How could the Nazgul take Minas Morgul? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

CaptainofDespair · 01-03-2007, 11:29 AM

Despite Ithil's importance, a good leader would not simply toss unit after unit against a siege that they have no hope of winning. Due to the variety of potential factors concerning the siege, and that it was in the end won by the Nazgul, I think it is safe to say that Gondor did not put much fight into keeping the stronghold. Had it been a major war/battle, I think Tolkien might have mentioned more than it just taking two years to fall to the Witch-King.

And on the topic of competent rulers, was the Gondorian King at the time of Ithil's fall an intelligent, wise leader or a fool? We do know that the Wiki taunted Earnur into confrontation at Minas Morgul almost 50 years later (obviously not a wise move). Perhaps the line of the Kings was in decline, and they were becoming foolish. Sort of like Denethor at the end of his life...

Again, on the topic of food, it is very easy for the besieging force to have food, at least for in the initial stages of the assault. Why would the Witch-King, who is quite clearly a competent commander at least, not prepare for the siege ahead of time? I do not think he would simply return the Mordor to siege Minas Ithil without first gathering supplies and forces.

I also feel it would be quite easy for the Nazgul to assemble an army in Mordor. While Gondor had in recent memory beaten Angmar, Ithil had languished under the Great Plague. This reduced the effectiveness of the garrison, culminating in the lapse on the watch of Mordor. With Mordor being so desolate, and perhaps the garrison being reduced significantly, Gondor could not afford to send out detachments into the wastes to search for a gathering enemy, if they even knew about it.

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01-03-2007, 11:29 AM	#27
CaptainofDespair Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 413	Despite Ithil's importance, a good leader would not simply toss unit after unit against a siege that they have no hope of winning. Due to the variety of potential factors concerning the siege, and that it was in the end won by the Nazgul, I think it is safe to say that Gondor did not put much fight into keeping the stronghold. Had it been a major war/battle, I think Tolkien might have mentioned more than it just taking two years to fall to the Witch-King. And on the topic of competent rulers, was the Gondorian King at the time of Ithil's fall an intelligent, wise leader or a fool? We do know that the Wiki taunted Earnur into confrontation at Minas Morgul almost 50 years later (obviously not a wise move). Perhaps the line of the Kings was in decline, and they were becoming foolish. Sort of like Denethor at the end of his life... Again, on the topic of food, it is very easy for the besieging force to have food, at least for in the initial stages of the assault. Why would the Witch-King, who is quite clearly a competent commander at least, not prepare for the siege ahead of time? I do not think he would simply return the Mordor to siege Minas Ithil without first gathering supplies and forces. I also feel it would be quite easy for the Nazgul to assemble an army in Mordor. While Gondor had in recent memory beaten Angmar, Ithil had languished under the Great Plague. This reduced the effectiveness of the garrison, culminating in the lapse on the watch of Mordor. With Mordor being so desolate, and perhaps the garrison being reduced significantly, Gondor could not afford to send out detachments into the wastes to search for a gathering enemy, if they even knew about it.