Downfall of Barad-dûr

From Tolkien Gateway
The name The Fall refers to more than one character, item or concept. For a list of other meanings, see The Fall (disambiguation).
Downfall of Barad-dûr
Event
LocationMordor
Date25 December, T.A. 3019
ResultTower of Barad-dûr destroyed
Part ofThe War of the Ring
DescriptionThe Tower of Barad-dûr crashing down after the destruction of The One Ring
"Towers fell and mountains slid; walls crumbled and melted, crashing down; vast spires of smoke and spouting steams went billowing up, up, until they toppled like an overwhelming wave, and its wild crest curled and came foaming down upon the land."
― Vision of Samwise Gamgee in The Return of the King, "Mount Doom"

The Downfall of Barad-dûr refers to the destruction of Barad-dûr as a result the One Ring being unmade.

History[edit | edit source]

Second Age[edit | edit source]

Sauron began construction of Barad-dûr around S.A. 1000. Around 1600, he secretly forged the One Ring in the fires of Mount Doom and completed his fortress after 600 years of construction with the power of the Ring.[1] The One Ring was said to be the foundation of Barad-dûr, this great tower of Sauron could only stand whilst the power of the One Ring endured. When Isildur cut the One Ring off Sauron's hand in the Battle of Dagorlad the tower was levelled, but with Isildur's refusal to destroy the ring, the foundations remained unbroken.[2]

Third Age[edit | edit source]

Sauron rebuilt Barad-dûr in T.A. 2951 after being driven out of Dol Guldur.[3] On 25 March T.A. 3019, the One Ring fell into the Cracks of Doom whilst in the clutches of the creature Gollum. Barad-dûr was utterly destroyed,[4] the Black Gate and Towers of the Teeth falling with it.[5]

Portrayal in adaptations[edit | edit source]

Barad-dûr collapsing, from The Return of the King (2003)

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

As the ring sinks into the magma of Mount Doom the great eye strains and a great shrieking is heard before Barad-dûr crashes down. The land that the Army of Mordor was standing on also collapsed.

References