Aratar

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Aratar ('The Exalted'; arat = high, -r = plural suffix) were the High Ones of Arda, the greatest of the Valar: Manwë, Varda, Ulmo, Yavanna, Aulë, Mandos, Nienna and Oromë. Though Manwë was held to be the High King of Arda, the Eight were held in equal reverence, and were said to possess a majesty that surpassed even the other Valar.

The Aratar were originally nine and included Melkor (probably as the greatest of them) but he was removed from this 'order' after his rebellion.[1]

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