S. Ered Gorgoroth loc. “Mountains of Terror”

S. Ered Gorgoroth, loc. “Mountains of Terror”

The mountains south of Dorthonion where Ungoliant once dwelled (S/95, 121). This name is a combination of the plural of orod “mountain” and the name Gorgoroth, which was also used for a region in Mordor (LotR/636).

Conceptual Development: In Silmarillion drafts from the 1930s, this name appeared as N. Ered Orgoroth (LR/298), because names and nouns in this position underwent soft mutation in Noldorin, as opposed to later Sindarin where only adjectives were lenited in this position. The name was changed in Silmarillion revisions from the 1950s-60s, first to Ered Gorgorath with an a (MR/127, WJ/129), then Ered Gorgoroth (MR/297). In later writings this name occasionally appeared with the proper Sindarin plural of orod: S. Eryd (MR/297, WJ/319).

References ✧ LBI/Ered Gorgoroth; LT2I/Ered Gorgoroth; MR/127, 297; MRI/Eryd Orgoroth; S/95, 121; SA/gor; SI/Ered Gorgoroth, Mountains of Terror; UTI/Gorgoroth; WJ/129; WJI/Eryd Gorgoroth

Glosses

Variations

Elements

orod “mountain” plural
Gorgoroth “Valley of Terror” ✧ SA/gor; UTI/Gorgoroth

N. Ered Orgoroth loc. “Mountains of Terror”

See S. Ered Gorgoroth for discussion.

References ✧ LR/298; LRI/Ered Orgoroth; MR/127, 297; MRI/Eryd Orgoroth; WJ/129

Glosses

Variations

Changes

Elements

orod “mountain” plural ✧ LR/298 (Ered)
Gorgoroth “Deadly Fear” soft-mutation ✧ LR/298 (orgoroth)