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'''Harnen'' was a river south of [[Gondor]].  
__NOTOC__
The '''Harnen''' was a river south of [[Gondor]].
==Course==
==Course==
A good 600 [[Númenóreans|Númenórean]] miles long, it began in the [[Ephel Dúath]] of [[Mordor]] and then flowed south-west for about 350 miles, when it bent west and sped to [[Belegaer]], which it entered in a wide delta by the [[Bay of Belfalas]].<ref name=utmap/>  
A good 500 [[Númenóreans|Númenórean]] miles long, the Harnen began in the southern slopes of the [[Ephel Dúath]] and then flowed south-west for about 250 miles. After that it bent west and then sped for about 250 miles to the [[Belegaer]], which it entered in a wide delta by the [[Bay of Belfalas]]. The mouth of the Harnen is located about halfway between the mouths of the [[Anduin]] and [[Umbar]]. The Harad Road crosses the Harnen about 65 miles upstream from the point where the river turns west.<ref name=utmap>{{UT|Map}}</ref>
 
==History==
==History==
It formed the southern border of the contested land of [[Harondor]], South Gondor, and as such formed the southern border of [[Dúnedain]] influence. South of the Harnen lay the land of [[Near Harad]].
In the year {{TA|1050}}, [[Ciryaher]] crossed the Harnen with his army and defeated the Men of the Harad. Thereafter their kings acknowledged the overlordship of Gondor and their sons lived as hostages in the court of the king of Gondor. In the time of King Ciryaher the realm of Gondor extended south to the river Harnen and beyond it along the coast to the peninsula and haven of Umbar.<ref name=Ciryaher>{{App|Gondor}}, entry for King Ciryaher</ref> After the wars of the [[Kin-strife]], Castamir's sons and their followers sailed from [[Pelargir]] in the year {{TA|1448}} and established an independent realm in Umbar,<ref name=Valacar>{{App|Gondor}}, entry for King Valacar</ref> which had been a part of Gondor since its conquest by Eärnil I in the year {{TA|933}}.<ref>{{App|Gondor}}, entries for King Eärnil I and King Ciryandil</ref> After that date the river formed the southern border of [[South Gondor|Harondor]],<ref name=utmap/> which was contested between Gondor and the Corsairs of Umbar.<ref name=Valacar/> It is possible that the northern portion of the river Harnen upstream from the point where the Harad road crossed the river Harnen was the border between Gondor and [[Near Harad]].<ref name=Ciryaher/><ref name=utmap/>


The [[Great South Road]] into [[Harad]] crossed the Harnen shortly after it bent westwards.<ref name=utmap>{{UT|Map}}</ref> This road was used by [[Sauron]]'s followers later in the [[Third Age]].
==Etymology==
==Etymology==
Harnen seems to mean "South Water" in [[Sindarin]].<ref>{{HM|Guide}}, p. 189, entry "Harnen"</ref>
Harnen seems to mean "South Water" in [[Sindarin]].<ref>{{HM|Guide}}, p. 189, entry "Harnen"</ref>
{{references}}
{{references}}
[[Category:Rivers]]
[[Category:Rivers]]

Revision as of 22:35, 30 December 2020

The Harnen was a river south of Gondor.

Course

A good 500 Númenórean miles long, the Harnen began in the southern slopes of the Ephel Dúath and then flowed south-west for about 250 miles. After that it bent west and then sped for about 250 miles to the Belegaer, which it entered in a wide delta by the Bay of Belfalas. The mouth of the Harnen is located about halfway between the mouths of the Anduin and Umbar. The Harad Road crosses the Harnen about 65 miles upstream from the point where the river turns west.[1]

History

In the year T.A. 1050, Ciryaher crossed the Harnen with his army and defeated the Men of the Harad. Thereafter their kings acknowledged the overlordship of Gondor and their sons lived as hostages in the court of the king of Gondor. In the time of King Ciryaher the realm of Gondor extended south to the river Harnen and beyond it along the coast to the peninsula and haven of Umbar.[2] After the wars of the Kin-strife, Castamir's sons and their followers sailed from Pelargir in the year T.A. 1448 and established an independent realm in Umbar,[3] which had been a part of Gondor since its conquest by Eärnil I in the year T.A. 933.[4] After that date the river formed the southern border of Harondor,[1] which was contested between Gondor and the Corsairs of Umbar.[3] It is possible that the northern portion of the river Harnen upstream from the point where the Harad road crossed the river Harnen was the border between Gondor and Near Harad.[2][1]

Etymology

Harnen seems to mean "South Water" in Sindarin.[5]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The West of Middle-earth at the End of the Third Age" [map]
  2. 2.0 2.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Gondor and the Heirs of Anárion", entry for King Ciryaher
  3. 3.0 3.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Gondor and the Heirs of Anárion", entry for King Valacar
  4. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Gondor and the Heirs of Anárion", entries for King Eärnil I and King Ciryandil
  5. Robert Foster, The Complete Guide to Middle-earth, p. 189, entry "Harnen"