Gold
Gold refers to both a valuable mineral in Middle-earth and golden colour or golden light. Although valuable, the metal was not nearly as valuable as mithril (Gimli stated that when the Dwarves mined mithril in Moria it was worth ten times the value of gold and that after the coming of Durin's Bane mithril was beyond price).[1]
History
Gold was present in the deeps of Arda since its creation by Eru. It was no doubt discovered by Aulë, the great smith who was the first to make use of it. Afterwards, it was to be used by all speaking peoples of earth particularly the Dwarves who mastered it and by the Ñoldor.
The One Ring was made of gold,[2] as was Vilya, the Elven Ring of Elrond.[3] The treasure of Smaug also contained gold, wrought and unwrought.[4]
Names
In Gnomish, one of Tolkien's early conceptions of an Elven language, the word for "gold" is glôr (glôriol means "golden, like gold", and glôrin means "golden, of gold"). The poetic word for "gold" is Culu.[5]
Other versions of the Legendarium
In The Book of Lost Tales a portion of gold was used in the creation of Tilkal, to construct Angainor.[6]
Portrayal in adaptations
1982-97: Middle-earth Role Playing:
- Gold (Mal) is valued by the Dwarves above all other metals, save mithril. Elven smiths mix it with other metals to make strong alloys.[7]
See also
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 Shadow of the Past"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Grey Havens"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "Inside Information"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, "I-Lam na-Ngoldathon: The Grammar and Lexicon of the Gnomish Tongue", in Parma Eldalamberon XI (edited by Christopher Gilson, Arden R. Smith, and Patrick H. Wynne), pp. 27, 40
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part One, "IV. The Chaining of Melko", p. 100
- ↑ Wolfgang Baur (1994), Treasures of Middle-earth (2nd edition) (#2010)
