The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien
Dates
Khazad-dûm was named the Black Chasm after the expulsion of the Dwarves in III 1980
Location
The central regions of the Misty Mountains, to the northwest of Lórien
Races
Other names
Moria, The Black Pit (originally called Khazad-dûm)

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 31 August 2013
  • This entry is complete

Black Chasm

The darkness of Moria

Map of the Black Chasm

Khazad-dûm was once one of the great wonders of the world, mightiest and oldest of the Dwarf-cities. After the awakening of the Balrog known as Durin's Bane in III 1980, the Dwarves were driven out of their ancient home and it fell into darkness. After that time its name was changed, at least in Elvish, to Moria. That name derives from mor, 'black' or 'dark', and , 'void' or 'abyss', and so the name Moria is variously translated into English as the 'Black Chasm' or the 'Black Pit'.

Durin's Bane was destroyed by Gandalf during the War of the Ring, and according to some legends, Khazad-dûm was refounded many years afterwards by Durin VII, heir to the royal line of the Longbeards. If this is true, then presumably the name 'Black Chasm' would have fallen out of use, and the old and noble Khazad-dûm, 'mansion of the Dwarves', would have come back into common usage.


Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 31 August 2013
  • This entry is complete

For acknowledgements and references, see the Disclaimer & Bibliography page.

Original content © copyright Mark Fisher 1998, 2001, 2012-2013. All rights reserved. For conditions of reuse, see the Site FAQ.

Website services kindly sponsored by Discus from Axiom Software Ltd.
Training for DISC profiling when and where you need it, at your pace and with full certification.
The Encyclopedia of Arda
The Encyclopedia of Arda
Menu
Homepage Search Latest Entries and Updates Random Entry