History of Mordor. Locations

Mordor - the land of Shadow and Darkness, where Sauron lives, the second Dark Lord of Middle-earth - attracts the forces of evil and the creatures of darkness. Many monsters live here - karagors, graugs, ungols and other even more terrible monsters that neither the Uruks nor their Dark Lord could tame.

The burning heart of Mordor is now the great volcano Orodruin, which has been dormant for several thousand years. Barad-Dur, Sauron's dilapidated fortress, is hidden from view by a magical veil of darkness.

The Uruks captured all of Mordor from the Black Gate to Nurn and hundreds of miles south. The local population had little hope of salvation.

Morannon

The Black Gate of Mordor is a formidable defensive structure that stretches from Ered Lithui (Ash Mountains) to Ephel Duat (Twilight Mountains). The Gates have long protected Mordor from the invading armies of Gondor - and vice versa.

The stone walls of the Morannon are impregnable. Such a majestic structure was erected by the servants of Sauron, the Dark Lord, with the help of the Ring of Omnipotence, and it was still in the Second Age.

Later, after the defeat of Sauron at the Battle of Dagorlad, the Gondorian prisoners of war built the Towers of the Fangs, Narchost and Karchost, on either side of the great wall. The Pathfinders of Gondor guarded the gates for more than two thousand years, but after the Black Sea their number was greatly reduced.

Fort Morne

Fort Morn is the main trading center of southern Mordor, where roads converge from Taurband in the west, Norgoth in the north, and Eastwatch on the Khand road. Here they bring the slaves necessary for the war machine of Sauron, and provisions for the ever-increasing armies of Mordor.

Settlement of fishermen

The Uruks captured a fishing settlement on the Sea of ​​Nurnen, wanting to provide their army with additional provisions. True, unlike the locals, they do not fully understand what this can lead to. Though they had also heard of the Deep Guardian, a ferocious sea demon who would not tolerate anyone trespassing and defiling his domain.

When the time is right, the Guardian will rise up, churning the waters with huge tentacles and tearing with razor-sharp teeth those who defile the Sea of ​​Nurnen. He had already destroyed this fishermen's settlement more than once.

Ered Glamhot

Ered Glamhot (translated as "mountains of the evil horde") is a terrible place, even the evil inhabitants of Mordor are afraid of it. Even the Uruks and children of Shelob avoid the ravines of these mountains.

It is here that the Tower of Sauron built his fortress, and the cries and *¦ groans of the living and the dead are heard throughout the neighborhood.

Nurnen Sea

The locals believe that Nurnen, the inland sea of ​​Mordor, is haunted by ghosts. Water from Nurnen irrigates the local crops, but since the Dark Lord returned, it has become bitter and undrinkable.

Strange beaked monsters are caught in the fishermen's nets, and sailors who sailed the sea before the Uruks captured Nurn tell that a monster with many tentacles lives in Nurnen. It is rumored to be so powerful that it can capsize and sink huge barges on which the Uruks transport slaves.

Taurband, a walled city on the banks of the Nurnen, became the base of the slave traders. The Uruks bring captives there before sending them to various parts of Mordor and even beyond.

Nurn

Outsiders often consider Mordor to be a dead land, but this is not so. Its southern part, Nurn, is fertile enough to feed the Dark Lord's hordes; its soils are fertilized by the ashes of Orodruin, and its pastures are nourished by the waters of the Nurnen Sea.

Nurn is home to a variety of Mordorian beasts, including graugs, caraghors, ghouls, hell hawks, and many other monsters. Once upon a time there lived a people ruled by Mistress Marwen, Queen of the Coast.

Now the Uruks are in charge of Nurn, but the surviving people did not resign themselves to defeat and continue to resist the invaders.

Durthang

Durthang is a Gondorian fortress built in Udun after the Last Alliance defeated Sauron. She guards Karakh-Angren and the lands beyond it. Pathfinders that make up its garrison have been patrolling Udun for more than a thousand years, but their numbers have been greatly reduced under the onslaught of the eastern tribes and after the deadly Black Sea.

As a result, there was no one to guard the fortress, and in the Third Age of Middle-earth (1640), people left it. After the return of Sauron, the fortress was occupied by the Uruks.

Barad Nurn

The fortress of Barad Nurn was built by the Gondorians immediately after the defeat of Sauron at the end of the Second Age. Its purpose was to watch over the Sea of ​​Nurnen and deter enemy fleets coming up the Gurthrant River from the south.

The fortress was abandoned during the Black Plague that came from the east in 1636 of the Third Age, when the soldiers brought the plague to Osgiliath. The garrison never returned, and the fortress was occupied by the corsairs of Umbar, who renamed it the Maw of Hope. It soon became a base for pirate raids on Ithilien and Khand.

Over time, the descendants of the corsairs settled on the fertile lands of Nurn and became ordinary fishermen and farmers.

burial grounds

The Uruk say they know no fear, but they avoid the Burial Grounds. They believe that the vengeful dead dwell there, the spirits of men and elves who died in the battle on Dagorlad. And they are not that far from the truth.

Since Uruks do not spawn in caves, the Burial Grounds became an ideal hideout for the Udun outcasts, led by Hirgon. Secret passages from there lead to a vast network of caves that extends beyond Mordor to the other side of the Black Gate. It is on it that the outcasts hope to get to Minas Tirith.

Barad Silme

Almost nothing is known about these mysterious ruins - except for fragmentary visions of a ghost that has moved into the doomed ranger Talion. He is familiar with these towers.

The eternal enemy of all that exists - time - hid their purpose from us, the names of their builders were erased from memory. Until their origins are clear, we can only call these ruined monoliths Barad-Silme, the Towers of Starlight. They are the invisible shadows of the ancient bloody history of Mordor and the memory of the long-dead land of the elves of Eregion.

black road

The Black Road - the main path of Mordor - runs from the Black Gate through the valley of Udun, crosses the plains of Gorgoroth and ends at the magical veil that protects the fortress of Barad-dur.

The road was laid out during the Second Age, and was primarily used by the advancing (or retreating) armies of Middle-earth. Now the orcs rule it again, and the enslaved inhabitants of Udun expand it, which should serve as a bad omen for all the rest of the inhabitants of Middle-earth.

Uruchy log

Before the return of Sauron, the Uruchy Log was a bazaar town, which the outcasts nicknamed "Shops". Now it has become a slave camp where Sauron's army herds captives before distributing them to hard labor camps all over Mordor.

Surviving in the Uruch Log is not easy, and all those who die from starvation, disease or beatings become meat for the Uruks or go to feed the Mordor rats that live in the same cages as the slaves.

But, despite all the hardships and hardships, the captives do not lose hope: among the slaves there are rumors about a ghost that brings retribution and terrifies the overseers, and helps the outcasts escape from Mordor, which has turned into hell.

Gorthaur

One glance at Gorthaur is enough to strike terror into the soul of any person. This monument not only demonstrates the power of the Dark Lord, but unequivocally declares his presence and intentions.

Huge, carved from stone, Sauron in magnificent armor holds in his hand the chains with which the kings of people are bound.

Gorthaur - a symbol of power and contempt for people; he was built by the will of Sauron - and it also restored him to power after the defeat that he suffered in the war against Gil-galad and Elendil. Gorthaur seems to command: look at me and tremble.

Karakh-Angren

The "iron jaws" of Karah-Angren are formed by the spurs of Ered-Litui (Ash Mountains) and Efel-Duat (Twilight Mountains). This single passage between the Udun Valley in the north and the Gorgoroth Plateau in the south has been heavily fortified, and the Black Road that runs through it has been greatly widened to allow the armies of the Dark Lord to pass through it.

Under the supervision of the Uruks, the slaves built Gorthaur in Karakh-Angren - a formidable, majestic monument of stone and steel in honor of Sauron. It both glorifies the Dark Lord's past and is a symbol of his inevitable victory over the human kingdoms.

Barad-dur

Barad-dur (the Black Tower) has been in ruins ever since the armies of Gondor defeated Sauron's army at the end of the Second Age.

However, as long as Sauron lives, Barad-dur cannot be completely destroyed. It was here that Sauron settled, returning to Mordor. Now, hiding behind a magical curtain, he began to restore his tower and prepare for the big War of the Ring.

Orodruin

Orodruin (more often called "Mountain of Doom") is the greatest volcano of Middle-earth, the fiery heart of Mordor. It was here, in Sammat Naur - the Lair of Fire - Sauron forged in the flames of Orodruin the Ring of Omnipotence to rule all Middle-earth. Here - and only here - the Ring can be destroyed.

This volcano has been dormant ever since the Ring was cut from Sauron's hand on its slope. When the power and fury of the Dark Lord reaches its highest point, Mount Doom will once again belch flames.

Udong

The Udong Valley is a harsh land; it is mainly a staging post for armies that come out of Mordor or seek to attack it. Once there lived fugitives from Gondor, but now the valley is dominated by the Uruks.

In the north Udun is bordered by the Black Gate, and in the south by the Iron Jaws of Karah-Angren. It is guarded by the fortress of Durthang, where the garrison has reappeared; it is crossed by the imposing Black Road, which leads to the ruins of the fortress of Barad-dur, where the Dark Lord took refuge after the defeat at Dol Guldur.

- on South. At the western border of Mordor, between the Land of Shadow and Anduin, was Ithilien, the land of Gondor, and further west, on the other side of the river, was the great city of Minas Tirith.

The area of ​​Mordor is approximately 175,000 square miles (~453,000 km2). From north to south it stretched for 350 miles, from west to east for 500 miles.

The border of Mordor in the north was the Ash Mountains; The Shadow Mountains formed the southern and western borders. From the east, Mordor was not protected by mountains, but Rhun - the eastern lands - were his ally, so it was unlikely that the enemy could get through this way.

The main entrance to Mordor was the Black Gate, a huge iron barrier that blocked the passage of Cirith Gorgor in the northeast of the country, where the Ash Mountains met the Mountains of Shadow. The Black Gate was heavily guarded, and the Fang Towers were located on the sides of the Gate.

Beyond the Black Gate was the Wudong Valley, surrounded by mountain ranges. In Udun there were warehouses with ammunition, as well as troops stationed for the defense of Mordor. Forts and fortresses were located around Udun, among which was a huge castle called Durthang. On the other side of Udun, opposite the Black Gate was Eizenmut - a narrow gorge leading to the Gorgoroth plateau. Eisenmuth was surrounded by a palisade, an embankment and a trench, which could only be crossed by a single bridge.

There was another passage to Mordor, 90 miles south of the Black Gate. From the Morgul Vale in the Mountains of Shadow a road was built through the Morgul Pass. The Morgul road was guarded by the troops of Minas Morgul, a fortress commanded by the Lord of the Nazgul.

In the Morgul Valley there was another, less well-known passage to Mordor - the Straight Staircase and the Spiral Staircase led to a tunnel under the mountains, where the spider Shelob settled. On the other side of the Lair of Shelob was the Tower of Cirith Ungol, erected to guard the Pass of Cirith Ungol. Further, the road went down and connected with the Morgul road.

On the inner side of the Mountains of Shadow, between the Morgul Road and the Black Gate, was the Morgai mountain range, which was at least 1,500 feet high. Several streams with bitter water flowed down from Morgai. Some plants have managed to adapt to such conditions: twisted trees, tough grass and thickets of thorns. There were also black flies with red spots.

Mordor was crossed by several roads used by the servants of Sauron. To the northwest, roads connected the Black Gate, Barad-dur, Mount Doom, and Morgul Pass. Sauron's road led from Barad-dur to Mount Doom. Along the roads along Gorgoroth there were tanks with water for the needs of the passing troops. It is likely that the same roads were in the south of Mordor.

The northwestern part of Mordor was predominantly an industrial region with mines and forges, while the more fertile region of Nurn was used for agriculture. Four rivers flowed in that area, flowing into Lake Nurnen, an inland sea located in the southeast of the country. Slaves worked in the fields to provide food for Sauron's troops.

In addition to the Slave Men, evil Men served Sauron, such as the Mouth of Sauron, who lived in Barad-dûr. The main population of Mordor were Orcs. Many Orcs lived in camps near Morgai and in forts around the Udun Valley. Trolls lived in Mordor, as well as a special kind of them, bred by Sauron, called Olog-hai. Sauron also bred a breed of terrible Dread Beasts. These winged creatures were used by the Nazgûl instead of horses.

Story

Barad-dur was almost completely destroyed, and Sauron's forces were routed and scattered. At the beginning of the Third Age, Mordor was being watched. Minas Ithil was recaptured and new fortresses were built: the Tower of Cirith Ungol and the Towers of the Fangs. But many years later, the guard weakened, and after the Great Plague that devastated Gondor in 1636, all guard posts were empty.

In 1980, the Nazgul, led by the Witch-king, returned to Mordor. They prepared the return of Sauron. In 2000, the Nazgul laid siege to Minas Itil and captured it in 2002, making it their fortress. It was renamed Minas Morgul, the Stronghold of the Dark Powers. Also in the possession of the Nazgul, and later - Sauron, passed the Stone of Itil.

In 2475, a new breed of Orcs, the Uruks, first emerged from Mordor. They passed through Ithilien and captured Osgiliath, a city on the river Anduin. Ithilien was retaken by Gondor, but Osgiliath lay in ruins. In 2901 the attacks resumed and most of the Gondorians left Ithilien.

Sauron was banished from Dol Guldur in 2941 and returned to Mordor the following year. In 2951, he openly declared himself, and began to restore Barad-dur. Mount Doom erupted in 2954. Sauron gathered armies of Orcs and Men from all over the east and south. He developed a new breed of Trolls, the Olog-Khai, who were not afraid of sunlight. Sauron needed only the One Ring to return all his power.

Frodo and Sam followed Gollum up the Straight and Spiral Stairs. In the end, he led them into a cave and left them in the dark. The cave was the lair of the spider Shelob. She attacked the Hobbits, stung Frodo on the neck and paralyzed them.

Frodo was found by two orcs named Shagrat and Gorbag ​​and was taken to the Tower of Cirith Ungol. Orcs massacred because of Frodo's mithril chain mail, and almost everyone died. Sam managed to free Frodo, but Shagrat escaped, taking with him the mithril chain mail and other things of the Hobbits, and took them to Barad-dur.

On March 15, Sauron's forces were defeated at the Battle of the Pelennor Fields by the combined forces of Gondor and Rohan, but Sauron still had a huge army at his disposal in Mordor. The warlords of the West decided to march on Mordor in order to pull the forces of Sauron back and give Frodo time to complete his mission.

The hobbits walked on the rocks of Morgai, because Frodo believed that the servants of Sauron would hunt them in the lands to the east. When they got to a place where Mount Doom was about 40 miles to the east, the Hobbits were on a rock 1500 feet high. They could not descend, because the troops of Sauron passed through Gorgoroth to the Black Gate.

The hobbits went further north and then took the road leading east. They were spotted by a troop of Orcs and were mistaken for Orc fugitives, as they were wearing Orc armor. For a long time, the Hobbits walked with the detachment, but later, in the confusion, they managed to escape.

Sauron gathered most of his troops at Udun, waiting for the arrival of the army of the West. Gorgoroth was devastated, and Frodo and Sam were able to walk along the road most of the time. On March 24 they reached the foot of the mountain.

On the same day, the army of the West reached the Black Gate. The next day, March 25, Sauron sent his ambassador, nicknamed the Mouth of Sauron, to show the mithril mail. He declared that he was holding the chain mail of the prisoner Sauron, and that the prisoner would be mercilessly tortured until the armies of the West surrendered. Gandalf rejected the terms and the Battle of the Morannon began.

At Mount Doom, where the One Ring was forged, Frodo's burden became too heavy to bear. Sam carried the owner closer to the mountain, but they were attacked by Gollum. Frodo and Gollum grappled for the Ring at the edge of the Crack of Doom, Gollum slipped and, together with the Ring, fell into the fiery abyss.

When the One Ring was destroyed, Sauron was finally defeated and much of Mordor was reduced to rubble. Barad-dur collapsed, the Fang Towers and the Black Gate collapsed. The earth shook and broke. Mount Doom erupted, and lava and ash littered the land of the Gorgoroth Plain. The Nazgûl died in the fire, and Sauron's troops scattered or surrendered in a panic. Frodo and Sam were saved: they were picked up by the Great Eagles Gwaihir, Landroval and Meneldor.

The lands of Nurn in the southern part of Mordor seem to have escaped the severe destruction that befell the rest of the dark land. Aragorn, King of the Elessar, freed the slaves of Mordor and granted them the lands around Lake Nurnen for use.

Mordor Map

Important dates

Second Age:

OK. 1000 Sauron settles in Mordor and begins building Barad-dûr.

OK. 1200 - Sauron travels to Eregion, tricks into trusting the Elves and reveals to them the secrets of craftsmanship.

OK. 1500 - The Elves under the guidance of Sauron create the Rings of Power. Sauron returns to Mordor.

OK. 1600 - Sauron creates the One Ring in the fire of Mount Doom. The elves realize they have been deceived.

1693 - Sauron prepares troops and declares war on the Elves.

1695 Sauron invades Eriador.

1701 Sauron returns to Mordor after being defeated by the Elves and Numenoreans.

OK. 1800 - Sauron expands his possessions in the east.

OK. 2251 - First appearance of the Nazgul.

3262 Ar-Pharazon attacks Mordor with a large army and demands that Sauron surrender. Sauron is taken as a prisoner to Numenor.

3319 Numenor is flooded. Sauron's body is destroyed, but the spirit hides in Middle-earth.

3320 Sauron returns to Mordor. Elendil and his sons found the kingdoms of Gondor and Arnor. The fortress of Minas Itil was built to protect against Mordor.

3429 Mount Doom erupts. Sauron attacks Gondor and captures Minas Ithil. Anarion pushes Sauron's forces back to Mordor.

3430 - The Last Union of Men and Elves is concluded.

3434 Sauron's forces are defeated at the Battle of Dagorlad. The siege of Barad-dûr begins.

3441 Sauron emerges from Barad-dur and fights Gil-galad and Elendil. The Dark Lord is defeated and Isildur cuts the One Ring from his hand. The spirit of Sauron lurks in the East.

Third era:

2 - Isildur is slain by orcs at the Gladden Fields. The One Ring is lost in the waters of the Anduin.

OK. 1050 Sauron establishes the stronghold of Dol Guldur in Greenwood.

1636 - The Great Plague devastates Gondor. Watch over Mordor ceases.

1856 - Eight Nazgul returned to Mordor.

1980 - The Lord of the Nazgul returns to Mordor and gathers the others to prepare the return of Sauron.

2000 - Nazgul besiege Minas Itil.

2002 - The Nazgul capture Minas Itil, later named Minas Morgul. The palantir of Ithil is also captured, and subsequently given to Sauron.

2050 - King Earnur goes to Minas Morgul to duel with the Witch-king and goes missing. In the absence of the king, Stewards govern Gondor.

2475 Uruks of Mordor attack Gondor.

2901 Mordorian Uruks occupy Ithilien and the inhabitants flee.

2942 Sauron secretly returns to Mordor.

2951 - Sauron openly declares himself, begins to build up strength and rebuild Barad-dur.

2954 - Mount Doom erupted.

OK. 3000 - A shadow spreads over Mordor.

3017 Sauron captures Gollum, and after he names Shire and Baggins, allows him to escape.

June 20 - Sauron sends the Nazgul to attack Osgiliath. July 1 - The Nazgul, led by the Witch-king, secretly set out in search of the One Ring.

March 5 - The Hobbits reach the Black Gate and realize that they cannot pass this way. Frodo follows Gollum along the secret path to Mordor. March 9 - The Hobbits reach the Morgul Road. March 10 - Day without Dawn. The army from the Morannon captures Cair Andros and advances into Anorien. Sauron signals to the Lord of the Nazgul to lead his troops to Minas Tirith. Gollum leads the Hobbits through the Straight and Spiral Stairs. March 12 - Gollum leads the Hobbits to Shelob's Lair. March 13 - Orcs take the wounded Frodo to the Tower of Cirith Ungol. March 14 - Sam finds Frodo. March 15 - Frodo and Sam flee the Tower; Battle of the Pelennor Fields. March 16 - Frodo with Sam and Morgai see Mount Doom. March 17 - Shagrat takes Frodo's cloak and mithril mail and Sam's sword to Barad-dur. March 18 - Frodo and Sam, together with a detachment of Orcs, go to Udun. March 19 - Frodo and Sam escape from the party. March 22 - Frodo and Sam turn south off the road towards Mount Doom. March 24 - Hobbits reach the foot of the Mountain. March 25 - The armies of the West fight the forces of Mordor at the Battle of the Morannon. Frodo reaches the Crack of Doom and claims the Ring as his. Gollum bites off Frodo's Ring and finger and falls into the crater. The Ring is destroyed, Sauron is finally defeated, Mordor is destroyed. May 1 - Aragorn becomes King of the Reunited Kingdom of Gondor and Arnor. He frees the slaves of Mordor and gives them the land near Lake Nurnen for use.

Etymology

Mordor (Mordor):

Mordor means "Black Earth" from mor- "dark, black" and dor- land, area. In the Common Tongue, Mordor was often called Black Earth, Dark Country And Shadow Land.

Additional sources

• Appendix A of The Lord of the Rings: "Gondor and the Heirs of Anarion" p. 332-33; "The Stewards" p. 333-35
• The Silmarillion: "Akallabeth" p. 267, 280; "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age" p. 288, 290-97, 302-3
• Unfinished Tales: "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn" p. 236, 239
• The History of Middle-earth, vol. VII, The Treason of Isengard: "The Story Foreseen from Moria" p. 213; "The First Map" p. 309 map III, 313 (location of Lithlad)

24.08.2015

“Ukraine was, is and will be. And Novorossiya is a Tolkien myth called Mordor.” This was stated by the President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko during the March of Independence in Kyiv.

What is Mordor?

Mordor is the country where the main forces of Darkness and Evil are located in the worlds of the British writer JRR Tolkien. It was there that the hobbits Frodo Baggins and Sam Gamgee went to destroy the Ring of Omnipotence*. Represents "a lifeless desert in which the sun never shines." Located in the southeast of Middle-earth, east of the Anduin River. This territory is protected from attacks by elves and humans by three huge mountain ranges surrounding it from the north, west and south. The area of ​​Mordor is approximately 175,000 square miles (453,000 km²). From north to south it stretches for 350 miles (560 km), from west to east - for 500 miles (800 km).

Mordor. Shot from the film "The Lord of the Rings"

Who rules Mordor and who inhabits it?

Ruled by Mordor Dark Lord - Sauron. It is protected by orcs and other evil creatures - trolls, as well as their special species, bred by Sauron - Olog-hai. Sauron also created a breed of Dire Winged Beasts that the Nazgûl** used in place of horses. In the Mountains of Shadow in Mordor lives a huge ancient spider Shelob.

The main geographical features of Mordor

• Black gate;
• Volcano Orodruin, or Mount Doom;
• Black Castle Barad-dur;
• Morannon, or Black Gate of Mordor;
• the castle of Minas Morgul, or the Fortress of the Dark Forces;
• fortress watchtower Cirith Ungol;
• Ephel Duat, or Parietal Mountains;
• mountains of Ered Litui, or Izgar mountains;
• plateau Gorgorot;
• sea ​​Nurnen.

*During the War of the Ring, which takes place in The Lord of the Rings, Sauron gathered all his forces to Mordor. After the battle at Minas Tirith, Aragorn approached the Black Gate. Sauron sent an army to destroy the armies of Gondor and Rohan, but when Frodo and Sam (with the "assistance" of Gollum) destroyed the Ring of Omnipotence, Mordor fell. The Dark Tower, the Black Gate and the Fangs of Mordor collapsed. Sauron and his Nazgul finally perished for the rest of their lives.

** Nazgul - nine lords from among the people enslaved by the Ring of Omnipotence and became the servants of Sauron.

Geography

Mordor was defended on three sides by mountain ranges arranged roughly rectangularly: Ered Lithui (or Ash Mountains) in the north, Ephel Duat (or Izgar Mountains) in the west and south. In the northwestern part of Mordor, the deep valley of Udun was the only entrance for large armies. In the same place, at the junction of the Ash and Izgar mountains, the Black Gates of Mordor were built. The towers placed behind the Black Gate (called the Fangs of Mordor) were built by Gondor to keep evil within Mordor. In front of these gates lies the huge Dagorlad field. Sauron's main stronghold, Barad-dur, was in the foothills of Ered Lithui. To the southwest of Barad-dûr lies the arid plateau of Gorgoroth, to the southeast, by the salty Nurnen Sea, lies another large plateau, Lithland. The passage to the narrow pass through the Izgar Mountains was guarded by the fortress of Minas Morgul (formerly Minas Itil). The pass is called Cirith Ungol, after the fortress that stands directly on the pass itself. Shelob also lived there, in the tunnels, not far from the fortress of Cirith Ungol. The labyrinth of Shelob was called Torek-Ungol. The southern part of Mordor was much more fertile, and wet enough to support agriculture. In this part of Mordor was the salty inland sea of ​​Nurnen. To the west of Mordor was a narrow strip of the land of Ithilien, beyond which lay the city of Osgiliath and the river Anduin.

Flora of Mordor - the last plants that managed to survive in this "dying, but not yet dead" country (Lord of the Rings). Includes "stunted saplings", "tufts of stiff gray grass", "shriveled mosses", "bramble thickets" and densely growing shrubs that could be found near tiny streams flowing from the mountains. Sam and Frodo took cover behind some brambles that had long, sharp thorns and hooked thorns. The shrubs also had thorns, which Sam describes as "a foot long" (30 cm).

Story

Appearance

The appearance of Mordor was a consequence of the destructive actions of Morgoth. Probably, this region was formed during colossal volcanic eruptions. It was given the name Mordor already at the time of Sauron, who settled there, because of its volcano Orodruin (also called Mount Doom) and its flames.

Early history

Sauron settled in Mordor 1000 years after the end of the First Age, after which this area became a haven for his evil will throughout the Second and Third Ages of Middle-earth. In the northwest of Mordor, in the middle of the Gorgoroth plateau, is the volcano Orodruin, where Sauron forged the Ring of Omnipotence. To the northeast of Orodruin, at a distance of one league, stood Sauron's citadel of Barad-dur. After accession in this country, Sauron became known as the Dark Lord of Mordor.

For 2500 years Sauron ruled Mordor continuously. Having created the Ring, he went to war against the elves of Eregion, but was defeated by the Numenoreans. After that, after almost a thousand years, he went to war against people, until he was captured and brought to Numenor, which, due to the activities of Sauron, was sunk (along with himself). Immediately after the destruction of Numenor, Sauron returned to Mordor as a spirit, and taking on a new, terrible guise, he again began to rule Mordor.

The Last Alliance and the Third Age

Sauron's reign was cut short when he attempted to destroy the new human kingdom of Gondor, founded by the descendants of the dead Númenor. After several years of siege, the forces of the Last Alliance of Elves and Men entered Mordor. Sauron was defeated in the final battle on the slopes of Orodruin. For about a thousand years, Mordor was guarded by Gondor.

The victims of the Black Plague during the reign of King Telemnar were so great that the fortifications guarding Mordor were abandoned, as troops were needed to guard the borders of Gondor. Deprived of protection, Mordor began to fill with evil again. Minas Ithil in the Morgul Valley was captured by the Nazgûl, and the fortifications that were supposed to protect Gondor from the threat from Mordor were turned into a means of protecting Mordor from outside attack. By the time Sauron returned to Mordor it was very well defended. Large garrisons were stationed in the north during the War of the Ring, and the salty Inland Sea in the south allowed for the maintenance of slaves from the countries of the east and south, who cultivated the land and supplied the army.

War of the Ring

During this war, Sauron gathered all his forces to Mordor. After the battle at Minas Tirith, Aragorn approached the Black Gate. Sauron sent an army to destroy his hosts of Gondor and Rohan, but when Frodo Baggins and Sam Gamgee (with Gollum's "assistance") destroyed the Ring of Power, Mordor fell. The Dark Tower, Black Gate and Fangs of Mordor collapsed. There was an eruption of Orodruin, Sauron and his Nazgul were finally disembodied (until the end of days).

Cultural references

• Mordor is mentioned in the song Ramble On by Led Zeppelin, along with other images from Tolkien's writings.
• German metal band Running Wild recorded the song "Mordor" on the 1985 album Branded and Exiled. The song is written from the point of view of the Dark Forces.
• In 1995, the computer game Mordor: The Depths of Dejenol was released. Despite the name, the game has nothing to do with Tolkien's universe.
• Mentioned in the track "Eastern Mordor" rapper Oxxxymiron.
• Also, the German metal band Blind Guardian performs the song Lord of the rings where there is a mention of Mordor

Links

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Developer EA Los Angeles Publisher EA Games Release date December 6, 2004 Version 1.03 ... Wikipedia

Sauron Statue of Sauron in Bristol ... Wikipedia

Developer EA Los Angeles Publisher EA Games Release date March 2, 2006 ... Wikipedia

The legendarium of J. R. R. Tolkien describes many wars and battles that took place in the lands of Aman, Beleriand, Numenor and Middle-earth. They are described in books such as The Silmarillion, The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, Unfinished Tales ... ... Wikipedia

Map of Mordor in the form of a diagram

Mordor is protected on three sides by almost rectangular mountain ranges: Ered Luin in the north, Efel Duat in the west, and before turning to the east, forming the southern ridge. The narrow passage piercing the Efel Duat was guarded by the fortress of Minas Morgul (formerly called Minas Itil); an even more inaccessible passage was guarded by the giant spider Shelob and the fortress of Cirith Ungol. Another well-known fortress is called - Durtang and is located on the northern ridge of the Efel Duat.

The Ash Mountains formed the northern border of Mordor, and the Mountains of Shadow ran along the southern and western borders. The eastern border of Mordor is open, but Rune (the lands in the east) has always been an ally of Mordor, so it is unlikely that the enemy could pass this way.

On the inner side of the Mountains of Shadow, between the Morgul road and the Black Gate, was the Morgai mountain range, which was at least 457.2 meters (1,500 feet) high. Several streams with bitter water flowed down from Morgai. Some plants have managed to adapt to such conditions: twisted trees, tough grass and thickets of thorns. There were also black flies with red spots.

In the northwest corner of Mordor was a wide valley called Udun (the only entry point for large armies), where Sauron built the Black Gate of Mordor. The Black Gate is heavily guarded, with Fang Towers on either side of the gate. Before Morannon lay Dagorlad. Barad-dur (the main fortress of Sauron) is located at the foot of Ered Luin. To the southwest of Barad-dur (about 48 km) is the dried up plateau of Gorgoroth and Mount Doom (also called - Orodruin); to the east lay the plain of Litlad. The lands in the western part of Mordor are largely barren, with occasional bramble bushes to be seen.

In the southern part of Mordor, the lands called Nurn are more fertile and wetter due to the proximity to the inland sea - Nurnen. Fertility and the possibility of agriculture in Nurn arose due to the ashes that settled from Mount Doom. Unfortunately, Nurn's inland sea is salty, not fresh.

The lands were crossed by several roads used by the minions of Sauron. To the northwest, roads connected the Black Gate, Barad-dur, Mount Doom, and Morgul Pass. Sauron's road led from Barad-dur to Mount Doom. Along the roads along Gorgoroth there were containers with water for the needs of the passing troops. It is likely that the same roads were in the south.

The area of ​​Mordor is approximately 453,000 km 2 (175,000 miles 2). From north to south it stretches for 563.27 km (350 miles), and from east to west it extends for about 804.672 km (500 miles).

To the west of Mordor are the lands of Ithilien with the great river Anduin, to the east of Rune, and to the southeast of Khand.

black fortress and fatal mountain

• Areas

  • Nurn
  • Gorgoroth
  • Litlad

• Main fortresses

  • Barad-dur (capital and abode of the dark lord Sauron).
  • Durtang
  • Osgiliath (east coast reconstructed and under the control of Gondor, and during the War of the Ring - the whole city becomes a springboard for an attack on Minas Tirith)
  • Izenmouth
  • Minas Morgul (abode of the Nazgul, including the Witch-king)
  • black gate
  • Mount Doom (the place where Frodo destroyed the ring)
  • Nargroth
  • Seregost
  • Fort Cirith Ungol

Story

Meaning

Inspiration

Interpretations

The proximity of Mount Doom and Barad-dur in The Lord of the Rings (film trilogy) does not match the original work.

Sources