| Monument | |
| White pillar | |
|---|---|
| General Information | |
| Location | Highest hill of the headland above the Haven of Umbar |
| Type | Monument |
| Description | Tall white pillar crowned with a globe of crystal |
The white pillar was a monument erected upon the highest hill of the headland overlooking Umbar. This great pillar was white with a crystal globe at its peak. The globe absorbed the rays of the Sun or the Moon and shone like a star. In clear weather, this star-like glow could be seen far out to sea and even upon the south coasts of Gondor.[1]
History
In S.A. 3261, the Númenórean King Ar-Pharazôn landed at Umbar and humbled the might of Sauron.[2] Although Ar-Pharazôn's reign marked the darkest times of Númenor, culminating in disaster, Elendil and his exiled followers remembered the landing with pride. They erected the white pillar in memory of the event, commemorating the power of their race and the humiliation of the Dark Lord.
At the end of the Kin-strife between the factions of Eldacar and Castamir, the sons of the usurper sailed with their followers from Pelargir to Umbar in T.A. 1448, wresting control of the city from Gondor.[3] After Umbar fell under the domination of Sauron's servants, the memorial to his humiliation was destroyed.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Gondor and the Heirs of Anárion"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Second Age"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Third Age"