Tar Carlion, popular as Ar-Pharazon, was the last king of the Numenoreans. He was also known by his byname, the Golden. [1] His Kingdom had so much power that Sauron's only tactic against them was to surrender and corrupt his people from within. He led Numenor to destruction with his desire to change the Earth and live an immortal life.
Biography
After a year of Tar-Palantir's reign as king, The leader of the King's men, Gimilkhad gave birth to Ar-pharazon. Gimilkhad's son grew into the likes of the ancient heroes in strength and will. As a young man, he had some closeness with young Amandil of Andunie but stuck to his father's instructions, which was in line with the King's men's doctrines. Ar-pharazon grew in thirst for wealth, power, and glory. He devoted his time to training other Black Numenoreans for war against the people of Endor. Ar-Pharazon's abilities earned him the wealth, honor, and what he desired most of all, power. His people loved him as he bought goodwill with his wealth and kindness. Tar-Palantir met his end while having no son, he, however, had a daughter named Miriel.
Ar-pharazon saw the opportunity for him in a union with Miriel and forced her to marry him. He married her and changed her name, which was Elvish, to Zimraphel because he disliked using any elvish word. Ar-pharazon worsened the situation of The Faithful in Endor. The words of Sauron's expansion in Endor reached Ar-pharazon. In pride and disgust for the title of Lord of Men that Sauron called himself, he marched to Mordor and challenged Sauron. The servants of Sauron fled when the words of the Black Numenoreans approach reached them. Sauron knew he stood no chance against the leader of the Numenoreans, So he pretended to be caught in awe of Ar-pharazon and the strength of his forces. Ar-Pharazon sensed Sauron's deceit and held him as a prisoner in Numenor. Sauron's craftiness endeared him to Ar-Pharazon. He made Ar-Pharazon see his loyalty and trust him enough to take counsel from him.
Ar-pharazon soon became so fond of Sauron that he confided in him as the chief counsel. Sauron corrupted Ar-Pharazon by recommending the worship of Morgoth for immortality, although he was only using the worship of Morgoth for his plans. Ar-pharazon desired immortality above all things and his desire made him thoughtless. Ar Pharazon raised a temple for Morgoth and worshipped with his people. He permitted the persecution of the Dunedain that do not believe in his doctrine. Ar-Pharazon fell the White Tree in Numenor in defiance to the Valar, and Sauron made him despise the Valar and their ruling more with every counsel he gave. Ar-Pharazon soon became so devout to the worship of Morgoth that he used the weak Dunedains in sacrifice to Morgoth.
Ar-Pharazon noticed the signs of old-age in him and despaired greatly. In desperation, he sought counsel and Sauron told him to demand immortality from the Valar. He told Ar-Pharazon to force the Valar with a fight if they refuse his request. The Dunedain began the construction of the ship named Great Armament for the attack on Valinor. In SA 3319, Ar- Pharazon finally landed on the shores of the Undying Lands. The Valar feared for the worst from the children of Iluvatar, they then called on Iluvatar to interfere. Eru Iluvatar responded by changing the face of Arda and causing the fleet of the Numenoreans to sink. He sank Ar-Pharazôn's fleet and all of Númenor beneath the ocean, changing the shape of the world. He disconnected Valinor from Endor and reached a mortal. Eru Iluvatar made Valinor accessible only to the firstborns (Elves), Half-elves, and ring-bearers, reaching it only when they sailed into the far west following the straight path. The last king of Numenor and his host perished in the depth of the Cave for the Forgotten. The formidable host of Numenor may be revived for Arda's Dagor Dagorath.
Ar-pharazon saw the opportunity for him in a union with Miriel and forced her to marry him. He married her and changed her name, which was Elvish, to Zimraphel because he disliked using any elvish word. Ar-pharazon worsened the situation of The Faithful in Endor. The words of Sauron's expansion in Endor reached Ar-pharazon. In pride and disgust for the title of Lord of Men that Sauron called himself, he marched to Mordor and challenged Sauron. The servants of Sauron fled when the words of the Black Numenoreans approach reached them. Sauron knew he stood no chance against the leader of the Numenoreans, So he pretended to be caught in awe of Ar-pharazon and the strength of his forces. Ar-Pharazon sensed Sauron's deceit and held him as a prisoner in Numenor. Sauron's craftiness endeared him to Ar-Pharazon. He made Ar-Pharazon see his loyalty and trust him enough to take counsel from him.
Ar-pharazon soon became so fond of Sauron that he confided in him as the chief counsel. Sauron corrupted Ar-Pharazon by recommending the worship of Morgoth for immortality, although he was only using the worship of Morgoth for his plans. Ar-pharazon desired immortality above all things and his desire made him thoughtless. Ar Pharazon raised a temple for Morgoth and worshipped with his people. He permitted the persecution of the Dunedain that do not believe in his doctrine. Ar-Pharazon fell the White Tree in Numenor in defiance to the Valar, and Sauron made him despise the Valar and their ruling more with every counsel he gave. Ar-Pharazon soon became so devout to the worship of Morgoth that he used the weak Dunedains in sacrifice to Morgoth.
Ar-Pharazon noticed the signs of old-age in him and despaired greatly. In desperation, he sought counsel and Sauron told him to demand immortality from the Valar. He told Ar-Pharazon to force the Valar with a fight if they refuse his request. The Dunedain began the construction of the ship named Great Armament for the attack on Valinor. In SA 3319, Ar- Pharazon finally landed on the shores of the Undying Lands. The Valar feared for the worst from the children of Iluvatar, they then called on Iluvatar to interfere. Eru Iluvatar responded by changing the face of Arda and causing the fleet of the Numenoreans to sink. He sank Ar-Pharazôn's fleet and all of Númenor beneath the ocean, changing the shape of the world. He disconnected Valinor from Endor and reached a mortal. Eru Iluvatar made Valinor accessible only to the firstborns (Elves), Half-elves, and ring-bearers, reaching it only when they sailed into the far west following the straight path. The last king of Numenor and his host perished in the depth of the Cave for the Forgotten. The formidable host of Numenor may be revived for Arda's Dagor Dagorath.
Legacy of Ar-Pharazon
He rose to power with kindness and valor. When he finally achieved the power, he craved immortality and hated all that the Valar stood for. His quest for Immortality led him to be a fore-runner of Morgoth's worship with the influence of Sauron's counsel. He consequently became a tyrant that killed his people for Morgoth's worship. His reign and lineage ended with his fall at Valinor. The line of Numenor's ancestor, Elros, was preserved through Valandil, the child of Elros's great-granddaughter called Silmarien. Valandil became the Lord of Anduin.
Elendil, the son of the leader for the faithful, established another realm for Numenoreans in exile that he and his two sons ruled in Endor. He became the first king that ruled all Dunedain, and the first High King of the two kingdoms in exile, Gondor and Rohan. Elendil met his end in the hands of Sauron during the War of the Last Alliance. Ar-Pharazon remained an enigmatic figure in Numenorean folklore despite his disregard for the Valar, as he was the only King amongst in Endor to make Sauron tremble at his feet in humiliation. Numenoreans in Umbar raised a statue in his honor and named it Numenor's Golden King. The structure was later destroyed by the same Numenoreans that raised it as a sign of allegiance to Sauron.
Elendil, the son of the leader for the faithful, established another realm for Numenoreans in exile that he and his two sons ruled in Endor. He became the first king that ruled all Dunedain, and the first High King of the two kingdoms in exile, Gondor and Rohan. Elendil met his end in the hands of Sauron during the War of the Last Alliance. Ar-Pharazon remained an enigmatic figure in Numenorean folklore despite his disregard for the Valar, as he was the only King amongst in Endor to make Sauron tremble at his feet in humiliation. Numenoreans in Umbar raised a statue in his honor and named it Numenor's Golden King. The structure was later destroyed by the same Numenoreans that raised it as a sign of allegiance to Sauron.
Etymology
His name was Tar-Calion (with Calion translating to the Son of Light). He chose the Adunaic name of Pharazon (meaning "like gold").
The Portrayal of Ar-Pharazon the Golden in Adaptations
In the action role-playing video game Middle-earth: Shadow of War [2] published by Warner Bros, Ar-Pharazon was either replaced with a Numenorean King called Sulandan or his story was an inspiration for a new character. In the game, Sulandan led his army to Sauron's realm. He beleaguered Mordor and took Sauron hostage. Sauron offered one of his rings of power to Sulandan. The king accepted and Sauron gradually controlled and corrupted him. Sauron became his confidant before he gradually turned into a Ringwraith. Sulandan is likely one of the names for Tar Calion at birth.
