First War: Difference between revisions

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{{unnamed}}
{{war
{{war
| previous=
| previous=None
| next=[[War for Sake of the Elves]]
| next=[[Battle of the Powers]]
| image=[[Image:Primordial_arda.jpg|300px]]
| image=[[File:Stefan Meisl - Melkor.jpg|300px]]
| name=First War with Melkor
| name=First War with Melkor
| place=All of Arda
| place=All of Arda
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| begin= [[Valian Year 1|VY 1]]
| begin= [[Valian Year 1|VY 1]]
| end= [[Valian Year 1499|VY 1499]]
| end= [[Valian Year 1499|VY 1499]]
| side1=Valar and Maiar of Arda
| side1=Valar and Maiar
| side2=Melkor
| side2=Melkor and [[Úmaiar]]
| commanders1=[[Image:FirstdawnoftheSun_Taniquetil_cropped-TNasmith.jpg|35px]] [[Oromë]]
| commanders1=[[Manwë]]
* [[Tulkas]]
| commanders2=[[Melkor]]
| commanders2={{morgoth blazon}}
}}
}}
The '''First War''' was a titanic struggle between the [[Valar]] and [[Melkor]] at the beginning of [[Arda]] for its dominion.<ref name=ainu/>


During the early [[Valian Years]], [[Morgoth|Melkor]] battled the other [[Valar]] and marred [[Arda]] during its formation.  This was the first great battle against [[Morgoth|Melkor]] where he struggled to undo the work of the Valar, demolishing mountains they created, raising up valleys they brought into existence, and spilling seas they had carved. This titanic conflict occurred in prehistory, and the Elves knew only what the Powers told them of it. This duel was for nothing less than dominion over [[Arda]], and much was at stake. Melkor eventually threw down the Two Lamps, and caused widespread chaos.  [[Ilúvatar]] had revealed to the Valar the coming of the [[Elves|Firstborn Children]], and they were determined to fight to the end. After a war which took ages to wage, the Valar eventually prevailed, and the [[Arda|Earth]] (Arda) slowly took shape.<ref>{{S|Ainu}}</ref>
==History==
===Prelude===
When [[Ainur]] came to [[Arda]], before it was fully formed and anything dwelt, [[Melkor]] claimed it for himself. [[Manwë]] denied this, as it is the labour of the [[Ainur]]. Many [[spirits]], including [[Varda]]<ref name=vala>{{S|IIb}}</ref>, came to Manwe's side from the deeps of [[Ea]].<ref name=ainu>{{S|I}}</ref>
 
===War===
Numerous undocumented battles began for the dominion of Arda.<ref name=ainu/>
 
While the [[Valar]] formed Arda, Melkor undid or marred whatever they made, demolishing mountains they created, raising up their valleys and spilling their seas, ever hindering their plans.<ref name=ainu/> Melkor mostly ruined the works of [[Aulë]] who grew weary repairing the damage and tumults by Melkor.<ref name=vala/>
 
Presumably it was during that War that [[Ossë]] and [[Sauron]] were ensnared by Melkor.<ref>{{S|IIc}}</ref><ref>{{S|IId}}</ref>
 
Melkor prevailed for ages until news of the War reached far in heaven where other spirits remained. Learning of the War, [[Tulkas]] finally descended to Arda in [[Valian Years|Valian Year]] 1499. Hearing his mighty laughter, Melkor fled before Tulkas's anger and escaped beyond the [[Walls of Night]].<ref name=s1>{{S|1}}</ref>
 
===Aftermath===
The result of the War was that [[Arda Marred|Arda was marred]]. The completion of the world was hindered and its plan was altered. Tulkas and Aulë labored much to restore Arda and extinguish the fires. There was peace for a long time and thenceforth Tulkas was counted among the Valar.<ref name=s1/>
 
[[Aulë]] created the [[Two Lamps]] for the illumination of all Arda and the vegetation of [[Yavanna]], who planted her seeds that sprouted. The earth was filled with plants from mosses to large trees in the [[Spring of Arda]].<ref name=s1>{{S|1}}</ref>
 
Melkor forsook Arda and brooded in the outer darkness for some time, and held a hatred of Tulkas forever after.
 
Of that primordial duel the [[Elves]] knew only what the Powers told them of it.<ref name=ainu/>
 
==Other versions of the legendarium==
In Tolkien's latest writings where Arda was a [[Round World version of the Silmarillion|round world]] from its beginning, this period of fire and cataclysm is said to correspond roughly with the earth's primeval epochs before this world became habitable for organic life. During these battles, it is said, the earth was given its elliptic orbit and the Moon broke away from the earth, both of which were caused by Melkor, though another version tells that the Valar wrought the Moon from the earth to counteract the night when Melkor was most active.<ref>{{MR|P5II}}</ref>


{{references}}
{{references}}
[[Category:Conflicts of the Elder Days]]
[[Category:Conflicts of the Elder Days]]
[[de:Erster Krieg]]
[[fi:Ensimmäinen Sota]]
[[fi:Ensimmäinen Sota]]

Revision as of 12:54, 5 March 2021

Previous war: None
Next war: Battle of the Powers
First War with Melkor
Stefan Meisl - Melkor.jpg
Beginning: VY 1End: VY 1499
Place: All of Arda
Outcome: Victory for the Valar, Formation of Arda
Major battles: Many and various
Combatants

Valar and Maiar

Melkor and Úmaiar

Commanders

Manwë

Melkor

The First War was a titanic struggle between the Valar and Melkor at the beginning of Arda for its dominion.[1]

History

Prelude

When Ainur came to Arda, before it was fully formed and anything dwelt, Melkor claimed it for himself. Manwë denied this, as it is the labour of the Ainur. Many spirits, including Varda[2], came to Manwe's side from the deeps of Ea.[1]

War

Numerous undocumented battles began for the dominion of Arda.[1]

While the Valar formed Arda, Melkor undid or marred whatever they made, demolishing mountains they created, raising up their valleys and spilling their seas, ever hindering their plans.[1] Melkor mostly ruined the works of Aulë who grew weary repairing the damage and tumults by Melkor.[2]

Presumably it was during that War that Ossë and Sauron were ensnared by Melkor.[3][4]

Melkor prevailed for ages until news of the War reached far in heaven where other spirits remained. Learning of the War, Tulkas finally descended to Arda in Valian Year 1499. Hearing his mighty laughter, Melkor fled before Tulkas's anger and escaped beyond the Walls of Night.[5]

Aftermath

The result of the War was that Arda was marred. The completion of the world was hindered and its plan was altered. Tulkas and Aulë labored much to restore Arda and extinguish the fires. There was peace for a long time and thenceforth Tulkas was counted among the Valar.[5]

Aulë created the Two Lamps for the illumination of all Arda and the vegetation of Yavanna, who planted her seeds that sprouted. The earth was filled with plants from mosses to large trees in the Spring of Arda.[5]

Melkor forsook Arda and brooded in the outer darkness for some time, and held a hatred of Tulkas forever after.

Of that primordial duel the Elves knew only what the Powers told them of it.[1]

Other versions of the legendarium

In Tolkien's latest writings where Arda was a round world from its beginning, this period of fire and cataclysm is said to correspond roughly with the earth's primeval epochs before this world became habitable for organic life. During these battles, it is said, the earth was given its elliptic orbit and the Moon broke away from the earth, both of which were caused by Melkor, though another version tells that the Valar wrought the Moon from the earth to counteract the night when Melkor was most active.[6]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Ainulindalë: The Music of the Ainur"
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Valaquenta: Of the Valar"
  3. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Valaquenta: Of the Maiar"
  4. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Valaquenta: Of the Enemies"
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Beginning of Days"
  6. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Morgoth's Ring, "Part Five. Myths Transformed", "[Text] II"
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