First Age

The First Age, also known as the Elder Days, originated when the newly-awakened Children of Ilúvatar began to spread all over the world. It finally ended with the deposition of Morgoth.

The First Age began with the Awakening of the Elves, but the Years of the Sun of the First Age continued to exist for only 590 years. Following the voyage of Earendil, the armies of Valinor and Beleriand united with each other. They, with joint effort, ended the First Age defeating Morgoth. J.R.R.Tolkien prominently portrays the happening of Beleriand in the First Age. The events of Beleriand are focused on the battles pursued by the Sindar, the Noldor, and the Three Houses of Edain (Mankind). All of them opposed the supremacy of Morgoth. The Elves have lived in Beleriand for millions of ages. They are not related to Morgoth other than their mere existence. Initially, the combat commenced in the Years of the Trees. After the Noldor arrived at the Beleriand, it was intensified. Unlike the Elves, the sons of Feanor, among the Noldor, entered Beleriand with the supreme determination to overthrow Morgoth.

• War for The Sake of the Elves - It was fought exclusively between the forces of the Valar and Melkor, and the Elves knew only what the Valar told them about this disastrous clash, during which the face of Arda itself changed significantly, since there were formed new seas and lands. The most part of the conflict was occupied by the long-enduring siege of Utumno, but in the end the Valar successfully crushed its bastions and penetrated it, dragging Melkor out and chaining him with the Angainor.
• Dagor-nuin-Giliath - This is the second major battle under the stars, in the wars of Beleriand. The Dagor-nuin-Giliath [1] happened before the origin of the sun's rise. The first major war of Beleriand occurred in the year of trees. This battle is the first battle to be fought by the deported Noldor, on their arrival. Following the Noldor’s settlement in Hithlum, Morgoth sends out a troop of marauders from Angband to assault them. The Elves won, making Morgoth’s forces retreat to Angband. However, Feanor was killed in the battle.
• Dagor Aglareb - The third battle of the wars of Beleriand happened 75 years after the arrival of the Noldor. Morgoth made repeated attempts to assault the Noldor, but he failed every time. The Dagor Aglareb is a significant battle that led to the Siege of Angband, which helped contain the forces of Morgoth. But it was not efficient for a long time, as the northern side of Angband is safeguarded by Ered Engrin. The mountain of Iron was inaccessible to the forces of Elves.
• Dagor Bragolloch - The battle of sudden flames is the third major war of the Beleriand, which ended the Siege of Angband. It started when Morgoth poured rivers of fire and flames of poison from the mountain of Iron. It was aimed to drive away from the Elves from the watch of Angband. Before the Noldor could regain their vigilance, they faced immense loss. The attack was so cruel and devastating that the flourishing lands of Ard-Galen turned into barren lands. It was later named as Anfauglith, which meant “the choking dust.” The Edain's habitat, the highland of Dorthonion, became fruitless and they had to abandon it.
• Nirnaeth Arnoediad - Noldor's first battle against Morgoth was fought to overthrow his power. The Nirnaeth Arnoediad battle brought together the forces of Elves, Edain, and Bor and Ulfang, who belonged to Easterling houses, and also alliances of Sons of Feanor. Their plot against Morgoth failed even after they were able to successfully infiltrate Angband due to Ulfang. It turned out that Ulfang was already under the influence of Morgoth and betrayed the group. The sons of Feanor have driven away, and the innocent of Beleriand was slain. As a result, the land of Hithlum was abandoned. In the center of Anfauglith, the Elves and Men were killed in heaps by the troops of Morgoth. The last hope of the Elves to overpower Morgoth was thus shattered. Hence, this war was called the Battle of unnumbered Tears.
• War of Wrath - The War of Wrath [2] happened towards the end of the first age. To convince the Valar to assist in the saving of the abandoned people, Earendil set sail for Valinor. Later, the Valar brought together the troops of Maiar, Vanyar, and Noldors of Valinor. The Teleri agreed to assist in sailing the armies of Valar in their eminent battleships. However, they denied to support them in the battle due to the Kinslaying at Alqualonde. This battle portrays the participation of the winged dragons, especially Ancalagon the black, in the First Age for the first time. But still, it was a victorious day for the Valar, as Morgoth was imprisoned and thrown out of Arda. This battle destroyed the lands of Morgoth and part of Beleriand. It sent them beneath the sea due to the intensity of this battle.

1. ^Dagor-nuin-Giliath.
2. ^The War of Wrath.