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Veon · 02-21-2003, 07:17 PM

In my very long List of Projects and Things to Do i have "To make a historic atlas of Middle-Earth" (is 'historic atlas' the correct English term?)
I am a devoted fan of maps. I have a map of my home town on the wall, and though I know it so well I could go anywhere blindfolded I still cannot pass the map whithout looking at it for a minute or two...

What I want is something similar to an atlas of the kind where you can see migrations, wars, political status etc. etc.

Surely it would involve a lot of speculations since JRRT often mentioned such things only briefly, but I'm sure it would be possible to reconstruct the timeline.

For an example:
'The tale of years' (Appendix B) tells us that by TA 1050 "Hyarmendacil conquers the Harad. Gondor reaches the height of its power."
How far did Gondor's power reach? Appendix A gives a little more information: "The realm then extended north to Celebrant and the southern eaves of Mirkwood; west to the Greyflood; east to the inland Sea of Rhûn; south to the River Harnen, and thence along the coast to the peninsula and haven of Umbar. The Men of the Vales of Anduin acknowledged its authority; and the kings of the Harad did homage to Gondor, and their sons lived as hostages in the court of its King. Mordor was desolate, but was watched over by great fortresses that guarded the passes."
This raises more questions. Which of these areas were populated, and which were just guarded by the army? Which areas can be considered parts of the heartland of Gondor, and which are protectorates? What are the administrative divisions and subdivisions of Gondor? etc. etc.

I would have a great time figuring such things out. But the keyword here is 'time', something I don't have enough of...

Anders

02-21-2003, 07:17 PM	#9
Veon Pile O'Bones Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Luleå, Sweden Posts: 15	In my very long List of Projects and Things to Do i have "To make a historic atlas of Middle-Earth" (is 'historic atlas' the correct English term?) I am a devoted fan of maps. I have a map of my home town on the wall, and though I know it so well I could go anywhere blindfolded I still cannot pass the map whithout looking at it for a minute or two... What I want is something similar to an atlas of the kind where you can see migrations, wars, political status etc. etc. Surely it would involve a lot of speculations since JRRT often mentioned such things only briefly, but I'm sure it would be possible to reconstruct the timeline. For an example: 'The tale of years' (Appendix B) tells us that by TA 1050 "Hyarmendacil conquers the Harad. Gondor reaches the height of its power." How far did Gondor's power reach? Appendix A gives a little more information: "The realm then extended north to Celebrant and the southern eaves of Mirkwood; west to the Greyflood; east to the inland Sea of Rhûn; south to the River Harnen, and thence along the coast to the peninsula and haven of Umbar. The Men of the Vales of Anduin acknowledged its authority; and the kings of the Harad did homage to Gondor, and their sons lived as hostages in the court of its King. Mordor was desolate, but was watched over by great fortresses that guarded the passes." This raises more questions. Which of these areas were populated, and which were just guarded by the army? Which areas can be considered parts of the heartland of Gondor, and which are protectorates? What are the administrative divisions and subdivisions of Gondor? etc. etc. I would have a great time figuring such things out. But the keyword here is 'time', something I don't have enough of... Anders __________________ Tule rato alcarinqua laire, / helwa-ahyala ve falmali culde nandar vaita áre-faire / ar nu aldar liltar ehteli.