The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien
Dates
Known to have been extant before the Dagor Bragollach in I 455; last recorded at Nargothrond before its fall in I 4951
Race
Division
Culture
Originally a follower of Angrod; later followed Círdan
Settlements
As one of Angrod's people, Arminas would originally have dwelt in Dorthonion, but after the Dagor Bragollach he settled with Círdan in the south, probably on the Isle of Balar
Pronunciation
a'rminas
Meaning
Uncertain2

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About this entry:

  • Updated 26 August 2018
  • Updates planned: 1

Arminas

The companion of Gelmir

With Gelmir, one of two messengers sent by Círdan to Nargothrond in the First Age. Their message, that the bridge before the Doors of Nargothrond should be demolished, was ignored, leading to the destruction of that citadel by Glaurung.


Notes

1

In The Silmarillion's account, Arminas vanishes from the narrative shortly before the Fall and Sack of Nargothrond, leaving a natural impression that he, and his companion Gelmir, might have been lost in the destruction of the city. In fact this is not the case, as the extended version of the story in The Children of Húrin makes clear. According to that fuller tale, Arminas and Gelmir departed from Nargothrond before its Fall, and made their way safely back to Círdan.

2

The Ar- element of Arminas' name literally meant 'outside' or 'beside' (though in later use it could also mean 'noble' or 'high') and the -minas element name is presumably 'tower'. The literal meaning of Arminas' name, then, is 'outside the tower', or possibly 'noble tower', though it's far from clear what significance these interpretations might hold. Perhaps the implication is that Arminas was a particularly tall Elf (rather as the name Halbarad can be interpreted as 'tall tower', presumably meant in a comparable metaphorical vein).

See also...

Gelmir

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 26 August 2018
  • Updates planned: 1

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