"Statecraft is the art of attending to small matters as diligently as grand ones."
Pharazôn to his son.
Pharazôn is one of the main characters of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. He is a respected Númenórean statesman and father to Kemen. Pharazón is portrayed by Trystan Gravelle, first appearing in the episode "Adar".
Official Description[]
Pharazôn is a respected Númenórean statesman and Queen-Regent Míriel’s right hand, who nevertheless manages to be a man of the people. But underneath his considered exterior, he hides his own grand ambitions for Númenor.
History[]
Chancellor Pharazôn was an elite statesman who resided in Númenor. He was the nephew of King Tar-Palantir, cousin of Queen Regent Míriel, and father to Kemen. Pharazôn was largely behind the removal of Tar-Palantir from the throne because of the King's allegiance to the old ways of the Elves. He supported his cousins position on the throne.[2]
Pharazôn attended court when Elendil arrived with the Elf Galadriel and the human Halbrand. The people of court were shocked to see an Elf in their midst, and made their disdain for her clear as they mocked her many titles. Queen Regent Míriel and Chancellor Pharazôn allowed Galadriel to stay at the encouragement of Halbrand, but restricted the Elf to palace grounds. They argued until Míriel made it clear that she would impose any ruling she desired. Pharazôn also mocked Galadriel's ranking in the armies to the humor of the court. He was present when Míriel tasked Elendil with overseeing Galadriel.[3]
The Númenórean's were upset by Galadriel's presence on the island, so Pharazôn spoke to them in the midst of a squall. He refused to believe a castaway threatened them. He reminded them of the guild crests they bear and the heritage they represented. He stood above the crowd on the steps to hush their chatter. He told them to trust him, swearing on his hands that Elves will never take Númenor's helm. The crowd cheered under his feet and he ordered drinks all around. They chanted his name, hugged him, and shook his hand.[4]
He visited Galadriel in the dungeons, where she escaped as Halbrand advised the Chancellor to let her go. He then told the Chancellor where Galadriel was headed. Míriel opted to send Galadriel away, which pleased Pharazôn until the leaves of the White Tree fell, and Míriel brought her back to announce their alliance.[4]
While some Númenórean's volunteered to join their Queen on an expedition to the Southland[4], others were outraged over Míriel's decision. They desperately tried to reach the Chancellor, so Eärien convened with Kemen instead. She asked him to change his father's mind and get him to stand against the Queen. Pharazôn believed the Elves would take orders from them in the end. They would save the low-men of Middle-earth and give them a King who would be indebted to them. The benefit of that far outweighed the political risks.[2]
One of the ships exploded in the night, so Míriel held a meeting with Galadriel, Elendil, and her cousin. Galadriel encouraged her not to change her mind, but Pharazôn advised his cousin that they acted in haste as kingdoms should be led and not dragged. He wanted to wait until more joined the Queen Regent's cause. Ultimately, the ships departed as planned.[2]
In Míriel's absence, Pharazôn looked over the island and the ailing King. Pharazôn called several Draftsmen to the King's deathbed to capture his visage before his demise. It was their job to forge a tomb to grant him immortality in stone. The King died with Pharazôn at his side.[5]
Physical Appearance[]
Pharazôn is a man of high status, and as such, wears expensive clothing made of the finest materials. His tunic is adorned in badges that are symbolic to the many Guilds of Númenor.[6]
Appearances[]
- Season One
- "Adar" (First appearance)
- "The Great Wave"
- "Partings"
- "Alloyed"
- Season Two