Battle of the Powers: Difference between revisions

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{{battle
{{war
| previous=[[First War]]
| next=[[Wars of Beleriand]]
| image=[[File:Antonio Vinci - Tulkas.jpg|300px]]
| name=Battle of the Powers
| name=Battle of the Powers
| image=[[File:Antonio Vinci - Tulkas.jpg|250px]]
| place=Across the northern parts of [[Middle-earth]], passing eastward from its northwestern coasts
| conflict=[[War for Sake of the Elves]]
| result=Decisive victory for the [[Valar]]
| date={{YT|1090}}-{{YT|1092}}
*[[Chaining of Melkor]]
| place=Northwest of Middle Earth
*Ruin of [[Utumno]] and [[Angband]]
| result=Victory for Valian forces
*Shape of [[Middle-earth]] changed
| side1=Valar and Maiar of [[Valinor]]
*The [[Great Journey]] begins shortly after
| side2=Forces of [[Morgoth]]
| battles=
| commanders1=* [[Oromë]]
| begin={{YT|1090}}
* [[Tulkas]]
| end={{YT|1099}}
| commanders2={{Morgoth blazon}}
| side1=Forces of the [[Valar]]
* [[Sauron]]
| side2=Forces of [[Melkor]]
| forces1= Valian forces of Aman
| commanders1=[[Oromë]]<br />[[Tulkas]]
| forces2= [[Balrogs]], creatures of Melkor
| commanders2=[[Morgoth]]<br />[[Sauron]]
| casual1= Unknown, probably light
}}
| casual2= Heavy
|}}


The '''Battle of the Powers''' was the great battle between the [[Valar]] and [[Morgoth|Melkor]] that took place soon after the awakening of the [[Elves]].  
The '''Battle of the Powers''', also known as the '''War of the Gods''',  was fought by the [[Valar]], under orders from [[Manwë]], the [[Elder King]], against [[Morgoth|Melkor]] to liberate the newly-awakened [[Elves]] from his influence.  It culminated in the near-apocalyptic siege of Utumno, where Melkor was captured, chained, and imprisoned for three ages of the world.


==History==
==History==
The battle was fought mainly because the Elves awakened, and needed deliverance from Melkor's interference. The forces of Valinor easily triumphed in this battle.  [[Morgoth|Melkor]] was driven from Middle Earth back to his fortress of [[Utumno]], and a guard was placed over [[Cuiviénen]] to protect the newly-awakened Firstborn from his evil influence. However, this battle marred the area upon which it was fought. Its landscape was changed forever.<ref>{{S|Captivity}}</ref>
===Background===
Melkor ruined the [[Two Lamps]] that gave light to the worlds. The Valar held council among themselves and  spoke of the coming [[Children of Ilúvatar]], who first would be the [[Elves]]. [[Yavanna]] noted that the time of their arrival was unknown and they should not leave the lands of their future dwelling unprotected. [[Tulkas]] likewise agreed with the necessity of immediate action.<ref name="Captivity">{{S|Captivity}}</ref>
[[File:Jacek Kopalski - Ring of Doom.jpg|left|thumb|''Ring of Doom'' by [[:Category:Images by Jacek Kopalski|Jacek Kopalski]]]]
Manwë bid [[Mandos]] to speak, and he replied that the Children shall come in this age, and the [[Firstborn]] will walk under the stars. [[Varda]] then created other stars to help to light the world for the coming of the Elves.  Using silver dews from [[Telperion]], she created many new stars, including [[Wilwarin]], [[Telumendil]], and others. As a challenge to Melkor, high in the north, she hung the seven stars that make up the [[Sickle of the Valar]]. After Varda's long effort, the Elves, [[Awakening of the Elves|awoke]] in the starlight by the shores of [[Cuiviénen]], the Water of Awakening.<ref name="Captivity"/>
[[File:Anke Eißmann - Oromë espies the first Elves.jpg|thumb|''Oromë espies the first Elves'' by [[Anke Eißmann]]]]
While [[Oromë]] conducted his hunting trips on his great steed [[Nahar]], he heard the newly-born Elves singing.  He met them and spent time among them, and yet perceived the influence of Melkor among them, as they were afraid of him.  Oromë reported these findings to the [[Elder King]], who once again called a gathering of all the Valar to the [[Ring of Doom]], even the far-off [[Ulmo]]. He then proclaimed the councel of [[Eru]] that they "should take up again the mastery of Arda at whatever cost, and deliver the Quendi from the shadow of Melkor".
 
===Battle===
The titanic conflict between the [[Valar]] and [[Melkor]] now began in earnest, with the hosts of the West confronting the hosts of [[Melkor]] in the North-west of [[Middle Earth]], and all that region was broken by this collision. But  the  first  victory  of  the  hosts  of  the  West  was  swift,  and  the  servants  of [[Melkor]] fled  before  them  to [[Utumno]].<ref name="Captivity"/>
 
Then  the  Valar  passed  over  [[Middle-earth]], and they  set  a guard over [[Cuiviénen]], from where the young [[Elves]] only felt the shaking of the Earth, and saw the north alight by mighty fires. Long and grievous was the siege of [[Utumno]], and many battles were fought before  its  gates  of  which  all is  but  a rumour  to the Elves.<ref name="Captivity"/>
 
In the end, the gates of [[Utumno]]  were  broken  and  its  halls  unroofed,  and  [[Melkor]]  took  refuge in the uttermost pit. [[Tulkas]] stood forth as champion of the Valar and wrestled with him, and cast him upon his face; and he was bound with the chain [[Angainor]] that [[Aulë]] had wrought, and led captive; and the world had peace for a long age.<ref name="Captivity"/>
 
===Aftermath===
[[File:Roger Garland - Melkor chained.jpg|thumb|right|''Melkor chained'' by [[Roger Garland]]]]
The [[Valar]], while very powerful, failed to find some of the deepest chambers under [[Utumno]] and [[Angband]], and Morgoth's lieutenant [[Sauron]] was never captured.<ref name="Captivity"/> Some [[Balrogs]] and other evil creatures hid there, and others dispersed to the far edges of the earth, the Valar's strength too depleted from the lengthy siege to pursue and destroy them.<ref>{{S|Beleriand}}</ref><ref name="Captivity"/>
 
From the ruin great clouds arose and hid the stars. It was during this time that the contour of Middle Earth was changed, with the [[Great Sea]] being widened.<ref name="Captivity"/> The [[Bay of Balar]] was carved out, as well as other minor bays until the [[Great Gulf]] southwards; the northern highlands of [[Hithlum]] and [[Dorthonion]], sources of [[Sirion]], were raised up as new mountain ranges, and the river came into being.<ref name="Captivity"/>
 
The Valar dragged Melkor back to Valinor for judgment before [[Manwë]], in the [[Máhanaxar|Ring of Doom]]. Melkor laid upon his face and begged for mercy from Manwë, but his prayers were denied.  He was cast into the prison of Mandos for [[Chaining of Melkor|three ages]], after which he would be brought before [[Manwë]] once more. Although the Elves didn't participate in the war, Melkor never forgot that his downfall was for their sake.<ref name="Captivity"/>
 
The Valar gathered in council once again, and it was decided, after some debate, to summon the [[Quendi]] to [[Valinor]] to preserve them from evil. [[Oromë]] chose three ambassadors to accompany him back to Valinor, where they beheld the glory of the [[Two Trees]]. Then the [[Great Journey]] began soon thereafter.<ref name="Captivity"/>


{{references}}
{{references}}
[[Category:Conflicts of the Elder Days]]
[[Category:Conflicts of the Elder Days]]
[[Category:Wars]]
[[de:Krieg der Mächte]]
[[de:Krieg der Mächte]]
[[fi:Mahtien Mittelö]]
[[fi:Mahtien Mittelö]]
[[fi:Mahtien Sota]]
[[fi:Mahtien Sota]]

Revision as of 10:56, 22 June 2020

Previous war: First War
Next war: Wars of Beleriand
Battle of the Powers
Antonio Vinci - Tulkas.jpg
Beginning: Y.T. 1090End: Y.T. 1099
Place: Across the northern parts of Middle-earth, passing eastward from its northwestern coasts
Outcome: Decisive victory for the Valar
Combatants

Forces of the Valar

Forces of Melkor

Commanders

Oromë
Tulkas

Morgoth
Sauron

The Battle of the Powers, also known as the War of the Gods, was fought by the Valar, under orders from Manwë, the Elder King, against Melkor to liberate the newly-awakened Elves from his influence. It culminated in the near-apocalyptic siege of Utumno, where Melkor was captured, chained, and imprisoned for three ages of the world.

History

Background

Melkor ruined the Two Lamps that gave light to the worlds. The Valar held council among themselves and spoke of the coming Children of Ilúvatar, who first would be the Elves. Yavanna noted that the time of their arrival was unknown and they should not leave the lands of their future dwelling unprotected. Tulkas likewise agreed with the necessity of immediate action.[1]

Ring of Doom by Jacek Kopalski

Manwë bid Mandos to speak, and he replied that the Children shall come in this age, and the Firstborn will walk under the stars. Varda then created other stars to help to light the world for the coming of the Elves. Using silver dews from Telperion, she created many new stars, including Wilwarin, Telumendil, and others. As a challenge to Melkor, high in the north, she hung the seven stars that make up the Sickle of the Valar. After Varda's long effort, the Elves, awoke in the starlight by the shores of Cuiviénen, the Water of Awakening.[1]

Oromë espies the first Elves by Anke Eißmann

While Oromë conducted his hunting trips on his great steed Nahar, he heard the newly-born Elves singing. He met them and spent time among them, and yet perceived the influence of Melkor among them, as they were afraid of him. Oromë reported these findings to the Elder King, who once again called a gathering of all the Valar to the Ring of Doom, even the far-off Ulmo. He then proclaimed the councel of Eru that they "should take up again the mastery of Arda at whatever cost, and deliver the Quendi from the shadow of Melkor".

Battle

The titanic conflict between the Valar and Melkor now began in earnest, with the hosts of the West confronting the hosts of Melkor in the North-west of Middle Earth, and all that region was broken by this collision. But the first victory of the hosts of the West was swift, and the servants of Melkor fled before them to Utumno.[1]

Then the Valar passed over Middle-earth, and they set a guard over Cuiviénen, from where the young Elves only felt the shaking of the Earth, and saw the north alight by mighty fires. Long and grievous was the siege of Utumno, and many battles were fought before its gates of which all is but a rumour to the Elves.[1]

In the end, the gates of Utumno were broken and its halls unroofed, and Melkor took refuge in the uttermost pit. Tulkas stood forth as champion of the Valar and wrestled with him, and cast him upon his face; and he was bound with the chain Angainor that Aulë had wrought, and led captive; and the world had peace for a long age.[1]

Aftermath

Melkor chained by Roger Garland

The Valar, while very powerful, failed to find some of the deepest chambers under Utumno and Angband, and Morgoth's lieutenant Sauron was never captured.[1] Some Balrogs and other evil creatures hid there, and others dispersed to the far edges of the earth, the Valar's strength too depleted from the lengthy siege to pursue and destroy them.[2][1]

From the ruin great clouds arose and hid the stars. It was during this time that the contour of Middle Earth was changed, with the Great Sea being widened.[1] The Bay of Balar was carved out, as well as other minor bays until the Great Gulf southwards; the northern highlands of Hithlum and Dorthonion, sources of Sirion, were raised up as new mountain ranges, and the river came into being.[1]

The Valar dragged Melkor back to Valinor for judgment before Manwë, in the Ring of Doom. Melkor laid upon his face and begged for mercy from Manwë, but his prayers were denied. He was cast into the prison of Mandos for three ages, after which he would be brought before Manwë once more. Although the Elves didn't participate in the war, Melkor never forgot that his downfall was for their sake.[1]

The Valar gathered in council once again, and it was decided, after some debate, to summon the Quendi to Valinor to preserve them from evil. Oromë chose three ambassadors to accompany him back to Valinor, where they beheld the glory of the Two Trees. Then the Great Journey began soon thereafter.[1]

References