Ages of the Children of Ilúvatar

The history of Arda (the world) is defined by the activity of the Children of Ilúvatar—the Elves and Men. Their journey begins in the First Age, during the Years of the Trees, when the Elves first awoke in Cuiviénen. From this awakening, a sweeping epic of war, betrayal, and redemption unfolds across several distinct eras, shaping the geography and destiny of Middle-earth.

Key Facts

• The First Age was dominated by the struggle against Morgoth and ended with the War of Wrath.
• The Second Age saw the rise and fall of the island kingdom of Númenor and the forging of the Rings of Power.
• The Third Age spanned 3,021 years, concluding with the destruction of the One Ring and the defeat of Sauron.
• The Fourth Age marked the Dominion of Men and the gradual fading of Elves and Dwarves from history.
• Dagor Dagorath is a legendary final battle, similar to the Norse Ragnarök, signifying the end and remaking of the world.

The First Age: The Elder Days

Known as the Elder Days, the First Age began with the awakening of the Elves. Following their entry into Middle-earth, the Noldor Elves, led by Fëanor and later his half-brother Fingolfin, established realms in Beleriand to combat Morgoth, a fallen Maia (a powerful angelic spirit) who sought to dominate the world.

For centuries, the Noldor maintained the Siege of Angband, creating a period known as the Long Peace. However, this stability ended with the Dagor Bragollach (Battle of Sudden Flame) and the catastrophic Nírnaeth Arnoediad (Battle of Unnumbered Tears), which saw the fall of the great hidden kingdoms of Doriath and Gondolin.

The age concluded when Eärendil and Elwing successfully pleaded for aid from the Valar (the divine guardians of the world). The resulting War of Wrath expelled Morgoth into the Void, though the conflict was so violent that most of Beleriand sank beneath the sea.

The Second Age: The Rise of Númenor and the Rings

The Second Age is defined by the gift of Númenor, an island bestowed upon the Men who remained faithful during the wars against Morgoth. The Númenóreans became a civilization of great wisdom and longevity, though they were forbidden by the Ban of the Valar from sailing to the Undying Lands.

Simultaneously, Sauron—Morgoth's chief lieutenant—disguised himself as Annatar to deceive the Elves of Eregion. Together, they forged the Rings of Power: seven for the Dwarves and nine for Men. Secretly, Sauron forged the One Ring in Mount Doom to control all others. While the Elves managed to hide the Three Rings (Vilya, Nenya, and Narya), the nine human bearers were corrupted into the Nazgûl, or Ringwraiths.

As the age progressed, the Númenóreans grew arrogant. Under the influence of Sauron, King Ar-Pharazôn attempted to invade the Undying Lands. This hubris led to the intervention of Eru Ilúvatar, who changed the world from a flat plane into a sphere and destroyed Númenor. The survivors, led by Elendil and his sons Isildur and Anárion, founded the realms of Gondor and Arnor in Middle-earth.

The age ended with the Last Alliance of Elves and Men. Although Sauron slew Elendil and Gil-galad, Isildur cut the One Ring from Sauron's hand, defeating him but failing to destroy the Ring.

The Third Age: The Waning of the Elves

Lasting 3,021 years, the Third Age is the era of the waning of the Elves and the slow decay of the kingdoms of Men. Arnor fell to the witch-king of Angmar, and Gondor suffered from plague, civil strife, and external invasions, eventually leaving the House of the Stewards to rule in place of kings.

The One Ring remained lost in the Anduin River after Isildur's death at the Gladden Fields, eventually being found by Sméagol. During this time, the Wizards (Istari), including Gandalf and Saruman, arrived to assist the Free Peoples.

The era was marked by the "Watchful Peace" (T.A. 2063–2460) and the eventual return of Sauron. The age culminated in the War of the Ring, where the One Ring was finally destroyed in the fires of Mount Doom. This led to the coronation of Aragorn as King of the Reunited Kingdom and the departure of the remaining High Elves and Ring-bearers to the West.

The Fourth Age and Beyond

The Fourth Age ushered in the Dominion of Men. The magical beings of the previous ages—Elves and Dwarves—began to fade or depart for Valinor. Eldarion, son of Aragorn and Arwen, eventually succeeded his father, ruling a great but increasingly mortal kingdom.

Tolkien suggested that the remade Arda is equivalent to our own Earth. He estimated that the Fourth Age began roughly 6,000 years ago, placing modern humanity in the 6th or 7th Age, where the wonders of Middle-earth have faded into folklore and legend.

Age	Primary Antagonist	Defining Event	Outcome
First Age	Morgoth	War of Wrath	Morgoth expelled; Beleriand sunk
Second Age	Sauron	Downfall of Númenor	World becomes a sphere; Last Alliance
Third Age	Sauron	War of the Ring	One Ring destroyed; Return of the King
Fourth Age	None (Internal decay)	Dominion of Men	Elves and Dwarves fade from history

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Morgoth and Sauron?

Morgoth was the original Dark Lord and a fallen Vala who sought to destroy or corrupt all of creation. Sauron was a Maia, a lesser spirit who served as Morgoth's chief lieutenant before attempting to rule Middle-earth himself in later ages.

Why did the world change from flat to round?

The world was reshaped by Eru Ilúvatar after the Númenóreans attempted to invade the Undying Lands (Aman). This intervention removed Aman from the physical circles of the world to protect the Valar from mortal hubris.

What happened to the Elves in the Fourth Age?

Most Elves sailed to Valinor. Those who remained in Middle-earth began to "fade," their physical forms diminishing as they became spirits of the woods and mountains, eventually disappearing from human memory.

What is Dagor Dagorath?

Dagor Dagorath is a legendary "Battle of the Doomed Gods," a final apocalyptic conflict that results in the breaking and remaking of the world and the recovery of the Silmarils. While appearing in early manuscripts, it is treated as a myth within the later lore.

How long did the Third Age last?

The Third Age lasted for exactly 3,021 years, beginning with the victory of the Last Alliance and ending with the destruction of the One Ring.