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Carcharoth

2013-10-07T11:30:45Z

Thalion: /* Trivia */

{{evil infobox
| image=[[Image:Danny Staten - Luthien and Carcaroth.jpg|250px]]
| name=Carcharoth
| othernames=Red Maw, [[Anfauglir]], Borosaith
| created=Mid-[[First Age]]
| years=
| age=
| destroyed={{FA|466}}, [[Neldoreth]]
| realm=[[Angband]]
| gender=Male
| race=[[Werewolves]]
| appearance=Great, wolf-like
| accomplishments=Took the [[Silmarils|Silmaril]] from [[Beren]] by biting off his hand
|}}
'''Carcharoth''' was bred from the foul breed of [[Draugluin]], the first [[Werewolf]], and fed with [[Elves|elvish]] and [[Men|mannish]] flesh by [[Morgoth]] himself. Carcharoth was set as a guard on the [[Gates of Angband]].<ref name=S19>{{S|19}}</ref>

==History==
Carcharoth became involved with the [[Quest for the Silmaril]] when [[Beren]] and [[Lúthien]] had to pass him on their way in. Lúthien enchanted him with her magic, but on their way out Carcharoth attacked before Lúthien could enthral him again. Beren held out the captured Silmaril in an attempt to stay the beast, but Carcharoth bit off Beren's hand at the wrist with Silmaril and all.

The Silmaril burnt away Carcharoth's insides, and he became crazed with pain. A terror to [[Eldar]], Men and [[Orcs]] alike, he passed south through [[Beleriand]], until he arrived in [[Doriath]]. There Beren, King [[Thingol]], [[Beleg|Beleg Cúthalion]] and [[Mablung]] joined with [[Huan the Hound]] in the [[Hunting of the Wolf]].

At last, he was discovered within the borders of Doriath itself, where he fought his last fight with Huan: the wolf and the hound took one another's lives in that combat.

Both Beren and Huan were slain. When Mablung cut open the belly of the beast, he found there the Silmaril with Beren's hand still around it, but when he touched the flesh it was swept away by a wind.<ref name=S19/>
{{Pronounce|Carcharoth.mp3|Ardamir}}

==Etymology==
The name is translated as Red Maw;<ref name=S19/> the recogniseable [[Sindarin]] elements are [[caran|car(a)n]] "red" and [[carach]] "jaw".<ref>{{S|Appendix}} (entries for ''carak-'' and ''caran'')</ref> Based on the above, perhaps the name can be analyzed into the unattested words *''carn'' (an alternate version of ''caran'') and *''caroth'' "maw".

Note that the final letter of ''car(a)'''n''''' + the initial letter of '''''c'''arach/oth-'' produce the sound '''ch''' (IPA: {{IPA|x}}) with the phenomenon called [[nasal mutation]].<ref>{{S|Note}}</ref><ref>{{App|E1i}}</ref>

==Other Versions of the Legendarium==
Originally Carcharoth's name was ''Karkaras'', the Knife-fang, who was the father of wolves. He was a great grey wolf.<ref>{{LT2|I}}, p. 21</ref>

'''Borosaith''' meaning Everhungry is another name for Carcharoth, and it is said to be used in old songs.<ref>{{SM|Q10}} Note 9 p. 115</ref>
==Inspiration==
The story of Beren losing his hand to Carcharoth was perhaps modelled after the Germanic legend of the god Tyr, who lost his hand to the wolf Fenrir.

==Trivia==
The name Carcharoth bears a striking resemblance to the scientific name ''Carcharodon carcharias'', the [[Wikipedia:Great white shark|great white shark]]. Carcharodon is Greek and means "ragged tooth". The latin name was created by [[Wikipedia:Carl_Linnaeus|Carl Linneaus]] in 1758. However, there is no evidence that in naming Carcharoth Tolkien was inspired by Linneaus' works.

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

{{references}}
{{wolves}}
[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]
[[Category:Sindarin names]]
[[Category:Wolves]]
[[Category:Werewolves]]
[[de:Carcharoth]]
[[fr:encyclo:personnages:animaux:loups:carcharoth]]
[[fi:Carcharoth]]

Carcharoth

2013-10-07T11:30:02Z

Thalion:

{{evil infobox
| image=[[Image:Danny Staten - Luthien and Carcaroth.jpg|250px]]
| name=Carcharoth
| othernames=Red Maw, [[Anfauglir]], Borosaith
| created=Mid-[[First Age]]
| years=
| age=
| destroyed={{FA|466}}, [[Neldoreth]]
| realm=[[Angband]]
| gender=Male
| race=[[Werewolves]]
| appearance=Great, wolf-like
| accomplishments=Took the [[Silmarils|Silmaril]] from [[Beren]] by biting off his hand
|}}
'''Carcharoth''' was bred from the foul breed of [[Draugluin]], the first [[Werewolf]], and fed with [[Elves|elvish]] and [[Men|mannish]] flesh by [[Morgoth]] himself. Carcharoth was set as a guard on the [[Gates of Angband]].<ref name=S19>{{S|19}}</ref>

==History==
Carcharoth became involved with the [[Quest for the Silmaril]] when [[Beren]] and [[Lúthien]] had to pass him on their way in. Lúthien enchanted him with her magic, but on their way out Carcharoth attacked before Lúthien could enthral him again. Beren held out the captured Silmaril in an attempt to stay the beast, but Carcharoth bit off Beren's hand at the wrist with Silmaril and all.

The Silmaril burnt away Carcharoth's insides, and he became crazed with pain. A terror to [[Eldar]], Men and [[Orcs]] alike, he passed south through [[Beleriand]], until he arrived in [[Doriath]]. There Beren, King [[Thingol]], [[Beleg|Beleg Cúthalion]] and [[Mablung]] joined with [[Huan the Hound]] in the [[Hunting of the Wolf]].

At last, he was discovered within the borders of Doriath itself, where he fought his last fight with Huan: the wolf and the hound took one another's lives in that combat.

Both Beren and Huan were slain. When Mablung cut open the belly of the beast, he found there the Silmaril with Beren's hand still around it, but when he touched the flesh it was swept away by a wind.<ref name=S19/>
{{Pronounce|Carcharoth.mp3|Ardamir}}

==Etymology==
The name is translated as Red Maw;<ref name=S19/> the recogniseable [[Sindarin]] elements are [[caran|car(a)n]] "red" and [[carach]] "jaw".<ref>{{S|Appendix}} (entries for ''carak-'' and ''caran'')</ref> Based on the above, perhaps the name can be analyzed into the unattested words *''carn'' (an alternate version of ''caran'') and *''caroth'' "maw".

Note that the final letter of ''car(a)'''n''''' + the initial letter of '''''c'''arach/oth-'' produce the sound '''ch''' (IPA: {{IPA|x}}) with the phenomenon called [[nasal mutation]].<ref>{{S|Note}}</ref><ref>{{App|E1i}}</ref>

==Other Versions of the Legendarium==
Originally Carcharoth's name was ''Karkaras'', the Knife-fang, who was the father of wolves. He was a great grey wolf.<ref>{{LT2|I}}, p. 21</ref>

'''Borosaith''' meaning Everhungry is another name for Carcharoth, and it is said to be used in old songs.<ref>{{SM|Q10}} Note 9 p. 115</ref>
==Inspiration==
The story of Beren losing his hand to Carcharoth was perhaps modelled after the Germanic legend of the god Tyr, who lost his hand to the wolf Fenrir.

==Trivia==
The name Carcharoth bears a striking resemblance to the scientific name ''Carcharadon carcharias'', the [[Wikipedia:Great white shark|great white shark]]. Carcharodon is Greek and means "ragged tooth". The latin name was created by [[Wikipedia:Carl_Linnaeus|Carl Linneaus]] in 1758. However, there is no evidence that in naming Carcharoth Tolkien was inspired by Linneaus' works.

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

{{references}}
{{wolves}}
[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]
[[Category:Sindarin names]]
[[Category:Wolves]]
[[Category:Werewolves]]
[[de:Carcharoth]]
[[fr:encyclo:personnages:animaux:loups:carcharoth]]
[[fi:Carcharoth]]

Dol Guldur

2013-01-11T17:31:34Z

Thalion: /* Films */

{{Countdown}}
{{disambig-two|the stronghold in [[Mirkwood]]|[[Middle-earth Role Playing|MERP]] supplement|[[Dol Guldur (book)]]}}
{{location
| image=[[File:Matěj Čadil - Dol Guldur.jpg|250px]]
| name=Dol Guldur
| othernames=
| etymology=[[Sindarin|S.]] ''dol'' "hill" + ''[[guldur]]'' "sorcery"
| type=Fortress
| location=Southern [[Mirkwood]]
| inhabitants=[[Necromancer]] and his servants; [[Khamûl]]
| realms=[[Dol Guldur]], a subpower of [[Sauron]] in [[Mordor]]
| description=
| events=[[Attack on Dol Guldur]], [[Fall of Dol Guldur]]
}}
[[File:Dolguldur.gif|thumb|250px|right|Dol Guldur Location]]{{Pronounce|Dol Guldur.mp3|Ardamir}}

'''Dol Guldur''' ("Hill of Sorcery" in [[Sindarin]])<ref>{{S|Index}}</ref>, also called "the dungeons of the Necromancer",<ref>{{H|1}}</ref><ref>''"The sins of Middle Earth, Tolkien's use of Allegory"''. Chapter 6. Greenwood Press. pp. 86.</ref> was a stronghold of [[Sauron]] located in the south of [[Mirkwood]].

==History==
Dol Guldur was originally known as '''[[Amon Lanc]]''' ("Bald Hill") in [[Greenwood the Great]]<ref>{{UT|Gladden}}, note 12, p. 280</ref>. It had been the capital of [[Oropher]]'s [[Silvan Elves]], who had departed north to the [[Dark Mountains]]<ref>{{UT|Gladden}}, note 14, p. 280</ref> (later known as the [[Mountains of Mirkwood]]).

Somewhere after {{TA|1000}}, an evil presence took over Amon Lanc. It was in {{TA|1050|n}} that a [[shadow]] fell upon Greenwood and it began to be called [[Mirkwood]]<ref name="TA">{{App|TA}}</ref>). The hostile entity was known as "the [[Necromancer]]" by the peoples, but it was none other than [[Sauron]] who regained his powers after his defeat in the [[War of the Last Alliance]]. [[Thranduil]] son of [[Oropher]] led his people over the [[Forest River]], where they remained.<ref>{{UT|6b}}, p. 259</ref>

The [[Council of the Wise]] long feared the Necromancer might indeed be Sauron, and in {{TA|2063|n}} [[Gandalf]] went to Dol Guldur, and the "Necromancer", not yet powerful, fled to the [[East]]. After [[Watchful Peace|four centuries]] in {{TA|2460|n}} the "Necromancer" returned there, just as [[the One Ring]] was found by [[Sméagol]] the [[Stoors|Stoor]].<ref name="TA"/>

A dark [[shadow]] and cloud flowed from Dol Guldur. In {{TA|2510}} when [[Eorl]] the Young was leading his riders to the [[Battle of the Field of Celebrant]] he steered his force westward to avoid this phenomenon. The riders entered a golden mist that came from [[Lórien]] to the west that contended with the darkness coming from Mirkwood.<ref>{{UT|Cirion}}, p. 298</ref>

In {{TA|2845|n}} [[Thráin II]], King of [[Durin's folk]]-in-exile and holder of the [[Ring of Thrór|last]] of the [[Seven Rings]] of the [[Dwarves]], was imprisoned in Dol Guldur's dungeons. In {{TA|2850|n}} Gandalf again entered Dol Guldur, found the dying Thráin, and was entrusted with the [[Thrór's Map|map]] and key to give to [[Thorin]], although Thráin could not tell him his own or his son's name before he died. Gandalf confirmed that the Necromancer, the master of Dol Guldur at that time, was Sauron.<ref name="TA"/>

Gandalf returned to the [[White Council]] and urged an attack on Dol Guldur, but was overruled by [[Saruman]], who had begun searching for the One Ring in the area by then. In {{TA|2941}} Saruman finally agreed to an attack, which occurred at the same time as the [[Quest of Erebor]]. This was carefully planned by Gandalf, so that Sauron and [[Smaug]] could not assist each other, as otherwise they could easily have done. During the attack, Sauron fled to [[Mordor]], his plans now ready.

In {{TA|2951|n}} Dol Guldur was reoccupied by [[Khamûl]], the second chief<ref>{{UT|Hunt}}, note 1, p. 352</ref>, and two other [[Nazgûl]]<ref name="TA"/>.

In the following decades Dol Guldur must have rebuilt some of its power until the [[War of the Ring]], during which the forces of Dol Guldur made three assaults upon [[Lothlórien|Lórien]], causing grievous damage to the outlying woodlands. However each time they were driven back by the power of [[Nenya]] which only Sauron himself could have overcome.

Dol Guldur was finally destroyed and cleansed by the [[Elves]] of Lórien, led by [[Galadriel]], after Sauron's fall.<ref>{{App|Great}}</ref>

==Other versions of the legendarium==
The original name of Dol Guldur was Dol Dúgol, and on [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]]'s first map for ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' the hill was located much farther east than its later location (in square M-15 of Map II).<ref name="Map II">{{TI|MII}}, p. 305</ref> [[Christopher Tolkien]] explained that Map II had faint traces of green which suggested that Mirkwood originally extended farther to the east too.<ref>{{TI|First}}, p. 298</ref> The name Dol Dúgol was stricken out and the hill was moved to its later location on this map, but its name became Dol Dúghul before finally changing to Dol Guldur.<ref name="Map II"/>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
{{Gallery
|title=Dol Guldur in adaptations
|width=165
|height=140
|lines=2
|File:Dol Guldur.jpg|Dol Guldur in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
}}
===Films===
'''2012: ''[[The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey]]'':'''
:Dol Guldur is depicted as a ruined and abandoned fortress of unknown origin. It features statues of the Nazgûl. [[Radagast]], not [[Gandalf]], enters Dol Guldur. He is attacked by a [[Undead|spirit]] (possibly the [[Witch-king]]), obtains a [[Morgul-blade]], and finds that Dol Guldur is occupied by a [[Sauron|Necromancer]]. He then travels to Gandalf to tell him the news and gives him the sword as proof.

===Games===
'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War of the Ring]]'':'''
:Dol Guldur makes appearance during both "Good" and "Evil" campaigns as a site of a major battleground.

'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'':'''
:Dol Guldur is commanded by the [[Mouth of Sauron]], not [[Khamûl]]. Dol Guldur (or Mordor itself) sent a huge army of Orcs, Haradrim, and Trolls to assault [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]]. The attack fails, and the Mouth of Sauron is killed along with all the attacking force. Dol Guldur is then itself attacked by a combined army of Elves and Dwarves led by [[Elrond]], [[Arwen]], [[Glorfindel]], [[Glóin]], and [[Dáin Ironfoot]]. After a long and hard struggle, the Elves and Dwarves finally overrun Dol Guldur and lay waste to the evil that dwelled there, ending Sauron's war campaign in the North once and for all.

:In the Evil Campaign, the Goblins from Dol Guldur eliminate the Elves and the Ents that guard the Forest Road in Mirkwood.

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Dol Guldur is a central point in the game's second expansion, ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online: Siege of Mirkwood]]''. In its storyline, Celeborn and Galadriel organize a military campaign against Dol Guldur while the Fellowship still resides in Lothlorien (not to be confused with the later battle during the War of the Ring). The announced goal is to sow chaos into Orc forces by destroying as many of their troops, weapons and supplies as possible, to delay an inevitable assault upon Lothlorien. The true purpose, however, is to distract the Eye of Sauron from the company departing down the shores of Anduin. An assault by the Golden Host of the Galadhrim is successful despite minor losses and after establishing multiple camps throughout southern Mirkwood arrives at the walls of the fortress itself. However, without the White Lady they do not have the means of bringing down the walls, so the Elves prepare to swiftly fall back beyond Anduin before the main forces of the Enemy arrive. The players can also explore multiple locations within the Fortress, among the the Necromancer's Gate, the Ringwraith's Lair, the Dungeons of Dol Guldur, the chief tower named Barad Guldur and Sammath Gul - the chambers once occupied by the Dark Lord himself.

==See also==
* [[:Category:Images of Dol Guldur|Images of Dol Guldur]]
* [[Attack on Dol Guldur]]
* [[Fall of Dol Guldur]]
* [[Sauron|Necromancer]]
{{references}}
[[Category:Fortresses]]
[[Category:Rhovanion]]
[[Category:Buildings]]
[[Category:Sindarin locations]]

[[de:Dol Guldur]]
[[fi:Dol Guldur]]
[[fr:encyclo:geographie:villes_tours_et_forteresses:rhovanion:dol_guldur]]

Elven customs

2013-01-01T17:32:10Z

Thalion: /* Naming conventions */

The Elves had various '''Customs''' they practiced.

==Marriage==

Spouses can choose each other long before they are married and be betrothed. The betrothal is subject to parental approval unless the parties are of age and intend to marry soon, at which point the betrothal is announced at a meeting of the two houses, during which the couple exchange rings. The betrothal lasts at least a year, and is revocable by the return of the rings (but is rarely broken). After their formal betrothal, the couple appoints a time for the wedding when at least a year has passed.

Marriage is celebrated at a feast of the two houses. The spouses return their betrothal rings and receive others worn on their index fingers. The bride’s mother gives the groom a jewel to be worn, but the marriage is only achieved with its consummation. Technically, only the words exchanged by the bride and groom (including the speaking of the name of Eru) and the consummation are required for marriage.

==Naming conventions==
The following traditions were done among the Noldor; other Eldar had slightly different conventions. Naming conventions are complex as both parents named the child, but also the Elves chose names by themselves or names were given to them by others.

===Essë===
The Noldor were typically given one name (an ''[[essë]]'') at birth. This name was given by the father, therefore called the Father-name. The name was often derived from the father's or the mother's own name.
The most prominent example for this are [[Finwë]] and his descendants:
*Finwë gave to his oldest son [[Fëanor]] the name ''Curufinwë'' (skilled Finwë).
*Many of Finwë's descendants bear the ''fin'' element in their names, such as [[Fingolfin]], [[Finarfin]], [[Fingon]] and [[Finrod]].

Fëanor in turn also gave to all his sons names based on Finwë, with slight derivation:
*His eldest son [[Maedhros]] was given the name ''Nelyafinwë'' (third Finwë), the second son [[Maglor]] was named ''Canafinwë'' (strong-voiced Finwë), the fourth son [[Caranthir]] was named ''Morifinwë'' (dark Finwë) and the youngest son [[Amras]] was named ''Telufinwë'' (last Finwë).
The prefices are partially based on physical appearance and skills and thus might be added some time after birth.

===Amilessë===
When the children had become older, they received a second name from their mother, the ''amilessë''. They often described the physical appearance of the child or a character traits.
As an example, [[Galadriel]]'s amilessë was ''Nerwen'', meaning man-maiden due to her height, physical strength and pride. [[Celegorm]]'s amilessë was ''Tyelkormo'', meaning "hasty-riser" referring to his quick temper (Celegorm is the sindarin rendering of the name).
Sometimes the mother-name divulged details about an Elf's fate or strong characteristics, such as the names Fëanor (spirit of fire) or the mother-name of [[Amras]] ''Umbarto'' (the Fated), then called ''amilessi tercenyë'' ("mother names of insight"). These names were rarely given, but considered extremely important.

===Cilmessë===
As the Noldo grew older, he or she chose a second name, called a ''cilmessë'', or "chosen name". This name reflected the Noldo's unique linguistic tastes. It was not used by those who did not know the Noldo well and would be considered rude to do so, and for this reason no example for a cilmessë is known, as they wouldn't appear in historical records and tales. In those cases, the Father-name (which remained the official one throughout the Noldo's life) would be used.

===Epessë===
The ''epessë'' or the "after-name" was the fourth type. The after-name was given later in life (not necessarily by the Elf's kin), as a title of admiration and honour. In some circumstances, the ''epessë'' was chosen by the Elf himself or herself.
A typical example for an epessë is [[Galadriel]]. Galadriel is the Sindarin rendering of ''Alatáriel'', the latter being the Telerin ''epessë'' originally given to her by [[Celeborn]], meaning "Maiden Crowned by a Radiant Garland".

===Special cases===
Due to the Noldor's migration to Middle-earth, where they abandoned their native language and adopted [[Sindarin]], their are a few more complex cases. Many of the original names have been rendered into Sindarin, but not translated entirely correct. In other cases two names have been merged, creating a new epessë.
For example [[Maedhros]], the oldest son of [[Fëanor]], was called ''Russandol'' (copper-top) by his brothers, due to his auburn hair. His mother name was ''Maitimo'' (well-shaped one). Maedhros is the combination of both names.

Another very special case is Amras. His mother-name was Umbarto, meaning the fated. His father Fëanor was disturbed by this name and changed it to Ambarto.

[[Category: Elves]]

Talk:Pass of Aglon

2012-09-07T16:55:05Z

Thalion: Created page with "=Translation= Aglon does NOT mean "narrow". The word for narrow is "agor". The article anyway should be moved together with the Anach article. --~~~~"

=Translation=
Aglon does NOT mean "narrow". The word for narrow is "agor". The article anyway should be moved together with the [[Anach]] article. --[[User:Thalion|Thalion]] 16:55, 7 September 2012 (UTC)

Pass of Aglon

2012-09-07T16:52:03Z

Thalion:

The '''Pass of Aglon''' was the pass between [[Himlad]] and [[Lothlann]], to the northeast of [[Beleriand]]. It was about six leagues in length, with the western side containing high walls and the eastern walls bordering the [[Dorthonion]] Plateau. Sons of [[Fëanor]], [[Celegorm]] and [[Curufin]], fortified this area with extra forces in Himlad, and about ten leagues to the east, the pair's elder brother [[Maedhros]] had upon the [[Hill of Himring]] his stronghold, thus protecting this weak point in the chain of kingdoms created by the [[Noldor]] after the [[Dagor-nuin-Giliath]](Battle-under-Stars).

Regardless, the [[Dagor Bragollach|Battle of Sudden Flame]] took out Celegorm and Curufin's fortifications, leaving Maedhros' stronghold the center of a re-grouping of Fëanor's sons, and they later took back the Pass. Though after [[Nirnaeth Arnoediad]] [[Morgoth]]'s domination consumed it, and it was never recovered, along with all of the land of northern Beleriand

[[Category:Passes]]
[[Category:Beleriand]]
[[de:Aglon-Pass]]
[[fr:encyclo/geographie/reliefs/beleriand/passe_d_aglon]]

Siege of Gondor

2012-04-21T00:12:51Z

Thalion: /* The Siege */

{{disambig-more|Siege of Gondor|[[Siege of Gondor (disambiguation)]]}}
{{sources}}
[[Image:Stephen Hickman - Siege of Minas Tirith.jpg|thumb|right|250px|''Siege of Minas Tirith'' by [[Stephen Hickman]]]]The '''Siege of Gondor''', also known as the '''Siege of Minas Tirith''' after [[Gondor]]'s chief city [[Minas Tirith]], was a series of battles waged by [[Sauron]] against Gondor, as part of the [[War of the Ring]]. The siege was broken by the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]].

==History==
===Prelude===
{{main|War of the Ring}}
For several months, [[Sauron]] had been building his forces for the strike against [[Minas Tirith]]. But, due to the use of the Orthanac [[Palantíri|palantír]] by [[Aragorn]], he struck before he was ready, but, his armies still far excedded the defenders of the city.

Gandalf arrived with Pippin a day before Sauron's forces attacked. Most of the citizens were sent north and west; except those in the arts of healing and boys who refused to leave. The same day, 3,000 men from [[Belfalas]], [[Dol Amroth]] and other places arrived to assist the garrison. But, it was less then a tenth of what was needed. Most that were needed were holding off the Black Fleet of Umbar.

Gandalf saved [[Faramir]] upon the latters return, for he was pursued closely by the Nazgul. Denethor, upon hearing the report of his son on the doings in [[Ithilien]], who allowed the Ring-Bearer go free, reprimended him for his decision. He also did not share his sons' decision when he thought Osgilith was a liability. Faramir accepted the dangerous, perhaps suicidal, charge of defending the ruined city and the Rammas Echor. That night a dark cloud from Mordor covered the entire land.

=== Battles at Osgiliath and the Rammas Echor ===

The Witch-King led the assualt upon the western side of Osgiliath the next morning. Many boats had been built in secret which allowed them to overwhelm the defenders swiftly, who despite thier fierce defense, could only do minimal casualties to the forces arrayed against them. They also could not stand against the Witch-King, for at his approach men fled in terror.

Gandalf, upon learning the Witch-King was on the field, went from the city to assist the belegard forces which had fallen back to the Rammas Echor. It was taken by blasting stones, and on the retreat, Faramir fell wounded while battling against an Easterling champion. Only a charge by Prince [[Imrahil]] and the Kinghts of [[Dol Amroth]] saved him.

As the defenders retreated to the city, a sortie of calvary sent out by Denethor scattered the prusuit and allowed them to come in unharried. Denethor, upon seeing his son's wounded and unconscious state, lost his will to fight and gave no more thought to the defence of his city.

=== The Siege ===

The defenders of Minas Tirith watched all day as the hosts of Mordor dug pits and set up siege weapons beyond thier range. At first they mocked the supposed foolishness. But, as the Nazgul continued swooping near the city and uttering cries of death, their morale dropped. Then, then the Mordor host used their siege engines to launch stones at the city, many of which would burst into flame as they came crashing down. Then, the heads of all those that had been slain in battle were flung over the city. The whole first level was soon in flames.

Seeing that the defenders' will was already broken, near midnight the Witch-king launched his assualt upon the city. Many defenders fled to the higher levels, but, many stayed at their posts and many were killed trying to reach the walls. Many of the siege towers were also destroyed as they rolled forward.

The hardest thrust was made against the [[Great Gate]]. The Witch-king personally rode beside the battering ram [[Grond (battering ram)|Grond]]. When it began to strike the gate, the Witch-King cried spells that enforced it and weakened the gate and in only three strikes the gate was broken. All but Gandalf fled, who stood steadfast. The Witch-king rode trhough the gate to challenge Gandalf. But in this moment the winds began to blow away the clouds Sauron had gathered over Gondor, a cock crowed and horns blown in the north heralded the coming of the Rohirrim. The Witch-king left to deal with the Riders of Rohan and the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields|Battle of Pelennor Fields]] commenced. The siege was broken during the battle.

===Aftermath===

{{references}}
* {{HM|RK}}, "[[The Siege of Gondor]]"
[[Category:Conflicts of the War of the Ring]]
[[Category:Sieges]]

Talk:Finarfin

2012-04-17T03:00:10Z

Thalion: Created page with "==Picture== Gosh, folks! Can we get rid of the picture featured here?! Finarfin is neither female nor an Elven Archmage from the Warhammer Universe! Unfortunately I can not find ..."

==Picture==
Gosh, folks! Can we get rid of the picture featured here?! Finarfin is neither female nor an Elven Archmage from the Warhammer Universe!
Unfortunately I can not find any picture displaying Finarfin. But in my honest oppinion, no picture is better than this. I'd also like to propose to use other pictures for Maedros, Finrod, Fingon. There are actually better ones in the galleries. But especially this one is simply unfitting. --[[User:Thalion|Thalion]] 03:00, 17 April 2012 (UTC)

Talk:Durin I

2011-12-08T20:42:12Z

Thalion: /* Age */ new section

==Mannish "King", TÛR ==
A bit too speculative for my taste, tbf. -- [[User:Ederchil|Ederchil]] 04:31, 12 August 2008 (EDT)

== Move ==

To Durin? (Which redirects here anyway.) --{{User:Mith/sig}} 14:40, 21 July 2011 (UTC)

:Yes, that would be better, imho.--[[User:Morgan|Morgan]] 15:47, 21 July 2011 (UTC)

::And merge with [[The Deathless]]. -- {{User:Ederchil/sig}} 20:52, 21 July 2011 (UTC)

:::Indeed, +1 one on that too.--[[User:Morgan|Morgan]] 21:00, 21 July 2011 (UTC)

== Age ==

I don't get why Durin should have reached the an age of "at least 2395 years". He was born several years before the Dwarves entered Beleriand in 1250 Y.T., alright. Where on earth do these 2395 years come from? It's the remaining time until Sun and Moon are created. But I don't how this is connected. He died before the First Age ended, indeed, but this actually means he could have died already in 1251 Y.T. There's absolutely NO evidence that he survived the Trees (except if there's mentioned somewhere that he knew Sun and Moon).
--[[User:Thalion|Thalion]] 20:42, 8 December 2011 (UTC)

Battle of Dagorlad

2011-12-07T12:30:27Z

Thalion: /* The Battle */

{{disambig-more|Battle of Dagorlad|[[Battle of Dagorlad (disambiguation)]]}}

{{battle
|image=
|name=Battle of Dagorlad
|conflict=[[War of the Last Alliance]]
|date={{SA|3434}}
|place=The plains or Dagorlad outside Mordor
|result=Decisive victory for the Allies
|side1=Men, Elves, and Dwarves
|side2=Orcs, Easterlings, Southrons, Trolls, and other creatures and servants of Sauron
|commanders1=
{{Gil-galad blazon}}
*[[Elendil]]
*[[Elrond]]
*[[Oropher]] †
*[[Amdír]] †
*[[Durin IV]]
|commanders2= {{Sauron blazon}}
|forces1=Hundreds of thousands of Men, Elves, and Dwarves
|forces2=Hundreds of thousands of Orcs, Fallen Men, and other evil creatures
|casual1=Many thousands
|casual2=Vast numbers, more than the allies|
}}

The '''Battle of Dagorlad''' occurred in the year {{SA|3434|n}} of the [[Second Age]]. It was fought between the army of the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men|Last Alliance]] under [[Gil-galad]] and [[Elendil]] and an army of [[Orcs]] and other creatures loyal to [[Sauron]]. The battle took place on the great, treeless, open plain between the [[Dead Marshes]] and [[Cirith Gorgor]].

==Prelude==

After the [[Downfall of Númenor]] in {{SA|3319}} the remaining [[Faithful]] led by [[Elendil]] and his sons [[Isildur]] and [[Anárion]] etablished the [[Realms in Exile]] in [[Middle-earth]]. Elendil ruled [[Arnor]] in the north, Isildur and Anarion jointly ruled the southern realm of [[Gondor]]. Sauron had survived the Fall of Númenor and returned to his fortress [[Barad-dûr]] in [[Mordor]].

Perceiving that his enemies of old had escaped the downfall, Sauron's wrath was great and in {{SA|3429|n}} he launched an attack upon Gondor. To counter this attack Elendil and [[Gil-galad]], [[High King of the Noldor]] forged the [[Last Alliance|Last Alliance of Elves and Men]] to defeat Sauron finally. Meanwhile Anárion held out in Gondor, defending [[Osgiliath]] and [[Minas Anor]]<ref name="Appendix A">{{App|A1}}</ref>.

The united host of Elves and Men crossed the [[Misty Mountains]] and marched south through the vale of [[Anduin]], where they were joined by the [[Silvan Elves]] lead by [[Amdír]] and [[Oropher]]<ref name="Silvan Princes">{{UT|6b}}</ref>. and also a host from [[Khazad-dûm]]<ref name="Rings">{{S|Rings}}</ref>. The Alliance entered the vast plain between the [[Dead Marshes]] and [[Cirith Gorgor]], where Sauron's host awaited them, from the north-west and where joined by Anárion's forces.

==The Battle==

Not many accounts of the battle itself are given. The two captains of the Silvan Elves had little sympathy for the [[Sindar]] and [[Noldor]] Elves that were lead by Gil-galad. As a result they were indisposed to place themselves under the supreme command of Gil-galad and impetuous and stubborn as they were attacked the host of Mordor rashly, before Gil-galad had given the command. The Silvans were valiant and doughty, but comparably ill-equipped and [[Oropher]] perished in the first onslaught while [[Amdír]] and his troops were cut off an driven into the marshes where half of his host perished<ref name="Silvan Princes"/>.

Nevertheless the Alliance gained the upper hand and drove away the Orcs and wicked Men Sauron had mustered. Thus they finally broke through [[Cirith Gorgor]] (it is unclear how the Alliance managed to break through the Morannon), and established a camp upon Gorgoroth<ref name="Rings"/>.

==Aftermath==

A great part of Sauron's soldiers was slain in this battle. The Alliance was able to enter Mordor and lay siege upon Barad-dûr itself. Nevertheless Sauron still had enough supplies to defend the fortress for seven more years, until the siege was so pressing that he himself came forth, which led to the battle on the slopes of Orodruin in which Sauron was defeated and [[the One Ring]] taken from him.<ref name="Rings"/>

==Notes==
In the [[Third Age]], the Dagorlad was the site of several battles between [[Gondor]] and various [[Easterlings|Easterling]] armies, and the climatic [[Battle of the Morannon]].

In the text in the [[Unfinished Tales]] Amdír is named [[Malgalad]] for an unknown reason.<ref name="Silvan Princes"/> Oropher's son [[Thranduil]] survived the war and established his reign over the Silvan Elves in [[Eryn Galen]].

== References ==

<references/>
[[Category:Conflicts of the Second Age]]
[[de:Schlacht auf der Dagorlad]]
[[fr:encyclo:evenements:2a:guerres:bataille_de_dagorlad]]
[[fi:Dagorladin taistelu]]

Talk:Essë

2011-10-18T14:11:38Z

Thalion: Created page with "==Mother names== The article claims taht "The amilessë was a private name used by family and close friends". I cannot find a source for this. And also it doesn't seem very logi..."

==Mother names==

The article claims taht "The amilessë was a private name used by family and close friends". I cannot find a source for this. And also it doesn't seem very logical too me, since many of the characters in the Silmarillion are known by a sindarized form of their mother name. Only a handful is known by their father name (namely Fingolfin, Finarfin and their children). --[[User:Thalion|Thalion]] 14:11, 18 October 2011 (UTC)

Aredhel

2011-10-18T14:09:29Z

Thalion: /* Etymology */

{{noldor infobox
| image=[[Image:Aredhel by Darcival.jpg|250px]]
| name=Aredhel
| othernames=''[[Irissë]]'', ''Ar-Feiniel'', "White Lady of the Noldor"
| titles=
| position=
| realm=[[Gondolin]]
| affiliation=
| language=[[Quenya]] and [[Sindarin]]
| birth={{YT|1362}}<ref name="Annal">{{MR|Annals}}, p. 102, notes 8 and 9</ref>
| birthlocation=[[Tirion]]
| rule=
| death={{FA|400}}
| deathlocation=[[Gondolin]]
| age=1,738 years<ref group="note">Years of the Sun. Each Year of the Tree is equal to 9.582 Years of the Sun, and the Years of the Trees ended in the year 1500. So, 400 + 9.582 x 138 = 1,777.</ref>
| house=[[House of Fingolfin]]
| parentage=[[Fingolfin]] and [[Anairë]]
| siblings=[[Fingon]], [[Turgon]] and [[Argon]]
| spouse=[[Eöl]]
| children=[[Maeglin]]
| gender=Female
| height=Tall<ref name="Princes">{{S|Princes}}</ref>
| hair=Dark<ref name="Princes"/>
| eyes=
| clothing=Silver and white<ref name="Princes"/>
| weapons=
| steed=
}}'''Aredhel''', also called '''Ar-Feiniel''', the White Lady of the [[Noldor]], was the daughter of High King [[Fingolfin]] and [[Anairë]], sister of [[Fingon]], [[Turgon]], and [[Argon]], and mother of [[Maeglin]].

She was tall and strong, fond of hunting and riding in the forests. Her skin was pale and her hair dark; she always wore silver and white. Though fond of the sons of [[Fëanor]], she never fell in love with any of them.

==History==

After arriving in [[Middle-earth]], she dwelt in [[Nevrast]] with Turgon, and went with him to [[Gondolin]]. But after two hundred years the longing for the forests and wide lands overcame her, and she asked leave to depart. Turgon was unwilling, fearing the exposure of the [[Gondolin|Hidden Kingdom]], but eventually relented.

Riding with companions, they were denied entrance to [[Doriath]], it being closed to the [[Noldor|Ñoldor]], and so they went around to the north, where she was separated in the dangerous region of [[Nan Dungortheb]] and reported lost. But she reached [[Himlad]] safely, and waited there to meet [[Celegorm]] who was abroad, but eventually she wandered out of boredom, and became lost in the forest of [[Nan Elmoth]].
[[Image:Ted Nasmith - Eöl Welcomes Aredhel.jpg|thumb|left|Aredhel meeting Eöl]]
[[Eöl]] the [[Dark Elf]] ruled those woods; they met, and he led to his home, where she stayed for many years, and were married. They had a son named Maeglin, and telling him of her former life and home, she desired to see them again, and left Nan Elmoth with Maeglin while Eöl was away. They reached Gondolin (not realizing that Eöl was following them all the while), and were received with rejoicing. Eöl was also discovered and brought before Turgon, but rather than accept Turgon's judgment, he attempted to kill his son. Aredhel stepped in front of the stab, but because it was a poisoned dart, she died that night from the wound.

Eöl was cast down from the city walls and died, while Maeglin became mighty in Gondolin and later betrayed it to [[Morgoth]].

==Etymology==

Aredhel's name in Valinor used to be ''Írissë'' <ref>{{PM|11}}</ref>. In Sindarin this name was Iréth.

The name ''Aredhel'' means "Noble Elf" in [[Sindarin]]<ref>{{PE|17}}, p. 139</ref> and is probably an epessë acquired later.

Note on pronunciation: Aredhel should be pronounced ''ar-eth-el'' (hard "th"), not ''ar-ed-hel''.

== Other Versions of the Legendarium ==
The names ''Aredhel'' and ''Ar-Feiniel'' ("noble white lady") were both originally intended to stand alone, and be used as the main name of Irissë. While preparing ''[[The Silmarillion]]'' for publication [[Christopher Tolkien]] could not discover which name was intended to be used as her final name, and he therefore chose to use both names: a decision he later stated in [[the History of Middle-earth]] series was possibly mistaken.

==Genealogy==
 
{{familytree/start}}
{{familytree| | MIR |~|y|~| FIN |~|~|~|~|y|~|~|~| IND | | | | | | | | | | |FIN=[[Finwë]]|IND=[[Indis]]|MIR=[[Míriel Serindë|Míriel]]}}
{{familytree| | | | | |!| | | |,|-|-|v|-|^|-|v|-|-|-|.| |}}
{{familytree| | | | | FEA | | FDS | |!| | | IRM | | FIR | |FIN='''FINGOLFIN'''|FIR=[[Finarfin]]|FEA=[[Fëanor]]|FDS=[[Findis]]|IRM=[[Irimë]]}}
{{familytree| | | | | | | | | |,|-|-|'| | | | | | | | | | |}}
{{familytree| | | | | | | | | FNG |~|y|~| ANA | | | | | | | | | | |FNG=[[Fingolfin]]|ANA=[[Anairë]]}}
{{familytree| | |,|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|v|-|^|-|v|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|.| |}}
{{familytree| | FIN | | ELE |y| TUR | | ARE |y| EOL | | ARG |FIN=[[Fingon]]|ARE='''AREDHEL'''|TUR=[[Turgon]]|ELE=[[Elenwë]]|EOL=[[Eöl]]|ARG=[[Argon]]}}
{{familytree| | | | | | | | |!| | | | | | | |!| | | | | | | |}}
{{familytree| | | | TUO |y| IDR | | | | | | MAE | | | | | | |MAE=[[Maeglin]]|IDR=[[Idril]]|TUO=[[Tuor]]}}
{{familytree| | | | | | |!| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |}}
{{familytree| | | | | | EAR | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |EAR=[[Eärendil]]}}
{{familytree/end}}
 

==See Also==
* [[:Category:Images of Aredhel|Images of Aredhel]]
{{references|note}}

* {{S|Maeglin}}
[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]
[[Category:House of Fingolfin]]

Essë

2011-10-18T13:41:36Z

Thalion: /* Examples */

__NOTOC__
'''''essë''''' is a noun meaning "name" in [[Quenya]]. Compare with ''[[eneth]]'' in [[Sindarin]].

== Elvish Naming ==
[[High Elves]] have a naming tradition, the '''''essë''''', which gives an Elf three different names at various times of the lives. They are the '''[[essi]]''' ("father-name"), the '''[[amilessë]]''' ("mother-name"), and the '''[[epessë]]''' ("after-name" or honorary title). On a few occasions an Elf might choose a '''[[Kilmessi]]''' or "self-name".

* [[Essi]]: chosen by the father and often based on the father's own name or derived from old legends. Given at or near birth.
* [[Amilessë]]: chosen by the mother and often prophetic in nature. Given sometimes at or near birth but often bestowed years later.
* [[Epessë]]: often acquired by an Elf as an honorific later in life.
* [[Kilmessi]]: sometimes chosen by an Elf as a disguise or to refer to deeds and personal history.

The amilessë was a private name used by family and close friends. The essi is the name an Elf used in public until an epessë was chosen.<ref>{{PM|Shibboleth}}, ''Note on Mother-names'', p. 339</ref> In ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', when an Elf does not yet have an epessë, the Sindarin version of his mother- or father-name is used instead.

=== Examples ===
* '''[[Maglor]]''': The son of [[Fëanor]] of the [[House of Finwë]], was given the essi ''[[Canafinwë]]'' ("Strong-voiced [of] Finwë"). His amilessë was ''[[Makalaurë]]'' ("Forging Gold" in a poetic sense).<ref name="Sons">{{PM|Shibboleth}}, ''The names of the Sons of Fëanor with the legend of the fate of Amrod'', p. 353</ref> The name Maglor is the [[Sindarin]] version of his mother-name.

* '''[[Gil-galad|Ereinion Gil-galad]]''': The son of [[Orodreth]] was given the essi ''[[Gil-galad|Rodnor]]''.<ref>{{PM|Shibboleth}}, ''The parentage of Gil-galad'', p. 350</ref> His amilessë was ''[[Gil]]-[[galad]]'' ("Star of Radiance"). As [[High King of the Noldor]], his epessë was ''[[Gil-galad|Ereinion]]'' ("Scion of Kings").<ref name="Descendant">{{PM|Shibboleth}}, ''The names of Finwë's descendants'', p. 347</ref>

* '''[[Finrod|Finrod Felagund]]''': The son of [[Finarfin]] was given the essi of ''[[Finrod|Findaráto]]'' ("Golden-haired Champion"). His amilessë was ''[[Ingoldo]]'' ("The Noldo", singular for [[Noldor]]).<ref name="Descend">{{PM|Shibboleth}}, ''The names of Finwë's descendants'', p. 346</ref> He is usually referred to as ''[[Felagund]]'' ("Hewer of Caves"),<ref>{{PM|Shibboleth}}, ''The Dwarvish origin of the name Felagund'', p. 351</ref> originally a derogatory nickname given to him because of his dwelling at [[Nargothrond]]. Finrod adopted the name as his epessë and made it a title of honour. The name Finrod is the Sindarin version of his father-name.

* '''[[Galadriel]]''': The only daughter of Finarfin was given the essi of ''[[Artanis]]'' ("Noble Woman") and the amilessë of ''[[Nerwen]]'' ("Man-maiden") because of her height and strength.<ref name="Descend"/> Her epessë, ''[[Alatáriel]]'' ("Maiden Crowned with Radiant Garland"), was given to her by her husband, [[Celeborn]]. The name Galadriel is the Sindarin version of her epessë.<ref name="Descendant"/>

* '''[[Amras]]''': The last son of the House of Finwë was given the essi ''[[Telufinwë]]'', ("Last [of] Finwë"). His first amilessë was ''[[Ambarussa]]'' ("Top-russet" referring to his hair), his twin-brother [[Amrod]] hat the same amilessë. To distinguish the two Amras was given a second amilessë: ''[[Umbarto]]'' ("The Fated").<ref name="Sons"/> His mother's choice was prophetic, because Amras was the first of the [[sons of Fëanor]] to die, accidentally killed in the swan ships of the Teleri when his father ordered them to be burnt at [[Losgar]]. The name Amras is the Sindarin version of Ambarussa.

==Tengwa==
[[Image:Essë.gif]]''Essë'' is also the name of the thirty-first letter of the [[Tengwar]] alphabet.

The original name of the letter ''Essë'' was '''''[[Áre|Árë]]'''''. The word ''árë'' was first pronounced ''"ázë"'', but over time the phonemes for "z" and "r" merged and the letter ''Árë'' became superfluous. ''Árë'' was then renamed ''Essë'' and obtained the value ''ss''.<ref>{{App|Letters}}, Note, ''The names of the letters''</ref>

{{references}}
* ''[[The Languages of Tolkien's Middle-earth]]'' by [[Ruth S. Noel]]
* [http://www.uib.no/People/hnohf/qlist.htm Quenya Corpus Wordlist] edited by [[Helge Kåre Fauskanger]]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Esse}}
[[Category:Essi| ]]
[[Category:Quenya nouns]]
[[Category:Tengwar letters]]

Fëanturi

2011-10-16T14:15:46Z

Thalion:

'''Fëanturi''', the "Masters of Spirits", was a title given to the brothers [[Mandos|Námo (Mandos)]] and [[Irmo|Irmo (Lórien)]] of the [[Valar]].

The title was created because the two brothers' spheres of influence is over the spirit. Irmo is the master over visions and dreams, Námo has power over the ''[[fëar]]'' of Elves and Men who gather in his halls after death, where the ''fëar'' of the Elves abode while those of Men leave the Circles of the World. Námo delivers judgement on Manwë's bidding in serious matters (such as the [[Doom of the Noldor]]) but also judges over the fate of the elvish ''fëar''.

Both are more commonly known by the names of their dwellings, Lórien and Mandos.

==Inspiration==
The concept of the Fëanturi might have its origin in greek mythology where the two brothers [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypnos Hypnos] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanatos Thanatos] are the gods of Sleep and Death, respectively.

In contrast to Thanatos though, Námo's role has been expanded. In greek mythology Thanatos is Death himself, but he neither judges the dead nor does he rule over them.
Thus Námo also resembles [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hades Hades] the greek god of the Underworld.

[[Category:Valar]]
[[Category:Valarin Titles]]
[[de:Feanturi]]
[[fi:Fëanturi]]

Mandos

2011-10-16T14:06:26Z

Thalion:

{{expansion}}
{{redirect|Mandos|the dwelling, the [[Halls of Mandos]]}}{{valar infobox
| image=[[Image:Ted Nasmith - Lúthien's Lament Before Mandos.jpg|250px]]
| name=Námo
| othernames=Mandos, Bannoth, Badhron, The Judge, The Just
| coming=[[Years of the Lamps]] 1
| appointment=[[Doomsman of the Valar]]
| creations=Ruler of the Dead
| maiar=
| dwelling=[[Halls of Mandos]]
| gender=Male
| spouse=[[Vairë]]
| siblings=[[Irmo]] and [[Nienna]]
| appearance=
| robes=
| hair=
| eyes=
|}}
'''Námo''' (pron. {{IPA|[ˈnaːmo]}}) was the [[Doomsman of the Valar]] and keeper of the slain in his [[Halls of Mandos|Halls]] in the west of [[Valinor]]. [[Vairë]] the Weaver is his wife.

Námo was more commonly known as '''Mandos''' ([[Quenya|Q]]: "Prison-fortress"; {{IPA|[ˈmandos]}}), which is more correctly the name of his dwelling.

Námo was the brother of the [[Valar|Vala]] [[Irmo]] (also called ''Lórien''). Together, Námo and Irmo are called the [[Fëanturi]] ([[Quenya|Q]]: "Masters of Spirits"). Their sister is [[Nienna]].

Námo is said to be the grimmest of the Valar. However, this in no way implies that Námo is dark or evil. His grimness is wholly part of his nature, coming (one must assume) from that part of the mind of [[Ilúvatar]] from which he was created. Neither is Námo willful or malevolent in declaring the fates of [[Arda]]. Only at the bidding of [[Manwë]] will Námo ever pronounce his dooms. Námo and Manwë have always been allied since their entering into [[Eä]], and together they understand most clearly the [[Vision of Ilúvatar]] more than any of the other Valar. Together they know nearly all of what is to come within the realm of Arda, though not all. Only Ilúvatar knows with full certainty what the full doom of Arda will be, and he will not reveal it all, even to Námo or Manwë.
==Etymology==
Námo in [[Quenya]] means "Judge" or "Ordainer", from [[root]] [[NAM]]. The [[Sindarin]] equivalent is ''[[Badhron]]'' ({{IPA|[ˈbaðron]}}).

The [[Sindarin]] name for ''Mandos'' is ''[[Bannoth]]'' ({{IPA|[ˈbanːoθ]}}).

In [[Eriol]]'s [[Old English]] translations, Mandos is referred as ''Nefrea'' "Corpse-ruler" and ''neoaerna hlaford'' "master of the houses of the dead".<ref>{{SM|QA1}}</ref>

==Inspiration==
The concept of the Fëanturi might have its origin in greek mythology where the two brothers [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypnos Hypnos] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanatos Thanatos] are the gods of Sleep and Death, respectively.

In contrast to Thanatos though, Námo's role has been expanded. In greek mythology Thanatos is Death himself, but he neither judges the dead nor does he rule over them.
Thus Námo also resembles [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hades Hades] the greek god of the Underworld.

==Rereferences==
<references/>
{{ainur}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Namo}}
[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]
[[Category:Valar]]
[[de:Mandos (Person)]]
[[fr:encyclo/personnages/ainur/valar/aratar/mandos]]
[[fi:Námo]]

Irmo

2011-10-16T13:56:48Z

Thalion:

{{sources}}
{{valar infobox
| image=[[Image:1162571789lorien.jpg|250px]]
| name=Irmo
| othernames=Lórien, Lúrin
| coming=c. [[Years of the Lamps]] 1.
| appointment=Master of Dreams.
| creations=
| maiar=
| dwelling=[[Valinor]], [[Lórien (Valinor)|Lórien]].
| gender=Male.
| spouse=[[Estë]].
| siblings=[[Námo (Mandos)|Námo]] and [[Nienna]].
| appearance=
| robes=
| hair=
| eyes=
|}}
'''Irmo''' ([[Quenya]], pronounced {{IPA|[ˈirmo]}}) was the true name of the [[Valar|Vala]] who was usually named '''Lórien''' ({{IPA|[ˈloːri.en]}}), which is rightly the place of his dwelling. He was the husband of [[Estë]] and the brother of [[Námo]] (more commonly known as ''Mandos'') and [[Nienna]].

==Life==
Irmo and Námo were the [[Fëanturi]], masters of spirits. Irmo, the younger, was the master of visions and dreams. His gardens in the land of the Valar at [[Lórien (Valinor)|Lórien]], where he dwelled with Estë the Gentle, where the fairest place in the world and were filled with many [[Spirits (creatures)|spirits]]. All those who dwelled in [[Valinor]] found rest and refreshment at the fountain of Irmo and Estë.

When the [[Sun]] and [[Moon]] were originally set in their paths "[[Varda]] purposed that the two vessels should journey in [[Ilmen]] and ever be aloft". It was largely due to the prayers of Irmo and Estë, "who said that sleep and rest had been banished from the Earth", that Varda changed her council and allowed a time of night.

After the birth of [[Fëanor]], his mother [[Míriel Serindë|Míriel]] languished and [[Manwë]] delivered her to the care of Irmo.

==Etymology==
''Irmo'' means ''Desirer'' or ''Master of Desire''. His common name ''Lórien'' (in [[Quenya]]) means ''Land of Dreams'', so he is also given the title ''Master of Dreams''. His Sindarin name is '''Lúrin''' ({{IPA|[ˈluːrin]}}).

==Inspiration==
The concept of the Fëanturi might have its origin in greek mythology were the two brothers [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypnos Hypnos] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanatos Thanatos] are the gods of Sleep and Death, respectively.

{{ainur}}
[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]
[[Category:Valar]]
[[de:Lórien (Vala)]]
[[fr:encyclo/personnages/ainur/valar/irmo]]
[[fi:Irmo]]

Irmo

2011-10-16T13:55:35Z

Thalion:

{{sources}}
{{valar infobox
| image=[[Image:1162571789lorien.jpg|250px]]
| name=Irmo
| othernames=Lórien, Lúrin
| coming=c. [[Years of the Lamps]] 1.
| appointment=Master of Dreams.
| creations=
| maiar=
| dwelling=[[Valinor]], [[Lórien (Valinor)|Lórien]].
| gender=Male.
| spouse=[[Estë]].
| siblings=[[Námo (Mandos)|Námo]] and [[Nienna]].
| appearance=
| robes=
| hair=
| eyes=
|}}
'''Irmo''' ([[Quenya]], pronounced {{IPA|[ˈirmo]}}) was the true name of the [[Valar|Vala]] who was usually named '''Lórien''' ({{IPA|[ˈloːri.en]}}), which is rightly the place of his dwelling. He was the husband of [[Estë]] and the brother of [[Námo]] (more commonly known as ''Mandos'') and [[Nienna]].

==Life==
Irmo and Námo were the [[Fëanturi]], masters of spirits. Irmo, the younger, was the master of visions and dreams. His gardens in the land of the Valar at [[Lórien (Valinor)|Lórien]], where he dwelled with Estë the Gentle, where the fairest place in the world and were filled with many [[Spirits (creatures)|spirits]]. All those who dwelled in [[Valinor]] found rest and refreshment at the fountain of Irmo and Estë.

When the [[Sun]] and [[Moon]] were originally set in their paths "[[Varda]] purposed that the two vessels should journey in [[Ilmen]] and ever be aloft". It was largely due to the prayers of Irmo and Estë, "who said that sleep and rest had been banished from the Earth", that Varda changed her council and allowed a time of night.

After the birth of [[Fëanor]], his mother [[Míriel Serindë|Míriel]] languished and [[Manwë]] delivered her to the care of Irmo.

==Etymology==
''Irmo'' means ''Desirer'' or ''Master of Desire''. His common name ''Lórien'' (in [[Quenya]]) means ''Land of Dreams'', so he is also given the title ''Master of Dreams''. His Sindarin name is '''Lúrin''' ({{IPA|[ˈluːrin]}}).

==Inspiration==
The concept of the Fëanturi, two brothers whose spheres of power are sleep and death respectively, might have its origin in greek mythology were the two brothers [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypnos Hypnos] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanatos Thanatos] are the gods of Sleep and Death, respectively.

{{ainur}}
[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]
[[Category:Valar]]
[[de:Lórien (Vala)]]
[[fr:encyclo/personnages/ainur/valar/irmo]]
[[fi:Irmo]]

Talk:Tengwar

2011-10-06T18:36:53Z

Thalion: /* Declaration of Human Rights */

Down under "Non-Unicode" on this page it says "It should look similar to the picture at the top of the page.", however there is no image at the top of the page? {{unsigned|210.190.195.90}}

:Hello there, I've gone ahead and removed the statement for the time being; if you have the font installed the letters should look similar to [[:Category:Images_of_Tengwar|these]] --[[User:Hyarion|Hyarion]] 11:38, 4 March 2007 (EST)

== scope of the article ==

The article apart being a copy from Wikipedia, it is written totally from 'out of universe' scope. I suggest some rewrite. [[User:Sage|Sage]] 13:01, 30 July 2008 (EDT)

:There are a lot of Wiki articles still around, and unfortunately, they're difficult to track. As for the rewrite of this article, I'm currently busy on tengwar. That's basically because I disagree with KingAragorn's way too simple (and downright incorrect) tengwar tool. I'll see if I can pour it into something of an article, but it may take some time. -- [[User:Ederchil|Ederchil]] 15:26, 30 July 2008 (EDT)
::Well I can do most of it myself, and it would be better if you give me some framework of how it should be :) [[User:Sage|Sage]] 17:30, 30 July 2008 (EDT)

:::What I think should be there:
*Introduction
*History
*Use
*Modes
**Quenya Tengwar
**Sindarin Tengwar
**Mode of Beleriand
**[[Westron Tengwar]]
**English Tengwar[http://www.geocities.com/otsoandor/FTMME.htm]
***Phonemic
***Orthographic
*A full chart (this would include the extra tengwar found in Parma Eldalamberon 17)
*Layout of a tengwa
*Something about the DTS [http://www.forodrim.org/daeron/mdtci.html]
*Anything you can think of
*Portrayal in adaptations (use in adaptations, rather)
::(not necessarily in this order)
:::And if you do the rewrite, you have dibs on the opening quote and a picture. -- [[User:Ederchil|Ederchil]] 01:48, 31 July 2008 (EDT)

Ok did a major rearrangement. I think each mode should have a distinct article. The general article should discuss the 'General Use Mode' [[User:Sage|Sage]] 13:57, 6 August 2008 (EDT)

==Mellonath Daeron==
"Mellonath Daeron, the linguistic fan society"... maybe "''Mellonath Daeron'', the linguistic group of the Swedish [[Tolkien Societies|Tolkien Society]] ''[[Forodrim]]''" is better. -- [[User:Ederchil|Ederchil]] 16:21, 9 August 2008 (EDT)

== Eregion and the 'general use' ==

While it is true that [[Isildur's Scroll]] mentions Eregion along with the Ring Inscription, it does not say that the mode of the Ring Inscription was a mode of Eregion. So I think the conclusion that the 'general use' was a mode of Eregion is not compulsory. What Isildur said is: "It is fashioned in an elven-script of Eregion". I conceed that this might refer to the mode. However, I think it could as well refer to the script without reference to any particular mode, but to the overall style of the calligraphy. If we keep in mind that the 'general use' was probably the mode being used in Númenor, why should Isildur relate it to Eregion then? The mode would just be the one he'd be most familiar with and wouldn't require any special attention. He is indeed perfectly able to read it, unlike Frodo. [[User:Machsna|Machsna]] 13:36, 23 August 2008 (UTC)
:Sound observations. Since Tolkien left these details vague, perhaps we shouldn't deduce our constructed history in the article. Just summarize some possibilities and leave it as neutral as possible. [[User:Sage|Sage]] 18:30, 23 August 2008 (UTC)

== Alphabetical order ==

I found the article confusing because no alphabetical order is given. Does one exist? --{{:User:Myrtone/sig|Myrtone|Myrtonos|forum|c|
ec|c=0833CC|bg=yellow}} 08:12, 19 February 2011 (UTC)

:Do you mean the tengwar themselves should be listed in (English) alphabetical order?; the table of tengwar is the one published in ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' so is copied from that. It would probably be useful to have some kind of Tengwar English article, but listing the tengwar alphabetically may not be entirely useful as a single tengwa can represent two letters (and in other languages three) whilst other English letters are entirely unrepresented (e.g. "c" which treated as an "s", "k" or within a "ch" cluster). --{{User:Mith/sig}} 18:50, 19 February 2011 (UTC)

== Code 2000, 2001, 2002 ==

In an attempt to download code 2000, I think that the website given [[www.code2000.net]] is incorrect, or has been made redundant. Also, when trying to download any of these codes, I don't think that you can download them any more. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I think it might be a good idea to remove all links that reference this or that use it in the page. {{unsigned|Glorfindel Elf-Lord‎}}

:Thanks for pointing out the problem! --{{User:Mith/sig}} 14:11, 6 April 2011 (UTC)

== Declaration of Human Rights ==

The Declaration written in Tengwar has several flaws. I'm by far not an expert but for example all "th" are actually represented by an Anto and not a Súle (such being "dh" essentially). Also Christopher Tolkien uses a dot as the tehtar for "e" and a ´ for "i". The featured tengwar does it the other way round (and sometimes mixes them up, e.g. in "are"). Last but not least, it seems the text has not been written manually but made by some online tool. This ends up in a weird spelling (which seems reasonable considering pronunciation, though). E.g. "towards" is spelled "touards".
I have to admit that Tolkien's writings in tengwar include some oddities (having a single tengwa for the word "of" is my favourite) and when writing Tengwar compromisses have to be made, since the Tengwar is not really suited for our languages, but I think we shouldn't try to complicate things here. If someone tried to read this stuff, they might become utterly confused.

Unfortunately I fail to edit the article. If I try to replace the code, everything's gone. Therefore I'll paste the code here. Feel free to check for errors.

j# 9t&5# w`Bx$_ 6EO w7Y5 e7~B 2{ zTj# 5$ 2x$51F`Û 2{ 6v$1+-= 3hG 6EO 2{%yYO2 y4$ 6]G85^ 2{ z5^8z`V5%8zO 2{ d`Nj2 zE1 1yY7E2+ 5^( 5#3YO6 5$ `C 8q7R1R W w73Y6T9~N2-=

--[[User:Thalion|Thalion]] 14:57, 6 October 2011 (UTC)

:I feel more comfortable removing the passage altogether. If we want to demonstrate how written Tengwar look, we'd best use a canonical example, like the [[King's Letter]]. Our own transliteration of other text cannot be fully flawless. This is an encyclopedia. --{{User:Ederchil/sig}} 15:28, 6 October 2011 (UTC)

::+1 Ederchil.--[[User:Morgan|Morgan]] 16:23, 6 October 2011 (UTC)

:::Agreed. --{{User:KingAragorn/sig}} 17:19, 6 October 2011 (UTC)

:::: Good idea actually. I suggest to also add the transcript of Namárië from the cover of "The Road goes ever on". The King's Letter is written the Beleriandic mode and therefore not really suited to display the 'classical' Tengwar mode. Anyone knows if there's something written in Sindarin, too? --[[User:Thalion|Thalion]] 18:36, 6 October 2011 (UTC)

Talk:Tengwar

2011-10-06T14:57:52Z

Thalion: /* Declaration of Human Rights */ new section

Hobbits

2011-09-23T14:24:29Z

Thalion: /* Description */

{{sources}}
{{expansion}}
{{disambig-more|Hobbits|[[The Hobbit (disambiguation)]]}}
{{race
| image= [[Image:Peter Jackson's Samwise Gamgee.jpg|250px]]
| name= Hobbits
| dominions= [[The Shire]], [[Bree-land]]
| languages= [[Hobbitish]] (a regional dialect of [[Westron]])
| height= 2-4 ft or 0.6-1.2 m (often less than three feet in later days)
| skincolor= Nut-brown to White
| haircolor= Typically curly brown, rarely blond (until the [[Fourth Age]]), and white and grey in later years
| distinctions= [[Gift of Men|Mortality]], diminuitive stature, furry feet
| lifespan= c. 100 years
| members= [[Marcho]] and [[Blanco]], [[Sméagol]], [[Bandobras Took]], [[Bilbo Baggins]], [[Frodo Baggins]]
}}
{{quote|In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.|[[An Unexpected Party]], [[The Hobbit]]}}
'''Hobbits''' were a small race that typically dwelt underground, believed to be related to [[Men]]. They played little role in history, save during the [[War of the Ring]].

==Description==

Hobbits were between two to four feet tall, the average height being 3 feet 6 inches, with slightly pointed ears and oversized furry feet with leathery soles, resulting in most never wearing shoes. They were fond of an unadventurous bucolic life of farming, eating, and socializing. Hobbits had a life span somewhat longer than Men of non-Númenórean descent, having an average lifespan of between 90 and 100 years (the two oldest-living recorded hobbits were The [[Gerontius Took|Old Took]] and [[Bilbo Baggins]], who reached the ages of 130 and 131, respectively). The time at which a young hobbit "came of age" was 33, as compared to 18 years (21 years respectively) of a man. Thus a 70 year old hobbit would only be middle-aged.

Hobbits also liked to drink ale in inns, and ate at least six meals a day when they could get it.

==Origin==
[[Hobbits]] were considered Men. Nearly all scholars agree that Men were closely related to [[Hobbits]], far more closely than Men were to either [[Elves|Elves]] or [[Dwarves]]. It was thus commonly assumed that Hobbits were among the Younger Children of [[Eru|Iluvatar]] and were the result of the same act of creation as Men. This would imply that Hobbits had the [[Gift of Men]] to pass entirely beyond [[Arda]], which also means that the avoidance of the Gift of Men in Hobbits, like in Men, could be physically and morally destructive.

[[Sméagol]], who had originally been a Hobbit, was transformed into the monster [[Gollum]] by a combination of the evil of [[the One Ring]] and the resulting avoidance of the [[Gift of Men]]. [[Bilbo Baggins]] became "thin and stretched" from the immortality that the One Ring granted to him, since neither Men nor Hobbits are intended for it. Men and Hobbits appear to have had the same ontological nature, which is to say that they were the result of the act of creation that resulted in the Younger Children of [[Eru|Iluvatar]].

Their exact origin is unknown, but by the early [[Third Age]] they were living in the Vales of [[Anduin]] in [[Wilderland]], between [[Mirkwood]] and the [[Misty Mountains]]. They have lost the genealogical details of how they are related to the rest of mankind. While they stayed there, the [[Northmen]] knew them. Their descendants, the [[Rohirrim]] had that memory of the ''[[holbytla]]n'' and remained an object of lore until they contacted them during the War of the Ring.

==History==

At this time, there were three '''Hobbit-kinds''', with different temperaments. The [[Harfoots]], the most numerous, were almost identical to the Hobbits as they are described in ''The Lord of the Rings''. The [[Stoors]] had an affinity for water, boats and swimming; the [[Fallohides]] were an adventurous people. (Both of these traits were much rarer in later days.) While situated in the Valley of the Anduin River the Hobbits lived close by the [[Eotheod]], the ancestors of the [[Rohirrim]], and this led to some contact between the two. As a result many old words and names in "Hobbitish" are derivatives of words in Rohirric, so much so that even someone without linguistic training could make out the relation (Merry would later write an entire book devoted to the relationship, ''Old Place Names in the Shire'').

Some time near the beginning of the [[Third Age]], they undertook, for reasons unknown, but possibly having to do with the [[Dol Guldur|rising evil power in Mirkwood]], the arduous task of crossing the [[Misty Mountains]]. Some of the Stoors, however, stayed behind, and it is from these people that [[Gollum]] would come many years later. The Hobbits took different routes in their journey westward, but eventually came to a land between the River [[Baranduin]] (which they renamed ''Brandywine'') and the Weather Hills. There they founded many settlements, and the divisions between the Hobbit-kinds began to blur.

Around the year 1600 of the Third Age, two Fallohide brothers decided, again for reasons unknown, to cross the River Brandywine and settle on the other side. Large numbers of Hobbits followed them, and most of their former territory was depopulated. Only [[Bree]] and a few surrounding villages lasted to the end of the Third Age. The new land that they found on the west bank of the Brandywine is called [[The Shire]].

Originally the Hobbits of the Shire swore nominal allegiance to the last Kings of Arnor, being required only to acknowledge their lordship, speed their messengers, and keep the bridges and roads in repair. During the final fight against [[Angmar]] at the Battle of Fornost, the Hobbits maintain that they sent a company of archers to help but this is nowhere else recorded. After the battle the kingdom of Arnor was destroyed, and in absence of the king the Hobbits elected a Thain of the Shire from among their own chieftans.

The first Thain of the Shire was Bucca of the Marrish, who founded the Oldbuck family. However, later on the Oldbuck family crossed the Brandywine River to create the separate land of Buckland and the family name changed to the familiar "Brandybuck". Their patriach then became Master of Buckland. With the departure of the Oldbucks/Brandybucks, a new family was selected to have its chieftans be Thain, the Took family (Indeed, Pippin Took was son of the Thain and would later become Thain himself). The Thain was in charge of Shire Moot and Muster and the [[Hobbitry-in-Arms]], but as the Hobbits of the Shire led entirely peaceful, uneventful lives the office of Thain was seen as something more of a formality.

==Some well-known Hobbits==
* [[Bilbo Baggins]]
* [[Frodo Baggins]]
* [[Samwise Gamgee|Samwise "Sam" Gamgee]]
* [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Meriadoc "Merry" Brandybuck]]
* [[Peregrin Took|Peregrin "Pippin" Took]]
* [[Fredegar Bolger|Fredegar "Fatty" Bolger]]
* [[Otho Sackville-Baggins|Otho]] and [[Lotho Sackville-Baggins]]
* [[Lobelia Sackville-Baggins]]
* [[Gerontius Took|Old Took]]
* [[Bandobras Took|Bullroarer Took]]
* [[Sméagol]] (who became the creature [[Gollum]])
* [[Déagol]]

Though in ''[[The Hobbit]]'' it is mentioned that [[Gandalf]] "was responsible for so many quiet lads and lasses going off into the Blue for mad adventures," no female Hobbits are depicted in [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]]'s stories doing so; however Hobbit women do appear in his works, such as the formidable [[Lobelia Sackville-Baggins]] and Sam's wife [[Rose Cotton|Rose Cotton]].

== Etymology ==
''Hobbit'' was derived from [[Old English]] ''[[holbytla]]'', "hole-dweller" which represents the [[Rohirric]] language.<ref>{{HM|RW}}, p. 144</ref>

The relationship hobbit/holbytla parallels the original [[Westron]] ''[[Kuduk]]'' (Hobbit), derived from the actual Rohirric ''[[kûd-dûkan]]'' (holbytla, hole dweller). This name obviously derives from the times when the hobbits lived at the [[Vales of Anduin]] with the [[Northmen]].

Hobbits were also called ''[[Halflings]]'' by the [[Dúnedain]], first when they still measured 2 [[ranga]]r tall; twice as high as a hobbit who would reach only 1 ranga. The word retained even when the later generations of Dúnedain became shorter. However, the term is slightly offensive to Hobbits, as to themselves they are not 'half' of anything, and certainly do not use the term to refer to themselves.

''Halfling'' represents a translation of [[Westron]] ''[[banakil]]''. In [[Quenya]] the word is ''[[periando]]'' and in [[Sindarin]] ''[[perian]]'' pl. ''periannath''.

==Inspiration==
Tolkien's etymology for 'Hobbit' is interesting as well: the word obviously constructed meaningless as a spontaneous inspiration, without prior intent, but it would have been natural for him to see in it the German prefix ''hob'' meaning ''small'' (e.g. ''[[hobgoblin]]''). However this prefix dates back "only" to the 13th century, too late by Tolkien's standards; thence when later he began to work out the language relations further (see: [[Mannish]]) he decided that it could be a derived form of an [[Old English]] word such as ''[[holbytla]]''.

According to Tolkien, the word ''hobbit'' came first, and then he decided to write ''[[The Hobbit]]'' around it. As a university lecturer, he was in the process of correcting reports when he started scribbling on a blank piece of paper and wrote, "In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit", and the rest of the story sprang from that. The idea of a little hole dwelling creature was introduced to Tolkien by one of his students in a story he had written.

It was revealed recently that the word pre-dated Tolkien's usage, though with a different meaning).<ref name="annot">{{HM|AH}}</ref> Tolkien's concept of hobbits, in turn, seems to have been inspired by Edward Wyke Smith's 1927 children's book ''The Marvellous Land of Snergs'', and by Sinclair Lewis's 1922 novel ''Babbitt''. Tolkien wrote to [[W.H. Auden]] that ''The Marvellous Land of Snergs'' "was probably an unconscious source-book for the Hobbits"<ref name=annot/> and he told an interviewer that the word ''hobbit'' "might have been associated with Sinclair Lewis's ''Babbitt''" who enjoys the comforts of his home.

Concerning the general characteristics, mentality and temperament of Hobbits, they derive mostly from Tolkien himself:
{{quote|I am in fact a Hobbit (in all but size). I like gardens, trees and unmechanized farmlands; I smoke a pipe, and like good plain food [...]; I like, and even dare to wear in these dull days, ornamental waistcoats. I am fond of mushrooms (out of a field); have a very simple sense of humour [...]; I go to bed late and get up late [...]. I do not travel much.|[[J.R.R. Tolkien]]|[[Letter 213]]}}

== In popular usage ==

"Hobbit" is a trademark owned by the Tolkien estate, as are most of the names, places and artifacts included in books by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]. For this reason [[Dungeons and Dragons]] and other fantasy tend to refer to Hobbits and Hobbit-like races rather as '''Halflings''' (''hin'' in the Mystara universe, ''hurthlings'' in Ancient Domains of Mystery).

The name ''hobbit'' had previously appeared in an obscure "list of spirits" by Michael Denham, which includes several repetitions. There is no evidence to suggest Tolkien used this as a source — indeed he spent many years trying to find out whether he really did coin the word. Denham's "hobbit spirits" (which are never referenced anywhere except in the long list) have no obvious relation to Tolkien's Hobbits, other than the name (which may possibly imply hob- "small", see below): Tolkien's Hobbits are small humans, not spirits. Nonetheless, some few people have suggested that the reference in the Denham list should invalidate the trademark.

The lexeme ''hob'', meaning ''small'', is a root word for ''hobbledehoy'', ''hobgoblin'', and ''hobyah''. This may have influenced Tolkien's name; see '''[[#Inspiration|Inspiration]]''' above.

''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homo_floresiensis Homo floresiensis]'', a possible species in the genus Homo (thus, related to humans) discovered in 2004, has been informally dubbed a "hobbit" by its discoverers due to its small size.

In recent depictions and adaptations such as ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy]]'', Hobbits are shown with proportionately large feet; however Tolkien mentioned nothing about their size, other than they are hairy and that they wear no shoes.
{{references}}
[[Category:Hobbits| ]]
[[Category:Characters in The Hobbit]]
[[fr:encyclo/peuples/hobbits/hobbits]]
[[de:Hobbits]]
[[fi:Hobitit]]

Talk:Wainrider/Balchoth War

2011-09-19T14:58:22Z

Thalion:

== Naming Decision ==
It was a tough decision arriving at a name for this conflict. Appendix A (ROTK) uses both terms, and the pre-existing Celebrant battle article uses "Balchoth". So I tried to use both. Easterling is more of a generic description. Also, the time period involved here is very long, 700 years or so, but the whole affair is discussed as though it is a unitary conflict in the [[Appendix B|Tale of Years]]. So I kept the time scale long.--[[User:Theoden1|Theoden1]] 17:38, 13 July 2008 (EDT)

:Some other naming: "Calimehtar-Dagorlad Battle"? Isn't "Second Battle for Dagorlad" a bit better? -- [[User:Ederchil|Ederchil]] 13:07, 14 July 2008 (EDT)

:That's just a place holder-- perhaps 2nd will do.--[[User:Theoden1|Theoden1]] 14:51, 14 July 2008 (EDT)

:I added a redirect page for [[Easterling War]]. That should keep everyone happy.--[[User:Theoden1|Theoden1]] 14:53, 16 July 2008 (EDT)

== Typo Wars ==

Someday, Ederchil, we'll look back on this as the '''Great Typo War'''. I hope we're helping it other, not just chewing on each other. I thought I was helping you out with corrections to Christopher Lee. I hope you're responding with the same charitable spirit, dude.--[[User:Theoden1|Theoden1]] 14:50, 16 July 2008 (EDT)

:Always charitable. We're all here to help eachother. I make typos, you make typos. If we don't correct eachother, then who will? -- [[User:Ederchil|Ederchil]] 15:41, 16 July 2008 (EDT)

==Doesn't make sense==
Sorry folks, it's ludicrous to put the Wainrider/Balchoth conflict into one. The Wainriders were utterly defated in 1944 TA, the Balchoth appear 500 years later. It's like talking about the "Hunnic-Mongol Invasion of Europe" despite Huns and Mongols being different peoples and are separated by 700 years. There's a wainrider conflict and a Balchoth conflict.
Besides, the article is far from complete. And why is there crux behind Ecthelion II? From what I know he died peacefully. --[[User:Thalion|Thalion]] 14:58, 19 September 2011 (UTC)

Battle of Dagorlad

2011-09-19T14:45:13Z

Thalion: /* The Battle */

{{disambig-more|Battle of Dagorlad|[[Battle of Dagorlad (disambiguation)]]}}

{{battle
|image=
|name=Battle of Dagorlad
|conflict=[[War of the Last Alliance]]
|date=[[Second Age 3434]]
|place=The plains or Dagorlad outside Mordor
|result=Decisive victory for the Allies
|side1=Men, Elves, and Dwarves
|side2=Orcs, Easterlings, Southrons, Trolls, and other creatures and servants of Sauron
|commanders1=
{{Gil-galad blazon}}
*[[Elendil]]
*[[Elrond]]
*[[Oropher]] †
*[[Amdír]] †
*[[Durin IV]]
|commanders2= {{Sauron blazon}}
|forces1=Hundreds of thousands of Men, Elves, and Dwarves
|forces2=Hundreds of thousands of Orcs, Fallen Men, and other evil creatures
|casual1=Many thousands
|casual2=Vast numbers, more than the allies|
}}

The '''Battle of Dagorlad''' occurred in the year 3434 of the [[Second Age]]. It was fought between the army of the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men|Last Alliance]] under [[Gil-galad]] and [[Elendil]] and an army of [[Orcs]] and other creatures loyal to [[Sauron]]. The battle took place on the great, treeless, open plain between the [[Dead Marshes]] and [[Cirith Gorgor]].

==Prelude==

After the [[Downfall of Númenor]] in 3319 SA the remaining [[Faithful]] led by [[Elendil]] and his sons [[Isildur]] and [[Anárion]] etablished the [[Realms in Exile]] in [[Middle-earth]]. Elendil ruled [[Arnor]] in the north, Isildur and Anarion jointly ruled the southern realm of [[Gondor]]. Sauron had survived the Fall of Númenor and returned to his fortress [[Barad-dûr]] in [[Mordor]].

Perceiving that his enemies of old had escaped the downfall, Sauron's wrath was great and in 3429 SA he launched an attack upon Gondor. To counter this attack Elendil and [[Gil-galad]], [[High King of the Noldor]] forged the [[Last Alliance|Last Alliance of Elves and Men]] to defeat Sauron finally. Meanwhile Anárion held out in Gondor, defending [[Osgiliath]] and [[Minas Anor]]<ref name="Appendix A">{{App|A1}}</ref>.

The united host of Elves and Men crossed the [[Misty Mountains]] and marched south through the vale of [[Anduin]], where they were joined by the [[Silvan Elves]] lead by [[Amdír]] and [[Oropher]]<ref name="Silvan Princes">{{UT|6b}}</ref>. and also a host from [[Khazad-dûm]]<ref name="Rings">{{S|Rings}}</ref>. The Alliance entered the vast plain between the [[Dead Marshes]] and [[Cirith Gorgor]], where Sauron's host awaited them, from the north-west and where joined by Anárion's forces.

==The Battle==

Not many accounts of the battle itslef are given. The two captains of the Silvan Elves had little sympathy for the [[Sindar]] and [[Noldor]] Elves that were lead by Gil-galad. As a result they were indisposed to place themselves under the supreme command of Gil-galad and impetuous and stubborn as they were attacked the host of Mordor rashly, before Gil-galad had given the command. The Silvans were valiant and doughty, but comparably ill-equipped and Oropher perished in the first onslaught while Amdír and his troops were cut off an driven into the marshes where half of his host perished<ref name="Silvan Princes"/>.

Nevertheless the Alliance gained the upper hand and drove away the Orcs and wicked Men Sauron had mustered. Thus they finally broke through [[Cirith Gorgor]] (it is unclear how the Alliance managed to break through the Morannon), and etablished a camp upon Gorgoroth<ref name="Rings"/>.

==Aftermath==

A great part of Sauron's soldiers was slain in this battle. The Alliance was able to enter Mordor and lay siege upon Barad-dûr itself. Nevertheless Sauron still had enough supplies to defend the fortress for seven more years, until the siege was so pressing that he himself came forth, which led to the battle on the slopes of Orodruin in which Sauron was defeated and [[the One Ring]] taken from him<ref name="Rings"/>.

==Notes==
In the [[Third Age]], the Dagorlad was the site of several battles between [[Gondor]] and various [[Easterlings|Easterling]] armies, and the climatic [[Battle of the Morannon]].

In the text in the [[Unfinished Tales]] Amdír is name [[Malgalad]] for an unknown reason. Oropher's son [[Thranduil]] survived the war and etablished his reign over the Silvan Elves in [[Eryn Galen]].

== References ==

<references/>
[[Category:Conflicts of the Second Age]]
[[de:Schlacht auf der Dagorlad]]
[[fr:encyclo:evenements:2a:guerres:bataille_de_dagorlad]]
[[fi:Dagorladin taistelu]]

War of the Last Alliance

2011-09-19T14:40:49Z

Thalion:

{{war
| previous=[[War of the Elves and Sauron]]
| next= [[War of the Ring]]
| image=[[Image:lastalliance-elves.jpg|275px]]
| name= War of the Last Alliance
| place= Mordor and lower Anduin region
| result= Victory for the Last Alliance, fall of Sauron, loss of the One Ring
| battles= [[Fall of Minas Ithil]], [[Anárion's defense of Osgiliath]], [[Battle of Dagorlad]], [[Siege of Barad-dûr]]
| begin= [[Second Age 3429|S.A. 3429]]
| end= [[Second Age 3441|S.A. 3441]]
| side1= Greatest host since the [[War of Wrath]], Men from [[Arnor]] and [[Gondor]], Elves from [[Lindon]], [[Rivendell]], [[Mirkwood]] and [[Lothlórien]], and [[Dwarves]]
| side2= Greater host than the Alliance, myriads of [[Orcs]], [[Easterlings]], probably [[Haradrim]], [[Nazgûl]], and other creatures of Sauron|
|casual1=Thousands, innumerable|
|casual2=Nearly all Orcs, Men, and other creatures were killed|
| commanders1=
{{Gil-galad blazon|died}}
* [[Elrond]]
* [[Oropher]] †
* [[Amdír]] †
[[Image:Tree_icon2.jpg]] [[Elendil]] †
* [[Isildur]]
* [[Anárion]] †

*[[Durin IV]]
| commanders2=
{{Sauron blazon}}
}}

The '''War of the Last Alliance''' was the war late in the [[Second Age]] in which the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]] marched against the fortress of [[Sauron]], [[Barad-dûr]] in [[Mordor]]. Against all hope, they were victorious, but when [[the One Ring]] was not destroyed, [[Sauron]] rose again during the long years of the [[Third Age]].

===Prelude===
After the [[Downfall of Númenor]] in 3319 SA the remaining [[Faithful]] led by [[Elendil]] and his sons [[Isildur]] and [[Anarion]] etablished the [[Realms in Exile]] in [[Middle-earth]]. Elendil ruled [[Arnor]] in the north, Isildur and Anarion jointly ruled the southern realm of [[Gondor]]. Sauron had survived the Fall of Númenor and returned to his fortress [[Barad-dûr]] in [[Mordor]].

Ever since his defeat in the [[Battle of the Gwathló]] Sauron nursed a special hatred against the [[Númenóreans]] and longed to take revenge<ref>{{UT|Galadriel}}</ref>. In 3261 SA, Sauron dared to wage war against Númenor and the last [[King of Númenor]] [[Ar-Pharazôn]] had gathered a massive army to counter this threat. Perceiving the might and splendour of the Númenóreans Sauron's servants deserted him, and Sauron was filled with fear and humbled himself. He was brought as hostage to Númenor and finally succeeded in taking revenge by playing a vital role in the events that led to the Downfall. Yet of all Númenóreans he hated Elendil most, and his wrath was great that he and his sons had escaped<ref name="Rings">{{S|Rings}}</ref>.

===Opening Stages===

Perceiving that his enemies of old had escaped the downfall, Sauron's wrath was great and in 3429 SA he launched an attack upon Isildur's fortress Minas Ithil Completely taken by surpise, suggensting that Sauron had been destroyed in the turmoil of Númenor's downfall, the fortress was taken, the [[White Tree of Gondor]] that Isildur had planted was burned. Nevertheless Isildur, his wife and children escaped, saving a seedling of the tree, too, and sailing down [[Anduin]] journeyed to Elendil's realm in Arnor. There Elendil and [[Gil-galad]], [[High King of the Noldor]] forged the [[Last Alliance|Last Alliance of Elves and Men]] in 3430 SA, to defeat Sauron ultimately. Meanwhile Anárion held out in Gondor, defending [[Osgiliath]] and [[Minas Anor]]<ref name="Rings"/>.

[[Image:Lastalliance-men.jpg|250px|left|thumb|Dúnedain attack in Peter Jackson's ''Fellowship of the Ring'']]
In 3431 the Elves of Lindon led by Gil-galad and [[Círdan]] marched eastward and where awaited by Elendil at [[Amon Sûl]]. The combined host marched towards [[Imladris]], where they joined with [[Elrond|Lord Elrond]], who was Gil-galad's herald, and acted as his second-in-command in the coming campaign.
The host rested for about three years in Imladris, forging weapons and making plans. They crossed the [[Misty Mountains]] over many passes and marched down [[Anduin]] where they were joined by Dwarves from [[Khazad-dûm]], Elves from [[Mirkwood|Greenwood the Great]] led by [[Oropher]] and his son [[Thranduil]], and Lothlórien Elves under [[Amdír]]<ref name="Rings"/>. At the southern eaves of [[Eryn Galen]] the host turned south-east and marched through desolate areas that had once been the [[Entwives|Entwives']] gardens. They, and probably the Entwives themselves, had been destroyed by [[Sauron]] to deprive the Alliance' forces of supplies<ref>{{TT|Treebeard}}</ref>.

== The [[Battle of Dagorlad]] ==

[[Image:Elrond8.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Elrond]] leads the Elven forces]]

On the great plain near the [[Black Gate]], the forces of the Last Alliance at last confronted the black legions of Mordor, joined by Anárion's forces from the south.

During preliminary skirmishing, [[Oropher]] and his Elves, being scantily equipped, rashly charged forward into the numerous Orc forces before Gil-galad had given the command, and suffered heavy casualties, including Oropher himself. Amdír and his forces also were cut off from the main battle and driven into the marshes just to the south, where he also fell along with half of his troops<ref>{{UT|6b}}</ref>. This area became known afterwards as the [[Dead Marshes]], because of the thousands of bodies buried there.

This battle raged for days and nights continuously. But the Elves were still mighty in this times and the Númenóreans were tall and strong and terrible and wrath. And none could withstand [[Aeglos]] and [[Narsil]], Gil-galad's spear and Elendil's sword which filled the orcs and wicked men with fear. Slowly Elves and Númenóreans whittled down the vast numbers of Orcs and pushed them back towards the [[Black Gate]]<ref name="Rings"/>.
No account is given how the Alliance managed to break through this mighty fortification though.

== The [[Siege of Barad-dûr]] ==

The forces of the Last Alliance had forced their way through the Black Gate into Mordor itself. Victory seemed close, but no power short of the [[Valar]] could breach the [[Dark Tower]] by force. Though a great part of Sauron's forces was destroyed at the Dagorlad his host was still numerous and Sauron ordered many a sortie. The siege went on year after year, from [[Second Age 3434|S.A 3434]] to [[Second Age 3441|S.A. 3441]]<ref name="Rings"/>. Isildur's sons, [[Aratan]] and [[Ciryon]], were detached and sent to Minas Ithil to guard against a breakout to the southwest, but his oldest son, Elendur served by his side till the end<ref name="Gladden">{{UT|Gladden}}</ref>. [[Anárion]] was killed in [[Second Age 3440|S.A. 3440]] by a projectile thrown from the tower<ref>{{PM|Elendil}}</ref>.
[[image:Isildur_ring.jpg|thumb|250px|Isildur seizes [[the One Ring]]]]

In the seventh year of the siege, it became so pressing that [[Sauron]] himself came forth. In onslaught was terrible and the siege was almost broken as Sauron and his host advanced too the slopes of [[Mount Doom]]. There he was encountered by the captains of the Alliance, Gil-galad and Elendil and to their side stood Elrond and Círdan and Isildur. Sauron fought with Gil-galad and Elendil and both were slain and as Elendil fell his sword was shattered beneath him. Yet Sauron was thrown down, too, and Isildur seized the hilt of his father's sword and cut off the finger on which Sauron wore the One Ring. Being bereft of its power, Sauron was no longer able to hold a physical form and perished<ref name="Rings"/>.

==Aftermath==

The Alliance pursued the Orcs, who were then in disarray, and killed them all. The Barad-dûr was leveled but its foundations remained behind, since they were built with the power of [[the One Ring]] which was not destroyed. The thousands of dead Men and Elves were taken out of Mordor and buried in the Dagorlad Plain.
[[Image:Elrond25.jpg|thumb|250px|Elrond leads the way to the [[Crack of Doom]]]]
While he had captured [[the One Ring]], Isildur refused Elrond and Círdan's entreaties that he destroy it by casting it into the [[Crack of Doom]], claiming it as a weregild for his father's and brother's death<ref name="Rings"/>. The result of this was that while [[Sauron]] was defeated and cast down, his spirit was not destroyed. He hid himself in the dark lands east of Mordor, and slowly rebuilt his power. The Nine ([[Nazgûl]]) also bided their time for the day when he would rise again.

While the Orc armies of Sauron had been well nigh destroyed in the War, scattered groups of them survived. In the Last Alliance, the casualties had been heavy. [[Elendil]] and [[Anárion]] were gone, and [[Gil-galad]], last [[High King of the Noldor]], was no more. [Arnor]] took grievous losses, and suffered from a decline in population. It never really recovered as a major power, and broke into three pieces some centuries later. [[Gondor]] suffered less heavily and became a powerful nation. [[Isildur]], the new [[Kings of Arnor|High King of Arnor]], perished only two years later in the [[Disaster of the Gladden Fields]], along with his three older sons. They were ambushed by an Orc task force operating near the River Anduin. In the course of Isildur's death, the Ring was lost in the depths of [[Anduin]]<ref name="Gladden"/>. Much was lost, but [[Sauron]] was suppressed-- for a while.

==See also==

* '''[[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]]''' (political information)

== References ==

<references/>

[[Category:Second Age]]
[[Category:Conflicts of the Second Age]]
[[Category:Sieges]]
[[Category:Wars]]

[[fr:encyclo/evenements/2a/guerres/guerre_de_la_derniere_alliance]]

Black Gate

2011-09-19T14:00:40Z

Thalion:

{{sources}}
{{location
| image=[[Image:John Howe - The Black Gates.jpg|250px]]
| name=The Black Gate
| type=
| location=Meeting of [[Udûn (valley)|Udûn]] and [[Dagorlad]], between [[Ered Lithui]] and [[Ephel Duath]]
| inhabitants=Originally [[Gondorians]]; later [[orcs]]<ref name="Closed"/>
| realms=[[Gondor]]; later [[Mordor]]<ref name="Closed"/>
| description=Iron wall containing arched two-doored entrance<ref name="Closed">{{TT|Gate}}</ref><ref name="Opens">{{RK|Gate}}</ref>
| climate=
| othernames=''Morannon'' ([[Sindarin|S]])
| etymology=
| created=Around 1600 [[Second Age]]<ref>{{S|Rings}}</ref>
| destroyed=[[25 March|March 25]], {{TA|3019}}
| events=
}}
The '''Black Gate''' of [[Mordor]] ([[Sindarin]]: '''[[Morannon]]''') was originally a gate built by [[Sauron]], the Dark Lord of [[Mordor]], to prevent invasion at the gap between the [[Ered Lithui]] and the [[Ephel Duath]]. It was probably built with the power of the One Ring, like the [[Barad-dûr]]. After Sauron's fall, it became a [[Númenor]]ean garrison. Backed up on the other side by the [[Isenmouthe]], and protected by the castle of [[Durthang]] to the west, it was redesigned to keep all of Mordor's evil inside, shielding the outside from it - and it from the outside. The reconstruction of [[Minas Ithil]], Tower of the Rising Moon, as well as the construction of [[Cirith Ungol]] were also done for the same purpose.

However, during the aftermath of the [[Kin-strife]] in [[Gondor]] the watchfulness of the guards in these strongholds relaxed. Thus the [[Nazgûl|Ringwraiths]] and [[Orcs]] re-entered Mordor, eventually overrunning the garrisons and inhabiting them for themselves. It was at this time that the tower of Minas Ithil was taken by the Nazgul, having its name changed to [[Minas Morgul]], Tower of Sorcery.

During the [[War of the Ring]], the Army of the West, numbering some 7,000 men, arrived at the Black Gate with the intention of drawing the [[Eye of Sauron]] away from [[Mount Doom]], to allow [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] the Ringbearer to cast [[the One Ring]] into the [[Crack of Doom]] within it. This they achieved, and the Ring was destroyed in the fires of Mount Doom, following which the Black Gate and the Towers of Teeth immediately collapsed.

==See Also==
*[[:Category:Images of the Black Gate|Images of the Black Gate]]
{{references}}
[[Category:Doors and Gates]]
[[Category:Fortresses]]
[[Category:Mordor]]
[[de:Morannon]]
[[fr:encyclo/geographie/villes_tours_et_forteresses/mordor/porte_noire]]
[[fi:Musta Portti]]

Talk:Black Gate

2011-09-19T13:58:26Z

Thalion: /* Building */

==Building==
Does ANYONE know when the Morannon was built? Or by whom? It's clear to me that due to its description it is not of dúnedainic origin but built by Sauron. I cannot find a single evidence for this, only suggestions: The gate for sure was built before Sauron returned to Mordor in the Third Age, but was it already there during the Last Alliance?
Also the year of its construction is completely unknown for me.
"Early Third Age", as given in the article is surely wrong, if it was built by Sauron. At least it does contradict the statement that it might be built with the power of the Ring. --[[User:Thalion|Thalion]] 13:18, 19 September 2011 (UTC)

Forget it, stumbled over a short note in "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age" that Sauron's host awaited the Last Alliance in front of the Black Gate. --[[User:Thalion|Thalion]] 13:58, 19 September 2011 (UTC)

Battle of Dagorlad

2011-09-19T13:40:53Z

Thalion:

{{disambig-more|Battle of Dagorlad|[[Battle of Dagorlad (disambiguation)]]}}

{{battle
|image=
|name=Battle of Dagorlad
|conflict=[[War of the Last Alliance]]
|date=[[Second Age 3434]]
|place=The plains or Dagorlad outside Mordor
|result=Decisive victory for the Allies
|side1=Men, Elves, and Dwarves
|side2=Orcs, Easterlings, Southrons, Trolls, and other creatures and servants of Sauron
|commanders1=
{{Gil-galad blazon}}
*[[Elendil]]
*[[Elrond]]
*[[Oropher]] †
*[[Amdír]] †
*[[Durin IV]]
|commanders2= {{Sauron blazon}}
|forces1=Hundreds of thousands of Men, Elves, and Dwarves
|forces2=Hundreds of thousands of Orcs, Fallen Men, and other evil creatures
|casual1=Many thousands
|casual2=Vast numbers, more than the allies|
}}

The '''Battle of Dagorlad''' occurred in the year 3434 of the [[Second Age]]. It was fought between the army of the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men|Last Alliance]] under [[Gil-galad]] and [[Elendil]] and an army of [[Orcs]] and other creatures loyal to [[Sauron]]. The battle took place on the great, treeless, open plain between the [[Dead Marshes]] and [[Cirith Gorgor]].

==Prelude==

After the [[Downfall of Númenor]] in 3319 SA the remaining [[Faithful]] led by [[Elendil]] and his sons [[Isildur]] and [[Anárion]] etablished the [[Realms in Exile]] in [[Middle-earth]]. Elendil ruled [[Arnor]] in the north, Isildur and Anarion jointly ruled the southern realm of [[Gondor]]. Sauron had survived the Fall of Númenor and returned to his fortress [[Barad-dûr]] in [[Mordor]].

Perceiving that his enemies of old had escaped the downfall, Sauron's wrath was great and in 3429 SA he launched an attack upon Gondor. To counter this attack Elendil and [[Gil-galad]], [[High King of the Noldor]] forged the [[Last Alliance|Last Alliance of Elves and Men]] to defeat Sauron finally. Meanwhile Anárion held out in Gondor, defending [[Osgiliath]] and [[Minas Anor]]<ref name="Appendix A">{{App|A1}}</ref>.

The united host of Elves and Men crossed the [[Misty Mountains]] and marched south through the vale of [[Anduin]], where they were joined by the [[Silvan Elves]] lead by [[Amdír]] and [[Oropher]]<ref name="Silvan Princes">{{UT|6b}}</ref>. and also a host from [[Khazad-dûm]]<ref name="Rings">{{S|Rings}}</ref>. The Alliance entered the vast plain between the [[Dead Marshes]] and [[Cirith Gorgor]], where Sauron's host awaited them, from the north-west and where joined by Anárion's forces.

==The Battle==

Not many accounts of the battle itslef are given. The two captains of the Silvan Elves had little sympathy for the [[Sindar]] and [[Noldor]] Elves that were lead by Gil-galad. As a result they were indisposed to place themselves under the supreme command of Gil-galad and impetuous and stubborn as they were attacked the host of Mordor rashly, before Gil-galad had given the command. The Silvans were valiant and doughty, but comparably ill-equipped and Oropher perished in the first onslaught while Amdír and his troops were cut off an driven into the marshes where half of his host perished<ref name="Silvan Princes"/>.

Nevertheless the Alliance gained the upper hand and drove away the Orcs and wicked Men Sauron had mustered. Thus they finally broke through [[Cirith Gorgor]] (if the [[Morannon]] already existed is not known for sure. If it was there, it is unclear how the Alliance managed to break through), and etablished a camp upon Gorgoroth<ref name="Rings"/>.

==Aftermath==

A great part of Sauron's soldiers was slain in this battle. The Alliance was able to enter Mordor and lay siege upon Barad-dûr itself. Nevertheless Sauron still had enough supplies to defend the fortress for seven more years, until the siege was so pressing that he himself came forth, which led to the battle on the slopes of Orodruin in which Sauron was defeated and [[the One Ring]] taken from him<ref name="Rings"/>.

==Notes==
In the [[Third Age]], the Dagorlad was the site of several battles between [[Gondor]] and various [[Easterlings|Easterling]] armies, and the climatic [[Battle of the Morannon]].

In the text in the [[Unfinished Tales]] Amdír is name [[Malgalad]] for an unknown reason. Oropher's son [[Thranduil]] survived the war and etablished his reign over the Silvan Elves in [[Eryn Galen]].

== References ==

<references/>
[[Category:Conflicts of the Second Age]]
[[de:Schlacht auf der Dagorlad]]
[[fr:encyclo:evenements:2a:guerres:bataille_de_dagorlad]]
[[fi:Dagorladin taistelu]]

Talk:Black Gate

2011-09-19T13:18:47Z

Thalion: Created page with "==Building== Does ANYONE know when the Morannon was built? Or by whom? It's clear to me that due to its description it is not of dúnedainic origin but built by Sauron. I cannot ..."

Talk:Galadriel

2011-09-09T14:36:02Z

Thalion:

Does anyone else feel the asterisk for Aragorn's being a member of the Fellowship a bit irrelevant? I'm gonna delete it, someone can revert it if I'm wrong. --[[User:Quidon88|Quidon88]] 01:30, 5 January 2007 (EST)

:I also find it unneccessary. I'll go ahead and remove it (as I have several other minor edits I would like to perform on the page). --[[User:Narfil Palùrfalas|Narfil Palùrfalas]] 07:35, 5 January 2007 (EST)

== Where the death date comes from? ==

As far as I know, Galadriel is immortal. So where can you conclude her date of death? [[User:58.187.53.142|58.187.53.142]] 23:02, 22 June 2007 (EDT)

:The infobox says "Passed into the West" and the article states "aged approx. 8,370 years when she took the Straight Road to Valinor". There is no statement of death. --[[User:Fleela|fleela]] 23:12, 22 June 2007 (EDT)

::But the infobox says that :"Date of death" and "Age at death", those look like she died already, if my eyes don't betray me.

:::The infobox is a standard template used in many articles, hence the descriptive parenthetical phrase. --[[User:Fleela|fleela]] 23:58, 22 June 2007 (EDT)

::::I think we should clear out the information from infobox since it can mislead the readers about her "death". Also, there's an asynchronism here when the lead section state she's aged approx. 8,370 years when she took the Straight Road to Valinor while the infobox says "approximately 7114 years". To have it out, I favor the information of 7114 rather than the number 8370 (in wikipedia version they calculate that "500 (FA) + 3400 (SA) + 3300 (TA) = apx. 7000". Merge the infomation in infobox to lead section is my solution. [[User:58.187.51.25|58.187.51.25]] 00:09, 23 June 2007 (EDT)

::::::Actually it's 8374. Most people forget that [[Years of the Trees]] are 9.582 [[years of the Sun]] in lenght. There are several other errors in the quoted (wikipedia) calculation. -- [[User:Mithrennaith|Mithrennaith]] 19:18, 21 May 2008 (EDT)

:::::Right now Galadriel is using a Royalty infobox, but I think we should change it to be an Elf-specific infobox. As most Elves passed on to the Undying lands and did not die, we can use that in place of death. I'll double check the dates and fix the article, thanks for your input. --[[User:Hyarion|Hyarion]] 00:30, 23 June 2007 (EDT)

::::::Galadriel should be using the Noldor infobox, which I'll put up after a rewrite (or someone can change it before the rewrite). Most of the Noldor Tolkien writes about ''did'' die at one point or another (almost the entire [[House of Finwë]], for instance); I'd say about 9/10. For Elves I suppose we could put Died/Passed West, but it's rather more annoying to have to explain on every article which they did (whereas here the few that survived to pass west are explained as such). On the other hand, since the elves that died in Middle-earth were usually reborn in Aman, we could probably think up a variation on "departed mortal lands", etc. Personally, I'm contented with the way it is. --[[User:Narfil Palùrfalas|Narfil Palùrfalas]] 06:17, 23 June 2007 (EDT)

::::::I believe I put down the age. That was based on the dates calculated for the ages plus a hundred or so years to make her old enough for what she did during the Exile of the Noldor. I'm not sure why I added "14". Also, I was thinking, for the Elves passing west is very much like death (only they don't. . . die. They skip the step of being disembodied and going through Mandos). With proper word choice we might be able to work out something. --[[User:Narfil Palùrfalas|Narfil Palùrfalas]] 06:21, 23 June 2007 (EDT)

==Going East==
The article fails in elaborating all the differences in the story of Galadriel. When did she leave Aman, how did she leave, where did she meet Celeborn? Also it completely lacks information about Galadriel and Celeborn passing east into Eriador before the end of the FA. --[[User:Thalion|Thalion]] 14:36, 9 September 2011 (UTC)

Galadriel

2011-09-09T14:33:38Z

Thalion: /* Other Versions of the Legendarium */

{{sources}}
{{noldor infobox
| image=[[Image:Sylvia Polster - Galadriel.jpg|250px]]
| name=Galadriel
| othernames=''[[#Names|Artanis]]'' ([[Quenya|Q]], [[Father-name|fn]]), ''[[Nerwen]]'' ([[Quenya|Q]], [[Amilessë|mn]]) ''[[Galadriel#Names|Alatáriel]]'' ([[Telerin|T]], [[epessë]])
| titles= Lady of [[Lothlórien]], Lady of Light, Lady of the Wood, Lady of the [[Galadhrim]]
| position=
| realm=[[Tirion]]; [[Lindon]]; [[Eregion]]; [[Lothlórien]]
| affiliation=[[White Council]]
| language=[[Quenya]], [[Sindarin]] and [[Silvan Elvish]]
| birth={{YT|1364}}
| birthlocation=[[Tirion]]
| rule=
| death=
| deathlocation=Sailed [[Aman|West]], {{TA|3021}}
| age=
| house=[[House of Finarfin]]
| parentage=[[Finarfin]] and [[Eärwen]]
| siblings=[[Finrod]], [[Angrod]] and [[Aegnor]]
| spouse=[[Celeborn]]
| children=[[Celebrían]]
| gender=Female
| height=6 feet, 4 inches (193cm)
| hair=Radiant gold-silver
| eyes=
| clothing=White robes
| weapons=
| steed=
}}{{Pronounce|Galadriel.mp3|Ardamir}}
{{quote|Very tall [Galadriel and Celeborn] were, and the Lady no less tall than the Lord; and they were grave and beautiful. They were clad wholly in white; and the hair of the Lady was of deep gold… but no sign of age was upon them, unless it were in the depths of their eyes; for these were keen as lances in the starlight, and yet profound, the wells of deep memory.|[[The Lord of the Rings]], ''[[The Mirror of Galadriel]]''}}
'''Galadriel''' ([[Sindarin|S]], pron. {{IPA|[ɡaˈladri.el]}}) was a [[Noldo]], one of the [[Calaquendi]], and arguably the most famous and powerful elf of the [[Third Age]]. She was one of the bearers of the [[Three Rings]], of [[Nenya]], and with it kept her realm of [[Lothlórien]] free of stain.

==History==
===Fostering and Life in Aman===

When a fourth child was born to [[Finarfin]], prince of the Noldor, and [[Eärwen]], princess of the [[Teleri]], her father named her '''[[Artanis]]''', which is "noble woman". She was unusually tall and strong as she grew, and so Eärwen’s name for her was '''[[Nerwen]]''', "man-maiden". But the most distinctive thing about her was her hair, which was of a rare silver-gold color, and dazzlingly bright. Her hair reflected her unusually diverse heritage, being half [[Teleri]]n (typified by silver hair), a quarter [[Noldor]]in (typified by dark hair), and a quarter [[Vanyar]]in (typified by golden hair). Despite her mixed blood, she was identified as a princess of the Noldor, as her father was the third son of [[Finwë]], [[High King of the Noldor]]. Yet according to [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]]’s later accounts she lived with her Telerin relatives in [[Alqualondë]].

It was in Alqualondë that she met [[Celeborn|Teleporno]], a young Telerin prince probably the son or grandson of [[Olwë]] (which would make him Artanis’s uncle or cousin)[[Galadriel#Other Versions of the Legendarium|*]]. They eventually fell in love, and he called her in his own [[Telerin]] tongue '''''[[Galadriel#Names|Alatáriel]]''''' (later [[Sindarin]]ized as '''Galadriel''' and semi-[[Quenya]]rized as '''[[Altáriel]]'''). She had another admirer as well: her half-uncle, [[Fëanor]]. Fëanor, being a lover of beauty and brilliance, noted her shining hair. He may have been inspired by her tresses to make the [[Silmarils]], both being said to capture the light of the [[Two Trees]]. He begged her to spare him some of her hair, but she refused him a single hair three times and he gave up. She had unusually strong powers of mental perception, and when she looked into his mind, she saw only darkness, hinting at Fëanor's evil nature.

During the [[Darkening of Valinor]], she was just as fiery and visionary as Fëanor, although she despised him. During the troubles that followed she took no part in the atrocities against the Teleri during the [[Kinslaying of Alqualondë]], but urged Teleporno her beloved to sail across the [[Belegaer|Sea]] to [[Middle-earth]] by her side. He agreed for her sake, and so they both came under the [[Ban of the Valar]]. Their crossing to Middle-earth by ship was the exception—Fëanor and [[Sons of Fëanor|his sons]] had sailed ''stolen'' Telerin ships, while the vast majority of the other Noldor under [[Fingolfin]] crossed the [[Helcaraxë]] on foot.

===First Age===

Once in [[Beleriand]] they were welcomed by King [[Thingol]] of [[Doriath]], as both were Telerin in origin. Thingol knew nothing of what had happened to his brother [[Olwë]] and the [[Calaquendi]], and they brought news. But they said nothing about the Kinslaying. Teleporno was Sindarinized as ''[[Celeborn]]'', and Artanis adopted Teleporno’s pet name for her, ''Alatáriel'', in its Sindarin form: ''Galadriel''. [[Image:456px-Donato_Giancola_-_Galadriel_and_the_mirror.jpg|right|thumb|''Galadriel and the mirror'' by [[Donato Giancola]] ]]
After the rest of the Noldor arrived in Beleriand and the great [[Dagor-nuin-Giliath]] was fought, Galadriel re-established contact with her brothers, though her hate for the orphaned sons of Fëanor was still strong. She learned much from [[Melian]] during her days in Doriath, and occasionally spent time in [[Nargothrond]] with her eldest brother [[Finrod|Finrod Felagund]]. She and Melian became friends, speaking often to one another about Valinor. Melian was eager to learn of the happenings of the Exile, but Galadriel would tell her nothing of what occurred after the death of the Trees. Eventually, however, as Melian’s guesses became more shrewd and accurate, Galadriel told her more, except for that of the death of Finwë, the Kinslaying, and the [[burning of the Ships]] at [[Losgar]]. Melian was able to discern some, and the rest came in rumors to Thingol’s ears. At last, egged on by the accusing words of Thingol, Angrod told all. Galadriel escaped being removed from Doriath by Thingol’s sympathy to the houses of Finarfin and [[Fingolfin]] for the wrongs they had suffered. All the same, she moved for a time to Nargothrond to live with Finrod. By {{FA|300}}, however, she had gone back to live in Doriath. Presumably, her husband lived with her there in peace.

Precisely where the twain were during the [[Sack of Nargothrond|destruction of Nargothrond]] in {{FA|495}} and [[Sack of Doriath|Doriath]] in {{FA|503}}/{{FA|506}} is unknown; perhaps they were there during the sacks and escaped one or both. It is not unlikely that after the destruction of the latter they went either to the [[Havens of Sirion]] or with their Telerin kin to the [[Isle of Balar]] with [[Círdan]]. If the former, they escaped the [[Third Kinslaying]] there, and either went into hiding in Beleriand or, more probably, went to the Isle of Balar. During the [[War of Wrath]], given the choice whether to stay in Middle-earth or not, they surprisingly decided to remain. Galadriel was still very proud, even arrogant, and refused to accept the pardon of the [[Valar]]. Either Celeborn felt the same way, or stayed for the sake of his wife.

===Second Age===

Galadriel and her husband stayed in [[Lindon]], the kingdom of Galadriel’s grandnephew [[Gil-galad]]. There they stayed for a while, ruling over a fiefdom of Noldor. Eventually they established or moved to [[Eregion]]. Celebrimbor lived there, and gradually grew in importance among the smiths. Perhaps because of Galadriel’s detestation (Celebrimbor being the last of the [[House of Fëanor]], though Celebrimbor had refused and forsaken them for their evil deeds), Celeborn and Galadriel made contact with the [[Nandor]] of [[Amdír]], who dwelt in a forest realm called [[Lórinand]]. They eventually crossed the [[Misty Mountains|Hithaeglir]] through [[Khazad-dûm]] and relocated to there, becoming great among the Wood-elves.

Though Galadriel urged Celebrimbor against it, the Noldo collaborated with [[Annatar]] on the great process of making [[Rings of Power]]. By Annatar’s help, the Elves of Eregion created many rings, but both Celebrimbor and Annatar created greater rings of their own in secret. Celebrimbor wrought the [[Three Rings]] of the Elves, which were far more powerful than the lesser rings. Annatar, however, wrought [[the One Ring]]. When he placed it on his finger, the Elves were aware of his treachery, and took off their rings. Celebrimbor, afraid for his life but even more for the safety of the Three Rings, sent them to two of the [[Wise]]: [[Narya]] and [[Vilya]] for Gil-galad (who eventually gave Narya to Círdan), and [[Nenya]] for Galadriel. Very few even of the [[Eldar]] knew who hid each of these Rings. Celebrimbor was slain by [[Sauron]] not long after, and Eregion was laid waste. But the Three Rings were safe.

[[Image:Angus McBride - Galadriel.gif|thumb|left|250px|''Galadriel'' by [[Angus McBride]]]]In time Amdír, King of Lórinand, was slain in the [[Battle of Dagorlad]] during the [[War of the Last Alliance]]. Celeborn may have participated in the war, but the greatest effect it had on the twain (and Lórinand) was the destruction of Sauron and the loss of [[the One Ring]]. Galadriel was now free to use her ring. With Nenya, the Ring of Water, Galadriel made the realm of Lórinand even greater. With the power of her ring, she protected it from the intrusion of evils throughout the [[Third Age]].

===Third Age===

When [[Amroth]] son of Amdír perished, Celeborn and Galadriel ruled Lórinand (now known as [[Lothlórien]] or Lórien) jointly, and were called the [[Lord and Lady]]. Lothlórien blossomed, and Galadriel planted the [[mallorn]] seeds brought with her from Lindon, the only mallorns east of the Sea. They established [[Caras Galadhon]], and the realm of Lothlórien was one of light and life. It was during their days of power and glory in Lothlórien (either before or after the deaths of Amdír and Amroth) that Galadriel bore her first and only child: a daughter exceedingly fair named [[Celebrían]]. She married [[Elrond]], a close friend of Galadriel’s and bearer of [[Vilya]] after the death of Gil-galad during the Alliance. Celeborn and Galadriel had three grandchildren by her, one of whom, [[Arwen]], they were especially close to. But Celebrían was waylaid and tortured by [[Orcs]] in {{TA|2509}}, and passed West over the sea.

In {{TA|2463}} the [[White Council]] was formed. Galadriel, being one of the [[Wise]] and the greatest threat to Sauron alive, was one of the members. Celeborn may have been as well, but this is not known for sure. She was a good friend of [[Gandalf]], and recommended that he be made head of the Council. But this distinction fell instead to [[Saruman]], whom she distrusted.

[[Image:Billy Mosig - The Mirror of Galadriel.jpg|thumb|right|250px|''The Mirror of Galadriel'' by [[Billy Mosig]]]]During the [[War of the Ring]], Galadriel met the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] in {{TA|3019}}. She especially was attentive to the [[Hobbits|Hobbit]] [[Frodo Baggins]], who was the bearer of [[the One Ring]]. She showed him Nenya, and let him gaze into her [[Mirror of Galadriel|mirror]] of seeing. He offered her the One Ring, and despite the extreme temptation, she resisted it successfully. She sent the Fellowship off on their quest furnished with [[Gifts_of_Galadriel|gifts]]. The two most important gifts she gave were to [[Aragorn]], whom she knew well and liked, and a [[Dwarves|dwarf]] named [[Gimli]]. To Aragorn she gave the [[Elfstone]], which she and her daughter Celebrían had worn. She was unsure as to what to give Gimli, and asked what he wanted. After complimenting her beauty, he requested a single strand of her hair. Galadriel remembered the posing of a similar question by Fëanor, but had searched Gimli’s heart and knew that his intentions were pure. She rewarded him with three strands, which he was later to put into an imperishable crystal in memory of her.

Not long after the departure of the Fellowship she received the resurrected Gandalf. She reclothed and refurnished him, giving him a new staff. After Gandalf left, Lothlórien was subjected to three successive attacks by armies coming out of [[Dol Guldur]]. By the power of her Ring they were thrice repulsed. Celeborn then led [[Fall of Dol Guldur|an attack on Dol Guldur]] itself. Once the dark fortress was in the hands of the Galadhrim, Galadriel came, threw down its walls, and purified it of its evil. It was her last act of power, for the One Ring was destroyed, and the strength of Nenya waned and eventually vanished almost completely.

===Return to Valinor===

Galadriel attended the wedding of Aragorn with Arwen, then returned to Lothlórien. But in {{TA|3021}}, two years later, she bade farewell to Celeborn her husband and went West to Valinor. With her went the other two bearers of the Rings, Gandalf and Elrond, and Frodo and Bilbo Baggins who had borne the One Ring. They passed West, and came never again to Middle-earth. There in Valinor Galadriel must have tried to heal Frodo of his spiritual wounds. Whether she was successful or not is unknown. But sometime later during the [[Fourth Age]] she received Celeborn, her husband. And in {{FoA|120}}, it is said, she received Gimli her admirer, who died in Valinor.

==Characteristics==

Galadriel was very beautiful, her hair being the most notable feature about her. It reminded the Eldar of the light of the [[Two Trees]]. Galadriel, at least in her earlier years, was of a somewhat proud and rebellious nature. She was free-spirited, and during her time in Aman had many dreams of wide unexplored lands. Her favorite brother was Finrod, for he, too, shared this vision. She could explore the minds and hearts of others, and her gaze was seeing. It may be because of her unusual beauty and power that she became proud.

But by the Third Age she is also seen to act with wisdom and gentleness. In ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', she appears very gentle, firm, and wise. She was revered even more than Celeborn by the Galadhrim and all who met her.

==Etymology==

''[[Galadriel]]'' is a [[Sindarin]] name translated by [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] as "glittering garland",<ref>{{L|345}}, p. 423</ref> "Maiden crowned with gleaming hair",<ref>{{L|348}}, p. 428</ref> and "maiden crowned with a radiant garland".<ref name=SApp>{{S|Appendix}}</ref><ref>{{HM|RC}}, pp. 44-45</ref> It has been suggested that ''Galadriel'' consists of ''[[galad]]'' ("light, radiance") + ''[[rî]]'' ("crown") + ''[[iell]]'' ("daughter").<ref>[http://www.tolkiendil.com/langues/english/i-lam_arth/compound_sindarin_names#g Compound Sindarin Names] at [http://www.tolkiendil.com/ Tolkiendil.com] (accessed 19 June 2011)</ref> Tolkien notes that the element ''galad'' had no relation to Sindarin ''[[galadh]]'' ("tree", or Silvan ''galad'' "tree"), but that such a connexion often was made and her name then became ''Galadhriel''.<ref name=SApp/><ref>{{MR|P3I5}}, p. 182 (commentary to §42)</ref>

==Names==

'''''Alatáriel''''' was the [[Telerin]] [[Quenya]] name given to Galadriel by [[Celeborn]], meaning "Maiden Crowned with Radiant Garland", which referred to her hair.{{fact}}

'''''Artanis''''' ([[Quenya|Q]], pron. {{IPA|[ˈartanis]}}, stem ''Artaniss-'') was Galadriel's [[father-name]]: it means "Noble Woman" in [[Quenya]] from ''[[arta]]'' and ''[[nís]]''.{{fact}}

'''''Galadhriel''''' was a name occasionally, and incorrectly, used of [[Galadriel]] after she became [[Lady of Lórien]], and meaning 'tree-garland'. As the [[Lady of the Galadhrim]], whose capital was at [[Caras Galadhon]], it is perhaps understandable that her name should have become confused with the [[Elvish]] word galadh, meaning 'tree'. Nonetheless, this usage was mistaken — her true name ''Galadriel'' actually derived from the word ''galad'' ("radiant"), and the false variant ''Galadhriel'' was never used in her own country of [[Lórien in Middle-earth|Lórien]].{{fact}}

==Other Versions of the Legendarium==

There is a bit of befuddlement and confusion in the story of Galadriel, which Tolkien revised multiple times. Originally, and in the published ''[[The Silmarillion|Silmarillion]]'', Galadriel supported Fëanor and even fought at Alqualondë. Then she met Celeborn in [[Doriath]], for Celeborn was one of the Sindar. This earlier account explains the difficulty of Celeborn and Galadriel being so closely related (the Eldar did not marry that close). Though it’s possible that Galadriel and Celeborn rebelliously defied the customs and laws, it is primarily because of this difficulty that some [[Tolkienists]] take the earlier account as canon.

The later account is the one used here, being considered more canon by most (being written and used later than other accounts). It is found in ''[[The Peoples of Middle-earth]]''.

In some versions, Galadriel and Celeborn had two children, of which one was [[Amroth]].

== Genealogy ==
[[Finarfin]] = [[Eärwen]]
|
-------------------|-------------------
| | | |
| | | |
[[Finrod]] [[Angrod]] = [[Eldalótë]] [[Aegnor]] '''GALADRIEL''' = [[Celeborn]]
| |
| |
[[Orodreth]] [[Celebrían]] = [[Elrond]]
| |
------|------ |
| | |
| | |
[[Gil-galad]] [[Finduilas]] |
[[Arwen]] = [[Aragorn|Aragorn Elessar]]

== Portrayal in Adaptations ==
<gallery>
Image:Ralph Bakshi's Galadriel.jpg|Galadriel as portrayed in [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)]].
Image:Peter Jackson's Galadriel.jpg|[[Cate Blanchett]] as Galadriel in [[The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy]].
Image:Galadriel lotr fotr.JPG|Galadriel as portrayed in [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|Vivendi's The Fellowship of the Ring]].
</gallery>

'''1978: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)]]'':'''
:Galadriel is voiced by [[Annette Crosbie]].

'''1981: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|BBC Radio's The Lord of the Rings]]'':'''
:The voice of Galadriel is provided by [[Marian Diamond]].

'''2001: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
:Galadriel is played by [[Cate Blanchett]]. Galadriel narrates the Prologue, explaining the creation of the Rings of Power and the War of the Last Alliance. Earlier plans considered were to have either Frodo or Gandalf narrate the Prologue, but this was dropped: Frodo was not alive until thousands of years after these events happened, and although Gandalf was alive, he was not present in Middle-earth at the time; the Wizards came some one thousand years after the Prologue ends. Thus Galadriel narrates the Prologue, because she had first-hand accounts of this history and actively participated in its events.

'''2002: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|Vivendi's The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
:Galadriel, voiced by [[Jennifer Hale]], is the narrator of the Prologue and the Epilogue, and appears in Lothlórien.

'''2002: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]'':'''
:Galadriel frequently seems to be consulting telepathically with Elrond; there is some indication from the books that the two were able to communicate in some way, but the specific instances in the movies have no direct counterparts in the books. Further, the notion that Galadriel would send her warriors to assist at [[Helm's Deep]] is practically unthinkable in the context of the books, where [[Lothlórien]] was itself under threat of attack at the time.

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Galadriel is a non-playable character, who narrates cutscenes. She is first seen during [[The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria]] Book VI [[The Shadowy Abyss]]. The player can find her at [[Caras Galadhon]].

'''2012-13: ''[[The Hobbit films]]'':'''
: Cate Blanchett will return to her role as Galadriel in Peter Jackson's adaptation of The Hobbit.

== See Also ==
* [[:Category:Images of Galadriel|Images of Galadriel]]
{{references}}
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]
[[Category:House of Finarfin]]
[[Category:House of Olwë]]
[[Category:Sindarin names]]
[[de:Galadriel]]
[[fa:گالادریل]]
[[fr:encyclo/personnages/elfes/noldor/galadriel]]
[[fi:Galadriel]]

Mablung

2011-09-09T14:15:10Z

Thalion: /* History */

{{sources}}
{{disambig-two|the the [[Elves|Elf]] of [[Doriath]]|[[Rangers of Ithilien|Ranger]] of [[Ithilien]]|[[Mablung (Ranger of Ithilien)]]}}
{{sindar infobox
| image=[[File:Edward Johnson Mablung.jpg|250px]]
| name=Mablung
| othernames="Mablung of the Heavy Hand"
| titles=
| position=Chief captain of [[Thingol]]
| realm=[[Doriath]]
| affiliation=[[Hunting of the Wolf]]
| language=[[Doriathrin]] ([[Sindarin]] dialect)
| birth=
| birthlocation=
| rule=
| death={{FA|503}}
| deathlocation=[[Battle of the Thousand Caves]]
| age=
| house=
| parentage=
| siblings=
| spouse=
| children=
| gender=Male
| height=
| hair=
| eyes=
| clothing=
| weapons=Spear and knife<ref name="Beren">{{S|Beren}}</ref>
| steed=
}}'''Mablung''' was a captain and marchwarden to King [[Thingol|Elu Thingol]] of [[Doriath]].

==History==
Together with [[Beleg Cúthalion]] he was one of the great captains of the Sindar, and he was part of the [[Hunting of the Wolf]] together with [[Beren]].

In opposite to his companion Beleg, who was on duty in the marches of Doriath, Mablung seems to have been in a position of command in Menegroth. While Beleg usually seems to be away on duty at the borders, Mablung is present at important events<ref>{{CH|5}}</ref>.

When leaving Doriath, Mablung is often accompanied by Beleg, this is the case when they go to the [[Mereth Aderthad]] as Thingol's messengers <ref>{{S|Return}}</ref>, and also in the [[Nirnaeth Arnoediad]] in which Beleg and Mablung were the only two Elves from Doriath who took part<ref>{{S|Fifth}}</ref>.

Mablung was in charge to guard [[Morwen|Morwen Eledhwen]], who had dwelt in Doriath at the time, when she set out to [[Nargothrond]] in search of her son [[Túrin Turambar]]. Unknown to both Mablung and Morwen, [[Nienor]] daughter of Morwen, had joined them.

The women were left back upon [[Amon Ethir]] and Mablung set out with a small company to scout Nargothrond as were his orders by Thingol. Yet Glaurung left Nargothrond and Mablung was unable to prevent them both from getting ensnared in the traps of [[Glaurung|Glaurung the Dragon]]. He hid from Glaurung and then searched the sacked Nargothrond, finding no sign of Túrin. Glaurung when returning mocked Mablung, sparing his life, and informing him that he had now lost also Morwen and Nienor.

Nienor was found again by Mablung, but he later lost her again when she, her mind wiped by Glaurung, fled from Mablung during an Orc attack. Defeated, Mablung returned to Doriath and due to his failure at Nargothrond he asked Thingol to dismiss him. Thingol though did not agree, for the failure hardly was Mablung's fault, being opposed by an enemy that mighty, he maintained his position. Nevertheless he spent years afterwards searching for Morwen and Nienor<ref>{{CH|14}}</ref>.

Mablung went to [[Brethil]] when he learned Glaurung was there, and there met Túrin. By admitting Nienor was lost he caused Túrin to realize that Níniel his wife had actually been his sister Nienor, and Túrin killed himself<ref>{{CH|18}}</ref>.

Mablung was slain in the [[Battle of the Thousand Caves]] by the [[Dwarves of Nogrod]] in front of the treasure chamber in which the [[Nauglamír]] had been stored<ref>{{S|Ruin}}</ref>.

==Etymology==
''Mablung'' is probably an ''[[epessë]]'' rather than a name. It translates as "Heavy Hand".

{{references}}
[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]
[[Category:Sindar]]
[[de:Mablung (Elb)]]
[[fr:/encyclo/personnages/elfes/teleri/sindar/mablung]]
[[fi:Mablung (haltia)]]

Beleg

2011-09-09T13:46:40Z

Thalion:

{{expansion}}
{{disambig-two|the Elf of the [[First Age]]|the King of Arthedain|[[Beleg (King of Arthedain)]]}}
{{sindar infobox
| image=[[Image:Anna Lee - Beleg.jpg|250px]]
| name=Beleg
| othernames=''Cúthalion'' ([[Sindarin|S]], "Strongbow") "Beleg the Archer"<ref name="Archer">{{CH|8}}, p. 141</ref>
| titles=
| position=Chief of the marchwardens
| realm=[[Doriath]]
| affiliation=[[Hunting of the Wolf]]
| language=[[Doriathrin]] ([[Sindarin]] dialect)
| birth=
| birthlocation=
| rule=
| death={{FA|490}}
| deathlocation=[[Taur-nu-Fuin]]
| age=
| house=
| parentage=
| siblings=
| spouse=
| children=
| gender=Male
| height=
| hair=Silver{{fact}}
| eyes=Green{{fact}}
| clothing=Large cloak<ref name="Mim">{{CH|7}}, p. 139</ref>
| weapons=[[Anglachel]] and [[Belthronding]]
| steed=
}}{{Pronounce|Beleg Cuthalion.mp3|Ardamir}}
'''Beleg Cúthalion''' was a [[Sindar]] and served King [[Thingol|Elu Thingol]] of [[Doriath]]. He is considered to be best archer and huntsman of his time.

==History==
Together with [[Mablung]], he was one of the great captains of the [[Sindar]]. Beleg was captain of the [[Marchwardens]] and therefore was usually on duty on Doriath's northern borders near [[Brethil]], [[Dimbar]] and [[Nan Dungortheb]]. Beleg carried a black bow named [[Belthronding]], to which his [[epesse]] (surname) referred, and an arrow called [[Dailir]].

He took part in the [[Hunting of the Wolf]], together with King Thingol, Mablung, [[Beren|Beren Ercharmion]] and the great hound [[Huan]].

If he went outside of Doriath, he was often accompanied by Mablung, e.g. when they went to the [[Mereth Aderthad]]<ref>{{S|13}}</ref>. He and Mablung also were the only two Elves from Doriath who joined the hosts of the Noldor in [[Nirnaeth Arnoediad]]<ref>{{S|Fifth}}</ref>.

Later he became a good friend and brother-in-arms of [[Túrin|Túrin Turambar]], and thus became ensnared in Túrin's accursed fate. For a long time Túrin joined Beleg in Dimbar.

When Túrin fled from [[Doriath]], Beleg received permission from Thingol to follow him into exile. He deemed his bow unsuited for this task and from Thingol's armoury chose the sword [[Anglachel]] that [[Eöl]] had forged and given to Thingol in tribute. Beleg was captured by the band of outlaws Túrin led near [[Amon Rûdh]] and was tortured, because Túrin was not present. He brought word from Thingol to Túrin that he was free to return to Doriath, but Túrin neglected the offer. After returning to Thingol to bring the news, Beleg returned into the north marches, when winter came, he set out again to join Túrin<ref>{{CH|6}}</ref>.

The outlaws had meanwhile taken about at [[Bar-en-Danwedh]], the halls of [[Mîm]], the [[Petty-dwarf]]. Together with Túrin, Beleg became for a while a captain against Morgoth, and the place where they dwelt became known as [[Dor-Cúarthol]], the "Land of Bow and Helm". Mîm hated the Elves and Beleg especially, despite there was no reason for this.

When Mîm was captured by Orcs, he revealed where the outlaws had their refuge. After fierce battle upon the top of Amon Rûdh all men were slain and Túrin captured. Beleg was bound and left back alive, as was demanded by Mîm who wanted to deal with the Elf personally. But Andróg, one of Túrin's man was still alive and, though mortally wounded, chased Mîm away and cut Beleg's bonds.<ref>{{CH|8}}</ref>

Beleg was grievously wounded, but he was skilled in healing and after he had recovered, followed the [[Orcs]] into [[Taur-nu-Fuin (Dorthonion)|Taur-nu-Fuin]], where he met [[Gwindor]], and Elf of [[Nargothrond]] who had been captured in the Nirnaeth Arnoediad but escaped from slavery in [[Morgoth]]'s mines. With help from Gwindor, who had seen the passing by Orc-band, Beleg found the Orc-camp at night. The wolves, who guarded the camp, he shot one by one. He then was able to rescue Túrin, who was unconscious because of the torture he had endured, during a thunderstorm. Beleg carried Túrin away from the camp and cut his bonds with his sword. But the blade slipped away and cut into Túrin's flesh. Awaking suddenly and filled with terrible memories of past torture, Túrin only perceived a shape bent over him with a blade believing the Orcs were about to torture him again. Finding his hands unbound, in a sudden rage of self defense, Túrin wrested Anglachel from Beleg and killed him.

Beleg was buried along with his bow Belthronding by Túrin and Gwindor. Anglachel had turned black and blunt when spilling its master's blood. But Anglachel Gwindor took it with him, for he deemed it better to use the blade for vengeance agains Morgoth, than to rot in the earth<ref>{{CH|9}}</ref>.

Túrin afterwards made a song for Beleg, named Laer Cú Beleg, the Song of the Great Bow.

== Etymology ==
''Beleg'' means "mighty" in [[Sindarin]]. His [[epessë]] ''Cúthalion'' means "Strongbow".

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

{{references}}
* ''[[The Children of Húrin]]'', passim.
* ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', [[Of Túrin Turambar]]
* ''[[Unfinished Tales]]'', [[Narn i Chîn Húrin]]
[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]
[[Category:Sindar]]

[[de:Beleg Cúthalion]]
[[fr:encyclo:personnages:elfes:teleri:sindar:beleg]]
[[fi:Beleg (haltia)]]
[[Category:Sindarin names]]

Menegroth

2011-09-07T20:28:16Z

Thalion:

{{Stub}}
[[Image:Alan Lee - Beleg Departs Menegroth.jpg|thumb|''Beleg Departs Menegroth'' by [[Alan Lee]].]]
{{pronounce|Sindarin - Menegroth.mp3|Gilgamesh}}
'''Menegroth''' ([[Sindarin|S]], pron. {{IPA|[meˈneɡroθ]}}), the 'Thousand Caves', was the city in the land of [[Doriath]] which was home to king [[Thingol]] of the [[Sindar]]in elves and queen [[Melian]], one of the [[Maiar]], during the [[First Age]].
=History=
==Years of the Trees==
During the ages of the [[Chaining of Melkor]], the [[Sindar]] had lived scattered in Beleriand, some at the havens of the [[Falas]] others in the woodlands of [[Region]] and [[Neldoreth]] were also their King [[Thingol]] and his queen [[Melian]] abode. When the third Age of Melkor's chaining began, Melian urged Thingol to build a fast place for their people. Thingol was on friendly terms with the Dwarves and he commissioned the [[Dwarves of Belegost]] to aid with the building of a fortress.

Much after the manner of the Dwarves they delved an underground fortress into a rocky hill on the banks of [[Esgalduin]], where the river turned to the west. The only entrance were gates high above the river, that at this place run in a deep ravine and was crossed by a stone bridge. The place was thereafter known as Menegroth, the Thousand Caves, because so many were the halls the Dwarves had hewn out of the rock.

After the [[First Battle of Beleriand]] many Elves who had not lived in the cities, fled to Doriath which was afterwards protected by the [[Girdle of Melian]]<ref name="Sindar">{{S|Sindar}}</ref>.

==Years of the Sun==
Menegroth and Doriath had peace for a long time. Thingol did prefer a policy of isolationism and did not to mingle in the affairs of the [[Noldor]], the [[War of the Jewels]] and the conflict with [[Morgoth]] in general and never a host of Doriath participated in one of the great battles, except the First. Only with [[House of Finarfin|his kin]] in [[Nargothrond]] Thingol remained in contact<ref>{{S|Noldor}}</ref><ref>{{S|Fifth}}</ref>.

Yet also Menegroth became entangled in the fate of the [[Silmaril]] and thus the [[Oath of Feanor]] and the [[Doom of Mandos]]. When the man [[Beren]] asked for the hand of Thingol's daughter Lúthien in marriage, Thingol was upset by this affront, as he deemed it, thinking not too well of mortal men. As bride price he demanded that Beren should bring one of the Silmaril from Morgoth's iron crown<ref name="Beren">{{S|Beren}}</ref>.
With help of Lúthien, Beren succeeded, but the price was high: [[Carcharoth]] the wolf who was guarding the Gates of [[Angband]], bit off the hand, in which Beren was holding the Silmaril. Driven mad by the pain that the hallowed stone caused to him, searing his intestines, Carcharoth ravaged Beleriand and finally broke through Melian's Girdle, threatening Menegroth. He was confronted somewhat to the north-east from the city at the banks of Esgalduin and killed by [[Huan]] the Great Hound of Valinor, having wounded Beren mortally. The Silmaril was found in his stomach, and thus found its way to Menegroth.<ref name="Beren"/>

===The Sack of Doriath===
Years later, [[Húrin Thalion]] brought as a gift the famed [[Nauglamír]] to Thingol. Thingol then had become enchanted by the beauty of the Silmaril and in his mind made up the plan, to set the Silmaril into the Nauglamír. It happened that at this time a troop of [[Dwarves of Nogrod|Dwarves from Nogrod]] were in Menegroth.
Thingol offered a high price to them, if they managed to set the stone into the Nauglamír. But when seeing the unrivalled jewel and the necklace a great desire and greed came upon them to posses both and when they had finished their work they claimed the treasure, Thingol was slain by them and they fled from Menegroth.<ref name="Ruin">{{S|Ruin}}</ref>

News of the event spread fast and the Dwarves were hunted and slain. Two of them escaped and told a crooked tale about how they were betrayed and their brethren slaughtered by the Elves. The Dwarves of Belegost rose in anger and mustered a great army. Doriath lay open to their onslaught, the Girdle was not more since Melian in deep sorrow for her husband's death had lost her power and left Middle-earth.<ref name="Ruin"/>

The Dwarves invaded Doriath and found little resistance, the captains of the Sindar were indecisive and despaired, and attacked Menegroth. Many Dwarves and Elves fought in the [[Battle of the Thousand Caves]] and many were slain. [[Mablung]], captain of the guard, was slain at the doors of the treasure chamber were the Nauglamír was stored. This terrible event then lead to the distrust that thereafter was ever between Elves and Dwarves. On their way back though, the Dwarves were waylaid at [[Sarn Athrad]] by the [[Laiquendi]] led by [[Beren]] and their king was slain by Beren in single combat. The remainder of their host was destroyed by [[Ent]]s.<ref name="Ruin"/>

===The Second Kinslaying and the End of Menegroth===
The Nauglamír with the Silmaril was thereafter worn by Lúthien at [[Tol Galen]] in [[Ossiriand]]. Although weakened the Kingdom of Doriath continued, for [[Dior Eluchil]] son of Lúthien and Beren took up the crown. However, after the death of Lúthien and Beren the Nauglamír was returned to Doriath. The [[Oath of Feanor]] stirred again and [[Sons of Feanor|his sons]] stated their claim on the Silmaril. Dior refused to hand over the stone for which is parents had endured so much. [[Celegorm]] instigated his brother and in the mids of winter their hosts deployed at the gates of Menegroth and a second time Elves were slain by Elves.<ref name="Ruin"/>

Dior was slain, and of the seven Sons of Feanor only four were alive after the battle. Dior's sons, [[Eluréd]] and [[Elurín]], were abandoned in the forest to die, but his daugher [[Elwing]] could flee to the havens at the [[Mouths of Sirion]], bearing the Silmaril with her. The realm of Menegroth did not endure this second slaughtering and did not rise again.<ref name="Ruin"/>

==Description==
Menegroth was a wholly undeground city accessed only through a stone bridge over Esgalduin. While the Dwarves did the major work, also the Elves participated in the construction: The pillars imitated beeches, with branches and leaves. The halls were lit by golden lanterns and there were silver fountains, and many figurines of animals. It is told that nightingales and other birds lived within the caves. Thus Thingol had the most beautiful palace, a king ever had owned east of the Sea.<ref name="Sindar"/>

This description can be found in the [[Lay of Leithian]]:

<poem>
…through corridors of carven dread
whose turns were lit by lanterns hung
or flames from torches that were flung
on dragons hewn in the cold stone
with jewelled eyes and teeth of bone.
Then sudden, deep beneath the earth
the silences with silver mirth
were shaken and the rocks were ringing,
the birds of Melian were singing;
and wide the ways of shadow spread
as into arched halls she led
[[Beren]] in wonder. There a light
like day immortal and like night
of stars unclouded, shone and gleamed.
A vault of topless trees it seemed,
whose trunks of carven stone there stood
like towers of an enchanted wood
in magic fast for ever bound,
bearing a roof whose branches wound
in endless tracery of green
lit by some leaf-imprisoned sheen
of moon and sun, and wrought of gems,
and each leaf hung on golden stems.
Lo! there amid immortal flowers
the nightingales in shining bowers
sang o’er the head of Melian,
while water for ever dripped and ran
from fountains in the rocky floor.
There Thingol sat. His crown he wore
of green and silver, and round his chair
a host in gleaming armor fair…
</poem>
::''Lay of Leithian'', [[Lay of Leithian Canto IV|Canto IV]], lines 981-1011

This description is remarkably similar to the description of Morgoth's stronghold of [[Angband]] ([[Lay of Leithian Canto XIII|Canto XII]], lines 3840-3903), suggesting that in a way Tolkien envisioned Menegroth its direct opposite as the symbol of the forces of light.

==Etymology==
The name means "Thousand Caves" and is analyzed as ''[[meneg]]'' "thousand" and ''[[groth]]'' "excavation".<ref>{{HM|WJ}} p.414</ref>

In the earlier ''[[The Etymologies|Etymologies]]'' [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] explains the word is of [[Doriathrin]] language and gives the final element as Doriathrin ''[[roth]]''.<ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}, p.384 entry ROD</ref>
{{references}}
[[Category:Beleriand]]
[[Category:Caves]]
[[Category:Cities, Towns and Villages]]
[[Category:Doriathrin words]]
[[Category:Sindarin Locations]]
[[de:Menegroth]]
[[fr:encyclo/geographie/villes_tours_et_forteresses/beleriand/menegroth]]
[[fi:Menegroth]]

Menegroth

2011-09-07T20:24:01Z

Thalion:

{{Stub}}
[[Image:Alan Lee - Beleg Departs Menegroth.jpg|thumb|''Beleg Departs Menegroth'' by [[Alan Lee]].]]
{{pronounce|Sindarin - Menegroth.mp3|Gilgamesh}}
'''Menegroth''' ([[Sindarin|S]], pron. {{IPA|[meˈneɡroθ]}}), the 'Thousand Caves', was the city in the land of [[Doriath]] which was home to king [[Thingol]] of the [[Sindar]]in elves and queen [[Melian]], one of the [[Maiar]], during the [[First Age]].
==History==
===Years of the Trees===
During the ages of the [[Chaining of Melkor]], the [[Sindar]] had lived scattered in Beleriand, some at the havens of the [[Falas]] others in the woodlands of [[Region]] and [[Neldoreth]] were also their King [[Thingol]] and his queen [[Melian]] abode. When the third Age of Melkor's chaining began, Melian urged Thingol to build a fast place for their people. Thingol was on friendly terms with the Dwarves and he commissioned the [[Dwarves of Belegost]] to aid with the building of a fortress.

Much after the manner of the Dwarves they delved an underground fortress into a rocky hill on the banks of [[Esgalduin]], where the river turned to the west. The only entrance were gates high above the river, that at this place run in a deep ravine and was crossed by a stone bridge. The place was thereafter known as Menegroth, the Thousand Caves, because so many were the halls the Dwarves had hewn out of the rock.

After the [[First Battle of Beleriand]] many Elves who had not lived in the cities, fled to Doriath which was afterwards protected by the [[Girdle of Melian]]<ref name="Sindar">{{S|Sindar}}</ref>.

===Years of the Sun===
Menegroth and Doriath had peace for a long time. Thingol did prefer a policy of isolationism and did not to mingle in the affairs of the [[Noldor]], the [[War of the Jewels]] and the conflict with [[Morgoth]] in general and never a host of Doriath participated in one of the great battles, except the First. Only with [[House of Finarfin|his kin]] in [[Nargothrond]] Thingol remained in contact<ref>{{S|Noldor}}</ref><ref>{{S|Fifth}}</ref>.

Yet also Menegroth became entangled in the fate of the [[Silmaril]] and thus the [[Curse of Feanor]] and the [[Doom of Mandos]]. When the man [[Beren Ercharmion]] asked for the hand of Thingol's daughter Lúthien in marriage, Thingol was upset by this affront as he deemed it, because he did not think well of mortal men. As bride price he demanded that Beren should bring one of the Silmaril from Morgoth's iron crown<ref name="Beren">{{S|Beren}}</ref>.
With help of Lúthien, Beren succeeded, but the price was high: [[Carcharoth]] the wolf who was guarding the Gates of [[Angband]], bit off the hand, in which Beren was holding the Silmaril. Driven mad by the pain that the hallowed stone caused to him, searing his intestines, Carcharoth ravaged Beleriand and finally broke through Melian's Girdle, threatening Menegroth. He was confronted somewhat to the north-east from the city at the banks of Esgalduin and killed by [[Huan]] the Great Hound of Valinor, having wounded Beren mortally. The Silmaril was found in his stomach, and thus found its way to Menegroth.<ref name="Beren"/>

===The Sack of Doriath====
Years later, [[Húrin Thalion]] brought as a gift the famed [[Nauglamír]] to Thingol. Thingol then had become enchanted by the beauty of the Silmaril and in his mind made up the plan, to set the Silmaril into the Nauglamír. It happened that at this time a troop of [[Dwarves of Nogrod|Dwarves from Nogrod]] were in Menegroth.
Thingol offered a high price to them, if they managed to set the stone into the Nauglamír. But when seeing the unrivalled jewel and the necklace a great desire and greed came upon them to posses both and when they had finished their work they claimed the treasure, Thingol was slain by them and they fled from Menegroth.<ref name="Ruin">{{S|Ruin}}</ref>

News of the event spread fast and the Dwarves were hunted and slain. Two of them escaped and told a crooked tale about how they were betrayed and their brethren slaughtered by the Elves. The Dwarves of Belegost rose in anger and mustered a great army. Doriath lay open to their onslaught, the Girdle was not more since Melian in deep sorrow for her husband's death had lost her power and left Middle-earth.<ref name="Ruin"/>

The Dwarves invaded Doriath and found little resistance, the captains of the Sindar were indecisive and despaired, and attacked Menegroth. Many Dwarves and Elves fought in the [[Battle of the Thousand Caves]] and many were slain. [[Mablung]], captain of the guard, was slain at the doors of the treasure chamber were the Nauglamír was stored. This terrible event then lead to the distrust that thereafter was ever between Elves and Dwarves. On their way back though, the Dwarves were waylaid at [[Sarn Athrad]] by the [[Laiquendi]] led by [[Beren]] and their king was slain by Beren in single combat. The remainder of their host was destroyed by [[Ent]]s.<ref name="Ruin"/>

===The Second Kinslaying and the End of Menegroth===
The Nauglamír with the Silmaril was thereafter worn by Lúthien at [[Tol Galen]] in [[Ossiriand]]. Although weakened the Kingdom of Doriath continued, for [[Dior Eluchil]] son of Lúthien and Beren took up the crown. However, after the death of Lúthien and Beren the Nauglamír was returned to Doriath. The [[Oath of Feanor]] stirred again and [[Sons of Feanor|his sons]] stated their claim on the Silmaril. Dior refused to hand over the stone for which is parents had endured so much. [[Celegorm]] instigated his brother and in the mids of winter their hosts deployed at the gates of Menegroth and a second time Elves were slain by Elves.<ref name="Ruin"/>

Dior was slain, and of the seven Sons of Feanor only four were alive after the battle. Dior's sons, [[Eluréd]] and [[Elurín]], were abandoned in the forest to die, but his daugher [[Elwing]] could flee to the havens at the [[Mouth of Sirion]], bearing the Silmaril with her. The realm of Menegroth did not endure this second slaughtering and did not rise again.<ref name="Ruin"/>

==Description==
Menegroth was a wholly undeground city accessed only through a stone bridge over Esgalduin. While the Dwarves did the major work, also the Elves participated in the construction: The pillars imitated beeches, with branches and leaves. The halls were lit by golden lanterns and there were silver fountains, and many figurines of animals. It is told that nightingales and other birds lived within the caves. Thus Thingol had the most beautiful palace, a king ever had owned east of the Sea.<ref name="Sindar"/>

This description can be found in the [[Lay of Leithian]]:

<poem>
…through corridors of carven dread
whose turns were lit by lanterns hung
or flames from torches that were flung
on dragons hewn in the cold stone
with jewelled eyes and teeth of bone.
Then sudden, deep beneath the earth
the silences with silver mirth
were shaken and the rocks were ringing,
the birds of Melian were singing;
and wide the ways of shadow spread
as into arched halls she led
[[Beren]] in wonder. There a light
like day immortal and like night
of stars unclouded, shone and gleamed.
A vault of topless trees it seemed,
whose trunks of carven stone there stood
like towers of an enchanted wood
in magic fast for ever bound,
bearing a roof whose branches wound
in endless tracery of green
lit by some leaf-imprisoned sheen
of moon and sun, and wrought of gems,
and each leaf hung on golden stems.
Lo! there amid immortal flowers
the nightingales in shining bowers
sang o’er the head of Melian,
while water for ever dripped and ran
from fountains in the rocky floor.
There Thingol sat. His crown he wore
of green and silver, and round his chair
a host in gleaming armor fair…
</poem>
::''Lay of Leithian'', [[Lay of Leithian Canto IV|Canto IV]], lines 981-1011

This description is remarkably similar to the description of Morgoth's stronghold of [[Angband]] ([[Lay of Leithian Canto XIII|Canto XII]], lines 3840-3903), suggesting that in a way Tolkien envisioned Menegroth its direct opposite as the symbol of the forces of light.

==Etymology==
The name means "Thousand Caves" and is analyzed as ''[[meneg]]'' "thousand" and ''[[groth]]'' "excavation".<ref>{{HM|WJ}} p.414</ref>

In the earlier ''[[The Etymologies|Etymologies]]'' [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] explains the word is of [[Doriathrin]] language and gives the final element as Doriathrin ''[[roth]]''.<ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}, p.384 entry ROD</ref>
{{references}}
[[Category:Beleriand]]
[[Category:Caves]]
[[Category:Cities, Towns and Villages]]
[[Category:Doriathrin words]]
[[Category:Sindarin Locations]]
[[de:Menegroth]]
[[fr:encyclo/geographie/villes_tours_et_forteresses/beleriand/menegroth]]
[[fi:Menegroth]]

Gil-galad

2011-09-07T17:53:56Z

Thalion:

{{sources}}
{{noldor infobox
| image=[[Image:Soni - Gil-galad at the Last Alliance.jpg|250px]]
| name=Gil-galad
| othernames=''Artanáro''/''Rodnor'' ([[Quenya|Q]]/[[Sindarin|S]], [[Father-name|fn]]), ''Ereinion'' ([[Sindarin|S]], [[Epessë|epessë]])
| titles=[[High King of the Noldor]]
| position=
| realm=[[Havens of Sirion]]; [[Lindon]]
| affiliation=[[Last Alliance of Elves and Men|Last Alliance]]
| language=[[Quenya]] and [[Sindarin]]
| birth=c. {{FA|450}}
| birthlocation=Presumably [[Nargothrond]]
| rule={{FA|510}} - {{SA|3441}}
| death={{SA|3441}}
| deathlocation=[[Siege of Barad-dûr]]
| age=c. 3581
| house=[[House of Finarfin]]
| parentage=[[Orodreth]]
| siblings=[[Finduilas]]
| spouse=
| children=
| gender=Male
| height=
| hair=
| eyes=
| clothing=
| weapons=[[Aeglos]]
| steed=
}}
{{Pronounce|Ereinion Gil-galad.mp3|Ardamir}}
<center>{{quote|Gil-galad was an Elven-king Of him the harpers sadly sing The last whose realm was fair and free Between the Mountains and the Sea.|From [[The Fall of Gil-galad]], as translated by [[Bilbo Baggins]]}}</center>
'''Ereinion Gil-galad''' ([[Sindarin|S]], pron. {{IPA|[eˈreɪnjon ˈɡilɡalad]}}) was the sixth and last [[High King of the Noldor]]. He is the son of [[Orodreth]] (in the Silmarillion he is the son of [[Fingon]]), who was in turn the son of [[Angrod]] of [[Finarfin]]'s house.

Gil-galad was a descendant of the Noldor, [[Teleri]] and [[Vanyar]], for his great-grandmother [[Eärwen]], married with Finarfin, is the daughter of Olwë of the Teleri and his Great-Great-grandmother [[Indis]], married with Finwe, is of the Vanyar. Nonetheless, he is counted among the Noldor.

== History ==
===First Age===
The exact date and place of Gil-galad's birth is not given. His father Orodreth dwelt at [[Minas Tirith (Beleriand)|Minas Tirith]] upon [[Tol Sirion]], so he might either been born there or his granduncle's [[Finrod Felagund]] underground fortress [[Nargothrond]].

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

In the Nirnaeth Arnoediad [[Fingon]], High King of the Noldor, was slain, and the crown passed to his brother [[Turgon]] in Gondolin. When Gondolin was lost, Gil-galad received the Kingship of the Noldor, as his father had been killed in [[Battle of Tumhalad]] some years before and Turgon did not have a male descendant <ref>{{S|Gondolin}}</ref>. He and Círdan maintained the refuge upon Balar and the small port at the Sirion estuary until the [[War of Wrath]] and the end of the First Age.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

According to the laws of succession, Elrond should have become the next High King of the Noldor, but he refused the crown{{fact}}, and Gil-galad became the last King of the Noldor in Middle-earth.<ref name="Rings"/>

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

== Other Versions of the Legendarium ==
[[Image:Shrunken Gil-galad.jpg|thumb|[[Mark Ferguson]] as Gil-galad in [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]]]
Originally in early versions of''[[The Silmarillion]]'', Gil-galad was the son of [[Finrod|Finrod Felagund]]. In the ''[[Grey Annals]]'', however, Felagund had no son, leaving his wife in [[Tirion]] at the [[Flight of the Noldor]]. Later writings, specifically the ''[[Shibboleth of Fëanor]]'', presents the fact that Gil-galad was the son of Orodreth, who was in fact the son of Angrod.
In the published ''[[The Silmarillion|Silmarillion]]'' and ''[[The Mariner's Wife]]'' Gil-galad is said to have been the son of [[Fingon]]. However, [[Christopher Tolkien]] later admitted that it was a rushed choice, and that Gil-galad was Orodreth's son in the original manuscripts written by his father.

== Etymology ==

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

''Gil-galad ''was his [[Amilessë|mother-name]], and it was his preferred name in his youth. His [[father-name]] was '''''Rodnor''''' (pron. {{IPA|[ˈrodnor]}}), or in [[Quenya]], '''''Artanáro''''' (pron. {{IPA|[ˌartaˈnaːro]}}).

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

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

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

{{sequence
|prev=[[Turgon]]
|next=none (abandoned)
|list=6th [[High King of the Noldor]] <code>I</code> 510 – <code>II</code> 3441
}}
== See Also ==
* [[:Category:Images of Gil-galad|Images of Gil-galad]].
{{references}}
[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]
[[Category:House of Finarfin]]
[[Category:House of Olwë]]
[[category:amilessi]]
[[category:Sindarin names]]
[[de:Gil-galad]]
[[fr:encyclo:personnages:elfes:noldor:gil-galad]]
[[fi:Gil-galad]]

Minas Tirith

2011-09-03T11:30:37Z

Thalion: /* Minas Anor */

{{disambig-more|Minas Tirith|[[Minas Tirith (disambiguation)]]}}
{{location
| image=[[Image:Ted Nasmith - Minas Tirith at Dawn.jpg|250px]]
| name=Minas Tirith
| othernames=[[Minas Anor]] [[Mundburg]] The Guarded City
| etymology=[[Sindarin|S.]] ''[[minas]]'' "tower" + ''[[tirith]]'' "guard"
| type=City
| location=Easternmost point of the [[White Mountains]], close to [[Anduin]]
| inhabitants=[[Gondorians]]
| realms=[[Gondor]] [[Reunited Kingdom]]
| description=White city of seven levels
| events=[[Battle of the Pelennor Fields|Siege of Minas Tirith]]
| references=
|}}
'''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]].

==History==
===Minas Anor===
The city of Minas Tirith was originally a fortress, Minas Anor ([[Sindarin|S.]] 'Tower of the Sun'), built in {{SA|3320}} by the [[Faithful|Faithful Númenóreans]].<ref name="AppB-2A">{{App|B1}}.</ref> It was the western counterpart to [[Minas Ithil]] ([[Sindarin|S.]] 'Tower of the Moon'): guarding the western flank of the city of [[Osgiliath]] from the men of the [[White Mountains]], as Ithil guarded its east from [[Mordor]]. 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|V}}.</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|III11}}.</ref>

[[Sauron]] attacked Gondor in {{SA|3429}}, taking [[Minas Ithil]] and forcing Isildur to flee north to his father in [[Arnor]]. Anárion meanwhile was besieged in Osgiliath and Minas Anor for five years, 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|B2}}</ref><ref name="PM-Heirs">{{PM|VII}}</ref>

In {{TA|420}}<ref name="AppB-3A" /> Minas Anor was rebuilt by [[Ostoher]], the seventh [[Kings of Gondor|King of Gondor]], and his 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]], and from this point 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.<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 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===
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}}–[[Third Age 2698|2698]]),<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 II]], burned himself in despair.<ref name="RK-Siege">{{RK|V4}}</ref><ref name="RK-Pyre">{{RK|V7}}</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|V6}}</ref>

===Fourth Age===
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]] 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|VI5}}.</ref><ref name="AppB-3A" />

Under King Elessar Minas Tirith was rebuilt and restored: the Great Gate was remade in [[mithril]] and steel, the streets were repaved with white marble and gardens and trees were planted all around the city. This labour was aided by the [[Dwarves]] of the [[Glittering Caves]], led by [[Gimli]], and [[Silvan Elves|Wood-elves]] brought there by [[Legolas]].<ref name="RK-StewardKing" />

==Geography==
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|V1}}.</ref><ref name="WR-MinasTirith">{{WR|3|III}}.</ref> It facing 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. The outer wall was called [[Othram]] and was black, of the same material used in [[Orthanc]]. Othram was vulnerable only to earthquakes capable of rending the ground where it stood.

Each of the seven levels stood 100 feet higher than the one below it and was surrounded by a white wall; each wall held a gate, and each gate faced a different direction 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]]. 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]] 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_Derdzinski_-_Minas_Tirith.jpg|thumb|right|''Minas Tirith'' by [[Ryszard Derdzinski]]]]
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).

==Portrayal in adaptations==
'''1988: ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien's War in Middle Earth]]'':'''
[[File:War in middle earth gameplay.gif|thumb|200px]]
: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 there is no reason to suppose that the top of the rock is flattened and paved, and in the book it is not the location for the coronation of [[Aragorn]] which occurs 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, who also are destructible.

:In the films, the towers of Minas Tirith are equipped with 100 [[trebuchet]]s. 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.

== See also ==
* [[:Category:Images of Minas Tirith|Images of Minas Tirith]]

{{references|note}}
[[Category:Cities, Towns and Villages]]
[[Category:Gondor]]
[[de:Minas Tirith (Gondor)]]
[[fi:Minas Tirith]]
[[fr:encyclo/geographie/villes_tours_et_forteresses/gondor/minas_tirith]]

Battle of Five Armies

2011-08-26T00:30:50Z

Thalion:

{{sources}}
{{disambig-more|Battle of Five Armies|[[Battle of Five Armies (disambiguation)]]}}
{{battle|
image=[[Image:Capucine Mazille - The Battle of Five Armies.jpg|300px]]|
name=Battle of Five Armies|
conflict=Battle of Five Armies|
date=[[23 November|November 23]], {{TA|2941}} (speculative)<ref name="KWF99">[[Karen Wynn Fonstad]], ''[[The Atlas of Middle-earth]]'' (second edition), page 99</ref>|
place=the slopes of Erebor, and the Valley and ruins of Dale|
result=Victory for the Elves, Men, and Dwarves|
side1=[[Elves]], [[Men]], [[Dwarves]], and [[Eagles]]|
side2=[[Goblins]], [[Wargs]], [[Bats]]|
commanders1=
*[[Gandalf]]
*[[Thranduil]]
*[[Bard the Bowman]]
*[[Dáin Ironfoot|Dáin]]
*[[Thorin|Thorin]] †
*[[Gwaihir]]|
commanders2=
*[[Bolg]] †|
forces1=Over 1,000 Elf spearmen and archers, est. 2-300 Lake-Men, over 500 Dwarves from the Iron Hills,<ref name="Thief">{{H|Thief}}</ref> many Eagles, Thorin's 12 Dwarf companions, and [[Beorn]]|
forces2="innumberable" Goblins and Wargs; possibly 6-15,000 or more|
casual1=Many|
casual2=Annihilated, not one survived|
}}
<center>{{quote|Kill the Men! Kill the Elves! Save the gold For ourselves!|Dwarven warriors <ref name="RBH">''[[The Hobbit (1977 film)]]''</ref>}}</center>

The '''Battle of Five Armies''' was an important battle waged in [[Third Age 2941]].<ref>{{App|TA}}</ref> The five warring parties were the [[Goblins]] and the [[Wargs]] against [[Men]], [[Elves]] and [[Dwarves]] on and near the [[Lonely Mountain]].
Thorin and Company, including the "master-thief" [[Bilbo Baggins]] trying to recapture the heirloom of their fathers' (and possibly to kill Smaug, too, and thus to recapture the whole Kingdom) had camped without at [[Erebor]] for some weeks. Bilbo had already done some exploration of the old hallways using the [[Back Door]] and had stolen a golden cup from the treasure. By this deed and by Bilbo's bold speech Smaug's anger was kindled.

Erroneously believing, due to some remarks Bilbo had made during his conversation with Smaug,<ref name="Inside">{{H|Inside}}</ref> that some scheme of the Men of [[Esgaroth]] was the reason for the Dwarves' (and Bilbo's) presence, Smaug flew to Esgaroth to show them who is "the true [[King under the Mountain]]".<ref name="Inside">{{H|Inside}}</ref> Smaug's fires burned down the whole town, but the dragon was killed by [[Bard the Bowman]]. The [[Elves of Mirkwood]] soon learned that Smaug had been killed and thus set forth to claim the treasure, believing there was no one left, who had a claim on it. Having heard of the disaster that had struck the befriended men, the Elven host turned aside to offer any help that could be provided. Some day after the Elves had arrived at the [[Long Lake]] a united host of Men and Elves set forth towards Erebor, believing that the Dwarves had been among the first casualties of Smaug's wrath. To their suprise they found Thorin and Company quite alive, the gate to the halls beneath Erebor barred by a wall and themselves treated as foes, coming armed towards the gates.<ref name="Fire">{{H|Fire}}</ref>

For several reasons Bard, being heir of [[Girion]], Lord of [[Dale]], claimed one twelveth of the treasue: Fist, he was the dragonslayer and without him, the Dwarves could never have reclaimed their old home. Second, a great deal of Dale's treasure had been robbed by Smaug and thus belonged rightfully to Bard and not the Dwarves. Third, the men of Esgaroth had helped the Dwarves on their journey and now had suffered severly; their whole city burned to the ground and their stocks being destroyed by Smaug, who's anger in the end was only risen by the Dwarves alone. Therefore they demanded compensation and Bard intended to pay it from the part of the treasure he claimed.<ref name="Gathering">{{H|Gathering}}</ref>

Yet Thorin had become proud and bewitch by the gold and rebuked these claims. He wouldn't fulfill any of the conditions as long as an armoured Elven host camped near Erebor. For the Elves didn't have any claims on the treasure and Thorin himself had been imprisoned by the Elves.<ref name="Gathering">{{H|Gathering}}</ref>

==History==
=== Prelude ===

As a result of Thorin's refusal to share any of the treasure, [[Thorin and Company|the dwarves]] were trapped in a bloodless siege, with [[Thranduil]] and Bard hoping to wait him out.<ref name="Gathering">{{H|Gathering}}</ref> However, Thorin had sent messages of his plight to his relatives using as messengers talking [[Ravens]] that lived on the Lonely Mountain. These reached [[Dáin II|Dáin II Ironfoot]] of the nearby Iron Hills, and he marched to Erebor with 500 heavily armed Dwarves, most of them skilled veterans of the [[War of the Dwarves and Orcs]]<ref name="Thief">{{H|Thief}}</ref>. When Dain's forces arrived, battle was almost joined between the two sides (now ''three'' armies were on the field) but at the last moment [[Gandalf]] intervened between the two and revealed that while they were bickering amongst themselves, the Orcs of the [[Misty Mountains]] and [[Grey Mountains]] under [[Bolg]] were using the opportunity to march against them. They had been incited by Gandalf's earlier slaying of the Great Goblin, but had now mobilized for a full-scale attack after hearing news of the death of the Dragon and the now relatively unguarded treasure hoard.<ref name=Burst>{{H|Burst}}</ref>

=== The Battle ===

The three commanders agreed that the Goblins were the enemies of all and previous grievances between them were put on hold in face of the greater threat. They arranged their forces on the two spurs of the Mountain that lined the valley leading to the now-sealed off great [[Gate of Erebor]]; the only entrance to the Mountain that remained unblocked (any others had been destroyed by Smaug long before). The 500 Dwarves and 200 or so Lake-men formed up on one spur and over 1000 Elves on the other, while a light rear-guard lined across the mouth of the valley to lure the Goblins between the two spurs of the mountain, and thus destroy them. [[Bilbo Baggins]] tried to sit out the battle on [[Raven Hill]] which was held by the Elves and were also Gandalf had withdrawn to.<ref name=Burst>{{H|Burst}}</ref>

Soon the Goblins and Wargs arrived (and now the ''fourth'' and ''fifth'' army were on the field), and at first the plan worked: they were lured into the chokepoint and took heavy losses. However, due to their superior numbers, the allied Free people's did not hold the advantage long. The second wave was even worse than the first, and due to their sheer number now many Goblins scaled the mountain from the opposite side, and began to attack the arrayed forces from above and behind, as the main wave pressed forward. The battle raged across the Mountain, and then a great noise was heard: Thorin and his 12 Dwarf companions inside the mountain had thrown down a section of the stone wall they had erected across the mouth of the gates, killing many Goblins. Thorin and Company emerged, covered in the best armour and armed with the best weapons in Erebor. Then Thorin yelled, "''Rally to me my kinsfolk''," and charged down into the valley to join the battle with many Dwarves and many Men and Elves joining them. Thorin advanced through the Goblins' ranks all the way up to the gigantic Goblins that formed the Bodyguard of Bolg, but could not get past them. Also his battle-line was too short, the flanks unprotected and thus his attack soon crumbled, Thorin and many others were cut off and hard beset by Bolg's bodyguard. The battle degenerated into a chaotic close quarters melee, no quarter asked or given.<ref name=Burst>{{H|Burst}}</ref>

As the battle was turning fully against the Free Folk, a large army of Giant [[Eagles]] of the Misty Mountains arrived, led by [[Gwaihir]] the Windlord. Bilbo was the first to spot their entrance on the scene and began shouting that "the Eagles are coming!", a shout that was then continued among the other troops of the Free Folk. At this point Bilbo was knocked in the head by a large stone thrown by a Goblin from above on the Mountain, and he was knocked out.<ref name="Burst">{{H|Burst}}</ref> With the support of the Giant Eagles, the Goblins that had scaled Erebor were driven off. The tide was eventually turned, when [[Beorn]] himself arrived at the battle, apparently having heard news that a large army of Goblins was on the move. This time he did not appear in his former shape of a giant Man, but in that of a gigantic Bear. Beorn drove through the Goblin lines, but paused to carry the wounded Thorin out of the battle with his paw. Beorn then returned to the battle with even greater wrath and smashed the ranks of the Bodyguard of [[Bolg]], ultimately killing Bolg. The Goblins panicked and scattered, to be picked off by hunting forces from the victors later.<ref name="Return">{{H|Return}}</ref>

=== Aftermath ===

[[Thorin]] had been mortally wounded on the field, and his nephews [[Fíli]] and [[Kíli]] died defending him as he lay on the ground with shield and body. Thorin died soon after the battle, after he had met Bilbo one last time and had taken back the harsh words he had spoken before.

After defeating the Goblins and Wargs, the victors divided the treasure. Bard took [[Bilbo Baggins|Bilbo]]'s fourteenth share of the gold and silver in return for the [[Arkenstone]], whereupon he shared his reward with the [[Master of Lake-town]] and gave the Elvenking [[Thranduil]] the emeralds of [[Girion]]. Bilbo, despite having forfeited his share, was offered a rich reward by [[Dáin Ironfoot]] but refused to take more than two small chests of gold and silver.

It is said that three quarters of the Goblin warriors of the North were killed on that day.<ref name="Return"/>

==Other versions of the Legendarium==
In its first versions, the conflict around Erebor ended after the Siege. While Bard and the Elvenking laid siege, Gandalf would arrive and negotiate a peace treaty. The actual Battle, dubbed by [[John D. Rateliff]] the "Battle of Anduin Vale", would be on the return journey, in what would later be known as the [[Vales of Anduin]]. There, Goblins and Wargs would waylay Bilbo. The Five armies in this incarnation were the Goblins, the Wargs, the Woodelves, the Woodmen, and [[Beorn|Beorn Medwed]] leading a troop of bears.<ref name=TBo5A">[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], [[John D. Rateliff]] (ed.), ''[[The History of The Hobbit|The History of The Hobbit: Return to Bag-End]]'', pages 713-4</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
'''1977: ''[[The Hobbit (1977 film)]]'':'''
:The "Five Armies" are the Elves, the Men, the Dwarves, the Orcs (and Wolves) and the Eagles. Bilbo estimates the force of the Men and Elves on 10,000, but this may not be an accurate estimate. The number of dwarves of Thorin and Company to have died is eight, but only Bombur and Thorin are named among the dead. Only Óin and Glóin are shown as having survived the battle.<ref name="RBH"/>

'''2003: ''[[The Hobbit (2003 video game)|Sierra's The Hobbit]]'':'''
:The battle takes up most of the last chapter. Because Bilbo is the main character, his role in the battle is much expanded. After leaving Thranduil, he has to fight his way to Balin, [[Lianna]], [[Corwin]], Gandalf, Beorn, and ultimately Bolg.

{{references}}

[[Category:Conflicts of the Third Age]]
[[Category:Sieges]]
[[de:Schlacht der Fünf Heere]]
[[fr:encyclo:evenements:3a:guerres:bataille_des_cinq_armees]]
[[fi:Viiden Armeijan Taistelu]]

Smaug

2011-08-25T23:17:20Z

Thalion:

{{Dragon infobox
| image=[[Image:J.R.R. Tolkien - Conversation with Smaug (large).jpg|250px]]
| name=Smaug
| othernames=Smaug the Golden Lord Smaug the Impenetrable [[Trāgu]] (''[[#Names and Titles|see below]]'')
| realm=[[Erebor]]<ref name="AppA3"/>
| hoard=Treasure of [[Thrór]], including the [[Arkenstone]]<ref name="AppA3"/>
| birth={{TA|2770}}<ref name="AppB2">{{App|B2}}</ref>
| death={{TA|2941}}<ref name="AppB2"/>
| deathlocation=[[Esgaroth|Lake-town]]<ref name="H14">{{H|14}}</ref>
| slayer=[[Bard|Bard the Bowman]]<ref name="H14"/>
| type=''[[Urulókë]]''<ref name="Index">{{S|Index}}, entry ''Urulóki'': "''Quenya word meaning 'fire-serpent', dragon''"</ref>
| legs=Yes
| wings=Yes
| colour=Red-golden
}}
<center>{{quote|Never laugh at live dragons, Bilbo you fool!|[[Bilbo Baggins|Bilbo]] to himself.<ref name="H12">{{H|12}}</ref>}}</center>
'''Smaug''' (birth unknown – [[Third Age]] {{TA|2941|n}}) was the greatest [[Fire-drakes|fire-breathing]] [[Dragons|dragon]] of the [[Third Age]]. Details of his origin are unknown. He was probably, as the other dragons, somehow created by the [[Morgoth]], the Dark Lord, towards the end for the [[First Age]], but might also be 'born' later, if dragons can actually reproduce. In {{TA|2770}} he attacked the [[Erebor|Lonely Mountain]] and the town of [[Dale]]. He claimed the treasure of the mountain for himself and forced [[Thrór]], [[King under the Mountain]], and [[Durin's Folk|his people]] into exile. [[Thorin|Thorin's]] quest - with the help of his burglar [[Bilbo Baggins]] - to reclaim the treasure ended in success when Smaug was slain by [[Bard]] in {{TA|2941}}.<ref name="H14"/><ref name="AppA3"/><ref name="AppB2"/><ref name="H1">{{H|1}}</ref>

==Appearance==
When [[Bilbo Baggins]] first encounters Smaug he can hear his snoring - "''like the noise of a large pot galloping in the fire, mixed with the rumble of a gigantic tom-cat purring''" - but is most of all struck by the reddish glow and heat that Smaug gives off, both of which travel up the passage-way so Smaug is felt long before he is seen. His flames are green and scarlet.<ref name="H12"/>

{{blockquote|There he lay, a vast red-golden dragon, fast asleep; thrumming came from his jaws and nostrils, and wisps of smoke, but his fires were low in slumber. Beneath him, under all his limbs and his huge coiled tail, and about him on all sides stretching away across the unseen floors, lay countless piles of precious things, [[gold]] wrought and unwrought, gems and jewels, and silver red-stained in the ruddy light. Smaug lay, with wings folded like an immeasurable bat, turned partly on one side, so that the hobbit could see his underparts and his long pale belly crusted with gems and fragments of gold from his long lying on his costly bed.|{{H|12}}}}
[[File:John Howe - Smaug the Golden.jpg|right|thumb|200px|''Smaug the Golden'' by [[John Howe]]]]

==History==
===Sack of Erebor===
:''See also: [[Sack of Erebor]]''
In {{TA|2770}}, Smaug first appeared in the history of [[Middle-earth]] when he flew south "''like a hurricane coming from the North''" and attacked the wealthy [[Dwarves|Dwarven]] kingdom of [[Erebor|the Lonely Mountain]] and its adjacent lands: he first landed upon the mountain before going down the slopes and setting the woods on fire. When the [[dwarves]] came running out of the front gate Smaug killed them all before turning his attention to the men of [[Dale]], also killing most of their warriors including [[Girion]], [[Lord of Dale]] (but his wife and child safely fled to [[Esgaroth|Lake-town]]<ref name="H14"/>). Returning to the mountain, he crawled into the [[Front Gate|front gate]] and left no dwarf left alive.

Only [[Thrór]], [[King under the Mountain]], and his son [[Thráin II]] managed to escape by using the [[Back Door|secret side-door]] (Thrór later gave the key to the secret door and [[Thrór's Map|a map]] of the Lonely Mountain to Thráin). Smaug claimed the treasure (which included the [[Arkenstone]] and [[Mithril#The Mithril Coat|a mithril shirt]]) for himself and laid there upon a bed of gold, only occasionally leaving the mountain to carry away people (especially maidens) and continue the destruction of Dale.<ref name="H1"/><ref name="AppA3"/> The area surrounding the mountain became known as the [[Desolation of the Dragon]] as "''there was neither bush nor tree, and only broken and blackened stumps to speak of ones long vanished''".<ref name="H11"/>
[[File:Ted Nasmith - Scouring the Mountain.jpg|thumb|left|''Scouring the Mountain'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]

===The Quest for Erebor===
:''See also: [[The Hobbit#Synopsis|The Hobbit]]''

In {{TA|2850}}, [[Gandalf]], whilst spying on the [[Necromancer]] in [[Dol Guldur]], found a Dwarf imprisoned; near death, the dwarf gave Gandalf a key and a map. Unbeknownst to Gandalf at the time this dwarf was [[Thráin II|Thráin]], [[Kings of Durin's Folk|King of Durin's Folk]], who had been captured by the Necromancer in {{TA|2845}}. Having discovered that the Necromancer was indeed [[Sauron]], Gandalf was very concerned that Sauron could use Smaug to a devastating effect. It is for this reason that Gandalf sought a plan to neutralise the threat of Smaug and limit the potential power of Sauron in the north of Middle-earth.<ref name="UTErebor"/>

By chance on [[15 March]] {{TA|2941|n}}, Gandalf met [[Thorin|Thorin Oakenshield]] in [[Bree]] (although another source states that they met when Thorin overtook but started to talk to Gandalf on the road<ref name="UTErebor">{{UT|9}}</ref>). They discussed their desire to destroy Smaug and retake the Lonely Mountain; they later met in [[Thorin's Halls]] in the [[Blue Mountains]] to develop a plan. Gandalf wanted Thorin to take the [[hobbits|hobbit]] [[Bilbo Baggins]] as a ''burglar'' on their adventure to retake Erebor; this took considerable persuasion.<ref name="AppB2"/><ref name="AppA3"/>

Later in {{TA|2941}}, at the home of [[Bilbo Baggins]], Gandalf presented Thorin with the map and key, and accompanied them on part of their quest.<ref name=H1/> The party reached the mountain later that year on [[Durin's Day]]. They sent Bilbo in through the secret door to carry out his duty as their burglar, stealing a small - but heavy - cup from the dragon's vast hoard of treasure Smaug used as a bed. This enraged Smaug beyond measure, causing him to leave his chamber and scour the mountainside for the intruder; remembering hearing strange noises from the passageway he failed to find the entrance, only eating their ponies.<ref name="H11">{{H|11}}</ref><ref name="H12"/>

Remembering a saying of [[Bungo Baggins|his father]]'s, "''every worm has a weak spot''", Bilbo offered to return the the dragon's lair - the Dwarves ardently accepted and, putting on [[the One Ring|the ring]], off he went. Bilbo believed that the dragon was fast asleep and that his presence would remain unknown to the dragon, however, Smaug was pretending to be asleep. He then spoke to Bilbo:

{{blockquote|Well thief! I smell you and I feel your air. I hear your breath. Come along! Help yourself again, there is plenty and to spare!|Smaug to [[Bilbo Baggins]].}}

But Bilbo was more shrewd than Smaug gave him credit: Bilbo praised the dragon and made sure that he didn't reveal his real name, speaking only in [[Riddle-game|riddles]]. Smaug couldn't resist the fascination of what Bilbo had said - he needed to understand it - so they continued to talk; he was also intrigued to smell something new being puzzled by the never-before-encountered "hobbit-smell". Bilbo grew more and more uncomfortable in the presence of Smaug, but plucking up courage he revealed that he had not come for the treasure alone: Smaug laughed and mocked the notion that anyone could steal from him and get away with it. Bilbo eventually revealed the true purpose of his mission to Smaug, that of "''revenge''" - Smaug burst into a devastating laughter, shaking Bilbo to the floor, mocking the suggestion that anyone could achieve revenge, boasting about his achievements and strengths. Bilbo then suggested that dragon's were softer underneath, particularly in the chest: in retaliation and vanity Smaug rolled over, claiming that Bilbo's information was false and outdated. But Bilbo saw something crucial, thinking:

{{blockquote|Old fool! Why there is a large patch in the hollow of his left breast as bare as a snail out of its shell!|Bilbo, to himself.}}

Bilbo had obtained the information that he had needed. He fled up the passage, leaving behind a dragon infuriated by the notion of "revenge", having the hair on the back of his head and heels singed off. When Bilbo returned the the door-step he regaled the dwarves with the story of his conversation with the dragon whilst the [[Thrushes|thrush]] was listening. Smaug left his lair once more and smashed the mountainside with strikes of his tail, trapping [[Thorin and Company]] inside the secret passage.<ref name="HInsider" />

===Death and aftermath===
Realizing that the [[Lake-men]] of [[Esgaroth]] must have helped the intruders - reinforced by Bilbo calling himself the "''Barrel-rider''". The waters turned red but Smaug dared not get too close as the water would quench his fire; as the Lake-men had cut the bridges, Smaug flew above attacking and setting the town aflame, destroying the Great House with a swipe of his tail. The dragon's scales were impervious to the arrows of the defenders, but the thrush had flown to the town and informed [[Bard]] - a descendent of [[Girion]], [[Lord of Dale]] - of the bare spot in Smaug's armour. He was then able to kill Smaug by firing the [[Black Arrow]] directly into the vulnerable spot of his left breast. As Smaug fell he crashed into and destroyed Esgaroth.<ref name="H14"/>

After Smaug's death, [[Thorin and Company]] claimed the treasure as theirs by birthright. This created a conflict with Bard and the [[Thranduil|Elvenking]] of [[Mirkwood]], who each wanted a portion of the treasure as reimbursement for huge damage that Smaug had inflicted upon them. Thorin refused to share the treasure and had every intention of going to war with the [[Elves of Mirkwood]] and men of Esgaroth to defend his right to the treasure. However the sudden attack by the armies of [[Bolg]] brought the forces of the [[free peoples]] of Middle-earth together in the [[Battle of Five Armies]].<ref name="H15"/><ref name="H16">{{H|16}}</ref><ref name="H17">{{H|17}}</ref>

Following the death of Smaug a new Lake-town was built further north; Smaug's bones could be seen from the shore but the people were always fearful of it and a no one dared go in the water to retrieve the gems or gold.<ref name="H14"/> After the Battle of Five Armies, Bilbo's fourteenth-share of the hoard was given over to Bard who sent some to Lake-town to aid its rebuilding.<ref name="H18">{{H|18}}</ref>

==Personality==
{{blockquote|I kill where I wish and none dare resist. I laid low the warriors of old and their like is not in the world today. Then I was but young and tender. Now I am old and strong, strong strong.|Smaug to Bilbo.}}

Like all dragons, Smaug - described by [[Thorin|Thorin]] as "''a most specially greedy, strong and wicked worm''"<ref name="H1"/> - loves to hoard gold with a meticulous knowledge of his own collection as evidenced by his immediate spotting of the missing cup.<ref name="H12"/> Whilst being quick to anger in defence of his own wealth, he also exhibits a fierce intellect (as well as a curious fascination) in guessing deciphering Bilbo's cryptic origins, a pride and vanity in his own armour, an arrogance in his own invulnerability (laughing at the suggestion that the dwarves would be able to have their revenge), and an ability to question Bilbo's loyalty to the dwarves.<ref name="H12"/>

==Inspiration==
[[File:Smaug vs esgaroth.jpg|thumb|right|220px|''The Death of Smaug'' by [[John Howe]]]]
{{blockquote|Fafnir in the late Norse versions of the Sigurd-story is better; and Smaug and his conversation obviously is in debt there.|[[J.R.R. Tolkien]]<ref name="Letter122">{{L|122}}</ref>}}
In [[Letter 122]], Tolkien noted his lack of enthusiasm for the dragon in [[Beowulf]]. Instead he stated his preference for the dragon-like creature [[Wikipedia:Fafnir|Fafnir]] from the late Norse versions of the [[Wikipedia:Sigurd|Sigurd-story]]. Indeed Tolkien wrote that Smaug's character owed much to Fafnir.<ref name="Letter122" />

==Etymology==
Deriving from the same Old English and Germanic roots as ''[[Smials|smial]]'' and ''[[Sméagol|Smeagol]]'',<ref name="RW">{{HM|RW}}, pp. 190-1</ref> the name ''Smaug'' is "the past tense of the primitive Germanic verb ''[http://en.wiktionary.org/w/index.php?title=smeagan Smugan]'', to squeeze through a hole".<ref name="Letter25">{{L|25}}</ref> It has been suggested that Tolkien likely thought of [[Old English]] ''smeag'', a word used to describe a "[[worms|worm]]".<ref name=RW/>

==Other names and titles==
In drafts of the [[The Lord of the Rings Appendices|Appendices]], Tolkien wrote that ''[[Trāgu]]'' was the name of the name of Smaug in the [[language of Dale]], "Dalish".<ref name="PM54">{{PM|II}}, p. 54</ref>

In the conversation between Smaug and Bilbo, Bilbo calls Smaug "'''Smaug the Tremendous'''", "'''Smaug the Chiefest and Greatest of Calamities'''", "'''Smaug the Mighty'''", "'''Smaug the unassailably wealthy'''", "'''Lord Smaug the Impenetrable'''" and "'''Your Magnificence'''",<ref name="H12"/> and later Bilbo refers to him as "'''Smaug the Terrible'''" and [[Balin]] calls him "'''old Worm'''".<ref name="HInsider">{{H|13}}</ref> When the [[dwarves]] learn of Smaug's demise they grab their harps and sing, referring to Smaug as the "'''Worm of Dread'''".<ref name="H15">{{H|15}}</ref> [[Appendix A]] uses the popular name "'''Smaug the Golden'''",<ref name="AppA3">{{App|A3}}</ref> whilst in "[[The Quest of Erebor]]" he is simply referred to as "'''The Dragon'''".

==Other versions of the Legendarium==
In a very early manuscript of ''[[The Hobbit]]'' Smaug was known as ''Pryftan''. Indeed [[John D. Rateliff]] refers to this manuscript as ''The Pryftan Fragment''.<ref>{{HH|I(a)}}, passim</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
{{Gallery
|title=Smaug in Adaptations
|width=165
|height=140
|lines=2
|Image:Rankin-Bass' Smaug.jpg|Smaug in the [[The Hobbit (1977 film)|1977 film ''The Hobbit'']]
|Image:SMaug-The Hobbit 1982.png|Smaug in the [[The Hobbit (1982 video game)|1982 video game ''The Hobbit'']]
|Image:Smaug_MERP.png| Smaug in [[Middle-earth Role Playing|MERP's]] [[Creatures of Middle-earth|''Creatures of Middle-earth'']]
|Image:The Hobbit (2003) Smaug.jpg|Smaug in the [[The Hobbit (2003 video game)|2003 video game ''The Hobbit'']]
}}
'''1968: [[The Hobbit (1968 radio series)|''The Hobbit'' (1968 radio series)]]:'''
:[[Francis de Wolff]] provides Smaug's voice.

'''1977: [[The Hobbit (1977 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1977 film)]]:'''
:Smaug was voiced by American actor [[Richard Boone]]; his name is pronounced "Smog". In this version, Smaug is broadly similar in size and colour but his shape is less elongated due to being more weighty. Smaug's face is rounder, possessing more mammalian traits - resembling a mix between a cat and a bat - having bat-like ears and fur around the face and down the back. Also, his armour is never mentioned to be strengthened by lying on the treasure, but more resembles an extra padding of skin/scales, minus the bare patch.

'''1979: [[The Hobbit (1979 radio series)|''The Hobbit'' (1979 radio series)]]:'''
:Smaug's name is pronounced "Smog".<ref>''[[The Hobbit (1979 radio series)]]'', "Inside Information"</ref> [[Erik Bauersfeld]] performed the voice of the dragon.<ref>''[http://www.discogs.com/JRR-Tolkien-The-Lord-Of-The-Rings-The-Hobbit/release/602426 J.R.R. Tolkien – The Lord Of The Rings & The Hobbit]'', [http://www.discogs.com/ discogs.com] (accessed 22 April 2011)</ref>

'''1982: [[The Hobbit (1982 video game)|''The Hobbit'' (1982 video game)]]:'''
:The goal of this game is to plunder the treasuries of Smaug's Lair in the Lonely Mountain. While the computer is loading the game it shows a picture of Smaug with the Lonely Mountain on the background.<ref name="Newspaper">[http://www.worldofspectrum.org/showmag.cgi?mag=ZXComputing/Issue8304/Pages/ZXComputing830400076.jpg ''ZX Computing'', iss. 8304, p. 76] reproduced at [http://www.worldofspectrum.org/archive.html World of Spectrum - Archive] (accessed 23 June 2011)</ref>

'''1988: [[Creatures of Middle-earth|''Creatures of Middle-earth'' (1st edition)]]:'''
:In this supplement to the 1st edition of ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing]]'', Smaug is put forward as a potential enemy should the gamesmaster wish to include the dragon in his or her story. Another dragon, Utumkodur, is described as Smaug's elder sister. <ref>Ruth Sochard Pitt, Jeff O'Hare, [[Pete Fenlon|Peter C. Fenlon, Jr.]], ''[[Creatures of Middle-earth]]'', 1st edn, pp. 51-52</ref>

'''1994: [[Creatures of Middle-earth (2nd edition)|''Creatures of Middle-earth'' (2nd edition)]]:'''
:In this supplement to the 2nd edition of ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing]]'', Smaug is described in some detail and given a brief history before his coming to Erebor. Smaug survived the destruction of [[Angband]] at the end of the [[First Age]] and settled at Anvilmount in the [[Grey Mountains]]. Here he found and defiled a First Age Adan holy place, destroying tombs and stealing a modest amount of treasure. Smaug was upset by his lack of wealth. Therefore when he heard the tale of the Dwarves of Erebor he knew that the great treasure should be his. ''Creatures of Middle-earth'' also describes Smaug as being the son of [[Ancalagon]], being one of a number of siblings including Throkmaw, Ruingurth, and Utumkodur.<ref>Ruth Sochard Pitt, Jeff O'Hare, [[Peter C. Fenlon, Jr.]], ''[[Creatures of Middle-earth (2nd edition)|Creatures of Middle-earth]]'', 2nd edn, pp. 112-115</ref>

'''2003: [[The Hobbit (2003 video game)|''The Hobbit'' (2003 video game)]]:'''
:Smaug was voiced by [[James Horan]].

'''2012-3: [[The Hobbit films|''The Hobbit'' films]]:'''
:Smaug will be a [[wikipedia:Computer-generated imagery|CGI]]-motion capture creature produced by [[Weta Digital]]. It was announced on the [[16 June]] [[2011]] that Smaug will be voiced by [[Benedict Cumberbatch]].<ref name="Deadline">[http://www.deadline.com Deadline], "[http://www.deadline.com/2011/06/benedict-cumberbatch-to-voice-smaug-in-the-hobbit/ Benedict Cumberbatch To Voice Smaug in 'The Hobbit']", 16 June 2011 (accessed 23 June 2011)</ref>

==See also==
* [[:Category:Images of Smaug|Images of Smaug]]
* "[[The Quest of Erebor]]", a chapter of ''[[Unfinished Tales]]'' which provides more background information
* [[Chrysophylax]], the dragon in ''[[Farmer Giles of Ham]]''

{{references}}{{dragons}}
[[Category:Characters in The Hobbit]]
[[Category:Dragons]]
[[Category:Evil]]
[[Category:Germanic names]]
[[Category:Masculine names]]
[[de:Smaug]]
[[fa:اسماگ]]
[[fr:/encyclo/personnages/animaux/dragons/smaug]]
[[fi:Smaug]]

Gandalf

2011-08-25T22:58:55Z

Thalion: /* Powers and Abilities */

{{Sources}}
{{disambig-more|Gandalf|[[Gandalf (disambiguation)]]}}
{{Istari infobox
| image=[[Image:Roger Thomasson - Gandalf.jpg|250px]]
| name=Gandalf
| othernames=The Grey, The White, [[Olórin]], [[Mithrandir]], [[Incánus]], [[Tharkûn]], The White Rider, Gandalf Greyhame, [[Stormcrow]], [[Gandalf#Wand-elf|Wand-elf]], [[Láthspell]]
| coming=[[Third Age 1000|T.A. 1000]]<ref name="Istari">{{UT|Istari}}</ref>
| duty=[[Istari]]
| death=Died/Reborn [[Third Age 3019|T.A. 3019]], sailed back to [[Aman]] [[Third Age 3021|T.A. 3021]]
| gender=Male
| robes=Grey, later White
| hair=Grey
| appearance=Bent old man (approx 5'6")<ref name="MB">{{HM|MB}}, page 49</ref> with long beard and eyebrows<ref name="Meetings">{{FR|Meetings}}</ref>|}}{{Pronounce|Gandalf.mp3|Ardamir}}
{{Pronounce|Quenya - Olórin.mp3|Gilgamesh}}
{{quote|Gandalf was shorter in stature than the [[Elrond|other]] [[Glorfindel|two]]; but his long white hair, his sweeping silver beard, and his broad shoulders, made him look like some wise king of ancient legend. In his aged face under great snowy brows his eyes were set like coals that could suddenly burst into fire.|"[[Many Meetings]]"<ref name="Meetings"/>}}

'''Gandalf''' was one of the five [[Istari]] sent to [[Middle-earth]] by the [[Valar]] in the [[Third Age]]. In [[Valinor]] he was known as Olórin. Gandalf was instrumental in bringing about the demise of [[Sauron]] in [[Third Age 3019|3019]], chiefly by encouraging others and dispensing his wisdom at pivotal times. Gandalf was originally robed in grey, and second to [[Saruman]] in the Order of [[wizards]]. After his fall in Moria, Gandalf returned to Middle-earth as head of the Order, robed in white. Gandalf was noteworthy for his keen interest in [[Hobbits]].

==History==
===Coming to Middle-earth===

Olórin was a [[Maiar|Maia]] who dwelt in the [[Lórien in Valinor|gardens]] of [[Irmo]] in Valinor.<ref>{{S|Vala}}</ref> As a pupil of [[Nienna]], Olórin was said to be the wisest of the Maiar; he learned pity and patience from his teacher. When the Valar chose five emissaries, the [[Istari]], from among the Maiar to go to [[Middle-earth]] during the [[Third Age]], [[Manwë]] selected Olórin.<ref name="Istari"/> The other four were Saruman, [[Radagast]], [[Pallando]], and [[Alatar]]. These messengers were to assist the free peoples in opposing [[Sauron]], who still existed as a 'dark spirit of malice' despite his body's destruction in the downfall of [[Númenor]]. Furthermore, [[the One Ring]], the location of much of Sauron's power, presumably still existed somewhere in Middle-earth. Olórin submitted to the will of Manwë, and departed Valinor to [[Mithlond]] in the year T.A. 1000.<ref name="Istari"/> He arrived after the others at about the same time the [[Necromancer]] appeared in [[Mirkwood]].

At Mithlond he was welcomed by [[Glorfindel]], his friend from Valinor, sent earlier on a similar mission, and [[Círdan]] the shipwright, who possessed [[Narya]], one of the [[Three Rings|Three Elven Rings]] of power. Círdan divined in Olórin a sense of strength and power despite his appearance as a bent and aged old man. Círdan gave Narya to Olórin, with a prediction of his future struggles with evil, and a promise that it would support and aid him in his labors. Then Círdan said “''But as for me, my heart is with the [[Belegaer|Sea]], and I will dwell by the grey shores until the last ship sails. I will await you.''”<ref name="ThirdAge">{{App|B2}}</ref>

Olórin then began his sojourn in Middle-earth. He was known by many names during the long years he remained in Middle-earth: Elves named him [[Mithrandir]], the Grey Pilgrim, while the men of [[Arnor]] named him Gandalf, which became his most common name. He was also known as ''[[Incánus]]'' (in the south), and '[[Tharkûn]]'' to the [[Dwarves]].<ref name="Istari"/>

[[Image:John Howe - Gandalf the Grey.jpg|right|200px|thumb|''Gandalf the Grey'' by [[John Howe]]]]Gandalf, like the other Wizards, took the shape of an old man. He was robed in gray and went about as a wanderer and counselor. Unlike Saruman, Gandalf did not go east and did not take up a single permanent residence. Gandalf apparently restricted his activities to the North-west of Middle-earth, where the remnants of the [[Dúnedain]] and the [[Eldar]] remained to oppose Sauron.

===Early Vigilance===

Around [[Third Age 1100|1100]]<ref name="ThirdAge"/>, the Istari and the Eldar discovered that some evil entity resided at [[Dol Guldur]] in Mirkwood. Dark shapes moved in the forest and evil began to multiply in the woods. Some thought a [[Nazgûl]] had returned to torment the world, or some new evil was arising. Gandalf was unsure, and feared that perhaps Sauron himself might have returned.<ref name="Rings">{{S|Rings}}</ref>

Over the next two hundred years the evil continued to grow, as well as the source directing it. [[Orcs]] were multiplying in the [[Misty Mountains]] and elsewhere. The [[Witch-king]], the mightiest of the Nazgûl, had built a fortress in [[Angmar]] in the Northern wastelands and waged unending war against the Kingdom of Arnor. Meanwhile [[Moria]] and [[Minas Ithil]] fell under a shadow, while other wars, plagues, and catastrophes occurred across Middle-earth. Gandalf went to Dol Guldur in [[Third Age 2063|2063]] to discover its secret.<ref name="ThirdAge"/> An entity known only as the '[[Necromancer]]' fled before him and Gandalf could not discover his identity<ref name="Rings"/>. Afterwards, the evil there seemed to desist, and the era of the [[Watchful Peace]] began.

This peace lasted for almost four hundred years, but the Necromancer again returned to Dol Guldur in [[Third Age 2460|2460]]<ref name="ThirdAge"/>. In response, the Wise formed the [[White Council]] three years later. Though [[Galadriel]], bearer of one of the Three Elven Rings and mighty among the Eldar, wished Gandalf to be the chief of the Council, it was in the end Saruman who took this place-- because of his vast knowledge, but also because Gandalf refused this position, wishing to set down no roots and to maintain his independence<ref name="Rings"/>.

[[Image:John Howe - Pass the Doors of Dol Guldur.jpg|thumb|200px|left|''Pass the Doors of Dol Guldur'' by [[John Howe]]]]In [[Third Age 2850|2850]], Gandalf again entered Dol Guldur, this time in secrecy<ref name="ThirdAge"/>. There he found out many things. First and foremost, the Necromancer was no Nazgûl – it was Sauron himself. Also, Gandalf found [[Thráin II|Thráin]], a dwarf of the royal line of [[Erebor]], in the dungeons. The last of the [[Seven Rings]] of the Dwarves had been taken from him; Sauron was gathering the remaining [[Rings of Power]] and possibly searching for his lost One Ring.

Gandalf escaped Dol Guldur and returned to the White Council<ref name="Rings"/>. After relating his discoveries, he urged the council to attack Sauron while the One Ring was still lost and Sauron's power immature. But Saruman said that it was better to watch and wait; that the One Ring had long ago rolled from [[Anduin]] to the Sea. The majority of the council agreed with Saruman. [[Elrond]] Half-elven, a powerful member of the council, later privately told Gandalf he had a foreboding that the Ring would be found, and that the war to end the age was coming. Indeed, he added, he feared that it would end in darkness and despair. Gandalf encouraged him, saying there were many “strange chances," and that, “''help oft shall come from the hands of the weak''”. Gandalf did not yet realize that Saruman now wanted the ring for himself and was secretly searching for it along the banks of river Anduin.

===The Quest for Erebor===

In [[Third Age 2941|2941]]<ref name="ThirdAge"/> Gandalf happened across the dwarf lord [[Thorin]] while staying the night in [[Bree]]<ref name="Erebor">{{UT|Erebor}}</ref>. Thorin initiated conversation; he had been having a strange feeling urging him to seek Gandalf. Gandalf was intrigued, for he had thought to seek Thorin as well. They found they were taking the same road for a while (Thorin passing through the Shire on his way to the [[Ered Luin]]), and they agreed to travel together. Thorin wanted advice, and Gandalf wanted to discuss the [[Dragons|dragon]] [[Smaug]] with Thorin.

Ultimately, Gandalf concocted a plan wherein Thorin could destroy Smaug and recover his family fortune, albeit with a 'burglar' of Gandalf's own choosing. Gandalf had a feeling that a Hobbit should be involved, and he remembered an adventuresome Hobbit named [[Bilbo Baggins]] he had met some years before. By this time, however, Bilbo was far from 'adventuresome.'<ref name="Party">{{H|Party}}</ref> In the end Gandalf convinced the reluctant Baggins to become a burglar for Thorin. Gandalf then accompanied [[Thorin and Company]] to [[Rivendell]]. During the journey Gandalf obtained a sword known as [[Glamdring]] from a [[troll]]-hoard; Gandalf bore it for the rest of his life<ref name="Mutton">{{H|Mutton}}</ref>.

Gandalf helped Thorin and Company through the [[Misty Mountains]], saving them several times from orcs and other calamities. It was during this time that Bilbo obtained a 'magic ring.'<ref name="Riddles">{{H|Riddles}}</ref> Bilbo initially claimed he 'won' it from the creature '[[Gollum]]' while the company was under the Misty Mountains<ref name="Pan">{{H|Pan}}</ref>. The ring conferred invisibility on Bilbo when he wore it, and he kept it secret from Gandalf for some time. Gandalf, for his part, found himself amazed by the hobbit; until then the wise had paid no attention to hobbits and knew little of them. For the rest of his sojourn in Middle-earth, Gandalf took a special interest in hobbits, and particularly in the Baggins family.

Gandalf left the quest prior to its completion, yet the quest was successful: Smaug was killed<ref name="Fire">{{H|Fire}}</ref> and the Orcs and [[Wargs]] of the [[Misty Mountains]] were defeated by an alliance of the [[Dwarves of Erebor]], the men of Dale, and the [[Nandor]] Elves of Mirkwood in the [[Battle of Five Armies]]<ref name="Burst">{{H|Burst}}</ref>. Gandalf had accomplished his immediate goal, which was to destroy Smaug, who could have been used to disastrous effect by Sauron. A large number of Orcs and Wargs also were killed in the North, removing threats to Rivendell and Lothlórien<ref name="Erebor"/>.

===The War of the Ring===
====The Return of the Shadow====

Gandalf had left Thorin and Company before reaching the edge of [[Mirkwood]] to attend a White Council meeting in the South. The Council was meeting under the gravest of circumstances: Sauron's vast power was returning, even without his ring. Gandalf at last convinced the Council to attack Dol Guldur. Even Saruman was willing by this time, for now he feared Sauron as a rival, and wished to delay Sauron's search for the Ring. The Council put forth its strength and drove Sauron from Mirkwood.

Despite the Council's hopes, Sauron was not weakened by this attack. He had foreseen the move that drove him from Mirkwood, and his retreat was but a feint. Ten years after he was driven out of Mirkwood, Sauron declared himself openly in Mordor in 2951 and rebuilt the [[Barad-dûr]]. Sauron then began reassembling his forces for the final blow against the hated remnants of Númenor and the Eldar still in Middle-earth. Sauron ordered armies of [[Easterlings]] from Khand and beyond the [[Sea of Rhûn]] to reinforce his stronghold in [[Mordor]]; they were further reinforced by armies of men from South Harad. Orcs, trolls, and other foul beasts were multiplying in Mordor; Sauron's minions also were searching the Anduin for any sign of his precious One Ring. Despite the terror they induced, in 3018 Sauron sent the Nazgûl north to search for his ring as well.

[[Image:Darrell Sweet - The Arrival of Gandalf.jpg|thumb|right|200px|''The Arrival of Gandalf'' by [[Darrell Sweet]]]]

During this period Gandalf visited the Shire frequently, especially his friend Bilbo Baggins, and Baggins’s nephew, [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]]. He noted Bilbo’s unusual youthfulness, despite his advancing age; the suspicious '[[One Ring|magic ring]]' that Bilbo had acquired during his adventure began to weigh on his mind. Gandalf recalled the deceit Bilbo used in originally claiming it for his own-- Bilbo had later admitted to stealing it from [[Gollum]]. Gandalf could see that Bilbo was now very preoccupied with the ring. Such un-hobbitlike behaviour aroused his suspicions; he convinced Bilbo to pass the ring on to Frodo. He then emphatically warned Frodo not to use it; Gandalf had begun to suspect that the 'magic ring' was indeed a ring of power.

Gandalf met [[Aragorn]], the hidden heir of Arnor, in [[Third Age 2956|2956]], and soon became friends with him. From that point on Aragorn and Gandalf often worked together towards a common end-- the defeat of Sauron.
Keen now to find out more about Gollum, he went to Aragorn, and with his help captured Gollum. With Gollum’s tale, and the records in [[Minas Tirith]], he pieced together the missing history of the One Ring in [[Third Age 3017|3017]]. A great fear came over him when he learned that Gollum had been to the Barad-dûr. Sauron had tortured Gollum and learned not only of the 'magic ring,' but also the names 'Shire' and 'Baggins.' Gandalf now returned in haste to the Shire, certain that Frodo's ring was not simply a ring of power: it was the One Ruling Ring of Sauron.

====The Treachery of Saruman====

[[Image:Ted Nasmith - Gandalf Escapes Upon Gwaihir.jpg|thumb|left|200px|''Gandalf escapes upon Gwaihir'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]After Gandalf’s fears were confirmed, he returned to the Shire and advised Frodo to leave as soon as possible, promising to return before a farewell party for Bilbo in autumn of that year ([[Third Age 3018|3018]]), and to escort him to Rivendell. Gandalf also told Frodo about the creature Gollum, to which Frodo exclaimed that he should have been killed. Gandalf speculated that perhaps Gollum would have a part to play before the end, and in any case, it was not for them to decide who should live and who should die. He then set out to seek the advice of Saruman, supposedly still the head of the order.

Hearing disturbing news from [[Radagast]], he gave [[Barliman Butterbur]] a letter for Frodo (which was never delivered) urging him to act without hesitation. Soon thereafter he arrived at Isengard. At their meeting, Saruman at last revealed his desire for the One Ring. He offered to his "''old friend and helper''" that they take the Ring for themselves and seize power from Sauron. Gandalf rejected this with horror, and was imprisoned by Saruman on the pinnacle of [[Orthanc]]. [[Gwaihir]], chief of the Eagles, soon arrived and helped Gandalf escape. Gandalf knew he must return quickly to the Shire, as Frodo (and the ring) were in grave danger from both Sauron's Nazgûl and now Saruman's treacherous desire for the ring.

Gandalf hurriedly went to [[Rohan]], desiring to find a strong steed; there he obtained [[Shadowfax]] from King [[Théoden]], who later resented the gift. This lord of horses and Gandalf forged a special bond, and Gandalf made quick use of Shadowfax's incredible strength and endurance.

Gandalf sped to the Shire. Fortunately, Frodo had already left the Shire without waiting for Gandalf, and was seeking the refuge of [[Rivendell]]. Upon arrival Gandalf learned that the Nazgûl, arrayed as [[Nazgûl|Black Riders]], had been searching the area. Dismayed, he set out for Bree, but fortunately found there that Frodo had recently left the town with 'Strider,' the local name for Aragorn: a hope which far exceeded his expectations. Gandalf then made for [[Weathertop]], a high point in the region, to observe the surrounding area. There he was assaulted at night by the Nazgûl, but drove them off after a great battle of light and flame. He then went directly to Rivendell, where he welcomed Glorfindel, Aragorn and the hobbits upon their arrival several days later, Frodo being sorely wounded but still in possession of the ring.

====The Fellowship of the Ring====

Elrond called a [[Council of Elrond|council]] after Frodo was healed to consider the momentous decision regarding the ring. By chance, representatives of most of the free peoples happened to be in Rivendell already for various reasons. Elrond and Gandalf advised that the Ring should be destroyed in the fires of [[Orodruin]], where it was made. Others dissented or objected, but eventually submitted to Gandalf's plan. Ultimately, Elrond appointed the Fellowship of the Ring as nine walkers, numerically set against Sauron's nine Nazgûl. The relatively small number reflected the realization by Elrond and the other council members that the quest of Mount Doom would not rely upon strength of arms, but on stealth and good fortune. Gandalf was chosen to lead the company, which included [[Aragorn]], [[Boromir]], [[Legolas]] the Elf, [[Gimli]] the Dwarf, and the hobbits Frodo Baggins, [[Samwise Gamgee]], [[Peregrin Took]], and [[Meriadoc Brandybuck]].

Several obstacles stood in the company's way. The vast [[Misty Mountains]] had to be crossed, for Gandalf was determined not to lead the company near [[Isengard]]. Gandalf decided to take a southern route to the [[Redhorn Pass]] and there to cross the [[Misty Mountains]] near [[Caradhras]], thereby traversing the mountain range and avoiding Isengard. When this attempt failed due to a terrible storm he then decided to take the Fellowship through the ruins of Moria, where the remains of the great Dwarf city of [[Khazad-dûm]] was now a labyrinth of tunnels under the mountains. Others in the company were loathe enter the maze, as it was now the lair of orcs and something known only as 'Durin's Bane.'

[[Image:Ted Nasmith - At the Bridge.jpg|thumb|left|200px|''At the Bridge'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]At the [[Doors of Durin]] on the west side of the mountains, Gandalf, after some delay, spoke the password and led the company into the dark. Having been in Moria on an earlier perilous errand, he was somewhat familiar with the underground passages. Eventually the party came to the [[Chamber of Mazarbul]], where Gandalf read the [[Book of Mazarbul|Book of Records]], which revealed the fate of [[Balin]], the leader of an ill-fated attempt to re-colonize Moria. Soon after, the party was attacked by orcs, and forced to flee the chamber. By then Gandalf was well aware of their location, and he led the party quickly towards the eastern exit.

Unfortunately [[Durin's Bane]] caught up to the group at the [[Bridge of Khazad-dûm]]. Gandalf and Legolas immediately realized what it was: a [[Balrogs|Balrog]] of [[Morgoth]], a servant of the first dark lord. In a spectacular display of bravery Gandalf faced the demon and broke the bridge both stood upon, leaving the beast to fall into a seemingly bottomless chasm. But the Balrog's whip lashed out and grasped Gandalf by the ankle, pulling him down. Clinging to the edge of the passageway, Gandalf shouted 'Fly, you fools' and vanished into the abyss.

[[Image:John Howe - Zirak-zigil.jpg|thumb|right|200px|''Zirak-zigil'' by [[John Howe]]]]Yet Gandalf did not die; he and the Balrog fought long in the bowels and deep places of Arda. Gandalf finally pursued the beast up the [[Endless Stair]] to the peak of [[Celebdil]], where he [[Battle of the Peak|fought the demon]] for two days and nights. The Balrog had burst into flame anew when it exited the stairs; ice, wind, and smoke swirled about them as they dueled. Gandalf used his last measure of strength to slay the Balrog, throwing him down the mountainside in ruin. Gandalf's spirit then left his body, having sacrificed himself to save the Fellowship.

====Gandalf the White====
But Gandalf's spirit did not depart Middle-earth forever at this time. As the only one of the five Istari to stay true to his errand, Olórin/Gandalf was sent back to mortal lands by [[Eru]], and he became Gandalf once again. Yet, as he was now the sole emissary of the Valar to Middle-earth, he was granted the power to 'reveal' more of his inner [[Maiar]] strength. This naked power that lay within him was seldom used during the remainder of his time in Middle-earth, as his mission was essentially the same: to support and succor those who opposed Sauron. Nevertheless, when Gandalf's wrath was kindled his 'unveiled' strength was such that few of Sauron's servants could withstand him.

As he lay naked on the mountaintop, the great eagle [[Gwaihir]] came up and bore him to [[Lothlórien]], where he was clothed and replenished, and given a new staff by [[Galadriel]]. Gandalf soon learned that Frodo and Sam had left the Fellowship and were attempting the quest of Mount Doom alone. As Frodo was beyond his assistance now, Gandalf promptly went south to [[Fangorn Forest]], where he met the [[Three Hunters]]: [[Aragorn]], [[Legolas]], and [[Gimli]], and gave them messages from Galadriel. Then he called forth [[Shadowfax]], and rode with them to [[Edoras]]. There he found that Saruman's spy [[Gríma Wormtongue]] had deceived King [[Théoden]] into hopeless impotence. Gandalf quickly deposed Wormtongue and encouraged Théoden to ride west to war against [[Saruman]]. Gandalf by now was keenly aware that the great war to end the age was beginning; if Saruman conquered Rohan then Gondor would be alone with enemies on all sides.

At Gandalf's encouragement King Théoden went west to Helm's Deep where he was quickly besieged; Gandalf then searched for [[Erkenbrand]] and the forces of the [[Westfold]], which he later found and led to the Deep, thus breaking the siege. Meanwhile, the [[Ents]] (along with the hobbits Merry and Pippin) moved against Saruman and sent [[Huorns]] against the orcs, resulting in the utter ruin of the outer walls of [[Isengard]] and the complete annihilation of Saruman's orcs. After the battle, Gandalf went to [[Orthanc]] with Théoden, Aragorn, and a small group. There Saruman rejected Gandalf's offer of forgiveness with contempt. Gandalf then broke Saruman's staff and cast him from the Order and the Council. Gandalf imposed a strict watch on Isengard by the Ents and then advised King Théoden to ride to Gondor's defense as soon as possible. The wizard's mind had already turned to Gondor and the coming climactic battle in the east.

====The Siege of Minas Tirith====
[[Image:Donato Giancola - The White Rider.jpeg|thumb|right|200px|''The White Rider'' by [[Donato Giancola]]]] As a 'reward' for Pippin, who had foolishly gazed into a [[palantír]], Gandalf took the hobbit with him to [[Minas Tirith]], the last bastion of the west. Soon after arriving, Gandalf confronted [[Denethor II]], the [[Ruling Steward]], and learned that he was near despair over the death of his eldest son, [[Boromir]]. Ostensibly they were allies, but the Steward treated him with disrespect and suspicion. When [[Faramir]], the Steward’s younger son, returned from [[Osgiliath]] and was attacked by Nazgûl, Gandalf upon Shadowfax drove them away by revealing the power within him; later Faramir told him that Frodo and Sam were still alive and headed towards Mordor.

The city was soon besieged by a vast force from Mordor, led by the [[Witch-king]]. An ill-advised counter attack resulted in Faramir receiving a wound from a poisoned dart; he lay near death inside the Tower. Still, Gandalf encouraged the men of Minas Tirith to have hope, and dispelled the fear of the Ringwraiths by his very presence. But Sauron's catapults hurled flaming bolts upon the city; soon the first circle of the city burned unchecked. Denethor now lost all heart as the city burned and his only remaining son hovered near death; he abandoned his leadership of the city. Gandalf then took it upon himself to direct the defense of the city. When the gigantic ram [[Grond (battering ram)|Grond]] destroyed the ancient entrance to the city, Gandalf placed himself alone at the ruined gateway. The Witch-king then appeared in the midst of the blasted gate upon a black horse and threatened Gandalf with death; but Gandalf did not move-- seated upon Shadowfax he defied the mightiest of Sauron's minions. However, the stand-off ended inconclusively, as the morning arrived along with the host of the Rohirrim. Hearing the horns of the Riders of Rohan, the Witch-king departed.

But Gandalf did not pursue his foe, for Pippin brought him news that Denethor was about to commit suicide in the high tower, burning himself and his son Faramir on a pyre like the heathen Kings of old. Gandalf rushed to stop this madness and was able to save Faramir, but not Denethor, whose despair and grief had overcome his mind. Gandalf also learned how it was that Denethor's will had been broken: Denethor clutched a palantír in his hands as he burned. Clearly Denethor had been using the stone's special properties for some time-- extending his vision far beyond those of mannish eyes, but also wrestling in thought with Sauron. And even though Sauron could not completely overwhelm Denethor's mind, his courage was daunted by knowledge of the vast might of Mordor. Thus the shadow entered into the capital of Gondor.

Nevertheless, and against all hope, the siege was broken. [[Éowyn]] of Rohan and the hobbit Merry defeated the Witch-king, whose last wail was heard by many as he was reduced to impotence. Soon after, Lord Aragorn arrived with a large valour of men from the southern fiefs upon a captured pirate fleet from Umbar. The forces of the men of the west then utterly defeated Sauron's attack against Minas Tirith, relieving the city and killing virtually all of the invaders. Gandalf's carefully laid plans and words of wisdom, along with acts of heroism not seen since the elder days, had defeated Sauron's first move.

====The Last Battle====
But the attack against Minas Tirith was only a part of Sauron's plan to devastate the west and make himself the ruler of Middle-earth. Other armies moved in the north against [[Erebor]] and the Kingdom of Thranduil, as well as against Lothlórien and other points along the [[Anduin]]. Still commanding vast armies of orcs and men, the Dark Lord soon would move against Gondor again; the remnants of the Edain and their allies had little hope against his almost limitless resources.

In Minas Tirith, Gandalf was selected by Aragorn, Imrahil, and Éomer (the remaining lords of the west) to be their leader in the coming final battles. This would be the culmination of Gandalf's efforts in Middle-earth. Fully aware that the west would stand or fall on the outcome of Frodo's mission, he advised the lords to drive north to the Morannon, thereby drawing Sauron's eye away from Frodo's likely location. This plan surely would result in a catastrophic loss for the outnumbered army, but it gave Frodo a chance to achieve the quest of Mount Doom.

Led by Gandalf and Aragorn, the army of the West crossed the Anduin and marched north, pausing occasionally to announce their coming and to dispatch small numbers of men to lesser tasks. Upon arriving at the Black Gate, the forces halted and prepared for battle. As they ordered their companies, the foul [[Mouth of Sauron]] rode forth to parley with them; he revealed Frodo's [[Mithril]]-coat and Arnor-blade 'Sting' and implied that their owner was captured and tortured. The emissary of Sauron then proposed that the forces of the west surrender; Gandalf however was undaunted, and, seizing his friend's belongings, rejected Sauron's offer. In shock, the Mouth of Sauron turned back towards the Black Gate, which slowly opened to reveal a vast army of orcs and trolls advancing on the lords of the west. Sauron's trap was sprung.

Yet Sauron himself became the victim of Gandalf's trap. Unbeknownst to all, Frodo and Sam had succeeded in scaling Mount Doom and even as the Battle of Morannon began Frodo stood at the Crack of Doom. But the power and lure of the ring finally overcame his will and he placed the ring upon his finger, claiming it as his own. Immediately the Nazgûl were summoned by their lord, as he in terror realized his blunder: his enemies intended to destroy his ring.

[[Image:Ted Nasmith - The Shadow of Sauron.jpg|thumb|right|200px|''The Shadow of Sauron'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]But Gandalf's foresight proved accurate again as the creature Gollum, who had been doggedly following the ringbearer, seized the ring from Frodo, and, while celebrating his reunion with "his precious," unwittingly fell into the fires of Orodruin. The ring was unmade as the fiery mountian erupted. The tower of [[Barad-dûr]] and the [[Towers of the Teeth]] began to collapse, their foundations crumbling, the Ring-wraiths burned out like shooting stars, and Sauron was reduced to a mere shadow of malice, never to torment the world again.

With Sauron gone, his forces scattered like frightened insects; the Men of the West now set upon them with fury. Gandalf announced the success of the [[Ring-bearer]] and the end of Sauron; the quest had been fulfilled. Seeing that victory was achieved, Gandalf then mounted on [[Gwaihir]] the Eagle for a third time, and set out to see if Frodo and Samwise had survived the tumults of [[Mount Doom]]. To his great relief, the two were found on the slopes of Orodruin, clinging to life amid the volcanic eruptions. The great quest was over.

===End of the Order===
In Minas Tirith Gandalf and the remaining members of the Fellowship reunited. At the coronation of King [[Aragorn|Elessar]], Gandalf (at Aragorn’s request) set the crown upon the King’s head, and declared "''Now come the days of the King, and may they be blessed while the thrones of the [[Valar]] endure!''" Thus Gandalf ushered in the new age of men.

After the coronation and wedding of Aragorn to [[Arwen]], Gandalf left with the rest of the remaining Fellowship on the journey home. For Gandalf it was his last long journey in Middle-earth. His errand to Arda had been fulfilled; Sauron had been defeated. He said farewell to his friends one by one until at last only the four Hobbits remained at his side. At the borders of the Shire he, too, turned away. He left the Hobbits to settle with the Shire, for the shattered pieces of evil still remaining in the world were no longer his concern, and went to talk to [[Tom Bombadil]].

[[Image:Danny Staten - Grey Havens.jpg|thumb|left|200px|''Grey Havens'' by [[Danny Staten]]]]What Gandalf did during the next two years is unknown; it is possible that his "''long talk''" with Bombadil was just that. At any rate, on [[29 September|September 29]], [[Third Age 3021|3021]], he met [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] at [[Mithlond]], ready to take the [[White Ship]] over the [[Belegaer|sea]] to [[Aman]]. He wore [[Narya]] openly on his finger, and Shadowfax was beside him (perhaps even to take ship with him). His mission was over, and his homecoming after more than 2000 years was nigh. He bade farewell to [[Samwise Gamgee|Samwise]], [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]], and [[Peregrin Took|Pippin]] (the latter two of which he had forewarned of the passage), then mounted the Grey Ship beside Frodo, Elrond, and Galadriel. The ship passed west upon the sea, and then took the hidden straight path to [[Valinor]]: Gandalf became Olórin once more. There, presumably, he dwells still in the gardens of [[Irmo]]. Olórin, the wisest of the Maiar and the sole Istar to remain true to his mission, had successfully kindled the hearts of the free people in Middle-earth to overcome the evil of their time. In a large way, it was his victory.

==Personality==
[[File:Roger Garland - Gandalf.jpg|left|thumb|The Grey Pilgrim relaxing]]
Gandalf is often described in ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' as quick to anger, and equally quick to laugh.<ref name="Lorien">{{FR|Lorien}}</ref>
His deep wisdom clearly derived from the patience he learned in Valinor, just as his care for all creatures of good will must have come from his strong sense of pity for the weak. Both his patience and sense of pity were revealed again and again, extending even to the servants of his enemies.

Keen observers of Gandalf often detected a veiled power, usually revealed in his eyes, which appeared deep and wise. He was alternately affectionate and brusque; he often surprised others with his bluntness when time was of the essence. Gandalf consistently upbraided foolish behavior, but also richly rewarded those who acted with good intentions.

Hobbits appealed to him more than to the other Wizards, and he went often to the Shire for respites from his errands. It may be that he was amused by their nature, as often described in ''[[The Hobbit]]''. It may also be because they were untouched by the great evils of the world, and were more in touch with nature than Men; perhaps their agrarian lifestyle appealed to Gandalf's innate spirit and reminded him of the gardens of Valinor.

==Appearance==
[[Image:John Howe - Gandalf.jpg|thumb|right|200px|''Gandalf'' by [[John Howe]]]]

The first description of Gandalf is preserved in the initial pages of ''The Hobbit'', written in the early 1930s. Gandalf's fame is alluded to even before his physical description ("Tales and adventures sprouted up all over the place wherever he went, in the most extraordinary fashion"), while the protagonist's ("unsuspecting Bilbo") impression is that of:
<blockquote>
''...an old man with a staff. He had a tall pointed blue hat, a long grey cloak, a silver scarf over which a white beard hung down below his waist, and immense black boots.''<ref name="Party"/></blockquote>

Later, [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] wrote:
<blockquote>
''...a figure strongly built and with broad shoulder, though shorter than the average of men and now stooped with age, leaning on a thick rough-cut staff as he trudged along... Gandalf's hat was wide-brimmed [...] with a pointed conical crown, and it was ''blue''; he wore a long ''grey'' cloak, but this would not reach much below his knees. It was of an elven silver-grey hue, though tarnished by wear - as is evident from the general use of grey in [[The Lord of the Rings|the book]]... But his colours were always white, silver-grey, and blue - except for the boots he wore when walking in the wild...Gandalf even bent must have been at least 5 ft. 6... Which would make him a short man even in modern England, especially with the reduction of a bent back.''<ref name="MB"/></blockquote>

Although some of the Wise know his true nature, his "wizard-like" appearance causes many to mistake him for a simple conjurer. After his return his "signature colour" changes from grey to white, for he has been sent back to replace the corrupt Saruman as the chief of the Wizards. In the book he claims that in some ways he now "was Saruman", or rather Saruman as he should have been.

[[Círdan]] the Shipwright seemed to have foreseen this, for he entrusted the care of [[Narya]], one of the [[Three Rings]] of the Elves to Gandalf rather than Saruman.

== Powers and Abilities ==
Gandalf demonstrated extensive knowledge of the land and an assortment of magical abilities. He could blow glowing smoke rings that moved around a room at his direction, and [[Bilbo Baggins]] remembered him for his fantastic fireworks displays. More usefully, he created blinding flashes and other pyrotechnics to distract the [[goblin]]s of the [[Misty Mountains]], aiding the dwarves in their escape from [[Goblin-town]]. On the eastern slopes, he turned pine cones into flaming projectiles that threw hot sparks and started fires that would not easily go out. He was also able to come and go from the presence of [[Thorin and Company]] without anyone noticing.

He again displayed his proficiency with pyrotechnics at [[Bilbo's Farewell Party]]. More of his power is shown, when the Fellowship is attacked by [[Warg]]s in [[Hollin]]: Gandalf used words of power and the trees that were growing on the hillock where the company had camped burst into fire. He was also able to start fires under blizzard conditions, create light of varying intensity for the journey through [[Moria]], magically secure doors, and break the [[Bridge of Khazad-dûm]]. When angered or aroused for battle, he seemed to grow in height and assume a terrifying aspect. He also fought the [[Durin's Bane|Balrog of Moria]] and killed his opponent, although he did not survive the battle himself.

Sent back to [[Middle-earth]] as Gandalf the White, he possessed greater charisma and a limited degree of clairvoyance, although he was unable to peer into the land of [[Mordor]] to see the progress of Frodo and [[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]]. His power and authority had increased so that he could break [[Saruman]]'s staff with a spoken command, showing his authority to throw the treacherous wizard out of the order.

===Special Equipment===

Like all wizards, Gandalf carried a staff. Whether it was required to exercise certain powers was never explained. At times it appeared to focus or extend his powers, such as when it emanated light. Exactly how much it aided him in the use of magic is unknown, but [[Grima Wormtongue]] tried to forbid Gandalf from bringing it into [[Edoras]], clearly under the impression that without it Gandalf's power would be limited. In this perhaps he had been instructed in some way by Saruman.

When he arrived in Middle-earth, Gandalf received the Elven ring [[Narya]] from [[Círdan]]. It is clear that Gandalf wore this ring from that time to the end of the Third Age but how he used its powers is not known.

In {{TA|2941}}, Gandalf acquired the Elven sword [[Glamdring]] from the treasure hoard of a band of trolls.<ref name="Mutton"/> He continued to wield this weapon throughout The Lord of the Rings, in particular during his fight with the [[Durin's Bane|Balrog]] in Moria.

Throughout his time in Middle-earth Gandalf often was seen with a pipe, the use of which clearly brought him immense enjoyment.

== Names==
Gandalf for 2000 years wandered in many lands and acquired the following names by the peoples he met:
* '''''Olórin''''', his name in [[Valinor]]. It is [[Quenya]], and its meaning is associated with the Quenya word [[olos|''olos'' or ''olor'']], meaning "dream" or "vision / of mind").<ref>{{UT|Istari}}</ref><ref>{{PE|17}}, p. 88</ref>
* '''''Mithrandir''''' ({{IPA|[miˈθrandir]}}), his [[Sindarin]] name, used in [[Gondor]] and meaning "Grey Pilgrim"<ref>{{PE|17}}, p. 60</ref>
* '''''Incánus''''', his name in the South. Although ''Incánus'' seems to be of unclear language and meaning, a note in the [[Thain's Book]] says it is a [[Quenya]] form simply adapted from a word in the tongue of the [[Haradrim]]: ''Inkā-nūsh'' (or possibly ''Inkā-nūs''), meaning "North-spy".<ref name=UT13>{{UT|13}}</ref>
* '''''Tharkûn''''', his name to the Dwarves. The word possibly derives from the unattested word ''thark'' "staf" and an nominal ending ''[[-ûn]]''.<Ref>Mellonath Daeron, "[http://www.forodrim.org/daeron/md_khuzdul.html An analysis of Dwarvish]" (accessed [[11 October|11]] [[October]] [[2010]])</ref>
* '''The White Rider''', his name while riding the great horse [[Shadowfax]].
* '''Gandalf Greyhame''', given to him by [[Gríma Wormtongue]].
* '''Stormcrow''', a reference to his arrival being associated with times of trouble.
* '''Láthspell''', a name given to him by [[Gríma Wormtongue]], meaning "ill news".

==Etymology==
Within the legendarium, "Gandalf" translates an unknown name of the meaning "Elf-of-the-wand (or cane/staff)", or more literary "Wand-elf", in old northern Mannish. Most denizens of Middle-earth incorrectly assumed Gandalf was a [[Men|Man]], although he was really a Maia spirit (approximately equivalent to an angel). However, a less common misconception that occurred during the beginning of his career in Middle-earth was that for someone to be [[immortal]] and use as much magic as he did, he must have been an Elf. Although it soon became apparent to all that he could not be an Elf, as he was old and Elves do not generally age, the nickname stuck with him. He later gave it as his name to others he met who did not know its original meaning.

==Other Versions of the [[Legendarium]]==

In early manuscripts of ''[[The Hobbit]]'', the name ''[[Bladorthin]]'' was used by Tolkien for the character who later would be named "Gandalf". The name ''Gandalf'' was instead used for the character known as [[Thorin]] in the published works.<ref>{{HH|Intro}}</ref>

== Inspiration ==
[[Image:Georg von Rosen - Oden som vandringsman, 1886 (Odin, the Wanderer).jpg|thumb|200px|''Oden som vandringsman'' (''Odin the Wanderer'') by Georg von Rosen]]
[[Image:Der_Berggeist_(Origin_of_Gandalf)_by_J._Madelener.gif|left|thumb|200px|''[[Der Berggeist]]'' by [[Josef Madlener]].]]

''Gandalfr''
appears in the list of dwarves in the ''[[Völuspá]]'' of the Elder Edda, the name means "Cane-elf". Tolkien took the name along with the other dwarves' names when he wrote ''The Hobbit'' in the 1930s. He came to regret the creation of this "rabble of eddaic-named dwarves [...] invented in an idle hour",<ref>{{TI|Runes}}, p. 452</ref> since it forced him to come up with an explanation of why Old Norse names should be used in [[Third Age]] Middle-earth. He solved the dilemma in 1942 by the explanation that Old Norse was a ''translation'' of the language of [[Dale]]. The figure of Gandalf has other influences from Germanic mythology, particularly Odin in his incarnation as "the Wanderer", an old man with one eye, a long white beard, a wide brimmed hat, and a staff: Tolkien states that he thinks of Gandalf as an ''"Odinic wanderer"'' in a letter of 1946.<ref>{{L|107}}</ref>

Tolkien had a postcard labeled ''[[Der Berggeist]]'' ("the mountain spirit"), and on the paper cover in which he kept it, he wrote "the origin of Gandalf" at some point. The postcard reproduces a painting of a bearded figure, sitting on a rock under a pine tree in a mountainous setting. He wears a wide-brimmed round hat and a long cloak and white fawn is nuzzling his upturned hands.
[[Humphrey Carpenter]] in his 1977 biography said that Tolkien had bought the postcard during his 1911 holiday in Switzerland. However, Manfred Zimmerman discovered that the painting was by German artist Josef Madlener and dates to the late 1920s.<ref>[[Manfred Zimmerman]], "The Origin of Gandalf and Josef Madlener", in [[Mythlore|''Mythlore'']] [[Mythlore 34|34]] (Winter [[1983]])</ref> Carpenter concluded that Tolkien was probably mistaken about the origin of the postcard himself. Tolkien must have acquired the card at some time in the early 1930s, at a time when ''The Hobbit'' had already begun to take shape.

== Portrayals in Adaptations ==
{{Gallery
|title=Pictures of adaptations of Gandalf
|height=150
|width=200
|lines=2
|File:Gandalf from Rankin-Bass' The Hobbit.jpg|''[[The Hobbit (1977 film)]]
|File:Gandalf from Ralph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings.jpg|''[[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)]]''
|File:Peter Jackson's Gandalf.jpg|''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]''
|File:Gandalf viv lotr.JPG|''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|Vivendi's The Fellowship of the Ring]]''
|File:The Hobbit (2003) Gandalf.JPG|''[[The Hobbit (2003 video game)|Sierra's The Hobbit]]''
|File:Gandalf in LOTRO.png|''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
|File:Hobbit Ian Mckellan Gandalf2.jpg|Gandalf the Grey in [[The Hobbit films]]
}}

'''1955: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1955 radio series)]]'':'''
:The voice of Gandalf was provided by [[Norman Shelley]].<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], [[Humphrey Carpenter]], [[Christopher Tolkien]] (eds.), ''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]]'', [[Letter 175]] (dated [[30 November|November 30]], [[1955]])</ref>

'''1968: ''[[The Hobbit (1968 radio series)]]'':'''
:The voice of Gandalf was provided by [[Heron Carvic]].

'''1977: ''[[The Hobbit (1977 film)]]'':'''
:The voice of Gandalf was provided by [[John Huston]].

'''1978: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)]]'':'''
:Gandalf was voiced by [[William Squire]]. [[John A. Neris]] played him in the live-action filming used for rotoscoping.<ref>Jerry Beck, ''The Animated Movie Guide'', page 154 (at [http://books.google.com/books?id=fTI1yeZd-tkC&pg=PA154&dq=%22John+A.+Neris%22&hl=nl#PPA154,M1 GoogleBooks])</ref>

'''1979: ''[[The Hobbit (1979 radio series)]]'':'''
:The voice of Gandalf was provided [[Bernard Mayes]].

'''1979: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1979 radio series)]]'':'''
:[[Bernard Mayes]] reprised his role as Gandalf.

'''1980: ''[[The Return of the King (1980 film)]]'':'''
:[[John Huston]] reprised his role as Gandalf. In this adaptation, the tale is told by a minstrel of [[Gondor]], yet in the story, Gandalf serves as the narrator. Gandalf the White is portrayed without difference from Gandalf the Grey, in ''The Hobbit''.

'''1981: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)]]'':'''
:[[Michael Hordern]] read the part of Gandalf. He had not read the book, and thought his agent made a mistake in telling him how many episodes he had to do. He did not know Gandalf's early death would prove only temporarily.<ref>[[Brian Sibley]], "[http://briansibleytheworks.blogspot.com/2008/01/this-page-is-still-under-construction_23.html The Ring Goes Ever On: The Making of BBC Radio's ''The Lord of the Rings'']", at ''[http://briansibleytheworks.blogspot.com/ Brian Sibley:The Works]''</ref>

'''2001: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
:[[Ian McKellen|Sir Ian McKellen]] was cast as Gandalf. McKellen was nominated for an Academy Award for his portrayal, but did not win.

'''2002: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)]]'':'''
:[[Tom Kane]] provided the voice of Gandalf. He is a playable character in several scenes, including the fight with [[Durin's Bane]].

'''2002: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]'':'''
:Perhaps the most striking difference from all other adaptations is the difference between Gandalf the Grey and Gandalf the White. Where earlier no visible or audible difference was made, Gandalf the White is portrayed as much more virile, and with a shorter (and whiter) beard.

'''2003: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]'':'''
:Because [[Imrahil]] had been cut from the film, it was up to Gandalf to lead the troops after the madness and death of [[Denethor II|Denethor]].

'''2003: ''[[The Hobbit (2003 video game)]]'':'''
:[[Jim Ward]] provided the voice of Gandalf. He is shown with actual [[magic]]: he can shoot blue bolts of lightning from his staff.

'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age]]'':'''
:Gandalf, voiced by [[Ian McKellen]], is a character in [[Electronic Arts|EA's]] "alternative [[Fellowship of the Ring|fellowship]]" game. In his battle against Durin's Bane, he is aided by the main characters.

'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War of the Ring]]'':'''
:Gandalf is voiced by [[Steven M. Kramer]], renowned for playing older mentor types.

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Gandalf is a non-playable character voiced by [[Harry Chase]], who gives various quests and narrates cutscenes.

'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'':'''
:Gandalf is a hero for the "Men of the West" faction. At first, he is "the Gray", and becomes "Gandalf the White" after reching level 5. He plays no part in the scenarios.

'''2009: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Conquest]]'':'''
:[[Martin Jarvis]] provides the voice of Gandalf.

'''2012-13: ''[[The Hobbit films]]'':'''
:[[Ian McKellen|Sir Ian McKellen]] will reprise his role as Gandalf the Grey.

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

{{References}}

* {{HM|TT}}
* {{HM|RK}}
* {{L|156}}
* {{L|246}}

{{sequence
|prev=none
|next=[[Aragorn|Aragorn II]]
|list=Leader of the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] [[25 December|December 25]] [[Third Age 3018|3018]] - [[15 January|January 15]] [[Third Age 3019|3019]]
}}
{{ainur}}
{{fellowship}}
{{Thorin and Company}}

[[Category:Characters in The Hobbit]]
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]
[[Category:Maiar]]
[[Category:Masculine names]]
[[Category:Wizards]]
[[Category:Norse names]]

[[de:Gandalf]]
[[fa:گندالف]]
[[fr:encyclo:personnages:ainur:maiar:istari:gandalf]]
[[fi:Gandalf]]

User talk:Thalion

2011-08-25T22:43:22Z

Thalion: /* Welcome back! */

'''{{PAGENAME}}, welcome!'''

Hello and [[Tolkien Gateway:Welcome|welcome]] to '''[[Tolkien Gateway:About|Tolkien Gateway]]'''. I hope you like the place and choose to join our work. Here are a few good links for newcomers:
*Internal pages:
**[[Tolkien Gateway:To-do|To-do list]]
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**[[Special:Recentchanges|Recent changes]]
*External Wikipedia pages:
**[[Wikipedia:Wikipedia:How to edit a page|How to edit a page]]
**[[Wikipedia:Wikipedia:Tutorial|Editing, policy, conduct, and structure tutorial]]
**[[Wikipedia:Wikipedia:Picture tutorial|Picture tutorial]]
**[[Wikipedia:Wikipedia:How to write a great article|How to write a great article]]

I hope you enjoy editing here and we look forward to your future edits. By the way, you can sign your name on Talk and vote pages using three tildes, like this: ~<nowiki>~~</nowiki>. Four tildes (~~<nowiki>~~</nowiki>) produces your name and the current date. If you have any questions, see the [[Help:Contents|help pages]], add a question to the [[Forum:Council|Council forums]] or ask me on [[User talk:Hyarion|my talk page]]. Keep up the great work! — [[User:Hyarion|Hyarion]]

== Welcome back! ==

I just wanted to say how great it is to see you around again. :D --{{User:Mith/sig}} 19:12, 24 August 2011 (UTC)

Hey there, Mith. Thanks a lot for the welcome. I actually was around here now and again but for some reason didn't log in. Actually I was surprised my computer remembered username and password. :D
I see there's still a lot to do. I'll do my very best to enhance quality of Tolkien Gateway. But honestly I wonder why is this page alway so slow? --[[User:Thalion|Thalion]] 22:43, 25 August 2011 (UTC)

War of the Dwarves and Orcs

2011-08-24T13:31:13Z

Thalion: /* Prelude */

{{sources}}
{{War
| previous= [[War of the Dwarves and Dragons]]
| next=[[War of the Ring]]
| name=War of the Dwarves and Orcs
| image=[[Image:Mikel Janin - Battle of Azanulbizar.jpeg|300px]]
| begin=[[Third Age 2793|T.A. 2793]]
| end=[[Third Age 2799 |T.A. 2799]]
| place=The northern [[Misty Mountains]] and [[Mount Gundabad]]
| result=Crippling defeat for Orcs, pyrrhic victory for Dwarves
| battles=[[Second Sacking of Gundabad]], various battles in mines, strongholds, and colonies, [[Battle of Azanulbizar]].
|side1=Dwarves of all Seven Houses, [[Longbeards]], [[Firebeards]], [[Broadbeams]], [[Blacklocks]], [[Stonefoots]], [[Ironfists]], and [[Stiffbeards]].
|side2=[[Orcs of the Misty Mountains]]
|commanders1=King [[Thráin II]], [[Thorin]], [[Náin son of Grór]], various generals and/or kings or lords of the other houses
|commanders2=[[Azog]] and likely other Orc-chieftains
|}}

The '''War of the Dwarves and Orcs''' was a great war fought between the two races.

==History==
== Prelude ==
After their home under [[Erebor] had been sacked by the [[dragon]] [[Smaug]], many of the [[Dwarves]]of [[Durin's Folk]] were homeless and wandered through western [[Middle-earth]], searching a place to stay. After some years of wandering they settled down in [[Dunland]].<ref>{{App|A3}}</ref>
Among these Dwarves were [[Thrór]], formerly [[King under the Mountain]], his son [[Thráin II]] and grandson [[Thorin II]] who became later known as Thorin Oakenshield.

Thrór became despaird after living many years in poverty, or perhaps the [[Rings of Power|Ring]] he wore was ultimately working towards his bearers evil, and thus Thrór went away from his kin in [[Third Age 2790]], accompanied only by with his friend [[Nár (companion of Thrór)|Nár]]. They crossed the [[Redhorn Pass]] and Thráin came to the old mines of [[Moria]], though Nár warned him and was unwilling to enter this evil place.

Thrór was slain by [[Azog]] the [[Orc]]-chieftain who had made himself an abode in Moria. Upon Thrór's head had been branded Azog's name and the corpse was thrown out of the gate were it was found by Nár, who was left alive to serve as a messenger to tell the Dwarves that Azog now claimed to be the King of Moria.

When Nár returned to the king's son [[Thráin II]], he told him of his father's murder. Thráin sat for seven days without eating or sleeping, until he stood and said "This cannot be borne!".<ref>{{App|A3}}</ref>

From 2790 to [[Third Age 2793|2793]] the [[Longbeards]] responded to this tragedy by gathering their forces, and calling on all the other Houses of the Dwarves for war.

=== Early Stages===
In 2793 they attacked, assailing and sacking one by one all the Orc-holds they could find from [[Mount Gundabad]] in the north, to the [[Gladden Fields]] in the south.

Little is known about what happened during these six years, but most of the war was fought underground, in the great mines and tunnels of the Misty Mountains, where Dwarves excelled in combat.

=== The Final Battle ===
The war climaxed in 2799, when the final battle was fought in the valley outside the [[East-gate]] of [[Moria]], the [[Battle of Azanulbizar|Battle of Azanûlbizar]]. The Dwarves finally won this notoriously bloody encounter when reinforcements arrived late on the scene from the [[Iron Hills]]. Azog was slain by [[Dáin Ironfoot]].<ref>{{App|A3}}</ref>

After the battle, King [[Thráin II]] wanted to enter Moria and reclaim it, but the Dwarves not of Durin's folk refused, saying that the city was not their Fathers' House; they had honoured Thrór's memory by fighting, and this was enough. [[Dáin Ironfoot]] also warned Thráin that [[Durin's Bane]] still dwelt within [[Khazad-dûm]].

=== Aftermath and Repercussions ===
The war was very costly for the Dwarves. Half of those involved in the Battle of Azanulbizar were killed and possibly a couple thousand more were killed throughout the rest of the war. [[Náin son of Grór|Náin]], [[Frerin]], and [[Fundin]] were among the more notable casualties. Thráin II himself lost an eye, and Thorin was wounded when his shield broke and he had to use an oak branch to defend himself, which gave rise to his surname Oakenshield.

The Orcs that survived the final battle (as many as 10,000) fled south through [[Rohan]], trying to claim a refuge in the [[White Mountains]] beyond, where they troubled the [[Rohirrim]] for two generations.

One positive outcome however was that the [[Orcs of the Misty Mountains]] virtually disappeared as a threat for [[Eriador]] and [[Wilderland]]. One and a half century later the Orcs of the North were beginning to recover, but their population was even further reduced during the [[Battle of Five Armies]] in [[Third Age 2941]], where [[Bolg]] son of Azog tried to avenge his father, and in the process lost three fourths of his people.

It is possible that without this War, the later [[War of the Ring]] would have been lost in the north, and the [[Ring-bearer]] might never have made it south to [[Mordor]].

== Noteable Veterans ==
*[[Thráin II]]
*[[Thorin]]
*[[Frerin]]
*[[Fundin]]
*[[Náin son of Grór|Náin]]
*[[Dáin Ironfoot]]
*[[Balin]]
*[[Glóin]]

== See Also ==
*[[Battle of Azanulbizar]]
*[[Second Sacking of Gundabad]]

{{references}}
*''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix A]], Durin's Folk
*''[[The Peoples of Middle-earth]]''
* The Lord of the Rings, Return of the King, Appendix A, (2nd edition 1966), p. 356. It mentions that the balance of the Orcs at Azanulbizar fled.
[[Category:Conflicts of the Third Age]]
[[Category:Wars]]
[[fr:encyclo/evenements/3a/guerres/guerre_des_nains_et_des_orques]]

Olog-hai

2011-08-24T13:01:23Z

Thalion: /* Etymology */

[[Image:Ben Wootten-Olog Hai.jpg|thumb|200px|''Olog-hai'' by Ben Wootten]]
The '''Olog-hai''' were a fierce race of [[Trolls]] that appeared at the end of the [[Third Age]] in southern [[Mirkwood]] and in the mountainous borders of [[Mordor]].<ref name=Other>{{App|Other}}</ref>

==History==
The Olog-hai had none of the old Troll vulnerabilities: they were very intelligent and able to endure the [[Sun]]. For this reason they were seen by some to be giant [[Orcs]] (though surpassing even the [[Uruk-hai]] in size and power), but they were definitely of Troll stock.<ref name=Other/>

They only spoke [[Sauron]]'s [[Black Speech]], and it is possible they only existed because Sauron's evil will empowered them.<ref name=Other/> After the [[War of the Ring]], all Olog-hai were killed.{{fact}}

==Appearance==
Olog-hai are described as being taller than a man, and covered in horny scales, carrying hammers and bucklers in their claws, though there is no way of knowing whether this description applies to all of the Olog-hai, or just to those in the battle.{{fact}}

==Etymology==

Olog-hai is a term out of the Black Speech. Olog means ''troll'', hai (as in [[Uruk-hai]]) means ''people''.

== Portrayal in Adaptations ==
[[Image:Black Trolls.jpg|thumb|''Black Trolls'' by [[Angus McBride]]]]
'''1982-97: ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing]]'':'''
: Olog-hai, also called ''Black Trolls'', were bred by Sauron from lesser Troll stock. They are nine to eleven feet in height, and have black, scaly hides.<ref>{{ICE|8004}}</ref><ref>{{ICE|2000}}</ref><ref>{{ICE|2012}}</ref> Individual Olog-hai include Rogrog<ref>{{ICE|2018}}</ref>, Umagaur<ref name=ICE2011/> and Lugronk<ref name=ICE2011>{{ICE|2011}}</ref>.

'''2003: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]'':'''
:Olog-hai were shown as the shock troops in the [[Siege of Minas Tirith]], sporting armor and the famed war hammers alluded to in the appendices. These Olog-hai were not shown talking in any speech other than grunts. They differ from the other Trolls depicted in [[The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy|Peter Jackson's ''The Lord of the Rings'']] in that they have more forward-facing eyes as well as hair on their bodies, suggesting that they are a more advanced form of Troll. They are usually gray to black in color. They have twenty-four teeth. Their eyes are also bright orange, showing their evil connection with Sauron.
{{references}}
[[Category:Trolls]]
[[de:Olog-hai]]
[[fr:encyclo/peuples/trolls/olog-hai]]
[[fi:Olog-hai]]

Talk:Angband

2011-08-24T12:49:57Z

Thalion: Created page with "==Location== That map shows Angband right north to Barad Eithel. Though there's no map on which Tolkien shows the position of Angband, it is pretty clear that, based on the elabo..."

==Location==
That map shows Angband right north to Barad Eithel. Though there's no map on which Tolkien shows the position of Angband, it is pretty clear that, based on the elaboration Karen Wynn Fonstad did on this topic, Angband lay further east, approximately in direct line north of Menegroth. --[[User:Thalion|Thalion]] 12:49, 24 August 2011 (UTC)

Lembas

2011-08-24T12:11:58Z

Thalion:

{{youmay|the food|[[Lembas (journal)|Lembas]], the journal of [[Unquendor]]}}
{{quote|Lembas, [[Elvish]] waybread. One small bite is enough to fill the stomach of a grown man.|[[Legolas]], ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]''}}
[[Image:John Howe - Lembas.jpg|thumb|''Lembas'' by [[John Howe]].]]
'''Lembas''', translated as '''waybread''' in the [[Westron|Common Speech]], was a special food made by the [[Elves]]. The cakes were very nutritious, stayed fresh for months when wrapped in leaves, and were used for sustenance on long journeys. Lembas had a brownish colour on the outside and a cream colour on the inside.

==History==
Lembas was made first by [[Yavanna]] from special [[corn]] that grew in [[Aman]], and [[Oromë]] gave it to the Elves of the [[Great Journey]]. For this reason, it was an Elven custom that only women should make lembas; they were called [[Yavannildi]] (or by the Sindar the [[Ivonwin]]) who knew the secret of its recipe. Also, the custom requested that only an Elven Queen should keep and distribute the lembas, for this reason she was called also [[massánië]] or [[besain]].<ref name="PM">{{PM|Lembas}}</ref> Like other products of the Elves, it was offensive to evil creatures; [[Gollum]] refused outright to eat of it.<ref>{{HM|TT}}</ref>

Only on rare occasions was it given to non-Elves, because it was believed that mortals who ate it would become wary of their mortality and would desire to live among the Elves.<ref name="PM"/>

The corn itself was an enduring plant that could be sown at any season and then sprouted and grew swiftly. Furthermore the corn needed but a little sunlight to ripen. Yet it was prone to north winds, while [[Morgoth]] dwelt there. The Eldar grew it in guarded lands and sunlit glades. The ears were harvested without scythe or sickle but each one was gathered by hands and the white stalks were drawn from the earth and used to weave baskets in which the grain was stored.<ref name="PM">{{PM|Lembas}}</ref>

[[Melian]], as the queen of [[Doriath]], was one who held this recipe from Yavanna. By giving lembas to [[Beleg]] for [[Túrin]]<ref>{{S|Turin}}</ref>, she showed great favor because never before lembas was given to a Man and seldom it was again. Later it was passed to [[Galadriel]] and other [[Elves]].

Galadriel gave a large store of it to the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] upon their departure from [[Lothlórien]]. One of the elves commented that it was more strengthening than any food by Men, and more pleasant than [[Cram]].<ref>{{HM|FR}}</ref> [[Frodo Baggins]] and [[Samwise Gamgee]] subsisted on it through the majority of their journey from there into [[Mordor]].

==Etymology and Names==
'''Lembas''' is Sindarin and derived from the older ''lenn-mbass'' which means "journey-bread". As a rough translation of this term it was also often called ''Waybread''.<ref name="PM">{{PM|Lembas}}</ref>

The [[Quenya]] word for lembas is ''coimas'' which means ''life-bread''.<ref name="PM">{{PM|Lembas}}</ref>

==Inspiration==
Tolkien most likely based lembas on bread known as ''hard tack'' that was used during long sea voyages and military campaigns as a primary foodstuff. It was little more than flour and water which had been baked hard and would keep for months as long as it was kept dry.{{fact}}

== Portrayal in Adaptations ==
In [[The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy]], the term "lembas bread" is occasionally used. This is incorrect usage; but because the gift of lembas at Lothlórien is not included in the theatrical release of ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring|The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', the redundant term "lembas bread" was probably chosen in order to immediately identify the substance to filmgoers at the beginning of ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers|The Two Towers]]''.

{{references}}
[[Category:Food]]

[[fr:encyclo/divers/lembas]]

Tal-Elmar (chapter)

2011-08-23T18:34:35Z

Thalion: /* Myteries of the Story */

{{disambig-two|the chapter of [[The Peoples of Middle-earth]]|character|[[Tal-Elmar (disambiguation)]]}}
{{POME}}
'''Tal-Elmar''' is the title of an incomplete narrative written during the 1950s in two manuscripts separated by several years, in which the character [[Tal-Elmar (character)|Tal-Elmar]] is the main protagonist. The story offers a glimpse of the [[Númenóreans|Númenórean]] colonization of [[Middle-earth]] from the perspective of its indigenous inhabitants and was published in the volume ''[[The Peoples of Middle-earth]]''.

==Synopsis==

The story begins with a description of Tal-Elmar's father, [[Hazad Longbeard]], a "harsh-tongued, heavy-handed, and quick to violence" man who lived in the town of Agar and had seventeen sons, but found even more joy in his five feet long beard. The people of Agar did not respect the elder, grudged them the food they had and didn't take care of them well but left their parents and cared for their own things alone. This was also the case with Hazad's sons except his youngest son who treated his father kindly and was named Tal-Elmar. He was unlike his brothers and all the people of agar in mood and view, being tall, slender and fair skinned. He mostly stood aside those of his own kind and when angered he had a fierce look in his eyes, for which the people called him "Flint-eye". Hazad loved Tal-Elmar dearly, for he reminded him of his late mother [[Elmar]] and it was because of this reason he named him so. She was not from the same kind as Hazad's father. She was of the "Fell Folk" that came out of the East, moving ever west-wards and towards the shore of the sea, driving away the inhabitants. Fair and tall and flint-eyed they were and their weapons, so was said among the people of Agar, were made by demons in fiery hills. In a battle in which a whole people of the Fell Folk, being on the move with wains, cattle and women, was ambushed, Hazad's mother was taken prisoner and later wedded by [[Buldar]], Hazad's father, mostly against her wish. And Elmar said to Buldar that, though she was bound to live with him, she'll have her vengeance and that "in thy kin one shall arise who is mine alone. And with his arising shall come the end of thy people and the downfall of your king".

The story then turns back to Tal-Elmar and his father. Tal-Elmar's land was a region of green hills situated "three leagues away" from the shores of the [[Belegaer|Great Sea]]. From the top of a hill, in one Spring morning, Tal-Elmar and Hazad spotted four [[Númenóreans|Númenórean]] ships, of which one had black sails, heading towards their lands. The two rushed towards their town to alert the rest of the people. In the time of the tale the "Go-hilleg" or "High Men of the Sea", as [[Númenóreans]] were called, were greatly feared, because they attacked and plundered those who dwelt on the shores of the sea and it was told among the people of Agar that they brought the captives onto the ship with the black sails, where they were kept until either slaughtered and eaten or sacrificed to the Dark.

Most of the town's inhabitants were out on the field and thus the only one who listened to the warning was the town-master [[Mogru]], who feared and hated Tal-Elmar, because Tal-Elmar was unafraid of Mogru's power. He mocked them and the ill news, for the Númenóreans hadn't arrived in those lands during his lifetime. However, at their request he walked towards the hill and saw with his own eyes the threat. Wishing to endanger Tal-Elmar, he sent him towards the shore as a scout. After crossing the dark forest which all his people dreaded, he came closer to the shore and observed the ships from the top of a hill.

After gaining courage, he raised and walked towards the Númenóreans who had camped there already. From the distance, he resembled the [[Eldar]] and thus they restrained from attacking him, but once he spoke not in their tongue he was taken prisoner and the captain interrogated him.

The story of Tal-Elmar was not finished during the [[J.R.R. Tolkien|author]]'s life and ends with some notes in which the author writes down ideas how to continue the story. Thus the hero's fate remained unknown. Yet it becomes clear that the Númenóreans recognize Tal-Elmar as somehow related to themselves and treat him kindly. One note states that Tal-Elmar surprisingly finds himself able to understand the language of the Númenóreans as it the "language of his dreams". The Númenóreans intend to occupy the lands and in alliances with the "Cruels" of the North to drive out the Dark Men and make a settlement to threaten "the King" (a following note indicates that the King is Sauron).

==Myteries of the Story==
Various issues come up in the story of Tal-Elmar. It remains unclear where the town of Agar is situated. Christopher Tolkien assumes that it is placed in the [[Mouths of Anduin]] or[[Langstrand]] area. The author himself mentiones in a short note the estuary of [[Isen]] or [[Morthond]]. Isen is more or less ruled out, due to following assumptions on the Fell Folk's origin.

Also the time is not specified. Christopher Tolkien believes that it takes place before the [[Downfall of Númenor]]. The author himself doesn't seem certain about the timeframe, too. According to a short note it either takes place right at them time when Sauron is in Númenor or before, but it is not clear how long before.

The origin and identity of the "Fell Folk of the East" remains cryptical as well. Regarding where the story possibly takes place, the Fell Folk presumably belongs to the fraction of the Faithful. The haven of [[Pelargir]], which lies east of the possible places, was founded in [[Second Age|S.A.]] 2350. At the time the story might take place, many of the [[Faithful]] were perhaps already fleeing from the supression on Númenor to Pelargir and from there would colonize the lands that later became a part of [[Gondor]] and thus ran into conflict with the natives.

It is unkown too, which language the Númenóreans are actually using. They assuredly greeted Tal-Elmar in [[Sindarin]], perceiving him at first as being one of the Eldar. If they belonged to the Faithful (according to one of the mariners they still have contact with the Elves) they might have continued interrogating him in Sindarin (supported by a short note), but also [[Adûnaic]], so it is uncertain which language Tal-Elmar is able to understand. In any case he either knows Sindarin or Adûnaic, possibly a language his grandmother Elmar spoke though this also remains vague. If this is indeed the case, Tal-Elmar's grandmother has to be of Númenórean descend. But why then do the people of Agar not recognize that the Fell Folk and the "Go-hilleg" are the same people?

The "Cruels of the North" which are mentioned only once and with whom the Númenóreans are allied are possibly the Elves. Also the [[Drúedain]] might be mentioned as the "wild men of the woods" who inhabited the lands before the people of Agar drove them away.

[[Category:Manuscripts by J.R.R. Tolkien]]
[[Category:The Peoples of Middle-earth chapters]]

Tal-Elmar (chapter)

2011-08-23T18:32:51Z

Thalion:

{{disambig-two|the chapter of [[The Peoples of Middle-earth]]|character|[[Tal-Elmar (disambiguation)]]}}
{{POME}}
'''Tal-Elmar''' is the title of an incomplete narrative written during the 1950s in two manuscripts separated by several years, in which the character [[Tal-Elmar (character)|Tal-Elmar]] is the main protagonist. The story offers a glimpse of the [[Númenóreans|Númenórean]] colonization of [[Middle-earth]] from the perspective of its indigenous inhabitants and was published in the volume ''[[The Peoples of Middle-earth]]''.

==Synopsis==

The story begins with a description of Tal-Elmar's father, [[Hazad Longbeard]], a "harsh-tongued, heavy-handed, and quick to violence" man who lived in the town of Agar and had seventeen sons, but found even more joy in his five feet long beard. The people of Agar did not respect the elder, grudged them the food they had and didn't take care of them well but left their parents and cared for their own things alone. This was also the case with Hazad's sons except his youngest son who treated his father kindly and was named Tal-Elmar. He was unlike his brothers and all the people of agar in mood and view, being tall, slender and fair skinned. He mostly stood aside those of his own kind and when angered he had a fierce look in his eyes, for which the people called him "Flint-eye". Hazad loved Tal-Elmar dearly, for he reminded him of his late mother [[Elmar]] and it was because of this reason he named him so. She was not from the same kind as Hazad's father. She was of the "Fell Folk" that came out of the East, moving ever west-wards and towards the shore of the sea, driving away the inhabitants. Fair and tall and flint-eyed they were and their weapons, so was said among the people of Agar, were made by demons in fiery hills. In a battle in which a whole people of the Fell Folk, being on the move with wains, cattle and women, was ambushed, Hazad's mother was taken prisoner and later wedded by [[Buldar]], Hazad's father, mostly against her wish. And Elmar said to Buldar that, though she was bound to live with him, she'll have her vengeance and that "in thy kin one shall arise who is mine alone. And with his arising shall come the end of thy people and the downfall of your king".

The story then turns back to Tal-Elmar and his father. Tal-Elmar's land was a region of green hills situated "three leagues away" from the shores of the [[Belegaer|Great Sea]]. From the top of a hill, in one Spring morning, Tal-Elmar and Hazad spotted four [[Númenóreans|Númenórean]] ships, of which one had black sails, heading towards their lands. The two rushed towards their town to alert the rest of the people. In the time of the tale the "Go-hilleg" or "High Men of the Sea", as [[Númenóreans]] were called, were greatly feared, because they attacked and plundered those who dwelt on the shores of the sea and it was told among the people of Agar that they brought the captives onto the ship with the black sails, where they were kept until either slaughtered and eaten or sacrificed to the Dark.

Most of the town's inhabitants were out on the field and thus the only one who listened to the warning was the town-master [[Mogru]], who feared and hated Tal-Elmar, because Tal-Elmar was unafraid of Mogru's power. He mocked them and the ill news, for the Númenóreans hadn't arrived in those lands during his lifetime. However, at their request he walked towards the hill and saw with his own eyes the threat. Wishing to endanger Tal-Elmar, he sent him towards the shore as a scout. After crossing the dark forest which all his people dreaded, he came closer to the shore and observed the ships from the top of a hill.

After gaining courage, he raised and walked towards the Númenóreans who had camped there already. From the distance, he resembled the [[Eldar]] and thus they restrained from attacking him, but once he spoke not in their tongue he was taken prisoner and the captain interrogated him.

The story of Tal-Elmar was not finished during the [[J.R.R. Tolkien|author]]'s life and ends with some notes in which the author writes down ideas how to continue the story. Thus the hero's fate remained unknown. Yet it becomes clear that the Númenóreans recognize Tal-Elmar as somehow related to themselves and treat him kindly. One note states that Tal-Elmar surprisingly finds himself able to understand the language of the Númenóreans as it the "language of his dreams". The Númenóreans intend to occupy the lands and in alliances with the "Cruels" of the North to drive out the Dark Men and make a settlement to threaten "the King" (a following note indicates that the King is Sauron).

==Myteries of the Story==
Various issues come up in the story of Tal-Elmar. It remains unclear where the town of Agar is situated. Christopher Tolkien assumes that it is placed in the [[Mouths of Anduin]] or[[Langstrand]] area. The author himself mentiones in a short note the estuary of [[Isen]] or [[Morthond]]. Isen is more or less ruled out, due to following assumptions on the Fell Folk's origin.

Also the time is not specified. Christopher Tolkien believes that it takes place before the [[Downfall of Númenor]]. The author himself doesn't seem certain about the timeframe, too. According to a short note it either takes place right at them time when Sauron is in Númenor or before, but it is not clear how long before.

The origin and identity of the "Fell Folk of the East" remains cryptical as well. Regarding where the story possibly takes place, the Fell Folk presumably belongs to the fraction of the Faithful. The haven of [[Pelargir]], which lies east of the possible places, was founded in [[Second Age|S.A.]] 2350. At the time the story might take place, many of the Faithful were perhaps already fleeing from the supression on Númenor to Pelargir and from there would colonize the lands that later became a part of Gondor and thus ran into conflict with the natives.

It is unkown too, which language the Númenóreans are actually using. They assuredly greeted Tal-Elmar in Sindarin, perceiving him at first as being one of the Eldar. If they belonged to the Faithful (according to one of the mariners they still have contact with the Elves) they might have continued interrogating him in Sindarin (supported by a short note), but also Adûnaic, so it is uncertain which language Tal-Elmar is able to understand. In any case he either knows Sindarin or Adûnaic, possibly a language his grandmother Elmar spoke though this also remains vague. If this is indeed the case, Tal-Elmar's grandmother has to be of Númenórean descend. But why then do the people of Agar not recognize that the Fell Folk and the "Go-hilleg" are the same people?

The "Cruels of the North" which are mentioned only once and with whom the Númenóreans are allied are possibly the Elves. Also the [[Drúedain]] might be mentioned as the "wild men of the woods" who inhabited the lands before the people of Agar drove them away.

[[Category:Manuscripts by J.R.R. Tolkien]]
[[Category:The Peoples of Middle-earth chapters]]

Talk:Uruk-hai

2011-08-22T18:11:33Z

Thalion: /* Uruk-hai lifespan */

what is the diffrance between Uruk hai and the Black Uruks of mordor

== Uruk-hai lifespan ==

This article states: "Lifespan: Possibly eternal"
Is there any evidence for this? Or is this purely speculation? [[User:Ilúvatar|Ilúvatar]] 09:14, 30 November 2010 (UTC)

:speculation. -- {{User:Ederchil/sig}} 09:56, 30 November 2010 (UTC)

:Well, more an assumption. --{{User:KingAragorn/sig}} 22:56, 30 November 2010 (UTC)

Bolg, son of Azog was the general that lead the orcs during the Battle of the Five Armies. His father Azog was slain by Dáin, son of Náin in the Battle of Azalnulbizar some 200 years earlier. This is at least an evidence that orcs were as long-lived as Dúnedain and Dwarves. If they are immortal is not clear though --[[User:Thalion|Thalion]] 18:11, 22 August 2011 (UTC)

Minas Tirith (Beleriand)

2008-03-14T17:06:50Z

Thalion:

''(See also [[Minas Tirith in Gondor]])''

'''Minas Tirith''' was the tower on the island of [[Tol Sirion]] that guarded the [[Pass of Sirion]].

Minas Tirith was built around [[First Age]] 60 by [[Finrod Felagund]] to prevent the forces of [[Morgoth]] from invading [[Beleriand]] from the plains of [[Ard-galen]]. It was ruled by Finrod's nephew [[Orodreth of Nargothrond|Orodreth]].

In First Age 457 [[Sauron]] captured Minas Tirith in the aftermath of the [[Dagor Bragollach]] ("Battle of Sudden Flame"). The island was then called '''[[Tol-in-Gaurhoth]]''', the "Isle of [[Werewolves]]".

Ten years later during the [[Quest for the Silmaril]], [[Beren Erchamion|Beren]] and Finrod were imprisoned there by Sauron. Finrod was slain, but Beren was rescued by [[Lúthien]] and [[Huan]]. Sauron was defeated and fled, and Minas Tirith was reduced to ruins. Finrod was buried there.

Although the [[Noldor]] regained control of the Pass of Sirion until the [[Nirnaeth Arnoediad]] ("Battle of Unnumbered Tears"), they did not attempt to rebuild the tower.

== Etymology ==
Minas Tirith means "Tower of the Guard" in [[Sindarin]] (from ''[[minas]]'' = "tower, citadel" and ''[[tirith]]'' = "watch, guard").

[[Category:Beleriand]]
[[Category:Towers]]
[[Category:Cities]]

Talk:Minas Tirith (Beleriand)

2008-03-14T17:06:33Z

Thalion:

Gee, the picture here showed Minas Arnor. Removed. --[[User:Thalion|Thalion]] 13:06, 14 March 2008 (EDT)

Beleriand

2008-03-14T17:03:02Z

Thalion:

{{quote|Beleriand, Beleriand / borders of the faëry land.|[[Lay of Leithian]]}}

{{Pronounce|Beleriand.mp3|Ardamir}}
'''Beleriand''' was the region of northwestern [[Middle-earth]] during the [[First Age]]. Originally, the name belonged only to the area around the [[Bay of Balar]], but in time the name was applied to the entire land. The element ''Beler''/''Balar'' is believed to refer to the [[Maiar|Maia]] [[Ossë]], who often dwelt at the shores of Balar.

To the west and south it had a long shore with the Great Sea [[Belegaer]], to the north were the highland regions of [[Hithlum]], [[Dorthonion]] and the hills of [[Himring]], to the east the [[Ered Luin]] (Blue Mountains) reached nearly to the sea. The land of [[Nevrast]] in the northwest was sometimes considered part of Beleriand.

The River [[Sirion]], the chief river of Beleriand, running north to south, divided it into West Beleriand and East Beleriand. Crossing it east to west was a series of hills and a sudden drop in elevation known as Andram, the Long Wall. (The river sank into the ground at the ''Fens of Sirion'', and reemerged below the Andram at the ''Gates of Sirion''.) To the east of the Long Wall, was the River [[Gelion]] and its six tributaries draining the Ered Luin, in an area known as [[Ossiriand]] or the Land of Seven Rivers. The River [[Brithon]] and the River [[Nenning]] were the two lesser rivers of the western land of [[Falas]].

In the year 583 of the First Age, Beleriand was mostly destroyed by the [[War of Wrath]] of the [[Valar]] against [[Morgoth]]. Only a small section of East Beleriand remained, and was known as [[Lindon]]. (There is however, some evidence that other parts of it still remained into the [[Second Age]] but were completely destroyed with the downfall of [[Númenor]].)

In addition, fulfilling a prophecy, the graves of [[Túrin Turambar]] and [[Morwen]] survived as the island Tol Morwen. Likewise part of [[Dorthonion]] became Tol Fuin, and the [[Hill of Himring]] became the island of Himling. All of these together were known as the Western Isles.[[Image:Beleriand.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]

Regions and kingdoms of Beleriand:
* [[Arvernien]]
* [[Forest of Brethil]]
* [[Dimbar]]
* [[Doriath]]
* [[Estolad]]
* [[Falas]]
* [[Himlad]]
* [[Nan-tathren]] (Land of Willows)
* [[Talath Dirnen]] (Guarded Plain)
* [[Taur-en-Faroth]] (Forest of the Hunters)
* [[Taur-im-Duinath]]
* [[Thargelion]]
* [[Ossiriand]] or [[Lindon]]

Cities of Beleriand:
* [[Belegost]]
* [[Brithombar]]
* [[Eglarest]]
* [[Gondolin]]
* [[Himring]]
* [[Menegroth]]
* [[Nargothrond]]
* [[Nogrod]]
* [[Vinyamar]]

==Etymology==
Beleriand translates to 'The Country of Balar'

----

Beleriand had many different names in Tolkien's early writings (see: ''[[The History of Middle-earth]]''): '''[[Broceliand]]''', '''[[Broseliand]]''', '''[[Golodhinand]]''', '''[[Noldórinan]]''', '''[[Geleriand]]''', '''[[Bladorinand]]''', '''[[Belaurien]]''', '''[[Arsiriand]]''', '''[[Lassiriand]]''', '''[[Ossiriand]]''' (the latter was later used as a name for another realm).

==See Also==
* [[:Category:Beleriand]]
* [[:Category:Images of Beleriand]]

[[Category:Realms]]
[[Category:Pronounced articles]]
[[Category:Regions]]
[[de:Beleriand]]
[[fi:Beleriand]]

Orcs

2008-03-14T14:45:35Z

Thalion: /* The origin of Orcs */

{{race
| image=[[Image:John Howe - In Mordor.jpg|250px]]
| name= Orcs
| dominions= primarily [[Mordor]] and [[Angband]]
| languages= [[Black Speech]]
| height= probably just above 5'
| length=
| skincolor= Sallow
| haircolor=
| feathers=
| distinctions= Short, sallow, slightly Oriental look
| lifespan=
| members= [[Gothmog, Lieutenant of Morgul|Gothmog]], [[Othrond]], [[Gorbag]]
|}}
'''Orc''' or '''Ork''', an Old English word (''orc-néas'' 'orc-corpses' in Beowulf) for the zombie-like monsters of Grendel's race.

In Tolkien's writing, Orcs are described as humanoid, roughly human-sized, ugly and filthy. In Tolkien's letters he gave a description as ''...sallow, squint eyed, and like (to the Europeans) the less-handsome Mongolians...'' (this part is often subject to the invalid critisism of racism). Although not dim-witted, they are portrayed as dull and miserable beings, who corrupt words (an insult to a philologist like Tolkien) and are only able to destroy, not to create. They have sour black blood.
Orcs are used as soldiers by both the greater and lesser villains of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' — [[Sauron]] and [[Saruman]].
In Tolkien's [[Sindarin]] language, "Orc" is ''orch'', plural ''yrch''. In his late, post-''Lord of the Rings'' writings (published in ''[[The Peoples of Middle-earth]])'', he preferred the spelling "Ork", evidently mainly to avoid the form ''Orcish'', which would be naturally pronounced with the c as /s/ instead of /k/. (In [[Languages|Tolkien's languages]] the letter ''c'' was always pronounced /k/.) It is also possible that the word is a Common Tongue Version of 'orch', the [[Sindarin]] word for Orc. The original sense of the word seems to be "bogey", "bogeyman", that is, something that provokes fear, as seen in the Quenya cognate ''urko'', pl. ''urqui''.

== The origin of Orcs ==

The origin of Orcs is an open question. In Tolkien's writings, evil is not capable of independent creation, making it unlikely that the [[Valar|Vala]] [[Morgoth|Melkor]] (later called Morgoth), who was obviously the first to produce them, could do that ''ex nihilo''.
According to the oldest "theory" proposed by Tolkien, Orcs were made of stone and slime through the sorcery of Morgoth. But, Tolkien later changed the legendarium so that Morgoth could no longer produce life on his own, and amended the origins to the "theory" that would eventually be published in ''[[The Silmarillion]]'': that the Orcs were transformed from Elves — the purest form of life on [[Arda]] (the Earth) — by means of torture and mutilation; and this "theory" would then become the most popular. Moreover, if Orcs were in fact Elves at their core, this could perhaps mean that they were also immortal — a fact which, if true, would seem inconsistent with Tolkien's treatment of Orcs, though the books do not openly confirm or deny it. If Orcs indeed were immortal, it holds no doubt that their [[Fëa and hröa|''fëar'']] would not be allowed reincarnation by [[Mandos]], if they even answered the calling. Most Orcs would probably fear the calling of Mandos, and therefore would see their ''fëar'' diminished to evil spirits. These may have been some of the evil spirits occasionally described in the books, such as the spirit which tempted [[Gorlim]] of [[Barahir]]'s company, or the [[Barrow-wights]]. There is some evidence for the immortality, or otherwise long life of Orcs in ''[[The Two Towers]]'': [[Gorbag]] and [[Shagrat]], during the conversation which Sam overheard, mention the "Great Siege" of the Last Alliance. It is possible to interpret from the sentence that they were actually there and remembered it themselves: an event which lay millennia in the past. Another interpretation of this conversation is that this "Great Siege" could have instead been merely the current siege ongoing at Minas Tirith. This is consistent with a statement made in the "Myths Transformed" essay of ''[[Morgoth's Ring]]'' that the orcs had short lifespans in relation to the Numenoreans.

Another hint for a long livespan, respectively immortality, lies in the story of two of the most famous Orc-chieftains: [[Azog]] and [[Bolg]]. Bolg, being the son of Azog, was the chieftain of the Orcs who attacked [[Erebor]] in the [[Battle of the Five Armies]] in T.A. 2941. Azog himself was killed in the [[Battle of Azalnulbizar]] in T.A. 2799, so Bolg was aproximately 150 years old.

There are hints in the ''[[The History of Middle-earth|History of Middle-earth]]'' series of books, (especially in ''[[Morgoth's Ring]]'' in the section "Myths Transformed"), that some Orc leaders, such as the First Age's [[Boldog]], or the [[Great Goblin]] encountered by [[Bilbo Baggins|Bilbo]] and the Dwarves, may in fact have been fallen [[Maiar]] which had taken Orc form:

: ''Some of these things may have been delusions and phantoms but some were no doubt shapes taken by the servants of Melkor, mocking and degrading the very forms of the children. For Melkor had in his service great numbers of Maiar, who had the power, as their Master, of taking visible and tangible shape in Arda.'' (''Morgoth's Ring'', "Myths transformed", text X')

: ''Boldog (…) is a name that occurs many times in the tales of the War. But it is possible that Boldog was not a personal name, and either a title, or else the name of a kind of creature: the Orc-formed Maiar, only less formidable than the Balrogs'' (Author's footnote to the text X)

: ''Melkor had corrupted many spirits - some great as Sauron, or less as Balrogs. The least could have been primitive Orcs.'' (Author's note to text)

Later under Morgoth's lieutenant, the necromancer Sauron, it has been suggested that Men were cross-bred with the Orcs. This process was later repeated during the [[War of the Ring]], creating the fierce Orcs known as [[Uruk-hai]].

Yet other Orcs may have begun as animals of vaguely humanoid shapes, empowered by the will of the Dark Lord (first [[Morgoth]], later Sauron): this may explain the references to their "beaks and feathers" in Tolkien's writings.

: ''The Orcs were beasts of humanized shape (…).'' ('Morgoth's Ring', "Myths transformed", text VIII')

It is certain all Orcs were dependent on the Dark Lord in various ways: after their leader was defeated, the Orcs were confused and dismayed, and easily scattered by their enemies. In the millennia after Morgoth's defeat and banishment from Arda, they were without a leader they degenerated to small, quarrelsome tribes hiding in the [[Misty Mountains]]. Only when Sauron returned to power did they begin to reclaim some of their old power. The same happened after Sauron's defeat by the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]]: only when Sauron returned as the Necromancer of [[Mirkwood]] did the Orcs become a real danger for Middle-earth again.

While Tolkien originally saw all Orcs as descended from tortured Elves, later comments of his indicate, according to [[Christopher Tolkien]] in ''Morgoth's Ring'' ("Myths Transformed, text X"), that he began to feel uncomfortable with this theory. At about the same time he removed the references to the [[Thrall-Noldorin|Thrall-Ñoldorin]], he also began searching for a new origin for the Orcs. The Orc origin question may have been one of the problems Tolkien tried to solve by completely changing the cosmology and prehistory of Arda. By setting the origin of Men back to almost the same time as the Elves, he possibly allowed for Men to be the origin of Orcs all along. However, Tolkien died before he could complete this upheaval of the cosmology, and in the published version of ''The Silmarillion'', the Elf origin of Orcs was adopted.

It is interesting to note that to an extent, Tolkien did not regard Orcs as evil in their own right, but only as tools of Melkor and Sauron.
He wrote once that "we were all orcs in the [[World War I|Great War]]", indicating perhaps that an orc for him was not an inherent build-up of personality, but rather a state of mind bound upon destruction.

--------
The more detailed and 'technical' approach to a problem of the origin of the Orcs can be found under following links

[http://m3ntos.ath.cx/The%20origin%20of%20the%20orcs%20v.2.htm The Origin of the Orcs] (htm version)

[http://m3ntos.ath.cx/The%20origin%20of%20the%20orcs%20v.2.doc The Origin of the Orcs] (doc version)

[http://m3ntos.ath.cx/The%20origin%20of%20the%20orcs%20v.2.pdf The Origin of the Orcs] (pdf version)

The essay puts emphasis to different theories of the origin of the Orcs and their validity in the light of Professor's writings.

==Orcs and goblins==
[[Image:Roger Thomasson - Orc.jpg|thumb|''Orc'' by [[Roger Thomasson]].]]
In ''[[The Hobbit]]'', Tolkien used the word "[[Goblins|goblin]]" for Orcs, because he had not yet identified the world of ''The Hobbit'' with Middle-earth (which predated ''The Hobbit'' by several decades, in early writings which would later become ''The Silmarillion''). Fortunately Tolkien did include some references to his mythology in the ''Hobbit'', which later allowed him to identify the lands of the Hobbit with his Middle-earth.
In ''The Lord of the Rings'', "Orc" is used predominantly, and "goblin" mostly in the [[Hobbits]]' speech.
This change can be seen either as a part of the shift towards the use of Elvish words that occurred during the period between the writing of ''The Hobbit'' and the writing of ''The Lord of the Rings'', or a translation of the Hobbits' more colloquial manner (if we "accept" the books' authenticity and regard Tolkien merely as a translator). So essentially the race is correctly named "Orc", and "Goblin" is a colloquial "slang term" for Orcs used by Hobbits and sometimes picked up by Men and Elves. It is possible that "goblin" refers to the those of the orcish race who are not under the control of Sauron (or Morgoth), whereas using "orc" directly would refer to servants of (whichever) Dark Lord. Tolkien did mention several times that orcs were not inherently evil, something this theory would partly emphasize.

The original edition of the Hobbit and early drafts of ''The Lord of the Rings'' first used 'goblin' everywhere and used '[[Hobgoblins|hobgoblin]]' for larger, more evil goblins: when goblins were replaced with Orcs Tolkien invented the term [[Uruk-hai]] for his more evil Orcs.

==History==
* 1000? '''Beowulf''' - Grendel is described as being "orcneas" which roughly translates into monster. It's derived from Orcus, another name for Pluto, the Greek god of the dead.
* 1516 '''Orlando furioso''' - In this poem by Ludovico Ariosto, the hero, Rogero, slays an orc while riding a hippogriff. Ariosto's orcs have pig eyes and tusks, like the Gamorrean[http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Gamorrean|Gamorrean] in Jabba's palace in Return of the Jedi.
* 1793 '''America: A Prophecy''' - One of William Blake's characters is a young hero named Orc, a "Lover of Wild Rebellion."

==Inspirations==
It is possible that the Orcs at [[Helm's Deep]] were inspired by apes in Tolkien's childhood years.
{{quote|and Orcs sprang up them [walls] like apes in the dark forests of the South|[[Helm's Deep]], [[The Lord of the Rings]]}}
{{quote|One day a neighbour’s pet monkeys climbed over the wall and chewed up three of the baby’s [Tolkien’s] pinafores.|[[J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography]]}}

[[Category:Races]]
[[Category:Inspirations]]

[[de:Orks]]