ThisLord of the Ringsarticle contains spoilers forThe Rings of Power.
When a fantasy writer sits down to create an imaginary world (or inJ.R.R.
Different cultures, histories, and ideas all come together to create something that is new.
MartinsWesteros, for example, famously combines various elements of European history and cultures.
Tolkien was no different and several areas of his Middle-earth combine clearly identifiable real-world inspirations.
Here are just a few of the most important.
The History of Gondor
First, some made-up history!
InTolkiens legendarium, Gondor is a kingdom of Men (i.e.
human beings, mortals) founded after the fall of of the earlier island kingdom of Numenor.
One of them was about what the various peoples of Middle-earth wore.
And in their great interest in ancestry and tombs.
Greek Mythology
The most obvious influence on the story of Numenor and its destruction is Greek mythology.
Gondor also has some things in common with another city from Greek mythology that isnt actually in Greece Troy.
Some of Tolkiens descriptions of Gondor draw parallels between the cities of Gondor and ancient Troy.
It was Byzantium that really reflected how Tolkien viewed Gondor in comparison to the rest of Middle-earth.
Their histories are not identical, though.
As a result, when Gondor calls for aid, Rohan answers.
*Except Arwen, who outlives everyone else and lives unhappily ever after.
