In 1701 SA, the Battle of the Gwathlo was fought in Middle Earth between Numenor under Gil-galad and Ciryatur and Mordor under Sauron during the War of the Elves and Sauron.
Why did it happen?
The War of the Elves and Sauron had its origin with the decision by the High Elves of Eregion to forge the Rings of Power in 1500 SA. By 1590 SA, nineteen rings had been created: three for the Elves, seven for the Dwarves, and nine for the race of Men. Unbeknownst to the Elves, Sauron, a lieutenant of Morgoth during the First Age, forged the One Ring in the fires of Mount Doom in 1600 SA. Desiring to control the lesser rings of power, Sauron gathered a vast host and declared war on the High Elves in 1693 SA. By 1699 SA, Sauron’s forces had conquered most of Eriador with only Imladris and Lindon west of the Lhun River remaining under the control of the Elves. During the war, Gil-galad called upon the king of Numenor, Tar-Minastir, for aid, and a large Numenorean navy was sent, although this force did not reach Middle Earth until 1700 SA. Although Sauron had been reinforced by additional troops, the combined forces of Elves and Numenoreans pushed Sauron back across the Lhun River and inflicted heavy casualties on the armies of Mordor at Sarn Ford. After this defeat, Sauron fled south to the Gwathlo River with what remained of his army.
Who was involved?
The Numenorean army at the Gwathlo is estimated to have numbered 20,000 Men and Elves. It was divided into two forces of 10,000 each: the northern force was led by Gil-galad and consisted of Numenorean infantry, archers, and Elves of Lindon, while the southern force was led by Ciryatur and consisted of Numenorean infantry and cavalry. The Numenorean plan was for the northern army to engage Sauron’s forces at Tharbad along the Gwathlo River while the southern army attacked his forces in the rear. The army of Mordor at the Gwathlo is estimated to have numbered around 10,000 Orcs and Trolls. Of this number, about 5,000 were survivors from the Battle of Sarn Ford, while the other 5,000 held Tharbad along the Gwathlo River. Sauron’s plan at the Gwathlo was to link up with the small force holding Tharbad and build up his forces to counterattack against Numenor and the Elves of Lindon.
What happened?
After being defeated at Sarn Ford on the Brandywine River, Sauron retreated with the remainder of his forces southwards where he linked up with reserves from Mordor stationed at the city of Tharbad along the Gwathlo River. Shortly thereafter, the combined forces of Numenor and Lindon under Gil-galad arrived from Sarn Ford and engaged Sauron’s forces on the southern bank of the Gwathlo River. At first, the fighting was evenly matched until a second Numenorean army under Ciryatur, which had landed at the port of Lond Daer, marched up along the Gwathlo River and attacked Sauron’s army in the rear, inflicting massive casualties. After most of his forces had been killed or routed, Sauron, who narrowly escaped capture by the Numenoreans, retreated with his remaining forces towards the plain of Calenardhon.
What changed as a result?
The Battle of the Gwathlo was a decisive victory for Numenor. In the aftermath of the battle, the Elves and Numenoreans pursued Sauron’s remaining forces to the Calenardhon where almost all the remaining forces of Mordor were destroyed. Sauron escaped with a small bodyguard back to Mordor and vowed vengeance upon Numenor. In the aftermath of the war, the first Council was convened by the High Elves whereby they decided to establish an Elvish stronghold at Imladris instead of Eregion, which had been destroyed by Sauron in 1697 SA. Meanwhile, the Numenoreans established bases and ports along the coasts of Middle Earth from 1800 SA onwards, thereby confining the influence of Sauron within Mordor. In 3262 SA, Sauron was captured by King Ar-Pharazon and taken as a prisoner back to Numenor where he corrupted the king and his subjects by making them worship the spirit of Melkor. In 3319 SA, Ar-Pharazon sailed westwards with a great fleet and set foot upon Valinor intending to conquer it, invoking the wrath of the Valar whereby “Numenor was thrown down and swallowed in the Sea, and the Undying Lands were removed for ever from the circles of the world” (Tolkien, 2004, p.1037). Only nine ships survived the destruction of Numenor and sailed to Middle Earth where its occupants subsequently founded the Kingdoms of Gondor and Arnor.
Bibliography
Fisher, Mark. “Battle of the Gwathlo.” Encyclopedia of Arda. Last revised October 4, 2020. www.glyphweb.com/arda/b/battleofthegwathlo.php
Lore of the Rings. “The Second Age of Middle-Earth: War of the Elves and Sauron.” YouTube video, 11:25. October 19, 2020. www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDQBFX2QA2k
Tolkien, J.R.R. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. London, Harper Collins Publishers, 2004.
Tolkien, J.R.R. & Tolkien, Christopher. Unfinished Tales. London, Harper Collins Publishers, 2014.