The Númenóreans are a race of Men who live on the island of Númenor.[2] They are mariners of great renown and lords of many ships on their islands, called Elenna.[1]
Official Description[]
For their suffering in the wars of the First Age, these human allies of the elves were rewarded with an island, set apart from Middle-earth, where they built the great kingdom of Númenor. The men and women of Númenor were granted a longer lifespan than other humans, and were enriched with knowledge and many gifts by the elves – but it has been centuries since the elves were last welcomed on their shores.
History[]
The Númenóreans are ancestors of the Edain - men and women who first went west in Middle-earth. They were allies to the Elves in the First Age war against Morgoth.[1] As a reward for their valiancy and loyalty, the Valar gifted Númenor and an elongated life-span to their human allies as a divine gift.[1]
Their first King was the half-Elf Elros[2] who ruled as Tar-Minyatur. When the Valar offered Elros the choice to be human or elf, He chose mortality and a human life.[1]
By the Second Age, the Númenóreans were placed under the Ban of the Valar, which forbid from sailing West and out of sight of their own shores. It was in place to prevent them from seeing the Undying Lands.[1]
King Tar-Palantir was loyal to the Elves and made this known when he stopped the people from tearing down the Hall of Lore. The people had him removed from the throne and placed his daughter, Míriel, as acting ruler in his place. She was assisted by Chancellor Pharazôn.[2]
Characteristics[]
The Númenóreans were gifted a life-span far greater then the average human - up to three times a normal human lifetime - for their loyalty to the Elves during the war against Morgoth.[1]
They have a deep love and admiration for the sea[2] that extends far beyond ships and sailing, but into all elements of their culture. They even have statues to personify the sea.[1]
Often concerned with their own mortality, the Númenóreans have strong traditions around Death. In later days, they take to building tombs more splendid than the houses of the living, and some count the old names of ancestors dearer than the names of their children.[3]
Appearances[]
- Season Two
- "Elven Kings Under the Sky" (Mentioned only)