Ar-Pharazôn and Tar-Míriel

Tar-Palantir died in 3255 Second Age leaving only his daughter, Míriel as heir. "But Pharazôn took her to wife against her will, doing evil in this and evil also in that the laws of Númenor did not permit marriage, even in the royal house, of those more nearly akin than cousins in the second degree" (p. 269, The Silmarillion). zthey were first cousins.

"And when they were wedded, he seized the scepter into his own hand, taking the title of Ar-Pharazôn (Tar-Calion in the Elven-tongue); and the name of his queen he changed to Ar-Zimraphel" (p. 269-270, The Silmarillion). Being a great warrior and generous with his wealth (for the time being) swayed the people to overlook these grievous acts.

Ar-Pharazôn was the 25th and final ruler of Númenor, taking the sceptre from Míriel and ruling until the Downfall in 3319 Second Age. "Of the deeds of Ar-Pharazon, of his glory and his folly, more is told in the tale of the Downfall of Numenor, which Elendil wrote, and which was preserved in Gondor" (p. 224, Unfinished Tales). This is an interesting piece of Middle-earth history; we learn that Elendil, father of Isildur who cut the One Ring from Sauron, recorded the known histories of Númenor. Most likely to preserve what history and identity he could for the displaced Númenórean's after the Downfall.

Middle-earth timeline: Second Age, 3255-3319

Today's reading comes from: The Silmarillion, pages 269-270 and Unfinished Tales, page 224