Plateau of Gorgoroth: Difference between revisions

From Tolkien Gateway
No edit summary
mNo edit summary
(9 intermediate revisions by 6 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{expansion}}{{sources}}
{{disambig-more|Gorgoroth|[[Gorgoroth (disambiguation)]]}}
[[Image:Ted Nasmith - Across Gorgoroth.jpg|thumb|right|250px|''Across Gorgoroth'' by [[Ted Nasmith]].]]
{{location
| image= [[Image:Ted Nasmith - Across Gorgoroth.jpg|250px]]
| name=Plateau of Gorgoroth
| othernames=
| etymology=
| type=Plateau
| location=Northwestern [[Mordor]]
| inhabitants=[[Sauron]]<br/>[[Orcs]]<br/>[[Men]] allied to Sauron
| realms=[[Mordor]]
| description=Barren region scarred with countless pits dug by Orcs
| events=[[Siege of Barad-dûr]] ([[Second Age]])</br>[[Downfall of Barad-dûr]] ([[Third Age]])
| references=
|}}
{{Pronounce|Gorgoroth.mp3|Ardamir}}
{{Pronounce|Gorgoroth.mp3|Ardamir}}
The '''Plateau of Gorgoroth''' was a plateau in north-western [[Mordor]] in the midst of which stood [[Mount Doom]]. To the east of Mount Doom upon a spur of the [[Ered Lithui]], [[Sauron]] constructed his fortress of [[Barad-dûr]]. During the [[War of the Ring]], Gorgoroth was the location for the mines and forges that produced Mordor's arms and armour.
The '''Plateau of Gorgoroth''' was a high desolate plain in northwestern [[Mordor]] enclosed by the [[Ephel Dúath]] on the west and the [[Ered Lithui]] on the north.  The only known passages into the plateau through these mountain walls were the [[Carach Angren|Isenmouthe]] (from [[Udûn (valley)|Udûn]] and the [[Morannon]]), [[Cirith Ungol]], and the [[Morgul Vale]].<ref name="RKmap">{{RK|Map}}</ref>  To the southeast, between two arms of the mountain ranges, was a gap that opened upon the land of [[Nurn]].<ref>{{FR|Map}}</ref>
 
In this dreary wasteland fumes issued from fissures in the ground and smoke curled and settled in hollows.  Centered in the desolation some forty miles east of the Ephel Duath rose [[Mount Doom]].  It and [[Barad-dûr]], situated on a spur of the Ered Lithui, dominated the landscape of the plateau.<ref name="Shadow">{{RK|VI2}}</ref>
 
==History==
c. {{SA|1000}} [[Sauron]] selected Mordor as his stronghold and began building Barad-dûr above the plateau.<ref name="SA">{{App|SA}}</ref>
 
In {{SA|3434|n}} the host of the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]] entered Gorgoroth and began their siege of Sauron's fortress, during which (in {{SA|3440|n}}) [[Anárion]] was slain.  After seven years the siege ended when Sauron was defeated and his [[The One Ring|Ring]] was taken.<ref name="SA"/>
 
Sauron returned to Mordor in {{TA|2951}} and began rebuilding Barad-dûr, which had been torn down after his defeat in the Second Age.<ref>{{App|TA}}</ref>
 
When [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] and [[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]] first looked upon Gorgoroth (on [[16 March]] {{TA|3019|n}}<ref name="Great">{{App|Great}}</ref>) they spied innumerable camps of [[Men]] made of huts and drab buildings, connected by a network of roads.  In this region were Sauron's mines and forges for equipping his vast armies.<ref name="Shadow"/>
 
On [[19 March]], after escaping the Orcs at the Isenmouthe, the hobbits traveled on the road to Barad-dûr along the northern edge of Gorgoroth.  Three days later they left the road and headed south across the plateau to Mount Doom, reaching it on [[24 March]].<ref name="Great"/>


==Etymology==
==Etymology==
The name ''Gorgoroth'' had become notable for it strikingly ugly sound, more so than any other word of name related to Sauron and the Orcs.{{fact}} It means "great dread" in [[Sindarin]].
*[[Sindarin]]: ''[[gorgor]]'' "horror, dread"<ref>{{S|Appendix}}, ''gor''</ref> + ''oth''<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 233</ref>


{{references}}
[[Category:Pronounced articles]]
[[Category:Pronounced articles]]
[[Category:Regions]]
[[Category:Regions]]
[[Category:Mordor]]
[[Category:Mordor]]
[[Category:Fields, plains and deserts]]


[[de:Hochebene von Gorgoroth]]
[[de:Hochebene von Gorgoroth]]
[[fi:Gorgorothin tasanko]]
[[fi:Gorgorothin tasanko]]
[[fr:encyclo/geographie/regions/mordor/plateau_de_gorgoroth]]

Revision as of 13:13, 28 July 2014

The name Gorgoroth refers to more than one character, item or concept. For a list of other meanings, see Gorgoroth (disambiguation).
Plateau of Gorgoroth
Plateau
Ted Nasmith - Across Gorgoroth.jpg
General Information
LocationNorthwestern Mordor
TypePlateau
DescriptionBarren region scarred with countless pits dug by Orcs
RegionsMordor
People and History
InhabitantsSauron
Orcs
Men allied to Sauron
EventsSiege of Barad-dûr (Second Age)
Downfall of Barad-dûr (Third Age)

The Plateau of Gorgoroth was a high desolate plain in northwestern Mordor enclosed by the Ephel Dúath on the west and the Ered Lithui on the north. The only known passages into the plateau through these mountain walls were the Isenmouthe (from Udûn and the Morannon), Cirith Ungol, and the Morgul Vale.[1] To the southeast, between two arms of the mountain ranges, was a gap that opened upon the land of Nurn.[2]

In this dreary wasteland fumes issued from fissures in the ground and smoke curled and settled in hollows. Centered in the desolation some forty miles east of the Ephel Duath rose Mount Doom. It and Barad-dûr, situated on a spur of the Ered Lithui, dominated the landscape of the plateau.[3]

History

c. S.A. 1000 Sauron selected Mordor as his stronghold and began building Barad-dûr above the plateau.[4]

In 3434 the host of the Last Alliance of Elves and Men entered Gorgoroth and began their siege of Sauron's fortress, during which (in 3440) Anárion was slain. After seven years the siege ended when Sauron was defeated and his Ring was taken.[4]

Sauron returned to Mordor in T.A. 2951 and began rebuilding Barad-dûr, which had been torn down after his defeat in the Second Age.[5]

When Frodo and Sam first looked upon Gorgoroth (on 16 March 3019[6]) they spied innumerable camps of Men made of huts and drab buildings, connected by a network of roads. In this region were Sauron's mines and forges for equipping his vast armies.[3]

On 19 March, after escaping the Orcs at the Isenmouthe, the hobbits traveled on the road to Barad-dûr along the northern edge of Gorgoroth. Three days later they left the road and headed south across the plateau to Mount Doom, reaching it on 24 March.[6]

Etymology

References