The History of Isengard (Orthanc)

The History of Isengard (Orthanc) | Tolkien Explained

Рет қаралды 570,864

Жыл бұрын

While it would come to be synonymous with Saruman, the fortress of Isengard and its tower of Orthanc would first be built and used by the early Gondorians. These exiles of Numenor would create the tower of Orthanc to protect the northern border of their realm, before it would later fall into evil hands.
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Isengard - Ralph Damiani
Saruman of Many Colors - Tolman Cotton
The Construction of Orthanc - Ralph Damiani
Orthanc - WETA
Orthanc - Treason of Isengard
The Fall of Numenor - Darrell Sweet
Minas Ithil - Shadow of War
Osgiliath - Matej Cadil
Minas Tirith - Ralph Damiani
Numenoreans - Sam McKinnon
Lamps of the Valar - Aegeri
Argonath - Ralph Damiani
Helm's Deep - Ralph Damiani
Orthanc in the Second Age - Ted Nasmith
Isengard - LOTRO
Orthanc - John Howe
Rise of Isengard, Orthanc - LOTRO
Gandalf Escapes Upon Gwaihir - Ted Nasmith
Arriving at Isengard - Erodimus Flash
Nan Curunír - LOTRO
Gwaihir the Windward bears Gandalf from Isengard - Ted Nasmith
Orthanc - JRR Tolkien
Lords of Westernesse - Tom Romain
Rider of Rohan - JG Jones
Minas Tirith - Aronja Art
The House of Eorl - Gram - Aegeri
The House of Eorl - Door - Aegeri
Helm Hammerhand - Turner Mohan
Breaching the Wall of Edoras - John Howe - War of the Rohirrim
The Hornburg - Alan Lee
Helm's Last Stand - Turner Mohan
Helm Hammerhand - Ben Wootten
Maedhall - Pete Amachree
Edoras - Alan Lee
Edoras - Ralph Damiani
The Lord of Nothing - AnotherStrangerMe
Saruman - Steve Airola
Saruman & Beren, Key of Orthanc - LOTRO
The White Council
Aftermath at Isengard - Soni Alcorn-Hender
Saruman with the Palantir - Kuliszu
Saruman with Palantir - Steve Airola
Stalker - Skullb*st*rd
Saruman and Palantir - Angus McBride
Saruman - Matt DeMino
Orc at Isengard - Elrodimus Flash
Saruman - Elrodimus Flash
Orc and Warg - WETA
Gwaihir Rescues Gandalf - John Howe
Battle of the Ford - James Rinere
Men of Dunland - Turner Mohan
Ents Destroy Isengard - John Howe
Ents at Isengard - Elrodimus Flash
The Wrath of the Ents - Ted Nasmith
Isengard - Ivan Cavini
Saruman's Broken Staff - Elrodimus Flash
Ent - Matthew Stewart
Arriving at Isengard - Elrodimus Flash
The Voice of Isengard - Matthew Stewart
Treebeard - Jerry Vanderstelt
Fall of Isengard - Elrodimus Flash
Aragorn son of Arathorn - Elrodimus Flash
Saruman in Orthanc - AnotherStrangerMe
Gimli - Jerry Vanderstelt
Isildur's Bane - Andrea Piparo
Other Takes Leave of Isildur - Anke Eissmann
King Aragorn - Steve Airola
Treebeard - Aegeri
#isengard #lordoftherings #tolkien

Пікірлер: 476

@melkhiordarkfell4354 Жыл бұрын

Gondorian builder: Are we sure we want it so spiky, black and evil looking? Just seems we are setting it up to be the lair of an evil wizard or something.

@NerdoftheRings Жыл бұрын

🤣

@BradsGonnaPlay Жыл бұрын

I guess this was the Gondorian equivalent of the Victorian era. Those houses all look like they’re owned by witches and serial killers who dress way too nice.

@Enerdhil Жыл бұрын

It does seem like an Amazon bastardization of the lore, even though it is the actual lore.

@angelocoppersmith6656 Жыл бұрын

😆 Are you sure we're not the baddies???

@mbryson2899 Жыл бұрын

@@angelocoppersmith6656 That was my first thought!

@midimusicforever Жыл бұрын

It's interesting how so many fortifications built by Gondor at the height of their might were turned against them in their time of weakness.

@RealCadde Жыл бұрын

As is the case with any heavily fortified nation. Keeping them manned and in working order in peace time is a massive drain on economy. And so they tend to be mothballed, as destroying them would also be costly and who knows... They might come in handy? But in times of conflict, their value is undeniable. Then the price of keeping them operating is a small one compared to the many losses that would be had without them. It's just a matter of manning them BEFORE you are in a state of conflict if you've neglected them in peace time.

@midimusicforever Жыл бұрын

@@RealCadde Exactly. That rings familiar somehow.

@marc-antoinecusson3119 Жыл бұрын

Roman empire

@cameronroberts5461 Жыл бұрын

I think this is a direct reflection of their hubris. Tolkien wanted to illustrate how the great accomplishments of a nation could be turned against it. Especially considering the world wars.

@cclcanadiancountrylife3628 Жыл бұрын

The Tower of Cirith Ungol is such a cool gondorian fortress. It’s wicked, again used against Gondor

@benjaminjeffery6873 Жыл бұрын

As child, watching the fellowship of the ring in theatres, my jaw dropped when Orthanc came on screen, the magisterial cinematography paired with the triumphant score and Christopher Lee’s booming voice; eyes instantly drawn to the looming; eire black intricate structure. It felt so real. The teaser poster for The Two Towers with Orthanc is ingrained as one of my “being super excited” childhood memories.

@aesir1ases64 Жыл бұрын

i do envy those who were able to see in theaters, if I was born a couple of years before I prob could have convinced my parents to take me to the movies lol, and yes all the trailers, posters and all marketing and promotion material was masterfully done by the team in charge of it.

@simonmorris4226 Жыл бұрын

@@aesir1ases64 I’ve read the books at least once a year since I was 8 years old. And I’m 60 now! Who but Christopher Lee could ever play Saruman!

@brobama853 Жыл бұрын

@@simonmorris4226 I definitely agree with you, no one else fitted the role of Saruman than Christopher lee, if they were to remake it today, they would have to cgi Christopher, Rest In Peace legend

@brobama853 Жыл бұрын

@@aesir1ases64 same, as much as I envy them, I am happy that I could last year watch all the extended editions

@brucemanly Жыл бұрын

@@aesir1ases64 I saw it in theatres but wasn't that into it. I got into fantasy later and I love it how. You're not always ready to enjoy something at all stages of your life

@yatothinks4506 Жыл бұрын

Isengard is a very unique place. Tolkien gave the place a deep history. It was occupied by many beings, good or bad. It's just cool to know how much Isengard had been through in through out the history of Middle Earth. Another amazing video!

@rogeebear10023 Жыл бұрын

"it just so happens that at this time, the wizard, Saruman, returns from his travels in the East" but, a wizard is never late, nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to. He was always the opportunist..

@aesir1ases64 Жыл бұрын

Orthanc might be one of the most iconic and amazing architectures ever created in fantasy, even people that have never seen or read TLOTR have a clue about it.

@benlewis5312 Жыл бұрын

I'd imagine Barad-dûr is far more recognizable with its giant eye. Which is pretty hilarious considering the eye only exists in the Jackson films

@anotherhuman8173 Жыл бұрын

I love how the Appendices go into the history of some of these lands and locations. Like in the real world, any given land has seen countless people and populations come and go over the centuries. Tolkien gives so much information, and yet so little, always hinting at much more that is unknown. It all gives a real depth of reality to Middle-earth.

@aesir1ases64 Жыл бұрын

Well said!

@FreightmareFTW Жыл бұрын

Pick up your cross and follow Jesus! The world is quickly headed for destruction, and sooner or later you will have to sit at the judgement seat and give an account for your actions. Belief in messiah alone is not enough to grant you salvation - Matthew 7:21-23, John 3:3, John 3:36 (ESV is the best translation for John 3:36). Call on the name of Jesus and pray for Him to intervene in your life! - Revelation 3:20. Contemplate how the Roman Empire fulfilled the role of the beast from the sea in Revelation 13. Revelation 17 confirms that it is in fact Rome. From this we can conclude that A) Jesus is the Son of God and can predict the future or make it happen, B) The world leaders/nations/governments etc have been conspiring together for the last 3000+ years going back to Babylon and before, C) History as we know it is fake. You don't really need to speculate once you start a relationship with God tho. Can't get a response from God? Fasting can help increase your perception and prayer can help initiate events. God will ignore you if your prayer does not align with His purpose (James 4:3) or if you are approaching Him when "unclean" (Isaiah 1:15, Isaiah 59:2, Micah 3:4). Stop eating food sacrificed to idols (McDonald's, Wendy's etc) stop glorifying yourself on social media or making other images of yourself (Second Commandment), stop gossiping about other people, stop watching obscene content etc and you should get a response. Have a blessed day!

@zasmanreviews497 Жыл бұрын

@@FreightmareFTW forcing religion on people is not the way to go man. People can believe what they believe.

@FreightmareFTW Жыл бұрын

@@zasmanreviews497 I'm more so trying to call back unrepentant believers and educate them on the book of Revelation as most churches are teaching that it will all unfold in a 7 year time span

@Thormil576 Жыл бұрын

Fun fact, the Washington monument obelisk is roughly the same height as Orthanc

@grandadmiralzaarin4962 Жыл бұрын

But nowhere near as impressive or aesthetically pleasing

@hebl47 Жыл бұрын

For some reason this makes Orthanc suddenly feel far less impressive.

@Thormil576 Жыл бұрын

@@hebl47 haha stone towers can only be so tall. And actually Orthanc is a bit shorter

@brobama853 Жыл бұрын

@@grandadmiralzaarin4962 I agree

@brobama853 Жыл бұрын

@@Thormil576 oh well, the building is still majestic

@aryah66 Жыл бұрын

I've always wanted more Orthanc details, especially theories on the black rock which no one was able to chip or destroy.

@shinestar2912 Жыл бұрын

Grima damaged it when he threw down the palantir it was thought indestructible until then.

@hedonisticpunkvatos Жыл бұрын

It could be the same round rock Isildur had put in the Hill of Erech where he 1st landed from Numenor and where Aragorn recruited the Dead Men.

@hedonisticpunkvatos Жыл бұрын

@@shinestar2912 It was made in Arda by Feanor.

@SpaceMonkeyBoi Жыл бұрын

"Saruman, your staff is broken!" "That's not what your mother said last night!"

@orohyuno Жыл бұрын

Not only this channel is as good as reading the Silmarillion itself, but the subtitles for the videos are so well-written I can auto-translate then to portuguese with almost zero errors to show to my gf who doesn't speak english. Awesome!

@luudest Жыл бұрын

11:09 This is interesting, I did not know that Saruman (his Orcs) found the Elendilmer at the Gladden Fields. So he had the right sense for where to look for the One Ring …

@thranduiloropherion7256 Жыл бұрын

Tolkien talks about it in the unfinished tales.

@valentinkambushev4968 Жыл бұрын

Isengard under Saruman's control reminds me a lot of Minas tirith (the first age one) during Sauron's. Both located between two mountains and used by an fallen maiar to breed new evil creatures.

@Enerdhil Жыл бұрын

I think you mean Minas Ithil/Morgul. That is a great point. Strategic locations that can act as a gate into Eriador or Mordor.

@valentinkambushev4968 Жыл бұрын

@@Enerdhil No I meant Tol Sirion. The other name it was known by was Minas Tirith.

@Enerdhil Жыл бұрын

@@valentinkambushev4968 I should have noticed "(the first age)" but I didn't for some reason. My bad. I think there were some difference, though. Sauron flaunted his Gauhoth, while Saruman kept his Uruk-hai secret until he unleashed them. Sauron drive Orodreth out of the tower to take it, while Saruman was handed the keys from the King of Gondor. There is no doubt about both places being strategically located.

@kenneths4156 Жыл бұрын

I’m gonna tell my kids this was the rings of power

@chavsny1578 Жыл бұрын

I would love to see more of inside Orthanc. So ancient with so many secrets, would be an amazing sight to be inside.

@FreightmareFTW Жыл бұрын

@Silphwave Жыл бұрын

@@FreightmareFTW Poor guy just wanted to know what the interior of Orthanc tower looked like 😓

@BasePuma4007 Жыл бұрын

@@FreightmareFTW What was your thought process with peddling all that in response to this comment? Are you aware of what comment you're replying to? Or the video you're watching for that matter? 😂

@J0HNJ0RDAN 5 ай бұрын

Where's the bathroom?

@SvengelskaBlondie 3 ай бұрын

@@BasePuma4007 I doubt they where aware, they just wanted to spam it all over the place like dog's diarrhoea

@MrE517 Жыл бұрын

I was reading some lore just now. When I'm feeling particularly engrossed, often I simulate a narrator in my head while reading passages--most often I simulate the character who is speaking in the passage. At times of neutral narration, I sometimes hear Ian McKellen's Gandalf or Cate Blanchett's Galadriel. Today I found myself using your voice! Thank you for your work. Your videos have clearly left a great impression on my thoughts and imagination.

@untruelie2640 Жыл бұрын

Karen Wynn Fonstad put forward a theory in her "Atlas of Middle Earth", that Isengard is actually the remnant of an old vulcano. That would explain the circular shape and the structure of the fortress. The outer wall (which looks a bit different in the book) would be the last remnant of the crater wall and the Orthanc tower would be a pillar of cold magma that had remained in its place even after the rest of the vulcano had eroded away. Magmatic stone, especially obsidian or (black) basalt is very hard and durable, and we can see these central pillars of old vulcanos in our world. So the Númenorians probably didn't build Angrenost/Isengard in a traditional sense, but chiseled it out of the rocks formations that were already there. This would explain why the Ents were able to break through the outer walls but couldn't damage the Orthanc and why the walls of Minas Tirith (probably made from similar stone that was brought there) were more or less impregnable. It also shows the immense craftsmanship and knowledge of the Númenorians.

@NagySzentAntal Жыл бұрын

Beautiful theory, thanks for sharing it! I need to buy that book

@untruelie2640 Жыл бұрын

@@NagySzentAntal You're welcome. :) It's a great book. The best cartographical work on Tolkien's world in my opinion. I learned much from it and it's particularly helpful for understanding the Silmarillion.

@hendb8248 Жыл бұрын

You can find an elaborate description in "Isengard and Northern Gondor" from Iron Crown Enterprises. Its an old MERS module. Nerd of the Rings, while being very good video makers, seems to lack a bit in the reading department. Starting the video under the premisse that Orthanc was build by Gondor is misleading.

@untruelie2640 Жыл бұрын

@@hendb8248 I don't think that he "lacks in the reading department". He focuses on original Tolkien writings, but so do I and many other people. What is wrong with that statement? Of course the tower was "build" by the Númenorians, as they gave it its final shape and structure.

@robertcameron-ellis6518 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for these encyclopedic glimpses into Tolkien’s genius. They draw the same colour gems from the horde, and show the pattern to his writings.

@rafaehsan4658 Жыл бұрын

Amazing Vid matt :D ngl at first time seeing Isengard, I was thinking this is a Fortress of Sauron, not just because of Jackson Adaptation, but the description of it really giving me a very Sauron vibe and after hearing the lore behind it, it really shock me that Isengard was one of Gondorians Structure lol.

@KamalAdnanTheFirst Жыл бұрын

SAME!! The shape of the structure just fits perfectly with Sauron's image that I was equally shocked it was originally built by Gondorians. Then again, Minas Ithil turned into Minas Morgul and I wonder now which structure in that city was original, and which are just additions made by the Witch-King.

@valentinkambushev4968 Жыл бұрын

My reaction when I first heard Saruman's name was "Hey, why is his name so similar to Sauron? He is evil, isn't he."

@KamalAdnanTheFirst Жыл бұрын

@@valentinkambushev4968 That was my very first reaction as well. Even as a kid I was getting weird vibes from Saruman when he first showed up, despite the fact that he was clearly acting friendly towards Gandalf. But then the scene turned to inside the tower, and I started to think "Uh, I don't think he's a good guy." And keep in mind, this was as the camera was approaching Saruman and the way it kept zooming in his face. Brilliant camera work and storytelling honestly.

@Enerdhil Жыл бұрын

I agree. It does seem like Sauron's kind of structure, but Black Numenorians did not build it.

@thelostrealm8079 Жыл бұрын

Great video I always wanted to know about the tower of orthanc

@jayl9176 Жыл бұрын

What I absolutely love about what Peter Jackson brought to this glorious tale was his use of bigatures and that so many of these locations were practically built (just not to scale). And no one but Sir Christopher Lee could house orthanc with such authority.

@valentinkambushev4968 Жыл бұрын

THEY ARE TAKING THE HOBBITS TO DOL GULDUR! wait, I think I made a mistake somewhere......

@Enerdhil Жыл бұрын

Actually they made the mistake, not you.🤪

@evansutton6760 Жыл бұрын

Tell me where is Saruman? For I much desire to speak with him

@ggalloway1 Жыл бұрын

I think the fortress is called the Hornburg, while the immediate area is called Helm's Deep.

@randomthings1293 Жыл бұрын

All I know is that they're taking the Hobbits there.

@owenbergeron4212 Жыл бұрын

Oh this is a fantastic video! I love when you go over the history of a location

@deborahagbedjro431 Жыл бұрын

Nerd of the rings, I would really like that you make a video dedicated to the mysterious watchers that Sam and Frodo meet by the gates of Cirith Ungol, concerning what kind of devilry of Sauron they are; thanks for the Tolkien content by the way, you own what I deem the best Tolkien mythology KZfaq channel.

@toncek9981 Жыл бұрын

It's kinda curious how most of the story takes place in a very brief period of time. Like, majority of things happens in just a month between the breaking of the fellowship (February 26) till the Sauron's fall (March 25). The whole Rohan vs Isengard war was done in a week or so...

@austinhall6257 Жыл бұрын

Great stuff! I love all the alternative artwork different from the movies.

@jarrodthekidder1 Жыл бұрын

As always, an incredible video. I love your content SOOO much. I always look forward to new posts!

@AndrewCarlisle11B Жыл бұрын

Really enjoyed this one as growing up I was always curious about how drastically Isengard changed after Saruman's betrayal, so seeing the full story was awesome. Keep up the great work!

@yardarm5 Жыл бұрын

Wow . The return of the palinter, secret gimli resolve and further kingship. Holy numennor 😮

@VoiceoftheRings Жыл бұрын

That was so Cool! I learned a lot! Love how you Tie everything together so Precise.

@MR_Yousif Жыл бұрын

Awesome video... can you please talk about the afterlife of the peoples of middle earth? (Especially men and their "gift")

@steelblade1984 Жыл бұрын

Hey Matt, love the videos. Keep up the good work.

@thegungadfly8930 10 ай бұрын

Well done. The search and finding of heirlooms in Orthanc is a nice addition to the story.

@MrLemon-fe3qc Жыл бұрын

I haven’t watched your Chanel for very long but I can honestly say it’s one of my favourites, keep up the great work 👍

@jalalchahine1886 Жыл бұрын

I don't know man, every time I watch one of your videos or read the books or watch the movies I feel this warmth inside, you know?

@obiwancoolidge1828 Жыл бұрын

My dnd party, doing a LOTR themed campaign, hung out in Isengard for a bit and we chilled with Tree Beard.

@NerdoftheRings Жыл бұрын

Time well spent! 🌳

@curnelmillette9620 Жыл бұрын

I love your storytelling of the history!

@TGREAT1 Жыл бұрын

3:35 being secret away from threat that's what reveals your best

@xBananowyJEx Жыл бұрын

I love the part when they TAKE THE HOBBITS TO ISENGARD

@brucemcbain3150 Жыл бұрын

Phew! I learned a lot! You presented the history of Isengard in a clear, cohesive style that we the uninitiated, could follow. Thank you !

@thelostrealm8079 Жыл бұрын

Could you do a video on the history of Dale?

@FreightmareFTW Жыл бұрын

@annaroselarsen4218 Жыл бұрын

Saturday is my favorite day because at 12 I kown an awesome video comes out to make the day better!

@SnakeAndTurtleQigong Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for these! It’s been neat to watch your subscribers skyrocket from hundreds, to hundreds of thousands!

@TheCody217 7 ай бұрын

Such a beautiful watch!! Especially considering all it was put through, to turn out so well, without needing heavy replacement.. Man. Love the video!

@OddJames Жыл бұрын

Thank you for all the amazing content I hope you have a good weekend

@qbeh9147 Жыл бұрын

Really interesting video! Always Love your content! :)

@kevinmoore4845 Жыл бұрын

Excellent as always.

@Flow8880 Жыл бұрын

Hi! Absolutely love the channel and what you're doing here. I have watched other lore videos from several different channels and none of them delve into the lore, or "cite" their reasons for stating their facts. So thank you so much for all the research, and videos!! I have looked around and found some answers, but I wouldn't mind seeing a video describing how, or why Gandalf fears the witch king, how sarumon the white defeated him. Thanks!!

@eugenepecorella2040 Жыл бұрын

This whole channel is life rn 🙌

@levi6859 Жыл бұрын

Always love listening to and watching your contact

@jaysgamingcorner8539 Жыл бұрын

Another great video. Isengard is an awesome structure and looks fantastic onscreen.

@jneumy566 Жыл бұрын

It's kind of fun to imagine an Imperial Star Destroyer sitting inside the circle of Isengard, since they're also a mile long from end to end

@grandadmiralzaarin4962 Жыл бұрын

Always did find it odd that the outer wall of Minas Tirith and the Tower of Orthanc were indestructible in strength yet the Numenoreans/Gondorians never made more of their fortresses out if the material.

@bobo577 Жыл бұрын

It’s likely the material might have been rare or I assume it was costly to mine it. That’s probably why Minas Tirith isn’t made of the stuff, it makes Isengard incredibly small.

@martinpain7332 Жыл бұрын

Video suggestion: a video on all towers mentioned in the book “The Two Towers” - which two it’s named after, and which others are involved?

@hansendavis3742 Жыл бұрын

Amazing video. Could you please cover the history of the Dwarven cities of the Iron hills. I don't believe that its covered very much.

@twitchEmailOkay Жыл бұрын

Man I don’t know how you keep coming up with topics but you go bro

@user-sd7ri9fy4i 2 ай бұрын

Nice work dude thanks

@Miwac94 Жыл бұрын

Amazing work!

@hrodvitnir6725 Жыл бұрын

Man I love your videos, been watching them like crazy!

@anonymousforagoodreason2479 Жыл бұрын

Your videos are visual heroin to me. I NEED MORE! Love what you do man.

@sauron3488 Жыл бұрын

Orthanc was built by the Numenoreans sometime within the first century after Numenor was destroyed.

@jockyoung4491 Жыл бұрын

But that's who the Gondorians were. They weren't Numenoreans any more. They were immigrants

@Russian__hammer Жыл бұрын

the music in the background went awesome with the video.

@thebrotherskrynn Жыл бұрын

Now that I've finished editing the audio for my newest video and essay, it is now time to reward myself and there's only one proper way to do so; with NERD OF THE RINGS! Sorry, haven't listened to your stuff lately (or commented), but you're my reward when work gets done Nerd. Love your channel, have a lot of admiration for you and your knowledge of Tolkien my friend. Hope all is well with you X)

@steinfinnone1590 Жыл бұрын

I love your video. Great content. I do have one question. You state that Orthanc was built by the early Gondorians in the late second age. However, I am sure (and no I can't find the specific quote now) that one in of his writings on the history of Numenor that Tolkien stated that the tower was built as a watchtower for the pass by the Numenoreans during the height of their empire and that only the wall around the tower was built by the Gondorians. I have looked on the web and see many websites stating that it was built by the Gondorians but others say it was built much earlier by the Numenoreans. I am wondering if this is a point in the lore that has been changed by some of the later books by Christopher Tolkien? I have noticed one or two small details of the lore have been changed between the publishing of the Silmarillion and the publishing of the History of the Lord of the Rings. Thanks

@fn7xg707 Жыл бұрын

Just finished watching story of melkor, Right on time 💯 u make great vids

@NerdoftheRings Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much!

@midnitemike Жыл бұрын

Excellent video!

@sebastianmatt7707 Жыл бұрын

Great story as always

@dominic7868 Жыл бұрын

Dude, you really need a side hustle doing audio books. You honestly not only have the perfect voice but you also have fantastic delivery. The Fall of Númenor would be a great jumping off point!

@evanairnomad4361 Жыл бұрын

I thought the 1st Battle of the Fords of Isen resulted in the Rohirrim winning as Elfhelm came to aid Grimbold and Théodred before he died???

@ThorStone214 Жыл бұрын

I am so confused with the invisibility of the one ring, please make a video on that

@luudest Жыл бұрын

9:06 is it known how Saruman lured the Dunledings to join his cause? Did he visit them and spoke to their Chieftains?

@shinestar2912 Жыл бұрын

I never understood the black stone that the Numenorians could make large round stones and an impenetrable tower out of. Was it carved from stone in a quarry or something like concrete and molded? Wonder if the Black arrow that killed Smaug was made of this stone? If you could make an entire tower why not make weapons out of it?

@hansendavis3742 Жыл бұрын

It's possible that this is the same stone/metal that the dark elf made his swords from.

@Omnilatent Жыл бұрын

@@hansendavis3742 Impossible, Eöl forged Anguirel and Anglachel from meteorite. Imagine how many meteorites would have been needed for a huge tower and city walls haha

@hansendavis3742 Жыл бұрын

@@Omnilatent it is possible that meteorite was some sort of gift from the valar and if orthanc built by the faithful of numenor it might not be the farthest of stretches. This is only a theory though.

@Omnilatent Жыл бұрын

@@hansendavis3742 It's an interesting thought but I think it's highly unlikely. Numenor itself was already a gift by the Valar. Why would they gift anything else - and in Middle-earth instead of Numenor then? My best guess is it's regular stone but the Numenorians had a specific technique to turn any stone into this. It's still weird considering that knowledge this valuable would get lost, though.

@hansendavis3742 Жыл бұрын

@@Omnilatent I can agree with your reasoning, I just hoped that there would be a more elaborate solution then, ancient peoples and lost technique. Still this has been an excellent debate my good sir.

@LaTengoComoelZague Жыл бұрын

Yo love your channel. I was wondering if maybe you could make a series of all the dagur battles, a video for each one. That would be awesome

@MrAwesomeGuitarMan Жыл бұрын

7:07 oh man look at him pondering that orb

@teleportedbreadfor3days 3 ай бұрын

It’s funny to think the Saruman installed a buzzer at Isengard’s gate. The Witch King pressing a button to talk into it and ask about the One Ring, and you hear Saruman’s voice coming from the speaker.

@lalacrypto1 Жыл бұрын

Top notch! Thank you!

@EWLR89 Жыл бұрын

Out of all your patrion supporters, Debbie is my favorite. I always get a little chuckle that after all the big names you say "....and Debbie"

@nerdwatch1017 Жыл бұрын

Regarding helms deep!! I wanted to know!!? Why when building it? Why was it they didn’t build high up along the mountain down the path to the structure. Places for archers to attack from both sides!! Also they could have had a shoot that large boulders would roll down to crush enemy fighters!!!

@kirandeepchakraborty7921 Жыл бұрын

The Architecture of The TOWER of Orthanc is Marvellous

@danepatterson8107 Жыл бұрын

Was the Palantir stone in Orthanc known to the Kings/Stewards of Gondor? In the LOTR, it appears as if no one expected that Saruman had a stone: surely this cannot be true? I would LOVE to have an episode about Amon Hen and such constructions of the Gondorians/Arnorians!

@sweeperboy Жыл бұрын

I think Gondor had diminished a lot by this point, and much knowledge had been lost. It wasn't even widely known that Denethor had a palantir, although people speculated that light seem coming from his chamber was him in some way striving mentally with Sauron. Prior to Denethor, the palantiri might even have been forgotten about.

@michealdargue2985 Жыл бұрын

A very good video. Love all of your work. I do have a question. Do you think you should make your own top ten favorite videos that you made? My favorite favorite video you made was of the first age. Loved the info you put in that one. First age is my favorite age of them all by Tolkien works. Cheers. From your friendly follower. From Canada 🇨🇦. Cheers.

@Jopeymessmusic Жыл бұрын

I love that it's been decades since he wrote about Orthanc and described it, yet we still don't know where it's from or what the smooth black stone is. It's more likely we've never know, which is pretty incredible when you think about it.

@boat1280 Жыл бұрын

All the ambiguity Tolkien left in his world is part of what makes it so intriguing for sure. I remember finding out for the first time that even the books themselves are in-universe writings of the characters and it tripped me out lol

@isilion Жыл бұрын

I would love to dwelt there, I love towers and Orthanc seems so beautiful in my mind: a great tower of gleaming black adamant

@matthewmastro7080 Жыл бұрын

And Debbie! My favorite part of all of your videos!😂

@enjolraslechimiste Жыл бұрын

I have a confusion: we know, explicitly, that Sauron corrupted the mind of Saruman? I thought there was always some ambiguity in such a claim, since Saruman wanted the ring anyway, and Saruman is pretending to go along with Sauron anyway? Can we differentiate between Saruman's latent corruption vs. Sauron corrupting him?

@ponder421 Жыл бұрын

According to the Appendices, Saruman became "ensnared by Sauron" when he used the Palantir in 3000 T.A. But Saruman was already starting to turn about 150 years earlier, when he denied Gandalf's request to attack Dol Guldur because Saruman was secretly searching for the One Ring. It seems to me that using the Palantir was his final push towards evil.

@enjolraslechimiste Жыл бұрын

@@ponder421 Thank you SO much for this! People who cite sources = awesome

@enjolraslechimiste Жыл бұрын

@@ponder421 If I may ask: is it plausible to say Saruman was, about the time of the Dol Guldur offensive, not yet evil? But actually trying to find the ring "preventatively?" I'm always curious at what point we can say Saruman was definitely evil.

@ponder421 Жыл бұрын

@@enjolraslechimiste Hi! Also from the Appendices - In 2939 "Saruman discovers that Sauron's servants are searching the Anduin [...] says nothing to the Council." Two years later "Saruman agrees to attack Dol Guldur, since he now wishes to prevent Sauron from searching the River." So Saruman knew Sauron was looking for the Ring, didn't tell the White Council, and only wanted to prevent Sauron from getting it first. That makes his selfish motivations clear. There are a couple videos here on KZfaq that go into greater detail on when Saruman became evil. He did a lot of shady stuff over the years, so it can be left to some interpretation.

@hugowikstr Жыл бұрын

Can u make a video explaining Eru Iluvatar? (Great video btw)

@alectuck7112 Жыл бұрын

Looks great

@Platypusano Жыл бұрын

great video, as always! There seems to be a missing character in your used font for the date in the upper right corner at around 7:22.

@Volfyrion Жыл бұрын

And another great video

@F.S92 Жыл бұрын

I just wanted to say that I love your content! No one has sparked my interest in LOTR like you. Excellent presentation, narration and content all around. Can’t wait for more “what if” videos. :) P.S- also just realised that I have been watching your videos for months. But did not subscribe. Lets fix that immediately!

@genghisgalahad8465 Жыл бұрын

I appreciate the victorious music as background for the building of the titled ominous tower. That would be the only explanation for how (see comment below) it was built without raising any eyebrows as to its presence!

@tonypapas9854 Жыл бұрын

Interesting that Orthanc was even stronger than the gates and walls of Minas Tirith. Excellent video.

@paolomauri9566 Жыл бұрын

The first wall of Minas Tirith was made with the same type of rock.

@thalleous7636 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the awesome video. Orthanc is one of my favorite places in middle earth. How do you get all your information on places or characters?

@thalleous7636 Жыл бұрын

What giveaway?

@rataretrodos Жыл бұрын

Hi to everyone in the community. I wanted to request a video explaining the death of Isildur, the Elendilmir, the disappearance of Issuldur's body and the loosing of the One Ring. Would it be possible? I really enjoy watching these videos as I read. Also a great visual would be when Isildur puts on the One but the Elendilmir shines bright red as a star while Isiuldur covers it with his hood to the dissapear into the night...