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Rûm was a great city of the Great Lands in earlier versions of the legendarium.
History[]
In The Book of Lost Tales, Rûm is mentioned as the greatest city of Men in all the Great Lands. Its inhabitants, known as the Rúmhoth, were the sixth invaders of Leithian, the island were the Elves lived.[1] In this invasion, the Elves fled the island. For this reason the Rúmhoth were called "slayers and faders of the fairies".[2]
According to Littleheart, despite its greatness, Rûm suffered many attacks (as did the eastern cities of Bablon, Ninwi, and Trui), but none was worse than the Fall of Gondolin.[3]
Behind the scenes[]
The mighty city of Rûm was clearly inspired to the Ancient Rome[1] - the Romans invaded, conquered, and dominated Great Britain between the 1st century BC and 5th century AD. In fact, J.R.R. Tolkien originally had started the creation of the legendarium with the intent to build a proper British mythology. Thus, for the earlier versions of his myths, he drew largely from actual British history.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 The History of Middle-earth, Vol. II: The Book of Lost Tales Part Two, chapter VI: "The History of Eriol or Ælfwine and the End of the Tales"
- ↑ "Sí Qente Feanor and Other Elvish Writings", Parma Eldalamberon, n. XV
- ↑ The History of Middle-earth, Vol. II: The Book of Lost Tales Part Two, chapter III: "The Fall of Gondolin"