Iant Iaur

From Tolkien Gateway
Iant Iaur
Bridge
Liz Danforth - Iant Iaur.png
"Iant Iaur" by Liz Danforth
General Information
Other namesEsgaliant
LocationNorthern eaves of Doriath
TypeBridge
DescriptionStone bridge
GalleryImages of Iant Iaur

The Esgaliant (or Iant Iaur as it became known in later days) was a bridge over the Esgalduin.

The bridge was great and made of stone,[1] part of the great road that ran north of Doriath and connected Brithiach to Arossiach.[2]

History[edit | edit source]

The Bridge of Esgalduin was made long before Morgoth came to Beleriand, perhaps by Dwarves.[3]

After terror entered the Ered Gorgoroth and the land to its south became deserted, the road and bridge fell into decay, and it was referred to as Iant Iaur, the Old Bridge.[4]

Etymology[edit | edit source]

Iant Iaur is Sindarin for "Old Bridge", from iant ("bridge") and iaur ("old"). Therefore Esgal-iant clearly means "Bridge of Esgalduin".[source?]

References