Downfall of Númenor

The Downfall of Númenor, also known as the Akallabêth (Quenya for "The Downfallen"), was the catastrophic destruction of the island kingdom of Númenor and the subsequent reshaping of the world at the end of the Second Age. It was a pivotal event in the history of Arda, marking the end of the greatest realm of Men and leading directly to the founding of the Dúnedain kingdoms in Middle-earth and the rise of Sauron's power.

History

The Rise and Pride of Númenor

Númenor was an island realm granted to the Edain by the Valar as a reward for their loyalty and aid in the War of Wrath against Morgoth. The Númenóreans, also called the Dúnedain, were blessed with longer lifespans, greater wisdom, and physical prowess than other Men. They became mighty mariners and explorers, establishing colonies and influence across Middle-earth. However, they were forbidden from sailing west to the Undying Lands of Aman, a prohibition known as the Ban of the Valar, for fear they would seek immortality and disturb the peace of the Blessed Realm.

Over centuries, the Númenóreans grew increasingly proud and resentful of their mortality. Their fear of death intensified, leading them to envy the immortality of the Elves and the Valar. This discontent, known as the "Shadow of the West," began to manifest in their kings, starting notably with Tar-Atanamir, who openly defied the Valar. They increasingly turned away from their ancient friendship with the Elves and the worship of Ilúvatar, seeking instead to extend their dominion over all of Middle-earth.

Sauron's Captivity and Deception

In the 32nd century of the Second Age, the King of Númenor, Ar-Pharazôn the Golden, the mightiest of all Númenórean kings, sailed to Middle-earth with an immense fleet and army. He demanded Sauron's submission, who, seeing the overwhelming power of Númenor, yielded without a fight. Sauron was brought back to Númenor as a captive, but this was a ruse. Within three years, through his cunning and silver tongue, Sauron had become the King's chief advisor, twisting Ar-Pharazôn's mind and turning him entirely against the Valar and Ilúvatar.

Sauron taught the Númenóreans to worship Morgoth, the Dark Lord, promising them immortality if they served him. He convinced them that Ilúvatar was a mere invention of the Valar to keep Men in subservience. A great temple to Morgoth was built in the heart of Armenelos, the capital, where Men were sacrificed in vast numbers, often those who remained faithful to the Valar and Ilúvatar. The White Tree, Nimloth, a gift from the Elves of Tol Eressëa and a symbol of Númenor's friendship with the West, was cut down and burned by Sauron's command.

The Great Armament and the Changing of the World

Driven by Sauron's deceitful counsel, Ar-Pharazôn, now old and fearing death, became convinced that he could seize immortality by force. He resolved to invade Aman itself and challenge the Valar for their blessings. He amassed the greatest fleet and army ever seen, known as the Great Armament, and set sail westward in 3319 S.A.

Ar-Pharazôn landed on the shores of Aman, claiming the land for himself. At this direct defiance, Manwë, chief of the Valar, called upon Ilúvatar. Ilúvatar responded by reshaping the world:

• The seas opened up, swallowing Númenor entirely, sinking it beneath the waves.
• Ar-Pharazôn and his army, who had set foot upon Aman, were buried alive under falling mountains and hills, imprisoned in the Caves of the Forgotten until the Last Battle.
• The Undying Lands were removed from the Circles of the World, no longer physically accessible to mortals. The world was made round, and the ancient Straight Road, though invisible, remained only for Elves to reach Aman.

Sauron, still in Númenor at the time of its destruction, was caught in the cataclysm. His physical body was destroyed, but his spirit, being a Maia, endured. He fled back to Middle-earth, but was forever after unable to assume a fair and pleasing form, becoming the Dark Lord of Mordor with a visage of terror.

The Escape of the Faithful

Amidst the chaos and destruction, a small remnant of the Númenóreans, known as the Faithful, had remained loyal to Ilúvatar and the Valar. Led by Elendil and his sons, Isildur and Anárion, they had prepared nine ships and sailed eastward, escaping the wrath of the Sundering Seas. They carried with them precious artifacts, including the Palantíri (seeing-stones), the seedling of the White Tree (planted by Isildur from a fruit he saved), and the Scrolls of Law. They eventually landed in Middle-earth, where they established the kingdoms of Arnor in the north and Gondor in the south, becoming the forefathers of the Dúnedain of Middle-earth.

Description

The Downfall of Númenor was a cataclysm of unparalleled scale. The island itself, described as a five-pointed star, was utterly consumed by the ocean. Massive earthquakes rent the land, followed by colossal waves that swept over its cities and mountains. The very shape of the world changed, transforming from a flat plane to a sphere. This event effectively ended the ancient geographical and cosmological order of Arda.

The immediate impact was the physical obliteration of the Númenórean civilization, its vast cities, mighty ports, and advanced knowledge. The spiritual impact was profound: the loss of the Númenóreans' long lifespans, the severance of mortal Men from the possibility of reaching the Undying Lands, and the rise of Sauron in a more malevolent form. The memory of the Downfall became a haunting tale for the survivors and their descendants, a cautionary legend of pride, idolatry, and divine wrath.

Notable Facts

• Date: 3319 S.A. (Second Age).
• Primary Source: The tale of the Akallabêth, found in The Silmarillion.
• Divine Intervention: The Downfall is one of the very few instances in Tolkien's legendarium where Ilúvatar directly intervenes in the affairs of the world, rather than through the Valar.
• World-Changing Event: It literally changed the physical geography of Arda, making the world round and removing Aman from mortal reach.
• Sauron's Loss of Fair Form: After his body was destroyed in the Downfall, Sauron could no longer take on a beautiful or deceptive guise, forever appearing as a terrifying Dark Lord.
• Founding of the Dúnedain Kingdoms: The survivors, led by Elendil, established Arnor and Gondor, the kingdoms that would play a crucial role in the subsequent history of Middle-earth.
• Atlantis Parallel: J.R.R. Tolkien himself noted that the story of Númenor was his own version of the legend of Atlantis, a drowned land of advanced civilization.
• Precursor to the Last Alliance: The return of Sauron to Middle-earth in his terrible form, and the establishment of the Dúnedain kingdoms, directly set the stage for the War of the Last Alliance between Elves and Men against Sauron.