Middle Earth Architecture - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

akhtene · 11-02-2004, 05:11 PM

Amon Sul was built by Elendil (Numenorian) for keeping the Palantir

dancing spawn of ungoliant · 11-03-2004, 11:08 AM

I think it's logical to make high buildings when living at the sea like the Valar and the Numenoreans at some point did. They didn't have light houses (except in Mordor in the 3rd age...ehh - sorry) but a high building can be seen quite far on a clear day like one can see far from a tower as well. It's also an advantage in war if the approaching enemy can be seen as early as possible.

Tuor of Gondolin · 11-03-2004, 05:34 PM

The Rohirrim, while related to Numenoreans, weren't Numenoreans. So did
they build and/or improve Helm's Deep, or did Gondorians when they lived in
Calenardhon? (As Gondorians did build Orthanc).

11-03-2004, 11:42 PM

Im pretty sure the Rohirrim built Helms Deep, I think it was Helm Hammerhand.

mark12_30 · 11-04-2004, 10:22 AM

But does Helm's Deep qualify as a "tower"? It strikes me more as a fortress.

**The Saucepan Man** · 11-04-2004, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mark12_30

But does Helm's Deep qualify as a "tower"? It strikes me more as a fortress.

Well, the Hornburg was a castle and so had towers. But, no, it was not a tower in the same way that Orthanc or Barad-Dur were.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gilgalad_the_Valiant

Im pretty sure the Rohirrim built Helms Deep, I think it was Helm Hammerhand.

It was built by the Gondorians when the Deeping Coomb formed part of their realm. It was within the land of Calenardhom granted by Cirion to Eorl, and so became a place of refuge for the Rohirrim. Helm Hammerhand and his people took refuge there when Rohan was invaded by Dunlendings, and the fortification as a whole (of which the Hornburg was a part) takes its "current" name from him.

Bêthberry · 11-04-2004, 01:35 PM

What I find fascinating is the absence of a particular kind of tower--or, at least, a tower of legend. Or perhaps I have forgotten about a reference?

Tolkien 'builds' mythological references into his Legendarium--Akallabêth is a rewriting of the Atlantis myth. And he is profoundly interested in language. Yet his Legendarium does not have something like the Tower of Babel to account for the diversity of languages. Perhaps his professional interest in philology meant he lacked sufficient interest in this event?

Can anyone recall anything in the Letters about the Tower of Babel?

11-02-2004, 05:11 PM	#1
akhtene Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: May 2002 Location: stronghold of the North Posts: 390	Amon Sul was built by Elendil (Numenorian) for keeping the Palantir __________________ Где найти мне сил, чтобы вернуться через века, Чтобы ты - простил?.. А трава разлуки высока...

11-03-2004, 11:08 AM	#2
dancing spawn of ungoliant Mischievous Candle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: So near to Russia, so far from Japan, quite a long way from Cairo, lots of miles from Vietnam. Posts: 1,234	I think it's logical to make high buildings when living at the sea like the Valar and the Numenoreans at some point did. They didn't have light houses (except in Mordor in the 3rd age...ehh - sorry) but a high building can be seen quite far on a clear day like one can see far from a tower as well. It's also an advantage in war if the approaching enemy can be seen as early as possible. __________________ Fenris Wolf

11-03-2004, 05:34 PM	#3
Tuor of Gondolin Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Pennsylvania, WtR, passed Sarn Gebir: Above the rapids (1239 miles) BtR, passed Black Rider Stopping Place (31 miles) Posts: 1,548	The Rohirrim, while related to Numenoreans, weren't Numenoreans. So did they build and/or improve Helm's Deep, or did Gondorians when they lived in Calenardhon? (As Gondorians did build Orthanc). __________________ Aure Entuluva!

11-04-2004, 10:22 AM	#5
mark12_30 Stormdancer of Doom Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Elvish singing is not a thing to miss, in June under the stars Posts: 4,349	But does Helm's Deep qualify as a "tower"? It strikes me more as a fortress. __________________ ...down to the water to see the elves dance and sing upon the midsummer's eve.

11-04-2004, 01:35 PM	#7
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 6,003	A towering absence What I find fascinating is the absence of a particular kind of tower--or, at least, a tower of legend. Or perhaps I have forgotten about a reference? Tolkien 'builds' mythological references into his Legendarium--Akallabêth is a rewriting of the Atlantis myth. And he is profoundly interested in language. Yet his Legendarium does not have something like the Tower of Babel to account for the diversity of languages. Perhaps his professional interest in philology meant he lacked sufficient interest in this event? Can anyone recall anything in the Letters about the Tower of Babel? __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.

11-03-2004, 11:42 PM	#4
gilgalad_the_Valiant Guest Posts: n/a	Im pretty sure the Rohirrim built Helms Deep, I think it was Helm Hammerhand.

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