Quote:
Originally Posted by Kuruharan
The tendency to infight and localize is what they would and did struggle against.
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That is, as I've also thought, the greatest factor to Arnor's decline and Gondor remaining relatively strong. Aside from the Witch-King doing lots of damage himself, and Gondor not having to deal with Sauron for thousands of years yet.
Once Arnor decided to divide politically, they were made weaker. It makes the successful "divide and conquer" strategy a lot easier for the Witch-King. If they could somehow unite forces against him, they may have been able to salvage some sort of a kingdom. But once splitting, and the infighting between Rhudaur and Cardolan over possession of certain lands, that spells disaster.
Now Gondor underwent similar infighting in the Kin-stife, and I also think it's shear size was an advantage. It was made weaker in the Kin-strife, but Gondor as a single politcal entity remained in tact. Castamir wanted all of Gondor, Eldacar said no. Civil war ensues, Gondor loses some of it's lands, but in the end this is how things in the world usually get decided. Gondor never broke apart and decided to divide up into separate kingdoms, they were just slightly weakened by losing mostly Umbar and creating future enemies.
Also, even after the end of Anarion's line in Gondor, this is where I give a lot of credit to Mardil and the following ruling Stewards. They maintained control and were accepted to rule in the King's place until the King returns. Having that type of political stability is priceless in keeping a strong, long-lasting kingdom.