Thorongil - What's in it?
 

As we all know Aragorn had a plethora of names. Twelve in all. I had a question about one of them, Thorongil. The one Aragorn used when he served in the Gondorian army. Does anyone know what that means or the epistomology of it. Thanks

It means the Eagle of the Star. Thoron-, like in Thorondor, means 'eagle.' gil, like in Gil-galad, means 'star.'

This is from the Encyclopaedia of Arda:

Why he chose the name and what it is actually referring to is up for debate, I guess. Personally, I think he chose the name because it was in line with the Elven names used in Numenor before they became obsessed with mortality. Thus, a reference to Numenor (his past and essentially future) and somewhat ironic and tongue-in-cheek as he used it in Minas Tirith with the Steward, considering he would eventually replace the position!

The complicated and rather mythical meaning which was in all likelihood known to few, was probably also good for his mysterious persona; a wise man (metaphorically from the West) who did great things and asked for nothing, and revealed little about himself.

Well met, annuncollion!

I don't want to be horribly picky, but, epistemology is a branch of philosophy that deals with knowledge, the foundations and limits of the human understanding.

I think you meant etymology which deals with the history and evolution of words. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

Sophia

Personally I'm always confusing Etymology with Entymology, the study of bugs! Spelling is not my strong suit [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

Actually, to be more precise, the field of study here is onomastics, the the science or study of the origin and forms of proper names of persons or places. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

Yes, but onomastics is hardly a word that's easily confused with epistemology. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] Which is why I thought we were probably referring to etymology, which while maybe not the most specific technical term, is a lot closer than the study of human understanding. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]