| This article refers to the fortress of the First Age. For other namesakes, see Minas Tirith (disambiguation). |
Minas Tirith was the name of a great[2] and mighty watch-tower and fortress with "walls of stone"[2] on the isle of Tol Sirion, in the upper reaches of the river Sirion during the First Age. It guarded the Pass of Sirion against the power of Morgoth from the north.[3]
History[]
Watchtower of the Ñoldor[]
Minas Tirith was built during the First Age by Finrod, in order to keep watch upon the doings of Morgoth on the northern plain of Ard-galen. After Finrod built Nargothrond, however, the watch-tower was entrusted to his kinsman Orodreth.[3]
Time of Sauron's Dominion[]
For two years after the Dagor Bragollach of the year 455, the Ñoldor hindered attempts by the Orcs of Morgoth at taking Minas Tirith. But in the year 457, after Fingolfin's death, Tol Sirion was invaded by an army led by Sauron, who sent "a dark cloud of fear" to force Orodreth and the Nargothronders to flee south. Upon taking the isle, Sauron turned the watch-tower into a menacing "stronghold of evil" and dedicated it to Morgoth. Sauron utilized the highest[2] tower in Minas Tirith to espy upon every "living creature" that passed through the vale. As a result, "Tol Sirion became accursed" and was renamed Tol-in-Gaurhoth.[4]
Ten years later during the Quest for the Silmaril, Beren, seeking the Silmaril, enlisted Finrod's aid, but the two of them and their group were captured while passing the isle. Sauron defeated Finrod in a contest of spells and songs. While imprisoned in the dungeons of the tower, their companions were slain one-by-one by werewolves. Finrod saved Beren's life by killing the werewolf that came for him, but in doing so, he died himself.[2]
Lúthien and Huan, Hound of Valinor, came to Beren's rescue, and Huan killed the army sent one-by-one against him on the bridge. After Draugluin was killed, Sauron went out in wolf-form but was defeated. Lúthien gained control over the isle from Sauron, who fled, and, after releasing those who had been captive there under Sauron, she reduced Minas Tirith to ruins. Finrod was buried there by Beren and Lúthien. Although the land around the Pass of Sirion did remain under the rule of the Ñoldor for a few more years, they did not attempt to rebuild the tower.[2][5][6]
After the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, Tol-in-Gaurhoth was retaken by Morgoth and its towers rebuilt.[7]
Other namesakes[]
In the Third Age, Minas Tirith was the later name of the city of Minas Anor in Gondor.
Etymology[]
Like its later namesake, Minas Tirith was Sindarin for 'Tower of Guard'.[8]
Translations[]
| Foreign Language | Translated name |
| Danish | Minas Tirith ("Finrod Felagunds vagttårn") |
References[]
- ↑ The History of Middle-earth, Vol. XI: The War of the Jewels, Part One: "The Grey Annals", pg. 38 (§85)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 The Silmarillion, Quenta Silmarillion, Chapter XIX: "Of Beren and Lúthien"
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 The Silmarillion, Quenta Silmarillion, Chapter XIV: "Of Beleriand and its Realms"
- ↑ The Silmarillion, Quenta Silmarillion, Chapter XVIII: "Of the Ruin of Beleriand and the Fall of Fingolfin"
- ↑ The Atlas of Middle-earth, The First Age, The Elder Days, "Travels of Beren and Lúthien"
- ↑ The Atlas of Middle-earth, The First Age, The Elder Days, "Travels of Túrin and Nienor"
- ↑ The History of Middle-earth, Vol. XI: The War of the Jewels, Part One: "The Grey Annals", §Year 472
- ↑ The Complete Guide to Middle-earth