Tolkien Gateway - User contributions [en]

Talk:Dagor Dagorath

2025-01-10T20:27:38Z

NotJesper: /* Write as in-universe */ new section

__TOC__
==Inspiration==
This article states that the Dagor Dagorath is clearly inspired by and bears many similarities to Ragnarök. In Norse mythology, both the giants ''and the gods'' are destroyed. To me, it seems, it bears more resemblance to the Biblical Last Battle. According to the book of Revelation, there will be a great battle between Michael and his angels versus Satan, and Satan, called the dragon, will be cast down and bound for a thousand years. This resembles the War of Wrath. At the end of the thousand years (which might be literal or not; a thousand years was in Jewish culture symbolic of a very long time), Satan will be released and decieve the world, and make war on God. Then he'll be cast down again, this time permanently, and a new world made. I believe in Norse myth, the world is just made out of the ruins after Ragnarök. Now, I think that the Christian prophecy is much more similar to the Dagor Dagorath than the Norse Ragnarök. Therefor, unless I am wrong or Tolkien actually connected the two himself, I believe that it is wrong to say definitely that the Dagor Dagorath was inspired by Ragnarök. It's possible, of course, but as long as there isn't any evidence, I am going to delete that statement. --[[User:Narfil Palùrfalas|Narfil Palùrfalas]] 14:14, 12 September 2006 (EDT)

:While I have little knowledge of the different events based on your analysis I'm going to agree. --[[User:Hyarion|Hyarion]] 14:33, 12 September 2006 (EDT)

You are quite right Narfil. As a Christian myself, I found this prophesy surprisingly similiar to Revelation. So yes I agree. --[[User:Dwarf Lord|Dwarf Lord]] 15:54, 12 September 2006 (EDT)

==Notes==
The rewrite tag is indeed warranted; it's a bit disheartening to see that both the One Wiki and Wikipedia have better articles about the subject than TG. In any case, here are just two passages ([http://www.facebook.com/groups/TheTolkienSociety.EducationalCharity/permalink/10154789800671068/?comment_id=10154797075611068&reply_comment_id=10154797826666068&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22%3A%22R7%22%7D noted] in a Tolkien Society FB group discussion) to be included in future updates to our article:
*“[...]and Menelmacar with his shining belt, that forebodes the '''Last Battle''' that shall be at the end of days. And high in the north as a challenge to Melkor she set the crown of seven mighty stars to swing, Valacirca, the Sickle of the Valar and sign of doom.” (Ch 3, Silm)
*“But Ar-Pharazôn the King and the mortal warriors that had set foot upon the land of Aman were buried under falling hills: there it is said that they lie imprisoned in the Caves of the Forgotten, until the '''Last Battle''' and the Day of Doom.” (Akkallabeth, Silm)
--[[User:Morgan|Morgan]] 19:25, 10 February 2017 (UTC)

==After rewriting==
These are my requests for future editors:
* I am aware that the section "History" is more a study than a proper description of the event. But this is due the complicated topic. What we should NEVER do is explain the event mixing all the versions arround!
* I do think that the only note in [[The Istari]] is of doubtful canonicity and maybe it should be in "Other versions of the legendarium", but the page's name is "Dagor Dagorath", so the note must be included in the "History" section.
* No battle template, please: this article is not about just the battle, but also and even more important, the Second Prophecy of Mandos.
* Christopher's removing the Prophecy is right and the starting point to other versions.
* The page about [[Arda Unmarred]] should be improved and not mixed with this.
--[[User:LorenzoCB|LorenzoCB]] 18:13, 26 August 2019 (UTC)

== Suggestion ==
What if we moved this page to "Second Prophecy of Mandos” to discuss the prophecy and the omission by Christopher Tolkien? Maybe we should make a new page to discuss the specifics of the "Last Battle" as it deserves its own focus for those who want to see it with the battle template and without the discussion of its disputed canon. Also, Last Battle is used more frequently than Dagor Dagorath and appears along with Day of Doom within the published version of "[[The Silmarillion]]". Also, it seems like the Day of Doom may be another name for the prophecy itself and would fit with the "[[Doom of Mandos]]" page.[[User:Dour1234|Dour1234]] ([[User talk:Dour1234|talk]]) 04:45, 25 September 2022 (UTC)

:Nah. This is not a normal battle, but an eschatological event. No battle template. Making other article makes no sense: the content of the prophecy is the Last Battle and Mandos prophesying does not appear until later versions. I won't repeat the naming policy; Dagor Dagorath stays. --[[User:LorenzoCB|LorenzoCB]] ([[User talk:LorenzoCB|talk]]) 10:04, 25 September 2022 (UTC)
::I only brought up possibly changing the name because on this very talk page you yourself mentioned this:

::{{blockquote| I do think that the only note in [[The Istari]] is of doubtful canonicity and maybe it should be in "Other versions of the legendarium", but the page's name is "Dagor Dagorath", so the note must be included in the "History" section.|[[User:LorenzoCB|LorenzoCB]]}}

::I believe this is a contradiction in the naming policy. If the note is of doubtful canonicity, than should we not change the page name to a more canon name? Or what happens when the popular name is slightly inaccurate, but more popular? Also, on an unrelated note, I am currently working on Forward to the Notion Club Papers (and have been working on it for some time in a word document). [[User:Dour1234|Dour1234]] ([[User talk:Dour1234|talk]]) 14:24, 25 September 2022 (UTC)

:::There I wasn't questioning the article's name. If you asked me even back there (I would never use the term "canon" nowadays), I'd agreed that the article should be named after the most known name. "''Or what happens when the popular name is slightly inaccurate, but more popular?''": the name is not inaccurate, it's Tolkien's. Please don't worry with such questions. --[[User:LorenzoCB|LorenzoCB]] ([[User talk:LorenzoCB|talk]]) 20:13, 25 September 2022 (UTC)

== The name Dagor Delothrin ==

I believe that the name "Dagor Delothrin" from the list of names in LR is a reference to the War of Wrath, not Dagor Dagorath. It explicitly says in the list that "The reference given is to AB I annal 250" where the battle at the end of the first age is described. {{unsigned|Delothiel}}

:Yes, you are right. Let me check the sources and I'll change it asap. Thanks! --[[User:LorenzoCB|LorenzoCB]] ([[User talk:LorenzoCB|talk]]) 13:22, 18 February 2023 (UTC)

== Write as in-universe ==

This should probably be re-written to make the Introduction and History sections in-universe. But with such a fleeting concept that might be difficult to do with any authority. [[User:NotJesper|NotJesper]] ([[User talk:NotJesper|talk]]) 20:27, 10 January 2025 (UTC)

Ainur

2025-01-02T04:18:35Z

NotJesper: Punctuation

{{race infobox
| name=Ainur
| image = Anna Kulisz - Ainulindale.jpg
| caption=Ainulindale by [[:Category:Images by Anna Kulisz|Anna Kulisz]]
| pronun={{IPA|[ˈaɪnur]}}
| othernames=''Ayanûz'' ([[Valarin|V]]), Holy Ones, Great Ones,
| origin=[[Creation of the Ainur]]
| location=[[Timeless Halls]], [[Arda]], [[Almaren]], [[Aman]]
| affiliation=
| rivalry=
| language=[[Valarin]], [[Quenya]], [[Sindarin]], [[Khuzdul]], [[Black Speech]], [[Westron]], etc.
| people=[[Valar]], [[Maiar]]
| members=[[Melkor]], [[Manwë]], [[Ulmo]], [[Varda]], [[Aulë]], [[Yavanna]], [[Mandos]], [[Sauron]], [[Gothmog]], [[Gandalf]], [[Saruman]]
| lifespan=Immortal
| distinctions=
| height=
| hair=
| skin=
| clothing=[[Fana]]
| weapons=
}}
The '''Ainur''' (singular '''Ainu''') were divine [[spirits]], the "Holy Ones". They were the first beings created by [[Ilúvatar]], the "order" of the [[Valar]] and [[Maiar]], made before [[Eä]].<ref name="Ainu">{{S|Ainu}}</ref>

==History==
===Origins===
{{Main|Creation of the Ainur}}
The Ainur were the first, and mightiest, beings created by [[Ilúvatar]] before the beginning of the World. The Ainur were the "offspring of [[Ilúvatar]]'s thought", and each was given understanding only of that part of the mind of Ilúvatar from which they came. The exception to this was [[Melkor]], the greatest of the Ainur, who had a part of the gifts of all the others.

Although all Ainur are made of the thought of Ilúvatar, in His mind some were siblings. Thus for instance, [[Melkor]] and [[Manwë]] were considered brothers.

The Ainur were "kindled with the [[Flame Imperishable]]". Ilúvatar instructed them in music, until he brought them together to make the [[Music of the Ainur]]; the great song that created the [[Vision of Ilúvatar]] and ultimately the real World.<ref name="Ainu" />

===Within Eä===
Through the Music of the Ainur, Ilúvatar created a Vision of the World, and explained much of its nature and destiny to them – so the Ainur have much knowledge of the World, but are not omniscient. Then [[Ilúvatar]] granted the World true being. Many of the Ainur desired to descend into it and form it in readiness for the coming of the [[Children of Ilúvatar]] ([[Elves]] and [[Men]]).<ref name="Ainu" /> Fourteen of these great Ainur became the [[Valar]], or Powers of [[Arda]].<ref>{{S|IIb}}</ref> The fifteenth, Melkor, turned aside from that path and became known as [[Morgoth]], the Dark Enemy.<ref>{{S|IId}}</ref> The many lesser Ainur that accompanied the Valar into [[Arda]] are known as [[Maiar]].<ref>{{S|IIc}}</ref>

Those Ainur who entered the World at its beginning remain bound to it until its end.<ref name="Ainu" /> Though Melkor was eventually thrown into the [[Void]] by the others, he is prophesied to return before [[the End]].<ref name="Istari">{{UT|Istari}}</ref> Little is known of the ultimate future of the Ainur, even by themselves, but it is said that, after the death of the World, they will make a [[Second Music of the Ainur|Second Music]], even greater, with the race of [[Men]].<ref>{{S|1}}</ref>

==Characteristics==
The Ainur are [[immortal]], angelic beings. Nonetheless they do possess gender. Those who later descended to Arda took on common male and female forms to appear to the Elves in, and have an inherent male or female gender even when formless. This is because their gender is based on their being, which is independent of any physical form they may assume.<ref name="Ainu" /> But unlike the [[Children of Ilúvatar]], they do not actually need [[hröa]]r. Nevertheless, they can take tangible physical form called '''''[[fana]]''''', but this is a manifestation of their spirit and they do not technically have bodies the way [[Elves]] and [[Men]] do. As such, an Ainu cannot quite be killed. However, Ainur's spirits can be weakened, in ways that hinder their ability to take shapes, influence the world, or even affect the world at all.<ref>{{L|200}}</ref>

For example, [[Sauron]]'s spirit was repeatedly weakened by successive damage when he was defeated by [[Huan]] in the form of a [[Werewolf]];<ref>{{S|Beren}}</ref> in the [[Downfall of Númenor]] which destroyed his ability to take fair form;<ref>{{S|Akallabeth}}</ref> his defeat in the [[War of the Last Alliance]] when he lost the ability to take a physical form,<ref>{{S|Rings}}</ref> and had to regain his power in the [[East]] for about 1000 years;<ref>{{App|TA}}</ref> and finally with the destruction of [[the One Ring]] which broke his ability to affect the world at all, reducing his spirit to a state that could no longer do harm.<ref>{{RK|VI4}}</ref> None of these things killed Sauron outright. A similar fate faced [[Saruman]] when he was murdered by [[Gríma]] – because of his evil deeds, his spirit was allowed to fade as Sauron's spirit faded.<ref>{{RK|VI8}}</ref>

But when [[Gandalf|Gandalf the Grey]] was killed by [[Durin's Bane]], not only was he brought back, but his spirit was significantly restrengthened into an even more powerful form, [[Gandalf|Gandalf the White]].<ref>{{TT|III5}}</ref>

[[Morgoth|Melkor]] though was the most powerful of the Ainur (greater than the rest of the Valar combined), and his spirit, instead of fading away, was exiled from [[Arda]] altogether through the [[Door of Night]] into the [[Void]]. It's prophesied that Melkor would return at the [[Final Battle|Dagor Dagorath]] in Arda's last days for one final confrontation against the Valar and the Children of Ilúvatar. In this confrontation, it is stated that he is "destroyed".<ref name="Istari" />

==Line of Melian==
One of the [[Maiar]] named [[Melian]], alone of all the Ainur, wedded an [[Elves|Elf]], King Elu [[Thingol]] of [[Doriath]].<ref>{{S|Thingol}}</ref> From her, a strain of the Ainur entered the bloodlines of the [[Elves]] and [[Men]], passed down through generations. [[Elrond]] and [[Elros]] were Melian's descendants as well as the [[Kings of Númenor]] and their heirs.

==Etymology==
{{Pronounce|Ainur.mp3|Ardamir}}
The word ''Ainu'' is [[Quenya]] and is related to words for "holiness" such as ''[[aina]]'';<ref>{{S|Appendix}} ''aina''</ref> the female form is given as '''''Aini'''''.<ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}, entry "AYAN"</ref>

It is derived from the original [[Valarin]] word for ''Ainur'', which was '''''Ayanûz'''''.<ref>{{WJ|Quendi}}, p. 399</ref>

They are also referred to as '''Great Ones''' or '''Holy Ones'''.<ref name="Ainu" />

{{references}}
{{ainur}}
[[Category:Ainur| ]]
[[Category:Pronounced articles]]
[[Category:Quenya demonyms]]
[[Category:Races]]
[[Category:Spirits]]
[[de:Ainur]]
[[fr:encyclo/peuples/ainur/ainur]]
[[fi:Ainur]]

Ainulindalë

2025-01-02T04:13:43Z

NotJesper: /* Synopsis */ Rewrote synopsis

{{disambig-more|Ainulindalë|[[Ainulindalë (disambiguation)]]}}
{{chapter
| image=Alystraea - Ainulindale.jpg
| caption=''Ainulindale'' by [[:Category:Images by Alystraea|Alystraea]]
| title=Ainulindalë
| book=The Silmarillion
| number=1
| length=
| written=
| map=
| event=[[Creation of the Ainur]]
| date=[[Music of the Ainur]]
| location=[[Arda]]
| perspective=
| previous=
| next=Valaquenta
| audio=
| audiocaption=
}}
'''''Ainulindalë'': The Music of the Ainur''' is the first part of ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', edited by [[Christopher Tolkien]] from [[Tolkien|his father]]'s later texts.

It narrates the creation of the world which was to be the scene of all the following tales of the ''[[Quenta Silmarillion]]'' and ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''.

==Synopsis==
In the beginning [[Ilúvatar]] [[Creation of the Ainur|creates the Ainur]] ("Holy Ones"), spirits that are made from but independent of his thought. He teaches them music and the Ainur sing, but only alone or a few together. Ilúvatar calls together all the Ainur and teaches them a theme: he asks them to sing the theme together, but for each to adorn it with their own thoughts. This begins the [[Music of the Ainur]].

Ilúvatar sits back and listens to the music, but [[Melkor]], the mightiest of the Ainur, who is jealous of Ilúvatar's [[Secret Fire|power of creation]], breaks with Ilúvatar's theme and introduces discord to the music. Ilúvatar rises and introduces a second theme, but Melkor's discord contends with it and gains mastery. Ilúvatar introduces a third theme that cannot be quenched, and the two musics progress against each other. Ilúvatar rises for a third time and the music ceases. He then shows the Ainur a [[Vision of Ilúvatar|vision]] of the world, [[Arda]], that their music has created, and many of the things that will happen there including the coming introduction of the [[Children of Ilúvatar]]: the Elves and Men. [[File:Ted Nasmith - Melkor Weaves Opposing Music.jpg|thumb|left|''Melkor weaves opposing Music'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
Ilúvatar speaks the creation, [[Eä]], into existence and many of the Ainur enter and become bound to it. The greatest among them are called the [[Valar]], the "Powers of the World". They are joined by lesser spirits called [[Maiar]]. They take forms like those of the coming Children of Ilùvatar.

The world is empty and formless, and the Valar begin the work of forming the world as the vision of Ilúvatar showed them. The chief part of this work is done by the Valar [[Manwë]], [[Ulmo]] and [[Aulë]]. They are opposed by Melkor, who wishes to subdue and control the creation for himself, and corrupts whatever the other Valar create. This is the [[First War]]. As the Valar battle Melkor for dominion, Earth slowly takes form.

==Etymology==
{{Pronounce|ainulindale.mp3|Ardamir}}
The meaning of ''Ainulindalë'' (pronounced {{IPA|[ˌaɪnuˈlindale]}}, {{respell|eye-noo|lin|dahl-eh}}) is given in the same chapter title: "The Music of the Ainur". It is a [[Quenya]] compound: ''Ainu(r)'' + ''lindalë'' (verb ''[[lind|linda-]]'' with abstract noun suffix ''[[-lë]]'': "music, singing").<ref>{{webcite|author=Paul Strack|articleurl=http://eldamo.org/content/words/word-1069406749.html|articlename=Q. ''lindalë'' n.|website=Eldamo|accessed=2 April 2020}}</ref>

==History of composition==
:''Tolkien rewrote many times the ''Ainulindalë''. To read about each version, see the article ''[[Ainulindalë (Rúmil's work)]].

For his edition of ''The Silmarillion'', Christopher used the last and most complete version, lettered as [[Ainulindalë (Morgoth's Ring)#Ainulindalë D|''Ainulindalë'' D]], written in [[1951]], which was later published in ''[[Morgoth's Ring]]''. The text itself was not changed very much, but it was mainly restructured, as Christopher decided to remove the fictional authorship and the narrative frame. In all the versions of the ''Ainulindalë'', it was presented as a work of [[Rúmil (elf of Tirion)|Rúmil]], and in the last versions, [[Pengoloð]] the Sage expanded his work narrating the [[Spring of Arda]] and describing the main Valar. Removing this frame, Christopher had also to remove all the narrator's words, finishing the tale with the [[First War]], so he moved the second part to the chapter "[[Of the Beginning of Days]]".

Christopher also changed some names to make them match with the mature versions, like ''"habitation set within the vast spaces of the World"'' is changed from ''"habitation in the halls of Aman"'', as ''Aman'' was no longer the Elvish name for the World, but ''Eä'' (although Christopher didn't use that term in this case).<ref>[[Douglas Charles Kane]], ''[[Arda Reconstructed]]'', "''Ainulindalë'' (The Music of the Ainur)", pp. 36-37</ref>

{{silmarillion-chapters}}
{{references}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ainulindale (chapter)}}
[[Category:The Silmarillion chapters]]
[[de:Ainulindale]]
[[fr:tolkien/resumes/silm/ainulindale]]
[[fi:Ainulindalë (Silmarillion)]]

Aelin-uial

2024-09-01T20:19:21Z

NotJesper: Revised introduction

{{location infobox
| name=Aelin-uial
| image=Peter Xavier Price - Finrod and Turgon at the Meres of Twilight.jpg
| caption="Finrod and Turgon at the Meres of Twilight" by [[Peter Xavier Price]]
| pronun={{respell|eye|lin|oo-i|al}}
| othernames=''Umboth Muilin'' ([[Sindarin|S]])<br />Meres of Twilight
| location=Meeting of [[Aros]] and [[Sirion]]
| type=Marshes
| description=Marshy mazes of creeks and lakes
| regions=
| towns=
| inhabitants=[[Iathrim]]
| created=
| destroyed=
| events=Dreams of [[Turgon]] and [[Finrod]]
}}
'''Aelin-uial''', or the '''Meres of Twilight''', was a region of pools and marshes where the river [[Aros]] flowed into [[Sirion]] in the south-west of [[Doriath]].

==Location==
The Aelin-uial was the maze of lakes and [[Fens of Sirion|fens]] formed where the river [[Aros]] met the [[Sirion]], before it fell beneath the [[Andram]].<ref name="Map">{{S|Map}}</ref> These were lands heavy with enchantment from the [[Girdle of Melian]] guarding [[Doriath]] to the north of the Aelin-uial, and also from the power of [[Ulmo]] the [[Valar|Vala]], which was very strong in this area.<ref>{{S|Beleriand}}</ref>

At the southernmost end of the Aelin-uial, the waters of Sirion met once more at the [[Falls of Sirion]].<ref name="Map" />
==History==
The Aelin-uial was under the control of Doriath. [[Thingol]]'s [[Marchwardens]] kept secret ferries among the reeds, which they could use to cross in between Sirion's eastern and western banks unseen by anyone.<ref>{{S|Turin}}</ref>

It was here that [[Turgon]] and [[Finrod]] slept and Ulmo put into their dreams the idea of building their hidden strongholds located at [[Gondolin]] and [[Nargothrond]].<ref>{{S|Return}}</ref> It was also in the meres that the Elves who guarded the western marches of Doriath found [[Húrin]], whom they then brought before King [[Thingol]].<ref>{{S|Doriath}}</ref>

Near north of here, [[Morwen]] stopped in her travel to [[Nargothrond]], and [[Mablung]] and his men showed themselves to her, as they had been following her in secret by order of [[Thingol]]. She refused the offer of coming back to Doriath and accepted them as escort in her travel. Then Mablung lead her to the Pools and took the hidden rafts used by the messengers between Doriath and Nargothrond, and they crossed the Aelin-uial in the white mists of the night.<ref>{{CH|14}}</ref>

==Etymology==
''Aelin-uial'' is a [[Sindarin]] name, composed of ''aelin'' "meres", plural of ''[[ael]]'' + ''[[uial]]'' "twilight".

A variant name used by [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] was '''''Umboth Muilin''''' (also spelt ''Umboth-muilin'' and ''Umboth-Muilin''), which translates to "Pools of Twilight".<ref>{{HM|IX}}, pp. 451-2</ref> [[Helge Fauskanger]] has noted that the [[Noldorin]] name ''Oelinuial'' ("Pools of Twilight"; variant forms ''Elinuial'' and ''Eilinuial''<ref>[[David Salo]], "[https://tolkienlistsearch.herokuapp.com/message/5e9c35ba3ee6a6c41e986a69 AE and OE (message 2028)]" at [[Elfling]]</ref>), of the [[The Etymologies|''Etymologies'']], became ''Aelin-uial'' in the published [[The Silmarillion|''Silmarillion'']].<ref>[[Helge Fauskanger]], "[http://folk.uib.no/hnohf/index/indexs.htm Index to the Etymologies - Explanation]" at [http://folk.uib.no/hnohf/ Ardalambion] (accessed 18 September 2011)</ref>

Yet another, early form, was the [[Gnomish]] name ''Hithliniath'' ("Pools of Mist"; which was amended to ''Umboth Muilin'', itself amended to ''Aelinuial'').<ref>{{WJ|Beleriand}}, p. 194 (§111)</ref>

{{references}}
[[Category:Doriath]]
[[Category:Sindarin locations]]
[[Category:Swamps]]
[[de:Aelin-uial]]
[[fi:Aelin-uial]]
[[fr:encyclo/geographie/eaux/beleriand/aelin-uial]]

Girdle of Melian

2024-09-01T20:03:14Z

NotJesper: Rephrased introduction

{{location infobox
| name=Girdle of Melian
| image=Mark Fisher - Girdle of Melian.png
| caption=
| pronun=
| othernames=''Lest Melian'' ([[Sindarin|S]])
| location=Central [[Beleriand]], around [[Doriath]]
| type=Fence of enchantment
| description=
| regions=
| towns=
| inhabitants=
| created={{YT|1497}}
| destroyed={{FA|503}}
| events=
}}
The '''Girdle of Melian''' was the fence of enchantment set by [[Melian]] around the kingdom of [[Doriath]], preventing anyone from entering without her or King [[Thingol|Thingol's]] consent. It encompassed the forests of [[Neldoreth]] and [[Forest of Region|Region]], [[Nivrim]] west of the river [[Sirion]], and [[Aelin-uial]] south of the river [[Aros]].<ref>{{S|Beleriand}}</ref><ref name="SSindar" />

The name of ''Doriath'' meant "Land of the Fence"<ref name="silmindex">{{S|Index}}</ref><ref name="WJ">{{WJ|Quendi}}, pp. 370, 378</ref> or "Land of the Girdle".<ref name="SSindar">{{S|Sindar}}</ref> Accordingly, the [[Sindar]] who dwelt inside Doriath were called ''[[Iathrim]]'', the "People of the Fence"<ref>{{WJ|B}}, 3</ref> (''[[iâth]]'' meaning fence in [[Sindarin]]).
==History==
[[File:Steamey - Making the Girdle of Melian.jpg|left|thumb|''Making the Girdle of Melian'' by [[:Category:Images by Steamey|Steamey]]]]
Upon the return of [[Morgoth]] from [[Valinor]] he sent his [[Orcs]] in a great army to assail King Thingol. Although the [[Elves]] defeated the eastern host of Orcs it was a costly victory (his ally, [[Denethor (Nando)|Denethor]] of [[Ossiriand]], was killed with all his kin) and the western force of Orcs were successful in driving [[Círdan]] to the shores. Thingol therefore withdrew his people into Neldoreth and Region, and Melian used her power to encircle this dominion with an invisible wall of shadows and bewilderment. The land of Eglador was thereafter called Doriath, the guarded kingdom.<ref name="SSindar" />

After years of outlawry in [[Dorthonion]], in {{FA|464}},<ref>{{GA|174}}</ref> [[Beren]] passed through the Girdle of Melian, able to do so because (as Melian had foretold) his doom was greater than her power.<ref>{{S|West}}</ref> After the [[Quest for the Silmaril]] Beren was in Doriath when the Girdle was again breached, this time by [[Carcharoth]] the Wolf, who penetrated the Girdle due to his fate and the power of the [[Silmaril]] he had swallowed.<ref>{{S|Beren}}</ref>

Upon the death of King Thingol in {{FA|503}},<ref>{{WJ|Years}}, p. 351</ref> Melian departed from [[Middle-earth]] and with her departure the Girdle vanished.<ref>{{S|Doriath}}</ref>

==Other names==
The [[Sindarin]] name for "Girdle of Melian" was '''''Lest Melian''''', first written by [[Tolkien]] as ''List Melian''.<ref>{{WJ|14}}, "Commentary", p. 228</ref>

{{references}}
[[Category:Doriath]]
[[Category:Magic]]
[[Category:Walls]]
[[de:Gürtel Melians]]
[[fr:encyclo/geographie/anneau de melian]]
[[fi:Melianin Vyö]]

User:NotJesper/citizen.css

2024-07-08T13:18:33Z

NotJesper:

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padding-left:100px;
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2024-07-08T13:04:43Z

NotJesper: Blanked the page

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2024-07-08T13:04:23Z

NotJesper:

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2024-06-15T16:19:13Z

NotJesper: Undo revision 392960 by NotJesper (talk)

{{location infobox
| name=East Road
| image=[[File:Matěj Čadil - Great East Road.jpg|250px]]
| caption="Great East Road" by Matěj Čadil
| pronun=
| othernames=Great Road, East-West Road
| location=Running from [[Grey Havens]] through central [[Eriador]] to [[Rivendell]]
| type=Road
| description=
| regions=
| towns=
| inhabitants=[[Hobbits]], [[Men]], [[Dwarves]], [[Elves]]
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}}
The '''East Road''',<ref>{{FR|Conspiracy}}, p. 66</ref> also known as the '''East-West Road''',<ref name="Shadow">{{FR|Shadow}}, p. 43</ref><ref name=UTNote6>{{UT|7a}}, note 6</ref><ref>{{UT|Map}}, label next to the road</ref> the '''Great Road''',<ref name="Eriador">{{App|Eriador}}, p. 1039</ref> the '''Old Road''',<ref>{{FR|Knife}}, p. 183 and p. 186</ref> or the '''great East Road''' east of the [[Brandywine Bridge]],<ref name=UI>{{HM|UI}}, entry ''East Road'', p. 75</ref><ref>{{FR|Forest}}. p. 113</ref><ref>[[Christopher Tolkien]], [[General Map of Middle-earth]], label next to the road</ref> was a great ancient road in [[Eriador]] that ran from the [[Grey Havens]] to [[Rivendell]].<ref name=UI/>

==Course==
The western end of the Road was the [[Grey Havens]]<ref name="Shadow" /> near the [[Blue Mountains]]<ref name="Map">{{FR|Map}}</ref>. The East Road passed through the Shire, and two of its most important towns, [[Hobbiton]] and [[Michel Delving]], lay athwart the road.<ref>{{FR|Part}}</ref> Just northeast where the East Road crossed the [[Greenway]] was the town of [[Bree]].<ref name="Map"/> A day's journey east of Bree on the East Road was [[The Forsaken Inn]]. The [[Ford of Bruinen]] near [[Rivendell]] was a twelve days long march east of Bree on the East Road.<ref>{{FR|Knife}}, p. 187</ref>

==History==
It is not recorded when and by whom the East Road was built. It is possible that Dwarves had used the East Road or a path that followed the course of the East Road since the [[First Age]].

[[Dwarves]] had lived in the underground cities of [[Nogrod]] and [[Belegost]] in the [[Blue Mountains]] since the First Age.<ref>{{S|Sindar}}</ref> At the end of the First Age during the [[War of Wrath]] between the forces of the [[Valar]] and the forces of [[Morgoth]] great earthquakes caused the western parts of [[Beleriand]] west of the Blue Mountains to sink beneath the sea and created a gap in the south of the Blue Mountains into which a gulf of the sea flowed. The earthquakes also caused the river [[Lhûn|Lune]] to change its course and flowed into the new gulf. The Elves built the [[Grey Havens]] at the eastern end of the gulf, which was named the [[Gulf of Lune]].<ref name=Rings>{{S|Rings}}</ref> As a result of the events Nogrost and Belegost were ruined and many of their inhabitants fled to the underground dwarven city of [[Khazad-dûm]] in the [[Misty Mountains]] in the east.<ref>{{App|Durin}}, p. 1071</ref>

In the First Age the [[Durin's Folk|Longbeard Dwarves]] of Khazad-dûm and their kin from the [[Iron Hills]] began to build a road from the [[Great Gates|east gate]] of Khazad-dûm north along the eastern skirts of the Misty Mountains over the upper part of the [[Gladden River]] to the southernmost point where a bridge over the river [[Anduin]] could be constructed and then eastwards on a stone bridge over the Anduin east across the valley of the Anduin through [[Mirkwood]] to a bridge over the [[River Running]] and then over open land north-east to the iron mines<ref name=NM>{{NM|P3xx}}, pp. 372-73</ref> in the Iron Hills<ref>{{PM|XNotes}}, note 30</ref>.

Near the end of the [[Third Age]] at the time of the [[Quest of Erebor]] a road ran near the valley of Rivendell eastwards to the [[High Pass]].<ref>{{H|Hill}}, first and second paragraph</ref> It is possible that this road had been made a long time ago. At the time of the [[War of the Last Alliance]] at the end of the [[Second Age]] an "ancient" road ran down from the High Pass and that the bridge over the Anduin that it led to was enlarged and strengthened so that the armies of the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]] could pass over it.<ref>{{UT|7a}}, note 14</ref>

Records from the time of the [[War of the Ring]] at the end of the Third Age refer to [[Hobbits]] working the fields on both side of the "Dwarves' ancestral road to the" Blue Mountains<ref>{{UT|9b}}</ref> and state that dwarves had "always" travelled on the East Road to their mines in the Blue Mountains<ref name="Shadow"/>.

After the [[Númenóreans|Númenórean]] realm-in-exile of [[Arnor]] was founded, the East Road from the Grey Havens to Rivendell and the [[North-South Road|great road]] that connected [[Fornost]] with the second Númenorean realm-in-exile of [[Gondor]] were the only "Númenórean roads" in the north-west of [[Middle-earth]].<ref name=UTNote6/>

After Arnor was divided in {{TA|861}}, the East Road formed the boundary between two of its successor states, [[Cardolan]] and [[Rhudaur]]. During the [[Angmar War|War with Angmar]], [[Arthedain]] and Cardolan tried to maintain a frontier along the [[Weather Hills]], the East Road, and the lower [[Hoarwell]] against [[Angmar]] and Rhudaur.<ref>{{App|Eriador}}, ''The North-kingdom and the Dúnedain'', p. 1040</ref>

By the late [[Third Age]], the most notable users of the road were the [[Dwarves]] who travelled to and from the [[Blue Mountains]].<ref name="Eriador" /> Those often stopped at [[Bree]], and when they traversed [[the Shire]], it was said that they brought news from the world outside, thus becoming the main link between the Shire and other realms.<ref>{{FR|Sign}}</ref><ref name="Shadow" />

==Other versions==
Originally, the Road made two large curves: a great loop south of Weathertop to the North-east and then "bent back again southward towards the [[Bruinen|River]]" around the bottom of the [[Trollshaws]].

Because of [[Christopher Tolkien]]'s "carelessness", in the [[1954]] [[General Map of Middle-earth|published map]], the Road has only a small northward curve between Weathertop and the [[Last Bridge]], and then runs in a straight line to the [[Ford of Bruinen]]. In the [[Second Edition]] onwards, in order to agree with the map, the portion of the text was corrected to "the Road behind held on its way to the River Bruinen".<ref>{{RS|1XIa}}</ref>

The relevant map in [[Barbara Strachey]]'s atlas ''[[Journeys of Frodo]]'' reflects the earlier descriptions.

==Portrayal in adaptations==
'''2012: [[The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey]]:'''

While the [[Thorin and Company|Company of Thorin Oakenshield]] is in [[Rivendell]], Gandalf mentions to [[Elrond|Lord Elrond]] that they were travelling on the Great East Road. It is also said that they found the swords [[Orcrist]] and [[Glamdring]] in a troll-hoard on the self-same road.

{{references}}
[[Category:Eriador]]
[[Category:The Shire]]
[[Category:Roads and streets]]

[[de:Oststraße (Drittes Zeitalter)]]
[[fi:Itä-Länsi-tie]]

Great West Road

2024-06-15T15:22:32Z

NotJesper:

The '''Great West Road''',<ref name="RKMap">{{RK|Map}}, label "Great West Road" above the road in the Eastfold</ref> also referred to as the '''West Road'''<ref>{{RK|Debate}}, p. 882</ref><ref name="Index">{{UT|Index}}, entry ''Roads'' (2) (i)</ref> or the '''horse-road'''<ref name="Isen">{{UT|Isen}}, tenth paragraph</ref><ref name="Index" /> was the name of the portion of the [[Royal Road]]<ref>{{UT|Eorl}}</ref> connecting the [[Fords of Isen]]<ref name="Index" /> and [[Minas Tirith]].<ref name="UI">{{HM|UI}}, entry ''North-way'', p. 635</ref><ref name="Gate">{{HM|UI}}, entry ''north gate'', p. 559</ref>

==Course==
The Road ran from the eastern shore of the Fords of Isen straight east for approximately two miles, then bent sharply to the south-east<ref name="Isen" /> and ran across [[Rohan]] roughly parallel to the northern side of the [[White Mountains]] through the [[Westfold]] where it met the [[Deeping-road]] that ran north-east from [[Helm's Deep]],<ref>{{FR|Map}}</ref> continued through the [[Folde]] on to [[Edoras]] , then through the [[Eastfold]] across the [[Mering Stream]] into [[Anórien]] where it ran through the northern part of the [[Firienholt|Firien Wood]] and along the northern edge of [[Drúadan Forest]] to the northern side of [[Amon Dîn]] where it turned further to the south-east until it reached the north gate of the Rammas Echor in the north of Minas Tirith.<ref name="RKMap" />

The road from the Gate of Minas Tirith to the north gate of the Rammas Echor to join the Great West Road<ref name="UI" /><ref name="Gate" /> was called the '''North-way'''.<ref>{{RK|Steward}}, pp. 969 and 972</ref>

==See also==
*[[Greenway]], another section of the Royal Road.
*[[Royal Road]]

{{references}}
[[Category:Gondor]]
[[Category:Rohan]]
[[Category:Roads and streets]]
[[de:Große Weststraße]]

Great West Road

2024-06-15T15:22:18Z

NotJesper: Revised first line to make it extra-super-duper-clear that this is one section of another road

Talk:Royal Road

2024-06-15T14:57:42Z

NotJesper: /* Move to Royal Road */ Reply

==Move to Royal Road==

I propose to move the North-South Road page to a Royal Road page and the North South Road Discussion (i.e. talk) page to a North-South-Road talk page. Based on the entry for the Greenway in J.R.R. Tolkien's Unfinished Index in The Lord of the Rings it seems that the North-South-Road is only the name for the part of the road from Fornost Erain to the Fords of Isen. The entry cited in Hammond & Scull's The Lord of the Rings A Reader's Companion on page 31 reads "Greenway - The name given by the Bree-folk to the little-used, grass-grown North-South Road 'originally running from Isengard to Fornost' (Index)." Isengard as the end point of the North-South Road or Greenway seems to be an error, because according to The West of Middle-earth at the End of the Third Age map the main road does not run to Isengard, but to the Fords of Isen and then continues on roughly parallel to the White Mountains to Edoras and Minas Tirith and according to the narrative in the chapter The Road to Isengard of LOTR on pp. 550 (50th anniversary one-volume edition) an "ancient highway" branches off on the west side of the Fords of Isen to the north to Isengard. In addition, the name North-South Road would be odd if it refers to the whole road all the way to Minas Tirith and Osgiliath, because after the Fords of Isen it primarily runs east and only a little to the south and the Great West Road to refer all the way from Minas Tirith to Fornost would be odd, because the road west of the Frods of Isen does not longer primarily run to the west, but rather primarily to the north. The entries on The Thain's book and on the Encyclopedia of Arda seem to fully or partly shares this opinion. "Royal Road" is used twice in the narrative of Appendix ii of The Battles of the Fords of Isen in UT. Capitalized "Great Road" is used once in the narrative of Cirion and Eorl and the Friendship of Gondor and Rohan (iii) Cirion and Eorl in UT and once in Christopher Tolkien's part about the Map of Middle-earth in his introduction to UT. Uncapitalized "great road" is used once in note 6 of The Disaster of the Gladden Fields in UT and once in Cirion and Eorl and the Friendship of Gondor and Rohan (iii) Cirion and Eorl in UT. Since the name Great Road in Appendix A in the Eriador part refers also to the Great East Road and we will need a disambiguation page, I think it is best to have Great Road redirect to the disambiguation page for the Great Road where there are links to the East Road and the Royal Road and to have separate, Royal Road, Greenway (= North-South Road), Great West Road and North-way pages.

The North-South Road page (now) covers the entire road all the way to the Rammas Echor before Minas Tirith. In addition, there is already a Greenway page and the Greenway seems to be a synonym for the North-South Road. [[User:Akhorahil|Akhôrahil]] ([[User talk:Akhorahil|talk]]) 16:20, 12 December 2023 (UTC)

:Second [[User:NotJesper|NotJesper]] ([[User talk:NotJesper|talk]]) 14:57, 15 June 2024 (UTC)

South Road

2024-06-15T14:52:45Z

NotJesper:

[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Minas-tirith.jpg|thumb|right|''Map of part of Gondor'' by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]]]

The '''South Road''' was a major road in [[Gondor]] connecting [[Minas Tirith]] and [[Pelargir]].<ref group="note">The name "South Road" is used only by [[Bergil]] in the narrative; the road that could be "the South Road" is unnamed on the Map of Rohan, Gondor and Mordor, the General Map of Middle-earth and the map of The West of Middle-earth at the End of the Third Age. However, it is named on a Map of part of Gondor that was drawn by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] during the writing of The Lord of the Rings. In addition, the context of the narrative makes this identification obvious. Cf. {{HM|Guide}}, p. 363</ref>

It passed the [[Rammas Echor]], ran parallel to the Anduin, and crossed the river [[Erui]] at the [[Crossings of Erui]] before it reached [[Pelargir]].<ref>[[Catherine McIlwaine]], ''[[Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth]]'', "Map of part of Gondor", p. 389</ref><ref>{{RK|Map}}</ref>

It was the chief highway of Minas Tirith, well-paved and wide enough for three lines of wagons. A broad green riding-track ran along its eastern edge.<ref>{{RK|MT}}, view seen by Pippin from the citadel, the seventh and highest circle of Minas Tirith, p. 763</ref>

During the [[War of the Ring]], before the [[Siege of Gondor]], the captains of the [[Southern Fiefs|Outlands]] were expected to arrive at Minas Tirith on the South Road.<ref>{{RK|MT}}, conversation between Bergil and Pippin, p. 769</ref>

{{references|notes}}
[[Category:Gondor]]
[[Category:Roads and streets]]
[[fi:Eteläntie]]

Talk:South Road

2024-06-15T14:47:09Z

NotJesper: /* Move to South Road (Gondor) */ new section

This needs to link in better with [[Greenway]]. --{{User:Mith/sig}} 17:28, 26 November 2014 (UTC)
:"Old South Road" is mentioned in the articles [[North-South Road]] and [[Greenway]] as the name of the road from Tharbad to the south, but I can't find any source. I also am in doubt whether the South Road should be connected with the Greenway - which in my opinion is a late and regionally (in Bree) used name of the North-South Road. --Tik 07:50, 27 November 2014 (UTC)
::Greetings Tik. I saw that after I created this page, a relevant page was created in the Finnish wiki, which is longer than this one. Does it include other theories about the road's identification? [[User:Sage|Sage]] 12:00, 27 November 2014 (UTC)
:::No other theories or sources, I'm afraid, just long words in our peculiar language :) --Tik 15:48, 27 November 2014 (UTC)

== Move to South Road (Gondor) ==

Since every road and their mother is a South Road these days [[User:NotJesper|NotJesper]] ([[User talk:NotJesper|talk]]) 14:47, 15 June 2024 (UTC)

User:NotJesper/sandbox

2024-06-15T13:59:56Z

NotJesper: Created page with "= North-South Road = The '''North-South Road''', later called the '''Greenway''' by the Bree-folk, was a section of the Royal Road between Fornost Erain and the Fords of Isen. = Great West Road = The Great West Road was a section of the Royal Road between the Fords of Isen and Minas Tirith. = Royal Road = The '''Royal Road,'''<ref name="Isen">{{UT|11c}}, first paragraph of the long note</ref> also called the '''Great Road''',<ref>{{UT|Eo..."

= North-South Road =
The '''North-South Road''', later called the '''Greenway''' by the [[Bree-folk]], was a section of the [[Royal Road]] between [[Fornost Erain]] and the [[Fords of Isen]].

= Great West Road =
The [[Great West Road]] was a section of the [[Royal Road]] between the [[Fords of Isen]] and [[Minas Tirith]].

= Royal Road =
The '''Royal Road,'''<ref name="Isen">{{UT|11c}}, first paragraph of the long note</ref> also called the '''Great Road''',<ref>{{UT|Eorl}}</ref> was a major road in [[Middle-earth]] that connected [[Fornost Erain]] in the northern kingdom of [[Arnor]] with [[Minas Tirith]] and [[Osgiliath]] in the southern kingdom of [[Gondor]].<ref name="Isen" />

The section between [[Fornost]] and the [[Isen]] was called the North-South Road or the Greenway. The section between the [[Isen]] and [[Minas Tirith]] was called the [[Great West Road]].

= East-West Road =
The '''East-West Road''', also called the '''Great Road''' or the '''Old Road''', or the '''East Road''' by Hobbits (or '''great East Road''' east of the Brandywine Bridge), was a major road in [[Eriador]] that ran from the [[Grey Havens]] to [[Rivendell]].

= South Road (Gondor) =
The '''South Road''' was a major road in [[Gondor]] between [[Minas Tirith]] and [[Pelargir]].

User:NotJesper/Sandbox

2024-06-15T13:15:00Z

NotJesper: Blanked the page

2024-06-14T18:23:45Z

NotJesper: /* Third Age */ Revision

{{cleanup}}
{{location infobox
| name=Tharbad
| image=[[File:Rob Alexander - The Ruins of Tharbad.jpg|250px]]
| caption="The Ruins of Tharbad" by [[:Category:Images by Rob Alexander|Rob Alexander]]
| pronun=
| othernames=
| location=[[Eriador]], on the [[Gwathló]] river
| type=Ford/town
| description=
| regions=
| towns=
| inhabitants=[[Men]]
| created=
| destroyed=
| events=
}}
'''Tharbad''' was an important crossing of the river [[Gwathló]], or Greyflood, between [[Enedwaith]] and [[Minhiriath]] on the southern border of [[Eriador]]. In the Second Age, the [[Royal Road]] between [[Gondor]] and [[Arnor]] crossed there, and the [[Bridge of Tharbad]], fortifications and a great port were built. With the decline of the two kingdoms, the town was ruined and deserted.<ref name="Glanduin">{{UT|6d}}</ref><ref name="South">{{FR|South}}, p. 274</ref><ref name="UI">{{HM|UI}}, entry ''Tharbad'', p. 15</ref>

==Geography==
Tharbad was located a few miles downstream from the confluence of the rivers [[Hoarwell]] and [[Glanduin]], which formed the river Gwathló. The river there was wide and shallow, although it was dangerous to cross. The surrounding area was flat, and the waters were slow and naturally spread into a fenland of swapms, pools and eyots, filled with swans and other water-birds, called the [[Swanfleet]].<ref name="UI" /><ref>{{RK|Partings}}</ref><ref name="VT">{{VT|42a}}</ref><ref group="note">The Swanfleet is often drawn on maps as being to the east of Tharbad. But this is incongruent with the Royal Road requiring causeways over the fens.

Unfinished Tales describes a single "central region of the Great Fens" in the northern part of the Gwathló, and that the Númenóreans "penetrated northward as far as the beginning of the great fenlands," along the Gwathló, where they eventually "undertook the great works of drainage and dyke-building" where Tharbad stood. Clearly, then, Tharbad lies in the middle of a large, contiguous region of fens.

In ''The Rivers and Beacon-hills of Gondor'', Tolkien describes the region around Tharbad as "a slow wide river running through a network of swamps, pools and eyots: the haunt of hosts of swans and other water-birds." This matches the description of the Swanfleet from ''Return of the King''.</ref>

Before the fall of Arnor, causeways had been built over the fens, with the large Bridge of Tharbad crossing the river. The fens had been drained to construct a port for seagoing ships, and forts on earthworks on both sides of the river. By the time of [[The Lord of the Rings|''The Lord of the Rings'']], these were all ruined.<ref name="Glanduin" />

The [[Royal Road]] crossed the Gwathló at Tharbad. Smaller ships could also sail the river up to the crossing.<ref name="Glanduin" />

==History==
===Second Age===
In the early [[Second Age]] the river [[Glanduin]] was the southern border of the [[Noldor]]in realm [[Eregion]].<ref name="Glanduin" />

Before the year {{SA|800}}, then Prince [[Tar-Aldarion|Aldarion]] built a small sea-port, [[Lond Daer|Vinyalondë]]'','' at the mouth of the river Gwathló to obtain timber.<ref name="Glanduin" /> At some point after {{SA|883|n}},<ref>{{UT|4a}}, ''Chronology'', second paragraph</ref> he traveled up the river to meet [[Galadriel]] around Tharbad, which was then already used as crossing.<ref>{{UT|Wife}}, ''The Further Course of the Narrative'', fourth paragraph</ref>

By {{SA|1695}}, most of the old forests in Enedwaith and Minhiriath had been destroyed, and the banks of the Gwathló were deserted. The local population, who were initially in awe of the Númenóreans, had become hostile and were pushed away from Enedwaith to the Misty Mountains and from Minhiriath to the remaining forests on the cape of [[Eryn Vorn]]. The Númenóreans built forts along the river, but whether they stretched to Tharbad is unknown.<ref name="Glanduin" />

In {{SA|1695}}, [[War of the Elves and Sauron|Sauron invaded Eriador]]. He did not have enough forces to assault the Númenórean positions around the Gwathló.<ref name="Glanduin" /> But by {{SA|1700}}, he had conquered most of the land except the besieged [[Rivendell]] and [[Lindon]]. He was awaiting further forces, who were then at Tharbad. Tharbad at the time "was only lightly held", but whether by a Númenórean fort, a garrison, or by Elves is unknown. In the nick of time, a great Númenórean army defeated Sauron first at Lhûn then at the crossing of the [[Sarn Ford]]. Sauron withdrew to his reinforcements at Tharbad. But there he was attacked in the rear by another strong Númenórean force, which had landed at the port of Vinyalondë. At the [[Battle of the Gwathló]], near Tharbad, Sauron's forces were utterly routed and Sauron himself only barely escaped with a small force to [[Calenardhon]].<ref name="GC">{{UT|Concerning}}</ref>

Vinyalondë grew in importance as a major port and became known as [[Lond Daer|Lond Daer Enedh]], Great Middle Haven at some point after {{SA|2350}}. After the downfall of Númenor, the port became ruined.<ref name="Glanduin" />

===Third Age===
Tharbad lay on the southern border of the newly formed [[Arnor|Kingdom of Arnor]]. The [[Royal Road]], which was the chief route of communication between Arnor and [[Gondor]], crossed the Gwathló at Tharbad. Together, the two kingdoms built and maintained the great [[Bridge of Tharbad]] and causeways across the surrounding fens. Still, the fastest route was by sea to the ruined port of Lond Daer, and from there with smaller ships up the river. Therefore, the surrounding fens were drained and a great port capable of receiving large ships was built at Tharbad. In addition, they built forts on earthworks on both sides of the river, with a large garrison of soldiers, river-wardens and engineers.<ref name="Glanduin" /><ref name="VT">{{VT|42a}}</ref>

When Arnor was divided in {{TA|861}}, [[Minhiriath]], and therefore probably Tharbad, became part of [[Cardolan]].<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0">{{App|Eriador}}, ''The North-kingdom and the Dúnedain''</ref>

From about {{TA|1150|}},<ref name=":1" /> the [[Stoors]], a tribe of hobbits, settled in the area between Tharbad and the borders of Dunland.<ref>{{FR|Hobbits}}, p. 3</ref> They left around {{TA|1630|n}}.<ref name=":1" />

After {{TA|1636}},<ref name=":1" /> the [[Great Plague]] spread from Gondor into Eriador. Most of the people in Cardolan died, especially in Minhiriath.<ref name=":0" /> Tharbad was mostly abandoned,<ref name="Glanduin" /> but Gondor continued to maintain the roads and bridge until some time during or after the fall of Arnor, between {{TA|1975}} and {{TA|2050}}.<ref name="Isen">{{UT|11c}}</ref> After this, the region fell into decay and turned back into wild fenlands, and the Bridge was ruined.<ref name="Glanduin" /> However, some settlements must have remained in the city until {{TA|2912}} after the [[Fell Winter]], when Enedwaith and Minhiriath were devastated by floods and Tharbad was finally ruined and deserted.<ref name=":1">{{App|TA}}</ref>

By {{TA|3018}}, the Road was crumbling, the town ruined on dwindling mounds, and the ford made dangerous by the ruins of the bridge. It was still occasionally in use, for example by [[Gandalf]],<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 552 citing from ''The Hunt for the Ring'', Marquette manuscript 4/2/33</ref> the [[Nazgûl|Ringwraiths]], servants and spies of [[Saruman]],<ref>{{UT|10a}}</ref> as well as the [[Rangers of the North]] who sought [[Aragorn]] in [[Rohan]] in {{TA|3019|n}}. Most notably, Boromir lost his horse on the ford on his way to [[Rivendell]].<ref name="Glanduin" /><ref>{{FR|Farewell}}, p. 374</ref>

Arnor was reestablished by [[Aragorn]] at the end of the [[Third Age]]. It is probable that Tharbad and the Bridge were rebuilt, because Gandalf announced that the Royal Road would be opened again, and that the wilderness in Eriador, including Enedwaith, would be settled again.<ref>{{RK|Homeward}}, p. 993</ref>

==Etymology==
''Tharbad'' is a [[Sindarin]] name. It means "road-crossing".<ref name="UI" /> It is composed of the elements ''thar'' ("across", "over") and ''pad'' ("walk", "step"). Its original meaning is said to have been "the Stepping Stones". Tharbad was originally a ford over which one could walk. The name Tharbad was already used for the ford before the town was established.<ref>{{PE|17}}, entries S ''thar-'' and S ''pad-'', p. 34</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
[[File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Tharbad.jpg|thumb|right|Tharbad in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'']]
'''2022: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:First built by the Númenóreans as a ford and settlement, Tharbad has been rebuilt over the many centuries of its existence. Its position upon the river [[Gwathló]] marks the boundary between the [[Cardolan]] and [[Swanfleet]] regions: thus making it a landmark in both regions. It is also the dividing point between the [[Greenway]] and the [[Old South Road]]. The ruins are currently occupied by [[Orcs]]. An expedition of hopeful settlers from [[Bree-land]] camp nearby on the Cardolan side.

{{references}}

[[Category:Cities, towns and villages]]
[[Category:Eriador]]
[[Category:Fords]]
[[Category:Regions]]
[[Category:Sindarin locations]]
[[Category:Swamps]]

[[de:Tharbad]]
[[fi:Tharbad]]
[[fr:encyclo/geographie/villes_tours_et_forteresses/eriador/tharbad]]