Anárion Guide, Meaning , Facts, Information and Description
Anárion is a fictional character in J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium.He was the second son of Elendil and the brother of Isildur. While Elendil landed in the north near the Elven realm of Lindon, and there established the realm of Arnor, the two brothers landed in the south of Middle-earth, establishing the realm of Gondor. Both realms were founded on existing Númenórean colonies.
Anárion was chiefly responsible for the early ordering of Gondor: he founded the city of Minas Anor (later renamed Minas Tirith) in Anórien, as well as the bridge and city of Osgiliath, in his father's name. Minas Anor and the outlying region of Anórien were named after the Sun, but also after Anárion's own name, contrasting with Minas Ithil and Ithilien across the river Anduin, named after the Moon and his brother Isildur.
In the War of the Last Alliance of Elves and Men Anárion defended Gondor and its people, ruling as its regent, while his brother fled north to join up with his father and the Elves. Defending a land under siege, he successfully defended the Númenórean exiles, the earlier settlers, and the indigenous population of Gondor until Elendil, Isildur and Gil-galad summoned him to take part in the campaign into Mordor. He fought with distinction in the Battle of Dagorlad and in the Siege of Barad-dûr, but was slain in S.A 3340 by a stone hurdled from the Dark Tower. Anárion had four children; the first three were all apparently daughters1, but the fourth child was a son, Meneldil.
Although his line was originally not destined to rule, his son Meneldil became King of Gondor, as Isildur's heirs only ruled over Arnor. Isildur is not recorded as having given up his rights over Gondor, and it appears that the Line of Anárion thus came to rule illegally.
On the other hand, the title 'High King' remained with the northern line, and even as Gondor grew more mighty than Arnor it remained the younger line. The Line of Anárion slowly dwindled and disappeared over time, until in the end the Ruling Stewards denounced the right of any heir of Anárion to ever reclaim the throne. This opened the path for Aragorn II to eventually become king of the Reunited Kingdom.
1Anárion's three older children were most likely daughters, as Meneldil had received the throne of Gondor: according to the Númenórean law an older sister would have earned the crown instead.
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