The Argonath

[Curulin]

I was reading Lord of the Rings the other day, and i was really interested in the Argonath, the big statues on the banks of the Anduin that the felowship sail past. Could anyone tell me what they are, who built them, why, etc? im really curious about them...
thanks, Curulin

[ December 09, 2002: Message edited by: Curulin ]

[LePetitChoux]

I found this in the BD encyclopaedia:

~ Argonath ~

Great pillars rock at the southern end of a narrow, deep ravine through which the Anduin river rushed. Each pillar was carved in the shape of a great stone figure, a silent king, sitting upon a throne based in the waters of the river. Each king held its left hand out, palm forward, warning travellers from the north that they entered the realm of Gondor. In each right hand was an axe. On each head a crumbling helm and crown.
The great figures had been hewn in ages long ago when Gondor was a new kingdom. The kings were carved in the likeness of Isildur and Anarion, the sons of Elendil.

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[Legolas]

They are huge, huge, huge statues carved in the stone on the banks of the Anduin, made in the likenesses of Anarion and Isildur, Elendil's sons. Sort of like a cross between Mt. Rushmore and the Statue of Liberty (which won't mean much to you if you aren't from the US, I suppose).

Anyway, you should check out the Fellowship of the Ring movie. The scene with the Argonath is pretty impressive.

Look at this poster:
http://www.allposters.com/gallery.asp?aid=269089&item=334264

[ December 10, 2002: Message edited by: Legalos ]

[Birdland]

OK, here's a question: were they carved during the reign of Isildur, or after? 'Cause if they were carved during, I'm thinking: "Shades of Ozymandias!"

[the real findorfin]

I have a question about the Argonath. Why does Isildur look so much older than Anarion? I know he is the older but not by that much is he?

[Susan Delgado]

I noticed that too and decided it was just the beard.

[Arwen Imladris]

It's been a while since I checked this out but could the older one be Anarion? Didn't Isildur die first? They could have made them as memorials of them after they had died or something?

[the real findorfin]

No, Anarion died first - in Battle on Mount Doom (ie. Last Alliance stuff). he was hit by a falling rock if I'm not mistaken.

Its not just Isildur's beard though (or though that definately contributes). His face looks older as well.

Does anyone how much older Isildur is to Anarion, I suppose it could be quite a lot as Numenoreans lived for a long time.

[Joy]

According to the Encyc of Arda - Isildur was born in 3209 2nd Age and Anarion waws born in 3219. There was ten years separating them. NOTE: The date of Anárion's birth appears only in The History of Middle-earth volume XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth. It cannot therefore be considered completely reliable.