 | |
| Mountain | |
| Meneltarma | |
|---|---|
| General Information | |
| Pronunciation | Q, [ˌmɛnɛlˈtarma] |
| Location | Mittalmar, central Elenna |
| Type | Mountain |
| Description | Tallest mountain peak in the continent |
| People and History | |
| Inhabitants | Eagles |
| Created | Beginning of the Second Age |
| Events | Three Prayers |
| Gallery | Images of Meneltarma |
Meneltarma was a sacred mountain in the centre of Númenor.
History
Who told you, and who sent you?
The mountain, also known as the Holy Mountain, was sacred to the Númenóreans as a holy place devoted to Eru Ilúvatar. A requirement of absolute silence was imposed on any who climbed the mountain. The tradition was so strong and universal that even foreigners felt bound by it. Only the King was allowed to utter prayers and thanksgivings to Eru Ilúvatar, during the feasts of Erukyermë, Erulaitalë and Eruhantalë.
Birds and animals did not approach the site, and only the Eagles of Manwë were seen circling over the summit. They were also regarded as sacred guardians of the mountain and all the land.
Geography
Meneltarma was the highest peak of the island. It stood at the centre of the island, geographically in the inland regions called Mittalmar. It stood three thousand feet (914m) above the surrounding plain.[1]
The base of Meneltarma sloped gently and divided itself into five roots reaching out towards the five divisions of the land. These roots were called Tarmasundar, the Roots of the Pillar, gentle grass-covered highlands. On the southern slopes were located the tombs of Kings and Queens of Númenor, in a valley called Noirinan.
However, near the summit the slopes became more vertical and could not be ascended easily. The kings later built a spiral road to the peak, beginning at the southern tip of the mountain and winding up to the lip of the summit in the north.
Meneltarma had a flattened and somehow depressed summit, which was so broad that was able to contain a great multitude during religious ceremonies. However no permanent structure was erected there, and the ceremonies took place in open air. It was said that on a clear day the 'far-sighted' might see Tol Eressëa.
After the destruction of Númenor in which fire burst from the Meneltarma, some amongst the Exiles believed that the Hallow of Eru upon the summit of the mountain remained as an isle in Belegaer. Some Dúnedain are even said to have set sail trying to reach the isle, from which the legend held that one could catch a glimpse of the unreachable Aman.[2]
Etymology
Meneltarma is Quenya for "Pillar of Heaven",[3] from menel ("the heavens, firmament, sky") + tarma ("pillar").[4]
Other names
Among the Old English names for the mountain are "very archaic" hebaensuil,[5], Heofonsýl,[6] and Ealfæderburg,[6] with the first two both meaning "Pillar of Heaven" and the last meaning "the mountain of Allfather".
Other versions of the legendarium
The name for the mountain went through a number of iterations. Tolkien considered Menelmin, Menelmindo, Menelminda, and Menelmindon before he finally selected Meneltarma.[7]
References
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Carl F. Hostetter (ed.), The Nature of Middle-earth, "Part Three. The World, its Lands, and its Inhabitants: XIII. Of the Land and Beasts of Númenor"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Akallabêth: The Downfall of Númenor"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, "The Rivers and Beacon-hills of Gondor" (edited by Carl F. Hostetter), in Vinyar Tengwar, Number 42, July 2001, p. 21
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Appendix: Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names", entries menel, tarma
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Sauron Defeated, "Part Two: The Notion Club Papers Part Two: Night 66", p. 242
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Sauron Defeated, "Part Two: The Notion Club Papers: Major Divergences in Earlier Versions of Part Two, (iv) Earlier versions of Edwin Lowdham's Old English text", p. 317
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "V. The History of the Akallabêth", p. 146
