Why didn't the 🧙Istari fight with 👁️Sauron?

[Pippin]

Istari and Maiar

There`s one point i can`t get clear. If Galdalf is a Maia as Suron, why didn`t he figth with him. Afterall there are similar in power. Isn`t that rigth?

 

[Beleg Strongbow]

Re: Istari and Maiar

No. Gandalf for starters wasn't allowed to fight him. The Istari weren't allowed to do it. Gandalf wasn't dstrong or powerful enough to fight Sauron. The only thing he could beat him in was being wise. Sauron would have destroyed Gandalf. Sauron along with Eonwe, Osse are the strongest of the maia. The only people that could fight sauron and win would be Eonwe and Osse and the vala. Mayb some special elves like Fingolfin and some menm like Turin. But he was a lot stronger and as Gandalf said he doesn't think he was ready or if he ever would be to confront Sauron in the palantir. The Istari weren't allowed by the vala to work in that way they couldbn't dominate others. He beat sauron with his mind. He was wiser then him and thats what brought his downfall.

 

[Gil-Galad]

Valar choose five Mayar to go to ME.They musn't oppose Sauron with power.They have to help people and elves to win.I think the idea was that Mayar were sent to help people to live live in their own.So Gandalf had to take a human body and become a part of all creatures of ME.

 

[Anamatar IV]

except i think sauron was one of those maiar.

 

[Legolam]

Ah, I get what you're saying now. No, Sauron wasn't one of them. Their names were Curunir (Saruman), Olorin (Gandalf), Radagast, Pallando and Alatar. They were there to sort out the mess that Sauron had made but, like Beleg said, couldn't use direct force against him.

 

[Anamatar IV]

why was sauron sent over then?

 

[Camille]

Sauron was one the maiar that melkor had called to the dark side (oops Star wars...) anyway Sauron had been in ME since first age, no one send him he was there looking to destroy the elves, men, dwarves, everything

 

[Úlairi]

Here is a passage from UT:

"For with the consent of Eru they sent members of their own high order, but clad in bodies as of Men, real and not feigned, but subject to the fears and pains and weariness of the earth, able to hunger and be slain; though because of their noble spirits they did not die, and aged only by the cares and labours of many long years. And this the Valar did, desiring to amend the errrors of old, especially that they had attempted to guard and seclude the Eldar by their own might and glory fully revealed; whereas now their emissaries were forbidden to reveal themselves in forms of majesty, or to seek and rule the wills of Men or Elves by open display of power, but coming in shapes weak and humble were bidden to advise and persuade Men and Elves to do good, and to seek to unite in love and understanding all those whom Sauron, should he come again, would endeavour to dominate and corrupt."

So, in order for the Istari to defeat Sauron they would need to display themselves in forms of majesty, which they were forbidden to do. Here is another passage from UT:

"It was afterwards said that they came out of the Far West and were messengers sent to contest the power of Sauron, and to unite all those who had the will to resist him; but they were forbidden to match his power with power, or to seek to dominate Elves and Men by force and fear."

So there you have it. The Istari could not match Sauron's power with power. All they could do was rally and unite the people's of Middle-earth to stop Sauron, they could not do it themselves.

 

[Úlairi]

Originally posted by Legolam
Ah, I get what you're saying now. No, Sauron wasn't one of them. Their names were Curunir (Saruman), Olorin (Gandalf), Radagast, Pallando and Alatar. They were there to sort out the mess that Sauron had made but, like Beleg said, couldn't use direct force against him.

Pallando and Alatar also had other names. Morinehtar (Darkness-Slayer) and Romestamo (East-Helper) according to 'The Peoples of Middle-earth'. The twelfth volume of 'The History of Middle-earth'.

 

[Pippin]

I understand Istari origins are sais in UT. I need some advice here, should I read UT at last after the whole ME stories, or there is no problem giving the books not order at all.

 

[Beleg Strongbow]

I would read it. It is great.

 

[Mormegil]

I would definately read UT if you want to know more about the Istari. And then read PoME, it contains a little bit more information.

 

[Úlairi]

Yes, Mormegil and I had a little debate over that!

 

[Grond]

Originally posted by Pippin
I understand Istari origins are sais in UT. I need some advice here, should I read UT at last after the whole ME stories, or there is no problem giving the books not order at all.

I would read the Silmarillion first, then the Unfinished Tales and then start with HoMe but do them backwards. Start with Volume 12, The Peoples of Middle-earth and work your way backwards.

 

[Úlairi]

Why did you read it backwards Grond? I read it forwards!

 

[Beleg Strongbow]

Yes i would like to know 2.

 

[Úlairi]

Have you read HoME Beleg?

 

[Beleg Strongbow]

Originally posted by Ulairi
Have you read HoME Beleg?

Nope.

 

[Úlairi]

Who here has read them?

 

[Beleg Strongbow]

I'm not sure if that many ppls have.