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Cirith Ungol: The Spider's Pass Into Mordor

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Cirith Ungol

The Spider's Pass Into Mordor

Cirith Ungol is the most consequential piece of ground in The Lord of the Rings, and almost everything about it works backwards. Gondor cut the fortress into the Ephel Duath after the Last Alliance and built it facing inward on purpose - to keep things in, not out. Then the Great Plague of Third Age 1636 emptied it.

Published on
21 August 2026
Runtime
32 min 51 sec
The next tale hangs Tuesday, 25 August
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Figures of Legend37

What Sauron Feared: Why Mount Doom Was UnguardedWhat Sauron FearedWhy Mount Doom Was Unguarded33:01 · 18 August 2026Ring of Barahir: The Ring With No PowerRing of BarahirThe Ring With No Power30:15 · 14 August 2026Annatar: How Sauron Fooled the Greatest Elven-SmithAnnatarHow Sauron Fooled the Greatest Elven-Smith28:58 · 4 August 2026Aragorn: The 87 Lost Years Tolkien Hid From YouAragornThe 87 Lost Years Tolkien Hid From You33:09 · 24 July 2026Witch-king of Angmar: Rise & Fall of the Nazgul LordWitch-king of AngmarRise & Fall of the Nazgul Lord22:38 · 17 July 2026Queen Beruthiel and Her Cats: A Strange Tolkien MysteryQueen Beruthiel and Her CatsA Strange Tolkien Mystery28:00 · 14 July 2026Who Were the Nine Ringwraiths?Who Were the Nine Ringwraiths?22:12 · 10 July 2026Lúthien: The Maiden Who Broke MorgothLúthienThe Maiden Who Broke Morgoth28:53 · 26 June 2026The Five Wizards of Middle-earth: Istari Ranked by True PowerThe Five Wizards of Middle-earthIstari Ranked by True Power24:12 · 9 June 2026Elwing the White: The Forgotten Queen of Eärendil's TaleElwing the WhiteThe Forgotten Queen of Eärendil's Tale27:08 · 5 June 2026Isildur: Hero or Failure?IsildurHero or Failure?30:20 · 29 May 2026Grima Wormtongue: The Villain Who Needed No SwordGrima WormtongueThe Villain Who Needed No Sword26:26 · 19 May 2026The Blue Wizards: Did They Defeat Sauron?The Blue WizardsDid They Defeat Sauron?28:27 · 12 May 2026Saruman's Fall: Why the Greatest Wizard Betrayed His OrderSaruman's FallWhy the Greatest Wizard Betrayed His Order32:54 · 17 April 2026Strongest Elf Warriors Ranked: Fingolfin to LegolasStrongest Elf Warriors RankedFingolfin to Legolas31:11 · 14 April 2026Is Maglor Still Wandering Middle-earth?Is Maglor Still Wandering Middle-earth?25:17 · 7 April 2026Unlikely Heroes: Why the Powerless Saved Middle-earthUnlikely HeroesWhy the Powerless Saved Middle-earth28:48 · 25 March 2026Sauron Before the Ring: The Maia Who Chose DarknessSauron Before the RingThe Maia Who Chose Darkness27:25 · 24 March 2026Children of Hurin: Tolkien's Darkest TragedyChildren of HurinTolkien's Darkest Tragedy28:43 · 20 March 2026Beren and Luthien: The Love Story That Defeated MorgothBeren and LuthienThe Love Story That Defeated Morgoth24:56 · 13 March 2026Celeborn: The Elf Who Stayed When Galadriel LeftCelebornThe Elf Who Stayed When Galadriel Left24:02 · 6 March 2026Finrod Felagund: The Elf Who Killed a Werewolf BarehandedFinrod FelagundThe Elf Who Killed a Werewolf Barehanded27:34 · 3 March 2026The Flight of the Noldor: Feanor's Oath and the First KinslayingThe Flight of the NoldorFeanor's Oath and the First Kinslaying23:52 · 6 February 2026Fingolfin: The Elf Who Wounded Morgoth Seven TimesFingolfinThe Elf Who Wounded Morgoth Seven Times29:39 · 27 January 2026Gandalf: Servant of the Secret FireGandalfServant of the Secret Fire24:26 · 16 January 2026Aragorn: 67 Years a Nameless RangerAragorn67 Years a Nameless Ranger24:55 · 13 January 2026The Hunt for Gollum: Why Sauron Let Him GoThe Hunt for GollumWhy Sauron Let Him Go22:02 · 10 January 2026Turin vs Maeglin: Who Was Morgoth's Greatest Pawn?Turin vs MaeglinWho Was Morgoth's Greatest Pawn?25:44 · 30 November 2025Goldberry: The River-Daughter Who Embodies SpringGoldberryThe River-Daughter Who Embodies Spring29:42 · 26 November 2025The Nazgûl: How Nine Kings Became Sauron's RingwraithsThe NazgûlHow Nine Kings Became Sauron's Ringwraiths24:24 · 23 November 2025Helm Hammerhand: The King Who Became a MonsterHelm HammerhandThe King Who Became a Monster22:45 · 18 November 2025Did Gollum Frighten Sauron?Did Gollum Frighten Sauron?10 November 2025Galadriel: The Last of the MightyGaladrielThe Last of the Mighty7 November 2025Tom Bombadil and the RingTom Bombadil and the Ring3 November 2025Glorfindel: The Elf Who Came BackGlorfindelThe Elf Who Came Back1 November 2025The Blue WizardsThe Blue Wizards30 October 2025Celebrimbor: The Last of Fëanor's LineCelebrimborThe Last of Fëanor's Line24 October 2025

Wars & Battles11

A Brief History of Middle-earth: What Happened Before The Ring?A Brief History of Middle-earthWhat Happened Before The Ring?33:09 · 31 July 2026Nirnaeth Arnoediad: Morgoth's Greatest VictoryNirnaeth ArnoediadMorgoth's Greatest Victory27:44 · 7 July 2026War of the Powers: How Tulkas Captured MelkorWar of the PowersHow Tulkas Captured Melkor35:08 · 26 May 2026The Witch-king of Angmar: How He Destroyed Arnor, the North KingdomThe Witch-king of AngmarHow He Destroyed Arnor, the North Kingdom28:47 · 1 May 2026Minas Tirith: The Siege That Broke Gondor's WillMinas TirithThe Siege That Broke Gondor's Will29:39 · 21 April 2026The War of Wrath: How Morgoth Finally FellThe War of WrathHow Morgoth Finally Fell29:45 · 3 April 2026The Flight of the Noldor: Feanor's Oath and the First KinslayingThe Flight of the NoldorFeanor's Oath and the First Kinslaying23:52 · 6 February 2026Fingolfin: The Elf Who Wounded Morgoth Seven TimesFingolfinThe Elf Who Wounded Morgoth Seven Times29:39 · 27 January 2026Middle-earth's 5 Biggest BattlesMiddle-earth's 5 Biggest Battles25:20 · 9 December 2025The Scouring of the Shire: Why Peter Jackson Cut Tolkien's Real EndingThe Scouring of the ShireWhy Peter Jackson Cut Tolkien's Real Ending17 November 2025The Fall of Gondolin: Tolkien's First Great TaleThe Fall of GondolinTolkien's First Great Tale13 November 2025

Realms & Places16

Cirith Ungol: The Spider's Pass Into MordorCirith UngolThe Spider's Pass Into Mordor32:51 · 21 August 2026Doriath: Thingol, Melian, and the Fall of MenegrothDoriathThingol, Melian, and the Fall of Menegroth34:54 · 19 June 2026Barad-dûr: The Tower Built on Sauron's SoulBarad-dûrThe Tower Built on Sauron's Soul29:38 · 8 May 2026The Maps of Arda: How Tolkien Shaped the WorldThe Maps of ArdaHow Tolkien Shaped the World27:18 · 5 May 2026The Witch-king of Angmar: How He Destroyed Arnor, the North KingdomThe Witch-king of AngmarHow He Destroyed Arnor, the North Kingdom28:47 · 1 May 2026Isengard: The Tower That Defeated SarumanIsengardThe Tower That Defeated Saruman31:48 · 31 March 2026The Dead Marshes: War That Refuses to Stay BuriedThe Dead MarshesWar That Refuses to Stay Buried29:21 · 17 March 2026Lothlorien: The Realm That Defied TimeLothlorienThe Realm That Defied Time24:26 · 17 February 2026Numenor: Why Tolkien's Atlantis Had to FallNumenorWhy Tolkien's Atlantis Had to Fall30:33 · 10 February 2026Angband: Morgoth's Iron HellAngbandMorgoth's Iron Hell23:50 · 3 February 2026Valinor: The Paradise Lost from Tolkien's WorldValinorThe Paradise Lost from Tolkien's World38:26 · 30 December 2025Minas Morgul: The Witch-King's Stolen TowerMinas MorgulThe Witch-King's Stolen Tower26:49 · 26 December 2025The Scouring of the Shire: Why Peter Jackson Cut Tolkien's Real EndingThe Scouring of the ShireWhy Peter Jackson Cut Tolkien's Real Ending17 November 2025The Fall of Gondolin: Tolkien's First Great TaleThe Fall of GondolinTolkien's First Great Tale13 November 2025Dol GuldurDol Guldur4 November 2025History of the ShireHistory of the Shire27 October 2025

Rings & Relics8

Ring of Barahir: The Ring With No PowerRing of BarahirThe Ring With No Power30:15 · 14 August 2026Annatar: How Sauron Fooled the Greatest Elven-SmithAnnatarHow Sauron Fooled the Greatest Elven-Smith28:58 · 4 August 2026Andúril and Narsil: Why Sauron Feared the Broken SwordAndúril and NarsilWhy Sauron Feared the Broken Sword36:07 · 16 June 2026The One Ring: How It Actually WorksThe One RingHow It Actually Works34:43 · 12 June 2026The Three Elven Rings: Why the Elves Chose to Lose EverythingThe Three Elven RingsWhy the Elves Chose to Lose Everything22:58 · 27 February 2026The One Ring: Why Sauron's Greatest Weapon Was His DownfallThe One RingWhy Sauron's Greatest Weapon Was His Downfall22:28 · 23 January 2026The Silmarils: Three Jewels That Doomed the First AgeThe SilmarilsThree Jewels That Doomed the First Age32:26 · 29 November 2025The Palantíri: Fëanor's Lost TechnologyThe PalantíriFëanor's Lost Technology5 November 2025

Peoples & Creatures21

Cirith Ungol: The Spider's Pass Into MordorCirith UngolThe Spider's Pass Into Mordor32:51 · 21 August 2026Ungoliant: Is She Still Alive?UngoliantIs She Still Alive?32:42 · 11 August 2026Middle-earth's Most Powerful BeingsMiddle-earth's Most Powerful Beings35:28 · 7 August 2026Orcs: Tolkien Couldn't Decide If They Had SoulsOrcsTolkien Couldn't Decide If They Had Souls21:03 · 21 July 2026The Stoors: Gollum's Forgotten Hobbit FamilyThe StoorsGollum's Forgotten Hobbit Family28:50 · 3 July 2026The Dead Men of Dunharrow: The Oath That Cursed Them 3,000 YearsThe Dead Men of DunharrowThe Oath That Cursed Them 3,000 Years23:46 · 30 June 2026Evil Dwarves: When Aule's Children Served MorgothEvil DwarvesWhen Aule's Children Served Morgoth41:34 · 23 June 2026The Awakening of the Elves: How Middle-earth BeganThe Awakening of the ElvesHow Middle-earth Began34:14 · 22 May 2026How Many Balrogs Were There? Tolkien's Great DebateHow Many Balrogs Were There? Tolkien's Great Debate23:22 · 28 April 2026Dragon-Sickness: The Cursed Gold That Destroyed KingsDragon-SicknessThe Cursed Gold That Destroyed Kings31:32 · 10 April 2026Every Dragon in Tolkien Ranked by PowerEvery Dragon in Tolkien Ranked by Power29:13 · 27 March 2026Where Do Orcs Come From? The Problem Tolkien Never SolvedWhere Do Orcs Come From? The Problem Tolkien Never Solved25:12 · 10 March 2026Why Didn't the Eagles Take the Ring to Mordor? Tolkien's Real AnswerWhy Didn't the Eagles Take the Ring to Mordor? Tolkien's Real Answer20:30 · 20 February 2026Middle-earth's Deadliest Monsters Ranked: From Trolls to UngoliantMiddle-earth's Deadliest Monsters RankedFrom Trolls to Ungoliant23:34 · 12 February 2026Goblins vs Orcs vs Uruk-hai: What's the Difference?Goblins vs Orcs vs Uruk-haiWhat's the Difference?25:41 · 30 January 2026The Entwives: Why Treebeard Lost His Love ForeverThe EntwivesWhy Treebeard Lost His Love Forever22:08 · 9 January 2026Balrog vs Dragon: Who Wins?Balrog vs DragonWho Wins?27:59 · 2 January 2026The Dwarves: Created in Secret by AulëThe DwarvesCreated in Secret by Aulë31:00 · 23 December 2025Barrow-Wights: The Weapon That Killed the Witch-KingBarrow-WightsThe Weapon That Killed the Witch-King27:46 · 25 November 2025Ungoliant: The Darkness That Devoured Light ItselfUngoliantThe Darkness That Devoured Light Itself12 November 2025The Nameless Things Beneath MoriaThe Nameless Things Beneath Moria25 October 2025

Mysteries & Curiosities20

What Sauron Feared: Why Mount Doom Was UnguardedWhat Sauron FearedWhy Mount Doom Was Unguarded33:01 · 18 August 2026Ungoliant: Is She Still Alive?UngoliantIs She Still Alive?32:42 · 11 August 2026Queen Beruthiel and Her Cats: A Strange Tolkien MysteryQueen Beruthiel and Her CatsA Strange Tolkien Mystery28:00 · 14 July 2026The Dead Men of Dunharrow: The Oath That Cursed Them 3,000 YearsThe Dead Men of DunharrowThe Oath That Cursed Them 3,000 Years23:46 · 30 June 2026The Blue Wizards: Did They Defeat Sauron?The Blue WizardsDid They Defeat Sauron?28:27 · 12 May 2026How Many Balrogs Were There? Tolkien's Great DebateHow Many Balrogs Were There? Tolkien's Great Debate23:22 · 28 April 2026Dragon-Sickness: The Cursed Gold That Destroyed KingsDragon-SicknessThe Cursed Gold That Destroyed Kings31:32 · 10 April 2026Is Maglor Still Wandering Middle-earth?Is Maglor Still Wandering Middle-earth?25:17 · 7 April 2026The Dead Marshes: War That Refuses to Stay BuriedThe Dead MarshesWar That Refuses to Stay Buried29:21 · 17 March 2026The Hunt for Gollum: Why Sauron Let Him GoThe Hunt for GollumWhy Sauron Let Him Go22:02 · 10 January 2026The Entwives: Why Treebeard Lost His Love ForeverThe EntwivesWhy Treebeard Lost His Love Forever22:08 · 9 January 2026Pipeweed: How Saruman Corrupted the ShirePipeweedHow Saruman Corrupted the Shire25:30 · 6 January 2026Goldberry: The River-Daughter Who Embodies SpringGoldberryThe River-Daughter Who Embodies Spring29:42 · 26 November 2025Barrow-Wights: The Weapon That Killed the Witch-KingBarrow-WightsThe Weapon That Killed the Witch-King27:46 · 25 November 2025Did Gollum Frighten Sauron?Did Gollum Frighten Sauron?10 November 2025The Necromancer's Apprentice: Mastery Over DeathThe Necromancer's ApprenticeMastery Over Death6 November 2025Tom Bombadil and the RingTom Bombadil and the Ring3 November 2025Glorfindel: The Elf Who Came BackGlorfindelThe Elf Who Came Back1 November 2025The Blue WizardsThe Blue Wizards30 October 2025The Nameless Things Beneath MoriaThe Nameless Things Beneath Moria25 October 2025

The Deep Lore20

Middle-earth's Most Powerful BeingsMiddle-earth's Most Powerful Beings35:28 · 7 August 2026A Brief History of Middle-earth: What Happened Before The Ring?A Brief History of Middle-earthWhat Happened Before The Ring?33:09 · 31 July 2026Tolkien's Magic Explained: Why Gandalf Doesn't Cast SpellsTolkien's Magic ExplainedWhy Gandalf Doesn't Cast Spells35:29 · 28 July 2026Orcs: Tolkien Couldn't Decide If They Had SoulsOrcsTolkien Couldn't Decide If They Had Souls21:03 · 21 July 2026The One Ring: How It Actually WorksThe One RingHow It Actually Works34:43 · 12 June 2026The Lost Chapters: What Colbert's New LOTR Movie Will RestoreThe Lost ChaptersWhat Colbert's New LOTR Movie Will Restore31:13 · 2 June 2026What Gandalf Knew About the MachineWhat Gandalf Knew About the Machine31:49 · 31 May 2026War of the Powers: How Tulkas Captured MelkorWar of the PowersHow Tulkas Captured Melkor35:08 · 26 May 2026The Awakening of the Elves: How Middle-earth BeganThe Awakening of the ElvesHow Middle-earth Began34:14 · 22 May 2026The Maiar: Tolkien's Angels Ranked by PowerThe MaiarTolkien's Angels Ranked by Power30:48 · 15 May 2026Eucatastrophe: Why the Eagles Always ArriveEucatastropheWhy the Eagles Always Arrive25:55 · 24 April 2026Ainulindale: How Tolkien's Universe Was Sung Into BeingAinulindaleHow Tolkien's Universe Was Sung Into Being25:34 · 24 February 2026Why Didn't the Eagles Take the Ring to Mordor? Tolkien's Real AnswerWhy Didn't the Eagles Take the Ring to Mordor? Tolkien's Real Answer20:30 · 20 February 2026Death as Gift: Why Tolkien's Elves Envy Mortal MenDeath as GiftWhy Tolkien's Elves Envy Mortal Men23:45 · 20 January 2026Gandalf: Servant of the Secret FireGandalfServant of the Secret Fire24:26 · 16 January 2026Tolkien's Hidden Christmas StoryTolkien's Hidden Christmas Story22:48 · 18 December 2025Arda Marred: How Morgoth Poisoned CreationArda MarredHow Morgoth Poisoned Creation30:56 · 18 November 2025The Valar: Gods of Middle-earth ExplainedThe ValarGods of Middle-earth Explained14 November 2025Ungoliant: The Darkness That Devoured Light ItselfUngoliantThe Darkness That Devoured Light Itself12 November 2025The Necromancer's Apprentice: Mastery Over DeathThe Necromancer's ApprenticeMastery Over Death6 November 2025
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