Narchost: Difference between revisions

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'''Narchost''' was the western<ref name=UI/> of the two [[Towers of the Teeth]],<ref>{{TT|IV3}}</ref> that stood on two hills on either side of the [[Black Gate]], guarding the northwestern entrance into [[Mordor]].  Narchost and its companion [[Carchost]] were originally built by the [[Gondorians]], as a guard upon Mordor after [[Sauron]]'s first defeat. As Gondor's strength waned, Narchost was abandoned and left to decay, until Sauron returned to his ancient land. His forces took over both the old guard-towers and repaired them, so that at the time of the [[War of the Ring]], they formed part of Sauron's own defences.<ref name="Towers">{{RK|VI1}}</ref>
'''Narchost''' was the western<ref name=UI>{{HM|UI}}, p. 601</ref> of the two [[Towers of the Teeth]], that stood on two sheer hills that were thrust forward on either side of the mouth of the pass of [[Cirith Gorgor]] at the northwestern end of [[Mordor]] where the [[Ered Lithui]] met the [[Ephel Duath]]. It was strong, tall, stony-faced and had dark window-holes facing north, east and west.<ref name=Gate>{{TT|Gate}}</ref>
 
==History==
Narchost was built by the men of  [[Gondor]] after the [[War of the Last Alliance]] to prevent [[Sauron]] from returning to Mordor<ref name=Gate/>  and to keep watch on Mordor where the creatures of Sauron still lurked.<ref name=Tower>{{RK|Tower}}</ref> At the time of the death of king [[Ondoher]] it was still manned by the men of Gondor.<ref>{{UT|8e}}, note 15</ref> As the strength of Gondor failed, Narchost was abandoned by the the men of Gondor and was empty for long years and fell into decay. After the return of Sauron Narchost was repaired and garrisonned with the forces of Sauron.<ref name=Gate/> It fell down during an earthquake<ref>{{RK|Cormallen}}</ref> after an eruption of [[Orodruin]] when the [[One Ring]] fell into the [[Sammath Naur]] in the Orodruin<ref>{{RK|Doom}}</ref> on [[25 March]] {{TA|3019}}.<ref>{{App|Great}}, entry for the year 3019, March 25</ref>


==Etymology==
==Etymology==
The name ''Narchost'' is translated as "bitter-biting fort".<ref name=UI/> Its initial element ''narch'' "bitter-biting" is not otherwise attested, but a similar ([[Noldorin]]) verb ''[[narcha-]]'' "to rend" appears in the ''Etymologies'' as a derivative of the root [[NÁRAK]].<ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}, NÁRAK</ref> The second element is ''[[ost]]'' "fortress".<ref>{{S|Appendix}}, ''os(t)''</ref>
   
   
In his [[Unfinished index]] for ''The Lord of the Rings'', Tolkien translated the [[Sindarin]] name ''Narchost'' as "bitter-biting fort".<ref name=UI>{{HM|UI}}, p. 601</ref> Its initial element ''narch'' "bitter-biting" is not otherwise attested, but a similar ([[Noldorin]]) verb ''[[narcha-]]'' "to rend" appears in the ''Etymologies'' as a derivative of the root [[NÁRAK]].<ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}, NÁRAK</ref> The second element is ''[[ost]]'' "fortress".<ref>{{S|Appendix}}, ''os(t)''</ref>


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Revision as of 14:35, 21 September 2021

Merge-arrows.gif This page should be merged with Towers of the Teeth.

Narchost was the western[1] of the two Towers of the Teeth, that stood on two sheer hills that were thrust forward on either side of the mouth of the pass of Cirith Gorgor at the northwestern end of Mordor where the Ered Lithui met the Ephel Duath. It was strong, tall, stony-faced and had dark window-holes facing north, east and west.[2]

History

Narchost was built by the men of Gondor after the War of the Last Alliance to prevent Sauron from returning to Mordor[2] and to keep watch on Mordor where the creatures of Sauron still lurked.[3] At the time of the death of king Ondoher it was still manned by the men of Gondor.[4] As the strength of Gondor failed, Narchost was abandoned by the the men of Gondor and was empty for long years and fell into decay. After the return of Sauron Narchost was repaired and garrisonned with the forces of Sauron.[2] It fell down during an earthquake[5] after an eruption of Orodruin when the One Ring fell into the Sammath Naur in the Orodruin[6] on 25 March T.A. 3019.[7]

Etymology

The name Narchost is translated as "bitter-biting fort".[1] Its initial element narch "bitter-biting" is not otherwise attested, but a similar (Noldorin) verb narcha- "to rend" appears in the Etymologies as a derivative of the root NÁRAK.[8] The second element is ost "fortress".[9]


References