Economy of Middle Earth - Lord of the Rings Lore DOCUMENTARY

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Wizards and Warriors animated fantasy documentary lore video series on the world of Middle-Earth - Lord of the Rings continues with a video on the economy and society of Middle-Earth, as we discuss how various societies and races built their communities. Hobbits, Dwarves, Elves, Men of Numenor in Gondor and Arnor, Northern Men in Rohan and Dale, Orcs of Sauron and the evil Men serving the Dark Lord.
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Writer: Craig Watson
Illustration and Animation: Arb Paninken
Map: Adam Ellis Charters
Narration: OfficiallyDevin ( / officiallydevin )
Editing: Kamran Maharramli
Producer: Nurlan Karimov
Production Music courtesy of Epidemic Sound: www.epidemicsou...
#Lore #Fantasy #LordOfTheRings

[@WizardsandWarriors]

Go to wyrmwoodgaming.com/wiz&war and use Code wizwar for free shipping and a free set of resin dice for US orders over $50 or Code: wizwarint for a $10 shipping discount & a free set of resin dice for international orders over $50.

[@pyeitme508]

Meh

[@mattluke5546]

I like wizard and warriors and kings and generals.. You guys need to not use the same quotes like you did throughout this whole video from the book used too many of the same quotes over and over again......only fault!!

[@redxhand]

Please work on The Heroic Legend of Arslan

[@Matli1804]

Would you ever consider doing videos on the Warcraft series events like the orc and human wars or the invasions of the burning legion

[@user-uy1rg8td1v]

Great video and channel. I have seen alot of your videos and I really starting to think the background music is distracting and really unnecessary. It's hard to focus on information dense speaking (especially on economics) when there are drums and trumpets in the background. There are so many educational channels that don't have any background music and I urge you adopt the practice.

[@nopeacejustwar1664]

George R. R. Martin is definitely watching this instead of finishing Winds of Winter

[@specialnewb9821]

In Deep Geek has a whole series on ME economies.

[@MrKbonez]

He's doing anything to avoid finishing Winds of Winter

[@jakobschoning7355]

Nah, i am pretty sure he hates Tolkien

[@ryannathaniel9296]

@@jakobschoning7355 And that's why he is watching this😉

[@e1123581321345589144]

I have a feeling that winter will never actually come.

[@KingsandGenerals]

If this video fails, I will set a team member on fire. Let's not allow it to fail, I love our team members.

[@pyeitme508]

Na count me out 😕

[@denniscleary7580]

😂 “bring wood and oil”

[@khaelthas293]

Just throw them on Mount Doom.

[@awesomehpt8938]

If you love your team members then don’t set them on fire lol

[@ziib123]

Throw them into the fire!

[@user-xr4bo3ln6f]

Plot-twist : Bilbo went with Gandalf not for adventure but because the dwarves emptied his month 's supply of food without compensation and he couldn't afford to replenish it, so he had to do the "gig" to earn something

[@michaelsmyth3935]

Plot twist, Bilbo was considered wealthy.

[@user-xr4bo3ln6f]

@@michaelsmyth3935 that's just cynical :p

[@mattluke5546]

@@michaelsmyth3935 Bilbo was "on the down low"!!! At least accourding to Amazon Prime newest addition to LOTR!!!

[@JTL1776]

@@mattluke5546 THATS NOT TOLKIEN.

[@thebirdbrand]

Couldn’t afford rent so he had to do the race

[@MagicAccent]

*The world economy collapsing:* "I should educate myself about global economics so I can make sound financial decisions for me and my family in the inevitable harsh foreseeable future." *finds this video instead* ".. For Frodo..! "

[@seanjenkins6947]

How's that doomer forecast looking a year on

[@BenjaminDHarrison]

I like the part where you quoted Elrond in his article in Half Elf Times Vol 2176 "Eregion's Bane: The consequences of the fall of Khazad-Dum to the weaponsmithies of Imladris and Arthedain in the Late Second Age."

[@fantasywind3923]

Hehe, well it is likely that the elven-smiths of Rivendell that reforged the shards of Narsil into Anduril, might have been some of the survivors of the elven-smiths of Eregion, the famous Gwaith-i-Mirdain maybe? We know that Imladris saw Elrond: "Elrond had gathered such few of the Elves of Eregion as had escaped, but he had not force to withstand the onset. He would indeed have been overwhelmed had not Sauron’s host been attacked in the rear: for Durin sent out a force of Dwarves from Khazad-dûm, and with them came Elves of Lórinand led by Amroth. Elrond was able to extricate himself, but he was forced away northwards, and it was at that time [in the year 1697, according to the Tale of Years] that he established a refuge and stronghold at Imladris (Rivendell)." ... "1697 Eregion laid waste. Death of Celebrimbor. The gates of Moria are shut. Elrond retreats with remnant of the Noldor and founds the refuge of Imladris." some of these elven craftsmen also made these fine pipes for Bilbo :). "The Sword of Elendil was forged anew by Elvish smiths, and on its blade was traced a device of seven stars set between the crescent Moon and the rayed Sun, and about them was written many runes; for Aragorn son of Arathorn was going to war upon the marches of Mordor. Very bright was that sword when it was made whole again; the light of the sun shone redly in it, and the light of the moon shone cold, and its edge was hard and keen. And Aragorn gave it a new name and called it Andúril, Flame of the West." Bilbo also spoke about trying to reforge the broken Barrow blade that Frodo wielded before a Witch-king destroyed it :). "'Here is your sword,' he said. 'But it was broken, you know. I took it to keep it safe but I've forgotten to ask if the smiths could mend it. No time now.. So I thought, perhaps, you would care to have this, don't you know?'" ... ""Bilbo laughed, and he produced out of a pocket two beautiful pipes with pearl mouth-pieces and bound with fine-wrought silver. ‘Think of me when you smoke them!’ he said. ‘The Elves made them for me, but I don’t smoke now.’ And then suddenly he nodded and went to sleep for a little; and when he woke up again he said: ‘Now where were we? Yes, of course, giving presents. Which reminds me: what’s become of my ring, Frodo, that you took away?’"

[@sba8710]

Wow. I thought I knew Lord of the rings but apparently I’m a kindergarten level of knowledge

[@dylancummings5033]

I've been a Kings and Generals fan for a long time and i can say I am absolutely loving the fantasy series here at Wizards and Warriors. Keep up the fantastic work guys! Both history and fantasy :)

[@hinkelstein77]

both channels are phenomenal! love them too. you guys kick ass sooooo much.

[@xZxOxVx]

kingg and generals are biased tho

[@gelraldoldo5152]

Everyone’s biased

[@myriadmediamusings]

Amusing that in order for economics to be interesting to some of us, it requires fantasy creatures, weed and maggoty bread.

[@ryannathaniel9296]

Probably it's because modern economy is unbearably complex and rang to close for comfort Fantasy economies allows a lot of people to appreciate the complexities of economics without all the baggage that studying real-life modern economies have

[@charliecrain1830]

i see nothing wrong

[@tinobemellow]

Because fiction is beautiful and real life sucks.

[@hititmanify]

@@tinobemellow thank you

[@ZugzugZugzugson]

Yeah! Why can't we have some meat?!

[@michaelsmyth3935]

12:00 Sam rose in standing after Frodo left, he became instantly wealthy. So becoming Mayor, ALL things considered, not such a shocker. 19:00 underground caverns with forests and Fields of fungii. Mushrooms must have been a staple diet item, and a trade item.

[@mattluke5546]

I think you ate too many of those magical mushrooms!!!!!

[@jamestaylor3805]

Sam also inherited Frodos wealth.

[@Lucky-Sevens7777]

@@jamestaylor3805 Frodo was a real one putting his boy up like that

[@theloweffortchannel7211]

Mushrooms are mentioned as one of the most favorite food of Hobbits.

[@William-Morey-Baker]

@@Lucky-Sevens7777 i mean, he was basically going to heaven... he didnt need it anymore.

[@ProgPiglet]

this is the exact kind of analysis i would expect from a youtube channel called "wizards and warriors"

[@chrisstorrer]

I put off watching this video for almost a year now. Now that I've seen it, I am amazed at your work and grateful for your creativity and research.

[@derekmiller6091]

It’s researched by AI. Can you not hear that it’s not generated by a human, or voiced by one?

[@FlameQwert]

economic analysis of fictional settings are genuinely fun because they really reveal a lot of potential stories and (literal or otherwise) sites of conflict in addition to what the author has already come up with

[@Mortablunt]

GRRM: Whines Tolkien didn't reveal King Aragorn's tax policy GRRM: Writes a book series featuring 6 kings and counting GRRM: Doesn't reveal anyone's tax policies

[@fleshyunicorn3953]

Isn’t Westeros in crazy debt to the Iron Bank in Essos in the books? Plus peasants keep revolting LOL I think that’s a hint to tax policies 😂 but seriously Tolkien thought of a lot for his world. He is the OG and set the precedent (and few have come even close to his works).

[@anyoneattheendoftime4932]

There's a small subplot with Littlefinger's role as Master of Coin but even that was barely explored.

[@glennross85]

What I want to know is what was Aragorns vax policy.

[@Darthandrea]

actually in the war of 5 kings littlefinger tax the bread, the entrance of the city and even the beard (im sure there is even more that i don't remember)

[@MrNiceGuyHistory]

@@fleshyunicorn3953 None have come close.

[@sch4755261]

I’ve been having trouble sleeping my entire life. I think I finally found what I’ve been searching for. I love your videos. Thank you!! And by no means am I being bored to sleep.

[@OldieBugger]

My biggest disappointment in the otherwise well-made trilogy of Lord of the Rings movies was that Jackson decided to skip the Scouring of the Shire. I think it was a crucial part of the tale.

[@andrewcharlton4053]

It would've taken another 45-60 minutes to show properly.

[@solustalechoy7698]

Sadly, in a movie already overloaded with endings, the scouring of the shire would've practically required a fourth entire film! But I personally find the film ending meaningful in it's own way: the changed heroes return to a home that has not changed at all and no longer understands them, and in fact does not understand why they left in the first place. I guess I find that resonant as a member of the armed forces in a country that hasn't had a war come truly come home in over two centuries (not that I find the conflicts that the us government engages with to be comparable to the war of the ring, but there's a similar feeling from the ground level). That scene where the four share a drink in the tavern with mutual looks of "no one else here really gets it" is particularly poignant.

[@andrewcharlton4053]

@@solustalechoy7698 I've always appreciated the films ending specifically for that reason. The exact bit you've mentioned, and to me, Frodo leaving strikes me as someone who can find no peace at home, haunted by the actions and scenes of war. It feels much more powerful that way.

[@ryancruz1876]

@@andrewcharlton4053 So? Why pander to people with short attention spans?

[@andrewcharlton4053]

@@ryancruz1876 Its already a mammoth film, you're increasing it by 30%. Its unreasonable and you know it.

[@Alkis05]

This is all well and good. A lot of interesting information you mined across all the tidy bits of data in the books. Tolking clearly did a good job setting up his network of economic activity. My problem with the world building of middle earth is with the scale of things, about demographics. Vast swaths of land seem to be barely populated. The protagonists basically only stumble upon capital cities, bree and the shire being the exception. The story never arrives or pass through the little rural communities. Also, the land seems so dangerous and desolated it is hard to imagine much trade is going on through the longer roads, with orcs, goblins and savage men ambushing from every hill. As for Orcs, it seems very unlikely that they can exists in the numbers that they did. At least the ones living in the misty mountains and Khazad-dûm. It is also hard to believe the hobbits could support the dwarven population of the blue mountains (unless they are a very small community), since the hobbits seem to get all they need from themselves and big tabbaco trade.

[@DanishCamp]

I cannot believe that a two hour documentary on fictional geopolitics could keep me interested for the entire video

[@anirudhbharadwaj1342]

You guys should make a 2 or 3 hour video of the history of Beleriand with all of its battles and kingdoms like you did with Middle earth. It would increase your subscription by a 10000 at least.

[@specialnewb9821]

War of the Jewels in Beleriand is epic!!

[@esteriall3086]

We finallt will get to know more about Aragorn's tax policy!

[@acamon]

Amazing. I didn't know how much I needed two hours on the economy of middle earth, but now I do. It was "a lot".

[@felixphilippe7224]

im glad you "think so".

[@rdslayer738]

I just gotta say man, this, and the kings and generals channel. You guys put so much effort in your video’s its so detailed and well informed. I compliment you. 👍🏻👏🏻

[@cliffgulliver4626]

Ditto

[@coolbanana750]

Thanks!

[@christopherf8912]

Holy Jesus, this is all animated on just economics. This is such a great video.

[@traviscummings9178]

"Tolkien forgot the economy of his own world." Are you kidding? The man has backstories for everything, even down to the BREAD the characters eat. He didn't forget it

[@Shane_The_Confessor]

This is the kind of quality content I come to youtube for.

[@dorianl3386]

There is also evidence of trade on the ford of the carrock, as the books mention tolls, which are often associated with the movement of goods. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "Many Meetings", p. 228 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Treason of Isengard, "XIII. Galadriel", p. 248

[@cliffgulliver4626]

Great video. Keep it going.

[@kcaleb]

The real economic question is this: Where does the Shire get all its tea from? Seriously though. Hobbits have clearly developed a taste for tea, but considering the probable climate of the Shire, it's very unlikely that the Hobbits are growing all their own tea.

[@darnokthemage170]

Probably brought to Eriador by the Numenoreans, just like Chickens were (which originally come from East Asia, and was taken to middle earth by Numenorean explorers)

[@felixphilippe7224]

they got it from kerala are u dopey

[@mattwong8465]

54.27 Given the conflict between Dunland and their neighbours I am imagining trips on the North South Road turning into a medieval version of Mad Max: Fury Road.

[@concept5631]

*54:27

[@mykelhedge7299]

I think the Pelanor Fields has more in common with both the 1683 Siege of Vienna and the 717 Siege of Constantinople, both major cities that were holding out against an overwhelming foe of a different religion while also being aided by their mainly mounted allies. Meanwhile I've always thought of the Battle of the Field of Celebrant to be inspired more by the Catalunian Fields as it was a rather despirate battle to turn back a dangerous force that required allies to win the day.

[@l.s.9095]

Technically the holy league army which relieved Vienna was majority infantry and these foot soilders were very important for the battle. The famous cavalry attack by the Polish-Lithuanian Hussaria only completed the victory. I also think Tolkien wasn't too keen on comparing his work to real history or drawing connections in this regard.

[@mykelhedge7299]

@@l.s.9095 I don’t think they are exact parallels, it’s more the inspiration behind the event. While majority infantry it is the cavalry charge the event is remembered for. I don’t think there is anything of a connection other than inspiration. The events were epic in scope and we’ll known so it’s only natural that they would influence a writer creating a fictional history.

[@metatron6262]

@@l.s.9095 To be fair Rohan's charge lines up with that. It was Aragorn's company and the Gondorian fiefdom (thus infantry) reinforcements that saved the city in the book. Rohan was admittedly the only other allied nation there (in major numbers).

[@burtan2000]

@@l.s.9095 He said that ppl mistake applicability for allegory or something like that. Admitting that his work would be influenced by our world and. y his own experiences. Still it's hard to not see The Winged Hussars arrival to save Christian world from the darker skinned foreigners from the south and east for what it was: God paying homage to Tolkien several hundred yrs before his birth

[@TomorrowWeLive]

@@l.s.9095 Lmao Tolkien lifted most of his history wholesale from real history. Down to the names

[@calebchristensen900]

This just came to me only bc I wasn't mentioned, but the woodland elves would be in a prime position to be the Main provider of furs in the north, on top of Alchohols fermented from the few wild nuts and berries that would grow in Mirkwood. Along with furs, I don't think leathers and hides would be out of the question either. The Mirkwood Stag hides in particular being of a very high value and beauty

[@IanHeins]

Nice work dude thanks

[@johnr7279]

I really like it when someone adds to Tolkien's world by doing things like this. I purchased The Atlas of Middle Earth when it first came out. It amazed me that there were enough details on the Tolkien books to create an Atlas and even what building layouts looked like. This is similar and gets you to thinking about those little details. Bilbo, and later Frodo, were definitely some form of landed gentry and I think the Master of Bag End simply collected rents from the other properties that made up Bagshot row. Some were collected rents and others were simply folks working to pay for their place and I think that's what the Gamgees did. Great stuff!

[@resileaf9501]

A compilation is always fun to watch! Getting a refresher of everything we've seen in the previous videos. :D

[@zakwangler6156]

This was such incredible content! One must wonder what could lead to Sauron to commit so many resources to gathering mithril. I wonder if it was to build him a suit of armor to inhabit, virtually impervious to harm. Especially given how he was defeated before.

[@alexeysaphonov232]

The video is great, I only want to note about illustrations: 1. Elvish swords are all straight (according the book), when orks, easterlings and haradrims has curved swords. 2. Elves humans alike were riding horses, no mooses (movie feature, as well as goatriding dwarws, which as you quote "never kept animals")

[@sivanlevi3867]

One of my favorite series is Tony Robinson's The Worst Jobs in History, where the man explores, and tries out, the toughest, messiest and most terrifying jobs in Britain, which were essential in building up the England of ages past and present. Truly fascinating and definitely worth recommending. I imagine some of those worst jobs you could find in Middle Earth if you traveled there.

[@amh9494]

Imagine being a night-soil man/hobbit in the shire, with how much they eat they'd fill up so quickly. 🤢

[@EgoEroTergum]

This is amazing! Please, please; do more of these! This is the kind of extrapolative world-building that really deepens the experience of immersing oneself in it. As a DM of RPGs and aspiring author, these little details do wonders for my suspension of disbelief; and I have never gotten a negative reaction from players when surprising them with the presence of the little mundanities that grease the wheels of a living breathing world.

[@ThePacificWarChannel]

Phew so much economic activity to write about! Was a blast =)!

[@HoldOffHunger]

This is such a well-detailed video. Make more like this, please.

[@matiasluukkanen7718]

About trade of Woodland Realm: Fur trade was major and lucrative business in northern Europe and Russia with trade creating great demand for all sort of fur articles; hats, hoods, cloaks, scarves, and muffs, and fur coats and luxury furs. Squirrel pelts even served as currency back in the day. Blond mink, marten, ermine, otter, sable, beaver, lynx, bobcat, white rabbit, silver striped fox, red fox, and less so pelts of wolf, squirrel, deer, would all be in high demand by the rest of Middle-Earth. The northern reaches of Mirkwood's wilderness would provide these animals in overwhelming abundance, and who is better versed or more untiring hunter than a wood-elf? No doubt Elvenking would demand tithe of all the furs his people hunted, and trade these for foodstuffs or luxury goods. Elvenking might even have something of a monopoly on luxury furs, making him wealthy and powerful man indeed.

[@deron2203]

man i love these economy society videos i can't get enough!

[@echosword6468]

These were a fantastic series of video! The art work was fantastic as well as the amount of work and effort that went into everything else.

[@cepheus7391]

I just watched this production for an hour and fifty mins..that is about one hour and thirty mins longer than i watched rings of power

[@Fan_Made_Videos]

Sauron lost not because of the destruction of his One Ring, but because he raised taxes in Mordor

[@felixphilippe7224]

wow really??

[@Mojo-IRE]

One of the best and most unique Tolkien videos ever made.

[@TheAd1383]

It is one of my proudest achievements to be in the credits of this video

[@WizardsandWarriors]

Our other long-form videos: War of the Ring - kzbin.info/www/bejne/eJ7UfIuKpr2aoq8 Rise and Fall of the Targaryens - kzbin.info/www/bejne/m52lgZqCiLt6oZI Elder Scrolls - History of the Septim Empire - kzbin.info/www/bejne/hoXQoZ9qaJx6nJI Nilfgardian Wars - kzbin.info/www/bejne/bquYmqybf6elidk Life and Battles of Sigmar - kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJ3aamycltJ3e8U

[@Hermanos22]

Music is a little too loud imho..

[@jaljalat7308]

We need more of lotr content this is too fascinating, i love it

[@ericmcdonald7313]

Awesome stuff

[@sivanlevi3867]

Thank you for increasing our knowledge!

[@MercuryKnight5]

Finally! A video about Aragorn's tax policy.

[@connorricketts1323]

loved the lore video great channel

[@metatron6262]

It might be worth noting that Gondor also extracted tribute from defeated enemies, with Hyarmendacil I at the very least taking tribute from the Haradrim.

[@Alvarnea]

Its criminal this doesny have a million views. Deepdives like this are fabulous XD

[@DarthKhai1991]

I love this breakdown!

[@ShadeHeart94]

Man this is fantastic, thank you for working hard and putting this visually and grammatically(?) beautiful piece together. Sitting down with a dry loaf of italian bread, a bowl of half and half to dip it in, and a bottle of choc syrup to pour on that while I listen to ye talk about hobbits, dwarves, elves, and how they get THEIR food 😂 Pleasant, peaceful, 2 in the mornin when everyone else is asleep and it's quiet.

[@smokingowly3607]

best video ever :D a simple but important question of every fantasy setting, how do they feed themselves?? great job.

[@13akis]

Tolkien always hated alligoria and tjhus he never wanted his Work to be confused with our world. I am glad he was thinking like that because if not, this would have corrupt or alternate his Masterpiece. Non the less of course your video has it's own interest and it's something interesting. Perhaps one my least favor because I love those you made that are Lore accurate. The way you did it, the way you presented them is absolutely amazing!

[@bitterzombie]

Im surprised you didnt mention Lembas bread. While not widely produced or distributed, it is a foodstuff that the elves cultivate, that is much more nourishing. They didnt trade it, but it would have supplimented the crops that they do trade for, as well as the meat they hunt. So in hard times, elves were more than capable of feeding themselves, without trade. For the elves, trade was probably done mostly for luxury items

[@leGUIGUI]

53:40 In those days, nickels had picture of Bumblebees on them. "Give me fives bees for a quarter" they used to say...

[@WhoIsCalli]

So good, loved watching this! Thanks so much for putting all parts into one

[@saint_tyler2945]

The absolute best video to listen to before bed

[@BichinAround]

Great video ❤

[@anthonyprezioso8115]

Great narration and Tolkien lore and history enjoyed and listened to the whole reaction. Take care

[@skoomauser4996]

This is pure gold and my 2nd watch through

[@rogersharp1650]

Very glad the algorithm guided me here. Solid content, new subscriber!

[@agora5230]

what a great analysis, I really enjoyed this! Thank you for the hard work you put into this!!

[@cliffwoodbury5319]

Amazing video - Love the art work. It's simple but well done (art work) and when put together with great order and presentation is more the sufficient to be enjoyable.

[@jasimine_b]

a truly beautiful achievement this video, albeit not flawless of course. one criticism i cannot withhold: your onscreen quotations should really have their sources stated, considering the huge wealth of writing you are drawing from. anyhow, thank you so much for this unique content!

[@jlburilov]

Very well presented and researched video. Even gave me puse, to think back... (Im a prolific Tolkien fan). Very well done.

[@bennyalpert1712]

great video thank you for creating it! I watched it all the way to the end. Don't forget to finish where start and start where you finish.

[@thomaswalsh4552]

1:50 “where there is labor, there is wages” Oh you sweet summer child

[@benjamintherogue2421]

It is hardly rare for people to sell their labor for a wage.

[@whilrybird67]

@@benjamintherogue2421who says a slave can sell anything

[@benjamintherogue2421]

@@whilrybird67 Who imagines every single person is a slave?

[@JasperKlijndijk]

awesome work, i just finished the 30 + hours audio books, and still much new information and context from this video

[@55tranquility]

Tolkien loved the English countryside. It is beautiful, the older I get the more I realise this - the way it changes throughout the year, birth, growth, death and rebirth again the cycle of life. Its early summer at the moment, it has been raining a fair bit and everywhere is bursting with bright greens and when the sun comes out the greens against a clear blue sky are stunning. I often walk my dogs early evening as the sun is setting, it can feel magical and mystical I can see how Tolkien was inspired. If i get up early enough, the mists across the fields feel as if I’m in the Barrow Downs lol, the sun then replacing the mist with a golden shine - love it!

[@DABViktor]

Thank you the Video and the English subtitle.

[@RosebenderE]

This needs more recognition

[@alfonstabz9741]

The hobbits are minimalist in work but grand in parties.

[@filipfica3580]

Can you make a video on the population of middle earth from the first age to the third age. I would like to see how many inhabitants each kingdom had, how many each city and how large the armies were estimated to be.

[@fernando1227]

I just found your channel, incredible and entertaining analysis of this fictional world, it gives mor life to it than it already had. Thank you.

[@OrbbKlesk]

I'll tell you one thing about the movie The Hobbit part 2. The treasure was absurdly exaggerated for the movie, of course. But if that amount of gold was to hit the market, it'd crash all of the trade in middle earth. Here on Earth I think the estimate is that we've mined about two and a half Olympic swimming pools worth of gold altogether. Now look at Smaug's horde. Damn.

[@impeachbiden2398]

Love your work! Keep it up. I appreciate the love for Tolkien’s works despite the minute infractions (they mean nothing haha but us Tolkien nerds and our incessant compulsion for language) ELENDIL!!!

[@ravinrabbit7932]

awesome artwork!

[@jesseflanders1781]

This makes me want an official LOTR Total War game. Soooo badly.

[@aidenlarson9911]

Well there is the third age mod for medieval 2 if you haven’t heard about it. It is old so I’d suggest you go with the Divide and Conquer submod. I’ve been obsessing over it for the past few months and it’s really the best and most in-depth strategy game for lotr that I’ve found.

[@andersstengard6293]

On the agriculture of Mordor, there is one aspect that I feel you forgot: That the lands of Nurn were the most fertile in Middle-Earth, if not Arda, and that is because of its geographical location: Set between the Lake of Nurnen and ironically, Mt. Doom. Volcanic soil has proven to be the most fertile soil in the world, thanks to mostly the ash a volcano produces and the minerals it releases into the earth. A geologist would know more about this than I do. I would, however, like to describe Italy and Java as references. Italy has at least two volcanoes, if not more, and much of the rich produce it made during the Roman Republic/Empire is a testament to the population Rome could sustain for its wars. Java, meanwhile, is one of the largest exporters of rice in the world right now, and that is due to the many active volcanoes that are on the island. Thus, Mt. Doom was not merely a symbol of the ever-lasting presence of Mordor and Sauron's influence; it was also a great benefactor to Sauron's population growth and sustenance for such numbers. Sauron had made Mordor his stronghold not just for the strategic benefit of having vast mountain ranges as natural walls but also for the agricultural benefits it offered him. And that probably made him the finest strategist in Middle-Earth alone. And Tolkien comes across as having put even more thought into the geography and subsequent economy even more for this.

[@ryannathaniel9296]

Ah, so Mordor would still have become a great power even without the rings involved. The more you learn about Tolkien's worldbuilding, the more you found things to love

[@MrChickennugget360]

i don't think there is every and statement in any of the books that Nirn was the most fertile lands in middle earth. That does not mean that Sauron would have deep knowledge on how the maximize agricultural output.

[@Someoneelse1994]

Wow great job!!!

[@renaigh]

Tolkien must have been a Cottagecore Anarchist.

[@zayoBIM]

Lmfao "Though Saruman had fallen on economic hard times..." @ 1:46:48. That's just good writing.

[@joanignace8684]

Amazing video fr I love it

[@the1adrenalinerush]

This was fantastic

[@HiveTyrant25]

Nitpick but when you say “Durin’s Folk,” that refers to a specific set of Dwarves, of whom literally all of the famous ones of the third age belong. The Dwarves had seven fathers, the most famous being Durin, and his descendants were the long beards AKA Durin’s Folk. The Dwarves that crafted the Nauglamír were of a different clan.

[@fantasywind3923]

The Shire definitely had internal and some external trade going on! The Shire would have traded with Bree-land for sure (as the example of the pipe-weed shows, the Bree-land produced their own Southlinch, but they got the better quality from Shire) and then there are the Dwarves! Tolkien wrote in a letter that they were important factor in economic relations of the Hobbits! "Yours is the only comment that I have seen that, besides treating the book as 'literature', at least in intent, and even taking it seriously (and praising or ridiculing it accordingly), also sees it as an elaborate form of the game of inventing a country - an endless one, because even a committee of experts in different branches could not complete the overall picture. I am more conscious of my sketchiness in the archaeology and realien than in the economics: clothes, agricultural implements, metal-working, pottery, architecture and the like. Not to mention music and its apparatus. I am not incapable of or unaware of economic thought; and I think as far as the 'mortals' go. Men, Hobbits, and Dwarfs, that the situations are so devised that economic likelihood is there and could be worked out: Gondor has sufficient 'townlands' and fiefs with a good water and road approach to provide for its population; and clearly has many industries though these are hardly alluded to. The Shire is placed in a water and mountain situation and a distance from the sea and a latitude that would give it a natural fertility, quite apart from the stated fact that it was a well-tended region when they took it over (no doubt with a good deal of older ans and crafts). The Shire-hobbits have no very great need of metals, but the Dwarfs are agents; and in the east of the Mountains of Lune are some of their mines (as shown in the earlier legends) : no doubt, the reason, or one of them, for their often crossing the Shire." Then there are numerous references at the beginning of Fellowship, when we hear of the economic activities going on before the famous birthday party: “The purchase of provisions fell almost to nothing throughout the district in the ensuing weeks; but as Bilbo’s catering had depleted the stocks of most stores, cellars and warehouses for miles around, that did not matter much.” … “The next day more carts rolled up the Hill, and still more carts. There might have been some grumbling about ‘dealing locally’, but that very week orders began to pour out of Bag End for every kind of provision, commodity, or luxury that could be obtained in Hobbiton or Bywater or anywhere in the neighbourhood.” So that paints a picture of rather thriving internal trade, wiht occassional contacts with outside forces like Dwarves, Bree-landers etc. We hear a lot about various hobbit craftsmen, smiths and so on: “The poorest went on living in burrows of the most primitive kind, mere holes indeed, with only one window or none; while the well-to-do still constructed more luxurious versions of the simple diggings of old. But suitable sites for these large and ramifying tunnels (or smials as they called them) were not everywhere to be found; and in the flats and the low-lying districts the Hobbits, as they multiplied, began to build above ground. Indeed, even in the hilly regions and the older villages, such as Hobbiton or Tuckborough, or in the chief township of the Shire, Michel Delving on the White Downs, there were now many houses of wood, brick, or stone. These were specially favoured by millers, smiths, ropers, and cartwrights, and others of that sort; for even when they had holes to live in. Hobbits had long been accustomed to build sheds and workshops.” Local craftsmen, as well as occassional outsiders like the Dwarves offering their goods and services would be more than enough to see the economic activity of the Shire. Then there are hints like The Hobbit mentioned that Bilbo sometimes borrowed money: "“All the same, I should like it all plain and clear," said he obstinately, putting on his business manner (usually reserved for people who tried to borrow money off him), and doing his best to appear wise and prudent and professional and live up to Gandalf's recommendation." So one can assume that Bilbo had some small dealings in borrowing money, and probably had some revenue from property, the Baggins family seems to have some possessions, though Bungo, Bilbo's father build the Bag End largely using the money of his wife from the Tooks :). The money lending seems to exist in some form, even the Dwarves might have been doing that. "Altogether those were good days for us, and the poorest of us had money to spend and to lend, and leisure to make beautiful things just for the. fun of it, not to speak of the most marvellous and magical toys, the like of which is not to be found in the world now-a-days."

[@TheEyez187]

1:18:00 - I grew up in the West Midlands, one of the epicentres of Tolkien's dislike; major industries; so much smog and smoke, the area's actually called 'The Black Country'! Though I now live in the Shire..... Shropshire; in fact I think my neighbours could pass for hobbits, only growing out not up... and have (in my firm belief) on occasion given mathoms as Xmas presents!! :/ :) 1:21:00 - What, don't Orc's [Ork's] use teeth for currency!?! :D Come on, we all know the Elves are all old money; see how much money you get from many thousands yrs of interest; to say nothing of dying, collecting the life insurance; and then being resurrected with said fortune in a non-extradition country- sneaky little Elveses's >XD

[@seand.g423]

Ah, but by what proof, if not blood or bond, could one life collect from another?

[@sentientmonocle7828]

I loved the video!!! , economics is a true and valuable component of world building, I hope the algorithm Gods shine its light on this Quality work, especially for the sake of the team members survival chances.

[@mattgrandich3977]

@45:03 It almost seems as if the elves were fasting during their time on Middle-Earth in an almost spiritual sense: while they enjoyed their food and drink they never gluttoned and were frugal while on Middle-Earth, their home away from home.

[@StephenDeagle]

If all of Western philosophy is said to be but a series of footnotes on Plato's writings, then I think it can be similarly asserted that all of Western fantasy is footnotes on Tolkien.

[@ryancruz1876]

Tolkien was heavily influenced by Plato. Specifically Tolkien was inspired to create his One Ring because of Plato’s ring.

[@theevilascotcompany9255]

@@ryancruz1876 Tolkien's Numenor is basically Plato's Atlantis, which Plato described as being as racially diverse as Numenor is depicted in Rings of Power.

[@seand.g423]

​@@theevilascotcompany9255we do not often, nor ever fondly, speak of that late mockery...

[@user-jq1mg2mz7o]

@@ryancruz1876 It's one of a few influences. More directly it's likely also influenced by the Green Fairy Book by Andrew Lang that compiles a bunch of fairy tales and one of them is about a ring that... turns you invisible. And that the protagonist realises is a powerful temptation and danger to himself. Dragon of the North in Yellow Fairy Book has an inscribed ring in unknown letters that a magician spends weeks to study. And we know Tolkien definitely read *and* loved these books given that he did lectures on them and wrote his Fairy Stories essay on it *and* the library he went to has records of him borrowing those books

[@aleksandrsolzhenitsyn6829]

amazing job

[@rayray6548]

ok, now i need a LOTR Economy game.

[@felixphilippe7224]

paint a monopoly board

[@Oscarspoem]

Wow. Honestly brilliant.

[@oathsworn]

Tolkien's response about the Jews is so classic! What a legend!