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Erebor was the Dwarf Kingdom inside the Lonely Mountain.
Description[]
The Lonely Mountain was possibly 3,500 meters tall, as it was snow capped at spring. Geologically, it was rich in metals and jewels.The mountain was star-shaped with six ridges radiating as spurs from the peak. The south-western spur contained Ravenhill housing a Dwarven guard-post. Between the two western spurs was a narrow vale which was the exit of the Back Door, behind an overhanging cliff. Rough steps ascended to the top of the southern ridge along a narrow ledge turning east behind a boulder into a steep bay. The back door was invisible from the outside except on Durin's Day, when the light of the moon would reveal the keyhole.
The Gallery of the Kings
The main entrance into the mountain was the Gate of Erebor on the south side, which towered over the long valley between two great spurs of the mountain. The River Running sprang from beneath the mountain and issued from near Front Gate, forming a waterfall that fell into the valley below and creating a moat protecting the gate.
Inside, the mountain was dug with passages and tunnels leading to cellars and halls and mansions such as the great chamber of Thrór near the Front Gate. Inside the gate was a large front hall, with the armouries places along a corridor to its right. From the front hall, a road led to the Gallery of the Kings, which was adjacent to the Forges, itself adjacent to the mines. Other chambers included the throne chamber and the large residential areas of the city. Far below, connected to the hidden door via a network of narrow corridors, were the lower halls, previously the Great Halls of Thráin, which served to house Thror's Treasure hoard. Even deeper was the ampitheatre in which Thorin, Fili and Kili were later entombed.
History[]
Private chambers within Erebor
In the Third Age, King Durin VI was killed by the Balrog and the Dwarves fled Moria in the following years. The Dwarf capital was relocated to the Lonely Mountain which quickly became a stronghold in the north. The Dwarves mined into the depths of the mountain, gaining many riches and the Arkenstone was discovered, becoming the King's jewel. The Dwarves left Erebor for a period in favour of the Grey Mountains but would return after a war with the Cold Drakes which saw the death of Frór. Thrór took a colony back to the Lonely Mountain an re-established it as a stronghold in Middle-earth. Thrór declared himself King under the Mountain. Under Thrór's rule the Lonely Mountain once again became the capital of Durin's folk, the Dwarves of Erebor became the best smiths and masons in Wilderland, trade increased with their kinsman in the Iron Hills and elsewhere, and they also became very rich.
Sack of Erebor and exile[]
Thror's Throne Chamber
But with this new found prosperity came trouble. It wasn't long before the great dragon Smaug heard of their great wealth, and one day decided to take their treasure for himself. In the year T.A. 2770 Smaug descended on the mountain in a ball of fire. He killed King Girion of Dale with many of his knights, and he killed a large amount of the Dwarves living in the mountain. Most of the survivors fled to the Iron Hills, others went with the royal family into exile, and some simply went their own way. While Durin's folk wandered from the mountain to Dunland to the northern Blue Mountains; they ever longed for the halls of the Lonely Mountain.
The Quest of Erebor and restoration[]
In T.A. 2941 with Gandalf's council, Thorin Oakenshield and a company of twelve Dwarves, with the help of the Hobbit Bilbo Baggins, undertook the Quest of Erebor and retook the city and treasure. In the meantime the Dragon Smaug went to destroy Esgaroth, only to be killed by a man named Bard.
The residential "city" inside Erebor
Thorin was free to proclaim himself King under the Mountain. However the mountain was besieged by the Men of Esgaroth and the Elves of Mirkwood, who wished remunerations for the damage done by the dragon. Dáin Ironfoot arrived to support Thorin, but a great host of Orcs came to take the mountain under the command of Azog the Defiler. Then the Elves, Men, and Dwarves were united and fought against them. After Thorin's and his nephews' deaths, Dáin was made King of Durin's folk and of the mountain. Finally after so many years of longing, Durin's folk finally returned to the Lonely Mountain.
Prosperity and the War of the Ring[]
The mine shafts of Erebor, exhibiting the prominent layer of natural rock in the kingdom
Under Dáin's rule the Dwarves of the Lonely Mountain became very rich and prosperous. They rebuilt the town of Dale, their trade greatly increased with their kinsman in the Iron Hills once again and with Men; and the Lonely Mountain was restored to its original greatness. But once again trouble began to brew in the east. The Men of Dale were nearing war with the Easterlings, and in the year T.A. 3019 an emissary from Sauron came to Dáin and said that if he were to give up the location of Bilbo (who had discovered the Ring of Power in his travels) that Sauron would return to him the three remaining Dwarven rings. But being wary of the emissary, Dáin sent his kinsmen Glóin to Rivendell to warn Bilbo that Sauron was after him.
Several months later the Dwarves aided the Men of Dale who defended them against Easterlings. This was known as the Battle of Dale which saw the death of Dáin. After the death of his father, Thorin III Stonehelm became King of Durin's folk and King-under-the-Mountain.[1]
Appearances[]
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey- The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
- The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
- The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies: The Movie Storybook
References[]
- ↑ The Lord of the Rings: Trading Card Game