History of Men (Volume II): Númenóreans

by Boddah

The Númenóreans were descendants from the Edain. In order to fully understand the Númenóreans, I will expect that you have read the first part of the History of Men so that you have the rundown of the Edain. Now we will look at the event which paved the way for the existence of Númenóreans, the Wars of Beleriand (also known as War of the Jewels). These wars lasted from the beginning of the First Age to the year 471. The Wars have been said to start with the First Battle fought between Morgoth and the Elves of Beleriand. Then the Noldor returned from Valinor, and, allied with the Sindar (and later the Edain), they fought against Morgoth.

This was considered the first great war of the First Age. The war only consisted of five major battles: the First Battle, the Dagor-nuin-Giliath, the Dagor Aglareb, the Dagor Bragollach, and the Nirnaeth Arnoediad. The First Battle was fought soon after the Two Trees of Valinor were destroyed, but before the return of the Noldor. Melkor released his hordes of Orcs against Beleriand. The Elves managed to save the two greatest kingdoms in Beleriand: Doriath and Falas. The Orcs however roamed Beleriand freely with no opposition. This reign of pure evil was stopped when the Noldor returned to Middle-Earth.

Fëanor returned with the Noldor and their battle with Melkor had started so soon after, that the Moon had not had time to rise for the first time. Fëanor was camped on the shores of Lake Mithrim when Melkor attacked. He sent legions of Orcs to take advantage of the surprise they would have. Despite the Orcs outnumbering the Elves and the effect of surprise, the Noldor fended off the Orcs and sent them routing back to reinforce. They came back but still were no match for Noldor. Even though this was one of the greatest victories of the war, it cost Fëanor his life. With courage from the routing of the Orcs, he made a push on Angband to finally destroy Melkor and retrieve the Silmarils. Fëanor left most of his soldiers behind and upon reaching Angband he was attacked by several Balrogs. This battle forced the Orcs to retreat to the North.

After recuperating, in the year 75 Melkor sent his legions back to ravage Beleriand. Via the Pass of Sirion and Maglor’s Gap they poured down into the southern lands. But the armies of Fingolfin (High king of the Noldor) and Maedhros beat back the Orcs.

Four centuries of constant siege being laid to Angband were finally broken in the year of 455. The battle began when Morgoth conjured rivers of flame that erupted from Angband, consuming the surrounding areas. Following that his armies of Balrogs and Orcs set out led by Glaurung the Dragon. They took the highlands of Dorthonion and the fortresses of Angrod and Aegnor. The forces of Morgoth also retook Maglor’s Gap which was a direct entry into Beleriand. The result of this battle was a great loss to the Elves. Fingolfin challenged Melkor to single combat, and was killed thus ending the battle.

The Noldor, Edain, and their allies made a final attempt to defeat Morgoth. However, they were ultimately defeated. The Valar took notice of the Edain and decided to reward them for sticking with the Elves. This reward was their own island off the coast of western Middle-Earth, Númenór. The Men were led to Númenór by the Half-Elven Elros. Elros had chosen to be counted as a Man, yet his brother Elrond chose to be an Elf. In the 32nd year of the Second Age Elros and the Men reached Númenór.

Elros became the first king of Númenór and took the name Tar-Minyatur. He and his descendants ruled Númenór, and became the most powerful kingdom of Men in that age or any other age. In the 600th year of the Second Age they returned to Middle-Earth; we will discuss why later in the next article. For the most part the Númenóreans were allied with the Elves of Tol Eressör. Tol Eressör was an island that was off the shores of Aman, or the Undying Lands. Because of their close proximity, the Valar placed upon the Men the Ban of the Valar. The ban prohibited the Men traveling west to the Undying Lands; they were not even permitted to get close enough to see the island.

The last king of Númenór was Ar-Pharazôn. He took his armies to Middle-Earth to fight against Sauron. Sauron’s forces deserted him, causing Sauron to beg for peace. Sauron returned to Númenór with the king. After gradually gaining his trust, he convinced Ar-Pharazôn to sail openly and defy the Valar. In the 3319th year of the Second Age and the second he set foot on Aman, Númenór was sucked beneath the waves, gone forever.

There were men who had survived the Downfall of Númenór and fled to Middle-Earth. Among these men were Elendil; he and his family founded Arnor and Gondor. However, these realms paled in comparison to Númenór.

References

The Encyclopedia of Arda

Next-Volume 3: The Dúnedain