Towers of Minas Morgul and Cirith Ungol - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

cesar.ewok · 06-08-2008, 10:55 PM

I've got a silly question: what's the difference between the Towers of Cirith Ungol and Minas Morgul? I thought they were the same, but I looked at the Encyclopedia of Arda and it's said there that Cirith Ungol is the pass that lay above the tower os Minas Morgul. However, in the map shown there, Minas Morgul is on the western edge of Ephel Dúath, whereas the TOWER of Cirith Cirith Ungol seems to be located on the eastern edge.

Now I'm utterly confused, and I can't figure this out. Help me.

Maedhros_the_Tall · 06-09-2008, 03:28 AM

(I think I've got this right...)

Minas Morgul was where the nine dwelt, the location formerly known as Minas Ithil, on the west of Ephel Dúath as you said. The tower of Cirith Ungol is above the pass of Morgul, and is on the east of the Ephel Dúath, and its where Frodo was taken by the orcs after he was attacked by Shelob, where Sam went to rescue him.

Hope that helps! : )

Borromino · 06-09-2008, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maedhros_the_Tall

(I think I've got this right...)

Minas Morgul was where the nine dwelt, ..........................

Hope that helps! : )

ALL the Nine dwelt there or each one of them had a territory of competence in the mordorian kingdom ?

William Cloud Hicklin · 06-09-2008, 06:01 AM

It appears that after the time of the Great Plague (TA 1636), the Nine reassembled in Mordor in secret, but Ithil of course remained Gondor's until the Nazgul (presumably with an army) captured it in 2002. It was they who quietly prepared the way for Sauron's return, which occurred not long after he was driven from Dol Goldur.

When Sauron declared himself openly and rebuilt Barad-dur, it appears that the Witch-king and five others dwelt in Morgul; two were sent to re-occupy Dol Guldur; and one stayed with Sauron as his messenger. There is no indication whether these were 'permanent' billets, or if the individual Ringwraiths rotated among them.

There is no suggestion at all that Mordor was divided into fiefdoms.

cesar.ewok · 06-09-2008, 10:33 AM

Thank you, Maedhros. Now I can recall them from the book.

And thank you guys for the additional information.

Maedhros_the_Tall · 06-10-2008, 04:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cesar.ewok

Thank you, Maedhros. Now I can recall them from the book.

And thank you guys for the additional information.

No problem

happy to finally help someone! Lol. WCH got the long and short of it though, mine was just the bare bones!

06-08-2008, 10:55 PM	#1
cesar.ewok Pile O'Bones Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 25	Towers of Minas Morgul and Cirith Ungol I've got a silly question: what's the difference between the Towers of Cirith Ungol and Minas Morgul? I thought they were the same, but I looked at the Encyclopedia of Arda and it's said there that Cirith Ungol is the pass that lay above the tower os Minas Morgul. However, in the map shown there, Minas Morgul is on the western edge of Ephel Dúath, whereas the TOWER of Cirith Cirith Ungol seems to be located on the eastern edge. Now I'm utterly confused, and I can't figure this out. Help me.

06-09-2008, 03:28 AM	#2
Maedhros_the_Tall Haunting Spirit Join Date: May 2008 Location: North East of England, currently at university in South West Scotland. Posts: 56	(I think I've got this right...) Minas Morgul was where the nine dwelt, the location formerly known as Minas Ithil, on the west of Ephel Dúath as you said. The tower of Cirith Ungol is above the pass of Morgul, and is on the east of the Ephel Dúath, and its where Frodo was taken by the orcs after he was attacked by Shelob, where Sam went to rescue him. Hope that helps! : ) __________________ In Doriath let him reign, and be glad that he has the sons of Finwe for his neighbours, not the Orcs of Morgoth that we found.

06-09-2008, 06:01 AM	#4
William Cloud Hicklin Loremaster of Annúminas Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 2,321	It appears that after the time of the Great Plague (TA 1636), the Nine reassembled in Mordor in secret, but Ithil of course remained Gondor's until the Nazgul (presumably with an army) captured it in 2002. It was they who quietly prepared the way for Sauron's return, which occurred not long after he was driven from Dol Goldur. When Sauron declared himself openly and rebuilt Barad-dur, it appears that the Witch-king and five others dwelt in Morgul; two were sent to re-occupy Dol Guldur; and one stayed with Sauron as his messenger. There is no indication whether these were 'permanent' billets, or if the individual Ringwraiths rotated among them. There is no suggestion at all that Mordor was divided into fiefdoms. __________________ The entire plot of The Lord of the Rings could be said to turn on what Sauron didn’t know, and when he didn’t know it.

06-09-2008, 10:33 AM	#5
cesar.ewok Pile O'Bones Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 25	Thank you, Maedhros. Now I can recall them from the book. And thank you guys for the additional information.