The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien
Dates
Made during the Years of the Trees; survived into the Fourth Age
Location
Held for most of the Third Age in the Tower of Orthanc
Origins
Made by Fëanor
Races
Made by Elves, but used by Men (and later a Wizard)1
Division
Culture
Family
An heirloom of the House of Elendil
Pronunciation
Orthanc is pronounced 'o'rthank'
Meaning
Named for the Tower of Orthanc where it was held (Orthanc has a double meaning: 'Mount Fang' and 'Cunning Mind')
Other names

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 7 December 2014
  • Updates planned: 1

Orthanc-stone

The palantír of the Tower of Orthanc

The Palantíri of Middle-earth

One of the seven palantíri or Seeing-stones brought to Middle-earth by Elendil, and kept in the ancient stronghold of Orthanc. It was discovered there by Saruman when he took Isengard as his base, and used by him in his treacherous dealings with Sauron.


Notes

1

Strictly speaking, the Orthanc-stone was also used - very briefly - by a Hobbit, as Peregrin Took foolishly looked into the Stone on a single occasion.

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 7 December 2014
  • Updates planned: 1

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