Utumno: Difference between revisions

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'''Utumno''' ([[Quenya|Q]]: "Underworld; Hell", pron. {{IPA|[uˈtumno]}}, stem ''Utumnu-''; '''[[Udûn (stronghold)|Udûn]]''' in [[Sindarin]]) was a fortress of [[Melkor]] in the far north of [[Middle-earth]]. It was the first and greatest of Melkor's citadels, delved in the earliest days.
{{quote|The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udûn. Go back to the Shadow!|[[Gandalf]], ''[[The Bridge of Khazad-dûm]]''}}  
'''Utumno''' (in [[Quenya]]) or '''Udûn''' (in [[Sindarin]]) was a fortress of [[Melkor]] in the far north of [[Middle-earth]]. It was the first and greatest of Melkor's citadels, delved in the earliest days. It was the home to hosts of demons, the fallen [[Ainur]] who allied with Melkor, and numerous monsters of corruption were made in mockery of Middle-earth's naturally intended creatures and beings.<ref name="Captivity">{{S|Captivity}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
Utumno was built by Melkor after his first expulsion from [[Arda]]. The [[Valar]] had by this time created the [[Two Lamps]], and Utumno was built around the Valian Year 3400 under the [[Iron Mountains]], where the light of [[Illuin]] was very dim. Here were gathered all the evil powers of the World under the Lord of Darkness. Their numbers were in legions and Melkor created many new and dreadful forms.
Utumno was built by Melkor after his first expulsion from [[Arda]]. The [[Valar]] had by this time created the [[Two Lamps]]Utumno was built under the [[Iron Mountains]], where the light of [[Illuin]] and [[Ormal]] was dim and cold. Though the Valar did not yet know it, from this place, "the blight of his [Melkor's] hatred flowed out thence, and the Spring of Arda was marred."<ref name="Beginning">{{S|Beginning}}</ref>


Melkor used Utumno as his base of operations for 1,200 [[Valian Years]], and from here he destroyed the [[Two Lamps]] and began his corruption of Arda<ref>{{S|Beginning}}</ref>. Utumno was also where the first captured [[Elves]] were taken and the breeding of [[Orcs]] began. It was the largest architectural structure ever to have existed, surpassing [[Angband]] and [[Thangorodrim]] in the [[First Age]] and [[Barad-dûr]] in the [[Second Age|Second]] and [[Third Age]].
Melkor used Utumno as his base of operations from the Valian Year 3400 till {{YT|1090}}, when the Valar assailed Melkor's fortress, which fell in {{YT|1099}}.<ref name="P2a">{{MR|P2a}}</ref>{{rp|53}}<ref name="P2e">{{MR|P2e}}</ref>{{rp|74-5}} From there he had destroyed the [[Two Lamps]], so that the [[Valar|Powers]] left [[Almaren]], their dwelling-place in [[Middle-earth]], and removed into the West.  He then began his corruption of Arda.<ref name="Beginning"/> Utumno was also where the first captured [[Elves]] were taken and the creation of [[Orcs]] began as a mockery of the [[Firstborn]].  


Utumno was laid waste in {{YT|1099}}, in [[Siege of Utumno|the war]] that the Valar began against Melkor because of their discovery of the Elves. Melkor was chained and dragged as a captive to [[Valinor]].<ref>{{S|Captivity}}</ref>
Utumno was laid waste in {{YT|1099}}, in [[Siege of Utumno|the war]] that the Valar began against Melkor for the [[War for the Sake of the Elves|sake of the Elves]]. The [[Valar]] attacked Udûn in full force, and destroyed it utterly, carrying its master back to Valinor as their prisoner. Melkor was chained and dragged as a captive to [[Valinor]].<ref name="Captivity"/>


Melkor established a second and lesser fortress at the western end of the [[Iron Mountains|Ered Engrin]] to act as the first line of defense for Utumno. This became [[Angband]], which was at first held by [[Sauron]]. After the destruction of Utumno, Melkor chose to rebuild and fortify Angband as his lair.
Melkor had established a second and lesser fortress at the western end of the [[Iron Mountains|Ered Engrin]] to act as the first line of defence for Utumno from Aman.<ref name="Captivity"/> This became [[Angband]], which was at first held by [[Sauron]]. After the destruction of Utumno, Melkor chose to rebuild and fortify Angband as his lair.


==Other Versions of the Legendarium==
==Etymology==
'''Utumno''' ([[Quenya|Q]]: "Underworld; Hell", pron. {{IPA|[uˈtumno]}}, stem ''Utumnu-''; '''[[Udûn (stronghold)|Udûn]]''' in [[Sindarin]]).
 
In the ''Annals of Aman'', Tolkien wrote: "'Utupnǔ √TUI? cover over; hide'" and "'that stronghold was ever after called Utumno the Deep-hidden.'" In Etymologies (V.394) with the stem TUB, the original form of the name is given as ''Utubnu''.<ref name="P2a"/>
 
'''Udûn''' (pron. {{IPA|[ˈuduːːn]}}) was the less commonly used,[[Sindarin]] name of [[Utumno]].  In ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', this name appears just once, in [[Gandalf]]'s words to [[Durin's Bane]].<ref>{{FR|Bridge}}</ref>.
 
It survived, though, as a name for [[Udûn (valley)|the northern valley]] of [[Mordor]] that lay behind the [[Morannon]]. Undoubtedly, [[Sauron]] chose this name in memory of his ancient master's greatest stronghold.
==Other versions of the legendarium==
[[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] was not entirely consistent with the location of Utumno, but it was always located within the northern Middle Earth, in or behind the Iron Mountains.
[[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] was not entirely consistent with the location of Utumno, but it was always located within the northern Middle Earth, in or behind the Iron Mountains.
As noted from one of Tolkien's earlier sketch maps about Utumno from the [[Ambarkanta]], Utumno was previously spelled as "Utumna" and was north of the Iron Mountains, towards the western end of the mountain chain.<ref>{{SM|4}}</ref>
As noted from one of Tolkien's earlier sketch maps about Utumno from the [[Ambarkanta]], Utumno was previously spelled as "Utumna" and was north of the Iron Mountains, towards the western end of the mountain chain.<ref>{{SM|4}}</ref>




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[[Category:Sindarin locations]]
[[Category:Fortresses]]
[[Category:Beleriand]]
[[Category:Beleriand]]
[[Category:Fortresses]]
[[Category:Fortresses]]

Revision as of 02:49, 26 December 2015

"Who told you, and who sent you?" — Gandalf
This article or section needs more/new/more-detailed sources to conform to a higher standard and to provide proof for claims made.
Utumno
Fortress
Roger Garland - Melkor chained.jpg
General Information
Other namesUdûn (S)
LocationIron Mountains; far north of Arda
TypeFortress
Descriptionvast and very cold, with pits extending deep into the earth
RegionsMelkor's dominions
People and History
InhabitantsMelkor and his servants
EventsSiege of Utumno
GalleryImages of Utumno
"The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udûn. Go back to the Shadow!"
Gandalf, The Bridge of Khazad-dûm

Utumno (in Quenya) or Udûn (in Sindarin) was a fortress of Melkor in the far north of Middle-earth. It was the first and greatest of Melkor's citadels, delved in the earliest days. It was the home to hosts of demons, the fallen Ainur who allied with Melkor, and numerous monsters of corruption were made in mockery of Middle-earth's naturally intended creatures and beings.[1]

History

Utumno was built by Melkor after his first expulsion from Arda. The Valar had by this time created the Two Lamps. Utumno was built under the Iron Mountains, where the light of Illuin and Ormal was dim and cold. Though the Valar did not yet know it, from this place, "the blight of his [Melkor's] hatred flowed out thence, and the Spring of Arda was marred."[2]

Melkor used Utumno as his base of operations from the Valian Year 3400 till Y.T. 1090, when the Valar assailed Melkor's fortress, which fell in Y.T. 1099.[3]:53[4]:74-5 From there he had destroyed the Two Lamps, so that the Powers left Almaren, their dwelling-place in Middle-earth, and removed into the West. He then began his corruption of Arda.[2] Utumno was also where the first captured Elves were taken and the creation of Orcs began as a mockery of the Firstborn.

Utumno was laid waste in Y.T. 1099, in the war that the Valar began against Melkor for the sake of the Elves. The Valar attacked Udûn in full force, and destroyed it utterly, carrying its master back to Valinor as their prisoner. Melkor was chained and dragged as a captive to Valinor.[1]

Melkor had established a second and lesser fortress at the western end of the Ered Engrin to act as the first line of defence for Utumno from Aman.[1] This became Angband, which was at first held by Sauron. After the destruction of Utumno, Melkor chose to rebuild and fortify Angband as his lair.

Etymology

Utumno (Q: "Underworld; Hell", pron. [uˈtumno], stem Utumnu-; Udûn in Sindarin).

In the Annals of Aman, Tolkien wrote: "'Utupnǔ √TUI? cover over; hide'" and "'that stronghold was ever after called Utumno the Deep-hidden.'" In Etymologies (V.394) with the stem TUB, the original form of the name is given as Utubnu.[3]

Udûn (pron. [ˈuduːːn]) was the less commonly used,Sindarin name of Utumno. In The Lord of the Rings, this name appears just once, in Gandalf's words to Durin's Bane.[5].

It survived, though, as a name for the northern valley of Mordor that lay behind the Morannon. Undoubtedly, Sauron chose this name in memory of his ancient master's greatest stronghold.

Other versions of the legendarium

Tolkien was not entirely consistent with the location of Utumno, but it was always located within the northern Middle Earth, in or behind the Iron Mountains.

As noted from one of Tolkien's earlier sketch maps about Utumno from the Ambarkanta, Utumno was previously spelled as "Utumna" and was north of the Iron Mountains, towards the western end of the mountain chain.[6]

References