Ephel Dúath: Difference between revisions
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{{disambig-two|the mountain range of [[Mordor]]|mountains of [[Beleriand]]|[[Ered Wethrin]]}} | |||
The '''Ephel Dúath''' ([[Sindarin|S]]: "'''Mountains of Shadow'''", pron. {{IPA|[ˈefːel ˈduˑ.aθ]}}) were a range of mountains that guarded [[Mordor]]'s western and southern borders. | The '''Ephel Dúath''' ([[Sindarin|S]]: "'''Mountains of Shadow'''", pron. {{IPA|[ˈefːel ˈduˑ.aθ]}}) were a range of mountains that guarded [[Mordor]]'s western and southern borders. | ||
Revision as of 12:21, 5 June 2010
The Ephel Dúath (S: "Mountains of Shadow", pron. [ˈefːel ˈduˑ.aθ]) were a range of mountains that guarded Mordor's western and southern borders.
Geography
The mountain range met the Ered Lithui at the Morannon, so that between them the mountain ranges effectively seal off Mordor from invasion on three sides.
There were only two known passes through them: the "Nameless Pass" that ran between Minas Morgul and Mordor, and the nearby Pass of Cirith Ungol. The Morannon was the only pass through Mordor's outer mountain chains through which large armies could easily pass, but apparently small amounts of troops were able to slowly funnel through the Nameless Pass. However, the Pass of Cirith Ungol was extremely inaccessible, involving climbing up or down the section called the Straight Stair, making it practically impossible to for easy travel of large numbers of troops, much less horses and wagons.
Etymology
Ephel Dúath is Sindarin. It means "outer fences of shadow", from ephel, "outer fence" or "encircling fence", and dúath, "shadow".