Osgiliath: Difference between revisions

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{{location
{{location
| image=[[Image:Alan Lee - Osgiliath.jpeg|250px]]
| image=[[File:Alan Lee - Osgiliath.jpg|250px]]
| name=Osgiliath
| name=Osgiliath
| othernames=
| othernames=
| etymology="Fortress of the Host of Stars"
| etymology="Fortress of the Host of Stars"
| type=City
| type=City
| location=[[Anduin]], between [[Minas Tirith (Gondor)|Minas Tirith]] and [[Minas Morgul]]
| location=[[Anduin]], between [[Minas Tirith]] and [[Minas Morgul]]
| inhabitants=[[Gondorians]]
| inhabitants=[[Gondorians]]
| realms=[[Gondor]]<br/>[[Reunited Kingdom]]
| realms=[[Gondor]]<br/>[[Reunited Kingdom]]
Line 11: Line 11:
| events=
| events=
| references=
| references=
|}}
}}


<center>{{quote|The city of Osgiliath has been reclaimed... for Gondor! For Gondor!|[[Boromir (son of Denethor II)|Boromir]], ''[[Peter Jackson's The Two Towers]] ([[The Two Towers Extended Edition|extended]])''}}</center>
'''Osgiliath''' ([[Sindarin|S]], pron. {{IPA|[osˈɡiljaθ]}}) was the old capital city of [[Gondor]].  The city straddled the [[Anduin]] River at a point approximately half way between the cities of [[Minas Anor]] to the southwest and [[Minas Ithil]] to the northeast, and north of the nearby [[Emyn Arnen]]. In its days of glory, the city featured quays to handle sea-going vessels that came up from the sea, a great stone bridge supporting houses and towers of stone, and the [[Dome of Stars]], which housed the [[Osgiliath-stone]], the greatest of the seven ''[[Palantíri]]''.<ref name="rings">{{S|Rings}}</ref>
 
'''Osgiliath''' ([[Sindarin|S]], pron. {{IPA|[osˈɡiljaθ]}}) was a city on the river [[Anduin]]. It was the old capital city of [[Gondor]].
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==History==
==History==
Founded by [[Elendil]] and his sons at the end of the [[Second Age]], Osgiliath straddled the Great River [[Anduin]] at a point approximately half way between the cities of [[Minas Anor]] to the west and [[Minas Ithil]] to the east. For over a thousand years, Osgiliath was the capital of Gondor, as well as its largest and most important city. The beginning of the city's decline came in the 15th century, when in [[Third Age 1437|T.A. 1437]] it was sacked and burned, after a siege, by the rebel [[Castamir|Castamir's]] forces during the [[Kin-strife]]. The [[Great Plague]] of [[Third Age 1636|T.A. 1636]] led to further depopulation, and the city began to fall into ruin; the capital was moved to the more secure [[Minas Anor]]. Over the next few hundred years, Gondor endured many military defeats east of the [[Anduin]], especially the fall of Minas Ithil in [[Third Age 2002|2002]]. Osgiliath became vulnerable to attack and was widely believed to be haunted, as its population continued to shrink. Osgiliath was finally abandoned by the remaining civilian population after being captured (temporarily) by Orcs in the 25th century.
Founded by [[Isildur]] and [[Anárion]]<ref name="rings"/> near the end of the [[Second Age]],<ref>{{App|SA}}</ref> Osgiliath was designated the capital of the southern Númenórean kingdom in exile, [[Gondor]].  In the Great Hall of the city the thrones of the sons of [[Elendil]] were set side by side.  Soon after its founding, Sauron attacked and took [[Minas Ithil]] in {{SA|3429}} and then moved westward. While Isildur sought aid from the north, [[Anárion's defense of Osgiliath|Anárion defended the city]]. When the army of the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men|Last Alliance]] arrived and later defeated [[Sauron]] the threat to the city was lifted.<ref name="rings"/>  Thereafter, for over a thousand years, Osgiliath was the capital of Gondor, as well as its largest and most important city.


Over the centuries leading up to the [[War of the Ring]], the western part of the ruined city was under the control of Gondor, and was at times provided with a military garrison as a means of defending the crossing of the Anduin. The eastern part, with [[Ithilien]], was disputed territory, under Gondor's control for most of the rule of [[Denethor II]], but occupied by [[Sauron|Sauron's]] forces just before the War.
The beginning of the city's decline came in {{TA|1437}} when it was sacked and burned, after [[Siege of Osgiliath|a siege]] by the rebel [[Castamir|Castamir's]] forces during the [[Kin-strife]].  It was during this siege that the Osgiliath-stone was lost in the River.  The [[Great Plague]] of {{TA|1636}} led to further depopulation, and the city began to fall into ruin; the capital was moved to the more secure [[Minas Anor]]. Over the next few hundred years, Gondor endured many military defeats east of the [[Anduin]], especially the fall of Minas Ithil in {{TA|2002}}. Osgiliath became vulnerable to attack and was widely believed to be haunted, as its population continued to shrink. Osgiliath was finally abandoned by the remaining civilian population after being [[Uruk-hai attack on Osgiliath|captured]] (temporarily) by Uruk-hai in {{TA|2475}}.<ref>{{App|TA}}</ref>


When, during the War, Sauron launched a full-scale invasion of Gondor west of the Anduin, Osgiliath eventually fell to his forces, but was reclaimed by Gondor after Sauron's ultimate defeat a few weeks later.
Over the centuries leading up to the [[War of the Ring]], the western part of the ruined city was under the control of Gondor, and was at times provided with a military garrison as a means of defending the crossing of the Anduin. The eastern part, with [[Ithilien]], was disputed territory, under Gondor's control for most of the rule of [[Denethor|Denethor II]], but was [[Sauron's attack on Osgiliath|taken and occupied]] by [[Sauron|Sauron's]] forces in a maneuver some later considered the beginning of the War.<ref name="great">{{App|Great}}</ref>


After the destruction of the [[One Ring]], Osgiliath was rebuilt, but it never became as great as it once was. Minas Tirith remained the capital and King's city.
When, during the War, Sauron launched a full-scale invasion of Gondor west of the Anduin, [[Faramir's defense of Osgiliath|Osgiliath quickly fell]] to his forces,<ref name="great"/> but it was reclaimed by Gondor after Sauron's ultimate defeat a few weeks later.
 
After the destruction of [[the One Ring]], Osgiliath was rebuilt, but it never became as great as it once was. [[Minas Tirith]] remained the capital and King's city.


==Etymology==
==Etymology==
The name "Osgiliath" is [[Sindarin]] for "City of the Host of Stars". The most prominent building in the city was the Dome of Stars, a great dome which once housed the city's ''[[palantíri|palantír]]''. Osgiliath's ''palantír'' fell into the Anduin during the [[Kin-strife]] during the reign of [[Eldacar (King of Arnor)|Eldacar]], in [[Third Age 1437|T.A. 1437]].
The [[Sindarin]] name ''Osgiliath'', "Citadel of the Stars",  consists of the elements ''[[ost]]'' ("fort, citadel") + ''[[giliath]]'' ("hosts of stars").<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 232 (citing from the [[Unfinished index]])</ref><ref name=RGEO>{{RGEO|Notes}}, p. 73</ref>


== Portrayal in Adaptations ==
== Portrayal in Adaptations ==
Because the city is not visited in the books, it did not appear in many adaptations.
[[File:WiMe-Osgiliath-1-.png|thumb|150px]]
 
Because the city was not visited in the books, it did not appear in many adaptations.
 
'''1988: ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien's War in Middle Earth]]'':'''
:Osgiliath is one of the many maps of this game. The maps shows the bridge but the city itself is not shown.


'''2002: ''[[Peter Jackson's The Two Towers]]'':'''
'''2002: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]'':'''
:After capturing [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] and [[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]], [[Faramir (son of Denethor II)|Faramir]] takes them to Osgiliath, in the hope of harnessing the power of [[One Ring|the Ring]] to the betterment of Gondor. Osgiliath is fully ruined, and partly flooded. After being attacked by several [[fell beasts|winged Nazgûl]], Faramir releases them.  
:After capturing [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] and [[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]], [[Faramir]] takes them to Osgiliath, in the hope of harnessing the power of [[The One Ring|the Ring]] to the betterment of Gondor. Osgiliath is fully ruined, and partly flooded. After being attacked by several [[fell beasts|winged Nazgûl]], Faramir releases them.  


:In a scene in the [[The Two Towers Extended Edition|extended edition]], Faramir has a flashback. [[Boromir (son of Denethor II)|Boromir]] reclaims the city for Gondor, and the soldiers feast. The scene is ment to highlight the relation between Boromir, Faramir and [[Denethor II|Denethor]].  
:In a scene in the [[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (extended edition)|extended edition]], Faramir has a flashback. [[Boromir]] reclaims the city for Gondor, and the soldiers feast. The scene is meant to highlight the relation between Boromir, Faramir and [[Denethor]].  


'''2003: ''[[Peter Jackson's The Return of the King]]'':'''
'''2003: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]'':'''
: [[Gothmog (Lieutenant of Morgul)|Gothmog]] and his [[orcs]] finally breach the defenses of the Gondorian troopers, and beat them back with heavy losses. [[Madril]] is slain, as are several others. On their retreat to [[Minas Tirith (Gondor)|Minas Tirith]], they are beset by the [[Nazgûl]], only to be saved by [[Gandalf]].  
: [[Gothmog (Lieutenant of Morgul)|Gothmog]] and his [[orcs]] finally breach the defenses of the Gondorian troopers, and beat them back with heavy losses. [[Madril]] is slain, as are several others. On their retreat to [[Minas Tirith]], they are beset by the [[Nazgûl]], only to be saved by [[Gandalf]].  


:Not impressed by Faramir's deeds, and more upset about the loss of Osgiliath, Denethor sends his son back to Osgiliath, but his company is slaughtered, and Faramir badly wounded. This scene replaced the defense of the [[Causeway Forts]] in the book.
:Not impressed by Faramir's deeds, and more upset about the loss of Osgiliath, Denethor sends his son back to Osgiliath, but his company is slaughtered, and Faramir badly wounded. This scene replaced the defense of the [[Causeway Forts]] in the book.


[[File:The Lord of the Rings War in the North - Concept Art of Osgiliath.png|thumb|150px]]
'''2011: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]'':'''
:Concept art of Osgiliath was created by [[Snowblind Studios]] and appears in the trailer '''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKu_v_NH7Ro&feature=player_embedded#! The Lord of the Rings: War in the North - Dev Video: Art Direction Process]'''. It is unknown if Osgiliath will appear in the game.
{{references}}
[[Category:Gondor]]
[[Category:Gondor]]
[[Category:Cities]]
[[Category:Sieges]]
[[Category:Sindarin locations]]
[[Category:Sindarin locations]]
[[Category:Cities, towns and villages]]
[[de:Osgiliath]]
[[fi:Osgiliath]]
[[fr:encyclo/geographie/villes_tours_et_forteresses/gondor/osgiliath]]

Revision as of 12:39, 8 September 2014

Osgiliath
City
File:Alan Lee - Osgiliath.jpg
General Information
LocationAnduin, between Minas Tirith and Minas Morgul
TypeCity
DescriptionRiver city with bridge
RegionsGondor
Reunited Kingdom
InhabitantsGondorians
GalleryImages of Osgiliath

Osgiliath (S, pron. [osˈɡiljaθ]) was the old capital city of Gondor. The city straddled the Anduin River at a point approximately half way between the cities of Minas Anor to the southwest and Minas Ithil to the northeast, and north of the nearby Emyn Arnen. In its days of glory, the city featured quays to handle sea-going vessels that came up from the sea, a great stone bridge supporting houses and towers of stone, and the Dome of Stars, which housed the Osgiliath-stone, the greatest of the seven Palantíri.[1]

History

Founded by Isildur and Anárion[1] near the end of the Second Age,[2] Osgiliath was designated the capital of the southern Númenórean kingdom in exile, Gondor. In the Great Hall of the city the thrones of the sons of Elendil were set side by side. Soon after its founding, Sauron attacked and took Minas Ithil in S.A. 3429 and then moved westward. While Isildur sought aid from the north, Anárion defended the city. When the army of the Last Alliance arrived and later defeated Sauron the threat to the city was lifted.[1] Thereafter, for over a thousand years, Osgiliath was the capital of Gondor, as well as its largest and most important city.

The beginning of the city's decline came in T.A. 1437 when it was sacked and burned, after a siege by the rebel Castamir's forces during the Kin-strife. It was during this siege that the Osgiliath-stone was lost in the River. The Great Plague of T.A. 1636 led to further depopulation, and the city began to fall into ruin; the capital was moved to the more secure Minas Anor. Over the next few hundred years, Gondor endured many military defeats east of the Anduin, especially the fall of Minas Ithil in T.A. 2002. Osgiliath became vulnerable to attack and was widely believed to be haunted, as its population continued to shrink. Osgiliath was finally abandoned by the remaining civilian population after being captured (temporarily) by Uruk-hai in T.A. 2475.[3]

Over the centuries leading up to the War of the Ring, the western part of the ruined city was under the control of Gondor, and was at times provided with a military garrison as a means of defending the crossing of the Anduin. The eastern part, with Ithilien, was disputed territory, under Gondor's control for most of the rule of Denethor II, but was taken and occupied by Sauron's forces in a maneuver some later considered the beginning of the War.[4]

When, during the War, Sauron launched a full-scale invasion of Gondor west of the Anduin, Osgiliath quickly fell to his forces,[4] but it was reclaimed by Gondor after Sauron's ultimate defeat a few weeks later.

After the destruction of the One Ring, Osgiliath was rebuilt, but it never became as great as it once was. Minas Tirith remained the capital and King's city.

Etymology

The Sindarin name Osgiliath, "Citadel of the Stars", consists of the elements ost ("fort, citadel") + giliath ("hosts of stars").[5][6]

Portrayal in Adaptations

Because the city was not visited in the books, it did not appear in many adaptations.

1988: J.R.R. Tolkien's War in Middle Earth:

Osgiliath is one of the many maps of this game. The maps shows the bridge but the city itself is not shown.

2002: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers:

After capturing Frodo and Sam, Faramir takes them to Osgiliath, in the hope of harnessing the power of the Ring to the betterment of Gondor. Osgiliath is fully ruined, and partly flooded. After being attacked by several winged Nazgûl, Faramir releases them.
In a scene in the extended edition, Faramir has a flashback. Boromir reclaims the city for Gondor, and the soldiers feast. The scene is meant to highlight the relation between Boromir, Faramir and Denethor.

2003: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King:

Gothmog and his orcs finally breach the defenses of the Gondorian troopers, and beat them back with heavy losses. Madril is slain, as are several others. On their retreat to Minas Tirith, they are beset by the Nazgûl, only to be saved by Gandalf.
Not impressed by Faramir's deeds, and more upset about the loss of Osgiliath, Denethor sends his son back to Osgiliath, but his company is slaughtered, and Faramir badly wounded. This scene replaced the defense of the Causeway Forts in the book.
The Lord of the Rings War in the North - Concept Art of Osgiliath.png

2011: The Lord of the Rings: War in the North:

Concept art of Osgiliath was created by Snowblind Studios and appears in the trailer The Lord of the Rings: War in the North - Dev Video: Art Direction Process. It is unknown if Osgiliath will appear in the game.

References