The Mysterious Origins of the Black Numenoreans: Unraveling the Enigma

Highlights

The Black Númenoreans were a group of people in J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy world who became corrupted by their fear of death and worshiped Sauron.

Descendants of the Númenóreans, the Númenórean people were bestowed the island of Númenor by the Valar as a reward for their assistance against the malevolent Morgoth.

In contrast, the Black Númenóreans stood against the Faithful, who were followers of Elendil, and played a crucial part in the ruin of Númenor. They eventually established themselves in Middle-earth and remained loyal to dark lords such as Sauron.

The Lord of the Rings is an enduring epic that encompasses a vast and storied history, populated by a diverse cast of characters both well-known and lesser-known. Among these lesser-known factions within J.R.R. Tolkien's expansive world are the Black Númenoreans.

To truly grasp the significance of the Black Númenoreans, it is crucial to delve into the origins and background of Númenor itself. Númenor was an island nation bestowed upon the Men of Middle-earth by the Valar, as a token of gratitude for their aid in the battle against Morgoth, a pivotal antagonist in the history of Lord of the Rings. This majestic realm was renowned for its immense wealth and influence, and its inhabitants came to be known as the Númenoreans.

What is Númenor?

Númenor, a vast island situated in the Western Sea, possessed a unique and recognizable star-shaped configuration consisting of five points. Each of these points held extraordinary natural features distinctive to itself. In the center of the island stood the sacred mountain Meneltarma, held in deep reverence by the Dúnedain who regarded it as a temple dedicated to Ilúvatar. The impressive capital city, known as Armenelos, was located here. Two rivers graced the land: the Siril, originating from Meneltarma and flowing into a small delta near the town of Nindamos, and the Nunduinë, which met the sea in the Bay of Eldanna near the human haven of Eldalondë.

Following their arduous struggles in the monumental war against the malevolent Lord Morgoth, the Valar took pity on the Three Houses of the Edain and bestowed upon them the island of Elenna, known as "Númenor" or "Andor." Elros, son of Eärendil, ascended to become the inaugural King of Númenor, assuming the name Tar-Minyatur, signifying the "High-First King." Under his reign, and that of his successors, the Númenóreans flourished, enjoying significantly longer lifespans in comparison to the Men of Middle-earth.

The population of Númenor was mainly composed of the Men from the remaining Edain houses, known as the Númenóreans or Kings of Men. They excelled in various forms of art, craftsmanship, weapon forging, and armor making. However, before the rise of Sauron, they were not inclined towards warfare; instead, their primary focus was on building ships and developing maritime skills. The Númenóreans became renowned sailors, exploring every corner of the world except the West, as it was forbidden by the Valar. They frequently visited the shores of Middle-earth, sharing their knowledge and introducing agricultural improvements to benefit the local populations. However, as the Shadow emerged, the Númenóreans became less friendly, imposing heavy taxes and returning to their homeland with stolen riches.

Furthermore, the Númenóreans excelled in breeding magnificent horses that freely roamed the vast plains of Mittalmar. While they began as a peaceful civilization, their expertise in weaponry, armor, and horsemanship remained unmatched in the entire world of Arda, with the exception of the Valar.

Who were the Black Númenoreans?

During the Second Age, as the Númenóreans gained power and wisdom, they became increasingly preoccupied with the limitations imposed on their happiness and authority by mortality. They began questioning the meaning of their own mortality and, eventually, developed a growing dread of death. This dread led them to covet the immortal Elves, the Eldar, with whom they shared physical characteristics as a reward from Ilúvatar for their alliance. However, the Eldar consistently reminded the Númenóreans that death was a gift given to all Men by Ilúvatar and that losing faith in Ilúvatar's wisdom would be considered heretical.

However, matters took a darker turn when Tar-Ancalimon ascended to the throne of Númenor. Under his rule, the majority of Númenóreans began to abandon their ancestral traditions and disregard their respect for Eru (Ilúvatar) and the Valar. These individuals, known as the "King's Men," were therefore predisposed to corruption when Sauron arrived in Númenor.

During the final years of Númenor, the aging King Ar-Pharazôn, consumed by his fear of growing old, fell under the influence of Sauron. The cunning Sauron convinced him that Ilúvatar was a mere fabrication by the Valar, pushing him to worship Morgoth. This dangerous act quickly gained popularity among the majority of Númenor's population, resembling a cult-like worship. This worship also spread to Númenor's colonies in Middle-earth, with strongholds like Umbar becoming breeding grounds for this group.

In Middle-earth, this faction continued to oppose the Faithful, who were the followers of Elendil and would later become the rulers of Arnor and Gondor. The followers of the King's Party remained loyal to Sauron, and their lifespans began to diminish even before the eventual downfall of Númenor. After the cataclysmic event, they came to be known as the Black Númenóreans.

The Black Númenóreans were consumed by their insatiable thirst for forbidden wisdom, and they wholeheartedly revered Sauron. They nurtured an intense hostility towards the adherents of Elendil and their kingdom, Gondor.

What happened to the Black Númenoreans?

The fate of the Black Númenoreans became intertwined with the decline and downfall of Númenor itself. As the majority of Númenoreans grew increasingly restless and defied the Ban of the Valar, which forbade them from sailing to the Undying Lands, the Black Númenoreans fully embraced this rebellious spirit. Their leaders, most notably Ar-Pharazôn, sought to challenge the might of the Valar and foolishly sailed to Aman. This disastrous action ultimately led to the destruction of Númenor.

However, not all Black Númenoreans perished in the cataclysm that engulfed Númenor. Some managed to survive and establish themselves in Middle-earth, particularly in Umbar, where they built their stronghold. These survivors continued to pledge their loyalty to Sauron and other evil lords, emerging as formidable adversaries to the Free Peoples of Middle-earth.

Throughout the Lord of the Rings series, the presence of the Black Númenoreans is subtly felt, though they mostly operate in the shadows. Their corrupting influence can be seen through various characters and organizations aligned with Sauron, such as the Corsairs of Umbar, who share a direct connection to this fallen faction.

The Black Númenoreans ultimately embodied the repercussions of losing favor. They stand as a constant reminder that even within a magical and fantastical realm like that of Lord of the Rings, the eternal battle between good and evil encompasses and influences both nations and individuals' fates.