Arda

The Tolkien’s Earth, Arda, was the space intended for the children of Iluvatar to live, as men (Atani) and Elves (Quendi of Valinor). It was made from the songs of Iluvatar delivered by the Ainur.

Arda was part of the Tolkien Universe, Ea, it had its atmosphere, and was mostly filled with seas and oceans, then the landmasses split into continents. Arda was made during the creation of Ea from Ainur’s melodies to be inherited by men and Elves. In the beginning, Arda was made flat with valleys, mountains, and a landmass locked. It was inhabited by the powerful Valar, creatures whose influence extended beyond the earth. Arda flourished under the Valar and had lamps, and a habitat full of life and increase to create The Initial sprout. They were meant to leave there forever unquestioned until Melkor attacked, disrupting everything and changing the face of the earth. After the attack of Melkor, Arda became surrounded by the Encircling Sea (Ekkaia) [1] that caused the Belegaer (Great Sea) [2] to split the continents. The main continents became Aman and the Endor. Following the first war with the Valar, the spirit of Melkor corrupted the world with his evil and caused plagues. The Spring of Ards began when the Two Lamps (Sky Blue and High Gold) together lit the earth, but they were destroyed by Melkor.

The lands of the immortal and ring-bearers were lit from the brightness of Telperion (The Silver Tree) and Laurelin (The Golden Tree). Valinor extended greatly over Aman. Endor on the other hand was under the control of Dark Lord Melkor, where he ruled over his evil followers, they stayed there in darkness until the Elves awakened at the beginning of the First Age. When the Valar saw that the Elves had risen they launched an attack against Melkor, causing his first defeat, and caused the far west of Endor to drown under the waves. He was later held for three Valian ages in the Hall of Mandos, where he later deceived his brother Manwe for his release.

Valar thought the war was over and sent messages to receive the Eldar in Aman. The Elves honored the invitation and sent delegates to live as Eldar in Aman. Some Elves are known as the Sindar and Nandor, therefore, remained in Endor. The children of Iluvatar lived without rancor for three ages until the Dark Lord Melkor was released from captivity. The Sun was formed and Sunlight spread all over Arda causing it to experience the second sprout. The years were filled with increases and creations flourished. The Atani rose eastward of Endor. The War of Wrath occurred as Morgoth’s evil was ended, the battle left Beleriand sunk in its water. Belegaer leveled all of Beleriand except for the high areas that remained as islands, Tol Fuin Island from Dorthonion, Tol Orwen, and Himling.

The Island of Numenor was raised from the Sundering Seas in the age that followed Morgoth’s final fall. It was a time of flourish for the Numenoreans who soon became haughty and were humbled by the destruction of their land. It was raised for Edain but the people dishonored the Valar’s commands by moving to Aman. The undying land to which the Numenoreans head, as well as Tol Eressea, became hidden from the surface of Arda. No one knows the fate of the lands of the immortal and ring-bearers. But the Elves who were granted a passage. The face of the Earth was reformed and Arda was made round, the South of Endor became the Dark-lands, and the eastern part became the Sun-lands.

The author, Tolkien, reiterated on many occasions that his Earth was a fictional representation of our world. With this information, we can match the description of Arda to our real world. The description of Endor would suit Europe, and based on latitude The Shire is the England Midlands, Florence for Minas Tirith, and Mordor in Minor Asia. A few irregularities exist though, with “Europe” extending to what can be interpreted in the real world map as Eurasia. Before the awakening of Elves, Arda was aligned. The great chain of the Red Mountains, the eastern counterpart of the Blue Mountains of the west, ran north to south. The land of the south was Hither-lands which included Harad, the Near-Harad, then the Far-Harad.

The “near” referenced to North parts of Africa while the “far” meant South Saharan Africa. The description of Harad and Haradrims correlated with what is known of Africa and Africans. Near-harad was like the Northern part of Africa that has high temperatures with vast deserts. Far-Harad was the forest that dark-skinned Haradrims lived along with the Mûmakil. Rhun would correspond to the Asian continent if the land of the Haradrim was regarded as Africa.

The East lands that extended to the ocean of east were known as Rhun and inhibited by the Easterlings, described as having many races that include nomads and even rich kingdoms. The East is where The two Ithryn Luin, called Alatar and Pallando were sent to weaken the growing influence of Sauron in Eastern and Southern parts of Endor. The two mysterious creatures reached Rhun and beyond but were unable to fulfill the task as the influence of Sauron grew in those regions. Tolkien, the author did not mention in detail what became of the two wizards, so little is known. However, Tolkien did mention the magic practiced in East lands were taught to them by the Ithryn Luin. Perhaps the wizards thought that they would get the trust of the commoners if they offered them knowledge.

A distinct continent also existed in the southern and eastern part of Endor named the Dark-lands, which could be referenced as Australia. Other lands that stood as different continents were the Dark-lands of Endor and The Sun-lands. Dark-lands correlates with the position of Australia. The Sun-lands correlates with the continents Northern and Southern America with the mountain described in them befitting the Rocky and Andean mountain ranges. The Tolkien Earth was plain Numenor fell, however, after the fall of Numenor, the Earth became reshaped to its round form.

Arda Unmarred was the earth in its virgin state when made by the Valar, before the first destruction of Dark Lord Melkor. Melkor had sent creatures to destroy and cause corruption in the land. None other than Valinor still has attributes, structures, and land areas in this unaffected form.

Arda Marred is what Arda became after the destruction from Melkor occurred, which is found in all places outside the Valinor. After Melkor the evil became widespread, structures and areas became affected in wars. Also, hardship, darkness, and extreme weather became common as opposed to what is found in Arda at its beginning. The new state of evil, harm, and hardship on Arda also affected the Elves. Elves were created immortal but with Arda marred, the immortality diminishes until it leaves them forever. That is why Elves return to Valinor because it is in Valinor that their immortality and powers are preserved. Also, Elves can manipulate time to their advantage.

It was destined that the earth would be formed unmarred, then due to the evil of Melkor and his other kinds, Arda would become marred. This is the same way that it has been predestined that Arda will be revived from its corruption, Although the healing stage will retain the goodness that occurred during all these previous periods. It is believed that this period will occur after Dagor Dagorth when all forces created will take part in the war of evil and good, until the original evil Morgoth is destroyed, and another Arda is created that is free of evil completely. The new earth will be named Arda healed. There is evidence to support the belief that Arda will be healed from its evil and corruption. In the film based on the third volume of Tolkien’s work, Galadriel the elven queen told Treebeard they would be reunited as they go in separate ways at Isengard. The queen mentioned that they would not meet in Endor or the lands that were leveled by sea, but they would meet in spring which is proof that after Dagor Dagorath, Beleriand and Numenor will be revived.

There is a unique form of Silmarillion Arda. The star system is called Arda, and the earth itself took a different name. It became Ambar (also called Imbar).

1. ^The Encircling Sea of the World.
2. ^The Great Sea.