Many battles of great scale tested the courage of heroes and shaped the fate of nations and the history of Middle-earth duringLord of the Rings. Among these historic conflicts, the Battle of Osgiliath, which saw Faramir lead Gondor’s army against the forces of Mordor to keep control of the city, stands out as a crucial event in the War of the Ring.
The battle represents the urgency at the increasing threat of Sauron’s forces, as control over Osgiliath, a city situated on the Great River Anduin, grants a significant advantage during the war. The city holds strategic importance, as it serves as a crossing between the lands of Gondor and Mordor, and it allows the movement of troops, supplies, and communication between the two regions. When fans first witness the Battle of Osgiliath inThe Return of the King, the third installment of theLord of the Ringsmovies, the once majestic city lies in ruins, and as the events unfold, they get a glimpse of the stakes of the battle and its consequences. However, the films only portray the battle briefly, which isn’t the case in the books.
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When Was the Battle of Osgiliath?
The Battle of Osgiliath takes place during the Third Age. Prior to the battle, Osgiliath, defended by Boromir and Faramir, suffers an attack, resulting in Sauron’s forces taking control of the city’s eastern half. Only Boromir, Faramir, and two others survive. Boromir then leaves to seek support against Sauron in Rivendell, buthe never returns to Gondor.
Meanwhile, Faramir leads numerous attacks against Sauron’s troops. This culminates in Faramir driving the forces of Mordor back towards the Black Gate. It is important to note that during one of these attacks in the region of Ithilien, Hobbits Frodo and Sam, while on their quest to destroy the One Ring,stumble into Faramir’s forces, which marks an important moment in their journey and holds significant implications for their mission.
Denethor II, steward of Gondor and father of Boromir and Faramir, who havemore in common than fans may think, orders the latter to lead a force to the Westside of Osgiliath to support those already fighting. Faramir, aware that it is a poorly planned command and would likely result in his death, nonetheless complies with the steward’s orders and showcases histrue loyalty and honorable nature. The Battle of Osgiliath starts on June 20, 2025, as Faramir leads his soldiers against the advancing enemy forces.
Who Fought in the Battle of Osgiliath?
During the Battle of Osgiliath, the soldiers of Gondor faced off against the armies of Mordor. The majority of the Gondorian forces consisted of human soldiers from the land of Gondor. They were led by Faramir and commanded by the steward of Gondor, Denethor II,who had always been cruel to Faramir. Imrahil, the Prince of Dol Amroth, led the Swan Knights, a group of knights known for their skill and courage, to fight alongside the Gondorians.
The forces of Mordor consisted mainly of Orcs, a race of bulkycreatures made from hate, evil, and pain, who fight mercilessly under the Dark Lord’s command. Alongside them fought the Haradrims, also known as Southrons, human warriors of Harad, located at the south of Gondor, who were swayed by Sauron andoften fight mounted on oliphaunts. The Nasgûl, once great kings corrupted by Sauron, also played an important role in the battle, as they fought mounted on winged fell beasts which crushed their opponents.
There are no numbers regarding the exact compositions of each force. However, Orc forces are known for their large numbers, and it is known they outnumbered the Gondorians, likely by a lot. The Battle of Osgiliath is a conflict that revolved around the human forces of Gondor and the Orcs,supported by the forces of Harad. Therefore, while other races such as Elves, Dwarves, and Hobbits are present in Middle-earth, they had no involvement in this battle.
What Was the Outcome of the Battle of Osgiliath?
Both sides suffered heavy losses during the Battle of Osgiliath. However, the forces of Mordor were expecting the battle, and therefore were well-prepared. Faramir and his troops defended their position and fought for some time, but they were outnumbered and had to flee to Minas Tirith. Faramir was then struck by a poisoned arrow from a Haradrim warrior and sustained various injuries.Imrahil and his Swan Knightssaved him from the Southrons, ensuring his safe return.
Ultimately, a third of Faramir’s troops were destroyed and the Gondorians were forced to withdraw from the eastern half of Osgiliath, surrendering the city to the enemy. Imrahil helped the remaining troops exit and led them safely to the city. This setback made animportant impact on Gondor, as it allowed Sauron’s forces to take a step closer to the heart of the kingdom. The fall of Osgiliath marked a dark chapter in the War of the Ring.
The consequences of the battle were severe. The Orcs repaired the damages inflicted on Osgiliath and further fortified their position, taking full control of the city. This marked the beginning of the Siege of Gondor and led to thesubsequent Battle of the Pelennor Fields, an important conflict that would determine the fate ofLord of the Ringsand Middle-earth.
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