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Last prince of Cardolan

2023-09-08T13:43:35Z

Maturion:

{{unnamed}}

The '''last prince of Cardolan''' was a noble during the demise of [[Cardolan]].

== History ==
The last prince was the ruler of the splinter-realm of Cardolan after no descendants of [[Isildur]] remained there.<ref name=Eriador>{{App|Eriador}}, ''The North-kingdom and the Dúnedain'', p. 1039</ref> As a consequence, the prince was not a direct descendant of the [[High King (Dúnedain)|High King]].

The prince flourished during the [[Angmar War]]. It is possible that Cardolan had accepted the claim of [[Argeleb I]] to overlordship over Cardolan as [[King of Arnor]],<ref name=Eriador/> being a [[Heir of Isildur|direct descendant]] of Isildur around {{TA|1356}} and that the last prince retained his office as a vassal ruler. In any case, it appears that Cardolan was not actively opposing Arthedain but rather assisting it other in the fight against Angmar and the now corrupted Rhudaur.<ref group=note>In the entry for the year 1356 of manuscript T4 of {{PM|Third}} king Argeleb is slain in battle with Cardolan and Rhudaur and both realms resist his claim to overlordship, but the section ''The North-kingdom and the Dúnedain'' in {{App|Eriador}} only mentions that his claim was resisted by Rhudaur and that he was slain in battle with Rhudaur and Angmar without mentioning that Cardolan resisted the claim or that he died in battle with Cardolan. In addition Cardolan later helps Arthedain in the wars with Rhudaur and Angmar. Furthermore, a [[Last prince of Cardolan|prince]] of Cardolan, rather than a king of Cardolan is mentioned later.</ref>

The prince fell in the war of {{TA|1409}} against Angmar and Rhudaur. He was then buried in the [[Barrow-downs]] the same year.<ref name=Eriador/>

In that tomb was a pile of treasures, including a blue-jewelled brooch belonging to a "fair" woman that [[Tom Bombadil]] seemingly knew long ago.<ref>{{HM|RC}}, "Fog on the Barrow-downs", p. 146</ref><ref name=frbarrow>{{FR|Barrow|50}}</ref>{{rp|144-5}} Whether that lady was related to the last prince,<ref>{{HM|RC}}, "Fog on the Barrow-downs", pp. 146-7</ref> no tale tells.

==Legacy==
The [[Witch-king]] of Angmar rose and empowered the [[Barrow-wights]] of Cardolan<ref>{{HM|RC}}, "Fog on the Barrow-downs", p. 145-6</ref> and slain the [[Rangers of the North]] in order to trap the [[Ring]]-bearer.<ref>{{UT|Hunt}}</ref><ref name=RC>{{HM|RC}}, "Flight to the Ford", p. 180</ref> Indeed, on [[28 September]] {{TA|3018|n}}<ref>{{App|Great}}</ref> [[Frodo Baggins]] and his comrades were trapped in the Barrow-downs by a [[Barrow-wight]], which some say was the same [[uncommon words|cairn]] which held the grave of the last prince of Cardolan.<ref name=Eriador/><ref>{{HM|RC}}, "Fog on the Barrow-downs", pp. 144-5</ref>

While [[Merry]] was trapped in the mound, he dreamed that he and others were attacked and defeated by "the men of [[Carn Dûm]]" at night and that his heart had been pierced with a spear<ref name=frbarrow/>{{rp|p.143}} which probably was a memory of the last moments of the prince.<ref>{{HM|RC}}, "Fog on the Barrow-downs", pp. 144-5; Index, ''Cardolan, last prince of''</ref>

== Other versions of the legendarium ==
In the earlier versions of the story, the barrow where the Hobbits were trapped was said to belong to a prince of the men that "fought against the evil foes" long ago, and was slain during the war. The identification of the buried prince with the last prince of Cardolan, as well as the appearance of Angmar and the men of Carn Dûm, are subsequent.<ref>{{RS|Wight}}, p. 127-8</ref><ref>{{TI|Bree}}, p. 37</ref>

Also, in the earlier versions Tom Bombadil's statement regarding the blue-jewelled brooch he took for Goldberry, and the mysterious lady that once wore it, was almost identical to the published version, except that he also mentioned that "they shall not forget" the kings, the warriors and the fair maidens of the past.<ref>{{RS|Wight}}, p. 128</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
[[File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Last prince of Cardolan.jpg|thumb|200px|Ostir, last prince of Cardolan in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'']]
'''2022: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:The Last Prince of Cardolan is named Ostir, son of Ostecthel. Like his father and grandfather before him, he ruled in fealty to [[Argeleb I]] after the direct line of Isildur in Cardolan had died out. He fought bravely in the [[Fall of Amon Sûl]], only to return to find his home razed in his absence. His men fell into an ambush, and Ostir was the last to fall in battle. His mother, princess-regent Luilloth went to [[Tom Bombadil]] and Lady [[Goldberry]] to plead for aid against the evil raised by the [[Witch-king]] in the [[Barrow-downs]]. Though she did not come back, the evil had subsided for a time; the blue-jewelled brooch belonged to her.

{{References|n}}
[[Category:Dúnedain of the North]]
[[Category:Rulers in Middle-earth]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]

Last prince of Cardolan

2023-09-08T13:34:38Z

Maturion:

{{unnamed}}

The '''last prince of Cardolan''' was a noble during the demise of [[Cardolan]].

== History ==
The last prince was the ruler of the splinter-realm of Cardolan after no descendants of [[Isildur]] remained there.<ref name=Eriador>{{App|Eriador}}, ''The North-kingdom and the Dúnedain'', p. 1039</ref> As a consequence, the prince was not a direct descendant of the [[High King (Dúnedain)|High King]].

The prince flourished during the [[Angmar War]]. It is possible that Cardolan had accepted the claim of [[Argeleb I]] to overlordship over Cardolan as [[King of Arnor]],<ref name=Eriador/> being a [[Heir of Isildur|direct descendant]] of Isildur around {{TA|1356}} and that the last prince retained his office as a vassal ruler. In any case, there is no mentioning of Cardolan opposing Arthedain and the two realms were assisting each other in their fight against Angmar and the now corrupted Rhudaur.<ref group=note>In the entry for the year 1356 of manuscript T4 of {{PM|Third}} king Argeleb is slain in battle with Cardolan and Rhudaur and both realms resist his claim to overlordship, but the section ''The North-kingdom and the Dúnedain'' in {{App|Eriador}} only mentions that his claim was resisted by Rhudaur and that he was slain in battle with Rhudaur and Angmar without mentioning that Cardolan resisted the claim or that he died in battle with Cardolan. In addition Cardolan later helps Arthedain in the wars with Rhudaur and Angmar. Furthermore, a [[Last prince of Cardolan|prince]] of Cardolan, rather than a king of Cardolan is mentioned later.</ref>

The prince fell in the war of {{TA|1409}} against Angmar and Rhudaur. He was then buried in the [[Barrow-downs]] the same year.<ref name=Eriador/>

In that tomb was a pile of treasures, including a blue-jewelled brooch belonging to a "fair" woman that [[Tom Bombadil]] seemingly knew long ago.<ref>{{HM|RC}}, "Fog on the Barrow-downs", p. 146</ref><ref name=frbarrow>{{FR|Barrow|50}}</ref>{{rp|144-5}} Whether that lady was related to the last prince,<ref>{{HM|RC}}, "Fog on the Barrow-downs", pp. 146-7</ref> no tale tells.

==Legacy==
The [[Witch-king]] of Angmar rose and empowered the [[Barrow-wights]] of Cardolan<ref>{{HM|RC}}, "Fog on the Barrow-downs", p. 145-6</ref> and slain the [[Rangers of the North]] in order to trap the [[Ring]]-bearer.<ref>{{UT|Hunt}}</ref><ref name=RC>{{HM|RC}}, "Flight to the Ford", p. 180</ref> Indeed, on [[28 September]] {{TA|3018|n}}<ref>{{App|Great}}</ref> [[Frodo Baggins]] and his comrades were trapped in the Barrow-downs by a [[Barrow-wight]], which some say was the same [[uncommon words|cairn]] which held the grave of the last prince of Cardolan.<ref name=Eriador/><ref>{{HM|RC}}, "Fog on the Barrow-downs", pp. 144-5</ref>

While [[Merry]] was trapped in the mound, he dreamed that he and others were attacked and defeated by "the men of [[Carn Dûm]]" at night and that his heart had been pierced with a spear<ref name=frbarrow/>{{rp|p.143}} which probably was a memory of the last moments of the prince.<ref>{{HM|RC}}, "Fog on the Barrow-downs", pp. 144-5; Index, ''Cardolan, last prince of''</ref>

== Other versions of the legendarium ==
In the earlier versions of the story, the barrow where the Hobbits were trapped was said to belong to a prince of the men that "fought against the evil foes" long ago, and was slain during the war. The identification of the buried prince with the last prince of Cardolan, as well as the appearance of Angmar and the men of Carn Dûm, are subsequent.<ref>{{RS|Wight}}, p. 127-8</ref><ref>{{TI|Bree}}, p. 37</ref>

Also, in the earlier versions Tom Bombadil's statement regarding the blue-jewelled brooch he took for Goldberry, and the mysterious lady that once wore it, was almost identical to the published version, except that he also mentioned that "they shall not forget" the kings, the warriors and the fair maidens of the past.<ref>{{RS|Wight}}, p. 128</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
[[File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Last prince of Cardolan.jpg|thumb|200px|Ostir, last prince of Cardolan in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'']]
'''2022: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:The Last Prince of Cardolan is named Ostir, son of Ostecthel. Like his father and grandfather before him, he ruled in fealty to [[Argeleb I]] after the direct line of Isildur in Cardolan had died out. He fought bravely in the [[Fall of Amon Sûl]], only to return to find his home razed in his absence. His men fell into an ambush, and Ostir was the last to fall in battle. His mother, princess-regent Luilloth went to [[Tom Bombadil]] and Lady [[Goldberry]] to plead for aid against the evil raised by the [[Witch-king]] in the [[Barrow-downs]]. Though she did not come back, the evil had subsided for a time; the blue-jewelled brooch belonged to her.

{{References|n}}
[[Category:Dúnedain of the North]]
[[Category:Rulers in Middle-earth]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]

South Gondor

2014-07-28T10:29:56Z

Maturion:

{{sources}}
[[File:Middle-earth map (4 of 4).png|thumb|Map of Harondor and neighbouring regions]]
'''South Gondor''', known in [[Sindarin]] as '''Harondor''', was a disputed region south of [[Ithilien]], between the rivers [[Poros]] and [[Harnen]].<ref>{{FR|Map}}</ref> The [[Harad Road]] ran across South Gondor. Its climate was described as fluctuating between mild winters and very hot and dry summers.<ref>{{HM|AME}}, pp. 183, 185</ref> Ongoing wars led to the region's downfall and by the end of the [[Third Age]], Harondor was said to be a deserted land.
==History==
Historically, this region was a part of [[Gondor]]. It was absorbed by [[Gondor]] during the height of its power, perhaps the expansions of [[Tarannon Falastur]].<ref>{{HM|AME}}, "The Third Age - Kingdoms of the Dunedain", p. 55</ref> Some sources mention {{TA|830}} as the year of incorporation<ref>http://www.tolkiendil.com/encyclo/geographie/regions/harondor</ref>.

Harondor was part of Gondor until the [[Kin-strife]] and frequent assaults and invasions by the [[Corsairs of Umbar]] and the [[Haradrim]] meant that, by the later years of the [[Third Age]], Gondor lost control over this region<ref>{{App|Gondor}}</ref>

[[Fengel]]'s two older brothers, [[Folcred]] and [[Fastred (son of Folcwine)|Fastred]], were killed in [[Harondor]] while fighting for [[Gondor]] in {{TA|2885}}, meaning that even by the late [[Third Age]], it had not given up its claims to the region. However, by the time of the [[War of the Ring]] all the land south of the river [[Poros]] was under the influence of the Haradrim.<ref>{{App|Gondor}}</ref>

During the [[War of the Ring]], Harondor was often described as a "debatable and desert land" on maps.

After the revival of the [[Reunited Kingdom]] of Gondor and [[Arnor]] in the [[Fourth Age]], Harondor may have again fallen under the rule of Gondor.

==Etymology==
The [[Sindarin]] word Harondor seems to contain ''har-'' (as in [[Harad]], meaning "south"<ref>{{App|E1i}}</ref>) and ''Gondor'', with initial G- [[lenition|lenited]] to zero in compounds.
==Portrayal in adaptations==

'''1982-97: ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing]]'':'''
:Several settlements and sites in Harondor are mentioned, including Gobel Mírlond, which is said to be its capital, as well as Has Yayb, Tir Ethraid, Barad Harn and Amon Eithel.{{fact}}

'''1995-8: ''[[Middle-earth Collectible Card Game]]'':'''
:A site in Harondor, ''[[Haudh in Gwanûr|Haudh-in-Gwanûr]]'', is mentioned, where players face an attack by Undead. The city of [[Gobel Mírlond ]] also makes an appearance.

{{references}}
[[Category:Regions]]
[[Category:Gondor]]
[[de:Harondor]]
[[fr:encyclo/geographie/regions/harondor]]
[[fi:Etelä-Gondor]]

South Gondor

2013-06-23T10:09:45Z

Maturion:

[[File:Middle-earth map (4 of 4).png|thumb|Map of Harondor and neighbouring regions]]
'''South Gondor''', known in [[Sindarin]] as '''Harondor''', was a disputed region between the rivers [[Poros]] and [[Harnen]].<ref>{{FR|Map}}</ref> The [[Harad Road]] ran across South Gondor. Its climate was described as fluctuating between mild winters and very hot and dry summers.<ref>[[The Atlas of Middle-earth]] pgs. 183 & 185</ref>

Historically, this region was a part of [[Gondor]], but frequent assaults and invasions by the [[Corsairs of Umbar]] and the [[Haradrim]] meant that, by the later years of the [[Third Age]], Gondor lost control over this region.<ref>{{App|Gondor}}</ref> In fact, Harondor was part of Gondor until the [[Kin-strife]]. During the [[War of the Ring]], it was often described as a "debatable and desert land" on maps.
[[Fengel]]'s two older brothers, [[Folcred]] and [[Fastred (son of Folcwine)|Fastred]], were killed in [[Harondor]] while fighting for [[Gondor]] in [[Third Age 2885|T.A. 2885]], meaning that even by the late Third Age, Gondor had not completely abandoned and ceded Harondor.

==Portrayal in adaptations==
There are only few descriptions of Harondor by Tolkien himself, however, there are several non-canonical adaptions that feature a more detailed depiction of this region.

'''1982-97: ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing]]'':'''
:Several settlements and sites in Harondor are mentioned, including [[Gobel Mirlond]], [[Has Yayb]], [[Tir Ethraid]], [[Barad Harn]] and [[Amon Eithel]].

'''1995-8: ''[[Middle-earth Collectible Card Game]]'':'''
:A site in Harondor, ''[[Haudh-in-Gwanûr]]'', is mentioned, where players face an attack by Undead.

'''2009:''[[Third Age: Total War]]'': '''
:Third Age: Total War is modification for the strategy PC game Medieval II: Total War and is set in the late [[Third Age]]. Harondor is divided into four regions, the smaller coastal provinces of South Harondor and West Harondor and the inbound and larger one that is simply called Harondor and has [[Amon Eithel]] as its capital. In the east, bordering the [[Ephel Dúath]], there is East Harondor with its capital [[Tir Ethraid]]. [[Barad Harn]] is mentioned as the main settlement of West Harondor, while South Harondor's most important city is marked as Has Yayb.

:Only South and East Harondor are controlled by the Harad faction in the beginning, while West and Central Harondor are ruled by local militia. West Harondor is the only of these four provinces to still have a mostly [[Gondorians|Gondorian]] and [[Númenóreans|Númenórean]] population, while all other parts of Harondor, especially in the East and South, are mostly settled by [[Haradrim]].
{{references}}
[[Category:Regions]]
[[Category:Gondor]]
[[de:Harondor]]
[[fr:encyclo/geographie/regions/harondor]]
[[fi:Etelä-Gondor]]

South Gondor

2013-06-23T10:08:49Z

Maturion:

[[File:Middle-earth map (4 of 4).png|thumb|Map of Harondor and neighbouring regions]]
'''South Gondor''', known in [[Sindarin]] as '''Harondor''', was a disputed region between the rivers [[Poros]] and [[Harnen]].<ref>{{FR|Map}}</ref> The [[Harad Road]] ran across South Gondor. Its climate was described as fluctuating between mild winters and very hot and dry summers.<ref>[[The Atlas of Middle-earth]] pgs. 183 & 185</ref>

Historically, this region was a part of [[Gondor]], but frequent assaults and invasions by the [[Corsairs of Umbar]] and the [[Haradrim]] meant that, by the later years of the [[Third Age]], Gondor lost control over this region.<ref>{{App|Gondor}}</ref> In fact, Harondor was part of Gondor until the [[Kin-strife]]. During the [[War of the Ring]], it was often described as a "debatable and desert land" on maps.
[[Fengel]]'s two older brothers, [[Folcred]] and [[Fastred (son of Folcwine)|Fastred]], were killed in [[Harondor]] while fighting for [[Gondor]] in [[Third Age 2885|T.A. 2885]], meaning that even by the late Third Age, Gondor had not completely abandoned and ceded Harondor.

==Portrayal in adaptations==
There are only few descriptions of Harondor by Tolkien himself, however there are several non-canonical adaptions that feature a more detailed depiction of this region.

'''1982-97: ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing]]'':'''
:Several settlements and sites in Harondor are mentioned, including [[Gobel Mirlond]], [[Has Yayb]], [[Tir Ethraid]], [[Barad Harn]] and [[Amon Eithel]].

'''1995-8: ''[[Middle-earth Collectible Card Game]]'':'''
:A site in Harondor, ''[[Haudh-in-Gwanûr]]'', is mentioned, where players face an attack by Undead.

'''1982- ''[[Third Age: Total War]]'': '''
:Third Age: Total War is modification for the strategy PC game Medieval II: Total War and is set in the late [[Third Age]]. Harondor is divided into four regions, the smaller coastal provinces of South Harondor and West Harondor and the inbound and larger one that is simply called Harondor and has [[Amon Eithel]] as its capital. In the east, bordering the [[Ephel Dúath]], there is East Harondor with its capital [[Tir Ethraid]]. [[Barad Harn]] is mentioned as the main settlement of West Harondor, while South Harondor's most important city is marked as Has Yayb.

:Only South and East Harondor are controlled by the Harad faction in the beginning, while West and Central Harondor are ruled by local militia. West Harondor is the only of these four provinces to still have a mostly [[Gondorians|Gondorian]] and [[Númenóreans|Númenórean]] population, while all other parts of Harondor, especially in the East and South, are mostly settled by [[Haradrim]].
{{references}}
[[Category:Regions]]
[[Category:Gondor]]
[[de:Harondor]]
[[fr:encyclo/geographie/regions/harondor]]
[[fi:Etelä-Gondor]]

Harad

2013-05-18T12:51:44Z

Maturion: /* Etymology */

{{location
|image=[[Image:Harad map.jpg|250px]]
|name=Harad
|othernames=Haradwaith, Sunlands, Sutherland
|etymology=
|type=Region
|location=South of [[Gondor]] and [[Mordor]]
|inhabitants=[[Haradrim]]
|realms=Various tribal societies
|description=A vast hot area, filled with deserts and jungles
|events=
|references=
|}}
'''Harad''' was the name of the immense lands to the South of [[Gondor]] and [[Mordor]]. It was inhabited by many different tribes called [[Haradrim]].

== History ==
[[File:John Howe - Icon Harad.jpg|thumb|150px|right|Harad War Icon by [[John Howe]]]]
===Second Age===
During the [[Second Age]], the Haradrim came in contact with [[Sauron]] and the [[Númenóreans]]. The Men of [[Númenor]] explored the coasts of [[Middle-earth]], including the coast lands of Harad. In the 9th century of the Second Age, the great mariner [[Tar-Aldarion|Aldarion]] explored the coast of Harad far to the south and was nearly shipwrecked.<ref>{{UT|Wife}}</ref>

The Númenóreans, who had explored and colonized the Harad coastlines, initially benefited the people in the lands they explored by teaching them many things about agriculture and craftsmanship.<ref>{{App|Numenor}}</ref> The Númenóreans made settlements on the southern coasts, including the Havens of [[Umbar]] where they built a great fortress in {{SA|2280|n}}.<ref name="SA">{{App|SA}}</ref>

After the reign of [[Tar-Ciryatan]], the Númenóreans began to set themselves up as lords in Middle-earth as they demanded tribute of goods and wealth, causing the oppression of the Haradrim. [[Sauron]] did not at first dare to extend his power to the coast where the Númenóreans held power. But after the forging of the [[Rings of Power]] and the emergence of the [[Nazgûl]], Sauron began to attack the Númenórean settlements on the coast.<ref name="Akallabeth">{{S|Akallabeth}}</ref>

[[Ar-Pharazôn]] of Númenor landed at [[Umbar]] in {{SA|3261|n}}<ref name="SA"/> with a great fleet and the people on the coasts fled before them. Sauron's forces refused to fight and he allowed himself to be taken to Númenor where he corrupted the King and his followers. Under Ar-Pharazon, the Númenóreans made war on the Men of Middle-earth, enslaving them and using them for human sacrifices.<ref name="Akallabeth"/>

The Númenóreans who lived in Harad survived the destruction of Númenor in {{SA|3319|n}}.<ref name="SA"/> They became known as the [[Black Númenóreans]] because they remained under the influence of Sauron.<ref>{{RK|V10}}</ref> Shortly before the [[War of the Last Alliance]], two Númenórean lords, named as [[Herumor]] and [[Fuinur]], "rose to great power amongst the Haradrim", but their ultimate fate is not recorded.<ref>{{S|Rings}}</ref>

===Third Age===
[[Image:Jan Pospisil - Haradrim Camp.jpg|thumb|170px|left|Haradrim Camp by [[Jan Pospisil]]]]
For many centuries of the [[Third Age]], many Haradrim were still ruled by Black Númenórean Lords, or further north by the Kings of [[Gondor]]. Ultimately the Harad fell under the influence of [[Mordor]] for much of the Age.

[[Near Harad]] later formed an alliance—or maybe even a coalition of some sort—with the [[Corsairs of Umbar]], and was involved in a series of continual battles with Gondor over ''South Gondor'' or [[Harondor]]. Anciently its northern border was held to be the river [[Harnen]], but by the time of the[[War of the Ring]] all the land south of the river [[Poros]] was under the influence of the Haradrim.<ref>{{App|Gondor}}</ref>

The Haradrim were among the forces led by the [[Witch-king]] that attacked [[Osgiliath]] on [[20 June|June 20]], {{TA|3018}},<ref name="Great">{{App|Great}}</ref> at the beginning of the War of the Ring. They captured the eastern half of Osgiliath, but [[Boromir]] and [[Faramir]] cast down the bridge across the [[Anduin]] and defended the western half of the city.<ref name="Council">{{FR|II2}}</ref> More Haradrim continued to come up the [[Harad Road]] to Mordor. Faramir and the [[Rangers of Ithilien]] ambushed some companies of Haradrim, but they could not stop them all.<ref>{{TT|IV4}}</ref>

Regiments of Haradrim joined the host from Minas Morgul marching to the [[Pelennor Fields]]. Sauron's forces besieged [[Minas Tirith]], and the [[Mumakil]] of Harad were used to bring forward war-towers and siege-engines to test the City's defenses. One of the leaders of the Haradrim at this time bore the standard of the [[Serpent Lord]] and was slain by King [[Théoden]] of [[Rohan]] at the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]]<ref>{{RK|V6}}</ref> on [[15 March]] {{TA|3019|n}}.<ref name="Great"/>

After the revival of the [[Reunited Kingdom]] of Gondor and [[Arnor]] in the [[Fourth Age]], much of the Harad may have again fallen under the rule of Gondor.

== Geography ==
Harad was located south of Mordor, with the [[Ephel Dúath|Mountains of Shadow]] forming part of the northern border of Harad. The River Harnen flowed westward from the Mountains of Shadow to the [[Bay of Belfalas]] and was Harad's border with South Gondor - a deserted region contested between [[Gondor]] and Harad. The Harad Road ran from Harad northward through South Gondor and on to [[Ithilien]].

To the northeast of Harad was [[Khand]], a land that also had ties with Sauron. It is not known how far eastward or southward Harad stretched. On the west, Harad was bounded by the Bay of [[Belfalas]] and the [[Belegaer|Sea]].

The northernmost part of Harad was called Near Harad and the southern part was [[Far Harad]]. On the coast there was a natural harbor with a narrow cape curving around it. The coastal region around the harbor was known as Umbar, and the harbor was called the Havens of Umbar. The seafaring raiders known as the [[Corsairs of Umbar|Corsairs]] lived there. At the eastern end of the harbor was the City of the Corsairs.<ref>{{FR|Map}}</ref>

Much of Far Harad was a jungle, although there also was a desert. In the [[Great Forest of the South]] in Far Harad lived the gigantic [[Oliphaunts]], which were used by the Haradrim as moving war towers.

Harad's location in the far south isolated it to a certain extent from the rest of Middle-earth. The climate was much warmer and sunnier (Harad was called the "[[Sunlands]]" by the [[Hobbits]] of [[the Shire]]). There were unusual animals such as the Oliphaunts.<ref name="Gate">{{TT|IV3}}</ref> Even the constellations in Harad's night sky down in the southern hemisphere were different from those in northern Middle-earth ([[Aragorn]] had traveled far into Harad "where the stars are strange"<ref name="Council"/>).

== Social Organisation ==
[[Image:Kyle Anderson - Haradrim King.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Haradrim King by ''Kyle Anderson'']]
Harad's tribes were divided—at least in the minds of the men of northwestern Middle-earth—into those of Near and Far Harad, although there were many tribes of the Haradrim, often mutually hostile. Those of Near Harad were brown-skinned, with black hair and dark eyes, whereas the people of Far Harad had black skin.<ref name="Gate"/> It is also presumed that every tribe had a chieftain, who served as their leader and general in the battlefield.

== Etymology ==
''Harad'' means "South" in [[Sindarin]].<ref>{{App|E1i}}</ref> The word is derived from [[Sundocarme|root]] [[KHYAR]], and is cognate to [[Quenya]] ''[[hyarmen]]'' ("south").<ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}, '''KHYAR'''</ref> It is also called [[Haradwaith]] which includes ''[[gwaith]]'' ("people").

The [[Men]] of Harad were called [[Haradrim]] ("Southern-host").<ref name="Council"/>

{{references}}
[[Category:Regions]]
[[Category:Sindarin nouns]]
[[Category:Southern lands]]
[[Category:Sindarin locations]]

[[de:Harad]]
[[fi:Harad]]
[[fr:encyclo/geographie/regions/harad]]

South Gondor

2013-05-18T12:46:08Z

Maturion: