Númenor was founded on an isle. In the Second Age, the Powers of Arda [1] helped establish the place. Numenor is a kingdom composed of Atani. They were the second children of Iluvatar. These men were the humans of Arda. After Beleriand's demolition, the Numernoreans started to take shape. They were considered the noblest race of Men. They were a direct descent of Edain.
An Account of the Past
Numenor was the realm where Numenoreans and Dunedain belonged to. It is found in the Sundering Seas' island. It was in the center of Aman and Endor. The place was offered to Men as a form of a gift. It was known at the beginning of times as the small island of Elenna or simply Elenna. It means starwards. The name was significant to the Dunedain. A star was leading them to find the island. It was the constellation of the half-elven, Earendil.
He carries stars beyond the sky. The gifted island was also shaped like it. At the heart of the aisle, there was a sacred mountain called Meneltarma. Dunedain put up a pagoda dedicated to Iluvatar. He was the highest of Arda's deity. He was the sole creator. Iluvatar was also called Eru. Armenelos the Golden or also known as the City of Kings. It was known as Armenelos for short. It was Numenor's capital city and was the largest one. After the battle against the first Dark Lord Melkor, Beor took a lot of losses. They had suffered, and the Valar were sympathetic to them. The Siril was one of Numenor's rivers. It is also the main river in the place. It starts in the sacred mountain and ends in the southern part of the city. In the Second Age, the western river was called Nunduine.
It was known to its people the length of the river. It could reach the Bay of Eldanna's seacoast towards the west. Earendil, the great mariner, had a son known as Elros Tar-Minyatur. It translated to the First King. Elro's reign started at the Second Age of 32. His last year to rule was in the year of 442. During his family's dynasty, mere Men became a recognizable race. Their power was gradually increasing and becoming more potent. In the Second Age year of 600, the first voyage from Numenor coming to Endor took place. The Valar restricted Men of Numenor to voyage in the western parts of Endor. The reason behind it is that they were worried that they could find the realm of Eldar and Ainur. Men of all forms were not allowed to come near it. It was known as Undying Lands.
He carries stars beyond the sky. The gifted island was also shaped like it. At the heart of the aisle, there was a sacred mountain called Meneltarma. Dunedain put up a pagoda dedicated to Iluvatar. He was the highest of Arda's deity. He was the sole creator. Iluvatar was also called Eru. Armenelos the Golden or also known as the City of Kings. It was known as Armenelos for short. It was Numenor's capital city and was the largest one. After the battle against the first Dark Lord Melkor, Beor took a lot of losses. They had suffered, and the Valar were sympathetic to them. The Siril was one of Numenor's rivers. It is also the main river in the place. It starts in the sacred mountain and ends in the southern part of the city. In the Second Age, the western river was called Nunduine.
It was known to its people the length of the river. It could reach the Bay of Eldanna's seacoast towards the west. Earendil, the great mariner, had a son known as Elros Tar-Minyatur. It translated to the First King. Elro's reign started at the Second Age of 32. His last year to rule was in the year of 442. During his family's dynasty, mere Men became a recognizable race. Their power was gradually increasing and becoming more potent. In the Second Age year of 600, the first voyage from Numenor coming to Endor took place. The Valar restricted Men of Numenor to voyage in the western parts of Endor. The reason behind it is that they were worried that they could find the realm of Eldar and Ainur. Men of all forms were not allowed to come near it. It was known as Undying Lands.
Dissolution of Númenor
After some time, the people of the Numenor were no longer accepting the orders from the Valar. The restrictions they implemented were now being questioned and challenged. They were attempting to seek eternal life that was not shared and granted to them. Numenoreans started claiming the significant parts of the Endor. They began being a peaceful colonizer, but in the end, they became dictators. It was no surprise that Numeron had a massive fleet domain that was so powerful that no one tried to rival them. Despite the terror and fear of the Numenoreans, some were still loyalists to them.
They were known as the Faithful or Elendili. They were elven friends and remained devoted to Valar. In the Second Age of 1600, the second Dark Lord named Sauron fooled the Elven forgers of the realm of Hollin. Sauron was the former lieutenant of Melkor. He was one of the prominent foes of Valar. The deception of Sauron resulted in the creation of the keyring. In the Second Age of 1693, there was a war waged by the Elves against Sauron. The Elves were overwhelmed by their foes in the Second Age of 1699. The eleventh King of Numenor, Tar Minastir, upon knowing the dilemma of the Elves were facing, an armada was sent to rescue Lindon. In the Second Age of 1701, the conquering of Eriador happened again. It was during the year of 1880 of the second age when the people of Numenor began to dwell on the Middle earth's coast. One of which was the realm of the Atani. .
Sauron's extent of power reached Numenor in a form of shadow. Ar-Pharazon the Golden [2] was the twenty-fifth king of Numeron. In the Second Year of 3255, he started a voyage towards the Endor. The massive armada of Numenor finally arrived, and the strength of the fleet has pushed Sauron to retreat. The Dark Lord was able to corrupt the King's judgment and the Numenoreans. He promised them of everlasting life for becoming one of Melkor's faithful worshippers. Sauron managed to clear his path to becoming the King's trusted advisor. The King had a five hundred feet tall synagogue for Melkor. Human sacrifice was executed in this temple. Of all Numenor's kings, only Ar-Pharazon the Golden has the most potent power.
He did not utilize it in its full intent, and instead, he applied it imprudently. His eagerness to claim eternal life was the cause of Numenor's obliteration. The tree that was believed to have a link to all the kings' destiny was cut off and burned to cinders. It served as a sacrificial offering to Melkor. This tree was known as the Nimloth the Fair. It was Numenor’s the White Tree. It was found in the capital city of Armenelos, in the royal palace of the King's. Fortunately, the High King of Arnor and Gondor, Isildur, managed to save White Tree's fruit. It resulted in the preservation of the tree's lineage. The fruit became Gondor's White Tree. Ar-Pharazon was convinced by Sauron to create a massive fleet and voyage to the western places to wage war against the Valar.
The King did not second guess the decision because he was dreading old age and his death. He felt that it was the right time. Sauron did not join the battle as the King was capturing Valar's Undying Lands. In the Second Age of 3319, the King arrived at Aman and advanced towards Bells City. It was the Middle Earth's equator known to be the Girdle of Arda. The King of Arda and the ruler of the Valar, Manwe, appealed to Iluvatar, the supreme deity. He then started breaking up and the changing of the entire universe. It resulted in the confinement of Ar-Pharazon and his massive fleet on Aman. They were imprisoned in the Forgotten Caves. They were later freed during the Dago Dagorath or most commonly called the Final Battle.
Tol Eressea and Aman were removed from Arda's orbs permanently. There was no way of undoing it. It resulted in the alteration of the universe's form. The flatness turned into a round shape. Numenor sank, and the citizens were a mere casualty. Sauron got affected as well, and his body could no longer have the power to conform in other forms. The son and the members of the loyalists, the faithful ones received word of the future ruin to Numenor. Before it's destruction, they had already set sail. The survivors were able to board the nine vessels and, arrived in Endor.
It led to the foundation of the realms of Gondor and Arnor. The ruin of Numenor was, later on, referred to as Atalante. It came from the Common Eldarin language. It means the Downfallen. The story of Numenor's demise was compared to what happened to Atlantis. Tolkien did not know at first that the name he chose is translated to Quenya as fallen. It was only a coincidence that he was pleased to happen. There were alternative names instead of the Downfall. Akallabeth was one of them, and it means Downfallen in the Adunaic language. Marnufalmar means the land underneath the waves.
The full tale of Numenor's achievement and their demise was further discussed in Akallabeth. It is the fourth installment of The Silmarillion. Numenor's final destiny is quite foggy. There was an open ending to it since the readers were left wondering what happened to it after it's ruin. The question remains unanswered, and it is not revealed if Beleriand's fate resembles Numenor. There was a mention of it in the last words of Lothlórien's Lady of the woods when she spoke to the oldest ent, Fangorn. The Lady had said that they would see each other in the Land of Willows. After that, they parted ways in the Iron Fortress. There was a prediction that when the universe will break up and be made anew again. Numenor will be retrieved under the waters. It will rise again. This prediction was prophesied to happen after the Final Battle. Numenor was derived from the Quenya term Numenore. It translates to West land. Tolkien used the term Westernesse for its translation, which in turn is Anadune in Numenorean language.
They were known as the Faithful or Elendili. They were elven friends and remained devoted to Valar. In the Second Age of 1600, the second Dark Lord named Sauron fooled the Elven forgers of the realm of Hollin. Sauron was the former lieutenant of Melkor. He was one of the prominent foes of Valar. The deception of Sauron resulted in the creation of the keyring. In the Second Age of 1693, there was a war waged by the Elves against Sauron. The Elves were overwhelmed by their foes in the Second Age of 1699. The eleventh King of Numenor, Tar Minastir, upon knowing the dilemma of the Elves were facing, an armada was sent to rescue Lindon. In the Second Age of 1701, the conquering of Eriador happened again. It was during the year of 1880 of the second age when the people of Numenor began to dwell on the Middle earth's coast. One of which was the realm of the Atani. .
Sauron's extent of power reached Numenor in a form of shadow. Ar-Pharazon the Golden [2] was the twenty-fifth king of Numeron. In the Second Year of 3255, he started a voyage towards the Endor. The massive armada of Numenor finally arrived, and the strength of the fleet has pushed Sauron to retreat. The Dark Lord was able to corrupt the King's judgment and the Numenoreans. He promised them of everlasting life for becoming one of Melkor's faithful worshippers. Sauron managed to clear his path to becoming the King's trusted advisor. The King had a five hundred feet tall synagogue for Melkor. Human sacrifice was executed in this temple. Of all Numenor's kings, only Ar-Pharazon the Golden has the most potent power.
He did not utilize it in its full intent, and instead, he applied it imprudently. His eagerness to claim eternal life was the cause of Numenor's obliteration. The tree that was believed to have a link to all the kings' destiny was cut off and burned to cinders. It served as a sacrificial offering to Melkor. This tree was known as the Nimloth the Fair. It was Numenor’s the White Tree. It was found in the capital city of Armenelos, in the royal palace of the King's. Fortunately, the High King of Arnor and Gondor, Isildur, managed to save White Tree's fruit. It resulted in the preservation of the tree's lineage. The fruit became Gondor's White Tree. Ar-Pharazon was convinced by Sauron to create a massive fleet and voyage to the western places to wage war against the Valar.
The King did not second guess the decision because he was dreading old age and his death. He felt that it was the right time. Sauron did not join the battle as the King was capturing Valar's Undying Lands. In the Second Age of 3319, the King arrived at Aman and advanced towards Bells City. It was the Middle Earth's equator known to be the Girdle of Arda. The King of Arda and the ruler of the Valar, Manwe, appealed to Iluvatar, the supreme deity. He then started breaking up and the changing of the entire universe. It resulted in the confinement of Ar-Pharazon and his massive fleet on Aman. They were imprisoned in the Forgotten Caves. They were later freed during the Dago Dagorath or most commonly called the Final Battle.
Tol Eressea and Aman were removed from Arda's orbs permanently. There was no way of undoing it. It resulted in the alteration of the universe's form. The flatness turned into a round shape. Numenor sank, and the citizens were a mere casualty. Sauron got affected as well, and his body could no longer have the power to conform in other forms. The son and the members of the loyalists, the faithful ones received word of the future ruin to Numenor. Before it's destruction, they had already set sail. The survivors were able to board the nine vessels and, arrived in Endor.
It led to the foundation of the realms of Gondor and Arnor. The ruin of Numenor was, later on, referred to as Atalante. It came from the Common Eldarin language. It means the Downfallen. The story of Numenor's demise was compared to what happened to Atlantis. Tolkien did not know at first that the name he chose is translated to Quenya as fallen. It was only a coincidence that he was pleased to happen. There were alternative names instead of the Downfall. Akallabeth was one of them, and it means Downfallen in the Adunaic language. Marnufalmar means the land underneath the waves.
The full tale of Numenor's achievement and their demise was further discussed in Akallabeth. It is the fourth installment of The Silmarillion. Numenor's final destiny is quite foggy. There was an open ending to it since the readers were left wondering what happened to it after it's ruin. The question remains unanswered, and it is not revealed if Beleriand's fate resembles Numenor. There was a mention of it in the last words of Lothlórien's Lady of the woods when she spoke to the oldest ent, Fangorn. The Lady had said that they would see each other in the Land of Willows. After that, they parted ways in the Iron Fortress. There was a prediction that when the universe will break up and be made anew again. Numenor will be retrieved under the waters. It will rise again. This prediction was prophesied to happen after the Final Battle. Numenor was derived from the Quenya term Numenore. It translates to West land. Tolkien used the term Westernesse for its translation, which in turn is Anadune in Numenorean language.
Numenor's Population
The inhabitants of Numenor majorly consist of Atani or commonly called Men. In everyday language, they were the human counterparts of Endor. They are also the secondary children of Elu Iluvatar. These Men were one of Atanatari's remaining houses. They are most commonly referred to as the Numenorean. Numenoreans came from a direct descent from Edain. They were considered to be the most superior race of Men in the First Age. After the Great Battle of the First Age, between the allied forces of Elves, Dwarves, Valar, and Men were fighting against Morgoth. The chief of the Maiar, Eonwe, enhanced their physical and mental attributes. They had been given a lifespan averaging two hundred years.
The lifespan of their ancestors only lasted for ninety years. The men that came from the royal succession of Elros Tarminyatur, known as the original Half-elven, were granted a life expectancy of over three hundred years. Numenor's top royalties and Andunie's Lords [3] were given these gifts of life. Before everything that has happened to the island, Andunie had a group of Elves inhabiting it. It was due to their numerous visitations to the Lonely Isle. These people were known for their excellent skills in forging weaponry and armory. They were both artsy and crafty. Before the darkness, Numenoreans were never associated with being advocates of aggression. What they do majorly in their homeland is solely dedicated to shipping creation and developing crafts useful for a voyage. They were exceptional navigators, and they had already explored Endor except for the western parts of it. It was because of the decree of the Valar’s banning.
When they are sailing, they usually go to the coasts of Erendor. They liked sharing what they knew about craft and arts to the men. Farming was one of the things they taught. It was a way for men to better their lives. The darkness was upon them, Numenoreans' methods had changed drastically. The Numenoreans were no longer in a friendly relationship with them. They imposed a hefty fee to the Men and went back to their island with numerous ships full of loot. They were skillful in farming and reproducing a beautiful line of horses. Numenoreans were known to be friendly people before. Numenorean's weapons, shields, and horseback riding could never be comparable in all of Arda.
The lifespan of their ancestors only lasted for ninety years. The men that came from the royal succession of Elros Tarminyatur, known as the original Half-elven, were granted a life expectancy of over three hundred years. Numenor's top royalties and Andunie's Lords [3] were given these gifts of life. Before everything that has happened to the island, Andunie had a group of Elves inhabiting it. It was due to their numerous visitations to the Lonely Isle. These people were known for their excellent skills in forging weaponry and armory. They were both artsy and crafty. Before the darkness, Numenoreans were never associated with being advocates of aggression. What they do majorly in their homeland is solely dedicated to shipping creation and developing crafts useful for a voyage. They were exceptional navigators, and they had already explored Endor except for the western parts of it. It was because of the decree of the Valar’s banning.
When they are sailing, they usually go to the coasts of Erendor. They liked sharing what they knew about craft and arts to the men. Farming was one of the things they taught. It was a way for men to better their lives. The darkness was upon them, Numenoreans' methods had changed drastically. The Numenoreans were no longer in a friendly relationship with them. They imposed a hefty fee to the Men and went back to their island with numerous ships full of loot. They were skillful in farming and reproducing a beautiful line of horses. Numenoreans were known to be friendly people before. Numenorean's weapons, shields, and horseback riding could never be comparable in all of Arda.
Geography
Numenor is a massive place. It appears like a star. Each of its points corresponds to a domain. They have their own unique and specific features in terms of geography and appearance. The Westlands is known as Andustar. The Northlands is Forostar. Hyarnustar is the Southwestlands, [4] and Hyarrostar is the Sountheastlands. Orrostar is the Eastlands, and Mittalmar is the Inlands. Meneltarma was the centermost mountain of the place. It was considered as the highest point of location in the whole land. It was sacred to the Numenoreans, and they made it into a temple of Eru. Lay people were restricted from entering. It was only the Numenor's Kings who were to come and speak to Eru. It was considered to be Heaven’s Pillar.
References
Categories:
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