Poros

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The Poros was a river in south of Gondor. It formed the northern border of the contested land of Harondor (South Gondor), and the southern border of Ithilien. During the later Third Age it was the effective southern border of Gondor.

About 400 Númenórean miles long, it began in the Ephel Dúath of Mordor and then flowed south-west for about 300 miles, when it bent to the north-west and met the Anduin just before the Anduin began its delta.[1]

The Poros was crossed by the Harad Road at the Haudh in Gwanûr.[2]

In T.A. 2885, the Haradrim crossed the Poros and invaded Ithilien with great strength. Reinforced by Rohan, Steward Túrin II won a victory at the crossings of Poros, though the Rohirrim princes Fastred and Folcred were slain.[3]

Theories

Karen Wynn Fonstad has speculated in The Atlas of Middle-earth that the Poros is what remained of the Straits of the World after the Sea of Helcar drained into the Great Gulf.[4]

Etymology

The meaning of the name Poros is unknown.[5]

References