Questions tagged [middle-earth]

Use [middle-earth] when you want to ask a question about something general to Middle-earth, a region in Arda. Do not use it when you want to refer to other parts of Arda, like most of the events of The Silmarillion, use [arda] for it instead. For questions about Tolkien himself, his style, etc., but not specific to Middle-earth, use [j-r-r-tolkien] instead. Always use in conjunction with the [tolkiens-legendarium] tag

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Story from Middle-earth about the events of "The Lord of the Rings" being a lie

In the early 2010s, I read a book about a group of adventurers in Middle-earth who retraced the steps of the Fellowship of the Ring and Frodo, only to gradually learn that the history of the Ring and ...
byMaelstromer's user avatar
9 votes
2 answers
2k views

Are there any battle speeches given by Elven commanders in Tolkien's legendarium?

I am looking for battle speeches like the one Théoden gave prior to the Battle of the Pelennor Fields in The Return of the King: Arise! Arise, riders of Théoden! Spears shall be shaken, shields shall ...
Sami's user avatar
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33 votes
1 answer
11k views

Does everyone always eat, drink and sleep for free everywhere in Middle-earth?

Maybe it has to do with the specific and unique circumstances in which the characters we follow in The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings find themselves, but it seems to me that everyone always assumes ...
Boromir's user avatar
  • 413
10 votes
2 answers
3k views

Did Sauron ever consider that the Valar and/or Eru Ilúvatar may not allow him to conquer Middle-earth?

I am wondering if there is anything mentioned in LOTR canon that Sauron had once given thought to the possibility that the Valar and/or Eru Ilúvatar may not allow him to conquer Middle-earth, and due ...
user avatar
11 votes
2 answers
1k views

How much did the livelihood of the Rohirrim rely on agriculture?

The Tolkien Gateway says they were "herdsmen and farmers". Tolkien described them as "still partly mobile and nomadic people of horse-breeders" (Letter #297), so I guess they at ...
Eugene's user avatar
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4 votes
1 answer
393 views

Was Tolkien implying (heat/locomotive) engines in The Lost Road?

Here's the quote: The teaching of Sauron has led to the invention of ships of metal that traverse the seas without sails, but which are hideous in the eyes of those who have not abandoned or ...
Eugene's user avatar
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-4 votes
1 answer
216 views

How big is the Gulf of Lune, actually?

When you look at this image from the end of Return of the King it seems the Gulf of Lune isn't as large as the Encyclopedia of Arda claims, namely that it would span more than two hundred miles. It's ...
Wingfoot's user avatar
  • 495
0 votes
2 answers
317 views

Possible Dwarvish Orc?

I've read many posts and discussions on the origin of the Tolkien orc, yet in everything I've read, not once has this idea I've wondered about been answered with any wisdom, or references to add ...
MatthewPeachey's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
316 views

Which mountain is higher, Caradhras or the Halifirien?

I wonder which mountain's peak likely has the higher elevation above sea level, the Caradhras (highest mountain of the Misty Mountains, located above Khazad-Dûm) or the Eilenaer/Halifirien (at the ...
Aragorn Elessar's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
234 views

Do the western boundaries of Rohan as given in "Unfinished Tales," Cirion and Eorl (iii), make sense?

On page 305 of Unfinished Tales, there is a passage regarding the boundaries of Rohan: The bounds of the realm of Eorl were to be: in the West the river Angren from its junction with the Adorn and ...
Eric's user avatar
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8 votes
2 answers
556 views

What to read in History of Middle-earth?

I’m interested in reading some Lord of the Rings books but I’m wondering which ones to start with having to do with History of Middle-earth. Are they all important or can one just read The ...
Raul Valdez Jr.'s user avatar
13 votes
1 answer
2k views

What exactly made Boromir "un-Numenorean" compared to Denethor/Faramir?

Gandalf says this to Pippin: He is not as other men of this time, Pippin, and whatever be his descent from father to son, by some chance the blood of Westernesse runs nearly true in him; as it does ...
Valandil's user avatar
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12 votes
3 answers
2k views

Why is there darkness/evil in Middle-earth and why couldn't the Valar fix this?

As I've been re-reading The Lord of the Rings, The Silmarillion and now The Hobbit, I've come to a conclusion: Basically only Hobbiton (not even all of the Shire) is a nice place. Well, also ...
Gloin's user avatar
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18 votes
4 answers
4k views

What's the tallest mountain in Middle-earth?

There are many mountains in Middle-earth, from the harsh Misty Mountains to the humble Lonely Mountain. This made me wonder, what's the tallest mountain in: Middle-earth, Arda (Tolkien's Universe)? ...
TheMadHatter's user avatar
  • 3,920
1 vote
2 answers
1k views

Was Rhûn (the East) based primarily on the lands of Asia?

In Tolkien’s Middle-earth; was Rhun based primarily on Asia? I think there are Bilbo references to this in The Hobbit, but I do not know certainly. Does anybody know the answer of this topic?
user avatar
19 votes
3 answers
3k views

Who was the last elf in Middle-earth?

The elves left Middle-earth for the Undying Lands after Frodo destroyed the One Ring. Who was the last elf in Middle-earth? Was it Arwen, who remained behind for love of Aragorn, until she died of ...
RichS's user avatar
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3 votes
2 answers
314 views

Source for canon Middle-earth materials, flora and fauna

I'm working in a videogame set at the end of the Third Age in Middle-earth, and I would like to properly use Middle-earth materials, flora and fauna. I've been looking at MERP (a tabletop RPG) ...
Eägoth's user avatar
  • 209
12 votes
2 answers
826 views

When and how was wheeled transport introduced to Middle-Earth?

In The Lord of the Rings, wheeled transport is common. Gandalf has a cart, travelling dwarven merchants have them, Gondor had many, the siege engines of Mordor obviously use wheels to get around, and ...
b.Lorenz's user avatar
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65 votes
4 answers
11k views

Was the Lonely Mountain, where Smaug lived, a volcano?

Was the Lonely Mountain in The Hobbit a volcano? If not, how did the dwarves get enough heat to run the huge forges? I am asking about the books, not the movies.
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15 votes
1 answer
1k views

What was the basis for Tolkien's Westron?

It is well-documented and often-cited that Tolkien began creating his major artificial languages, Quenya and Sindarin, in order to emulate his aurally favorite languages, Finnish and Welsh. Q and S ...
Voprosnik's user avatar
  • 524
7 votes
1 answer
2k views

Height of Mountain Ranges in Middle Earth

What are the relative heights of mountain ranges in Middle Earth? And how would they compare to our modern world? I tend to imagine that after the First Age, the highest ranges were the White ...
Page 332's user avatar
  • 501
81 votes
3 answers
16k views

What lies in Mordor besides Mount Doom and Barad-dur?

Mordor is so big on the Middle-earth map, but the only significant structures in there are the Eye of Sauron and Mount Doom. Since Mordor is so heavily guarded, I would think that there would be more ...
lightofdeanthomas's user avatar
4 votes
0 answers
148 views

Why isn’t Middle-earth filled with elves? [duplicate]

We know Elves do procreate and have children. We know they do have sex. Immortal beings with normal reproduction would fill Middle-earth if left unchecked (like rabbits). We see Elrond with 3 ...
Jorge Córdoba's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
657 views

Was there ever an epidemic of infectious disease in Middle-earth?

Epidemics of infectious disease have been a problem for much of human history in which large portions of a population died. Given that Middle-earth has a level of sanitation similar to that of ...
Thunderforge's user avatar
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6 votes
2 answers
1k views

Are the Maiar more powerful than the Istari?

I know the Maiar are essentially the demi-gods of the Tolkien's world, but the Istari are also supernatural beings, right? From reading a different answer to a question I learned that they are ...
Profetik One's user avatar
43 votes
1 answer
7k views

Are there other dragons in Middle-earth by the time of The Hobbit?

The Hobbit deals with the Dwarves trying to reclaim their mountain homeland from the dragon Smaug. During this time, are there other dragons who are alive in Middle Earth?
Thunderforge's user avatar
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-6 votes
1 answer
1k views

Is Alegaesia part of the same world as Lord of the Rings? [duplicate]

I started reading the Inheritance cycle by Christopher Paolini before I started reading J.R.R Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, and I have to say, they seem pretty similar in the books. Of how Eragon uses ...
user avatar
13 votes
3 answers
4k views

What material are weapons and armors in the Middle-earth forged from?

Re-watching the series again, this question came to my mind. Dwarves are known for their mining and smithing skills. We know they use a variety of material, such as Mithril to forge armor. Other than ...
user avatar
10 votes
2 answers
857 views

Does the 2017 edition of The Atlas of Middle-earth contain any new content?

About two months ago a new edition of The Atlas of Middle-earth by Karen Wynn Fonstad was released. This edition changes the title to The Atlas of Tolkien's Middle-earth. This is the second time that ...
Neithan's user avatar
  • 2,794
11 votes
3 answers
4k views

How old is Middle-earth?

I'm surprised that there isn't a duplicate for this. This question about plate tectonics in Middle-earth got me thinking, that it is probably not old enough to have the lands shaped by geological ...
Jeremy French's user avatar
17 votes
2 answers
4k views

Plate Tectonics in Middle Earth; an in-universe explanation?

I just read this article about how "Middle Earth makes no geographic sense". The idea presented is that mountain creation is primarily caused by plate tectonics, and that plates generally aren't ...
Astor Florida's user avatar
4 votes
0 answers
111 views

Was there any Religion in Middle Earth? [duplicate]

Did anyone in Middle Earth (besides the Istari and other Ainur) know of or acknowledge the existence of Eru Illuvatar? Are there any temples demonstrating worship for Eru or any text from the books ...
Charlie's user avatar
  • 1,091
5 votes
1 answer
402 views

How was the Atlas of Middle-earth measured and scaled?

The answer to this question - From what distance can Sting detect Orcs or Goblins? - uses measurements from Karen Wynn Fonstad's Atlas of Middle-earth. This reminded me of a question I've always had ...
Bob Tway's user avatar
  • 5,677
8 votes
1 answer
2k views

Is the scale of Middle-earth in the Return of the King film different from the books?

I have been re-watching them recently and I have been bugged at how small the distances seem. Osgiliath is clearly visible from Minas Tirith. I realize that they are close compared to some of the ...
Jeremy French's user avatar
6 votes
1 answer
1k views

Is there evidence which supports the existence of gunpowder in Middle-earth?

Gunpowder is often referred to as the source of Gandalf's fireworks. But, it is never clearly stated what Gandalf's fireworks were made up of. The fireworks were by Gandalf: they were not only ...
Voronwé's user avatar
  • 26.2k
16 votes
2 answers
3k views

What types of dragons are there in Middle-earth and how and why do they differ?

What types of dragons are there in Middle-earth and how and why do they differ?
MachinaMandala's user avatar
57 votes
3 answers
10k views

What is the oldest object in Middle-earth?

After reading a question (or was it elsewhere?) discussing which Rings of Power were made first, it caused me to wonder which item (not just the rings) is the oldest. There are various ancient ...
iMerchant's user avatar
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82 votes
2 answers
15k views

What was the tallest structure built in Middle-earth?

I started thinking to myself one day (scary, I know) as to which was taller of the two towers, Orthanc or Barad-dûr. And then I wondered if Minas Tirith might be even taller, which then led me to this ...
iMerchant's user avatar
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8 votes
2 answers
1k views

Are any Middle Earth Mountains not hollowed out?

Most mountains in the Lord of the Rings appear to be hollowed out with tunnels or caverns. You have the dwarf mines under the Lonely Mountain and the Iron Hills. The Goblin Caves under the Misty ...
Bellerophon's user avatar
  • 3,991
11 votes
1 answer
3k views

Where are the Grey Havens?

I was looking at a map of Middle-Earth earlier, when I stumbled across a location labeled 'Grey Havens'. However, as I understand it, the Grey Havens are supposed to be quite far away, on a separate ...
Recelica's user avatar
  • 3,581
26 votes
1 answer
4k views

What exactly is Middle-earth in Tolkien's Legendarium?

I have recently become interested in Tolkien's work and have started reading The Silmarillion, so I am quite a beginner regarding the whole Tolkien universe. The thing that confuses me is the eastern ...
Shema's user avatar
  • 363
79 votes
2 answers
14k views

Are the mountains surrounding Mordor natural?

Seeing a map of Middle-earth (see below), it strikes me that the mountains surrounding Mordor are "perfect" to create a fortress or stronghold. As a mountain range they also look somewhat unnatural, ...
OptimusCrime's user avatar
  • 1,219
9 votes
1 answer
662 views

Do the stars move in Middle Earth

In Middle Earth, the sun and the moon have designated maiar that move them across the sky. The morning star is a Silmaril flown around by Eärendil. But I cannot recall any mention of how the stars ...
HugoRune's user avatar
  • 3,209
43 votes
5 answers
17k views

What was Mordor's history before Sauron settled there?

As the title says, I am interested in the old history of the lands of Mordor. I know a fair amount of its history ever since Sauron took up residence there, but very little from before that point. Am ...
Jimmery's user avatar
  • 2,800
6 votes
1 answer
582 views

Does Tolkien ever speak of himself still living in Middle-Earth? [duplicate]

It has been noted in other questions and answers on this site that Tolkien's conception of Middle-Earth has an imaginative relation to Earth history. Some salient sections of Tolkien quotes from ...
ScottS's user avatar
  • 3,560
1 vote
1 answer
444 views

Eastern Elven realms in the 2nd age (and beyond?)

Currently re-reading Appendix B of ROTK and my question arises from the following quote (The Second Age) "but before the building of the Barad-dur many of the Sindar passed eastward, and some ...
Tom B.'s user avatar
  • 193
2 votes
4 answers
12k views

Was Beleriand Bigger than Second/Third Age Middle-earth?

Before it sank, Beleriand was the land of Elven-kind, then later on home to Men as well. Beleriand was the Northwestern part of Middle-earth in which the Silmarillion takes place for the First Age. ...
Fingolfin's user avatar
  • 10.7k
22 votes
2 answers
6k views

Did maps in Middle-Earth have west on the top?

If the people of Middle-Earth made a map of their world or an area of it, did they put west on the top of the map? Or did they have north on the top like the map in the Lord of the Rings looks like? ...
b_jonas's user avatar
  • 32.9k
7 votes
2 answers
1k views

Have Dinosaurs Ever Existed in Arda?

If the LotR universe is supposed to be an alternative history of Earth, then are dinosaurs known to exist in this version of history? How do they fit in?
thegreatjedi's user avatar
  • 34.1k
3 votes
2 answers
41k views

Is this map of Middle-Earth reliable? [duplicate]

I want to ask if this map of Beleriand (in the northwest of Middle-earth) is correct. I think it isn't because Beleriand should've been sank, and you can clearly see that there is Beleriand above ...
Ante Bekic's user avatar