Balin's Tomb
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Balin's Tomb was the tomb of Balin, Lord of Moria, after his death in T.A. 2994.
History and Geography
Balin was killed at the hands of Moria orcs in T.A. 2994. He was promptly buried in a tomb in the center of the Chamber of Mazarbul. The Fellowship of the Ring, journeying through Moria in 3019, found his tomb. The tomb was the site of a battle between the Fellowship and a group of attacking orcs. The tomb was located inside the Mazarbul chamber, Balin's former seat, which itself was located off the north end of the Twenty-first Hall. A shaft of light from outside of the mountain fell directly onto Balin’s Tomb, though it is not known what the shaft originally lit, if it was even in existence prior to Balin's fall.
Portrayal in Adaptations
2001: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring:
- Balin's Tomb is portrayed on film exactly as described in the book. The runes on the tomb are copied verbatim. Grant Major specifically tried to retain the evocative image of the shaft of light landing directly on Balin's Tomb in the film sequence. In the film, Balin's Tomb is destroyed by the Cave-troll during the Battle of the Chamber of Mazarbul.
2002: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game):
- The Tomb of Balin is not a straight box, but rather an elevated tomb, held up by four small Dwarf-like statues in the corners.
References
- J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "A Journey in the Dark"
- J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "The Bridge of Khazad-dûm"
- J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix E
- J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Treason of Isengard, "Appendix on Runes"
- J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "Of Dwarves and Men"
- The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (extended edition), "Balin's Tomb"
- Grant Major, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (extended edition), "Balin's Tomb", Artist commentary
- Alan Lee, The Lord of the Rings Sketchbook, "Moria"
