ONLY The Silmarillion - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Nimrodel_9 · 10-28-2004, 12:54 PM

I`d be one of the first to convert!

littlemanpoet · 10-28-2004, 01:42 PM

Imagining that the Silmarillion and other such texts (Unfinished Tales, Lays of Beleriand, Lost Road) are received texts (those that come down to us by means of our heritage), the North would necessarily have been literate long before it was in actual history. It would still have been saddled with the "flat earth" world view, which would put it on a par with the Greek, Babylonian, etc. myths. The one thing it would be lacking (as Tolkien intended) would be the bloodthirstiness of its greatest heroes and its gods.

Imagine how these things might have affected Germanic and Celtic history, say, around the time of Alexander the Great? or Julius Caesar? or Marcus Aurelius? Constantine? Charlemagne? The implications are vast.

(By the way, it's "what if" questions like this that get us fiction writers really going!

turgon · 10-29-2004, 06:41 PM

I still think those who followed the Sil would be trampled like grass. My reasoning is from the thought that all who "followed" the recieved text of the Sil would by nature of their belief shun technology. Morgoth, Saruman, Sauron would be the banners waved above encroaching armies who would have a rabid lust for technology. " A mind of metal and gears."
The conquests would be both swift and brutal in that . The percieved, "Captains of the West" would be deliberating over the evils of the machinations of the invaders. ( For example the first tank or the first airplane. )
And while they would be deliberating over the hurts caused to middle earth over the creation and production of these machines;said machines would still be rolling across the landscape.
Asking the valar for guidance and none would come. Yet the rape and pillage of the world would grow under the banner of morgoth.

**The Saucepan Man** · 10-29-2004, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by littlemanpoet

The one thing it would be lacking (as Tolkien intended) would be the bloodthirstiness of its greatest heroes and its gods.

The Bible (well, the New Testament at least

) lacks bloodthirstiness in its heroes and God, and yet that did not change the bloodthirsty course of history (and indeed, in some cases, was used as a basis for violence and persecution). So, in that respect at least, I don't believe that it would have changed the course of history much.

10-28-2004, 12:54 PM	#1
Nimrodel_9 Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Utah Posts: 734	Cool idea. I`d be one of the first to convert! __________________ .:A friend is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your heart:.

10-29-2004, 06:41 PM	#3
turgon Haunting Spirit Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Annagroth Posts: 57	I still think those who followed the Sil would be trampled like grass. My reasoning is from the thought that all who "followed" the recieved text of the Sil would by nature of their belief shun technology. Morgoth, Saruman, Sauron would be the banners waved above encroaching armies who would have a rabid lust for technology. " A mind of metal and gears." The conquests would be both swift and brutal in that . The percieved, "Captains of the West" would be deliberating over the evils of the machinations of the invaders. ( For example the first tank or the first airplane. ) And while they would be deliberating over the hurts caused to middle earth over the creation and production of these machines;said machines would still be rolling across the landscape. Asking the valar for guidance and none would come. Yet the rape and pillage of the world would grow under the banner of morgoth. __________________ "What I have left behind I count now no loss, needless baggage on the road it has proved. Let those that cursed my name, curse me still, and whine their way back to the cages" " MIGHT IS RIGHT, DISSENT IS INTOLERABLE"

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

10-28-2004, 01:42 PM	#2
littlemanpoet Itinerant Songster Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: The Edge of Faerie Posts: 7,066	Imagining that the Silmarillion and other such texts (Unfinished Tales, Lays of Beleriand, Lost Road) are received texts (those that come down to us by means of our heritage), the North would necessarily have been literate long before it was in actual history. It would still have been saddled with the "flat earth" world view, which would put it on a par with the Greek, Babylonian, etc. myths. The one thing it would be lacking (as Tolkien intended) would be the bloodthirstiness of its greatest heroes and its gods. Imagine how these things might have affected Germanic and Celtic history, say, around the time of Alexander the Great? or Julius Caesar? or Marcus Aurelius? Constantine? Charlemagne? The implications are vast. (By the way, it's "what if" questions like this that get us fiction writers really going!