Orthanc was the ominous black tower of Isengard, erected by the Dunedain, and during the War of the Ring in the "Great Years" was under the control of Saruman the White. The tower was situated in the middle of the Ring of Isengard, enclosed by robust protective ramparts reinforced by the first inhabitants in Gondor.
Depiction
Tolkien described Isengard as a large stone ring appearing as massive cliffs encircling a seemingly hollowed plain bowl at the side of a mountain that measures a mile in diameter. He also mentioned that the place used to be green with thick grass and rich with garden groves, trees abundant with fruits, and streams of fresh, nourishing water flowing from mountains into a nearby lake. However, not one green living thing is left there during Saruman’s latter days.
Isengard’s roads were paved with dark stones and instead of trees growing on the sides, endless lines of iron, copper, and marble pillars linked by thick chains. Right in the middle of the ring stood a marvelous tower, shaped and formed by the same ancient builders who fashioned the Isengard Ring. However, the tower did not look like any other monument built by men, as it seemed like something made out of bones long buried in the earth since times of old.
It looked like a gleaming, dark island of rock. There were four high assemblies of multi-sided stones welded together in unison, but approaching the top, they separated into full horns, their points like spear tips, the edges as knives. At the apex was a small polished floor decorated with strange writings and stood about 500 feet up from the ground. Orthanc was constructed by melding together four stone piers using an unknown method of hardening.
No magic or weapons existing in Arda could harm the tower, and only the Ents were able to cause superficial damage during the War of the Ring. There was also the incident when Grima Wormtongue threw the "Palantir of Orthanc" out from one of the high windows and onto the stairs, which snapped the rails and broke a portion of the staircase. The tower had only one entrance, accessible via a stair with twenty-seven steps, and only the Keys of Orthanc could open the door. Directly above this door is a balcony with many tall windows.
Isengard’s roads were paved with dark stones and instead of trees growing on the sides, endless lines of iron, copper, and marble pillars linked by thick chains. Right in the middle of the ring stood a marvelous tower, shaped and formed by the same ancient builders who fashioned the Isengard Ring. However, the tower did not look like any other monument built by men, as it seemed like something made out of bones long buried in the earth since times of old.
It looked like a gleaming, dark island of rock. There were four high assemblies of multi-sided stones welded together in unison, but approaching the top, they separated into full horns, their points like spear tips, the edges as knives. At the apex was a small polished floor decorated with strange writings and stood about 500 feet up from the ground. Orthanc was constructed by melding together four stone piers using an unknown method of hardening.
No magic or weapons existing in Arda could harm the tower, and only the Ents were able to cause superficial damage during the War of the Ring. There was also the incident when Grima Wormtongue threw the "Palantir of Orthanc" out from one of the high windows and onto the stairs, which snapped the rails and broke a portion of the staircase. The tower had only one entrance, accessible via a stair with twenty-seven steps, and only the Keys of Orthanc could open the door. Directly above this door is a balcony with many tall windows.
Historical Background
During the Second Age
No one knows the exact date of Isengard’s foundation and Orthanc’s construction. Still, best estimates place it between the year 3320 of the Second Age when Gondor and Arnor were established, and the year 3430 of the Second Age when Men and Elves formed their "Last Alliance." Inside the tower's fortified walls, the Stone of Orthanc, one of the Palantiri was placed. Since then, Orthanc was considered as one of the "seven towers" of the Dunedain, as it housed the seventh seeing stone that Elendil brought back from Numenor.
Third Age
The Great Plague of the year 1636 of the Third Age devastated a significant part of the Middle-earth, and Orthanc was not exempted from its effects. Many Numenoreans living in Isengard and neighboring areas slowly migrated to the east, until the tower was left deserted with its keys transferred to Minas Tirith to be entrusted to the Stewards of Gondor. In the year 2510 of the Third Age, right after the Battle of the Field of Celebrant, some Men of Gondor traveled to Isengard and kept the fortress in good condition by themselves. However, the Stewards of Gondor were still the official keepers of the Keys of Orthanc.
After some time, connections between Orthanc and Minas Tirith were lost, and the Men of Gondor eventually left the tower in disrepair. That allowed the Dunlendings to take over the fortress using it as a base for launching several assaults on the Westfold. During the Long Winter in the year 2754 of the Third Age, the Dunlendings gradually starved out due to a famine that ensued because food suppliers were out of communication. Saruman then proposed to both Steward Beren and King Frealaf that he takes responsibility for Orthanc, and the two leaders accepted the proposal with enthusiasm. That was how Saruman got the Keys of Orthanc as well as total control over Isengard.
With Isengard under his clutches, Saruman pursued his interest in the Rings of Power, particularly in The One. He believed that given enough time, Sauron could regain enough strength to let the ring manifest itself. That is the main reason he vetoed Gandalf’s bid to attack Dol Guldur, Sauron's fortress. But after almost a century, in the year 2941 of the Third Age, he agreed to proceed with the attack because he discovered that the Dark Lord’s servants were seeking out the ring close to the Gladden Fields. When Saruman utilized the Stone of Orthanc (the seventh Palantiri) [1] on the first occasion, his mind became contaminated and went under Sauron’s control. In the year 3018 of the Third Age, Gandalf journeyed to Isengard to speak with Saruman.
During the meeting, Saruman revealed to Gandalf his real thoughts on his ambitions to have power over Men. He also declared his intentions to acquire the Ring and join Sauron in his bid to rule the world. When Gandalf refused to join them, Saruman attacked the Grey wizard and eventually subdued him. He imprisoned Gandalf at the tower summit until he revealed the One Ring’s whereabouts. After being held captive for many weeks, Gandalf was able to send word to Gwaihir, the Lord of the Eagles, who immediately came to rescue him.
Some months, hence, the Ents of Fangorn Forest attacked Isengard, and after a day of assaults, only the Orthanc tower remained standing. The surrounding plains have been utterly destroyed, leaving a desolate area of mud and water. Had it not been for Orthanc's impervious construction, the Ents would have obliterated it. About three days after the assault, Aragorn, Gandalf, Gimli, Legolas, Eomer, and King Theoden rode to Orthanc passing through the desolation left behind by the Ents’ attack and climbed up to the entrance.
They conferred with Saruman, who stayed within the tower, speaking from a balcony overhead. When Saruman refused to submit to the group's demands, even attempting to control Teoden's mind, Gandalf, who by this time held the same rank (White Wizard) as Saruman, expelled him from the White Council and Order of Wizards, shattering Saruman’s staff to pieces. Before Gandalf's troop left Orthanc, Grima Wormtongue, hiding inside the tower, hurled the Stone of Orthanc at the group as a last act of desperation.
After some time, connections between Orthanc and Minas Tirith were lost, and the Men of Gondor eventually left the tower in disrepair. That allowed the Dunlendings to take over the fortress using it as a base for launching several assaults on the Westfold. During the Long Winter in the year 2754 of the Third Age, the Dunlendings gradually starved out due to a famine that ensued because food suppliers were out of communication. Saruman then proposed to both Steward Beren and King Frealaf that he takes responsibility for Orthanc, and the two leaders accepted the proposal with enthusiasm. That was how Saruman got the Keys of Orthanc as well as total control over Isengard.
With Isengard under his clutches, Saruman pursued his interest in the Rings of Power, particularly in The One. He believed that given enough time, Sauron could regain enough strength to let the ring manifest itself. That is the main reason he vetoed Gandalf’s bid to attack Dol Guldur, Sauron's fortress. But after almost a century, in the year 2941 of the Third Age, he agreed to proceed with the attack because he discovered that the Dark Lord’s servants were seeking out the ring close to the Gladden Fields. When Saruman utilized the Stone of Orthanc (the seventh Palantiri) [1] on the first occasion, his mind became contaminated and went under Sauron’s control. In the year 3018 of the Third Age, Gandalf journeyed to Isengard to speak with Saruman.
During the meeting, Saruman revealed to Gandalf his real thoughts on his ambitions to have power over Men. He also declared his intentions to acquire the Ring and join Sauron in his bid to rule the world. When Gandalf refused to join them, Saruman attacked the Grey wizard and eventually subdued him. He imprisoned Gandalf at the tower summit until he revealed the One Ring’s whereabouts. After being held captive for many weeks, Gandalf was able to send word to Gwaihir, the Lord of the Eagles, who immediately came to rescue him.
Some months, hence, the Ents of Fangorn Forest attacked Isengard, and after a day of assaults, only the Orthanc tower remained standing. The surrounding plains have been utterly destroyed, leaving a desolate area of mud and water. Had it not been for Orthanc's impervious construction, the Ents would have obliterated it. About three days after the assault, Aragorn, Gandalf, Gimli, Legolas, Eomer, and King Theoden rode to Orthanc passing through the desolation left behind by the Ents’ attack and climbed up to the entrance.
They conferred with Saruman, who stayed within the tower, speaking from a balcony overhead. When Saruman refused to submit to the group's demands, even attempting to control Teoden's mind, Gandalf, who by this time held the same rank (White Wizard) as Saruman, expelled him from the White Council and Order of Wizards, shattering Saruman’s staff to pieces. Before Gandalf's troop left Orthanc, Grima Wormtongue, hiding inside the tower, hurled the Stone of Orthanc at the group as a last act of desperation.
The Fourth Age
The BA primary task that King Elessar (Aragorn) set out to do was to restore Orthanc. He commanded that the Palantir be found and returned to Isengard. Orthanc went through a thorough search and inventory, revealing many secrets. It was evident that Saruman hoarded several ancient heirlooms and treasures while he was there. With Wormtongue’s help, Saruman was able to acquire jewels that belonged to Eorl.
After that, a secret door was discovered with a casket containing two priceless artifacts: a tiny golden case fastened to a chain (used by Isildur to carry the One Ring), and the “Elendilmir,” the “White Star” made of Elvish crystal and a thin layer of Mithril. This heirloom had been missing since Isildur died. Elessar accepted the Elendilmir with veneration and kept it while establishing his complete kingship of Arnor.
It was later learned that Saruman found Isildur’s remains and incinerated them. Orthanc and the surrounding Isengard grasslands continued to be a portion in the “Reunited Kingdom of Arnor and Gondor.” [2] Nonetheless, King Elessar granted full autonomy of the entire area around the tower over to the Ents. As such, the new forest was then called the “Treegarth of Orthanc.”
After that, a secret door was discovered with a casket containing two priceless artifacts: a tiny golden case fastened to a chain (used by Isildur to carry the One Ring), and the “Elendilmir,” the “White Star” made of Elvish crystal and a thin layer of Mithril. This heirloom had been missing since Isildur died. Elessar accepted the Elendilmir with veneration and kept it while establishing his complete kingship of Arnor.
It was later learned that Saruman found Isildur’s remains and incinerated them. Orthanc and the surrounding Isengard grasslands continued to be a portion in the “Reunited Kingdom of Arnor and Gondor.” [2] Nonetheless, King Elessar granted full autonomy of the entire area around the tower over to the Ents. As such, the new forest was then called the “Treegarth of Orthanc.”
Orthanc’s Pinnacle
The “Pinnacle of Orthanc” was the apex of Isengard’s tower. The corners were razor-sharp points with enough room for two men in standing position. It was accessible via a staircase with a thousand steps that Saruman uses to up top and gaze upon the stars. That is where Saruman held Gandalf prisoner at the beginning of the War of the Ring, causing him to be late in meeting Frodo. He was later rescued by Gwaihir, the King of Eagles, through a message from Radagast, the Brown wizard.
Etymology of Names
As indicated by Tolkien in his books, Orthanc in Sindarin means “Mount Fang,” and in Rohirric means “Cunning Mind.” There is a higher likelihood that the second translation is its true meaning because Orthanc is an existing Old English word that translates to “cunning device.” Tolkien used Old English as his linguistic foundation of Rohirric. However, Tolkien claims that both the Sindarin and Rohirric meanings are just coincidences.
Popular Culture
Peter Jackson’s “Lord of the Rings” Trilogy
Orthanc was depicted in all three installments of the live-action adaptation of the book, with a significant emphasis on the duel between Gandalf and Saruman, imprisonment of the former and subsequent rescue, the transformation of the surrounding plains of Isengard from a lush green into a terrible factory of fell creatures and war, and lastly, the conversation of Gandalf's troop with Saruman, leading to the latter's death (not in the books).
References
Categories:
Sindarin locations
Towers
