South Gondor: Difference between revisions

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[[File:Middle-earth map (4 of 4).png|thumb|Map of Harondor and neighbouring regions]]
[[File:Stephen Raw - Middle-earth map (4 of 4).png|thumb|Map of Harondor and neighbouring regions]]
'''South Gondor''', known in [[Sindarin]] as '''Harondor''', was a disputed region between the rivers [[Poros]] and [[Harnen]].<ref>{{FR|Map}}</ref>  The [[Harad Road]] ran across South Gondor. Its climate was described as fluctuating between mild winters and very hot and dry summers.<ref>''[[The Atlas of Middle-earth]]'', pp. 183, 185</ref>
'''South Gondor''', known in [[Sindarin]] as '''Harondor''', was a region south of [[Ithilien]].<ref name="West">{{FR|Map}}</ref>  


Historically, this region was a part of [[Gondor]], but frequent assaults and invasions by the [[Corsairs of Umbar]] and the [[Haradrim]] meant that, by the later years of the [[Third Age]], Gondor lost control over this region.<ref>{{App|Gondor}}</ref> In fact, Harondor was part of Gondor until the [[Kin-strife]]. During the [[War of the Ring]], it was often described as a "debatable and desert land" on maps.
==Geography==
Harondor's borders were probably the river [[Poros]] in the north,<ref name=VT>{{VT|42a}}, pp. 17 paragraph about the element arn-</ref> possibly the river [[Harnen]] in the south,<ref>{{TT|Herbs}}, "in those days our bounds were away south beyond the mouths of Anduin"</ref> the [[Ephel Dúath]] and the river Harnen in the east and the river [[Anduin]] and the [[Bay of Belfalas]] in the west. It was described as a "desert land" at the time of the [[War of the Ring]].<ref name="West" /> However, it is possible that this meant that it was a land that was deserted by its inhabitants because of the wars between [[Gondor]] and the [[Corsairs of Umbar]] and the [[Haradrim]].<ref group=note>South Gondor is labelled as a "verlassenes Land" (i.e. a deserted land or abandoned land) on the [[The West of Middle-earth at the End of the Third Age|map of the West of Middle-earth]] in the German translation of ''The Lord of the Rings''.</ref> It is possible that Harondor had a climate that was fluctuating between mild winters and very hot and dry summers.<ref>{{HM|AME}}, pp. 183, 185</ref><ref group=note>J.R.R. Tolkien wrote on [[General Map of Middle-earth|his son's map of Middle-earth]] for [[Pauline Baynes]] that Umbar is approximately at the latitude of Cyprus and that Minas Tirith is approximately at the latitude of Ravenna, but more to the east near Belgrade. He wrote that these references are so that Pauline Baynes can roughly judge the climate and the fauna and flora for her [[A Map of Middle-earth|map of Middle-earth]]. In addition, he wrote in a [[Letter 294|letter to Charlotte and Denis Plimmer]] that the city of Pelargir is approximately at the latitude of ancient Troy. J.R.R. Tolkiens mentions that Ithilien was open to the moist winds from the sea and sheltered from the east by the Ephel Dúath in the context of the vegetation in Ithilien in The Lord of the Rings. Those two factors probably also apply to Harondor.</ref>


[[Fengel]]'s two older brothers, [[Folcred]] and [[Fastred (son of Folcwine)|Fastred]], were killed in [[Harondor]] while fighting for [[Gondor]] in [[Third Age 2885|T.A. 2885]], meaning that even by the late Third Age, Gondor had not completely abandoned and ceded Harondor.
==History==
Harondor was absorbed by Gondor during the height of its power, probably the expansions of [[Tarannon Falastur]], who extended the sway of Gondor along the coasts west and south of the Mouths of Anduin.<ref>{{App|Gondor}}, entry for king Tarannon</ref><ref>{{HM|AME}}, "The Third Age - Kingdoms of the Dunedain", p. 55</ref>
 
Harondor was part of Gondor until the [[Kin-strife]] when it became a debatable land between the [[Corsairs of Umbar]] and the [[Kings of Gondor]].<ref>{{App|Gondor}}, entry for king Eldacar</ref>
 
During the days of [[Ruling Stewards|Steward]] [[Túrin II]], the Haradrim occupied Harondor and there was much fighting along the [[Poros]]. When they started invading [[Ithilien]], many [[Rohirrim]] came to the support of Gondor and won ({{TA|2885}}).<Ref>{{App|Stewards}}, entry for steward Túrin II</ref>
 
==Etymology==
The [[Sindarin]] word Harondor seems{{who}} to contain ''har-'' (as in [[Harad]], meaning "south")<ref>{{App|E1i}}</ref> and ''Gondor''.{{fact}}


==Portrayal in adaptations==
==Portrayal in adaptations==


'''1982-97: ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing]]'':'''
'''[[1996]]: ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing]]'':'''
:Several settlements and sites in Harondor are mentioned, including Gobel Mirlond, Has Yayb, Tir Ethraid, Barad Harn and Amon Eithel.{{fact}}
:Several settlements and sites in Harondor, its history, geography, flora and fauna, inhabitants, politics and power and warcraft are mentioned in the MERP module ''[[Southern Gondor: The Land]]''.


'''1995-8: ''[[Middle-earth Collectible Card Game]]'':'''
{{references|n}}
:A site in Harondor, ''[[Haudh in Gwanûr|Haudh-in-Gwanûr]]'', is mentioned, where players face an attack by Undead.
[[Category:Gondor]]
 
{{references}}
[[Category:Regions]]
[[Category:Regions]]
[[Category:Gondor]]
[[de:Harondor]]
[[de:Harondor]]
[[fr:encyclo/geographie/regions/harondor]]
[[fr:encyclo/geographie/regions/harondor]]
[[fi:Etelä-Gondor]]
[[fi:Etelä-Gondor]]

Revision as of 10:30, 27 December 2020

"Who told you, and who sent you?" — Gandalf
This article or section needs more/new/more-detailed sources to conform to a higher standard and to provide proof for claims made.
Map of Harondor and neighbouring regions

South Gondor, known in Sindarin as Harondor, was a region south of Ithilien.[1]

Geography

Harondor's borders were probably the river Poros in the north,[2] possibly the river Harnen in the south,[3] the Ephel Dúath and the river Harnen in the east and the river Anduin and the Bay of Belfalas in the west. It was described as a "desert land" at the time of the War of the Ring.[1] However, it is possible that this meant that it was a land that was deserted by its inhabitants because of the wars between Gondor and the Corsairs of Umbar and the Haradrim.[note 1] It is possible that Harondor had a climate that was fluctuating between mild winters and very hot and dry summers.[4][note 2]

History

Harondor was absorbed by Gondor during the height of its power, probably the expansions of Tarannon Falastur, who extended the sway of Gondor along the coasts west and south of the Mouths of Anduin.[5][6]

Harondor was part of Gondor until the Kin-strife when it became a debatable land between the Corsairs of Umbar and the Kings of Gondor.[7]

During the days of Steward Túrin II, the Haradrim occupied Harondor and there was much fighting along the Poros. When they started invading Ithilien, many Rohirrim came to the support of Gondor and won (T.A. 2885).[8]

Etymology

The Sindarin word Harondor seems[who?] to contain har- (as in Harad, meaning "south")[9] and Gondor.[source?]

Portrayal in adaptations

1996: Middle-earth Role Playing:

Several settlements and sites in Harondor, its history, geography, flora and fauna, inhabitants, politics and power and warcraft are mentioned in the MERP module Southern Gondor: The Land.

Notes

  1. South Gondor is labelled as a "verlassenes Land" (i.e. a deserted land or abandoned land) on the map of the West of Middle-earth in the German translation of The Lord of the Rings.
  2. J.R.R. Tolkien wrote on his son's map of Middle-earth for Pauline Baynes that Umbar is approximately at the latitude of Cyprus and that Minas Tirith is approximately at the latitude of Ravenna, but more to the east near Belgrade. He wrote that these references are so that Pauline Baynes can roughly judge the climate and the fauna and flora for her map of Middle-earth. In addition, he wrote in a letter to Charlotte and Denis Plimmer that the city of Pelargir is approximately at the latitude of ancient Troy. J.R.R. Tolkiens mentions that Ithilien was open to the moist winds from the sea and sheltered from the east by the Ephel Dúath in the context of the vegetation in Ithilien in The Lord of the Rings. Those two factors probably also apply to Harondor.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, "The West of Middle-earth at the End of the Third Age" [map]
  2. J.R.R. Tolkien, "The Rivers and Beacon-hills of Gondor" (edited by Carl F. Hostetter), in Vinyar Tengwar, Number 42, July 2001, pp. 17 paragraph about the element arn-
  3. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "Of Herbs and Stewed Rabbit", "in those days our bounds were away south beyond the mouths of Anduin"
  4. Karen Wynn Fonstad (1991), The Atlas of Middle-earth, pp. 183, 185
  5. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Gondor and the Heirs of Anárion", entry for king Tarannon
  6. Karen Wynn Fonstad (1991), The Atlas of Middle-earth, "The Third Age - Kingdoms of the Dunedain", p. 55
  7. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Gondor and the Heirs of Anárion", entry for king Eldacar
  8. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Gondor and the Heirs of Anárion", "The Stewards", entry for steward Túrin II
  9. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix E, "Pronunciation of Words and Names", "Consonants"