10-20-2012, 04:25 PM | #1 |
The Chocoholic Sea Elf Administrator
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Engineering wonders
I was re-reading 'Tuor and his coming to Gondolin' in UT just the other day up to the part of the Gate of the Noldor. It suddenly struck me what an amazing feat of engineering and architecture it actually was, constructing a walkway next to an underground river. It may have been just an instrument for Tolkien to get Tuor where he wanted, as it is never spoken of again, but it makes you wonder what other (perhaps untold of) little miracles Elves (and Dwarves) constructed in the long ages of the world.
In the same chapter Fëanorean lamps are mentioned. These are curious little things too if you think of it. While not architectural, the skill to make something like that must have been bordering both art and science. It's telling the skill to make them did not survive on the eastern shores. So what our your favourite (often underrated) wonders of engineering from Middle-earth? |
10-21-2012, 10:46 PM | #2 |
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I was always awed by the idea of Moria. That they carved entire cities out of rock...
Of course, I could be a little swayed by the movies, but still. And kind of the same idea with Minas Tirith, but that was more around a mountain than within it.
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10-22-2012, 05:39 AM | #3 |
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Khazad-dum is of course the wonder of Engineering in Middle-earth after the War of Wrath. I admit, the movies had some wonderful imagery, yet there is much in Tolkien's work to grasp at how awesome Khazad-dum must have looked in its heyday. It spanned the entire mountain-range for one. And not just a measly tunnel at either end either. Giant gates and hallways.
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10-30-2012, 12:47 AM | #4 |
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Yes, and to imagine how deep it must have gone too... to wake up something that had been bound/banished by the Elves of old!
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In God I trust, I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? Psalm 56:11 "Starbuck, what do you hear?" "Nothin' but the rain, sir!" "Then grab your gun and bring in the cat." Make sure to check out the C.S. Lewis forum. Game threads, movie and book discussions and more! |
10-30-2012, 08:39 AM | #5 |
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I didn't like the Great Hall in Moria in the movies; too crowded with pillars- not to mention gecko-orcs- but I thought the statues of Elendil and Isildur guarding the entrance to Gondor were well done.
Gave perspective on the power of Gondor at is height.
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10-30-2012, 12:06 PM | #6 |
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Oh, yes.. I'd completely forgotten about those, but they always awed me also.
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In God I trust, I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? Psalm 56:11 "Starbuck, what do you hear?" "Nothin' but the rain, sir!" "Then grab your gun and bring in the cat." Make sure to check out the C.S. Lewis forum. Game threads, movie and book discussions and more! |
04-19-2014, 09:09 AM | #7 | |
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Quote:
BTW - this is tangential, and if it takes a life of it's own may merit a split-off - but a question: Appendix B: Tale of Years tells us that in 1697 of the Second Age - the Gates of Moria were shut. This is the same time that Sauron's forces laid waste to Eregion. With this mention here, do you think that the Gates of Moria (particularly the west Gate - used by the fellowship to enter) were basically kept shut from this point on? Certainly some comings and goings - since the Dwarves were in there for another 3700 years. But what do you think: largely closed? Or re-opened for times of peace (particularly most of the Third Age)? If largely closed, I suspect that most traffic would be on the east side, and that those coming from the west would approach over the Redhorn Pass. Besides - if they needed to approach (enter?) Moria, and if it WERE centered at the east entrance, I suspect that most Men and Elves would be far more comfortable with a mountain pass than a long tunnel walk. I venture to guess that the Men of Arnor/Cardolan and those of the Vales of Anduin would have an opportunity for a brisk trade of their sheep, cattle, hogs, chicken - as well as vegetables, grain, dairy produce. The Dwarves probably grew some of their own within a few miles of the east entrance.
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04-22-2014, 05:39 AM | #8 | ||
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04-24-2014, 02:11 AM | #9 |
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Barad-dûr was really one of the most amazing wonders of Middle-Earth - it was said to be second only to Angband, and Angband was carved by a vala to the mountains itself. Sauron had to build entire thing to ashy wasteland (and it was described to be built from iron, steel and adamant), so he couldn't use natural mountain as a part of his fortress, like Minas Anor and Minas Ithil had used. So basically he built the biggest fortress after Angband from iron and steel to wasteland.
Also, a curious thing... Sauron began building Barad-dûr in around S.A. 1000, but it was said that he laid its foundations with The One Ring (and thus it fell when The One Ring was destroyed). So how could he start building but place foundations only 600 years later? Well, there is a theory about that. Speaking of dark fortresses, did Angband have any aboveground-parts? Or was it just enormous underground fortress below Thangondrim, a bit like Moria? |
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