The Fall of Arthur is an unfinished poem by J. R. R. Tolkien, recovered from his archives by his son, Christopher Tolkien. It recounts the final campaign of the legendary King King Arthur who, while campaigning near the borders of Mirkwood, is forced to return to Britain after learning of the betrayal of his son, Mordred.
Already devastated by the affair between his wife, Guinevere, and the now-exiled knight Lancelot, Arthur gathers his loyal knights for the final battle against the rebel Mordred and his foreign mercenaries.
Filled with power, passion, and vivid imagery, the poem brilliantly showcases the unique narrative gift of the great J. R. R. Tolkien.
The volume also includes three illuminating essays by Christopher Tolkien, exploring the literary world of the Arthurian legends, revealing the deeper meaning of the verses, and tracing the special connection between The Fall of Arthur and the author’s greatest creation, The Silmarillion.
The Greek translation employs the fifteen-syllable iambic verse of the traditional political meter. The translated poem appears alongside the original text so that, together with the translator’s notes, readers may gain a deeper understanding of the legend that has fascinated audiences for centuries.
