Armenelos
Armenelos, also known as the City of the Kings, Armenelos the Golden or Arminalêth, was the capital city of Númenor. It was the fairest of all cities on the island and in later years possibly the largest after Andúnië declined.
It was situated on a hill in eastern central Númenor, in the district called Arandor, the Kingsland, close to the Meneltarma. The chief road of Númenor ran through the royal city, eastward it led to the haven of Rómenna while westward it led to Andúnië.
Armenelos contained the King's house, a tower and a citadel that had been built by Elros, as well as the King's Court, the place where the White Tree Nimloth grew. At the top of the tower of the King's palace was an eyrie where a pair of great eagles lived on the bounty of the King from the time of Elros until the time of Tar-Ancalimon.
History
Armenelos was founded as far back as the end of the First Age, when the Edain first migrated to the island. Conceivably Arandor was the first district they settled after landing in a firth that later led to the haven of Rómenna.
In Second Age 32, the coronation of Elros in Armenelos marked the beginning of the Númenórean realm.
The Elves of Eressëa brought many gifts to Númenor, one of which was a seedling of the White Tree Celeborn and it grew in the courts of the King in Armenelos and it was named Nimloth.
In Second Age 870, the city celebrated the wedding of the King's Heir Aldarion and Erendis.
Near the end of the Second Age, the Temple was built in the city by order of the King's adviser Sauron and the White Tree Nimloth was burned on its altar and later human sacrifice was performed there.
The city was destroyed in the Downfall of Númenor.
Etymology
Armenelos is a Quenya name, which means "Noble Heaven City". It seems to be a compound of the elements ar- ("noble", "high"), menel ("heavens") and the suffixal form -os of osto ("city", "fortress", "strongholf", "strong place").
The Adûnaic name is Arminalêth, which appears to be a direct translation of the Quenya name, analyzed as ar- + minul (Adûnaic name of menel).
Other versions of the legendarium
At early stages of writing, the city was called by other names: Númenos, Númar or Nûmar (at first used of what became Númenor). In later developments it was known as Antirion (the Golden). The city's Adûnaic name was Ar-Minalêth or Arminalêth which survived in later drafts of the Akallabêth. Additionally in The Peoples of Middle-earth, Christopher corrected a mistake he made in Sauron Defeated where he said the name Arminalêth was replaced by Armenelos, instead the Eldarin name Armenelos replaced the Eldarin name Tar Kalimos.
Portrayal in adaptations
2022: The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power:
September 8: Adar:
The city of Armenelos makes its first appearance when Captain Elendil takes Galadriel and Halbrand up the river Siril in Númenor.
Referencias
1. Esta ficha se ha importado inicialmente de TolkienGateway.net el día 21/05/2026.
