 | |
| Dwarf | |
| Gamil Zirak | |
|---|---|
| Biographical Information | |
| Other names | Zirak |
| Titles | The Old |
| Position | Smith |
| Location | Probably Nogrod |
| Language | Khuzdul and probably Sindarin |
| Notable for | Being the master of Telchar of Nogrod |
| Family | |
| House | Either Broadbeams or Firebeards |
| Physical Description | |
| Gender | Male |
| Gallery | Images of Gamil Zirak |
Gamil Zirak, also called Zirak[1] or the Old, was a Dwarf smith and the master of Telchar of Nogrod.[2]
History
Gamil Zirak was a Dwarf smith, master of Telchar of Nogrod, maker of many renowned works. Gamil Zirak was a great craftsman himself, and the treasuries of Thingol were known to hold examples of his work.[3]
Even though it isn't explicitly stated in the text, the fact that Gamil Zirak was the master of Telchar of Nogrod makes it probable that he also lived in that city.
Whether he lived in Nogrod or its neighboring city Belegost, it's probable that Gamil Zirak was one of the Firebeards or Broadbeams, the two dwarven houses that settled in the Blue Mountains.[4] It's also probable that, besides Khuzdul, he spoke Sindarin, for that was the custom among the Dwarves.[5]
Etymology
Gamil is probably a Khuzdul word, of unknown meaning. Some people find worthy of noting its striking similarity to Old Norse gamall ("old"),[6] which quite possibly was the inspiration for the former, since Gamil Zirak was also called "the Old", for it woudn't be the first time a Dwarvish name was taken from Old Norse.[note 1]
Notes
- ↑ For more, see: North Germanic languages
References
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lost Road and Other Writings, "Part Two: Valinor and Middle-earth before The Lord of the Rings, VI. Quenta Silmarillion", pp. 319, 322
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "Index; *Gamil Zirak"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "Narn i Hîn Húrin (The Tale of the Children of Húrin)", The Departure of Túrin
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, Part Two: Late Writings, X. "Of Dwarves and Men"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion", 10. "Of the Sindar"
- ↑ “gamall”, in Geir T. Zoëga, A Concise Dictionary of Old Icelandic, Oxford: Clarendon Press
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, "Words, Phrases and Passages in Various Tongues in The Lord of the Rings", in Parma Eldalamberon XVII (edited by Christopher Gilson), pp. 35-6
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Treason of Isengard, "VIII. The Ring Goes South", pp. 174-5 (note 22)