Minas Tirith (Beleriand)
Minas Tirith was the tower on the island of Tol Sirion that guarded the Pass of Sirion.
Minas Tirith was built around F.A. 60[1] by Finrod Felagund to prevent the forces of Morgoth from invading Beleriand from the plains of Ard-galen. After Finrod built Nargothrond he handed over control of the watchtower to his nephew, Orodreth.[2]
In F.A. 457 Sauron captured Minas Tirith in the aftermath of the Dagor Bragollach and Orodreth fled south. The island was then called Tol-in-Gaurhoth, the "Isle of Werewolves".[3]
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[edit | edit source]
Minas Tirith means "Tower of the Guard" in Sindarin (from minas = "tower, citadel" and tirith = "watch, guard").
References
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "The Grey Annals": §85
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of Beleriand and its Realms"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Ruin of Beleriand and the Fall of Fingolfin"
