Sauron's attack on Osgiliath: Difference between revisions

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|image=
|conflict=[[War of the Ring]]
|conflict=[[War of the Ring]]
|date=[[20 June]] {{TA|3018}}
|date=[[20 June]] {{TA|3018}}<ref name="AppB3">{{App|B3}}</ref>
|place= The ruins of [[Osgiliath]] and its last bridge
|place= The ruins of [[Osgiliath]] and its last bridge
|result=Victory for [[Sauron]], fall of the eastern half of Osgiliath, allowing the [[Nazgûl]] to [[Hunt for the Ring|hunt for the Ring]]
|result=Victory for [[Sauron]], fall of the eastern half of Osgiliath, allowing the [[Nazgûl]] to [[hunt for the Ring]]
|side1=[[Gondor]]
|side1=[[Gondor]]
|side2=[[Mordor]]
|side2=[[Mordor]]
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{{wotr}}
{{wotr}}
'''Sauron's attack on Osgiliath''' occurred on 20 June, {{TA|3018}}<ref>{{App|Great}}</ref>, and was later recognized as the beginning of the [[War of the Ring]], for [[Sauron]] had two purposes in making this assault:  First, Sauron wished to test the strength and preparedness of [[Denethor]] (which was found to be greater than he hoped). Second, Sauron's other and greater purpose was to make the appearance of the [[Nazgûl]] seem to be only part of his war policy against [[Gondor]], in order to conceal from the [[White Council|Wise]] their mission to hunt for [[the One Ring]].<ref name="hunt">{{UT|Hunt}}</ref>
'''Sauron's attack on Osgiliath''' occurred on 20 June, {{TA|3018}}<ref>{{App|Great}}</ref>, and was later recognized as the beginning of the [[War of the Ring]].


==Prelude==
By the end of the Age, Sauron had gathered all he could from the [[Rings of Power]] and started searching for the [[One Ring]] in [[Anduin]]. In {{TA|2951}} he declared himself openly and gathered forces and fortified [[Mordor]].<ref name="AppB3"/>
He decided for a full-scale war in preparation for finding his Ring and started with an attack on Osgiliath sending his [[Nazgûl]]. Sauron had two purposes in making this assault: First, to test the strength and preparedness of [[Denethor]] (which was found to be greater than he hoped); and second (and more importantly) to make the appearance of the Nazgûl seem to be only part of his war policy against [[Gondor]], in order to conceal from the [[Wise]] their mission to hunt for [[the One Ring]].<ref name="hunt">{{UT|Hunt}}</ref>
The days before the attack, the sons of Denethor [[Boromir]] and [[Faramir]] had a [[Seek for the Sword that was broken|prophetic dream]].<ref name="AppB3"/>
==The Battle==
At the [[Council of Elrond]], [[Boromir]] recounted this battle as a sudden attack in which the men of Gondor were outnumbered by the forces of Mordor with their allies, the [[Easterlings]] and [[Haradrim]].  However, he attributed Gondor's defeat to a power that had not been felt before, issuing from a great black horseman.  Only a remnant of Gondor's eastern force survived.  The last bridge across the [[Anduin]] was defended by a company led by Boromir and [[Faramir]] until the structure was destroyed.  Only the two brothers and two others survived by swimming.<ref>{{FR|Council}}</ref>
At the [[Council of Elrond]], [[Boromir]] recounted this battle as a sudden attack in which the men of Gondor were outnumbered by the forces of Mordor with their allies, the [[Easterlings]] and [[Haradrim]].  However, he attributed Gondor's defeat to a power that had not been felt before, issuing from a great black horseman.  Only a remnant of Gondor's eastern force survived.  The last bridge across the [[Anduin]] was defended by a company led by Boromir and [[Faramir]] until the structure was destroyed.  Only the two brothers and two others survived by swimming.<ref>{{FR|Council}}</ref>


After the eastern portion of Osgiliath was taken and the bridge broken, Sauron broke off the assault, ordering the Nazgûl to begin their search for the Ring.<ref name="hunt"/>
After the eastern portion of Osgiliath was taken and the bridge broken, Sauron broke off the assault, ordering the Nazgûl to begin their search for the Ring.<ref name="hunt"/>
==Aftermath==
[[Mirkwood]] was raided on the same day, probably in a scheduled attack, as the captured [[Gollum]] found an opportunity to escape during the chaos.<ref name="AppB3"/>


The battle allowed the Black Riders to set forth and search for the One Ring in the west. It was the first conflict of the War of the Ring.
==Portayal in adaptations==
==Portayal in adaptations==
'''2002: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (extended edition)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers'' (extended edition)]]:'''
'''2002: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (extended edition)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers'' (extended edition)]]:'''

Revision as of 23:09, 10 November 2016

This article describes a concept which is mentioned in J.R.R. Tolkien's works, but was never given a definite name.
The name Battle of Osgiliath refers to more than one character, item or concept. For a list of other meanings, see Battle of Osgiliath (disambiguation).
Sauron's attack on Osgiliath
Conflict: War of the Ring
Date: 20 June T.A. 3018[1]
Place: The ruins of Osgiliath and its last bridge
Outcome: Victory for Sauron, fall of the eastern half of Osgiliath, allowing the Nazgûl to hunt for the Ring
Combatants

Gondor

Mordor

Commanders

Template:Sauron blazon

Strength

Unknown, Gondorians

Unknown, forces of Mordor, Easterlings, Haradrim

Casualties

Unknown

Unknown

War of the Ring
Osgiliath (1) · Moria · Isen (1) · Rauros · Isen (2) · Fangorn · Isengard · Hornburg · Osgiliath (2) · Siege of Gondor · Dale · Pelennor Fields · Black Gate · Dol Guldur · Bywater

Sauron's attack on Osgiliath occurred on 20 June, T.A. 3018[2], and was later recognized as the beginning of the War of the Ring.

Prelude

By the end of the Age, Sauron had gathered all he could from the Rings of Power and started searching for the One Ring in Anduin. In T.A. 2951 he declared himself openly and gathered forces and fortified Mordor.[1]

He decided for a full-scale war in preparation for finding his Ring and started with an attack on Osgiliath sending his Nazgûl. Sauron had two purposes in making this assault: First, to test the strength and preparedness of Denethor (which was found to be greater than he hoped); and second (and more importantly) to make the appearance of the Nazgûl seem to be only part of his war policy against Gondor, in order to conceal from the Wise their mission to hunt for the One Ring.[3]

The days before the attack, the sons of Denethor Boromir and Faramir had a prophetic dream.[1]

The Battle

At the Council of Elrond, Boromir recounted this battle as a sudden attack in which the men of Gondor were outnumbered by the forces of Mordor with their allies, the Easterlings and Haradrim. However, he attributed Gondor's defeat to a power that had not been felt before, issuing from a great black horseman. Only a remnant of Gondor's eastern force survived. The last bridge across the Anduin was defended by a company led by Boromir and Faramir until the structure was destroyed. Only the two brothers and two others survived by swimming.[4]

After the eastern portion of Osgiliath was taken and the bridge broken, Sauron broke off the assault, ordering the Nazgûl to begin their search for the Ring.[3]

Aftermath

Mirkwood was raided on the same day, probably in a scheduled attack, as the captured Gollum found an opportunity to escape during the chaos.[1]

The battle allowed the Black Riders to set forth and search for the One Ring in the west. It was the first conflict of the War of the Ring.

Portayal in adaptations

2002: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (extended edition):

In the extended edition, Faramir has a flashback of himself and his brother in Osgiliath successfully fending off Sauron's forces. It was then when Denethor II brought up the matter of the One Ring and sent Boromir to Rivendell, expressing his trust and preference to him rather than Faramir. This scene seems to explain Faramir's treatment of Frodo in the movie, as he intends to deliver the Ring to Denethor hoping to be seen in a better light.

References