]

==Portrayal in adaptations==
[[File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Angle map.jpg|thumb|Map of the Angle from ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''.]]
'''2022: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:More fully known as the "Angle of Mitheithel", this area is an extension of the [[Trollshaws]] region.<ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=https://www.lotro.com/update-notes/lotro-update-32-release-notes-en|articlename=Update 32 Release Notes|dated=16 February, 2022|website=LOTRO|accessed=}}</ref> It is the site of the [[Rangers of the North|Ranger]] village "Tornhad", a long-abandoned [[Stoors|Stoor]] village, and several ruins both from [[Eregion]] and from [[Rhudaur]].<ref>[[The Lord of the Rings Online]], Explorer of the Angle</ref>

{{references}}
{{title}}
[[Category:Eriador]]
[[de:Der Winkel]]
[[fi:Nokka]]