Utumno: Difference between revisions
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==Etymology== | ==Etymology== | ||
'''Utumno''' | '''Utumno''' pron. {{IPA|[uˈtumno]}}, stem ''Utumnu-'' | ||
'''Utumna''' from (''Tumna'' [[Quenya|Q]]: "low-lying, low, profound, deep")<ref>{{LT1|Appendix}}</ref>{{rp|269, 271}} | |||
'''[[Udûn (stronghold)|Udûn]]''' ([[Sindarin|S]]: "dark pit, Underworld, Hell")<ref group=note>[[Wayne G. Hammond]] and [[Christina Scull]] (eds), [[The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion]] p. 297: Udûn — In his unfinished index Tolkien defines Udûn as '"dark pit", the dwelling of Morgoth beneath Thangorodrim ... called the Underworld of old' (distinct from Udûn a place in Mordor; see note for p. 928). The 1966 Index adds 'Udûn hell'.</ref> | |||
In the ''Annals of Aman'', Tolkien wrote: "'Utupnǔ √TUI? cover over; hide'" and "'that stronghold was ever after called Utumno the Deep-hidden.'" In Etymologies (V.394) with the stem TUB, the original form of the name is given as ''Utubnu''.<ref name="P2a"/> | In the ''Annals of Aman'', Tolkien wrote: "'Utupnǔ √TUI? cover over; hide'" and "'that stronghold was ever after called Utumno the Deep-hidden.'" In Etymologies (V.394) with the stem TUB, the original form of the name is given as ''Utubnu''.<ref name="P2a"/> | ||
'''Udûn''' (pron. {{IPA|[ˈuduːːn]}}) was the less commonly used | '''Udûn''' (pron. {{IPA|[ˈuduːːn]}}) was the less commonly used [[Sindarin]] name of [[Utumno]]. In ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', this name appears just once, in [[Gandalf]]'s words to [[Durin's Bane]].<ref>{{FR|Bridge}}</ref> | ||
It survived, though, as a name for [[Udûn (valley)|the northern valley]] of [[Mordor]] that lay behind the [[Morannon]]. Undoubtedly, [[Sauron]] chose this name in memory of his ancient master's greatest stronghold. | It survived, though, as a name for [[Udûn (valley)|the northern valley]] of [[Mordor]] that lay behind the [[Morannon]]. Undoubtedly, [[Sauron]] chose this name in memory of his ancient master's greatest stronghold. | ||
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As noted from one of Tolkien's earlier sketch maps about Utumno from the [[Ambarkanta]], Utumno was previously spelled as "Utumna" and was north of the Iron Mountains, towards the western end of the mountain chain.<ref>{{SM|4}}</ref> | As noted from one of Tolkien's earlier sketch maps about Utumno from the [[Ambarkanta]], Utumno was previously spelled as "Utumna" and was north of the Iron Mountains, towards the western end of the mountain chain.<ref>{{SM|4}}</ref> | ||
{{references}} | {{references|notes}} | ||
{{title}} | {{title}} | ||
[[Category:Beleriand]] | [[Category:Beleriand]] | ||
Revision as of 19:10, 3 January 2016
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This article or section needs more/new/more-detailed sources to conform to a higher standard and to provide proof for claims made. |
| Utumno | |
|---|---|
| Fortress | |
 | |
| General Information | |
| Other names | Udûn (S) |
| Location | Iron Mountains; far north of Arda |
| Type | Fortress |
| Description | vast and very cold, with pits extending deep into the earth |
| Regions | Melkor's dominions |
| People and History | |
| Inhabitants | Melkor and his servants |
| Events | Siege of Utumno |
| Gallery | Images of Utumno |
- "The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udûn. Go back to the Shadow!"
- ― Gandalf, The Bridge of Khazad-dûm
Utumno (in Quenya) or Udûn (in Sindarin) was a fortress of Melkor in the far north of Middle-earth. It was the first and greatest of Melkor's citadels, delved in the earliest days. It was the home to hosts of demons, the fallen Ainur who allied with Melkor, and numerous monsters of corruption were made in mockery of Middle-earth's naturally intended creatures and beings.[1]
History
Utumno was built by Melkor after his first expulsion from Arda. The Valar had by this time created the Two Lamps. Utumno was built under the Iron Mountains, where the light of Illuin and Ormal was dim and cold. Though the Valar did not yet know it, from this place, "the blight of his [Melkor's] hatred flowed out thence, and the Spring of Arda was marred."[2]
Melkor used Utumno as his base of operations from the Valian Year 3400 until Y.T. 1090, when the Valar assailed Melkor's fortress, which fell in Y.T. 1099.[3]:53[4]:74-5 From there he had destroyed the Two Lamps, so that the Powers left Almaren, their dwelling-place in Middle-earth, and removed into the West. He then began his corruption of Arda.[2] Utumno was also where the first captured Elves were taken and the creation of Orcs began as a mockery of the Firstborn.
Utumno was laid waste in Y.T. 1099, in the war that the Valar began against Melkor for the sake of the Elves. The Valar attacked Udûn in full force, and destroyed it utterly, carrying its master back to Valinor as their prisoner. Melkor was chained and dragged as a captive to Valinor.[1]
Melkor had established a second and lesser fortress at the western end of the Ered Engrin to act as the first line of defence for Utumno from Aman.[1] This became Angband, which was at first held by Sauron. After the destruction of Utumno, Melkor chose to rebuild and fortify Angband as his lair.
Etymology
Utumno pron. [uˈtumno], stem Utumnu-
Utumna from (Tumna Q: "low-lying, low, profound, deep")[5]:269, 271
Udûn (S: "dark pit, Underworld, Hell")[note 1]
In the Annals of Aman, Tolkien wrote: "'Utupnǔ √TUI? cover over; hide'" and "'that stronghold was ever after called Utumno the Deep-hidden.'" In Etymologies (V.394) with the stem TUB, the original form of the name is given as Utubnu.[3]
Udûn (pron. [ˈuduːːn]) was the less commonly used Sindarin name of Utumno. In The Lord of the Rings, this name appears just once, in Gandalf's words to Durin's Bane.[6]
It survived, though, as a name for the northern valley of Mordor that lay behind the Morannon. Undoubtedly, Sauron chose this name in memory of his ancient master's greatest stronghold.
Other versions of the legendarium
Tolkien was not entirely consistent with the location of Utumno, but it was always located within the northern Middle Earth, in or behind the Iron Mountains.
As noted from one of Tolkien's earlier sketch maps about Utumno from the Ambarkanta, Utumno was previously spelled as "Utumna" and was north of the Iron Mountains, towards the western end of the mountain chain.[7]
Notes
- ↑ Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull (eds), The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion p. 297: Udûn — In his unfinished index Tolkien defines Udûn as '"dark pit", the dwelling of Morgoth beneath Thangorodrim ... called the Underworld of old' (distinct from Udûn a place in Mordor; see note for p. 928). The 1966 Index adds 'Udûn hell'.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Coming of the Elves and the Captivity of Melkor"
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Beginning of Days"
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Morgoth's Ring, "Part Two. The Annals of Aman: First section of the Annals of Aman"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Morgoth's Ring, "Part Two. The Annals of Aman: Second section of the Annals of Aman"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part One, Appendix: Names in the Lost Tales – Part I
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "The Bridge of Khazad-dûm"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Shaping of Middle-earth, "IV. The First 'Silmarillion' Map"
