Sauron's attack on Osgiliath: Difference between revisions

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|name=Sauron's attack on Osgiliath
|name=Sauron's attack on Osgiliath
|image=
|image=
|conflict=War of the Ring
|conflict=[[War of the Ring]]
|date=20 June {{TA|3018}}
|date=[[20 June]] {{TA|3018}}<ref name="AppB3">{{App|B3}}</ref>
|place= The ruins of [[Osgiliath]] and its last bridge
|place= The ruins of [[Osgiliath]] and its last bridge
|result=Victory for Sauron, fall of the eastern half of Osgiliath, allowing the Nazgûl to hunt for the Ring
|result=Victory for [[Sauron]], fall of the eastern half of Osgiliath, allowing the [[Nazgûl]] to [[hunt for the Ring]]
|side1=Gondor
|side1=[[Gondor]]
|side2=Mordor
|side2=[[Mordor]]
|commanders1=
|commanders1=
* Boromir
* [[Boromir]]
* Faramir
* [[Faramir]]
|commanders2=
|commanders2=
{{Sauron blazon}}
* [[Sauron]]
* The Witch-king
* The [[Witch-king]]
|forces1=Unknown, the men of Gondor
|forces1=Unknown, [[Gondorians]]
|forces2=Unknown, forces of Mordor, Southrons, Haradwaith
|forces2=Unknown, forces of Mordor, [[Easterlings]], [[Haradrim]]
|casual1=Unknown  
|casual1=Unknown  
|casual2=Unknown
|casual2=Unknown
}}
}}
{{wotr}}
{{wotr}}
Sauron's attack on Osgiliath occurred on 20 June, {{TA|3018}}<ref>{{App|Great}}</ref>, and was later recognized as the beginning of the [[War of the Ring]], for [[Sauron]] had two purposes in making this assault:  First, Sauron wished to test the strength and preparedness of [[Denethor II|Denethor]] (which was found to be greater than he hoped). Second, Sauron's other and greater purpose was to make the appearance of the [[Nazgûl]] seem to be only part of his war policy against [[Gondor]], in order to conceal from the [[White Council|Wise]] their mission to hunt for [[the One Ring]].<ref name="hunt">{{UT|Hunt}}</ref>
'''Sauron's attack on Osgiliath''' occurred on 20 June, {{TA|3018}}, and was later recognized as the beginning of the [[War of the Ring]].


At the [[Council of Elrond]], [[Boromir]] recounted this battle as a sudden attack in which the men of Gondor were outnumbered by the forces of Morder with their allies, the [[Easterlings]] and [[Haradrim]].  However, he attributed Gondor's defeat to a power that had not been felt before, issuing from a great black horseman.  Only a remnant of Gondor's eastern force survived.  The last bridge across the [[Anduin]] was defended by a company led by Boromir and [[Faramir]] until the structure was destroyed.  Only the two brothers and two others survived by swimming.<ref>{{FR|Council}}</ref>
==Prelude==
For many years (since {{TA|2901}}) the land of [[Ithilien]] had been held by Sauron's forces, but he had not breached the [[Anduin]] to attack deeper into Gondor, biding his time as he marshaled his strength.<ref name="hunt"/> By the end of the Age, Sauron had gathered all he could from the [[Rings of Power]] and started searching for [[the One Ring]] in [[Anduin]]. In {{TA|2951}} he declared himself openly, gathered forces and fortified [[Mordor]].<ref name="AppB3"/>
 
In {{TA|3009|n}} [[Gollum]] was captured after he had ventured into [[Mordor]] and the Dark Lord learned that his Ring was in [[the Shire]], a location unknown to him. Gollum was released from Mordor in {{TA|3017|n}} and was soon taken by [[Aragorn]] in the [[Dead Marshes]].<ref name="AppB3"/> His capture alarmed Sauron, causing him to send the [[Nazgûl]] out to attack the deserted ruins of [[Osgiliath]] and hunt for the Ring. Sauron had two purposes in making this assault: First, to test the strength and preparedness of [[Denethor]] (which was found to be greater than he hoped); and second (and more importantly) to make the appearance of the Nazgûl seem to be only part of his war policy against [[Gondor]], in order to conceal from the [[Wise]] their mission to hunt for [[the One Ring]].<ref name="hunt">{{UT|Hunt}}</ref>
 
The days before the attack, the sons of Denethor [[Boromir]] and [[Faramir]] had a [[Seek for the Sword that was broken|prophetic dream]].<ref name=council/>
==The Battle==
At the [[Council of Elrond]], [[Boromir]] recounted this battle as a sudden attack in which the men of Gondor were outnumbered by the forces of Mordor with their allies, the [[Easterlings]] and [[Haradrim]].  However, he attributed Gondor's defeat to a power that had not been felt before, issuing from a great black horseman.  Only a remnant of Gondor's eastern force survived.  The last bridge across the [[Anduin]] was defended by a company led by Boromir and [[Faramir]] until the structure was destroyed.  Only the two brothers and two others survived by swimming.<ref name=council>{{FR|Council}}</ref>


After the eastern portion of Osgiliath was taken and the bridge broken, Sauron broke off the assault, ordering the Nazgûl to begin their search for the Ring.<ref name="hunt"/>
After the eastern portion of Osgiliath was taken and the bridge broken, Sauron broke off the assault, ordering the Nazgûl to begin their search for the Ring.<ref name="hunt"/>
==Aftermath==
[[Mirkwood]] was raided on the same day, probably in a scheduled attack, as the captured [[Gollum]] found an opportunity to escape during the chaos.<ref name="AppB3"/>
The battle allowed the Black Riders to set forth and search for the One Ring in the west.
News of the defeat and the [[Black Shadow]] reached [[Eriador]] and the borders of [[the Shire]] by the end of [[June]]. [[Gandalf]] had an uneasy feeling when he got those messages and when he talked with refugees from the South he felt that they had a fear of which they didn't talk.<ref name=council/>
It was the first conflict of the War of the Ring. Sauron found Denethor's forces stronger than he expected.<ref name="hunt"/> For months thereafter Sauron continued to amass his forces in Mordor preparing for a full assault against Gondor.<ref>{{TT|IV4}}</ref> However when he discovered the [[Heir of Isildur]], his plans were altered<ref>{{RK|V2}}</ref> and proceeded hastily with his ready forces; [[Faramir's defence of Osgiliath|another skirmish occurred in Osgiliath]] leading up to the [[Siege of Gondor]].
==Portayal in adaptations==
[[File:The Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers - Boromir in Osgiliath.png|thumb|Boromir raises a flag of Gondor.]]
'''2002: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (extended edition)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers'' (extended edition)]]:'''
:In the extended edition, [[Faramir]] has a flashback of himself and [[Boromir|his brother]] in Osgiliath in the aftermath of a victorious battle; unlike in the books, the Gondorians here successfully fended off Sauron's forces and a multitude of soldiers (whereas in the books there was a handful of survivors) shout while Boromir is on a high wall and raises a white flag with the [[Livery of Elendil]]. As the soldiers celebrate their victory with ale, [[Denethor|Denethor II]] brought up the matter of [[the One Ring]] and sent Boromir to [[Rivendell]], expressing his trust and preference to him rather than Faramir. This scene seems to explain Faramir's treatment of [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] in the movie, as he intends to deliver the Ring to Denethor hoping to be seen in a better light.
{{References}}
{{References}}
[[Category:Conflicts of the War of the Ring]]
[[Category:Conflicts of the War of the Ring]]

Revision as of 14:29, 31 January 2021

This article describes a concept which is mentioned in J.R.R. Tolkien's works, but was never given a definite name.
The name Battle of Osgiliath refers to more than one character, item or concept. For a list of other meanings, see Battle of Osgiliath (disambiguation).
Sauron's attack on Osgiliath
Conflict: War of the Ring
Date: 20 June T.A. 3018[1]
Place: The ruins of Osgiliath and its last bridge
Outcome: Victory for Sauron, fall of the eastern half of Osgiliath, allowing the Nazgûl to hunt for the Ring
Combatants

Gondor

Mordor

Commanders
Strength

Unknown, Gondorians

Unknown, forces of Mordor, Easterlings, Haradrim

Casualties

Unknown

Unknown

War of the Ring
Osgiliath (1) · Moria · Isen (1) · Rauros · Isen (2) · Fangorn · Isengard · Hornburg · Osgiliath (2) · Siege of Gondor · Dale · Pelennor Fields · Black Gate · Dol Guldur · Bywater

Sauron's attack on Osgiliath occurred on 20 June, T.A. 3018, and was later recognized as the beginning of the War of the Ring.

Prelude

For many years (since T.A. 2901) the land of Ithilien had been held by Sauron's forces, but he had not breached the Anduin to attack deeper into Gondor, biding his time as he marshaled his strength.[2] By the end of the Age, Sauron had gathered all he could from the Rings of Power and started searching for the One Ring in Anduin. In T.A. 2951 he declared himself openly, gathered forces and fortified Mordor.[1]

In 3009 Gollum was captured after he had ventured into Mordor and the Dark Lord learned that his Ring was in the Shire, a location unknown to him. Gollum was released from Mordor in 3017 and was soon taken by Aragorn in the Dead Marshes.[1] His capture alarmed Sauron, causing him to send the Nazgûl out to attack the deserted ruins of Osgiliath and hunt for the Ring. Sauron had two purposes in making this assault: First, to test the strength and preparedness of Denethor (which was found to be greater than he hoped); and second (and more importantly) to make the appearance of the Nazgûl seem to be only part of his war policy against Gondor, in order to conceal from the Wise their mission to hunt for the One Ring.[2]

The days before the attack, the sons of Denethor Boromir and Faramir had a prophetic dream.[3]

The Battle

At the Council of Elrond, Boromir recounted this battle as a sudden attack in which the men of Gondor were outnumbered by the forces of Mordor with their allies, the Easterlings and Haradrim. However, he attributed Gondor's defeat to a power that had not been felt before, issuing from a great black horseman. Only a remnant of Gondor's eastern force survived. The last bridge across the Anduin was defended by a company led by Boromir and Faramir until the structure was destroyed. Only the two brothers and two others survived by swimming.[3]

After the eastern portion of Osgiliath was taken and the bridge broken, Sauron broke off the assault, ordering the Nazgûl to begin their search for the Ring.[2]

Aftermath

Mirkwood was raided on the same day, probably in a scheduled attack, as the captured Gollum found an opportunity to escape during the chaos.[1]

The battle allowed the Black Riders to set forth and search for the One Ring in the west.

News of the defeat and the Black Shadow reached Eriador and the borders of the Shire by the end of June. Gandalf had an uneasy feeling when he got those messages and when he talked with refugees from the South he felt that they had a fear of which they didn't talk.[3]

It was the first conflict of the War of the Ring. Sauron found Denethor's forces stronger than he expected.[2] For months thereafter Sauron continued to amass his forces in Mordor preparing for a full assault against Gondor.[4] However when he discovered the Heir of Isildur, his plans were altered[5] and proceeded hastily with his ready forces; another skirmish occurred in Osgiliath leading up to the Siege of Gondor.

Portayal in adaptations

Boromir raises a flag of Gondor.

2002: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (extended edition):

In the extended edition, Faramir has a flashback of himself and his brother in Osgiliath in the aftermath of a victorious battle; unlike in the books, the Gondorians here successfully fended off Sauron's forces and a multitude of soldiers (whereas in the books there was a handful of survivors) shout while Boromir is on a high wall and raises a white flag with the Livery of Elendil. As the soldiers celebrate their victory with ale, Denethor II brought up the matter of the One Ring and sent Boromir to Rivendell, expressing his trust and preference to him rather than Faramir. This scene seems to explain Faramir's treatment of Frodo in the movie, as he intends to deliver the Ring to Denethor hoping to be seen in a better light.

References