Aros

From Tolkien Gateway
Aros
River
Matěj Čadil - Aros.jpg
"Aros" by Matěj Čadil
General Information
LocationFlowing from Himlad around Doriath to the Sirion
TypeRiver
DescriptionReddish-coloured river
GalleryImages of Aros

Aros was a river of East Beleriand that formed much of the border of the Kingdom of Doriath.

It arose in the northern lands west of the Pass of Aglon in the Shadowy Spring, and flowed south between Dor Dínen and Himlad; between these two lands the river could be crossed at Arossiach. The river's course then followed the eastern and, turning west, the southern boundaries of the Forest of Region; at that point it was joined by its main tributary, Celon. Aros then met the Sirion at Aelin-uial.[1]

Other versions of the legendarium[edit | edit source]

In The Book of Lost Tales, river Aros was flowing south of Artanor (Doriath). Near its spring it was passing the caves of the Rodothlim (Nargothrond),[2] but this was soon changed to Narog.[3]

Etymology[edit | edit source]

The word Aros, derived from the Elvish root YAR- ("blood"), is said to be a "name of river with reddish water". The Noldorin form of the word was iaros.[4]

References