Hyarmendacil I
Fifteenth king of Gondor, Hyarmendacil I was born in the year 899 of the Third Age with the name Ciryaher. He was the son of King Ciryandil.
In year 1015, Gondor's stronghold in Umbar was attacked by the Haradrim and Ciryandil was killed. The attackers from Harad had besieged the city for thirty-five years. Ciryaher gathered his strength and in 1050 he defeated the Haradrim. Kings of Harad were forced to recognize Ciryaher as their lord, and many were forced to send their sons to Gondor as hostages. Since he had defeated the Haradrim, Ciryaher became known as Hyarmendacil, or "south-victor."
Hyarmendacil I did not only claim lands in the south. He also expanded Gondor's kingdom as far west as the Greyflood beyond the Misty Mountains, as far north as the Field of Celebrant and sections of Mirkwood, and as far east as the Sea of Rhun.
Gondor had become and empire. It was at its height with strong armies including a strong naval force. Hyarmendacil I was the fourth and final ship-king, or king who was concerned with building ships and strengthening the navy. Gondor was at peace, for all of its enemies had been conquered.
Hyarmendacil I died in 1149 after ruling for 134 years. His son Atanatar II succeeded him as king.
In year 1015, Gondor's stronghold in Umbar was attacked by the Haradrim and Ciryandil was killed. The attackers from Harad had besieged the city for thirty-five years. Ciryaher gathered his strength and in 1050 he defeated the Haradrim. Kings of Harad were forced to recognize Ciryaher as their lord, and many were forced to send their sons to Gondor as hostages. Since he had defeated the Haradrim, Ciryaher became known as Hyarmendacil, or "south-victor."
Hyarmendacil I did not only claim lands in the south. He also expanded Gondor's kingdom as far west as the Greyflood beyond the Misty Mountains, as far north as the Field of Celebrant and sections of Mirkwood, and as far east as the Sea of Rhun.
Gondor had become and empire. It was at its height with strong armies including a strong naval force. Hyarmendacil I was the fourth and final ship-king, or king who was concerned with building ships and strengthening the navy. Gondor was at peace, for all of its enemies had been conquered.
Hyarmendacil I died in 1149 after ruling for 134 years. His son Atanatar II succeeded him as king.
Names & Meanings
Ciryaher means "ship lord" or "lord of ships" in Quenya from cirya meaning "ship" and heru meaning "king" of "lord." Hyarmendacil means "south victor" and is derived from hyarmen, meaning "south" in Quenya, and dacil which (coming from nacil), means "victor." Hyarmendacil I was the first king with that name.
References
The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A: "The Realms in Exile," page 318; "Gondor and the Heirs of Anarion," page 325
The History of Middle-earth, Volume XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs of Elendil," pages 197-198, 210; "The Making of Appendix A," page 260
The Silmarillion - Appendix: definitions and translations of heru, hyarmen, and kir
The History of Middle-earth, Volume XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs of Elendil," pages 197-198, 210; "The Making of Appendix A," page 260
The Silmarillion - Appendix: definitions and translations of heru, hyarmen, and kir
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