Minas Morgul

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Minas Morgul
City
Ted Nasmith - The Tower of the Moon.jpg
"The Tower of the Moon" by Ted Nasmith
General Information
Other namesMinas Ithil (S), Dushgoi (O), Tower of the Moon, Tower of the Rising Moon, Moon-tower, Tower of Black Sorcery, Dead City
LocationEphel Dúath, facing Gondor
TypeCity
People and History
InhabitantsGondorians, Orcs and Nazgûl
CreatedAfter S.A. 3320
GalleryImages of Minas Morgul

Minas Morgul (originally called Minas Ithil) was the twin city of Minas Tirith before its fall to the forces of Sauron in the Third Age.

Description

Minas Morgul by Matthew Burton

In its prime, Minas Ithil was a beautiful place. The moon cast silver light throughout the courtyards and streets, and reflected off the marble walls, so that it seemed to shine. The houses also shone white. The city also had one tall tower, with many windows, that rotated slowly. The city was accessed by a road, which was said to gleam like the city's white marble walls, running over a bridge as it crossed Imlad Morgul. Large meadows were placed on both banks of the stream.

When it was taken by the forces of evil, the beauty was replaced by terror. The lovely white light was replaced by a sickly corpse-pale light, the meadows were filled with sick pale flowers, and Imlad Morgul began to steam cold poisonous vapours. At the head of the bridge crossing the stream the bestial and human figures that stood there were corrupted. [1]

Not the imprisoned moonlight welling through the marble walls of Minas Ithil long ago, Tower of the Moon, fair and radiant in the hollow of the hills. Paler indeed than the moon ailing in some slow eclipse was the light of it now, wavering and blowing like a noisome exhalation of decay, a corpse-light, a light that illuminated nothing.
The Two Towers, "The Stairs of Cirith Ungol"

History

Second Age

After the destruction of Númenor, Isildur and Anárion, the sons of Elendil, landed in Gondor. Isildur built Minas Ithil near the mountainous border of Mordor from where he would rule the fief of Ithilien; while Anárion built Minas Anor to rule over the fief of Anórien. Minas Ithil housed a palantír, the Ithil-stone.

When Sauron returned after escaping Númenor's destruction, he attacked the exiles of Númenor, and his forces took Minas Ithil by storm. When the Last Alliance of Elves and Men defeated Sauron in the year S.A. 3429, Minas Ithil was restored as a watchtower.

Third Age

After the defeat of the Witch-king of Angmar in the north, he returned to Mordor in T.A. 1980 summoning the other Nazgûl with him, to prepare the return of their master. A few years later (T.A. 2000) they laid siege to Minas Ithil and two years later they managed to take the city.[2] The Ithil-stone, was also captured and later used by Sauron to influence Saruman and Denethor II.[2][3]

Minas Ithil was occupied by fell creatures, and it changed into a foul, evil place. As a result, it came to be called Minas Morgul, which in the tongue of Gondor means "Tower of Dark Sorcery". Many Gondorians fled from Ithilien.[4]

From Minas Morgul the Lord of the Nazgûl twice challenged his old enemy, King Eärnur. Finally Eärnur rode with his knights against Morgul. He never returned, ending the line of the Kings of Gondor.[2][4]

During the Watchful Peace, the lords of Morgul had secretly bred the Uruk-hai, and in T.A. 2475 these creatures assailed and overran Ithilien.

The Nazgul from Minas Morgul by Daniel Pilla

War of the Ring

During the War of the Ring, a host from Minas Morgul set forth toward Minas Tirith. The host was witnessed by Frodo, Sam and Gollum. After some opposition in Osgiliath, the Morgul-host proceeded to Pelennor Fields and lay siege. However the host, including the city's garrison was devastated during the Battle of the Pelennor Fields.

Following the battle, the Army of the West pulled down the bridge leading to Morgul Vale and set its fields aflame. They met no opposition as the entire city's garrison had been killed at the Battle.

After the War of the Ring, Faramir was made Prince of Ithilien by King Elessar, who advised him to make his abode in the Emyn Arnen south-east of Minas Tirith for even though Minas Morgul was completely abandoned, the land was such a terror on the minds of Men that it would not be fit for habitation or even Mannish contact for many years. Eventually, the city was rebuilt as Minas Ithil and the evil that tainted the land was at last gone.

Etymology

For the two Sindarin names that Minas Morgul has had:

  • Minas Morgul: minas ("tower") + morgul ("black sorcery") = "Tower of Sorcery"[5]:245
  • Minas Ithil: minas ("tower") + ithil ("moon") = "Tower of the (Rising) Moon"[5]:244

In Orkish, Minas Morgul was known as Dushgoi.[6]

Portrayal in adaptations

1987-96: Middle-earth Role Playing:

The Minas Ithil city module contains detailed information about Minas Ithil in T.A. 1640 and three adventures that take place in Minas Ithil.
The Kin-strife campaign module contains detailed information about Minas Ithil during the time of the Kin-strife and three adventures that take place in Minas Ithil.
Minas Morgul in adaptations
Minas Morgul in The Lord of the Rings Online  

2019: The Lord of the Rings Online:

During the march of the Host of the West towards the Black Gate Gandalf destroys the bridge leading out of Minas Morgul to prevent Aragorn's armies from being flanked. After the downfall of Sauron this action has an unintentional effect of protecting the Dead City itself from any attack from the west. Following Aragorn's coronation, King Elessar charges steward Faramir and the Rangers of Ithilien with reclaiming the Morgul Vale and cleansing the Dead City.

References

  1. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "The Stairs of Cirith Ungol"
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Third Age"
  3. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Gondor and the Heirs of Anárion", "The Stewards"
  4. 4.0 4.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Gondor and the Heirs of Anárion"
  5. 5.0 5.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "The Council of Elrond"
  6. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Ring, "Part Two: The Ring Goes East", "VIII. Kirith Ungol", p. 226. Cf. note 47