Dominion of Men
The Dominion of Men refers to the fact that Men remained the only speaking race on the world, inheriting its mastery from the ancient Elves. For this they were sometimes called "The Usurpers" by the Elves.[1] Gandalf spoke of the Dominion of Men when he and Aragorn stood in the high hallow on Mindolluin, where there grew a sapling of Nimloth.[2]
This begun in the late Third Age, when most of the Elves left Middle-earth and sailed to the West. This was the case for example, of the Elvish realm of Dol Amroth, which became a realm of Dúnedain after the Elves abandoned it.[3] The Dominion of Men was exemplified in the extent of the Mannish language of Westron, which by the end of the Age was adopted by most of the other speaking races.[4] [5] Meanwhile, other races, such as Dwarves[6] and Ents,[7] saw their numbers to dwindle.
The Dominion of Men officially began with the advent of the Fourth Age and Aragorn's ascent to the Throne of Gondor. It is technically still going on today.
References
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of Men"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Steward and the King"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Third Age"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, "Prologue", "Concerning Hobbits"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix F, "On Translation"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "Durin's Folk"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "Treebeard"
