Alcarondas, also known as the Castle of the Sea, was the golden and black flagship of King Ar-Pharazôn of Númenor, at the head of the Great Armament in its advance upon Aman to oppose the Valar, despite their warnings, and achieve immortality by force.
History[]
Alcarondas was as lavish as it was martial, with many masts that held sails of gold or sable. It held a specially made throne on the deck from where the King could lead his immense fleet. The ship held a host of strong slaves who would man its many oars when the wind was not in their favor.[1]
In SA 3319, the ship anchored on the shores of Aman near Tol Eressëa, where Ar-Pharazôn reached Tirion, defying the storms of Manwë and the Ban of the Valar. This only condemned him and his kingdom. Eru Ilúvatar himself opened a chasm in the sea, drawing Alcarondas down into it along with the rest of the armada, and they were lost forever. This sparked the cataclysmic Downfall of Númenor.
Etymology[]
Alcarondas is probably Quenya, as it appears more Elvish in form and pronunciation, containing Alcar meaning "Glory". It does not literally translate to "Castle of the Sea", containing no elements related to "sea". Instead, it more likely means "Castle of Glory" or "Glorious Castle". In an earlier version of the text, the Adûnaic name for the ship was Aglarrâma. When the name was changed, it was spelled Alkarondas.[2] Andalóke, meaning "Long Serpent", was an early Quenya name for the ship.
References[]
- ↑ The Silmarillion, Akallabêth (The Downfall of Númenor)
- ↑ The History of Middle-earth, Vol. XII: The Peoples of Middle-earth, V: "The History of the Akallabeth"