Minas Tirith (First Age)
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- In the Third Age the name Minas Tirith was the later name of Minas Anor.
illustration by Tom Loback
In J. R. R. Tolkien's fiction as recounted in The Silmarillion, Minas Tirith was the tower on Tol Sirion that guarded the Pass of Sirion.
Minas Tirith was built early in the First Age by Finrod to keep watch upon the doings of Morgoth on the northern plain of Ard-galen and prevent passage south by Orcs through the Pass of Sirion, the West Gate of Beleriand. It was under the command of Finrod's brother Orodreth.
In 457 First Age it was stormed and taken by Sauron. He lead a Host of Orcs and Werewolves following Morgoth's victory in the Battle of Sudden Flame, Dagor Bragollach. Sauron, then also known as Gorthaur, made it a place of such terror and horror it was renamed Tol-in-Gaurhoth, the Isle of Werewolves.
[edit] Tol-in-Gaurhoth
With control of the West Pass into Beleriand, Sauron extended the conquest of Dorthonion until all Men were driven from the land. Even the Orcs passed through it with speed. Sauron also initiated invasions and raids into Mid-Beleriand and West Beleriand, attacking the Forest of Brethil and sending probing Orc-bands with Wolf-packs to scout the borders of Nargothrond and to try to discover its location.
About ten years later during the Quest for the Silmaril, Beren and Finrod were imprisoned in the tower by Sauron. Their companions were slain one by one. Finrod saved Beren's life, but died himself. Lúthien and the Hound Huan came to Beren's rescue, and while Huan killed the wolves Lúthien gained control of the isle's magic from Sauron.
The isle was destroyed and cleansed. Although the land around the Pass of Sirion remained under the rule of the Noldor for a few more years, they did not attempt to rebuild the tower. Some accounts say it remained clean afterwards, and no new tower was erected there. Other accounts say that after it was recaptured following the Fifth Battle, Nírnaeth Arnoediad, the dreadful tower was rebuilt.
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