Middle-earth

Kingdom

Gondor

Also known as South-kingdom, Kingdom of the South, Reunited Kingdom (with Arnor)

The great Dúnedain kingdom in the south, heir of Númenor, whose cities of Minas Tirith and Osgiliath stood against Mordor for an age.

Tolkien’s textsSupported by the narratives published in Tolkien’s lifetime.
Category
Kingdom
Language
Westron, with Sindarin kept for ceremony and high matters.
Gondor

What this is

In brief

A political kingdom, not a people. Its citizens were largely Dúnedain and later Men of mixed blood; the Dúnedain are the culture, Gondor is the state and its territory.

Origins

Founded in S.A. 3320 by Isildur and Anárion, sons of Elendil, after the Downfall of Númenor. Its first capital was Osgiliath, and it grew to dominate the south of Middle-earth, planting the fortress of Minas Ithil and the tower of Minas Anor.

Culture

A proud, orderly and learned realm, conscious of its Númenórean heritage. It preserved Elvish lore, stone-work and the palantíri, but declined over the Third Age as its line failed and its watch on Mordor faltered.

Language

Westron, with Sindarin kept for ceremony and high matters.

History

Gondor fought Sauron throughout the Second Age and joined the Last Alliance that overthrew him. In the Third Age it was weakened by kin-strife, plague and the loss of Minas Ithil to the Nazgûl. Ruled by Stewards after the line of kings failed, it held Mordor at bay until the War of the Ring, and was saved at the Pelennor Fields. Aragorn was crowned there as King Elessar, reuniting Gondor and Arnor.

Leaders

Settlements

  • minas-tirith
  • osgiliath
  • dol-amroth
  • pelargir
  • minas-ithil

Alliances

  • arnor
  • rohan
  • elves
  • the-fellowship-of-the-ring

Conflicts

  • war-of-the-ring
  • battle-of-the-pelennor-fields
  • battle-of-the-last-alliance

Notable members

Sources

  • The Lord of the Rings · 1954–55

    Three volumes: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, The Return of the King.

  • The Silmarillion · 1977

    Posthumously edited. Contains the Ainulindalë, Valaquenta, Quenta Silmarillion, Akallabêth and Of the Rings of Power.

  • Unfinished Tales · 1980

    Expanded and alternative accounts of the First, Second and Third Ages.

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