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Lord of the Rings - The Kings of Númenor
By Rider, 17 July 2007; Revised
Category: History and Fiction
Elros was the son of Eärendil the Mariner and Elwing. His brother was Elrond. As a child, the two brothers were taken by the Sons of Fëanor, Maedhros and Maglor. However, they left the children and they were recovered by their parents. After the War of Wrath and in the end of the First Age, he and his brother were given a choice – since they were both half-elven (from the line of Elwing) and half-men (from the line of Eärendil), they could choose whether they wanted to become men or elves. Elrond chose to become an elf and gained immortality by that choice. Elros however chose the way of men. Yet he was given, by the Valar (the gods of Tolkien’s realm), a life much longer than any of the other humans.
The Realm of Númenor was created in the 32nd year of the Second Age by the Edain. They gained the island through their deeds in the Wars of Beleriand and in the War of Wrath. The Valar raised a land in between Valinor and Middle-Earth and had the Edain sail to that island. That land was called by the Valar as Andor, and the Edain named it Elenna and Anadûnê, which meant Westernesse and in Quenya it was Númenórë. From that name, the Realm was named and the people living in it were Númenoreans. In the middle of the island, there was the mountain of Meneltarma and on it a temple dedicated to Eru Ilúvatar. Besides the mountain was the capital city of Armenelaos. The Realm prospered and lived in peace for hundreds of years. In the 600th year of the Second Age, the Númenoreans first reached the Middle-Earth by ships. From that time on, the sailing became one of the favourite areas the Númenoreans had and their ships circled Middle-Earth and their kings and lords founded cities there. They were of great help to the locals because they helped them in many new areas previously unknown to them, such as ironsmithing and also stonecrafting. After the Downfall, most of the relics and items of the island and the Realm were lost, save the few the Faithful managed to save in their escape. The most well known legend that survived the Downfall was the one of the destruction of the island and that of the last King of Númenor. The island was then called Mal-nu-Falmar or Akallabêth which was in the High Elvish Atalantë. The only Númenoreans to survive the Downfall were the Faithful who had gathered near Rommena to sail to Middle-Earth. They were led by Elendil, son of the last Lord of Andúnië, Valandil. The Faithful had nine ships of which four were Elendil’s; three were of Isildur, son of Elendil, and two of Anarion, younger brother of Isildur. The Faithful had also gathered the nine seeing stones and the seed of the White Tree so those were saved from the Downfall. It is told that the Valar saved the ships from the tidal wave and they reached Middle-Earth through fierce storms and terrible weather. There they settled the successor states of Gondor and Arnor and befriended the elves of Lindon and Rivendell.
The legends of Atlantis come clearly to one’s mind when we talk about the Realm of Númenor. An island, with people on it advanced and wise, which then after sinks. Atlantis, as Platon describes it, is also a naval power, unlike any seen elsewhere. Atlantis sinks after a failed invasion of Athens when Elenna sinks after the failed invasion of the land of the Valars. Also, both islands are fairly similar in size although Andor seems a little bit larger. Atlantis, as Elenna, hosts a mountain although the Atlantian one is not especially high unlike the Meneltarma. The Atlantians also were oppressing the local conquered people, which was a trait seen in the later Realm although in the beginning, they only helped. None is said to have survived the sinking of Atlantis.
The Indians have a similar lost-to-the-seas-continent, much like Plato’s Atlantis. However, the Kumari Kandam is thousands of times larger than Atlantis or Númenor. The Kumari Kandam is, however, depicted as a place where civilization began – quite similar to Númenor when we think that the Númenoreans brought much knowledge to Middle-Earth. Still, the Kumari Kandam doesn’t sink at once, but in two enormous floods.
The Traditions, Customs and Laws of Númenor Here are the most important laws, traditions and customs that help us understand the Númenorean society and culture.
* The coming of age was at 25. * The King of Númenor named his eldest son ’Heir’ when the son (or later a daughter) was 100 years old. Also, on that day, a sword was given to the Heir. * The throne of the Kings was in the City of Armenelaos. * The symbol of the power of the King was the Sceptre of the Númenor. * The Númenoreans could choose the time of their passing – either when they were beginning to vane or later, when they were sick and unhealthy. A large number of people chose to pass when they were yet great and magnificent and had not started to vane. * The King gave over the Scepter to his successor before his death. This however disappeared when we go later into the Second Age. * Most of the people of Númenor spoke the language of Beleriand, e.g. the Elvish language of Sindarin. Likewise, the Adûnaic was widespread and later came into use as the primary language. Yet, all official documents were written in High-Elvish (Quenya); that included the Scroll and Annals of the Kings and the Laws. * Each King was given a name in the Elvish language of Quenya. Later, many chose to use the Adûnaic name instead of the Quenya one but yet it seems that even the later kings took themselves the Quenya names, even if only for boasting. * The Kings and Queens were buried to the mountain of Meneltarma. * When a ship went from Númenor to Middle-Earth, then a woman of the same kin as the Captain of the ship was to come and set upon the vessel’s prow the Green Bough of Return. It was cut from an evergreen tree and signified their friendship with the Maiar (lesser god) of the seas, Ossë.
* The King’s successor was the eldest son. * Tar-Aldarion changed the law, in the tenth or eleventh century of the Second Age so that a daughter might be the successor too. After that, the first in line of succession was the eldest daughter or son and after him or her, all other siblings of the King by the order of birth. * Although a daughter could pass the Sceptre on, a son could not do so. However, if the son had a son of his own, then it was allowed and the person would be counted as ruling for a single year. * No person could marry a close relative. * Several later Kings banned the use of Elvish languages, either completely or partially. * The Ban of the Valar - The ships of the Númenoreans may not sail further to the west than the point where they can yet see the island. This was broken only once and no more was needed.
For most of the history of the Realm, the Realm was ruled by a King. There were, however, three Ruling Queens (first one being Tar-Ancalimë). Other most important personae of the Realm included the Lords of Andúnië. The Lords of Andúnië came down from the line of Silmariën, who was the daughter of the fourth king, Tar-Elendil. Under their control was the town of Andúnië, which had been the greatest harbor of Númenor for many thousands of years. The Lords were faithful to the King and great advisors. Many of the Lords were also a part of the elendili, the Faithful and liked the Elves and the Valar of whom the Kings’ turned away. The last Lord of Andúnië was Amandil, who had his son Elendil sail to Middle-Earth while he himself tried to go to talk to the Valars but to no avail – his fate is unknown. However, his son escaped the Downfall and reached the Middle-Earth. The King of Númenor was advised by the Council of the Sceptre. This Council was made up of a random number of members, depending on the King and the people’s wishes. The Council however had no power of its own – it was merely there to advise the King. The King’s Heir was also a member of the Council and it seems that the Lord of Andúnië was amongst the Council pretty much through the entire history of Númenor, save but the time the King was governed by Sauron and the Faithful only lived in the city of Romenna. Captain of the King’s Ships was the chief of all things concerning the seas. It seems that this title was like that of an ’Admiral’ of other lands. The most well known Captain is Vëantur, who discovered the passage to Middle-Earth in the 600th year of the Second Age. The title given to Aldarion, Vëantur’s grandson, was quite similar and supposedly had the same functions – the Lord of the Ships and Havens of Númenor. Guild of Weaponsmiths was an organization meant for the crafting of weapons. Although the Númenor didn’t need weapons much in their early days, the Guild yet created weapons, if only to preserve the craft and skills. And thought the name was warlike, the Guild fashioned many tools of peace as well as war. The sword given to the Heir on the day the title was beckoned his, was also made by these men. Guild of Venturers was founded by Aldarion after his voyage to Middle-Earth, in the 750th year of the Second Age. The leader of the guild was Great Captain. The guild was popular amongst the people of Númenor and many joined it to seek adventures from the sea. The guild was housed on a large and magnificent ship.
Here, the line of the Kings of Númenor has been presented as follows – first with the number, which the King was; then the King’s Quenya name after which, in brackets the Adûnaic name if it is known. On the next line there are the years of birth and death, followed by the years during which the King (or Ruling Queen) ruled. The F.A. represents the First age and the S.A. represents the Second Age. The First Age was over with the War of Wrath and the fall of Morgoth Bauglir.
Elros Tar-Minyatur 525 F.A. – 442 S.A.; ruled from 32 to 442. Elros was the first king of the Númenoreans. During his time, the people founded many cities and set up the administration of the Kingdom. Also, they created the havens at Andúnië which were frequently visited by the Elves. Elros may remind us of the first emperor of Rome, Octavianus Augustus Caesar. During his rule, Rome prospered and grew as never before. Also, despite the occasional provincial uprisings (like the Cheruscan uprise led by Arminius in 9 AD) there was a state of peace in the Empire. Also, the quote ’I found Rome a city of bricks and left it a city of marble’ (supposedly said by Augustus) represents the situation of Rome before and after Augustus.
Vardamir Nólimon 61 S.A. – 471; ruled in 442. Vardamir loved the ancient lore and he gathered it from Men and Elves. He did not want to become a king after Elros had passed away but handed the Sceptre over to his son, Amandil, immediately. Nevertheless, by the customs of the Númenoreans, he is considered to have ruled for a single year. Not counting the fact that Vardamir Nólimon abdicated and lived quietly after his son had ascended to the throne, Emperor Alexandros of the Eastern Empire and the Taichang Emperor are quite similar to Vardamir. They both died shortly after ascending to power (Alexandros 13 months after ascending to the throne and the Taichang Emperor less than a month after his coronation). [1] Also, interpreting loosely the position the King of Númenor held, the 9th President of the United States, William Henry Harrison, came into office in March and died a month later, having caught cold during his inauguration speech.[2] Also, Roman dictators, such as Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus[3], dictator of Rome in 458 BC - established as a dictator to resist invasion from other tribes; he beat those in 16 days, and then gave up the dictatorship to go back to his farm. Then he did the same thing again in 439. Although, with him, there is the fact that he didn't give his power to a successor, but returned it to the Republic and therefore might not be considered a valid candidate for the position of Vardamir Nólimon.[4]
Tar-Amandil 192 – 603; ruled from 442 to 590. Not much is known of his rule but most likely, he strengthened the rule of the Númenoreans even more. His name suggests devotion to the Valar.
Tar-Elendil Parmaitë 350 – 751; ruled from 590 to 740. Tar-Elendil was the king when Vëantur reached Middle-Earth. It is told that Tar-Elendil loved the lore as his grandfather had and he himself wrote books of the collections of legends Vardamir had gathered. Tar-Elendil is also the grandfather of the first of the Lords of Andúnië, since his oldest child, daughter Silmariën was the father of Valandil who was the first Lord. Of all the Kings and rulers, the one who is most well known as an author is most likely Marcus Aurelius. He was a philosopher and wrote a book on his campaigns, ’the Meditations’. It is more of a philosophical book however, rather than the lore Tar-Elendil gathered. A Numidian king is also well known for his pieces of writing – Juba II, who also financed expeditions by the sea (fits in well with the discovery of a route to Middle-Earth). Tar-Meneldur Irimon 543 – 942; ruled from 740 to 883. He was named Meneldur due to his love for stars and learning of them. Tar-Meneldur also did not like the seas although his son was a great captain. He abdicated long before his time due to a message of Gil-Galad Ereinion, the High King of Elves, who warned him of a great Shadow rising in Middle-Earth. Also, during his times, the harbor of Vinyalondë was founded in Middle-Earth; Vinyalondë later became the chief harbor of Númenoreans in the north and it housed many men and was a great port for ships to resupply and repair. It is told that the Roman Emperor, Septimus Severus, loved watching the stars and learning of astronomy and eastern mysticism in general. Therefore, these traits are partly similar to Tar-Meneldur and his love of the stars.
Tar-Aldarion Anardil 700 - 1098; ruled from 883 to 1075. He was a good friend to Gil-Galad and a King during the times when the Shadow grew on Middle-Earth. He liked sailing and during his youth, went on several long voyages down the coast of Middle-Earth. He also cared for the forests that were cut down by the shipwrights and ordered new ones to be planted. He was the King who altered the laws of succession to make his daughter inherit the throne and Sceptre. This king may remind us of the first Russian Emperor, Peter I the Great.[5] Before him, Russia had practically no navy. Peter quickly reformed many things, built 30 ships during one year and captured an Ottoman fortress. After that, he founded the first Russian naval base aside of Archangelsk which could be used only partly (too far north for winter travels). He got experiences in building new ships from the Dutch shipwrights – Aldarion learned to make larger ships from Cirdan the Shipwright in Middle-Earth (not to be confused with the later King of Númenor, Tar-Ciryatan the Shipwright). Both of these kings were (one of) the first to greatly fund seagoing and shipbuilding. Also, both built new harbors (St. Petersburg and Vinyalondë are great examples).
Tar-Ancalimë 873 – 1285; ruled from 1075 to 1280. She was the first Ruling Queen. Being proud and willful, she didn’t enjoy the ideas of being married but did so being threatened of losing the power otherwise. Her husband was Hallacar who was the grandchild of Nolondil, son of Vardamir. She also stopped helping the Elves in Middle-Earth after his father’s death. Mary, the Queen of England, had a similar story. She was unmarried but threatened with losing power to the Protestants; she married the Catholic Felipe II of Spain to help her cause.
Tar-Anárion 1003 – 1404; ruled from 1280 to 1394. His rule isn’t well known for anything, except for the fact that none of his daughters accepted the Sceptre. His name is derived from the name of the Sun, Anor, quite possibly meaning that his reign was bright and prosperous.
Tar-Súrion 1174 - 1574; ruled from 1394 to 1556. He was the third child of Tar-Anárion and he only became the King, due to her both sisters refusing the Sceptre. Tar-Súrion had two children – Telperiën and Isilmo. Isilmo was the father of Minastir who became king after Telperiën.
Tar-Telperiën 1320 - 1731; ruled from 1556 to 1731. She was the second Ruling Queen of Númenor. She was proud and lived to a high age. She also did not marry so the Sceptre passed on to her nephew, Minastir, son of Isilmo. She was also the first after Elros to die without passing the Sceptre on. Due to the fact that Tar-Telperiën remained unwed during her entire life, she is quite similar to the fabled English queen, Elizabeth I. They both also had quite long lives. After Elizabeth, her cousin James of Scotland took over.
Tar-Minastir 1474 - 1873; ruled from 1731 to 1869. Tar-Minastir enjoyed friendship with Elves and he sent a large armada to Middle-Earth to help against Sauron. He also had a tall tower built near Andúnië and from that he looked towards the horizon where Valinor was, dreaming of a life without end.
Tar-Ciryatan the Shipwright 1634 - 2035; ruled from 1869 to 2029. Ciryatan was an extremely greedy ruler – his ’help’ to Middle-Earth were vast fleets of ships carrying treasures away to Númenor. He oppressed the natives of Middle-Earth and gathered what he possibly could from them. His greed may remind us of the kings and khans of the steppes – Attila, Tamerlane and Genghis Khan for example. Their greed was unlimited and by legends, so was Tar-Ciryatan’s. Kublai Khan may add the shipwright’s trait to him – his invasions of Japan needed many men and ships, although there is the difference that Tar-Ciryatan succeeded in his campaigns while Kublai Khan did not. That could either be Midas, King of the Gordians, or Croesus, King of the Lydians. Both were obscenely wealthy and were both, according to ancient sources, very greedy. They both ruled prosperous empires which were descendents of the Urartians and Neo-Hittite empires, giving a unique blend of cultures from their ancestors and the Greeks of Asia Minor. Midas supposedly asked the gods to turn everything that he touched into gold, everything - his wife, his kids, his property, even his food! Croesus watched as Harpagus's army marched across Cappodocia. He went to the Oracle of Apollo in Delphi and asked the Pythoness if he should cross the River Halays. The Pythoness's translation said ’If you cross the River Halays, you will destroy a great empire.’ He crossed the Halays and the empire he destroyed was his own. He also said to Aristotle that he was the happiest man in the world, to which Aristotle obviously did not agree.[6]
Tar-Atanamir the Great, the Unwilling 1800 - 2221; ruled from 2029 to 2221. Atanamir was like his father, greedy to the utmost end. He oppressed the local people even harder than his father. It was also he, who first spoke against the Ban of the Valar, but the people still feared the Valar and did not dare to defy them. He was called Unwilling because he didn’t give over the Sceptre to his son before his death. Also, during his reign, the Númenoreans became frightened of death and they spoke to Eldar, who told that their short lives were in a sense, a gift and that the Men would have a purpose of their own which was unknown to all but Ilúvatar himself. The Eldar told that death was nothing to be frightened of, but they sensed the Shadow growing in the heart of the Númenoreans and warned them to be careful. Tar-Atanamir is similar to Octavianus Augustus, or any of the earlier emperors of the Roman Empire, who had to pretend that they were nothing more than extra ordinary magistrates and citizens of the Roman ’Republic’, to hide from the people the new emerging pseudo-monarchy in Rome. Every tenth year they would declare that they would hand back executive power to the Senate and Comita (as Augustus promised), rather ironic considering Augustus abolished the meetings of the Comita. They pretended that the Senate still had their ancient authority, adhering to old traditions.[7] So did Tar-Atanamir, supporting in secret the rising faction of King’s Men and wishing to go against the Ban but not doing so in public. The greed is addressed at Tar-Ciryatan’s chapter.
Tar-Ancalimon 1986 - 2386; ruled from 2221 to 2386. During his times, the separation between the King’s Men and the Faithful was final. Yet, the Faithful managed to stay free. The King’s Men however started using the Adûnaic language more and more often.
Tar-Telemmaitë 2136 - 2526; ruled from 2386 to 2526. From this time on, the old tradition of passing on the Sceptre before death was completely abandoned and the Kings remained ruling until the end of their lives. Yet, actual power was often in the hands of the Heir or advisors. Also, the lifetime of the Númenoreans considerably lessened during these days. Telemmaitë loved silver in all its forms and especially was fond of the mithril (which was as light as a feather and yet impenetrable).
Tar-Vanimeldë 2277 - 2637; ruled from 2526 to 2637 (2657). She was the third Ruling Queen. She did not like ruling and loved dance and music. Her husband ruled instead. After his death, her husband ruled until his death and only then did the Sceptre pass to Alcarin, their son. The Queen of France, Marie Antoinette, is a distant resemblance to Tar-Vanimeldë – both liked music, dancing and other pleasures and had their husband rule instead but, Marie Antoinette was the consort to the King and therefore should have never ruled alone (without the King) unlike Tar-Vanimeldë, who was a Ruling Queen. Also, Tar-Vanimeldë died due to natural causes unlike Marie Antoinette (executed with a guillotine).
2286 – 2657; ruled from 2637 to 2657. Herucalmo was also of royal lineage and he was younger than Vanimeldë. He ruled after her wife’s death.
Tar-Alcarin 2406 - 2737; ruled from 2637 (2657) – 2737. Alcarin’s rule is counted to begin from 2637 although he actually gained power after his father’s death in 2657.
Tar-Calmacil (Ar-Belzagar) 2516 - 2825; ruled from 2737 to 2825. He was a great captain and loved sailing. He won great fame as a conqueror and he took many lands along the coastline. He was also the first to take his name in the Adûnaic language in open rather than the High-Elvish. Tar-Calmacil could remind us of any of the Athenian archons from the time of the Peloponnesian wars and perhaps (but less likely) the Persian wars. In the Peloponnesian wars that were to be the destruction of Athens, almost the entire Athenian offensive was carried out by sea. They sent one fleet to destroy Spartan allies on the Aegean Islands, one for their protection, one under Phormio to blockade Corinth via Naupactus and one to ravage the Spartan costal lands by use of marines. These were in the whole highly successful (Sparta's agricultural abilities were highly damaged) and Phormio managed to push of many Corinthian fleets until a relief came. The abilities of these archons to deliver strike forces behind the Spartan lines was devastating, but they did not have a backup plan and when the Spartan army marched up to Attica, the power of the Athenian navy could not do much.[8]
Tar-Ardamin (Ar-Abattarîk) 2618 - 2899; ruled from 2825 to 2899. During his time, the tensions between the King’s Men and the Faithful grew. He did nothing to stop those.
Tar-Herunúmen (Ar-Adûnakhôr) 2709 - 2962; ruled from 2899 to 2962. He took the Sceptre with a title in the Adûnaic language. He was considered blasphemous however since both names he took were used before only in reference to Manwë, the Lord of the West. He put a light ban to the Elvish languages and the Elves stopped visiting Númenor during his times.
Tar-Hostamir (Ar-Zimrathôn) 2798 - 3033; ruled from 2962 to 3033. Hostamir was possibly a greedy ruler but what we know is that during his times, the tensions ensued and nothing was done to stop them. If he was greedy (and he wouldn’t have been the first), then the comparisons at Tar-Ciryatan give us an idea of whom he might be like.
Tar-Falassion (Ar-Sakalthôr) 2876 - 3102; ruled from 3033 to 3102. Falassion supposedly supported heavily the construction of new ships and sailing.
Tar-Telemnar (Ar-Gimilzôr) 2960 - 3177; ruled from 3102 to 3177. Telemnar was an opponent of the Faithful and persecuted them whenever he could. He put a heavy ban over all Elvish languages and forbid any Elf from setting their foot on Númenor as well. He believed in nothing and never, during his entire days, went to the Hallow of Eru Ilúvatar on the Meneltarma. Speaking of ’closed lands’, Japan as the Tokugawa Shogunate is one of the most well known examples. In Japan, Tokugawa Ieyasu banned the foreign religion (Christianity) and foreigners from entering, fearing their technological superiority and them converting people to Christianity. His reign may also be seen as a comparison to Ivan IV the Terrible of Russia.[9] Ivan suspected nearly everyone in conspiracies against him and especially distrusted the boyars. He sent many noblemen and even more of lesser classes to death. Of the reverance if gods, Frederick II of the Holy Roman Empire is a good example - a religious sceptic; actually rather opposed to the whole idea of religion (namely Christianity). He even got to the extent that he was dubbed the Antichrist by the Pope.[10]
His wife was Inzilbêth. Inzilbêth’s mother was Lindórië of the House of the Lords of Andúnië. Therefore, Inzilbêth was secretly of the Faithful and she didn’t love her husband. They had two sons and the sons disliked each other. Only due to the laws of Númenor did Inziladûn inherit the throne because his father would have done anything to stop him, in favour of his other son, Gimilkhâd. Alexandra, Queen of Judea, is similar to the wife of Tar-Telemnar in many ways. The only difference in the politics of these two women is that although Inzilbêth maintained a level of secrecy in her opposition, Alexandra did tell the public, as it gained her popularity among the masses.[11]
Tar-Palantir (Ar-Inziladûn) 3055 - 3255; ruled from 3177 to 3255. Tar-Palantir was gifted with foresight and he prophesized that when the White Tree died, then the Kings of Númenor would perish too. He revered the Tree and visited the Hallow of Eru. He spent many of his days in Andúnië hoping that the Eldar would return to Númenor but they did not. However, his brother, Gimilkhâd led the King’s Party and opposed his rule as he dared, in secret and openly. Tar-Palantir had only one child, a daughter – whom he named Miriel. There have been few kings in history who have acted as Tar-Palantir. Frederick I of Prussia (and the following Kings of Prussia) might be considered one(s) of such since he wanted to return to the old middle-age courts of Prussia rather than be a vassal elector of the Holy Roman crown. He also ’opened’ the lands, allowing Calvinists to migrate to his tolerant and prosperous state, encouraging a great surge of religious refugees to enrich his nation.[12] Also, the Macedonian kings of the diadochi states often waited for help from each other, all being the heritage of the Hellenic culture after all, but it seldom came. The last kings of Macedon itself are a good example. Both, Philip V and Perseus, were in great troubles in fighting with the Romans and needed help but it didn’t come.[13]
Tar-Calion the Golden (Ar-Pharazôn) 3118 - 3319; ruled from 3255 to 3319. Tar-Calion usurped the throne after the death of Tar-Palantir by forcefully wedding Miriel. This was also against the laws of Númenor since they were too close cousins. He was mostly known as Ar-Pharazôn. During his time, Sauron had conquered several Númenorean villages and outposts in Middle-Earth. In response, Ar-Pharazôn gathered a vast fleet and sailed to Middle-Earth. There he called Sauron and Sauron came and humbled himself before the King for his might was too great to be challenged. The King brought Sauron to Númenor and in three years, Sauron had become the greatest advisor of the King making Valandil, the Lord of Andúnië, retreat to Romenna to be closely watched. Sauron told the King of Melkor, the lord of Death, who was imprisoned in the Nothingness beyond the borders of the world, and Sauron told that Melkor could save them from death, for that was what the Númenoreans feared – death. Sauron had the White Tree burned and thrown into fires in a great temple he had built for sacrifices to Melkor. The Valar disliked the actions and sent messengers to warn the King but he did not listen to the warnings. When Ar-Pharazôn became older, he was even more frightened of death and Sauron had been waiting for that moment. He advised the King to sail against Valinor, to break the Ban and to conquer the Undying Lands. The King was reluctant but later he agreed and amassed an enormous armada. The armada covered the entire western shore of Elenna. When the armada was ready to make sail, Manwë sent three warnings to Ar-Pharazôn – first of all, on several nights the figure of a large eagle appeared in the western skies; the storms killed people in the mountains and in the plains although before the weather had been fair during all seasons; as the second warning, Númenor itself shook in a giant earthquake and for the third warning, thousands of eagles flew from the West, ordered as for battle and the western skies gloomed red as if the sky itself become angered against the King. But Ar-Pharazôn stepped onto the greatest ship in the fleet, Alcarondas, and ordered to set sail. The trumpets of Númenor then sounded high and low and even over the thundering skies. The entire force of Númenor went against Valinor, the sails were golden and black and they covered the skies, and the Elves in Avallónë and Eressëa were sad because they could not see the sunset. At last, Ar-Pharazôn reached the shores of Valinor and on the last moment, Ar-Pharazôn doubted his decision when he saw Taniquetil upon which the houses of Manwë and Varda were situated, and he was about to give orders to return to Númenor but alas! his pride was larger than anything else and he stepped upon the Undying Lands. He proclaimed that the lands were his own if none were to come to fight for it and he and his force camped at Tuna. Manwë prayed to Eru Ilúvatar and he reshaped the earth itself. The seas opened and Númenor was sunk in between and a large tidal wave swept over it and the fleet of the Númenoreans sunk to the bottoms of the oceans, but Ar-Pharazôn the Golden and all his men were entrapped under the earth, until the Last Battle. It might be said that the Bavarian Elector, Maximilian II Emanuel, is in some ways alike Tar-Calion. Although Maximilian II took part of the War of the Spanish Succession on the side of the French. There he suffered many defeats and his Electorate was overrun by enemies. Yet, he didn’t perish in that war.
3117 - 3319 Miriel was, the only sibling of Tar-Palantir and was wedded against her own will. She was the most beautiful queen of Númenor that had ever lived. She perished in the Downfall, trying to reach the Hallow of Eru on the Meneltarma, but the tidal wave reached her and her screams died in the winds. It is told that Mary Stuart, the Queen of Scotland, married against her own will. However, she didn’t give away her power although the king plotted against her. And, similarly, the King died before the Queen.
J.R.R. Tolkien ’The Silmarillion’ J.R.R. Tolkien ’The Unfinished Tales’
References and Notes:
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