The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien
Dates
Adopted by the Númenóreans after the foundation of their realm in II 321
Race
Men (possibly also used by Elves)
Division
Culture
Númenóreans, and their descendants in Middle-earth
Pronunciation
sa'ndastan
Meaning
'Shield barrier'
Other names

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About this entry:

  • Updated 3 December 2023
  • Updates planned: 1

Sandastan

The Númenórean shield-barrier

A defensive battle tactic employed by the Númenóreans and their descendants. It consisted of two ranks of Men, closely pressed together but flexible enough to react to a flanking maneouvre by the enemy. Sandastan was the formal, Quenya name for this formation, but in practice it was more commonly called a thangail, a Sindarin word literally meaning 'shield-hedge'.


Notes

1

Our only specific reference to a sandastan comes from III 2, when Isildur used the formation to prepare his defence against attacking Orcs. At this time, it had clearly been in use long enough to become a conventional tactic. It must therefore have been developed in Númenor, but beyond that it is impossible to say when it first came into use, nor how long that use continued into the Third Age.

See also...

Shield-barrier, Thangail

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 3 December 2023
  • Updates planned: 1

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