Kings of Númenor
Encyclopedia
In J. R. R. Tolkien
's Middle-earth
legendarium
, the Kings of Númenor were Dúnedain
men who ruled the kingdom of Númenor
. Númenor's twenty-five rulers are listed in simple form at List of rulers of Númenor. More details about the reigns of the rulers are given here, for the twenty-three male rulers, including one usurper (Herulcalmo), and at Ruling Queens of Númenor
for the female rulers.
of Middle-earth
, created by J. R. R. Tolkien
. He was born in year 532 of the First Age
to Eärendil
and Elwing
. Elros was one of the Half-elven
of Middle-earth who chose to become a mortal man
, and was later crowned the first High King of Númenor
.
Elros's name may mean "Elf of the Spray" based on a tale from his early childhood. Maedhros
and Maglor
, in an effort to wrest the Silmaril
from Elwing
and her people, attacked the settlement at the Mouths of Sirion, slaying many and driving Elwing
over the sea. After the battle they found her children, Elros and his twin brother, Elrond
, and taking pity on them, they raised them as their foster-children as an act of repentance. They found them in a cave where Elros was playing in a waterfall at the entrance and his brother was hiding in the back of the cave. Thus he was named "Elf of the Spray". In The Silmarillion
, Christopher Tolkien
interprets Elros as meaning "Star-foam".
As Half-elven, he and his brother were given the choice to be Elves or Men. Elros chose to become one of the Edain
, while Elrond elected to remain an Elf. As a reward for the valour of the Edain against the dark forces of Morgoth
, the Valar
raised an island for them to dwell in, protected from the dangers of Middle-earth. Elros and the surviving Edain set sail over Sea and, guided by the Star of Eärendil, they came to the great Isle of Elenna, westernmost of all Mortal lands. There they founded the realm of Númenor, or Westernesse. The Valar also granted Elros and his heirs substantially longer life-spans.
In year 32 of the Second Age
Elros became the first King of Númenor, taking the Quenya
name Tar-Minyatur, meaning "High First-ruler". This was the convention by which most succeeding kings of Númenor took their royal title. He was the heir to the lordship of all three of the houses of the Edain
, whose remnants formed the population of Númenor. As such, he and his descendants possessed heirlooms from great heroes and lords of the First Age
: the Ring of Barahir
, the Axe of Tuor
, the Bow of Bregor, and Aranrúth, the sword of Thingol
. He ruled for 410 years until he optionally abdicated the throne as well as his life in S.A. 442, at age 500.
. His first name means probably "Lofty Jewel" and his byname, "The Knowledgeable". He was noted as an exceptional scholar whose only desire was to study, not to rule. His character fitted well in with his extraordinary fate: as the son of a king who had been granted a longer life-span than any other mortal man, Vardamir was never likely to survive Elros by long. When Elros finally died, Vardamir was a very old man, and immediately abdicated
in favour of his son, Tar-Amandil. He was counted as the second King of Númenor, having nominally ruled for a single year. He died in S.A. 471 aged 410 years. He had four children: Tar-Amandil (b. S.A. 192–d. S.A. 603), eldest son and successor; Vardilmë (b. S.A. 203), daughter; Aulendil (b. S.A. 213), son; Nolondil (b. S.A. 222), son.
, but its second ruler. Tar-Amandil's father, Vardamir Nólimon, declined to take the throne upon the death of his father, Elros Tar-Minyatur, the grandfather of Tar-Amandil, and so Tar-Amandil is actually the second ruling monarch, but Vardamir Nólimon is still counted in the list of Kings. Tar-Amandil's name means "Aman
-lover". Tar-Amandil abdicated in S.A. 590 and was succeeded by his own son, Tar-Elendil. He died in S.A. 603 at the age of 411 years. Tar-Amandil had three children: Tar-Elendil (b. S.A. 350–d. S.A. 751), his eldest son and successor; Eärendur (b. S.A. 361), son; Mairen (b. S.A. 377), daughter.
, succeeding his father Tar-Amandil. He was considered to be a master of lore and a notable scholar. His name in Quenya can mean either 'Elf-Friend' or 'Star-Lover': but it is unlikely that the former would be given as a name when all of the Númenóreans were Elf-friends. The name "Elendil" was translated to Adûnaic as 'Nimruzîr'.
His oldest child was Silmariën, a daughter, and his second child was Isilmë, yet another daughter. Silmariën would have become Queen
according to the principle of full cognatic primogeniture
. However, the law
s dictating succession
at the time followed the principle of agnatic primogeniture
, preventing women from ruling. Consequently, he was succeeded by his third child and oldest son Tar-Meneldur. He is the direct ancestor of all subsequent Kings of Númenor
through his son. Through his daughter, Tar-Elendil is direct ancestor to the Lords of Andúnië, the Kings of Gondor
, the Kings of Arnor (and its successor states), all the way to the Kings of the Reunited Kingdom
.
From the time of the reign of Tar-Elendil, Númenóreans began to make contact with Middle-earth
more actively. It was in S.A. 600 that Vëantur, the Captain of King's Ships, sailed from Númenor
to the Middle-earth for the first time. Tar-Elendil died in S.A. 751, at the age of 401 years.
. His right name was 'Írimon', which means 'Man of desire' in Quenya; a keen astronomer, Tar-Meneldur took the name of 'Tar-Meneldur' ('Lover of the Heavens') upon his accession. His two older sisters were Silmariën and Isilmë. Tar-Meneldur married Almarian and had three children: Anardil, son; later known as Aldarion
; Ailinel, daughter — she would become the mother of Soronto; Almiel, daughter.
During the rule of Tar-Meneldur contact with the Middle Men of Eriador
was re-established, under guidance of the Elves
of Lindon
, under Gil-galad
. Tar-Meneldur encouraged the seafarers, and allowed his son Aldarion to establish a guild of seafarers, which became one of the most powerful organisations in Númenor. Many voyages along the coasts were made at this time, and the first settlements were made in Middle-earth
by Númenórean explorers, although none of them permanent yet. These early settlements were however the later cores of Arnor
and Gondor
, and the re-established contact of Númenóreans with their distant kin allowed the Adûnaic
tongue to merge with local, far akin languages, eventually leading to the Westron
speech. This would in later years prove to be one of the greatest assets to the power of Númenor in Middle-earth.
Near the end of Tar-Meneldur's rule reports came in that evil began to stir in the east of Middle-earth (the first awakenings of Sauron
, as was later learned), and Gil-galad requested the aid of Tar-Meneldur. Recognizing his son Aldarion was more aware of the troubles, and was a powerful leader of men, Meneldur resigned in favour of his son, far earlier than was expected. Meneldur, together with his wife Almarian, attempted to mediate between his son Aldarion and his betrothed, Erendis, who had become estranged. For a time they were successful, and Aldarion and Erendis were wed, but Aldarion soon left again for sea. It was during the long absence in Middle-earth, a time during which Aldarion was instructed by Gil-galad, that Erendis left the royal court for her home. By the time Aldarion returned even Meneldur's best attempts could not seal the breach. Meneldur died in S.A. 942, at the age of 399 years.
, succeeding his father, Tar-Meneldur. Tar-Aldarion is an ambiguous figure in the history of Númenor and the Dúnedain. He was driven, intelligent and capable, usually generous in spirit, often farsighted, and perceptive. Yet he was also self-centred, indifferent to the concerns of others in daily life, and ambitious for greater power. He was away from home for years at a time, and could be said to have neglected his duties as husband, father, and Heir to the Sceptre, his attention was away from home to the point that he knew less of Númenor than the Heir to the Sceptre should. Yet he was the first of the Dúnedain to perceive the rising threat of Sauron, he gave needed aid to the Elven King Gil-galad and laid the foundation for the future alliance of the Elves and the Men of Númenor against Sauron. Without the foundations laid by Aldarion, his descendant Tar-Minastir could not have rescued Middle-earth from utter disaster in the first War of the Rings in the middle of the Second Age. His foresight enabled Númenor to construct a mighty navy without destroying her forest lands, and as King he ruled competently, keeping order at home and expanding Númenor's strength abroad.
However, his domestic failings had their public cost: upon his death his daughter Queen Tar-Ancalimë abandoned his policies of aid to Gil-galad, and let his works lie unmaintained, and her upbringing left her hostile to marriage and domestic life to such a degree that not only was her own personal life blighted, but she brought misery on her female descendants in the first and second degree as well. Also, though Aldarion's foresight and efforts made it possible for the Dúnedain to prevent disaster, by saving the Elves and northwestern Middle-earth from being overrun by Sauron in the time of Tar-Minastir, his voyages laid the first seed of the ever-growing, driving restlessness that would in time enable the corruption of the Dúnedain, and the hunger for power and glory and immortality that would eventually bring the Downfall of Númenor in S.A. 3319. His father Tar-Meneldur seems to have instinctively sensed some danger in this, his heart wished to forbid Aldarion's first great sea voyage, sensing some peril in it that he did not understand, and in later years he consciously came to believe that the voyages of Aldarion and his Guild of Venturers were encouraging the Dúnedain in unhealthy ambitions and desires. The tale of their marriage and estrangement survived the Downfall of Númenor as "Aldarion and Erendis, or The Mariner's Wife".
, succeeding his mother, Tar-Ancalimë. His name means "Sun-son" or "Child of the Sun". Little is said about Tar-Anárion's rule apart from him surrendering the Sceptre
in S.A. 1394. His two eldest children were female, but both declined the throne for uncertain reasons, and they disliked and feared their grandmother Ancalimë, who would refuse to let them marry. Therefore he was succeeded by his son, Tar-Súrion.
, succeeding his father Tar-Anárion. Tar-Súrion had two older sisters, but they were said to have no interest in ruling, so he became King. His name means "Wind-son". The Elves of Eregion conceived of the forging of the Rings of Power
during his reign. He was succeeded by his oldest child, his daughter, Tar-Telperiën. Through his second child and oldest son Isilmo, he was grandfather to Tar-Minastir.
. He was the son of Isilmo and succeeded his aunt, Queen Tar-Telperiën, when she died. He was the grandson of King Tar-Súrion. His name means "Tower-watcher", which perhaps signifies "The Vigilant". Sauron
invaded Eriador
from Calenardhon in S.A. 1695 and realms of Eregion
fell. Sauron advanced to Lindon
and Rivendell
. In S.A. 1700 Tar-Minastir sent a navy under the command of Ciryatur, to save Lindon. Ciryatur's forces stopped Sauron's army at the river Gwathló
; reinforcements from Lindon and Tharbad helped defeat Sauron at the Battle of Gwathló. Sauron retreated to Mordor
in S.A. 1701. From around the 19th century in the S.A.
, Númenóreans began establishing permanent settlements in Middle-earth
, including Umbar
. He abdicated under pressure from his son in S.A. 1869 who succeeded him as Tar-Ciryatan.
was the twelfth ruler of Númenor
. He succeeded his father, Tar-Minastir, as king. Tar-Ciryatan was a great ship builder, and he waged war upon Middle-earth
, bringing its treasures back to Númenor. During his reign the first signs of the Shadow began to fall upon Númenor. His name means "Ship-builder" (see also Círdan
). He abdicated in S.A. 2029 and was succeeded by his son, Tar-Atanamir.
. He succeeded his father, King Tar-Ciryatan. His name means "Jewel of Man". Tar-Atanamir was the first King to speak out against the Ban of the Valar, and to advocate opposition to the Valar
themselves. He was also the first king who was unwilling to give up his throne voluntarily before his death, and to let himself die while he was still strong in mind and body. Death instead took him by force and thus his reign ended. Every king afterwards refused to renounce his reign. His reign is thus generally considered to constitute the beginning of Númenor's moral decline. He was succeeded by his son, Tar-Ancalimon.
. His name means "Most Bright". During Tar-Ancalimon's reign, two opposing parties arose among Númenóreans: the Elf-friends, or Elendili (also called "The Faithful"), advocated continuing devotion to the Valar
and friendship with the Elves
, and the "King's Men" who propounded Man's
independence and self-determination, seeing how they had reached the apex of their might. This split would culminate in the Fall of Númenor
. Tar-Ancalimon was succeeded by his son, Tar-Telemmaitë.
. He succeeded his father, Tar-Ancalimon, and was succeeded by his daughter, Tar-Vanimeldë. His name means "Silver-handed", reflecting his greed for the precious metal mithril
.
. He was much younger than his wife. Tar-Vanimeldë had little interest in ruling, and Herucalmo served as her regent. When she died, the throne should have gone to their son, Tar-Alcarin, but Herucalmo usurped the throne and ruled under the name Tar-Anducal ("Light of the West") from S.A. 2637 to 2657. After Tar-Anducal's death, Tar-Alcarin finally succeeded to his rightful throne.
. His parents were the ruling Queen, Tar-Vanimeldë, and her consort, Herucalmo. Tar-Alcarin should have succeeded his mother upon her death, but Herucalmo usurped the throne and held it for twenty years before he died, and Tar-Alcarin rightfully gained the throne. His name means "Glorious". The period in which he ruled was still a mostly peaceful one in Númenor, but in Middle-earth
Sauron
ruled the lands, and the shadow had fallen on Númenor as well. Herucalmo's usurping of the throne was generally considered an evil deed by the people. Tar-Alcarin ruled for eighty years, then was succeeded by his son, Tar-Calmacil.
. He succeeded his father, Tar-Alcarin, as King. His name means "Bright Sword", which he took in recognition of the territorial victories he had in Middle-earth
as a renowned captain of Númenor. He was also as the first King to have recorded an Adûnaic
equivalent of his name: Ar-Belzagar. This signalled the rise of a faction known as the King's Men who were opposed to the Ban of the Valar
. There is a discrepancy in Tolkien's writings as to Tar-Calmacil's successor: Tar-Ardamin, his son, or Ar-Adûnakhôr, his grandson. Specifically, in Appendix A of The Lord of the Rings
, Ar-Adûnakhôr is listed as his successor, but in the more expanded "Line of Elros: Kings of Númenor" from Unfinished Tales
, he is succeeded by Tar-Ardamin. Christopher Tolkien suggests that the name was accidentally omitted.
, is sometimes listed in the list of rulers of Númenor
but is sometimes omitted. He was the son of King Tar-Calmacil, and if he is counted as one of the rulers, then he is the nineteenth in the line of rulers. In Adûnaic his name means "Pillar of the World"; in Quenya, it may mean "First of the World". Tar-Ardamin is omitted in the list of rulers of Númenor in Appendix A of The Lord of the Rings
, but is mentioned briefly in Unfinished Tales
. J. R. R. Tolkien's son Christopher, who compiled and edited Unfinished Tales, speculates in an endnote to the chapter "The Line of Elros: Kings of Númenor" that while Tolkien may have had a reason behind the omission that he never elaborated on, a simple textual error is more likely, as the numbering of the kings was never altered. Tar-Ardamin's son, Ar-Adûnakhôr, is generally counted as the twentieth ruler.
. He opposed the Valar
, and thus took his official name in the Adûnaic
tongue instead of using the traditional Quenya
form Tar-Herunúmen. The name he choose was considered by some as blasphemous — in both languages it means "Lord of the West", a title reserved for Manwë
, Lord of the Valar. There is some question as to whether Ar-Adûnakhôr succeeded his father, Tar-Ardamin, as King, or his grandfather, Tar-Calmacil, but the numbering of the rulers includes Tar-Ardamin in the count. Specifically, Tar-Ardamin does not appear at all in The Lord of the Rings
appendices, but he does appear in the chapter "The Line of Elros" from Unfinished Tales
. He was succeeded by his son, Ar-Zimrathôn.
. Like his father Ar-Adûnakhôr, Ar-Zimrathôn opposed the Valar
, and he took his name in the Adûnaic
tongue rather than in the traditional Quenya
. But Númenórean scholars recorded his Quenya name Tar-Hostamir so as to not offend the Valar. His name in both languages means "Jewel Gatherer", perhaps implying a greedy nature. Ar-Zimrathôn ruled Númenor for seventy-one years, and was succeeded by his son, Ar-Sakalthôr.
. He followed the royal tradition of turning away from the ways of the Valar
. He succeeded his father Ar-Zimrathôn as King, ruling Númenor for sixty-nine years, and was succeeded by his son, Ar-Gimilzôr. The traditional Quenya
version of his name was "Tar-Falassion". It means "Shore-son" or "Child of the Shore".
, succeeding his father Ar-Sakalthôr as King. During his reign Ar-Gimilzôr persecuted the Elf-friends (Elendili), who called for the return of the Númenóreans to the ways of the Valar
and the Elves
. Use of Elvish was forbidden in Númenor by his order in c. S.A. 3110. His regnal name was recorded as Tar-Telemnar ("Silver-flame"), the Quenya
version of his name, a custom meant not to offend the Valar. Ar-Gimilzôr's wife, Inzilbêth, was secretly an Elf-friend, and she passed on her ways to their son, Tar-Palantir. She was the daughter of Lindórië, who was herself a descendant of Tar-Elendil, the fourth king of Númenor, and also of Tar-Calmacil1. Their second son, Gimilkhâd, opposed his elder brother's policies.
1 In an earlier version her father is shown as Gimilzagar, the second son of Tar-Calmacil. However, this would make Inzilbêth at least 400 years old at the time of her marriage; despite the long lives of the members of Númenórean royal line, Inzilbêth must have been further removed from Gimilzagar or else the Gimilzagar referred to as her father was not the same Gimilzagar as the son of Tar-Calmacil.
. His Adûnaic
name was Ar-Inziladûn, which means "Flower of the West". Tar-Palantir's father, Ar-Gimilzôr, whom he succeeded, was an opponent of the Valar
and the Elves
. But Inzilbêth, the queen, taught her son to be an Elf-friend. Ar-Inziladûn took power in a time of great darkness in Númenor; ever since Tar-Atanamir, every king had spoken against the Valar and questioned the policies laid out to them. Palantir, however, sought to repent the actions of his predecessors; he once again tended the White Tree
and followed the ancient practices. He had prophesied that the White Tree was tied with the line of the Kings; should it die, then the line of the Kings would in turn die out. However, there was no response from the Valar; and Eressëa could not be seen from the tower of Tar-Minastir. A name in Quenya
was inscribed in the Scrolls, as was with ancient practices. Palantir in Quenya means "far sighted," as Palantir indeed saw the destruction that would come to Númenor if it kept going down the path it was on. His daughter, Míriel was his official successor and would have followed his policies, but her rightful place as Queen of Númenor was usurped by her cousin, Ar-Pharazôn.
, was the twenty-fifth and last king of Númenor
. Ar-Pharazôn was the nephew of King Tar-Palantir and took to wife Tar-Palantir's daughter, Míriel (against her will as well as Númenórean law). Ar-Pharazôn was the most powerful of all the kings of Númenor. With a great fleet he landed at Umbar
, marched on Mordor
and took Sauron
as a prisoner back to Númenor. Sauron eventually corrupted Ar-Pharazôn, and the king built the "greatest armament that the world had seen" to attack Valinor
in S.A. 3310 and broke the Ban of the Valar. The King himself perished in the cataclysm that followed, although in the Akallabêth
account of this it states that "Ar-Pharazôn and his mortal warriors who had set foot on Aman
were buried by falling hills, imprisoned in the Caves of the Forgotten until the Last Battle and Day of Doom
."
J. R. R. Tolkien
John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, CBE was an English writer, poet, philologist, and university professor, best known as the author of the classic high fantasy works The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and The Silmarillion.Tolkien was Rawlinson and Bosworth Professor of Anglo-Saxon at Pembroke College,...
's Middle-earth
Middle-earth
Middle-earth is the fictional setting of the majority of author J. R. R. Tolkien's fantasy writings. The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings take place entirely in Middle-earth, as does much of The Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales....
legendarium
Tolkien's legendarium
The phrase Tolkien's legendarium is used in the literary discipline of Tolkien studiesto refer to the part of J. R. R. Tolkien's high fantasy fiction being concerned with his Elven legends; that is, historic events that have become legendary from the perspective of the characters of The Lord of the...
, the Kings of Númenor were Dúnedain
Dúnedain
In J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium, the Dúnedain were a race of Men descended from the Númenóreans who survived the sinking of their island kingdom and came to Eriador in Middle-earth, led by Elendil and his sons, Isildur and Anárion...
men who ruled the kingdom of Númenor
Númenor
Númenor is a fictional place in J. R. R. Tolkien's writings. It was a huge island located in the Sundering Seas to the west of Middle-earth, the main setting of Tolkien's writings, and was known to be the greatest realm of Men...
. Númenor's twenty-five rulers are listed in simple form at List of rulers of Númenor. More details about the reigns of the rulers are given here, for the twenty-three male rulers, including one usurper (Herulcalmo), and at Ruling Queens of Númenor
Ruling Queens of Númenor
In J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium, the Ruling Queens of Númenor were Dúnedain women who ruled the kingdom of Númenor. Out of Númenor's twenty-five rulers, only three were female....
for the female rulers.
Elros Tar-Minyatur
Elros Tar-Minyatur (–, r. S.A. 32–442) is a fictional characterFictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
of Middle-earth
Middle-earth
Middle-earth is the fictional setting of the majority of author J. R. R. Tolkien's fantasy writings. The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings take place entirely in Middle-earth, as does much of The Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales....
, created by J. R. R. Tolkien
J. R. R. Tolkien
John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, CBE was an English writer, poet, philologist, and university professor, best known as the author of the classic high fantasy works The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and The Silmarillion.Tolkien was Rawlinson and Bosworth Professor of Anglo-Saxon at Pembroke College,...
. He was born in year 532 of the First Age
First Age
In the fiction of J. R. R. Tolkien, the First Age, or First Age of the Children of Ilúvatar is the heroic period in which most of Tolkien's early legends are set...
to Eärendil
Eärendil
Eärendil the Mariner is a fictional character in J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium. He is depicted in The Silmarillion as a great seafarer who, on his brow, carried the morning star across the sky.-Etymology:...
and Elwing
Elwing
Elwing is a character of Middle-earth, created by J. R. R. Tolkien. She is Half-elven but counted among the Elves, notable for saving a Silmaril from the destruction of the Havens of Sirion and, with her husband Eärendil, going to the Valar to ask their help for the people of Middle-earth...
. Elros was one of the Half-elven
Half-elven
In J. R. R. Tolkien's fictional universe of Middle-earth, the Half-elven are the children of the union of Elves and Men. The Half-elven are not a distinct race from Elves and Men, and must ultimately choose to which race they belong...
of Middle-earth who chose to become a mortal man
Man (Middle-earth)
The race of Men in J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth books, such as The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, refers to humanity and does not denote gender...
, and was later crowned the first High King of Númenor
Númenor
Númenor is a fictional place in J. R. R. Tolkien's writings. It was a huge island located in the Sundering Seas to the west of Middle-earth, the main setting of Tolkien's writings, and was known to be the greatest realm of Men...
.
Elros's name may mean "Elf of the Spray" based on a tale from his early childhood. Maedhros
Maedhros
Maedhros is a fictional character in J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium. First introduced in The Silmarillion and later mentioned in Unfinished Tales and The Children of Húrin, he is one of the most enduring characters in The Silmarillion, and has been the subject of paintings by artists such as Jenny...
and Maglor
Maglor
In J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium, Maglor is a fictional character, the second son of Fëanor and Nerdanel. He was the greatest poet and bard of the Noldor and was said to have inherited more of his mother's gentler temperament....
, in an effort to wrest the Silmaril
Silmaril
The Silmarils are three brilliant jewels which contained the unmarred light of the Two Trees in J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium. The Silmarils were made out of the crystalline substance silima by Fëanor, a Noldorin Elf, in Valinor during the Years of the Trees...
from Elwing
Elwing
Elwing is a character of Middle-earth, created by J. R. R. Tolkien. She is Half-elven but counted among the Elves, notable for saving a Silmaril from the destruction of the Havens of Sirion and, with her husband Eärendil, going to the Valar to ask their help for the people of Middle-earth...
and her people, attacked the settlement at the Mouths of Sirion, slaying many and driving Elwing
Elwing
Elwing is a character of Middle-earth, created by J. R. R. Tolkien. She is Half-elven but counted among the Elves, notable for saving a Silmaril from the destruction of the Havens of Sirion and, with her husband Eärendil, going to the Valar to ask their help for the people of Middle-earth...
over the sea. After the battle they found her children, Elros and his twin brother, Elrond
Elrond
Elrond Half-elven is a fictional character in J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium. He is introduced in The Hobbit, and plays a supporting role in The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion.-Character overview:...
, and taking pity on them, they raised them as their foster-children as an act of repentance. They found them in a cave where Elros was playing in a waterfall at the entrance and his brother was hiding in the back of the cave. Thus he was named "Elf of the Spray". In The Silmarillion
The Silmarillion
The Silmarillion is a collection of J. R. R. Tolkien's mythopoeic works, edited and published posthumously by his son Christopher Tolkien in 1977, with assistance from Guy Gavriel Kay, who later became a noted fantasy writer. The Silmarillion, along with J. R. R...
, Christopher Tolkien
Christopher Tolkien
Christopher Reuel Tolkien is the third and youngest son of the author J. R. R. Tolkien , and is best known as the editor of much of his father's posthumously published work. He drew the original maps for his father's The Lord of the Rings, which he signed C. J. R. T. The J...
interprets Elros as meaning "Star-foam".
As Half-elven, he and his brother were given the choice to be Elves or Men. Elros chose to become one of the Edain
Edain
In the fiction of J. R. R. Tolkien, the Edain were men who made their way into Beleriand in the First Age, and were friendly to the Elves....
, while Elrond elected to remain an Elf. As a reward for the valour of the Edain against the dark forces of Morgoth
Morgoth
Morgoth Bauglir is a fictional character from J. R. R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth legendarium. He is the main antagonist of The Silmarillion, figures in The Children of Húrin, and is mentioned briefly in The Lord of the Rings.Melkor was the most powerful of the Ainur, but turned to darkness and became...
, the Valar
Vala (Middle-earth)
The Valar are fictional characters in J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium. They are first mentioned in The Lord of the Rings, but The Silmarillion develops them into the Powers of Arda or the Powers of the World...
raised an island for them to dwell in, protected from the dangers of Middle-earth. Elros and the surviving Edain set sail over Sea and, guided by the Star of Eärendil, they came to the great Isle of Elenna, westernmost of all Mortal lands. There they founded the realm of Númenor, or Westernesse. The Valar also granted Elros and his heirs substantially longer life-spans.
In year 32 of the Second Age
Second Age
The Second Age is a time period from J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth fantasy writings. Tolkien intended for the history of Middle-earth to be considered fictionally as a precursor to the history of the real Earth....
Elros became the first King of Númenor, taking the Quenya
Quenya
Quenya is a fictional language devised by J. R. R. Tolkien, and used in his Secondary world, often called Middle-earth.Quenya is one of the many Elvish languages spoken by the immortal Elves, called Quendi in Quenya. The tongue actually called Quenya was in origin the speech of two clans of Elves...
name Tar-Minyatur, meaning "High First-ruler". This was the convention by which most succeeding kings of Númenor took their royal title. He was the heir to the lordship of all three of the houses of the Edain
Edain
In the fiction of J. R. R. Tolkien, the Edain were men who made their way into Beleriand in the First Age, and were friendly to the Elves....
, whose remnants formed the population of Númenor. As such, he and his descendants possessed heirlooms from great heroes and lords of the First Age
First Age
In the fiction of J. R. R. Tolkien, the First Age, or First Age of the Children of Ilúvatar is the heroic period in which most of Tolkien's early legends are set...
: the Ring of Barahir
Barahir
Barahir is a fictional character in the fantasy-world Middle-earth of the English author J. R. R. Tolkien. He appears in The Silmarillion, the epic poem The Lay of Leithian and the Grey Annals.-Character overview:...
, the Axe of Tuor
Tuor
Tuor is a fictional character from J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium. He is the grandfather of Elrond Half-elven and one of the most renowned ancestors of the Men of Númenor and of the King of the Reunited Kingdom Aragorn Elessar...
, the Bow of Bregor, and Aranrúth, the sword of Thingol
Thingol
Elu Thingol is a fictional character in J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium. He appears in The Silmarillion, The Lays of Beleriand and Children of Húrin as well as in numerous stories in the many volumes of The History of Middle-earth...
. He ruled for 410 years until he optionally abdicated the throne as well as his life in S.A. 442, at age 500.
Vardamir Nólimon
Vardamir Nólimon (S.A. 61–471, r. S.A. 442) was the oldest child of Elros Tar-Minyatur, and heir to the Kingship of NúmenorNúmenor
Númenor is a fictional place in J. R. R. Tolkien's writings. It was a huge island located in the Sundering Seas to the west of Middle-earth, the main setting of Tolkien's writings, and was known to be the greatest realm of Men...
. His first name means probably "Lofty Jewel" and his byname, "The Knowledgeable". He was noted as an exceptional scholar whose only desire was to study, not to rule. His character fitted well in with his extraordinary fate: as the son of a king who had been granted a longer life-span than any other mortal man, Vardamir was never likely to survive Elros by long. When Elros finally died, Vardamir was a very old man, and immediately abdicated
Abdication
Abdication occurs when a monarch, such as a king or emperor, renounces his office.-Terminology:The word abdication comes derives from the Latin abdicatio. meaning to disown or renounce...
in favour of his son, Tar-Amandil. He was counted as the second King of Númenor, having nominally ruled for a single year. He died in S.A. 471 aged 410 years. He had four children: Tar-Amandil (b. S.A. 192–d. S.A. 603), eldest son and successor; Vardilmë (b. S.A. 203), daughter; Aulendil (b. S.A. 213), son; Nolondil (b. S.A. 222), son.
Tar-Amandil
Tar-Amandil (S.A. 192–603, r. S.A. 442–590) was the third King of NúmenorNúmenor
Númenor is a fictional place in J. R. R. Tolkien's writings. It was a huge island located in the Sundering Seas to the west of Middle-earth, the main setting of Tolkien's writings, and was known to be the greatest realm of Men...
, but its second ruler. Tar-Amandil's father, Vardamir Nólimon, declined to take the throne upon the death of his father, Elros Tar-Minyatur, the grandfather of Tar-Amandil, and so Tar-Amandil is actually the second ruling monarch, but Vardamir Nólimon is still counted in the list of Kings. Tar-Amandil's name means "Aman
Aman
-External links:*...
-lover". Tar-Amandil abdicated in S.A. 590 and was succeeded by his own son, Tar-Elendil. He died in S.A. 603 at the age of 411 years. Tar-Amandil had three children: Tar-Elendil (b. S.A. 350–d. S.A. 751), his eldest son and successor; Eärendur (b. S.A. 361), son; Mairen (b. S.A. 377), daughter.
Tar-Elendil
Tar-Elendil (S.A. 350–751, r. S.A. 590–740) was the fourth King of NúmenorNúmenor
Númenor is a fictional place in J. R. R. Tolkien's writings. It was a huge island located in the Sundering Seas to the west of Middle-earth, the main setting of Tolkien's writings, and was known to be the greatest realm of Men...
, succeeding his father Tar-Amandil. He was considered to be a master of lore and a notable scholar. His name in Quenya can mean either 'Elf-Friend' or 'Star-Lover': but it is unlikely that the former would be given as a name when all of the Númenóreans were Elf-friends. The name "Elendil" was translated to Adûnaic as 'Nimruzîr'.
His oldest child was Silmariën, a daughter, and his second child was Isilmë, yet another daughter. Silmariën would have become Queen
Monarch
A monarch is the person who heads a monarchy. This is a form of government in which a state or polity is ruled or controlled by an individual who typically inherits the throne by birth and occasionally rules for life or until abdication...
according to the principle of full cognatic primogeniture
Primogeniture
Primogeniture is the right, by law or custom, of the firstborn to inherit the entire estate, to the exclusion of younger siblings . Historically, the term implied male primogeniture, to the exclusion of females...
. However, the law
Law
Law is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior, wherever possible. It shapes politics, economics and society in numerous ways and serves as a social mediator of relations between people. Contract law regulates everything from buying a bus...
s dictating succession
Order of succession
An order of succession is a formula or algorithm that determines who inherits an office upon the death, resignation, or removal of its current occupant.-Monarchies and nobility:...
at the time followed the principle of agnatic primogeniture
Primogeniture
Primogeniture is the right, by law or custom, of the firstborn to inherit the entire estate, to the exclusion of younger siblings . Historically, the term implied male primogeniture, to the exclusion of females...
, preventing women from ruling. Consequently, he was succeeded by his third child and oldest son Tar-Meneldur. He is the direct ancestor of all subsequent Kings of Númenor
Númenor
Númenor is a fictional place in J. R. R. Tolkien's writings. It was a huge island located in the Sundering Seas to the west of Middle-earth, the main setting of Tolkien's writings, and was known to be the greatest realm of Men...
through his son. Through his daughter, Tar-Elendil is direct ancestor to the Lords of Andúnië, the Kings of Gondor
Kings of Gondor
This is a list of kings of Gondor from the fictional universe of Middle-earth by J. R. R. Tolkien.The kings of Gondor through Amandil claimed descent from the Lords of Andúnië, and from there to Silmariën and the Kings of Númenor....
, the Kings of Arnor (and its successor states), all the way to the Kings of the Reunited Kingdom
Reunited Kingdom
The Reunited Kingdom of Arnor and Gondor is a fictional realm from J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth.When Aragorn became King of Gondor at the end of the War of the Ring, he was also the descendant of the Kings of Arnor, and by right he was crowned High King of both Arnor and Gondor and Reunited the...
.
From the time of the reign of Tar-Elendil, Númenóreans began to make contact with Middle-earth
Middle-earth
Middle-earth is the fictional setting of the majority of author J. R. R. Tolkien's fantasy writings. The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings take place entirely in Middle-earth, as does much of The Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales....
more actively. It was in S.A. 600 that Vëantur, the Captain of King's Ships, sailed from Númenor
Númenor
Númenor is a fictional place in J. R. R. Tolkien's writings. It was a huge island located in the Sundering Seas to the west of Middle-earth, the main setting of Tolkien's writings, and was known to be the greatest realm of Men...
to the Middle-earth for the first time. Tar-Elendil died in S.A. 751, at the age of 401 years.
Tar-Meneldur
Tar-Meneldur (S.A. 543–942, r. S.A. 740–883) was the fifth King of NúmenorNúmenor
Númenor is a fictional place in J. R. R. Tolkien's writings. It was a huge island located in the Sundering Seas to the west of Middle-earth, the main setting of Tolkien's writings, and was known to be the greatest realm of Men...
. His right name was 'Írimon', which means 'Man of desire' in Quenya; a keen astronomer, Tar-Meneldur took the name of 'Tar-Meneldur' ('Lover of the Heavens') upon his accession. His two older sisters were Silmariën and Isilmë. Tar-Meneldur married Almarian and had three children: Anardil, son; later known as Aldarion
Tar-Aldarion
Tar-Aldarion is a character from J. R. R. Tolkien’s legendarium.He was the sixth King of Númenor, succeeding his father, Tar-Meneldur. He was a great mariner, and during his time Númenor started to invest more in its navy and strengthened its presence overseas in Middle-earth. He wedded Erendis in...
; Ailinel, daughter — she would become the mother of Soronto; Almiel, daughter.
During the rule of Tar-Meneldur contact with the Middle Men of Eriador
Eriador
Eriador is a large region in J. R. R. Tolkien's fictional world of Middle-earth. In the Second Age, and possibly much earlier, it was largely forested, but the Dúnedain felled most of the forests to build ships. Much of it was encompassed in the early Third Age by the kingdom of Arnor, which...
was re-established, under guidance of the Elves
Elf (Middle-earth)
In J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium, Elves are one of the races that inhabit a fictional Earth, often called Middle-earth, and set in the remote past. They appear in The Hobbit and in The Lord of the Rings, but their complex history is described more fully in The Silmarillion...
of Lindon
Lindon (Middle-earth)
Lindon is the land beyond the Ered Luin, the Blue Mountains, in the northwest of Middle-earth in the fictional universe of J. R. R. Tolkien. It is the westernmost land of the continent. The Gulf of Lune divides it into Forlindon and Harlindon...
, under Gil-galad
Gil-galad
Ereinion Gil-galad is a fictional character in J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium. He is mentioned in The Lord of the Rings, and featured in The Silmarillion.- Character overview :...
. Tar-Meneldur encouraged the seafarers, and allowed his son Aldarion to establish a guild of seafarers, which became one of the most powerful organisations in Númenor. Many voyages along the coasts were made at this time, and the first settlements were made in Middle-earth
Middle-earth
Middle-earth is the fictional setting of the majority of author J. R. R. Tolkien's fantasy writings. The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings take place entirely in Middle-earth, as does much of The Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales....
by Númenórean explorers, although none of them permanent yet. These early settlements were however the later cores of Arnor
Arnor
Arnor is a fictional kingdom in J. R. R. Tolkien's writings. Arnor, or the Northern Kingdom, was a kingdom of the Dúnedain in the land of Eriador in Middle-earth. The name probably means "Land of the King", from Sindarin Ara- + dor...
and Gondor
Gondor
Gondor is a fictional kingdom in J. R. R. Tolkien's writings, described as the greatest realm of Men in the west of Middle-earth by the end of the Third Age. The third volume of The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, is concerned with the events in Gondor during the War of the Ring and with...
, and the re-established contact of Númenóreans with their distant kin allowed the Adûnaic
Adûnaic
Adûnaic is a fictional language in the fantasy works of J. R. R. Tolkien.One of the languages of Arda in Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium, it was spoken by the Men of Númenor during the Second Age.-Fictional history:...
tongue to merge with local, far akin languages, eventually leading to the Westron
Westron
Westron, or the Common Speech, is a fictional language in the fantasy works of J. R. R. Tolkien.Westron is the closest thing to a lingua franca in Middle-earth, at least at the time during which The Lord of the Rings is set. "Westron" is an invented English word, derived from West...
speech. This would in later years prove to be one of the greatest assets to the power of Númenor in Middle-earth.
Near the end of Tar-Meneldur's rule reports came in that evil began to stir in the east of Middle-earth (the first awakenings of Sauron
Sauron
Sauron is the primary antagonist and titular character of the epic fantasy novel The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien.In the same work, he is revealed to be the same character as "the Necromancer" from Tolkien's earlier novel The Hobbit...
, as was later learned), and Gil-galad requested the aid of Tar-Meneldur. Recognizing his son Aldarion was more aware of the troubles, and was a powerful leader of men, Meneldur resigned in favour of his son, far earlier than was expected. Meneldur, together with his wife Almarian, attempted to mediate between his son Aldarion and his betrothed, Erendis, who had become estranged. For a time they were successful, and Aldarion and Erendis were wed, but Aldarion soon left again for sea. It was during the long absence in Middle-earth, a time during which Aldarion was instructed by Gil-galad, that Erendis left the royal court for her home. By the time Aldarion returned even Meneldur's best attempts could not seal the breach. Meneldur died in S.A. 942, at the age of 399 years.
Tar-Aldarion
Tar-Aldarion (S.A. 700–1098, r. S.A. 883–1075) was the sixth King of NúmenorNúmenor
Númenor is a fictional place in J. R. R. Tolkien's writings. It was a huge island located in the Sundering Seas to the west of Middle-earth, the main setting of Tolkien's writings, and was known to be the greatest realm of Men...
, succeeding his father, Tar-Meneldur. Tar-Aldarion is an ambiguous figure in the history of Númenor and the Dúnedain. He was driven, intelligent and capable, usually generous in spirit, often farsighted, and perceptive. Yet he was also self-centred, indifferent to the concerns of others in daily life, and ambitious for greater power. He was away from home for years at a time, and could be said to have neglected his duties as husband, father, and Heir to the Sceptre, his attention was away from home to the point that he knew less of Númenor than the Heir to the Sceptre should. Yet he was the first of the Dúnedain to perceive the rising threat of Sauron, he gave needed aid to the Elven King Gil-galad and laid the foundation for the future alliance of the Elves and the Men of Númenor against Sauron. Without the foundations laid by Aldarion, his descendant Tar-Minastir could not have rescued Middle-earth from utter disaster in the first War of the Rings in the middle of the Second Age. His foresight enabled Númenor to construct a mighty navy without destroying her forest lands, and as King he ruled competently, keeping order at home and expanding Númenor's strength abroad.
However, his domestic failings had their public cost: upon his death his daughter Queen Tar-Ancalimë abandoned his policies of aid to Gil-galad, and let his works lie unmaintained, and her upbringing left her hostile to marriage and domestic life to such a degree that not only was her own personal life blighted, but she brought misery on her female descendants in the first and second degree as well. Also, though Aldarion's foresight and efforts made it possible for the Dúnedain to prevent disaster, by saving the Elves and northwestern Middle-earth from being overrun by Sauron in the time of Tar-Minastir, his voyages laid the first seed of the ever-growing, driving restlessness that would in time enable the corruption of the Dúnedain, and the hunger for power and glory and immortality that would eventually bring the Downfall of Númenor in S.A. 3319. His father Tar-Meneldur seems to have instinctively sensed some danger in this, his heart wished to forbid Aldarion's first great sea voyage, sensing some peril in it that he did not understand, and in later years he consciously came to believe that the voyages of Aldarion and his Guild of Venturers were encouraging the Dúnedain in unhealthy ambitions and desires. The tale of their marriage and estrangement survived the Downfall of Númenor as "Aldarion and Erendis, or The Mariner's Wife".
Tar-Anárion
Tar-Anárion (S.A. 1003–1404, r. S.A. 1280–1394) was the eighth ruler of NúmenorNúmenor
Númenor is a fictional place in J. R. R. Tolkien's writings. It was a huge island located in the Sundering Seas to the west of Middle-earth, the main setting of Tolkien's writings, and was known to be the greatest realm of Men...
, succeeding his mother, Tar-Ancalimë. His name means "Sun-son" or "Child of the Sun". Little is said about Tar-Anárion's rule apart from him surrendering the Sceptre
Sceptre
A sceptre is a symbolic ornamental rod or wand borne in the hand by a ruling monarch as an item of royal or imperial insignia.-Antiquity:...
in S.A. 1394. His two eldest children were female, but both declined the throne for uncertain reasons, and they disliked and feared their grandmother Ancalimë, who would refuse to let them marry. Therefore he was succeeded by his son, Tar-Súrion.
Tar-Súrion
Tar-Súrion (S.A. 1174–1574, r. S.A. 1394–1556) was the ninth ruler of NúmenorNúmenor
Númenor is a fictional place in J. R. R. Tolkien's writings. It was a huge island located in the Sundering Seas to the west of Middle-earth, the main setting of Tolkien's writings, and was known to be the greatest realm of Men...
, succeeding his father Tar-Anárion. Tar-Súrion had two older sisters, but they were said to have no interest in ruling, so he became King. His name means "Wind-son". The Elves of Eregion conceived of the forging of the Rings of Power
Rings of Power
The Rings of Power in J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium are magical rings created by Sauron or by the Elves of Eregion under Sauron's tutelage...
during his reign. He was succeeded by his oldest child, his daughter, Tar-Telperiën. Through his second child and oldest son Isilmo, he was grandfather to Tar-Minastir.
Tar-Minastir
Tar-Minastir (S.A. 1474–1873, r. S.A. 1731–1869) was the eleventh ruler of NúmenorNúmenor
Númenor is a fictional place in J. R. R. Tolkien's writings. It was a huge island located in the Sundering Seas to the west of Middle-earth, the main setting of Tolkien's writings, and was known to be the greatest realm of Men...
. He was the son of Isilmo and succeeded his aunt, Queen Tar-Telperiën, when she died. He was the grandson of King Tar-Súrion. His name means "Tower-watcher", which perhaps signifies "The Vigilant". Sauron
Sauron
Sauron is the primary antagonist and titular character of the epic fantasy novel The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien.In the same work, he is revealed to be the same character as "the Necromancer" from Tolkien's earlier novel The Hobbit...
invaded Eriador
Eriador
Eriador is a large region in J. R. R. Tolkien's fictional world of Middle-earth. In the Second Age, and possibly much earlier, it was largely forested, but the Dúnedain felled most of the forests to build ships. Much of it was encompassed in the early Third Age by the kingdom of Arnor, which...
from Calenardhon in S.A. 1695 and realms of Eregion
Eregion
In the fiction of J. R. R. Tolkien, Eregion or Hollin was a kingdom of the Noldorin Elves in Eriador during the Second Age, located near the West Gate of Moria under the shadow of the Hithaeglir . Its capital was Ost-in-Edhil...
fell. Sauron advanced to Lindon
Lindon (Middle-earth)
Lindon is the land beyond the Ered Luin, the Blue Mountains, in the northwest of Middle-earth in the fictional universe of J. R. R. Tolkien. It is the westernmost land of the continent. The Gulf of Lune divides it into Forlindon and Harlindon...
and Rivendell
Rivendell
Rivendell is an Elven outpost in Middle-earth, a fictional realm created by J. R. R. Tolkien. It was established and ruled by Elrond in the Second Age of Middle-earth...
. In S.A. 1700 Tar-Minastir sent a navy under the command of Ciryatur, to save Lindon. Ciryatur's forces stopped Sauron's army at the river Gwathló
Gwathló
In J. R. R. Tolkien's fictional universe of Middle-earth, the river Gwathló or Greyflood is a river in middle Eriador.The Sindarin name Gwathló was adapted from the name Gwathir, given to the river by the Númenóreans in the Second Age...
; reinforcements from Lindon and Tharbad helped defeat Sauron at the Battle of Gwathló. Sauron retreated to Mordor
Mordor
In J. R. R. Tolkien's fictional universe of Middle-earth, Mordor or Morhdorh was the dwelling place of Sauron, in the southeast of northwestern Middle-earth to the East of Anduin, the great river. Orodruin, a volcano in Mordor, was the destination of the Fellowship of the Ring in the quest to...
in S.A. 1701. From around the 19th century in the S.A.
Second Age
The Second Age is a time period from J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth fantasy writings. Tolkien intended for the history of Middle-earth to be considered fictionally as a precursor to the history of the real Earth....
, Númenóreans began establishing permanent settlements in Middle-earth
Middle-earth
Middle-earth is the fictional setting of the majority of author J. R. R. Tolkien's fantasy writings. The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings take place entirely in Middle-earth, as does much of The Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales....
, including Umbar
Umbar
Umbar is a fictional place in J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium. It was a great haven and seaport to the far south of Gondor in Middle-earth.'Umbar' was a name—of unknown meaning—given to the area by its original inhabitants...
. He abdicated under pressure from his son in S.A. 1869 who succeeded him as Tar-Ciryatan.
Tar-Ciryatan
Tar-Ciryatan (S.A. 1634–2035, r. S.A. 1869–2029), or Ar-Balkumagân in AdûnaicAdûnaic
Adûnaic is a fictional language in the fantasy works of J. R. R. Tolkien.One of the languages of Arda in Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium, it was spoken by the Men of Númenor during the Second Age.-Fictional history:...
was the twelfth ruler of Númenor
Númenor
Númenor is a fictional place in J. R. R. Tolkien's writings. It was a huge island located in the Sundering Seas to the west of Middle-earth, the main setting of Tolkien's writings, and was known to be the greatest realm of Men...
. He succeeded his father, Tar-Minastir, as king. Tar-Ciryatan was a great ship builder, and he waged war upon Middle-earth
Middle-earth
Middle-earth is the fictional setting of the majority of author J. R. R. Tolkien's fantasy writings. The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings take place entirely in Middle-earth, as does much of The Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales....
, bringing its treasures back to Númenor. During his reign the first signs of the Shadow began to fall upon Númenor. His name means "Ship-builder" (see also Círdan
Círdan
Círdan the Shipwright is a fictional character created by J. R. R. Tolkien. He was a Telerin Elf, a great mariner and shipwright, and lord of the Falas during much of the First Age. He was the bearer of the Great Ring Narya, which he in turn gave to Gandalf.He had a beard, which was rare for...
). He abdicated in S.A. 2029 and was succeeded by his son, Tar-Atanamir.
Tar-Atanamir
Tar-Atanamir (S.A. 1800–2221, r. S.A. 2029–2221), also known as Atanamir the Great, was the thirteenth King of NúmenorNúmenor
Númenor is a fictional place in J. R. R. Tolkien's writings. It was a huge island located in the Sundering Seas to the west of Middle-earth, the main setting of Tolkien's writings, and was known to be the greatest realm of Men...
. He succeeded his father, King Tar-Ciryatan. His name means "Jewel of Man". Tar-Atanamir was the first King to speak out against the Ban of the Valar, and to advocate opposition to the Valar
Vala (Middle-earth)
The Valar are fictional characters in J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium. They are first mentioned in The Lord of the Rings, but The Silmarillion develops them into the Powers of Arda or the Powers of the World...
themselves. He was also the first king who was unwilling to give up his throne voluntarily before his death, and to let himself die while he was still strong in mind and body. Death instead took him by force and thus his reign ended. Every king afterwards refused to renounce his reign. His reign is thus generally considered to constitute the beginning of Númenor's moral decline. He was succeeded by his son, Tar-Ancalimon.
Tar-Ancalimon
Tar-Ancalimon (S.A. 1986–2386, r. S.A. 2221–2386) was the fourteenth ruler of NúmenorNúmenor
Númenor is a fictional place in J. R. R. Tolkien's writings. It was a huge island located in the Sundering Seas to the west of Middle-earth, the main setting of Tolkien's writings, and was known to be the greatest realm of Men...
. His name means "Most Bright". During Tar-Ancalimon's reign, two opposing parties arose among Númenóreans: the Elf-friends, or Elendili (also called "The Faithful"), advocated continuing devotion to the Valar
Vala (Middle-earth)
The Valar are fictional characters in J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium. They are first mentioned in The Lord of the Rings, but The Silmarillion develops them into the Powers of Arda or the Powers of the World...
and friendship with the Elves
Elf (Middle-earth)
In J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium, Elves are one of the races that inhabit a fictional Earth, often called Middle-earth, and set in the remote past. They appear in The Hobbit and in The Lord of the Rings, but their complex history is described more fully in The Silmarillion...
, and the "King's Men" who propounded Man's
Man (Middle-earth)
The race of Men in J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth books, such as The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, refers to humanity and does not denote gender...
independence and self-determination, seeing how they had reached the apex of their might. This split would culminate in the Fall of Númenor
Akallabêth
Akallabêth is the fourth part of the fantasy work The Silmarillion by J. R. R. Tolkien. It is relatively short, consisting of about thirty pages.-Synopsis:...
. Tar-Ancalimon was succeeded by his son, Tar-Telemmaitë.
Tar-Telemmaitë
Tar-Telemmaitë' (S.A. 2136–2526, r. S.A. 2386–2526) was the 15th ruler of NúmenorNúmenor
Númenor is a fictional place in J. R. R. Tolkien's writings. It was a huge island located in the Sundering Seas to the west of Middle-earth, the main setting of Tolkien's writings, and was known to be the greatest realm of Men...
. He succeeded his father, Tar-Ancalimon, and was succeeded by his daughter, Tar-Vanimeldë. His name means "Silver-handed", reflecting his greed for the precious metal mithril
Mithril
Mithril is a fictional metal, originally used in J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth fantasy writings. It is described as silvery and stronger than steel but much lighter in weight. The malleability, lack of tarnishing and use of the metal in jewellery suggest some similarity to the non-fictional metal...
.
Tar-Anducal
Tar-Anducal was the ruling name of Herucalmo, the consort to ruling Queen Tar-Vanimeldë of NúmenorNúmenor
Númenor is a fictional place in J. R. R. Tolkien's writings. It was a huge island located in the Sundering Seas to the west of Middle-earth, the main setting of Tolkien's writings, and was known to be the greatest realm of Men...
. He was much younger than his wife. Tar-Vanimeldë had little interest in ruling, and Herucalmo served as her regent. When she died, the throne should have gone to their son, Tar-Alcarin, but Herucalmo usurped the throne and ruled under the name Tar-Anducal ("Light of the West") from S.A. 2637 to 2657. After Tar-Anducal's death, Tar-Alcarin finally succeeded to his rightful throne.
Tar-Alcarin
Tar-Alcarin (S.A. 2406–2737, r. S.A. 2657–2737) was the seventeenth ruler of NúmenorNúmenor
Númenor is a fictional place in J. R. R. Tolkien's writings. It was a huge island located in the Sundering Seas to the west of Middle-earth, the main setting of Tolkien's writings, and was known to be the greatest realm of Men...
. His parents were the ruling Queen, Tar-Vanimeldë, and her consort, Herucalmo. Tar-Alcarin should have succeeded his mother upon her death, but Herucalmo usurped the throne and held it for twenty years before he died, and Tar-Alcarin rightfully gained the throne. His name means "Glorious". The period in which he ruled was still a mostly peaceful one in Númenor, but in Middle-earth
Middle-earth
Middle-earth is the fictional setting of the majority of author J. R. R. Tolkien's fantasy writings. The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings take place entirely in Middle-earth, as does much of The Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales....
Sauron
Sauron
Sauron is the primary antagonist and titular character of the epic fantasy novel The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien.In the same work, he is revealed to be the same character as "the Necromancer" from Tolkien's earlier novel The Hobbit...
ruled the lands, and the shadow had fallen on Númenor as well. Herucalmo's usurping of the throne was generally considered an evil deed by the people. Tar-Alcarin ruled for eighty years, then was succeeded by his son, Tar-Calmacil.
Tar-Calmacil
Tar-Calmacil (S.A. 2516–2825, r. S.A. 2737–2825), was the eighteenth ruler of NúmenorNúmenor
Númenor is a fictional place in J. R. R. Tolkien's writings. It was a huge island located in the Sundering Seas to the west of Middle-earth, the main setting of Tolkien's writings, and was known to be the greatest realm of Men...
. He succeeded his father, Tar-Alcarin, as King. His name means "Bright Sword", which he took in recognition of the territorial victories he had in Middle-earth
Middle-earth
Middle-earth is the fictional setting of the majority of author J. R. R. Tolkien's fantasy writings. The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings take place entirely in Middle-earth, as does much of The Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales....
as a renowned captain of Númenor. He was also as the first King to have recorded an Adûnaic
Adûnaic
Adûnaic is a fictional language in the fantasy works of J. R. R. Tolkien.One of the languages of Arda in Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium, it was spoken by the Men of Númenor during the Second Age.-Fictional history:...
equivalent of his name: Ar-Belzagar. This signalled the rise of a faction known as the King's Men who were opposed to the Ban of the Valar
Vala (Middle-earth)
The Valar are fictional characters in J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium. They are first mentioned in The Lord of the Rings, but The Silmarillion develops them into the Powers of Arda or the Powers of the World...
. There is a discrepancy in Tolkien's writings as to Tar-Calmacil's successor: Tar-Ardamin, his son, or Ar-Adûnakhôr, his grandson. Specifically, in Appendix A of The Lord of the Rings
The Lord of the Rings
The Lord of the Rings is a high fantasy epic written by English philologist and University of Oxford professor J. R. R. Tolkien. The story began as a sequel to Tolkien's earlier, less complex children's fantasy novel The Hobbit , but eventually developed into a much larger work. It was written in...
, Ar-Adûnakhôr is listed as his successor, but in the more expanded "Line of Elros: Kings of Númenor" from Unfinished Tales
Unfinished Tales
Unfinished Tales is a collection of stories and essays by J. R. R. Tolkien that were never completed during his lifetime, but were edited by his son Christopher Tolkien and published in 1980.Unlike The Silmarillion, for which the narrative fragments were modified to connect into a consistent and...
, he is succeeded by Tar-Ardamin. Christopher Tolkien suggests that the name was accidentally omitted.
Tar-Ardamin
Tar-Ardamin (S.A. 2618–2899, r. S.A. 2825–2899), Ar-Abattârik in AdûnaicAdûnaic
Adûnaic is a fictional language in the fantasy works of J. R. R. Tolkien.One of the languages of Arda in Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium, it was spoken by the Men of Númenor during the Second Age.-Fictional history:...
, is sometimes listed in the list of rulers of Númenor
Númenor
Númenor is a fictional place in J. R. R. Tolkien's writings. It was a huge island located in the Sundering Seas to the west of Middle-earth, the main setting of Tolkien's writings, and was known to be the greatest realm of Men...
but is sometimes omitted. He was the son of King Tar-Calmacil, and if he is counted as one of the rulers, then he is the nineteenth in the line of rulers. In Adûnaic his name means "Pillar of the World"; in Quenya, it may mean "First of the World". Tar-Ardamin is omitted in the list of rulers of Númenor in Appendix A of The Lord of the Rings
The Lord of the Rings
The Lord of the Rings is a high fantasy epic written by English philologist and University of Oxford professor J. R. R. Tolkien. The story began as a sequel to Tolkien's earlier, less complex children's fantasy novel The Hobbit , but eventually developed into a much larger work. It was written in...
, but is mentioned briefly in Unfinished Tales
Unfinished Tales
Unfinished Tales is a collection of stories and essays by J. R. R. Tolkien that were never completed during his lifetime, but were edited by his son Christopher Tolkien and published in 1980.Unlike The Silmarillion, for which the narrative fragments were modified to connect into a consistent and...
. J. R. R. Tolkien's son Christopher, who compiled and edited Unfinished Tales, speculates in an endnote to the chapter "The Line of Elros: Kings of Númenor" that while Tolkien may have had a reason behind the omission that he never elaborated on, a simple textual error is more likely, as the numbering of the kings was never altered. Tar-Ardamin's son, Ar-Adûnakhôr, is generally counted as the twentieth ruler.
Ar-Adûnakhôr
Ar-Adûnakhôr (S.A. 2709–2962, r. S.A. 2899–2962) was the twentieth ruler of NúmenorNúmenor
Númenor is a fictional place in J. R. R. Tolkien's writings. It was a huge island located in the Sundering Seas to the west of Middle-earth, the main setting of Tolkien's writings, and was known to be the greatest realm of Men...
. He opposed the Valar
Vala (Middle-earth)
The Valar are fictional characters in J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium. They are first mentioned in The Lord of the Rings, but The Silmarillion develops them into the Powers of Arda or the Powers of the World...
, and thus took his official name in the Adûnaic
Adûnaic
Adûnaic is a fictional language in the fantasy works of J. R. R. Tolkien.One of the languages of Arda in Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium, it was spoken by the Men of Númenor during the Second Age.-Fictional history:...
tongue instead of using the traditional Quenya
Quenya
Quenya is a fictional language devised by J. R. R. Tolkien, and used in his Secondary world, often called Middle-earth.Quenya is one of the many Elvish languages spoken by the immortal Elves, called Quendi in Quenya. The tongue actually called Quenya was in origin the speech of two clans of Elves...
form Tar-Herunúmen. The name he choose was considered by some as blasphemous — in both languages it means "Lord of the West", a title reserved for Manwë
Manwë
Manwë is a god or Vala of the Elven pantheon imagined by J. R. R. Tolkien. He is described in The Silmarillion.Manwë was the King of the Valar, husband of Varda Elentári, brother of the Dark Lord Melkor, and King of Arda. He lived atop Mount Taniquetil, the highest mountain of the world, in the...
, Lord of the Valar. There is some question as to whether Ar-Adûnakhôr succeeded his father, Tar-Ardamin, as King, or his grandfather, Tar-Calmacil, but the numbering of the rulers includes Tar-Ardamin in the count. Specifically, Tar-Ardamin does not appear at all in The Lord of the Rings
The Lord of the Rings
The Lord of the Rings is a high fantasy epic written by English philologist and University of Oxford professor J. R. R. Tolkien. The story began as a sequel to Tolkien's earlier, less complex children's fantasy novel The Hobbit , but eventually developed into a much larger work. It was written in...
appendices, but he does appear in the chapter "The Line of Elros" from Unfinished Tales
Unfinished Tales
Unfinished Tales is a collection of stories and essays by J. R. R. Tolkien that were never completed during his lifetime, but were edited by his son Christopher Tolkien and published in 1980.Unlike The Silmarillion, for which the narrative fragments were modified to connect into a consistent and...
. He was succeeded by his son, Ar-Zimrathôn.
Ar-Zimrathôn
Ar-Zimrathôn (S.A. 2798–3033, r. S.A. 2962–3033) was the twenty-first ruler of NúmenorNúmenor
Númenor is a fictional place in J. R. R. Tolkien's writings. It was a huge island located in the Sundering Seas to the west of Middle-earth, the main setting of Tolkien's writings, and was known to be the greatest realm of Men...
. Like his father Ar-Adûnakhôr, Ar-Zimrathôn opposed the Valar
Vala (Middle-earth)
The Valar are fictional characters in J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium. They are first mentioned in The Lord of the Rings, but The Silmarillion develops them into the Powers of Arda or the Powers of the World...
, and he took his name in the Adûnaic
Adûnaic
Adûnaic is a fictional language in the fantasy works of J. R. R. Tolkien.One of the languages of Arda in Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium, it was spoken by the Men of Númenor during the Second Age.-Fictional history:...
tongue rather than in the traditional Quenya
Quenya
Quenya is a fictional language devised by J. R. R. Tolkien, and used in his Secondary world, often called Middle-earth.Quenya is one of the many Elvish languages spoken by the immortal Elves, called Quendi in Quenya. The tongue actually called Quenya was in origin the speech of two clans of Elves...
. But Númenórean scholars recorded his Quenya name Tar-Hostamir so as to not offend the Valar. His name in both languages means "Jewel Gatherer", perhaps implying a greedy nature. Ar-Zimrathôn ruled Númenor for seventy-one years, and was succeeded by his son, Ar-Sakalthôr.
Ar-Sakalthôr
Ar-Sakalthôr (S.A. 2876–3102, r. S.A. 3033–3102) was the twenty-second ruler of NúmenorNúmenor
Númenor is a fictional place in J. R. R. Tolkien's writings. It was a huge island located in the Sundering Seas to the west of Middle-earth, the main setting of Tolkien's writings, and was known to be the greatest realm of Men...
. He followed the royal tradition of turning away from the ways of the Valar
Vala (Middle-earth)
The Valar are fictional characters in J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium. They are first mentioned in The Lord of the Rings, but The Silmarillion develops them into the Powers of Arda or the Powers of the World...
. He succeeded his father Ar-Zimrathôn as King, ruling Númenor for sixty-nine years, and was succeeded by his son, Ar-Gimilzôr. The traditional Quenya
Quenya
Quenya is a fictional language devised by J. R. R. Tolkien, and used in his Secondary world, often called Middle-earth.Quenya is one of the many Elvish languages spoken by the immortal Elves, called Quendi in Quenya. The tongue actually called Quenya was in origin the speech of two clans of Elves...
version of his name was "Tar-Falassion". It means "Shore-son" or "Child of the Shore".
Ar-Gimilzôr
Ar-Gimilzôr (S.A. 2960–3177, r. S.A. 3102–3177) was the twenty-third ruler of NúmenorNúmenor
Númenor is a fictional place in J. R. R. Tolkien's writings. It was a huge island located in the Sundering Seas to the west of Middle-earth, the main setting of Tolkien's writings, and was known to be the greatest realm of Men...
, succeeding his father Ar-Sakalthôr as King. During his reign Ar-Gimilzôr persecuted the Elf-friends (Elendili), who called for the return of the Númenóreans to the ways of the Valar
Vala (Middle-earth)
The Valar are fictional characters in J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium. They are first mentioned in The Lord of the Rings, but The Silmarillion develops them into the Powers of Arda or the Powers of the World...
and the Elves
Elf (Middle-earth)
In J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium, Elves are one of the races that inhabit a fictional Earth, often called Middle-earth, and set in the remote past. They appear in The Hobbit and in The Lord of the Rings, but their complex history is described more fully in The Silmarillion...
. Use of Elvish was forbidden in Númenor by his order in c. S.A. 3110. His regnal name was recorded as Tar-Telemnar ("Silver-flame"), the Quenya
Quenya
Quenya is a fictional language devised by J. R. R. Tolkien, and used in his Secondary world, often called Middle-earth.Quenya is one of the many Elvish languages spoken by the immortal Elves, called Quendi in Quenya. The tongue actually called Quenya was in origin the speech of two clans of Elves...
version of his name, a custom meant not to offend the Valar. Ar-Gimilzôr's wife, Inzilbêth, was secretly an Elf-friend, and she passed on her ways to their son, Tar-Palantir. She was the daughter of Lindórië, who was herself a descendant of Tar-Elendil, the fourth king of Númenor, and also of Tar-Calmacil1. Their second son, Gimilkhâd, opposed his elder brother's policies.
1 In an earlier version her father is shown as Gimilzagar, the second son of Tar-Calmacil. However, this would make Inzilbêth at least 400 years old at the time of her marriage; despite the long lives of the members of Númenórean royal line, Inzilbêth must have been further removed from Gimilzagar or else the Gimilzagar referred to as her father was not the same Gimilzagar as the son of Tar-Calmacil.
Tar-Palantir
Tar-Palantir (S.A. 3035–3255, r. S.A. 3177–3255) was the twenty-fourth ruler of NúmenorNúmenor
Númenor is a fictional place in J. R. R. Tolkien's writings. It was a huge island located in the Sundering Seas to the west of Middle-earth, the main setting of Tolkien's writings, and was known to be the greatest realm of Men...
. His Adûnaic
Adûnaic
Adûnaic is a fictional language in the fantasy works of J. R. R. Tolkien.One of the languages of Arda in Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium, it was spoken by the Men of Númenor during the Second Age.-Fictional history:...
name was Ar-Inziladûn, which means "Flower of the West". Tar-Palantir's father, Ar-Gimilzôr, whom he succeeded, was an opponent of the Valar
Vala (Middle-earth)
The Valar are fictional characters in J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium. They are first mentioned in The Lord of the Rings, but The Silmarillion develops them into the Powers of Arda or the Powers of the World...
and the Elves
Elf (Middle-earth)
In J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium, Elves are one of the races that inhabit a fictional Earth, often called Middle-earth, and set in the remote past. They appear in The Hobbit and in The Lord of the Rings, but their complex history is described more fully in The Silmarillion...
. But Inzilbêth, the queen, taught her son to be an Elf-friend. Ar-Inziladûn took power in a time of great darkness in Númenor; ever since Tar-Atanamir, every king had spoken against the Valar and questioned the policies laid out to them. Palantir, however, sought to repent the actions of his predecessors; he once again tended the White Tree
Nimloth
In the fantasy world of J. R. R. Tolkien, Nimloth, Sindarin for "white blossom", was the name of the White Tree of Númenor. Nimloth was a seedling of Celeborn, which was a seedling of Galathilion, which was created by Yavanna in the image of Telperion, one of the Two Trees of Valinor.When the...
and followed the ancient practices. He had prophesied that the White Tree was tied with the line of the Kings; should it die, then the line of the Kings would in turn die out. However, there was no response from the Valar; and Eressëa could not be seen from the tower of Tar-Minastir. A name in Quenya
Quenya
Quenya is a fictional language devised by J. R. R. Tolkien, and used in his Secondary world, often called Middle-earth.Quenya is one of the many Elvish languages spoken by the immortal Elves, called Quendi in Quenya. The tongue actually called Quenya was in origin the speech of two clans of Elves...
was inscribed in the Scrolls, as was with ancient practices. Palantir in Quenya means "far sighted," as Palantir indeed saw the destruction that would come to Númenor if it kept going down the path it was on. His daughter, Míriel was his official successor and would have followed his policies, but her rightful place as Queen of Númenor was usurped by her cousin, Ar-Pharazôn.
Ar-Pharazôn
Ar-Pharazôn the Golden (S.A. 3118–3319, r. S.A. 3255–3319), Tar-Calion in QuenyaQuenya
Quenya is a fictional language devised by J. R. R. Tolkien, and used in his Secondary world, often called Middle-earth.Quenya is one of the many Elvish languages spoken by the immortal Elves, called Quendi in Quenya. The tongue actually called Quenya was in origin the speech of two clans of Elves...
, was the twenty-fifth and last king of Númenor
Númenor
Númenor is a fictional place in J. R. R. Tolkien's writings. It was a huge island located in the Sundering Seas to the west of Middle-earth, the main setting of Tolkien's writings, and was known to be the greatest realm of Men...
. Ar-Pharazôn was the nephew of King Tar-Palantir and took to wife Tar-Palantir's daughter, Míriel (against her will as well as Númenórean law). Ar-Pharazôn was the most powerful of all the kings of Númenor. With a great fleet he landed at Umbar
Umbar
Umbar is a fictional place in J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium. It was a great haven and seaport to the far south of Gondor in Middle-earth.'Umbar' was a name—of unknown meaning—given to the area by its original inhabitants...
, marched on Mordor
Mordor
In J. R. R. Tolkien's fictional universe of Middle-earth, Mordor or Morhdorh was the dwelling place of Sauron, in the southeast of northwestern Middle-earth to the East of Anduin, the great river. Orodruin, a volcano in Mordor, was the destination of the Fellowship of the Ring in the quest to...
and took Sauron
Sauron
Sauron is the primary antagonist and titular character of the epic fantasy novel The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien.In the same work, he is revealed to be the same character as "the Necromancer" from Tolkien's earlier novel The Hobbit...
as a prisoner back to Númenor. Sauron eventually corrupted Ar-Pharazôn, and the king built the "greatest armament that the world had seen" to attack Valinor
Valinor
Valinor is a fictional location in J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium, the realm of the Valar in Aman. It was also known as the Undying Lands, along with Tol Eressëa and the outliers of Aman. This is something of a misnomer; only immortal beings were allowed to reside there, but the land itself,...
in S.A. 3310 and broke the Ban of the Valar. The King himself perished in the cataclysm that followed, although in the Akallabêth
Akallabêth
Akallabêth is the fourth part of the fantasy work The Silmarillion by J. R. R. Tolkien. It is relatively short, consisting of about thirty pages.-Synopsis:...
account of this it states that "Ar-Pharazôn and his mortal warriors who had set foot on Aman
Aman
-External links:*...
were buried by falling hills, imprisoned in the Caves of the Forgotten until the Last Battle and Day of Doom
Dagor Dagorath
The Dagor Dagorath is a fictional battle described in the legendarium of J. R. R. Tolkien. As Tolkien's works were conceived as a fictional "forgotten history" of the world, the Dagor Dagorath represents the coming End of the World, and is often referred to as simply "The End"...
."
Family tree
External links
- A History and Complete Chronology of Númenor - A detailed chronology of Númenor, its successor states and their rulers.