Rhûn

Rhûn is a fictional region in J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium, located to the east of the Misty Mountains in Middle-earth. It is described as a vast land of plains and steppe, extending across much of the eastern part of the continent. A major geographic feature associated with the area is the Sea of Rhûn, an inland body of water that lies to the east and serves as a notable landmark in maps and lore.

The land is inhabited by a variety of eastern peoples, most prominently the Easterlings. Rather than a single unified state, Rhûn is depicted as a mosaic of kingdoms, tribes, and polities, with shifting alliances and rivalries. The region’s political landscape is often described in relation to its eastern neighbors, and many eastern realms maintained contact with, or influence from, larger powers in the West during different periods of history.

In Tolkien’s narratives, Rhûn appears in the context of broader Middle-earth history, including interactions with the western realms of Gondor and Rohan. During the later ages, some eastern factions allied with Sauron in his wars, while others pursued independent ambitions. The region is frequently cited in discussions of trade routes, migrations, and military campaigns that shaped eastern–western relations in Middle-earth.

Legacy and depictions: Rhûn has a significant presence in Tolkien’s writings and in various adaptations, where it is explored as a setting for Eastern cultures, incursions, and rival powers. It remains a commonly referenced part of the broader geography and history of Middle-earth.