Men were mortal beings that the Eldar called Atani. Men in their different races arose with the second spring of Arda that followed the sun's rising, The creation of men followed the Eldar's in Endor. They have the most desire for power of all beings, and it was this weakness that the two Dark Lords used to influence them.
Origins
Iluvatar raised The Eldar in the first spring of Arda. For the second spring, he waited for three centuries to pass to raise men, and for this reason, they were known as Secondborn or Afterborn. Men began living as the sun arose and new lives flourished in Endor. Iluvatar gave the Atani a special ability to die, and so the Atani would grow weary with time and die to find rest from the worries of Endor. The Eldar do not have this privilege. Eldar were not mortals like men as they were not prone to the things that men struggle against; Eldar do not have diseases or age. Eldar can die of bodily harm but will have their spirit bound to Arda, by waiting in the Realm of Mandos until the end of Arda.
Terms
The Eldar referred to men with many names. Such names include Atani in their Quenyan; Atani means second being. Other names in Quenya are Firimar (Mortal), Engwar (Prone to sick), Hildor, and (aftercomers). Other names were later attributed to groups of men for different actions of men, they include the Usurpers (for Castamir and followers), the inscrutable, e.t.c. The Eldar gave specific names to men's households that have some closeness to them, such as Edain (Which also means Atani but it's Sindarin). The Eldar would call men who opposed Edain the Hravani or Rhevain which means the Wild or Black men. Easterlings were targeted for the name Hravani (Wild Men) and the Haradhrim were called Rhevain (Black Men). Edain, as mentioned, were men who had a close-relation to Eldar, especially those who had fought in War of Wrath alongside the Eldar during the days in Beleriand. If we compare Tolkien's work to the world outside, Haradhim would be located in the continent of Africa and the Easterlings would be the Asians.
Groups and Tribes of Men
In Tolkien's works, men's diverse cultures began from groups that arose as a result of the sundering of a single community. The Eldar classified the Edains into three households: The first class was the household of Beor that moved to Beleriand in 305 F.A Finrod Felagund gave the Household permission to dwell in the region of Ladros in Dorthonion. The second household of the Edain, the House of Haladin that had its people settle in Brethil's Forest. Haldad led the household before Haleth, his daughter, took over after some time. The third household was that of Marach, it was also the household of Hador. The third household became the most powerful as it produced great descendants, it was first led by Marach and then Hador. Apart from the Edain, some groups of men allied with Morgoth, while other groups did not involve themselves. They avoided the fight with Morgoth and also did not cross Hithaeglir. The Easterlings and the Haradhrim supported the Dark Lords against their kind. First, they supported Morgoth, then Sauron after him. In all ages of Arda, groups of men showed exemplary abilities. Here are the groups of men for every age in Arda.
Edain and Dúnedain
The Valar and the Eldar received support from the households of men in the fierce War of Wrath that ended Morgoth's evil. Edain were instrumental in the victory and received the reward of new land that was far from the troubles of Endor. The new land was an island later called Numenor, which stood between Endor and the Undying Lands. Elros led the victorious household of men to Numenor with help from Earendil, his father. Earendil helped them get the direction needed by sailing the skies as a star. Elros became its first king of Numenor after arriving at the new land. The Eldar referred to others with Elros as Dunedain (which means Men from the West in Sindarin). The kingdom grew in power as the Dunedain were warriors and great men.
The Numenoreans allied with the Eldar to attack the rising Dark Lord Sauron. When the Numenoreans saw how powerful they have become, and that nothing could stop them except death. They began to question the wisdom behind immortality. They wanted more time to enjoy the glory of Numenor and instigated themselves to rebel against the order of the Valar. The order that prevented them from sailing until Numenor went out of their sight, and from entering Valinor. In 2899 S.A, the King of Numenor [1] rebelled against the Valar by taking a royal name in the language other than Quenya.
Ar-Adûnakhôr took his name and became the first king to show such effrontery as his royal name was in men’s tongue, Adûnaic. As a result of the internal conflict, the Numenoreans became separated into two groups. The people loyal to the king in his rebellion, these people were the majority and were appreciated with benefits from the king; they were known as the King's Men. The other group of Faithful Numenoreans was the minority that lord of Andúnië influenced. They were mostly in the far west of Númenor; they preferred Quenyan over the mannish language of Adunaic as the Valar pleased. Sauron saw the crisis in Numenor as the opportunity to divide them and weaken the kingdom therefore he submitted to the forces of Ar-pharazon.
As Sauron was cunning, he rose quickly to a trusted counsel of the King of Numenor and encouraged the people to abandon the worship of Eru for Melkor. Sauron deceived Ar-pharazon that the only hope of immortal life for the Numenoreans was to go to Valinor to demand it with force. Ar-pharazon fell for Sauron's plot and sailed towards Valinor. He and his host of King's men were destroyed and only The Faithfuls survived the calamity that led to the fall of Numenor. The survivors went on to establish two new Kingdoms, Arnor and Gondor.
The Numenoreans allied with the Eldar to attack the rising Dark Lord Sauron. When the Numenoreans saw how powerful they have become, and that nothing could stop them except death. They began to question the wisdom behind immortality. They wanted more time to enjoy the glory of Numenor and instigated themselves to rebel against the order of the Valar. The order that prevented them from sailing until Numenor went out of their sight, and from entering Valinor. In 2899 S.A, the King of Numenor [1] rebelled against the Valar by taking a royal name in the language other than Quenya.
Ar-Adûnakhôr took his name and became the first king to show such effrontery as his royal name was in men’s tongue, Adûnaic. As a result of the internal conflict, the Numenoreans became separated into two groups. The people loyal to the king in his rebellion, these people were the majority and were appreciated with benefits from the king; they were known as the King's Men. The other group of Faithful Numenoreans was the minority that lord of Andúnië influenced. They were mostly in the far west of Númenor; they preferred Quenyan over the mannish language of Adunaic as the Valar pleased. Sauron saw the crisis in Numenor as the opportunity to divide them and weaken the kingdom therefore he submitted to the forces of Ar-pharazon.
As Sauron was cunning, he rose quickly to a trusted counsel of the King of Numenor and encouraged the people to abandon the worship of Eru for Melkor. Sauron deceived Ar-pharazon that the only hope of immortal life for the Numenoreans was to go to Valinor to demand it with force. Ar-pharazon fell for Sauron's plot and sailed towards Valinor. He and his host of King's men were destroyed and only The Faithfuls survived the calamity that led to the fall of Numenor. The survivors went on to establish two new Kingdoms, Arnor and Gondor.
Black Númenóreans and Haradrim
Before the destruction of Numenor, it's people excelled in shipbuilding, and as sailors. Many Numenoreans migrated out of Numenor as the Kingdom was becoming overpopulated. They left for different reasons, the faithful left for their kins' persecution while the kingsman left Numenor to extend the power of Numenor.
The faithful Numenoreans migrated to Pelagir, while the kingsman settled in Umbar. After the destruction of Numenor, the kingsman that migrated to Umbar became Black Numenoreans and resumed hostility towards the Faithfuls. Sauron later had his allies from the race of men taken from the black Numenoreans and Easterlings.
The kings of the Black Numenoreans also became Ringwraiths for Sauron in the Second Age. Many other vicious people rose from the Black Numenoreans before the army of Gondor conquered it in 933 of the Third Age. One such person was Queen Beruthiel. She was the vicious wife of King Tarannon of Gondor. [2]
In the far east of Umbar, another group of men with distinct qualities of dark-skin became allies of Dark Lord Sauron and joined the Black Numenoreans and the Easterlings in hostility to Gondor. Hyarmendacil I eased the tyranny upon the people of Gondor in 1050 of the Third Age.
The faithful Numenoreans migrated to Pelagir, while the kingsman settled in Umbar. After the destruction of Numenor, the kingsman that migrated to Umbar became Black Numenoreans and resumed hostility towards the Faithfuls. Sauron later had his allies from the race of men taken from the black Numenoreans and Easterlings.
The kings of the Black Numenoreans also became Ringwraiths for Sauron in the Second Age. Many other vicious people rose from the Black Numenoreans before the army of Gondor conquered it in 933 of the Third Age. One such person was Queen Beruthiel. She was the vicious wife of King Tarannon of Gondor. [2]
In the far east of Umbar, another group of men with distinct qualities of dark-skin became allies of Dark Lord Sauron and joined the Black Numenoreans and the Easterlings in hostility to Gondor. Hyarmendacil I eased the tyranny upon the people of Gondor in 1050 of the Third Age.
The Corsairs
This was another group of men that were skilled in sailing and brutal as an opponent, they were not allies of Sauron but Mercenaries. In the battle of Pelennor Hills, the Dead Men of Dunharrow [3] delayed their ships, so they were unable to fight on the side of Sauron.
Variags
Although they did not appear in the Films adaptations, they were a renowned race of men that were excellent horse-riders. They live in the southern part of Rhun, Khand. Their distinct features were their brown skin, long beards, and mustaches. They used wains and handlebars in battle.
Easterlings
The Easterlings were the majority of the army from the race of men that fought on the side of the two Dark Lords, they fought for Morgoth and then Sauron. They dwell in the area around the Rhun Sea. There were periods in the history of Arda when the Easterlings offered their service to Eldar, such as Bor offering his service along with his sons to Maedhros and Maglor, and Ulfang offering his service at Nirnaeth Arnoediad. Many times that the Easterlings offered their help it was deceit, and they could easily switch sides, as did Ulfang. After the defeat of the dark lord Melkor, Sauron maintained the influence of the Dark Lord over the Easterlings. The Eastern has maintained the evil that they learned from the dark lord, in 492 of the Third Age, the Easterlings attacked Gondor but failed before the forces of King Romendacil. After 49 years the Easterlings struck again and overcame Gondor, killing Romendacil and taking over the land. Romendacil's son, Turambar, took a large portion back but Gondor gradually lost the lands to the Easterlings as the kingdom's might faded.
They took the whole of the eastern coast of River Anduin, and only Ithilien survived. In the Third Age, the Easterling tribes can be classified as the Wainriders and Balchoths. The Wainriders actively threatened Gondor between 1856 and 1944 of the Third Age. The attacks on Gondor came to an end during the era of King Earnil, but they returned as a group of tribesmen reorganized as the Balchoth in 2510 of the Third Age. Gondor was not as it used to be and the Easterling conquered the greater portions of Calenardhon until Eothoed came to the kingdom's aid. The Easterlings received so much casualty that they ceased to make attacks until their reappearance in the War of the One Ring. The devastating force of the Easterlings created a major concern for the army of free people.
They took the whole of the eastern coast of River Anduin, and only Ithilien survived. In the Third Age, the Easterling tribes can be classified as the Wainriders and Balchoths. The Wainriders actively threatened Gondor between 1856 and 1944 of the Third Age. The attacks on Gondor came to an end during the era of King Earnil, but they returned as a group of tribesmen reorganized as the Balchoth in 2510 of the Third Age. Gondor was not as it used to be and the Easterling conquered the greater portions of Calenardhon until Eothoed came to the kingdom's aid. The Easterlings received so much casualty that they ceased to make attacks until their reappearance in the War of the One Ring. The devastating force of the Easterlings created a major concern for the army of free people.
Northmen
Two main groups made up The Northmen. [4] Some Men who did not migrate from the eastern parts of Ered Lindon and Hithaeglir and also did not succumb to the temptations of the two Dark Lords. Some Edain joined them in the region because they do not want to go to Numenor. The Northmen lived in different regions that include Greenwood, and some part of Rhovanion. Despite not migrating they have a good relationship with the Dunedain as most of them were their kin. The people of Esgaroth, Eotheod (turned Rohirrim), Mirkwood’s woodmen, and Dale were Northmen.
Dunlendings
The Dunedain of Numenor followed Elendil to the new kingdom of Arnor he established. The kingdom began to grow and its border spread to Greyflood river. Similarly, the kingdom of Gondor spread its border Enedwaith. The people of Gondor met the Dunlendings that had settlements in Enedwaith and Minhiriath, Dunlendings lived in the woods of Eriador and were kins of the household of Haleth. The Dunedain of Numenoreans began to have conflicts with the Dunlendings of Enedwaith when they took their woods for building ships. Dunlendings disliked the use of their woods for these reasons, and they soon became sworn enemies. The Dunlendings opposed the people of Rohan in battle when they fought in Hornburg, and they fought alongside Saruman during the War of the One Ring.
Druedain
Woses had smaller stature compared to other races of men. They had bent necks and black or brown skins. They were a wild group of men that were regarded as Edain because they lived in the household of Haleth. [5] The Druedain lived in Druadan towards the end of the Third Age, and they seemed to be the most experienced of men regarding wood life. They gave support to the Rohirrim in Pelennor Fields by repealing the Orcs with poisoned arrows. In the Fourth Age, the king of the Reunited Kingdom gave them the forest of Druadan forever.
A list of Notable men in Endor
First Age
- Beren Erchamion, husband of Luthien
- Bëor, leader of the first men to enter Beleriand
- Haleth, Haldad's daughter that ruled the House of Haladin
- Hador, the Elf-friend, founder of the Household of Hador, and lord of Dor-lomin
- Galdor, Hador, and Gildis' second son
- Húrin Thalion, Galdor's son
- Túrin Turambar, Húrin's son and Anti Hero of the First Age
- Tuor, Huor's son, and husband of Idril.
Second Age
- Elros, Eärendil's son; he chose a mortal life over the elven immortality
- Elendil, Amandil's son, and founder of the Rohan
- Anarion and Isildur, Elendil's sons, and founder of House of Gondor
- Minastir (later Tar-Minastir), was the 11th King of Númenor that sent aid to Gil-galad against Sauron
- Ar-Pharazôn, the Númenorean king whose effrontery brought the destruction of Numenor.
Third Age
- Bard reviver of Dale, The Northman that slew Smaug and saved the people of Laketown from destruction
- Hyarmendacil I, Gondor's great kings that regrouped the Gondorian army to overcome the Haradrim
- Aragorn, Arathorn's son, the Reunited kingdom's King
- Denethor II, steward of Gondor
- Boromir, Denethor's son and great warrior of Gondor, failed the test of the One Ring and was later killed by the Orcs
- Faramir, Denethor's son and steward of Gondor, husband of Eowyn
- Théoden, Thengel's only son, and King of Rohan during the War of One Ring
- Éomer, Théoden's heir and Éowyn's brother
- Gríma Wormtongue, King Theodren's chief counsel that betrayed Rohan as Saruman's agent; he later killed Saruman at the Shire
- Mouth of Sauron, a Black Numenorean that served Sauron and negotiated with the leaders of the free people at the Black Gate.
References
Categories:
Men