The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien
Dates
Founded c. II 1000; under Gondorian control between II 3441 and c. III 1980; Sauron finally ejected in III 3019
Location
Directly to the east of Gondor
Origins
Chosen as a defensible stronghold by Sauron after his return in the early Second Age
Races
Ruled by one of the Ainur, though largely populated by Orcs
Settlements
Ruled from the Dark Tower of Barad-dûr, but contained numerous other fortresses, including Carchost, Durthang, Narchost and the Tower of Cirith Ungol; Minas Morgul stood on the land's western borders beyond the mountains of Ephel Dúath
Sources
Four unnamed rivers rose in the mountains surrounding the land
Outflows
All four rivers flowed into the central Sea of Núrnen
Important peaks
Orodruin, commonly called Mount Doom
Passes
The main entrance into the land was through Cirith Gorgor and Carach Angren to the northwest; the Morgul Pass, guarded by Minas Morgul, entered the land from the west (with a lesser pass, Cirith Ungol, above it)
Meaning
This land was 'nameless' in the sense that the Gondorians did not willingly speak its name
Other names

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 25 May 2022
  • This entry is complete

Nameless Land

The land of Sauron

Map of the Nameless Land

An epithet for the Dark Land occupied intermittently by Sauron during the Second and Third Ages. It was not literally nameless - its name, of course, was Mordor - but the enemies of Sauron often avoided speaking its name aloud. A similar custom held for Sauron himself, who was not usually named by his foes, and is thus referred to as both the Nameless One and the Nameless Enemy.


Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 25 May 2022
  • This entry is complete

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