Post by Móreadhiel on Jan 16, 2007 12:09:28 GMT -5
Oropher
King of the Woodland Realm; grandfather of Legolas. Oropher was the father of Thranduil. Though some sources say Thranduil founded the Woodland Realm, other stories say it was Oropher.
Oropher was said to be a Sindarin Elf from Doriath, the realm of King Thingol in Beleriand. After the destruction of Beleriand at the end of the First Age, Oropher and some followers came to the great forest east of the Anduin called Greenwood the Great where many Wood-elves lived. Oropher and his followers wanted to return to the simple woodland life, which they believed was the natural way of life for Elves. They merged with the Wood-elves and adopted their customs and learned their language. Oropher became the King of the Woodland Realm.
In the early part of the Second Age, Oropher and his people lived near the southwestern edge of Greenwood around the hill called Amon Lanc. But as Sauron grew in power in Mordor south of the forest, Oropher began to move his people northward. He may also have been trying to distance his realm from the realms of Lothlorien and Khazad-dum across the Anduin. The Wood-Elves settled in the fir-covered mountains of Emyn Duir north of the Old Forest Road. The population of Elves increased and they roamed far and wide throughout the forest.
Oropher and his people did not want to get involved in the affairs of Middle-earth, but Oropher realized that his people would never have peace if Sauron was allowed to expand his power unchecked. So when the Last Alliance was formed to confront Sauron, Oropher gathered a large army of his people to join them.
The Elves of the Woodland Realm fought in the Battle of Dagorlad in 3434. Oropher's soldiers were valiant but they were poorly equipped for battle and two-thirds of them were killed. Oropher kept his forces independent of the supreme command of Gil-galad. When the assault began on the Black Gate, Oropher rushed forward without waiting for Gil-galad's signal and he was killed. After the War of the Last Alliance, Thranduil returned home and became King of the Woodland Realm.
Names & Etymology:
The name Oropher may mean "high beech" from oro meaning "high" and pher meaning "beech."
Sources:
Unfinished Tales: "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn - Appendix B: The Sindarin Princes of the Silvan Elves," p. 258-59; "The Disaster of the Gladden Fields," p. 280-81 note 14
The History of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies," ORO and PHER
King of the Woodland Realm; grandfather of Legolas. Oropher was the father of Thranduil. Though some sources say Thranduil founded the Woodland Realm, other stories say it was Oropher.
Oropher was said to be a Sindarin Elf from Doriath, the realm of King Thingol in Beleriand. After the destruction of Beleriand at the end of the First Age, Oropher and some followers came to the great forest east of the Anduin called Greenwood the Great where many Wood-elves lived. Oropher and his followers wanted to return to the simple woodland life, which they believed was the natural way of life for Elves. They merged with the Wood-elves and adopted their customs and learned their language. Oropher became the King of the Woodland Realm.
In the early part of the Second Age, Oropher and his people lived near the southwestern edge of Greenwood around the hill called Amon Lanc. But as Sauron grew in power in Mordor south of the forest, Oropher began to move his people northward. He may also have been trying to distance his realm from the realms of Lothlorien and Khazad-dum across the Anduin. The Wood-Elves settled in the fir-covered mountains of Emyn Duir north of the Old Forest Road. The population of Elves increased and they roamed far and wide throughout the forest.
Oropher and his people did not want to get involved in the affairs of Middle-earth, but Oropher realized that his people would never have peace if Sauron was allowed to expand his power unchecked. So when the Last Alliance was formed to confront Sauron, Oropher gathered a large army of his people to join them.
The Elves of the Woodland Realm fought in the Battle of Dagorlad in 3434. Oropher's soldiers were valiant but they were poorly equipped for battle and two-thirds of them were killed. Oropher kept his forces independent of the supreme command of Gil-galad. When the assault began on the Black Gate, Oropher rushed forward without waiting for Gil-galad's signal and he was killed. After the War of the Last Alliance, Thranduil returned home and became King of the Woodland Realm.
Names & Etymology:
The name Oropher may mean "high beech" from oro meaning "high" and pher meaning "beech."
Sources:
Unfinished Tales: "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn - Appendix B: The Sindarin Princes of the Silvan Elves," p. 258-59; "The Disaster of the Gladden Fields," p. 280-81 note 14
The History of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies," ORO and PHER
