The History of Isengard (Orthanc) | Tolkien Explained

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While it would come to be synonymous with Saruman, the fortress of Isengard and its tower of Orthanc would first be built and used by the early Gondorians. These exiles of Numenor would create the tower of Orthanc to protect the northern border of their realm, before it would later fall into evil hands.
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Isengard - Ralph Damiani
Saruman of Many Colors - Tolman Cotton
The Construction of Orthanc - Ralph Damiani
Orthanc - WETA
Orthanc - Treason of Isengard
The Fall of Numenor - Darrell Sweet
Minas Ithil - Shadow of War
Osgiliath - Matej Cadil
Minas Tirith - Ralph Damiani
Numenoreans - Sam McKinnon
Lamps of the Valar - Aegeri
Argonath - Ralph Damiani
Helm's Deep - Ralph Damiani
Orthanc in the Second Age - Ted Nasmith
Isengard - LOTRO
Orthanc - John Howe
Rise of Isengard, Orthanc - LOTRO
Gandalf Escapes Upon Gwaihir - Ted Nasmith
Arriving at Isengard - Erodimus Flash
Nan Curunír - LOTRO
Gwaihir the Windward bears Gandalf from Isengard - Ted Nasmith
Orthanc - JRR Tolkien
Lords of Westernesse - Tom Romain
Rider of Rohan - JG Jones
Minas Tirith - Aronja Art
The House of Eorl - Gram - Aegeri
The House of Eorl - Door - Aegeri
Helm Hammerhand - Turner Mohan
Breaching the Wall of Edoras - John Howe - War of the Rohirrim
The Hornburg - Alan Lee
Helm's Last Stand - Turner Mohan
Helm Hammerhand - Ben Wootten
Maedhall - Pete Amachree
Edoras - Alan Lee
Edoras - Ralph Damiani
The Lord of Nothing - AnotherStrangerMe
Saruman - Steve Airola
Saruman & Beren, Key of Orthanc - LOTRO
The White Council
Aftermath at Isengard - Soni Alcorn-Hender
Saruman with the Palantir - Kuliszu
Saruman with Palantir - Steve Airola
Stalker - Skullb*st*rd
Saruman and Palantir - Angus McBride
Saruman - Matt DeMino
Orc at Isengard - Elrodimus Flash
Saruman - Elrodimus Flash
Orc and Warg - WETA
Gwaihir Rescues Gandalf - John Howe
Battle of the Ford - James Rinere
Men of Dunland - Turner Mohan
Ents Destroy Isengard - John Howe
Ents at Isengard - Elrodimus Flash
The Wrath of the Ents - Ted Nasmith
Isengard - Ivan Cavini
Saruman's Broken Staff - Elrodimus Flash
Ent - Matthew Stewart
Arriving at Isengard - Elrodimus Flash
The Voice of Isengard - Matthew Stewart
Treebeard - Jerry Vanderstelt
Fall of Isengard - Elrodimus Flash
Aragorn son of Arathorn - Elrodimus Flash
Saruman in Orthanc - AnotherStrangerMe
Gimli - Jerry Vanderstelt
Isildur's Bane - Andrea Piparo
Other Takes Leave of Isildur - Anke Eissmann
King Aragorn - Steve Airola
Treebeard - Aegeri
#isengard #lordoftherings #tolkien

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26 сен 2024

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Комментарии : 465

@melkhiordarkfell4354 2 года назад

Gondorian builder: Are we sure we want it so spiky, black and evil looking? Just seems we are setting it up to be the lair of an evil wizard or something.

@NerdoftheRings 2 года назад

🤣

@BradsGonnaPlay 2 года назад

I guess this was the Gondorian equivalent of the Victorian era. Those houses all look like they’re owned by witches and serial killers who dress way too nice.

@Enerdhil 2 года назад

It does seem like an Amazon bastardization of the lore, even though it is the actual lore.

@angelocoppersmith6656 2 года назад

😆 Are you sure we're not the baddies???

@mbryson2899 2 года назад

@@angelocoppersmith6656 That was my first thought!

@midimusicforever 2 года назад

It's interesting how so many fortifications built by Gondor at the height of their might were turned against them in their time of weakness.

@RealCadde 2 года назад

As is the case with any heavily fortified nation. Keeping them manned and in working order in peace time is a massive drain on economy. And so they tend to be mothballed, as destroying them would also be costly and who knows... They might come in handy? But in times of conflict, their value is undeniable. Then the price of keeping them operating is a small one compared to the many losses that would be had without them. It's just a matter of manning them BEFORE you are in a state of conflict if you've neglected them in peace time.

@midimusicforever 2 года назад

@@RealCadde Exactly. That rings familiar somehow.

@marc-antoinecusson3119 2 года назад

Roman empire

@cameronroberts5461 2 года назад

I think this is a direct reflection of their hubris. Tolkien wanted to illustrate how the great accomplishments of a nation could be turned against it. Especially considering the world wars.

@cclcanadiancountrylife3628 Год назад

The Tower of Cirith Ungol is such a cool gondorian fortress. It’s wicked, again used against Gondor

@benjaminjeffery6873 2 года назад

As child, watching the fellowship of the ring in theatres, my jaw dropped when Orthanc came on screen, the magisterial cinematography paired with the triumphant score and Christopher Lee’s booming voice; eyes instantly drawn to the looming; eire black intricate structure. It felt so real. The teaser poster for The Two Towers with Orthanc is ingrained as one of my “being super excited” childhood memories.

@aesir1ases64 2 года назад

i do envy those who were able to see in theaters, if I was born a couple of years before I prob could have convinced my parents to take me to the movies lol, and yes all the trailers, posters and all marketing and promotion material was masterfully done by the team in charge of it.

@simonmorris4226 2 года назад

@@aesir1ases64 I’ve read the books at least once a year since I was 8 years old. And I’m 60 now! Who but Christopher Lee could ever play Saruman!

@brobama853 2 года назад

@@simonmorris4226 I definitely agree with you, no one else fitted the role of Saruman than Christopher lee, if they were to remake it today, they would have to cgi Christopher, Rest In Peace legend

@brobama853 2 года назад

@@aesir1ases64 same, as much as I envy them, I am happy that I could last year watch all the extended editions

@brucemanly 2 года назад

@@aesir1ases64 I saw it in theatres but wasn't that into it. I got into fantasy later and I love it how. You're not always ready to enjoy something at all stages of your life

@yatothinks4506 2 года назад

Isengard is a very unique place. Tolkien gave the place a deep history. It was occupied by many beings, good or bad. It's just cool to know how much Isengard had been through in through out the history of Middle Earth. Another amazing video!

@anotherhuman8173 2 года назад

I love how the Appendices go into the history of some of these lands and locations. Like in the real world, any given land has seen countless people and populations come and go over the centuries. Tolkien gives so much information, and yet so little, always hinting at much more that is unknown. It all gives a real depth of reality to Middle-earth.

@aesir1ases64 2 года назад

Well said!

@FreightmareFTW 2 года назад

Pick up your cross and follow Jesus! The world is quickly headed for destruction, and sooner or later you will have to sit at the judgement seat and give an account for your actions. Belief in messiah alone is not enough to grant you salvation - Matthew 7:21-23, John 3:3, John 3:36 (ESV is the best translation for John 3:36). Call on the name of Jesus and pray for Him to intervene in your life! - Revelation 3:20. Contemplate how the Roman Empire fulfilled the role of the beast from the sea in Revelation 13. Revelation 17 confirms that it is in fact Rome. From this we can conclude that A) Jesus is the Son of God and can predict the future or make it happen, B) The world leaders/nations/governments etc have been conspiring together for the last 3000+ years going back to Babylon and before, C) History as we know it is fake. You don't really need to speculate once you start a relationship with God tho. Can't get a response from God? Fasting can help increase your perception and prayer can help initiate events. God will ignore you if your prayer does not align with His purpose (James 4:3) or if you are approaching Him when "unclean" (Isaiah 1:15, Isaiah 59:2, Micah 3:4). Stop eating food sacrificed to idols (McDonald's, Wendy's etc) stop glorifying yourself on social media or making other images of yourself (Second Commandment), stop gossiping about other people, stop watching obscene content etc and you should get a response. Have a blessed day!

@zasmanreviews497 2 года назад

@@FreightmareFTW forcing religion on people is not the way to go man. People can believe what they believe.

@FreightmareFTW 2 года назад

@@zasmanreviews497 I'm more so trying to call back unrepentant believers and educate them on the book of Revelation as most churches are teaching that it will all unfold in a 7 year time span

@aesir1ases64 2 года назад

Orthanc might be one of the most iconic and amazing architectures ever created in fantasy, even people that have never seen or read TLOTR have a clue about it.

@benlewis5312 2 года назад

I'd imagine Barad-dûr is far more recognizable with its giant eye. Which is pretty hilarious considering the eye only exists in the Jackson films

@rogeebear10023 2 года назад

"it just so happens that at this time, the wizard, Saruman, returns from his travels in the East" but, a wizard is never late, nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to. He was always the opportunist..

@Thormil576 2 года назад

Fun fact, the Washington monument obelisk is roughly the same height as Orthanc

@grandadmiralzaarin4962 2 года назад

But nowhere near as impressive or aesthetically pleasing

@hebl47 2 года назад

For some reason this makes Orthanc suddenly feel far less impressive.

@Thormil576 2 года назад

@@hebl47 haha stone towers can only be so tall. And actually Orthanc is a bit shorter

@brobama853 2 года назад

@@grandadmiralzaarin4962 I agree

@brobama853 2 года назад

@@Thormil576 oh well, the building is still majestic

@orohyuno 2 года назад

Not only this channel is as good as reading the Silmarillion itself, but the subtitles for the videos are so well-written I can auto-translate then to portuguese with almost zero errors to show to my gf who doesn't speak english. Awesome!

@aryah66 2 года назад

I've always wanted more Orthanc details, especially theories on the black rock which no one was able to chip or destroy.

@shinestar2912 2 года назад

Grima damaged it when he threw down the palantir it was thought indestructible until then.

@hedonisticpunkvatos 2 года назад

It could be the same round rock Isildur had put in the Hill of Erech where he 1st landed from Numenor and where Aragorn recruited the Dead Men.

@hedonisticpunkvatos 2 года назад

@@shinestar2912 It was made in Arda by Feanor.

@MrE517 2 года назад

I was reading some lore just now. When I'm feeling particularly engrossed, often I simulate a narrator in my head while reading passages--most often I simulate the character who is speaking in the passage. At times of neutral narration, I sometimes hear Ian McKellen's Gandalf or Cate Blanchett's Galadriel. Today I found myself using your voice! Thank you for your work. Your videos have clearly left a great impression on my thoughts and imagination.

@chavsny1578 2 года назад

I would love to see more of inside Orthanc. So ancient with so many secrets, would be an amazing sight to be inside.

@FreightmareFTW 2 года назад

@Silphwave 2 года назад

@@FreightmareFTW Poor guy just wanted to know what the interior of Orthanc tower looked like 😓

@BasePuma4007 2 года назад

@@FreightmareFTW What was your thought process with peddling all that in response to this comment? Are you aware of what comment you're replying to? Or the video you're watching for that matter? 😂

@J0HNJ0RDAN 10 месяцев назад

Where's the bathroom?

@SvengelskaBlondie 7 месяцев назад

@@BasePuma4007 I doubt they where aware, they just wanted to spam it all over the place like dog's diarrhoea

@luudest 2 года назад

11:09 This is interesting, I did not know that Saruman (his Orcs) found the Elendilmer at the Gladden Fields. So he had the right sense for where to look for the One Ring …

@thranduiloropherion7256 2 года назад

Tolkien talks about it in the unfinished tales.

@valentinkambushev4968 2 года назад

Isengard under Saruman's control reminds me a lot of Minas tirith (the first age one) during Sauron's. Both located between two mountains and used by an fallen maiar to breed new evil creatures.

@Enerdhil 2 года назад

I think you mean Minas Ithil/Morgul. That is a great point. Strategic locations that can act as a gate into Eriador or Mordor.

@valentinkambushev4968 2 года назад

@@Enerdhil No I meant Tol Sirion. The other name it was known by was Minas Tirith.

@Enerdhil 2 года назад

@@valentinkambushev4968 I should have noticed "(the first age)" but I didn't for some reason. My bad. I think there were some difference, though. Sauron flaunted his Gauhoth, while Saruman kept his Uruk-hai secret until he unleashed them. Sauron drive Orodreth out of the tower to take it, while Saruman was handed the keys from the King of Gondor. There is no doubt about both places being strategically located.

@robertcameron-ellis6518 2 года назад

Thank you for these encyclopedic glimpses into Tolkien’s genius. They draw the same colour gems from the horde, and show the pattern to his writings.

@kenneths4156 2 года назад

I’m gonna tell my kids this was the rings of power

@brandtdowney6819 14 дней назад

I searched for a history of Isengard and found this perfect, succinct, charming, and entertaining history. Thank you!

@Ehsan_Doang 2 года назад

Amazing Vid matt :D ngl at first time seeing Isengard, I was thinking this is a Fortress of Sauron, not just because of Jackson Adaptation, but the description of it really giving me a very Sauron vibe and after hearing the lore behind it, it really shock me that Isengard was one of Gondorians Structure lol.

@RedHood001-KA 2 года назад

SAME!! The shape of the structure just fits perfectly with Sauron's image that I was equally shocked it was originally built by Gondorians. Then again, Minas Ithil turned into Minas Morgul and I wonder now which structure in that city was original, and which are just additions made by the Witch-King.

@valentinkambushev4968 2 года назад

My reaction when I first heard Saruman's name was "Hey, why is his name so similar to Sauron? He is evil, isn't he."

@RedHood001-KA 2 года назад

@@valentinkambushev4968 That was my very first reaction as well. Even as a kid I was getting weird vibes from Saruman when he first showed up, despite the fact that he was clearly acting friendly towards Gandalf. But then the scene turned to inside the tower, and I started to think "Uh, I don't think he's a good guy." And keep in mind, this was as the camera was approaching Saruman and the way it kept zooming in his face. Brilliant camera work and storytelling honestly.

@Enerdhil 2 года назад

I agree. It does seem like Sauron's kind of structure, but Black Numenorians did not build it.

@deborahagbedjro431 2 года назад

Nerd of the rings, I would really like that you make a video dedicated to the mysterious watchers that Sam and Frodo meet by the gates of Cirith Ungol, concerning what kind of devilry of Sauron they are; thanks for the Tolkien content by the way, you own what I deem the best Tolkien mythology RU-vid channel.

@owenbergeron4212 2 года назад

Oh this is a fantastic video! I love when you go over the history of a location

@austinhall6257 2 года назад

Great stuff! I love all the alternative artwork different from the movies.

@untruelie2640 2 года назад

Karen Wynn Fonstad put forward a theory in her "Atlas of Middle Earth", that Isengard is actually the remnant of an old vulcano. That would explain the circular shape and the structure of the fortress. The outer wall (which looks a bit different in the book) would be the last remnant of the crater wall and the Orthanc tower would be a pillar of cold magma that had remained in its place even after the rest of the vulcano had eroded away. Magmatic stone, especially obsidian or (black) basalt is very hard and durable, and we can see these central pillars of old vulcanos in our world. So the Númenorians probably didn't build Angrenost/Isengard in a traditional sense, but chiseled it out of the rocks formations that were already there. This would explain why the Ents were able to break through the outer walls but couldn't damage the Orthanc and why the walls of Minas Tirith (probably made from similar stone that was brought there) were more or less impregnable. It also shows the immense craftsmanship and knowledge of the Númenorians.

@NagySzentAntal 2 года назад

Beautiful theory, thanks for sharing it! I need to buy that book

@untruelie2640 2 года назад

@@NagySzentAntal You're welcome. :) It's a great book. The best cartographical work on Tolkien's world in my opinion. I learned much from it and it's particularly helpful for understanding the Silmarillion.

@hendb8248 2 года назад

You can find an elaborate description in "Isengard and Northern Gondor" from Iron Crown Enterprises. Its an old MERS module. Nerd of the Rings, while being very good video makers, seems to lack a bit in the reading department. Starting the video under the premisse that Orthanc was build by Gondor is misleading.

@untruelie2640 2 года назад

@@hendb8248 I don't think that he "lacks in the reading department". He focuses on original Tolkien writings, but so do I and many other people. What is wrong with that statement? Of course the tower was "build" by the Númenorians, as they gave it its final shape and structure.

@yardarm5 Год назад

Wow . The return of the palinter, secret gimli resolve and further kingship. Holy numennor 😮

@jayl9176 Год назад

What I absolutely love about what Peter Jackson brought to this glorious tale was his use of bigatures and that so many of these locations were practically built (just not to scale). And no one but Sir Christopher Lee could house orthanc with such authority.

@thelostrealm8079 2 года назад

Great video I always wanted to know about the tower of orthanc

@jarrodthekidder1 2 года назад

As always, an incredible video. I love your content SOOO much. I always look forward to new posts!

@1rishpotat0 4 месяца назад

Love listening to these awesome, thorough videos while I'm doing the dishes. Hannon le!

@VoiceoftheRings 2 года назад

That was so Cool! I learned a lot! Love how you Tie everything together so Precise.

@MR_Yousif 2 года назад

Awesome video... can you please talk about the afterlife of the peoples of middle earth? (Especially men and their "gift")

@annaroselarsen4218 2 года назад

Saturday is my favorite day because at 12 I kown an awesome video comes out to make the day better!

@toncek9981 2 года назад

It's kinda curious how most of the story takes place in a very brief period of time. Like, majority of things happens in just a month between the breaking of the fellowship (February 26) till the Sauron's fall (March 25). The whole Rohan vs Isengard war was done in a week or so...

@MrLemon-fe3qc 2 года назад

I haven’t watched your Chanel for very long but I can honestly say it’s one of my favourites, keep up the great work 👍

@valentinkambushev4968 2 года назад

THEY ARE TAKING THE HOBBITS TO DOL GULDUR! wait, I think I made a mistake somewhere......

@Enerdhil 2 года назад

Actually they made the mistake, not you.🤪

@evansutton6760 2 года назад

Tell me where is Saruman? For I much desire to speak with him

@Mahrinshoru Месяц назад

An Eagle of Manwe…

@ggalloway1 2 года назад

I think the fortress is called the Hornburg, while the immediate area is called Helm's Deep.

@obiwancoolidge1828 2 года назад

My dnd party, doing a LOTR themed campaign, hung out in Isengard for a bit and we chilled with Tree Beard.

@NerdoftheRings 2 года назад

Time well spent! 🌳

@xBananowyJEx 2 года назад

I love the part when they TAKE THE HOBBITS TO ISENGARD

@jalalchahine1886 2 года назад

I don't know man, every time I watch one of your videos or read the books or watch the movies I feel this warmth inside, you know?

@thebrotherskrynn 2 года назад

Now that I've finished editing the audio for my newest video and essay, it is now time to reward myself and there's only one proper way to do so; with NERD OF THE RINGS! Sorry, haven't listened to your stuff lately (or commented), but you're my reward when work gets done Nerd. Love your channel, have a lot of admiration for you and your knowledge of Tolkien my friend. Hope all is well with you X)

@Russian__hammer 2 года назад

the music in the background went awesome with the video.

@curnelmillette9620 2 года назад

I love your storytelling of the history!

@martinpain7332 Год назад

Video suggestion: a video on all towers mentioned in the book “The Two Towers” - which two it’s named after, and which others are involved?

@jneumy566 2 года назад

It's kind of fun to imagine an Imperial Star Destroyer sitting inside the circle of Isengard, since they're also a mile long from end to end

@TheCody217 Год назад

Such a beautiful watch!! Especially considering all it was put through, to turn out so well, without needing heavy replacement.. Man. Love the video!

@randomthings1293 2 года назад

All I know is that they're taking the Hobbits there.

@hansendavis3742 2 года назад

Amazing video. Could you please cover the history of the Dwarven cities of the Iron hills. I don't believe that its covered very much.

@Swamileoni 2 года назад

Dude, you really need a side hustle doing audio books. You honestly not only have the perfect voice but you also have fantastic delivery. The Fall of Númenor would be a great jumping off point!

@thelostrealm8079 2 года назад

Could you do a video on the history of Dale?

@FreightmareFTW 2 года назад

@steelblade1984 2 года назад

Hey Matt, love the videos. Keep up the good work.

@grandadmiralzaarin4962 2 года назад

Always did find it odd that the outer wall of Minas Tirith and the Tower of Orthanc were indestructible in strength yet the Numenoreans/Gondorians never made more of their fortresses out if the material.

@bobo577 Год назад

It’s likely the material might have been rare or I assume it was costly to mine it. That’s probably why Minas Tirith isn’t made of the stuff, it makes Isengard incredibly small.

@OddJames 2 года назад

Thank you for all the amazing content I hope you have a good weekend

@steinfinnone1590 2 года назад

I love your video. Great content. I do have one question. You state that Orthanc was built by the early Gondorians in the late second age. However, I am sure (and no I can't find the specific quote now) that one in of his writings on the history of Numenor that Tolkien stated that the tower was built as a watchtower for the pass by the Numenoreans during the height of their empire and that only the wall around the tower was built by the Gondorians. I have looked on the web and see many websites stating that it was built by the Gondorians but others say it was built much earlier by the Numenoreans. I am wondering if this is a point in the lore that has been changed by some of the later books by Christopher Tolkien? I have noticed one or two small details of the lore have been changed between the publishing of the Silmarillion and the publishing of the History of the Lord of the Rings. Thanks

@teleportedbreadfor3days 7 месяцев назад

It’s funny to think the Saruman installed a buzzer at Isengard’s gate. The Witch King pressing a button to talk into it and ask about the One Ring, and you hear Saruman’s voice coming from the speaker.

@thegungadfly8930 Год назад

Well done. The search and finding of heirlooms in Orthanc is a nice addition to the story.

@qbeh9147 2 года назад

Really interesting video! Always Love your content! :)

@AndrewCarlisle11B Год назад

Really enjoyed this one as growing up I was always curious about how drastically Isengard changed after Saruman's betrayal, so seeing the full story was awesome. Keep up the great work!

@IanHeins 7 месяцев назад

Nice work dude thanks

@anonymousforagoodreason2479 2 года назад

Your videos are visual heroin to me. I NEED MORE! Love what you do man.

@SpaceMonkeyBoi 2 года назад

"Saruman, your staff is broken!" "That's not what your mother said last night!"

@levi6859 2 года назад

Always love listening to and watching your contact

@biniget3734 2 года назад

Hello from Gondor, Ethiopia 🇪🇹

@sauron3488 2 года назад

Orthanc was built by the Numenoreans sometime within the first century after Numenor was destroyed.

@jockyoung4491 2 года назад

But that's who the Gondorians were. They weren't Numenoreans any more. They were immigrants

@evanairnomad4361 2 года назад

I thought the 1st Battle of the Fords of Isen resulted in the Rohirrim winning as Elfhelm came to aid Grimbold and Théodred before he died???

@eugenepecorella2040 2 года назад

This whole channel is life rn 🙌

@kevinmoore4845 2 года назад

Excellent as always.

@kirandeepchakraborty7921 2 года назад

The Architecture of The TOWER of Orthanc is Marvellous

@enjolraslechimiste 2 года назад

I have a confusion: we know, explicitly, that Sauron corrupted the mind of Saruman? I thought there was always some ambiguity in such a claim, since Saruman wanted the ring anyway, and Saruman is pretending to go along with Sauron anyway? Can we differentiate between Saruman's latent corruption vs. Sauron corrupting him?

@ponder421 2 года назад

According to the Appendices, Saruman became "ensnared by Sauron" when he used the Palantir in 3000 T.A. But Saruman was already starting to turn about 150 years earlier, when he denied Gandalf's request to attack Dol Guldur because Saruman was secretly searching for the One Ring. It seems to me that using the Palantir was his final push towards evil.

@enjolraslechimiste 2 года назад

@@ponder421 Thank you SO much for this! People who cite sources = awesome

@enjolraslechimiste 2 года назад

@@ponder421 If I may ask: is it plausible to say Saruman was, about the time of the Dol Guldur offensive, not yet evil? But actually trying to find the ring "preventatively?" I'm always curious at what point we can say Saruman was definitely evil.

@ponder421 2 года назад

@@enjolraslechimiste Hi! Also from the Appendices - In 2939 "Saruman discovers that Sauron's servants are searching the Anduin [...] says nothing to the Council." Two years later "Saruman agrees to attack Dol Guldur, since he now wishes to prevent Sauron from searching the River." So Saruman knew Sauron was looking for the Ring, didn't tell the White Council, and only wanted to prevent Sauron from getting it first. That makes his selfish motivations clear. There are a couple videos here on RU-vid that go into greater detail on when Saruman became evil. He did a lot of shady stuff over the years, so it can be left to some interpretation.

@shinestar2912 2 года назад

I never understood the black stone that the Numenorians could make large round stones and an impenetrable tower out of. Was it carved from stone in a quarry or something like concrete and molded? Wonder if the Black arrow that killed Smaug was made of this stone? If you could make an entire tower why not make weapons out of it?

@hansendavis3742 2 года назад

It's possible that this is the same stone/metal that the dark elf made his swords from.

@Omnilatent 2 года назад

@@hansendavis3742 Impossible, Eöl forged Anguirel and Anglachel from meteorite. Imagine how many meteorites would have been needed for a huge tower and city walls haha

@hansendavis3742 2 года назад

@@Omnilatent it is possible that meteorite was some sort of gift from the valar and if orthanc built by the faithful of numenor it might not be the farthest of stretches. This is only a theory though.

@Omnilatent 2 года назад

@@hansendavis3742 It's an interesting thought but I think it's highly unlikely. Numenor itself was already a gift by the Valar. Why would they gift anything else - and in Middle-earth instead of Numenor then? My best guess is it's regular stone but the Numenorians had a specific technique to turn any stone into this. It's still weird considering that knowledge this valuable would get lost, though.

@hansendavis3742 2 года назад

@@Omnilatent I can agree with your reasoning, I just hoped that there would be a more elaborate solution then, ancient peoples and lost technique. Still this has been an excellent debate my good sir.

@Jopeymessmusic 2 года назад

I love that it's been decades since he wrote about Orthanc and described it, yet we still don't know where it's from or what the smooth black stone is. It's more likely we've never know, which is pretty incredible when you think about it.

@boat1280 2 года назад

All the ambiguity Tolkien left in his world is part of what makes it so intriguing for sure. I remember finding out for the first time that even the books themselves are in-universe writings of the characters and it tripped me out lol

@ThorStone214 2 года назад

I am so confused with the invisibility of the one ring, please make a video on that

@danepatterson8107 2 года назад

Was the Palantir stone in Orthanc known to the Kings/Stewards of Gondor? In the LOTR, it appears as if no one expected that Saruman had a stone: surely this cannot be true? I would LOVE to have an episode about Amon Hen and such constructions of the Gondorians/Arnorians!

@sweeperboy 2 года назад

I think Gondor had diminished a lot by this point, and much knowledge had been lost. It wasn't even widely known that Denethor had a palantir, although people speculated that light seem coming from his chamber was him in some way striving mentally with Sauron. Prior to Denethor, the palantiri might even have been forgotten about.

@MrAwesomeGuitarMan 2 года назад

7:07 oh man look at him pondering that orb

@tonypapas9854 2 года назад

Interesting that Orthanc was even stronger than the gates and walls of Minas Tirith. Excellent video.

@paolomauri9566 2 года назад

The first wall of Minas Tirith was made with the same type of rock.

@TGREAT1 2 года назад

3:35 being secret away from threat that's what reveals your best

@luudest 2 года назад

9:06 is it known how Saruman lured the Dunledings to join his cause? Did he visit them and spoke to their Chieftains?

@nerdwatch1017 2 года назад

Regarding helms deep!! I wanted to know!!? Why when building it? Why was it they didn’t build high up along the mountain down the path to the structure. Places for archers to attack from both sides!! Also they could have had a shoot that large boulders would roll down to crush enemy fighters!!!

@cubablue602 2 года назад

Even Jackson's portrayal, as striking as it was, didn't do Orthanc/Isengard justice. A mile diameter circle is huge. It always rather puzzled me why the Númenórean exiles would build something that seems so out of keeping with what (you would think) the Faithful would create, compare to the White City for example. What is it exactly? A strategic watchtower? Well, it's design and immediate location doesn't fit, it's right down in a valley largely surrounded by much taller peaks, a 'watchtower' would obviously be fortified on the peaks themselves. It strikes me Orthanc is much more of a vanity project, perhaps the 'Faithful' were not so clean cut as we would think. Interesting that Saruman was so drawn to the place which eventually led to his downfall. He just couldn't resist that Palantír. Great stuff as always Matt and some really fabulous artwork.

@josephfisher426 2 года назад

To me it seems like a better explanation that Isengard is a work of the Second Age, when the Numenoreans were deforesting the lands to the north and west of there. The population was much larger then, and a large fortress would have had more of a reason to exist.

@TwentyItaliansLS 2 года назад

"THEY'RE TAKING THE HOBBITS TO ISENGARD!" (repeat 35 times) Man, I miss early aughts memes.

@midnitemike 2 года назад

Excellent video!

@F.S92 2 года назад

I just wanted to say that I love your content! No one has sparked my interest in LOTR like you. Excellent presentation, narration and content all around. Can’t wait for more “what if” videos. :) P.S- also just realised that I have been watching your videos for months. But did not subscribe. Lets fix that immediately!

@genghisgalahad8465 2 года назад

I appreciate the victorious music as background for the building of the titled ominous tower. That would be the only explanation for how (see comment below) it was built without raising any eyebrows as to its presence!

@matthewmastro7080 Год назад

And Debbie! My favorite part of all of your videos!😂

@rkskyers 2 года назад

They’re taking the hobbits to Isengard!!!

@philippechevrier8134 5 месяцев назад

What did you say!? -Gollum 😂😂

@rangerofthenorth1970 2 года назад

Once again great video! These are my favorites on this channel, dont get me wrong I love every single video, I really do, but Histories of Cities, Places, Locations, Realms....these I love the most, and I'm hoping soon we will see history of Erebor, Fornost and many other places of Arda! And Nerd pls a small q, the dwaf with crown in the Rings of Power teaser saying "Their time has come" could that be Durin III? I mean if we already have Durin IV, they are changing the lore here, riight?

@NerdoftheRings 2 года назад

Oh yeah, that’s totally Durin III. Simultaneous Durin’s is one of my biggest peeves about the show. I’m willing to be proven wrong, but I just doubt I’m going to be satisfied with whatever they’re doing with them. It’s a specific point tied to my broader concern about all the time compression they’re doing, which remains my #1 concern.

@Enerdhil 2 года назад

@@NerdoftheRings Yes, Matt, your beloved Dwarves are victims of the Timeline compression.😞

@Volfyrion 2 года назад

And another great video

@Miwac94 2 года назад

Amazing work!

@Flow8880 2 года назад

Hi! Absolutely love the channel and what you're doing here. I have watched other lore videos from several different channels and none of them delve into the lore, or "cite" their reasons for stating their facts. So thank you so much for all the research, and videos!! I have looked around and found some answers, but I wouldn't mind seeing a video describing how, or why Gandalf fears the witch king, how sarumon the white defeated him. Thanks!!

@sebastianmatt7707 2 года назад

Great story as always

@johnquach8821 2 года назад

Very nice video! Maybe "What if Gandalf found out Bilbo had the One Ring earlier"? Quick question: Why didn't Sauron make more Nazgul using the 3 Dwarf-rings he recollected?

@noellabella2 2 года назад

Great idea!

@hansendavis3742 2 года назад

I think he would have had to use his fair form to close enough to manipulate someone like that, and his fair form went the way of numenor in the flood.

@hansendavis3742 2 года назад

@Finrod Felagund of Nargothrond-Level 4 Professor To be honest I believe that the original commenter meant more human nazgul because we've already seen dwarves are too resistant

@johnquach8821 2 года назад

@Finrod Felagund of Nargothrond-Level 4 Professor Behold! Undead Tree Minions!

@sweeperboy 2 года назад

I assume the Dwarven Rings were specifically created to ensnare Dwarves (even though that didn't quite work), and thus may not have had the right ingredients to make Human Nazgul.

@rataretrodos 2 года назад

Hi to everyone in the community. I wanted to request a video explaining the death of Isildur, the Elendilmir, the disappearance of Issuldur's body and the loosing of the One Ring. Would it be possible? I really enjoy watching these videos as I read. Also a great visual would be when Isildur puts on the One but the Elendilmir shines bright red as a star while Isiuldur covers it with his hood to the dissapear into the night...

@kein_indianer 2 года назад

I wished trees would fight back also in our world.

@jsb2180 2 года назад

‘They are taking the hobbits to Isengard’

@terry7907 2 года назад

Are you sure Aragorn returned the palantir to Orthanc? My memory is that he kept it to enable he to monitor happenings in his realm.

@hugowikstr 2 года назад

Can u make a video explaining Eru Iluvatar? (Great video btw)

@zasmanreviews497 2 года назад

I'm hyped for the Amazon show. Hopefully it's good

@NickMartelli 2 года назад

I’d love to see an episode about what Gandalf would’ve spoke to Bombadil about after the ring was destroyed.

@speed_tarzan3480 2 года назад

Can you make a vid on what to know for the upcoming rings of power serie.

@Enerdhil 2 года назад

He's been doing it all along. Check out his last video.

@isilion 2 года назад

I would love to dwelt there, I love towers and Orthanc seems so beautiful in my mind: a great tower of gleaming black adamant

@mattshaffer5935 2 года назад

I’ve always thought Orthanc was carved from the neck of an old volcano. That would give it the blackness and hardness of obsidian. Just musings here. Thanks as always for your great content.