2022*1st* The Fall Of Númenor - J. R. R. Tolkien (Edited by Brian Sibley) illustrated by Alan Lee (HarperCollins)New & Sealed Copy

New Sealed copy Hardback. 

The Fall of Númenor by J.R.R. Tolkien is a key story in the broader legendarium of Middle-earth, though it was not published during his lifetime. The tale, which is found in The Silmarillion and also in the posthumously released Unfinished Tales, provides important context to the history of Middle-earth and serves as a crucial backdrop to The Lord of the Rings. It recounts the rise and eventual fall of the great island kingdom of Númenor.

The Story:

Númenor, a mighty island located between Middle-earth and the Undying Lands, was established by the Valar (the god-like beings of Tolkien’s world) as a reward for the Edain, the noble humans who fought against Morgoth in the First Age. Númenor’s people were granted long life, wisdom, and the gift of seafaring, but they were forbidden from sailing directly to the Undying Lands. Over time, the Númenóreans grew increasingly powerful, proud, and ambitious.

The fall of Númenor begins with the Númenóreans’ desire for immortality. They became envious of the Elves’ immortality and resented the Valar’s authority. The Númenórean king, Ar-Pharazôn, was a key figure in the island’s downfall. Under the influence of Sauron, who was a prisoner in Númenor, Ar-Pharazôn sought to challenge the Valar by sailing to the Undying Lands to claim immortality. This act of defiance was disastrous.

As Ar-Pharazôn approached the Undying Lands, the Valar intervened, and the island of Númenor was drowned in a cataclysmic event. The sea rose up and destroyed the once-great kingdom, sinking it beneath the waves. Ar-Pharazôn and his followers perished, and only a small number of Númenóreans, led by Elendil, escaped the disaster by sailing to Middle-earth. These survivors would go on to establish the kingdoms of Arnor and Gondor.

Themes:

The Fall of Númenor explores themes of pride, hubris, and the dangers of desiring immortality. It reflects Tolkien’s broader concerns with the corrupting nature of power and the folly of defying the natural order. The story also draws on mythological themes of Atlantis and the fall of great civilizations.

While The Fall of Númenor is tragic, it serves as a foundation for many of the events that take place in The Lord of the Rings, particularly with the survival of Númenórean-descended kings like Aragorn. The story is a key part of the mythology that underpins Tolkien’s Middle-earth, showcasing both the heights of human achievement and the depths of their fall.