Orthanc

[Thorongil]

I have a qestion. Who ctually built Orthanc? I've heard that it has been round quite a while.

[Iargwath]

I think i had touched on that question in this thread (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=2&t=002675). However i am not too sure if i did do so...
Orthanc was built by Gondorians (possibly of the Dúnedain) before the end of the Second Age? (i'm not too sure about the date). The interesting aspect regarding Orthanc, is the fact that Beren (Steward of Gondor) gave Saruman the key to Orthanc. Just thought i'd include that little fact smilies/smile.gif

If you are looking for answers to questions of this nature, try looking at the forum's Search (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=search&search_forum=2) function, for more threads along these lines. Or maybe try and visit the Internet's most comprehensive Tolkien Encyclopedia, The Encyclopedia Of Arda (http://www.glyphweb.com/arda/default.htm).

<font size=1 color=339966>[ 5:49 AM December 18, 2003: Message edited by: Iargwath ]

[Thorongil]

I knew that Beren gave him the keys, but I never knew who built it. Thanks! smilies/smile.gif

[Castamir]

Orthanc was a 500 foot tall tower, built from four pillars of black rock. It was built by the Gondorians, and was abandoned in the later stages of the third age. Saruman gained the keys to the tower in TA 2759, and with it he gained the palantir of orthanc. Hope this helps

[Knight of Gondor]

Not disputing the info put forth here, but if Gondorians built it, what "other power" held it together, the power that was mentioned when the Ents attempted to break it down?