Hama

Hama (Arabic: حماة‎ Ḥamāh [ħaˈmaː], Biblical Ḥamāth, "fortress") is a city on the banks of the Orontes River in west-central Syria. It is located 213 km (132 mi) north of Damascus and 46 kilometres (29 mi) north of Homs. It is the provincial capital of the Hama Governorate. With a population of 854,000 (2009 census), Hama is the fourth-largest city in Syria after Aleppo, Damascus and Homs.

The city is renowned for its seventeen norias used for watering the gardens, which are locally claimed to date back to 1100 BC. Though historically used for purpose of irrigation, the norias exist today as an almost entirely aesthetic traditional show.

In the last decades, the city of Hama has become known as a center of the anti-Ba'ath opposition in Syria, most notably the Muslim Brotherhood. The city was raided by the Syrian Army, beginning with the 1964 Islamist uprising, and becoming the scene of carnage during the Islamist uprising in Syria in April 1981 and especially in 1982, when nearly 25,000 people were killed in what became known as Hama massacre. The city was once again the site of conflict between the Syrian military and opposition forces, as one of the main arenas of the Syrian civil war in 2011 and 2012.

Háma (Middle-earth)

Háma is a fictional character in J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium. He is the doorward of King Théoden of Rohan and captain of the King's guard. He appears in the second volume, The Two Towers.

Appearances

Literature

On March 2, 3019 T.A., Háma greeted Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli when they arrived at Meduseld. He told the travellers that they must leave their weapons outside the door before entering the King's hall. Aragorn was reluctant to part with his sword, but Háma said that it was the will of King Théoden and that Aragorn must put aside his sword or fight with all the Men of Edoras. At last, Aragorn agreed but commanded Háma to prevent anyone from touching Andúril. The others left their weapons, but Gandalf kept his staff. Háma allowed this, saying:

With the aid of his staff, Gandalf was able to free Théoden from the influence of his counsellor Gríma Wormtongue, who worked for Saruman. Háma was summoned to release Théoden's nephew Éomer from imprisonment and bring him before the King. Éomer asked Háma to bring him his sword, Gúthwinë, and Háma did as he was asked, for he was overjoyed that the young Marshal of the Mark was freed. Théoden was surprised to see Éomer armed and Háma confessed that it was his doing, but at length Théoden accepted Éomer's sword and his pledge of loyalty.

Hama (disambiguation)

Hama is a city in central Syria, known as Hamath in antiquity.

Hama and various other transliterations may also refer to:

Sites in the Middle East and connected events

Strictly historical locations