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— CH. 1 · THE MUSIC THAT SHAPED THE VOID —

History of Arda

~4 min read · Ch. 1 of 6
6 sections

  • Eru Ilúvatar created spirits named the Ainur from his thoughts. He made divine music with them. Melkor, then the most powerful of the Ainur, broke the harmony of the music. Ilúvatar began first a second theme and then a third theme. The Ainur could not comprehend these themes since they were not the source of it. The essence of their song symbolized the history of the whole universe. It also symbolized the Children of Ilúvatar that were to dwell in it. These children included Men and Elves. Then Ilúvatar created Eä which means to be. This was the universe itself. Within it he formed Arda. Arda is the Earth globed within the void. The world together with three airs is set apart from Avakúma. Avakúma is the void without.

  • When the Valar entered Arda it was still lifeless. There were no distinct geographical features. The initial shape of Arda chosen by the Valar was much more symmetrical. Middle-earth was originally much larger. It was lit by misty light that veiled the barren ground. The Valar concentrated this light in two large lamps called Illuin and Ormal. The Vala Aulë forged two great pillar-like mountains named Helcar in the north and Ringil in the south. Illuin was set upon Helcar and Ormal upon Ringil. In the middle where the light of the lamps mingled the Valar dwelt at the island of Almaren upon the Great Lake. Animals first appeared during this time. Forests started to grow. Melkor lurked beyond the Walls of Night while the Valar rested upon Almaren.

  • Melkor returned to Arda creating his fortress of Utumno beneath the Iron Mountains in the far north. He assaulted and destroyed the Lamps of the Valar. Arda was again darkened. The fall of the great Lamps spoiled the symmetry of Arda's surface. New continents were created including Aman in the West and Middle-earth proper in the middle. The uninhabited lands later called the Land of the Sun appeared in the East. At the site of the northern lamp was later the inland Sea of Helcar. Cuiviénen became a bay within it. At the site of the southern lamp was later the Sea of Ringil. This period ended when the Years of the Trees began. A Valian Year was considerably longer than a solar year.

  • Yavanna made the Two Trees named Telperion and Laurelin in the land of Valinor. Telperion was the silver tree and Laurelin was the golden tree. They illuminated Valinor leaving Middle-earth in darkness. The first ten ages were known as the Days of Bliss. Peace and prosperity filled Valinor during this time. Eagles Ents and Dwarves were conceived by Manwë Yavanna and Aulë respectively. They were placed into slumber until the awakening of the Elves. Varda kindled the stars above Middle-earth during the next ten ages. This was the Noontide of the Blessed Realm. It was the first time after the Spring of Arda that Middle-earth was illuminated. The first Elves awoke in Cuiviénen in the middle of Middle-earth marking the start of the First Age of the Children of Ilúvatar.

  • Oromë of the Valar summoned the Elves to Aman. Many Elves went with Oromë on the Great Journey westwards towards Aman. Several groups tarried notably the Nandor and the Sindar. Three clans arrived at Aman including the Vanyar the Noldor and the Teleri. They made their home in Eldamar. Melkor appeared to repent and was released after his servitude of three Ages. He revealed his deception by stirring up rivalry between Fëanor and Fingolfin. With help from the giant spider Ungoliant he destroyed the Trees of the Valar. The world was again dark save for faint starlight. He killed Finwë and stole the Silmarils. These were three gems crafted by Fëanor containing light of the Two Trees. He fled with them to his fortress in the North of Middle Earth. He forged a black iron crown for himself and set the Silmarils in it.

  • Ar-Pharazôn the last and most powerful of the Kings of Númenor humbled Sauron. His armies deserted in the face of Númenor's might. He brought him to Númenor as a hostage although this was Sauron's goal. Sauron gained Ar-Pharazôn's trust and became high priest in the cult of Melkor. He deceived them to worship Melkor. The Faithful who still worshipped Eru Ilúvatar were persecuted openly by those called the King's Men. They were sacrificed in the name of Melkor. Sauron deceived Ar-Pharazôn to invade Aman promising him that he would thus obtain immortality. Amandil chief of the Faithful sailed westward to warn the Valar. When the King's forces set foot on Aman the Valar laid down their guardianship of the world. They called on Ilúvatar to intervene. The world was changed into a sphere and the continent of Aman was removed. Númenor was utterly destroyed.

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Common questions

Who created the spirits named the Ainur in the History of Arda?

Eru Ilúvatar created the spirits named the Ainur from his thoughts. He made divine music with them to symbolize the history of the whole universe.

When did the Valar enter Arda and what was its initial state?

The Valar entered Arda when it was still lifeless without distinct geographical features. The world was originally symmetrical and lit by misty light that veiled the barren ground.

What happened during the Years of the Trees in the History of Arda?

Yavanna made the Two Trees named Telperion and Laurelin which illuminated Valinor while Middle-earth remained dark. This period included the Days of Bliss where peace and prosperity filled Valinor before the first Elves awoke in Cuiviénen.

How did Melkor destroy the Lamps of the Valar in the History of Arda?

Melkor returned to Arda creating his fortress of Utumno beneath the Iron Mountains in the far north. He assaulted and destroyed the Lamps of the Vala Aulë which were Illuin and Ormal set upon Helcar and Ringil.

Why was Númenor utterly destroyed in the History of Arda?

Ar-Pharazôn invaded Aman after being deceived by Sauron who promised him immortality. When the King's forces set foot on Aman the Valar laid down their guardianship and Ilúvatar intervened to change the world into a sphere.

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All sources

43 references cited across the entry

  1. 1harvnbTolkien (1977) p. "[[Ainulindalë]]"Tolkien — 1977
  2. 2harvnbTolkien (1977) p. ch. 1 "Of the Beginning of Days"Tolkien — 1977
  3. 3harvnbTolkien (1993) p. "Myths Transformed", 9 "Aman"Tolkien — 1993
  4. 4harvnbTolkien (1977) p. ch. 3 "Of the Coming of the Elves and the Captivity of Melkor"Tolkien — 1977
  5. 5harvnbTolkien (1977) p. ch. 5 "Of Eldamar and the Princes of the Eldalië"Tolkien — 1977
  6. 6harvnbTolkien (1977) p. ch. 7 "Of the Silmarils and the Unrest of the Noldor"Tolkien — 1977
  7. 7harvnbTolkien (1977) p. ch. 8 "Of the Darkening of Valinor"Tolkien — 1977
  8. 8harvnbTolkien (1977) p. ch. 6 "Of Fëanor and the Unchaining of Melkor"Tolkien — 1977
  9. 9harvnbTolkien (1977) p. ch. 11 "Of the Sun and Moon and the Hiding of Valinor"Tolkien — 1977
  10. 10harvnbTolkien (1977) p. ch. 13 "Of the Return of the Noldor"Tolkien — 1977
  11. 11harvnbCarpenter (2023) p. #211 to Rhona Beare, 14 October 1958, last footnoteCarpenter — 2023
  12. 12harvnbTolkien (1993) p. "The Annals of Aman", section 1, p. 59Tolkien — 1993
  13. 13harvnbTolkien (1993) p. "The Annals of Aman", §§ 5-10 "Of the Beginning of Time and its Reckoning"Tolkien — 1993
  14. 14harvnbTolkien (1977) p. ch. 17 "Of the Coming of Men into the West"Tolkien — 1977
  15. 15harvnbTolkien (1977) p. ch. 18 "Of the Ruin of Beleriand and the Fall of Fingolfin"Tolkien — 1977
  16. 16harvnbTolkien (1977) p. ch. 20 "Of the Fifth Battle: Nirnaeth Arnoediad"Tolkien — 1977
  17. 17harvnbTolkien (1977) p. ch. 22 "Of the Ruin of Doriath"Tolkien — 1977
  18. 18harvnbTolkien (1977) p. ch. 23 "Of Tuor and the Fall of Gondolin"Tolkien — 1977
  19. 19harvnbTolkien (1977) p. ch. 24 Of the Voyage of Earendil and the War of WrathTolkien — 1977
  20. 20harvnbTolkien (1955) p. Appendix B: The Tale of Years. "The Second Age"Tolkien — 1955
  21. 21harvnbTolkien (1955) p. Appendix D: "Calendars"Tolkien — 1955
  22. 22harvnbTolkien (1980) p. part 2: "The Second Age"Tolkien — 1980
  23. 23harvnbTolkien (1977) p. "[[Akallabêth]]"Tolkien — 1977
  24. 24harvnbTolkien (1955) p. Appendix B: The Tale of Years, "The Third Age"Tolkien — 1955
  25. 25harvnbTolkien (1955) p. Appendix A part I(iv), p. 328Tolkien — 1955
  26. 26harvnbTolkien (1980) p. part 3 ch. 2(i) pp. 288–289Tolkien — 1980
  27. 27harvnbTolkien (1996) p. "The Making of Appendix A", '(IV) Durin's Folk', p. 278.Tolkien — 1996
  28. 28harvnbTolkien (1955) p. Appendix A: [[The Tale of Aragorn and Arwen]]Tolkien — 1955
  29. 29harvnbTolkien (1955) p. Appendix B: "Later events concerning the members of the Fellowship of the Ring"Tolkien — 1955
  30. 30harvnbTolkien (1996) p. "The New Shadow"Tolkien — 1996
  31. 31harvnbCarpenter (2023) p. #338 to Fr. Douglas Carter, 6 June 1972Carpenter — 2023
  32. 32harvnbTolkien (1996) p. "The Heirs of Elendil"Tolkien — 1996
  33. 33harvnbCarpenter (2023) p. #131 to [[Milton Waldman]], late 1951Carpenter — 2023
  34. 34harvnbTolkien (1986) p. ch. 3: "Quenta Noldorinwa"Tolkien — 1986
  35. 35harvnbTolkien (1993) p. "Athrabeth Finrod ah Andreth"Tolkien — 1993
  36. 36harvnbTolkien (2001) p. 85–90Tolkien — 2001
  37. 37journalSecond Age, Middle AgeNorbert Schürer — 2022
  38. 38harvnbCarpenter (2023) p. #227 to Mrs Drijver, January 1961Carpenter — 2023
  39. 39harvnbCarpenter (2023) p. #154 to [[Naomi Mitchison]], September 1954Carpenter — 2023
  40. 40harvnbTolkien, 1954a
  41. 41harvnbWest (2006) p. 67–100West — 2006
  42. 42harvnbLee, Solopova (2005) p. 256–257Lee, Solopova — 2005
  43. 43newsBooks: At the End of the Quest, VictoryW. H. Auden — 22 January 1956