Avathar
| Avathar | |
|---|---|
| Region | |
 | |
| "Unlight" by Lady Elleth | |
| General Information | |
| Other names | Avaþar |
| Location | South-eastern region of Aman, east of the Pelóri |
| Type | Region |
| Description | Dark strip of land |
| Inhabitants | Ungoliant |
| Gallery | Images of Avathar |
Avathar or Avaþar (Vanyarin Q, pron. [ˈaβaθar]) was the south-eastern area of Aman, south of Valinor. It formed a dark strip of land at the feet of the Pelóri Mountains. It seems to have been totally deserted and forgotten and in ancient times Ungoliant made her home there.[1]
Etymology
In "The Later Quenta Silmarillion" section of Morgoth's Ring, Tolkien translates Avathar as "The Shadows" in "ancient" Quenya;[2] this translation also appears in The Silmarillion.[3]
However, in the "Quendi and Eldar", Tolkien states that Avathar has no Elvish translation, meaning that it must have been adapted from its Valarin name[4] (however, in the Index to that book it still says "The Shadows" in a short description[5]).
Other versions of the legendarium
In early versions of The Silmarillion, the region where Ungoliant dwelt prior to the Darkening of Valinor was called Arvalin.[6]
See also
- Araman - the analogous area in the north
- Sindanórie
References
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Darkening of Valinor"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Morgoth's Ring, "Part Three. The Later Quenta Silmarillion: (II) The Second Phase: Of the Darkening of Valinor", p. 284
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Index of Names", Avathar
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "Part Four. Quendi and Eldar: Appendix D. *Kwen, Quenya, and the Elvish (especially Ñoldorin) words for 'Language': Note on the 'Language of the Valar'", p. 404
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "Index"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "The Grey Annals": §105
