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| caption="[[:File:Brian Durfee - Black Númenóreans.jpg|Black Númenóreans]]" by Brian Durfee
| caption="[[:File:Brian Durfee - Black Númenóreans.jpg|Black Númenóreans]]" by Brian Durfee
| pronun=
| pronun=
| othernames=
| othernames=Sauronians<ref name=letter>{{L|156}}</ref>
| origin=[[Númenóreans]]
| origin=[[Númenóreans]] seduced and corrupted by [[Sauron]]
| location=[[Umbar]], other southern lands
| location=The southern lands of [[Middle-earth]], and especially [[Umbar]]
| affiliation=[[Sauron]]
| affiliation=[[King's Men]], [[Sauron]]
| rivalry=[[Gondorians]]
| rivalry=[[Exiles of Númenor]], [[Gondorians]]
| language=[[Adûnaic]]
| language=[[Adûnaic]], [[Westron]]
| members=[[Herumor]], [[Fuinur]], [[Berúthiel]], [[The Mouth of Sauron]]
| members=[[Herumor]], [[Fuinur]], [[Berúthiel]], [[The Mouth of Sauron]]
| lifespan=
| lifespan=
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| weapons=
| weapons=
}}
}}
The '''Black Númenóreans''' were [[Númenóreans|High Men]] from [[Númenor]]. They were under the [[Shadow]] like the [[King's Men]], cruel oppressors and overlords over the more primitive [[Middle Men]] of [[Middle-earth]]. As they were colonising the continent, they survived the [[Downfall of Númenor]].
The '''Black Númenóreans''' emerged from the [[King's Men]] party;<ref name=Gondor>{{App|Gondor}}</ref> they were cruel oppressors and overlords over the primitive [[Men]] of [[Middle-earth]]. Since they were colonising the continent, they survived the [[Downfall of Númenor]] but swiftly diminished.
==History==
 
The Númenóreans' power and knowledge had grown throughout the course of the [[Second Age]], and became increasingly preoccupied with the limits placed on their happiness—and eventually their power—by mortality, the purpose of which they began to question. They started fearing the [[Gift of Men]] and attempted to delay it or recall life.
==Background==
{{main|King's Men}}
The [[Númenóreans]]' power and knowledge had grown throughout the course of the [[Second Age]], and became increasingly preoccupied with the limits placed on their happiness—and eventually their power—by mortality, the purpose of which they began to question. They started fearing the [[Gift of Men]] and attempted to delay it or recall life. This growing wish to escape death made most of the Númenóreans envious of the immortal [[Eldar]], who they had come to physically resemble. The Eldar sought ever to remind the [[Men of Númenor]] however, that death was a gift of the One God, [[Ilúvatar]], to all men, and the will of Ilúvatar could not be gainsaid.<ref name=akallabeth>{{S|Akallabeth}}</ref>
 
Nevertheless, after {{SA|2221}}, when [[Tar-Ancalimon]] became [[King of Númenor]], the Númenóreans became divided. The [[King's Men]] turned away from the [[Valar]] and the Eldar and eventually became vulnerable to the corruption of [[Sauron]].<ref>{{L|211}}</ref><ref name=akallabeth/>


This growing wish to escape death, made most of the Númenoreans envious of the immortal [[Eldar]], who they had come to physically resemble. The Eldar sought ever to remind the men of Númenor however, that death was a gift of the One God, [[Ilúvatar]], to all men, and the will of Ilúvatar could not be gainsaid.  
Three of the [[Nazgûl|Ringwraiths]] were powerful Númenórean lords corrupted by [[Sauron]].<ref>{{S|Akallabeth}}</ref> 1000 years before the [[Downfall of Númenor|Downfall]], they served [[Sauron]], being enslaved to his will, having become so because of their lust for power or knowledge.


Nevertheless, after {{SA|2221}}, when [[Tar-Ancalimon]] became [[King of Númenor]], the Númenóreans became divided. The [[King's Men]] who turned away from the [[Valar]] and the Eldar, and eventually became vulnerable to the corruption of [[Sauron]], who dominated the minds and wills of most of the Númenóreans with the [[One Ring]].<ref>{{L|211}}</ref> The powerful and elderly King [[Ar-Pharazôn]], had become frightened of old age,<ref>{{L|156}}</ref> and was persuaded by Sauron that Ilúvatar was a lie invented by the Valar, and seduced.
==History==
===Second Age===
====Origin====
Many of the [[King's Men]] sailed to the shores and seaward regions of the [[Westlands]] during [[Sauron]]'s sojourn in [[Númenor]]. These became the Black Númenóreans who submitted to Sauron and served him gladly in [[Middle-earth]]. These evil lords made their fortresses and dwellings in the [[South]], because of the power of [[Gil-galad]].<ref name=rings>{{S|Rings}}</ref><ref name=window>{{TT|Window}}</ref>  


Some indigenous people of Middle-earth were afraid of those Númenóreans, whom they called "[[Go-hilleg]]" in their language. The "Go-hilleg" terrified those people with their ships and intended at some point to conquer the land of [[Agar]] and slay its people.<ref>{{PM|Elmar}}</ref>
Before the [[Downfall of Númenor|Downfall]], their settlements beyond [[Umbar]] had been absorbed or had been made by the King's Men and had become hostile and parts of Sauron's dominions.<ref>{{UT|Istari}}</ref>


Three of the [[Nazgûl|Ringwraiths]] can be considered among the first and most powerful Númenóreans who were corrupted by Sauron,<ref>{{S|Akallabeth}}</ref> 1000 years before the Downfall: they served Sauron, being enslaved to his will, having become so because of their lust for power or knowledge.
====After the Downfall====
Even after the Downfall, the Black Númenóreans held control of the [[Haven of Umbar]], initially a stronghold of the King's Men.<ref name=Gondor/> They hated, above all, the [[Exiles of Númenor]].<ref name=Gondor/>


Even the colonists who had settled on the shores and seaward regions of the [[Westlands]], turned to evil, the [[Darkness]] and the black arts. These evil lords made their fortresses and dwellings in the [[South]], because of the power of [[Gil-galad]].<ref name=rings>{{S|Rings}}</ref> <ref name=window>{{TT|Window}}</ref>
Two early Black Númenórean lords, both mighty and evil, from the late [[Second Age]] were [[Herumor]] and [[Fuinur]] who "rose to power amongst the [[Haradrim]]".<ref name=rings/>  
===After the Downfall===
For many centuries after the Downfall, these descendants of the King's Men held onto the haven of [[Umbar]], the most northerly and famous of their realms.


When the surviving [[Faithful]] Numenoreans founded [[Gondor]] and [[Arnor]], they saw their southern counterparts as renegades, calling them the Black Númenóreans.<ref>{{RK|Gate}}</ref> The Black Númenóreans held a similar hatred of Gondor after generations.<ref>{{App|Gondor}}</ref>
As [[Sauron]] was preparing to go to [[War of the Last Alliance|war]] against the [[Elves]] and [[Exiles of Númenor|Exiles]], he gathered great strength of his servants, including many Black Númenóreans.<ref name=rings/>  


Two early Black Númenórean lords from the late [[Second Age]] were [[Herumor]] and [[Fuinur]] who desired power over men of other, lesser races, and they "rose to (great) power amongst the [[Haradrim]]", the peoples neighbouring Umbar. They likely shared Sauron's defeat at the hands of the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]].  
The triumph of the [[Last Alliance]] marked the decline of the Black Númenórean race.<ref name=Gondor/> They dwindled swiftly or became merged with the [[Men]] of [[Middle-earth]].<ref name=Gondor/> Although their race declined, they inherited, without lessening, their hatred of [[Gondor]].<ref name=Gondor/>


The triumph of the Last Alliance marked the decline of the Black Númenórean race and the end of their racial superiority. They dwindled swiftly or became merged with the Middle Men.<ref>{{App|A}}</ref>
===Decline===
Although they had dwindled, few notable figures still claimed to be of the Black Númenórean race in later times. One of these was [[Berúthiel|Queen Berúthiel]], the "nefarious, solitary, and loveless" wife of [[Gondor|Gondor's]] King [[Tarannon Falastur]].<ref name=Interview>{{webcite|author=[[Daphne Castell]]|articleurl=http://www.festivalintheshire.com/journal1bdx/inttolkien.html|articlename=The Realms of Tolkien|dated=|website=[http://www.festivalintheshire.com/journal1bdx/index.html ''Festival in the Shire Journal'', Issue 1]|accessed=7 May 2012}}</ref><ref>[[Humphrey Carpenter]], ''[[The Inklings (book)|The Inklings]]'', "Thursday evenings", pp. 137-8</ref><ref>{{UT|Istari}}, note 7</ref>  


[[Berúthiel|Queen Berúthiel]], wife of Gondor's King [[Tarannon Falastur]] was "a black Númenórean".<ref name=Interview>{{webcite|author=[[Daphne Castell]]|articleurl=http://www.festivalintheshire.com/journal1bdx/inttolkien.html|articlename=The Realms of Tolkien|dated=|website=[http://www.festivalintheshire.com/journal1bdx/index.html ''Festival in the Shire Journal'', Issue 1]|accessed=7 May 2012}}</ref><ref>[[Humphrey Carpenter]], ''[[The Inklings (book)|The Inklings]]'', "Thursday evenings", pp. 137-8</ref> This was a loveless union, and was presumably a political accommodation: that such arrangements were possible implies the existence at that time of more Gondor-friendly Black Númenóreans than the much later Mouth of Sauron.
In {{TA|933}}, [[Kings of Gondor|King]] [[Eärnil I]] captured [[Umbar]], driving the lords of Umbar into exile.<ref name=Gondor/> 82 years later, in {{TA|1015}}, these lords lead the [[Haradrim]] to re-take the fortress and slew King [[Ciryandil]], son of Eärnil I.<ref group=note>Whether or not these lords were indeed Black Númenóreans is not known but due to their somewhat longevity (they ruled Umbar for some time before their 82 year long exile), it seems plausible.</ref><ref name=Gondor/>
   
   
A Black Númenórean elite survived at least in Umbar for over a thousand years after Númenor's fall, maintaining much influence in [[Haradwaith]]. As late as Third Age 1015, for example, even after being exiled from their homeland for nearly a century, the lords that had been driven from Umbar led the [[Haradrim]] to retake Umbar.<ref>{{App|A}}</ref>
Another more notable "renegade" of great stature was the [[Mouth of Sauron]]; "he entered the service of the [[Barad-dûr|Dark Tower]] when it first rose again".<ref name="Gate">{{RK|V10}}</ref><ref group=note>It has been noted that this reference is difficult to interpret; according to [[Appendix B]] the Dark Tower arose first some time after {{SA|3320}} and again in {{TA|2951}}. If the Mouth lived in the [[Second Age]], he would be one of the King's Men of Númenor, and probably prolonged his life with sorcery (cf. {{HM|Guide}}, p. 274); in the second interpretation he would serve [[Sauron]] only for 68 years, and this would make him a Black Númenórean of Umbar or [[Harad]]. The second interpretation is more feasible (and supported by [[Michael Martinez]]) but both have been considered.</ref> He mocked the army of [[Aragorn|King Elessar]] in front of the [[Morannon]].<ref name="Gate"/>


Not much is known about the Black Númenóreans after their defeat by [[Ciryaher]] in {{TA|1050}}. A "Renegade", [[The Mouth of Sauron]], had entered the service of Sauron in [[Mordor]]. He mocked the army of [[Aragorn|King Elessar]] in front of the [[Morannon]].
==Culture==
In [[Middle-earth]] where they worshipped [[Sauron]], the Black Númenóreans became "enamoured of evil knowledge"<ref name="Gate"/> and some "learned great sorcery" under Sauron's tutelage.<ref name="Gate"/> Some, like the [[Mouth of Sauron]], had the potential to be more cruel than any [[Orc]].<ref name="Gate"/>


==Culture==
Some of these lords were idle and lazy; they used to fight amongst themselves, until they became conquered by the wild men whom they ruled over.<ref name=window/>
The Black Númenórean style of governing was no doubt tyrannical, and may also have involved a tradition of duumviracy, at least in Umbar. After Herumor and Fuinur there were also [[Angamaite]] and [[Sangahyando]]. Some lords were idle and lazy, they used to fight amongst themselves, until they became conquered by the wild men.<ref name=window/>


The Black Númenóreans did not use [[Westron]], but probably retained their old tongue [[Adûnaic]], speaking a dialect of it. (In [[The Notion Club Papers]], part of ''[[Sauron Defeated]]'', Arundel Lowdham cited two descendants of classical Adûnaic. One of these must have been Westron, the other the tongue of the Black Númenóreans).
In [[The Notion Club Papers]], part of ''[[Sauron Defeated]]'', Arundel Lowdham cited two descendants of classical Adûnaic. One of these must have been [[Westron]], the other the tongue of the Black Númenóreans.


==Portrayal in adaptations==
==Portrayal in adaptations==
[[File:Black Númenórean.jpg|thumb|A typical Black Númenórean within the city of [[Annuminas]] (''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'').]]
[[File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Black Númenórean.jpg|thumb|A typical Black Númenórean in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'']]
'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:The Black Númenóreans are portrayed in service of the different Lieutenants of the Enemy. The ''Angmarim'' inhabit the lands surrounding [[Carn Dum]] in [[Angmar]] and serve [[Mordirith]] and later [[Amarthiel]]. Much later, Umbarrim Númenóreans make appearance in [[Dol Guldur]] of [[Mirkwood]].
:The Black Númenóreans are portrayed in service of the different Lieutenants of the Enemy. The ''Angmarim'' inhabit the lands surrounding [[Carn Dum]] in [[Angmar]] and serve [[Mordirith]] and later [[Amarthiel]]. Much later, ''Umbarrim'' Black Númenóreans make appearance in [[Dol Guldur]] of [[Mirkwood]]. When the lands of [[Mordor]] are explored following the downfall of [[Sauron]], Black Númenórean cultists known as ''Mordorrim'' are shown to be among its inhabitants.


'''2011: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]'':'''
'''2011: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]'':'''
:[[Agandaûr]], the game's main antagonist, is a Black Númenórean<ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://www.warinthenorth.com/index.php/the-game/enemies|articlename=Enemies|dated=|website=www.warinthenorth.com|accessed=15 February 2012}}</ref> as is the minor character [[Wulfrun]], lieutenant of [[Carn Dûm]].
:[[Agandaûr]], the game's main antagonist, is a Black Númenórean<ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://www.warinthenorth.com/index.php/the-game/enemies|articlename=Enemies|dated=|website=www.warinthenorth.com|accessed=15 February 2012}}</ref> as is the minor character [[Wulfrun]], lieutenant of [[Carn Dûm]].


{{notes}}
{{references}}
{{references}}
[[Category:Black Númenóreans| ]]
[[Category:Black Númenóreans| ]]
[[Category:Servants of Sauron]]
[[de:Schwarze Númenorer]]
[[de:Schwarze Númenorer]]
[[fi:Mustat númenorilaiset]]
[[fi:Mustat númenorilaiset]]

Revision as of 13:08, 9 October 2021

Black Númenóreans
People
Brian Durfee - Black Númenóreans.jpg
"Black Númenóreans" by Brian Durfee
General Information
Other namesSauronians[1]
OriginsNúmenóreans seduced and corrupted by Sauron
LocationsThe southern lands of Middle-earth, and especially Umbar
AffiliationKing's Men, Sauron
RivalriesExiles of Númenor, Gondorians
LanguagesAdûnaic, Westron
MembersHerumor, Fuinur, Berúthiel, The Mouth of Sauron
GalleryImages of Black Númenóreans

The Black Númenóreans emerged from the King's Men party;[2] they were cruel oppressors and overlords over the primitive Men of Middle-earth. Since they were colonising the continent, they survived the Downfall of Númenor but swiftly diminished.

Background

Main article: King's Men

The Númenóreans' power and knowledge had grown throughout the course of the Second Age, and became increasingly preoccupied with the limits placed on their happiness—and eventually their power—by mortality, the purpose of which they began to question. They started fearing the Gift of Men and attempted to delay it or recall life. This growing wish to escape death made most of the Númenóreans envious of the immortal Eldar, who they had come to physically resemble. The Eldar sought ever to remind the Men of Númenor however, that death was a gift of the One God, Ilúvatar, to all men, and the will of Ilúvatar could not be gainsaid.[3]

Nevertheless, after S.A. 2221, when Tar-Ancalimon became King of Númenor, the Númenóreans became divided. The King's Men turned away from the Valar and the Eldar and eventually became vulnerable to the corruption of Sauron.[4][3]

Three of the Ringwraiths were powerful Númenórean lords corrupted by Sauron.[5] 1000 years before the Downfall, they served Sauron, being enslaved to his will, having become so because of their lust for power or knowledge.

History

Second Age

Origin

Many of the King's Men sailed to the shores and seaward regions of the Westlands during Sauron's sojourn in Númenor. These became the Black Númenóreans who submitted to Sauron and served him gladly in Middle-earth. These evil lords made their fortresses and dwellings in the South, because of the power of Gil-galad.[6][7]

Before the Downfall, their settlements beyond Umbar had been absorbed or had been made by the King's Men and had become hostile and parts of Sauron's dominions.[8]

After the Downfall

Even after the Downfall, the Black Númenóreans held control of the Haven of Umbar, initially a stronghold of the King's Men.[2] They hated, above all, the Exiles of Númenor.[2]

Two early Black Númenórean lords, both mighty and evil, from the late Second Age were Herumor and Fuinur who "rose to power amongst the Haradrim".[6]

As Sauron was preparing to go to war against the Elves and Exiles, he gathered great strength of his servants, including many Black Númenóreans.[6]

The triumph of the Last Alliance marked the decline of the Black Númenórean race.[2] They dwindled swiftly or became merged with the Men of Middle-earth.[2] Although their race declined, they inherited, without lessening, their hatred of Gondor.[2]

Decline

Although they had dwindled, few notable figures still claimed to be of the Black Númenórean race in later times. One of these was Queen Berúthiel, the "nefarious, solitary, and loveless" wife of Gondor's King Tarannon Falastur.[9][10][11]

In T.A. 933, King Eärnil I captured Umbar, driving the lords of Umbar into exile.[2] 82 years later, in T.A. 1015, these lords lead the Haradrim to re-take the fortress and slew King Ciryandil, son of Eärnil I.[note 1][2]

Another more notable "renegade" of great stature was the Mouth of Sauron; "he entered the service of the Dark Tower when it first rose again".[12][note 2] He mocked the army of King Elessar in front of the Morannon.[12]

Culture

In Middle-earth where they worshipped Sauron, the Black Númenóreans became "enamoured of evil knowledge"[12] and some "learned great sorcery" under Sauron's tutelage.[12] Some, like the Mouth of Sauron, had the potential to be more cruel than any Orc.[12]

Some of these lords were idle and lazy; they used to fight amongst themselves, until they became conquered by the wild men whom they ruled over.[7]

In The Notion Club Papers, part of Sauron Defeated, Arundel Lowdham cited two descendants of classical Adûnaic. One of these must have been Westron, the other the tongue of the Black Númenóreans.

Portrayal in adaptations

A typical Black Númenórean in The Lord of the Rings Online

2007: The Lord of the Rings Online:

The Black Númenóreans are portrayed in service of the different Lieutenants of the Enemy. The Angmarim inhabit the lands surrounding Carn Dum in Angmar and serve Mordirith and later Amarthiel. Much later, Umbarrim Black Númenóreans make appearance in Dol Guldur of Mirkwood. When the lands of Mordor are explored following the downfall of Sauron, Black Númenórean cultists known as Mordorrim are shown to be among its inhabitants.

2011: The Lord of the Rings: War in the North:

Agandaûr, the game's main antagonist, is a Black Númenórean[13] as is the minor character Wulfrun, lieutenant of Carn Dûm.

Notes

  1. Whether or not these lords were indeed Black Númenóreans is not known but due to their somewhat longevity (they ruled Umbar for some time before their 82 year long exile), it seems plausible.
  2. It has been noted that this reference is difficult to interpret; according to Appendix B the Dark Tower arose first some time after S.A. 3320 and again in T.A. 2951. If the Mouth lived in the Second Age, he would be one of the King's Men of Númenor, and probably prolonged his life with sorcery (cf. Robert Foster, The Complete Guide to Middle-earth, p. 274); in the second interpretation he would serve Sauron only for 68 years, and this would make him a Black Númenórean of Umbar or Harad. The second interpretation is more feasible (and supported by Michael Martinez) but both have been considered.

References