Durin I

From Tolkien Gateway
The name Durin refers to more than one character, item or concept. For a list of other meanings, see Durin (disambiguation).
Durin
Dwarf
Turner Mohan - Durin.jpg
"Durin" by Turner Mohan
Biographical Information
Other namesDurin the Deathless
"Father of the Dwarves"
TitlesKing of Durin's Folk
King of Khazad-dûm
LocationGundabad, Khazad-dûm
AffiliationSeven Fathers of the Dwarves
LanguageKhuzdul
BirthBetween Y.T. 1050 and Y.T. 1250[1]
Mount Gundabad
RuleYears of the Trees[1] - Late First Age[2]
DeathLate First Age[2] (aged at least 2,395)
Khazad-dûm[2]
Notable forFounding Khazad-dûm
Family
HouseFounded the House of Durin
ParentageNone; created by Aulë
Physical Description
GenderMale
GalleryImages of Durin

Durin I (Years of the TreesFirst Age), also known as Durin the Deathless due to his longevity, was the first of the seven Fathers of the Dwarves, the founder of the city of Khazad-dûm, and the first king of the Longbeards.

History

Origin and birth

Main article: Fathers of the Dwarves
Ted Nasmith - Aulë and the Seven Fathers

Durin was one of the Seven Fathers of the Dwarves fashioned under a mountain by the Vala Aulë, who yearned for the arrival of the Children of Ilúvatar. The Vala instructed his creations in the speech he had devised for them when Ilúvatar pointed out that this was against His plans, and that Aulë, as a Vala, had no power to make animate creations. Aulë repented but Ilúvatar himself gave them independent life; and said that they shall sleep until after the coming of the Elves, who were to be his Firstborn.[3]

Aulë laid the sleeping fathers and their mates in deep places; but Durin the eldest had none.[4] He was set to sleep under Mount Gundabad in the Misty Mountains during the Years of the Trees.[5]

King of the Longbeards

Ted Nasmith - Durin I Discovers the Three Peaks

When he awoke he journeyed south alone through the wild where no person ever wandered before, and gave name to "nameless hills and dells", perhaps Azanulbizar and the nearby features[6]. He came upon Kheled-zâram. Looking upon mysterious stars set like a crown reflected in its surface, he took this as a sign. The Durin's Stone was erected on the location of that event.[7] There in the caves above the lake, founded a great city, Khazad-dûm, later called Moria, and for many years it was the greatest Dwarven city in Middle-earth.[2]

Durin was the founder of the Longbeards house, which became known as Durin's folk. He lived to a great age even by the measure of the Dwarves until he was known as "The Deathless". However, he was not actually immortal, and died sometime during the First Age.[2]

All that can be known for certain about his age, is that he was born before Y.T. 1250[1] and died before the end of the First Age.[2] This makes Durin at least 2,395 years old, about ten-times the lifespan of Dwarves.[note 1]

Legacy

The Longbeards believed that Durin would return to them seven times, and in each reincarnation he will again be named Durin and reign as King. He did have six descendants that were named Durin, all were kings of Durin's folk.[2]

Durin's Axe, a great heirloom of Durin's folk, was probably his; it was apparently found when Balin and his colony came to Khazad-dûm in T.A. 2989.[8][9]

Etymology

Durinn is one of the Dwarfs in the Dvergatal. The name means "Sleepy".[10]

Genealogy

DURIN I
fl. Y.T.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Durin II
fl. late F.A./early S.A.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Durin III
fl. S.A. 1600
 
 
 
 
 
 
Durin IV
fl. late S.A./early T.A.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Durin V
fl. late S.A./early T.A.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Durin VI
T.A. 1731 - 1980
 


Notes

  1. Years of the Sun. Each Year of the Trees is equal to 9.582 Years of the Sun, and the Years of the Trees ended in the year 1500. So, 9.582 x 250 = 2,395.

References

Durin I
House of Durin
None
Position created
King of Durin's FolkUnknown
Next known:
Durin II
King of Khazad-dûm


Kings of Durin's Folk
Durin I* (Y.T.) · Durin II* · Durin III* (fl. S.A. 1600) · Durin IV* · Durin V* · Durin VI* (until T.A. 1980) · Náin I* (1980 - 1981) · Thráin I (1981 - 2190) · Thorin I (2190 - 2289) · Glóin (2289 - 2385) · Óin (2385 - 2488) · Náin II (2488 - 2585) · Dáin I (2585 - 2589) · Thrór (2585 - 2790) · Thráin II (2790 - captured 2845, d. 2850) · Thorin II Oakenshield (after 2845 - 2941) · Dáin II Ironfoot (2941 - 3019) · Thorin III Stonehelm (T.A. 3019 - Fourth Age) · Durin VII (Fourth Age)*
* Kings of Khazad-dûm · Kings under the Mountain