Amon Hen: Difference between revisions
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Upon Amon Hen were the remains of an ancient road that had dwindled to little more than a path. In places where the hill grew steep, stairs had been hewn, although over time they had become cracked, worn, and split by tree roots. The path wound through [[Rowans|rowan]] trees to the summit, where there was a wide flat circle paved with large stones and encircled with a ruined battlement. In the center of the circle was an ancient chair, the [[Seat of Seeing]].<ref name="Amon"/> | Upon Amon Hen were the remains of an ancient road that had dwindled to little more than a path. In places where the hill grew steep, stairs had been hewn, although over time they had become cracked, worn, and split by tree roots. The path wound through [[Rowans|rowan]] trees to the summit, where there was a wide flat circle paved with large stones and encircled with a ruined battlement. In the center of the circle was an ancient chair, the [[Seat of Seeing]].<ref name="Amon"/> | ||
The '''Seat of Seeing''' was an ancient chair built upon the summit of [[Amon Hen]] within a great circular stone-paved court surrounded by a battlement, all of which was in ruins when visited by [[Frodo Baggins]]. The high seat rested upon four carven pillars and could be reached by a stair of many steps.<ref name="Amon">{{FR|II10}}</ref> | |||
==History== | ==History== |
Revision as of 01:20, 27 February 2016
Amon Hen | |
---|---|
Hill | |
General Information | |
Other names | Hill of Sight, Hill of the Eye |
Location | Southern end of Nen Hithoel, west bank |
Type | Hill |
Description | Fortified (later ruined) hill |
Regions | Gondor Reunited Kingdom |
People and History | |
Inhabitants | Gondorians |
Events | Breaking of the Fellowship |
Gallery | Images of Amon Hen |
Amon Hen (Sindarin amon “hill” + hen “eye”) was the westernmost of the three peaks at the southern end of Nen Hithoel.
Description
On its eastern side at the foot of the hill lay the lawn of Parth Galen and the western portion of the Anduin that flowed past Tol Brandir. Above Parth Galen the hill rose in gentle slopes to its flattened summit. Just to the south of the hill was the North Stair.[1] The western face of the hill was steeper than on the east.[2]
Upon Amon Hen were the remains of an ancient road that had dwindled to little more than a path. In places where the hill grew steep, stairs had been hewn, although over time they had become cracked, worn, and split by tree roots. The path wound through rowan trees to the summit, where there was a wide flat circle paved with large stones and encircled with a ruined battlement. In the center of the circle was an ancient chair, the Seat of Seeing.[1]
The Seat of Seeing was an ancient chair built upon the summit of Amon Hen within a great circular stone-paved court surrounded by a battlement, all of which was in ruins when visited by Frodo Baggins. The high seat rested upon four carven pillars and could be reached by a stair of many steps.[1]
History
Early History
The high seat upon Amon Hen had been made in the days of the great kings, according to Aragorn.[3] Later it is stated that the Seat of Seeing was on the Hill of the Eye of the Men of Númenor.[1] It is thus open to interpretation whether the chair was built during the early years of Gondor or sometime in the Second Age. At the very least the high seat was built before the time of the Stewards, which meant that when Frodo sat there it was at a minimum 969 years old. One likely possibility is that the Seat of Seeing was built at the same time as the Argonath, which occurred after Minalcar defeated the Easterlings (in T.A. 1248) and took the name of Rómendacil II but before the end of his reign (he died in T.A. 1366).[4]
Later History
On 26 February T.A. 3019 after Frodo had fled from Boromir (part of the Breaking of the Fellowship) he came to the summit of the hill and, while still wearing the One Ring, sat in the high seat. At first he saw little but mist and shadows, but soon he perceived many visions, soundless but filled with bright living images. The visions he saw stretched far beyond the normal range of sight (for instance, he saw the Ethir Anduin, over 300 miles away and behind the Ered Nimrais) and everywhere he looked he saw signs of war. His glimpse of Minas Tirith filled him with hope, which was crushed when he looked at Barad-dûr. [1]
Frodo then became aware of the gaze of the Eye, which felt like a finger trying to nail him down. He jumped out of the chair and cowered with his hood covering his head. At that moment from some other point of power came another thought: “Take it off! Take it off! Fool, take it off! Take off the Ring!” Balanced between Eye and Voice, Frodo regained his ability to choose and removed the Ring an instant before he was discovered. Frodo then realized what he must do, which was to go to Mordor alone, and he left the Seat of Seeing behind.[1]
It has been speculated that the visions Frodo saw were due solely to the magical power of the Seat of Seeing. However, while searching for Frodo, Aragorn ran to the summit and sat on the chair.[5] Even though he was the heir of Isildur he saw no visions (although he was in a hurry and a bit distracted). It appears (since Frodo did not see far-off visions at other times while wearing the Ring) that it was a combination of the Seat of Seeing and the power of the Ring that gave Frodo this temporary effect.
The identity of the Voice that strove against the Eye was later revealed when Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas first meet Gandalf the White in Fangorn Forest. Gandalf informs the others that the Ring was nearly revealed to Sauron but “I sat in a high place, and I strove with the Dark Tower; and the Shadow passed”.[6]
Etymology
The name is Sindarin and means Hill of the Eye which is how it was also known in Westron. Another name was the Hill of Sight.
Portrayal in adaptations
2001: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring:
- When Boromir confronted Frodo there was a large, stone head half-buried in the hillside, which was not mentioned in the book. The scene and activity at the summit was also considerably changed.
See also
- Images of Amon Hen
- The Breaking of the Fellowship (chapter)
- Breaking of the Fellowship (event)
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "The Breaking of the Fellowship"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "The Riders of Rohan"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "The Great River"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A: Annals of the Kings and Rulers
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "The Departure of Boromir"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "The White Rider"