April 27, 2013

Tar-Atanamir the Great

Tar-Atanamir was the thirteenth ruler of Númenor. It was during his father's rule, Tar-Ciryatan, the Shadow was first perceived. It fell upon Númenor during Atanamir's rule; mostly through greed and pride which led to hardened hearts toward the Valar, especially their ban laid upon the Dunedain to never sail West. Alas the Valar were still feared at this time so only words against them were spoken. But Atanamir took to sailing East and exacted tribute from Men of Middle-earth. He ruled for 192 years until death took him in 2221. "Atanamir is called also the Unwilling, for he was the first of the Kings to refuse to lay down his life, or to renounce the sceptre; and he lived until death took him perforce in dotage" (p. 221, Unfinished Tales). In this refusal to renounce the sceptre another fruit of the Shadow was felt in Númenor.

Middle-earth timeline: Second Age, 1800-2221
Today's reading comes from: Unfinished Tales, page 221

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