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{{History of Arda}}
{{History of Arda}}
The '''Years of the Lamps''' began shortly after the creation of Arda by the [[Valar]]. After they entered the world, Arda was still lifeless and had no distinct geographical features. The initial shape of Arda, chosen by the Valar, was of a symmetrical continent lit by two lamps: one in the continent's north, and one in the south, made out of the misty light that veiled the barren ground. The Valar concentrated this light into two large lamps, [[Illuin]] and [[Ormal]]. The Vala [[Aulë]] forged great towers, one in the north, [[Helcar]], and another in the south, [[Ringil (tower)|Ringil]]. In the middle, where the light of the lamps mingled, the Valar dwelt at the island of [[Almaren]].
The '''Days before days''' were three thousand and five hundred [[Valian Years]] that passed ere the measurement of time first known to the [[Eldar]] began with the flowering of the [[Two Trees of Valinor]].<ref>{{MR|P2a}}, p. 51</ref>
 
The lamps were destroyed by an assault by [[Morgoth|Melkor]]. Arda was again darkened, and the lamps' fall spoiled the perfect symmetry of Arda's surface. Separate continents were created: [[Aman]] in the far West, [[Middle-earth]] in the middle, the [[Uttermost East|Land of the Sun]] in the far East, and the [[Dark Land]] in the far South. At the site of the northern lamp was later the inland [[Sea of Helcar]], of which [[Cuiviénen]] was a bay. The [[Years of the Trees]] begin after that.<ref>{{S|Days}}</ref>
==History==
The Days before days began shortly after the [[Music of the Ainur]], when the [[Valar]] descended into [[Arda]]. After they entered the world, it was still lifeless and had no distinct geographical features. However, [[Morgoth|Melkor]] claimed Arda for himself alone, and there were the [[First War]] that ravaged until the coming of [[Tulkas]] whose prowess urged Melkor to retreat.
 
[[File:Steven White Jr. - Early Arda.jpg|250px|thumb|left|''Early Arda'' by [[:Category:Images by Steven White Jr.|Steven White Jr.]]]]
 
When the Valar finally repaired damage made by Melkor, they chose the initial shape of Arda; it was of a symmetrical continent lit by the [[Two Lamps]]: one in the continent's north, and one in the south, made out of the misty light that veiled the barren ground. The Valar concentrated this light into two colossal vessels, [[Illuin]] and [[Ormal]]. Then [[Aulë|Aulë the Smith]] forged great towers, one in the north, [[Helcar]], and another in the south, [[Ringil (tower)|Ringil]]. In the middle, where the light of the Lamps mingled, the Valar dwelt at the island of [[Almaren]], their first kingdom. Thus the [[Spring of Arda]] flourished upon the Earth.
 
[[File:John Howe - The Making of Middle-earth.jpg|250px|thumb|''The Making of Middle-earth'' by [[John Howe]]]]
 
The Two Lamps shone until they were destroyed by an assault of Melkor. Arda was again darkened, and the Lamps' fall spoiled the perfect symmetry of Arda's surface, and thus the Spring came to an end. Separate continents were created: [[Aman]] in the far West, [[Middle-earth]], or ''Endor'', in the centre from the north to south, and the [[Land of the Sun]] in the far East. At the site of the northern Lamp the inland [[Sea of Helcar]] later formed, of which [[Cuiviénen]] was a bay. After that the [[Years of the Trees]] began when [[Yavanna]] grew the Two Trees in [[Valinor]]. However, Middle-earth was still covered in [[The Darkness|darkness]] and Melkor dominated it residing in his stronghold [[Utumno]].<ref>{{S|Days}}</ref>
 
==Other versions of the legendarium==
In [[J.R.R. Tolkien|J.R.R. Tolkien's]] latest writings in which Arda was a [[Round World version of the Silmarillion|round world]] from its beginning, the Sun and Moon (and the Two Trees for a time) had always given light to Arda, and the Two Lamps never existed.<ref>{{MR|Myths}}, p. 375 - 385</ref>
 
==David Day's books==
In [[David Day|David Day's]] books the period was [[fanon]]ically misnamed "Ages/Years of the Lamps".<ref>[[David Day]], ''[[Tolkien: The Illustrated Encyclopedia]]'', section "History", pp. 14-15</ref> However, J.R.R. Tolkien himself never used such terms, and this is one of many reasons why Day's books are considered highly unreliable and criticised for misinterpretations of [[Legendarium|Tolkien's mythology]].<ref>{{webcite|website=[https://www.dbratman.net/ David Bratman's Home Page]|articleurl=https://www.dbratman.net/tolkien_bib.html|articlename=Recommended books on Tolkien|accessed=21 January 2015}}</ref><ref>{{webcite|website=[http://parmarkenta.blogspot.co.uk Parma-kenta]|articleurl=http://parmarkenta.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/tolkien-transactions-xxxiii.html|articlename=Tolkien Transactions XXXIII|dated=1 February 2013|accessed=21 January 2015}}</ref>
 
==See also==
[[Timeline#The Days before days|Timeline of the Days before days]]


{{references}}
{{references}}
[[category:Ages]]
[[Category:Periods]]
[[de:Die Zeitalter vor den Tagen]]
[[de:Zeitalter vor den Tagen]]
[[fr:encyclo/chronologie/ages/annees_des_valar]]
[[fi:Alkuajat]]
[[fi:Alkuajat]]

Latest revision as of 09:16, 1 February 2024

History of Arda
Before the Creation
Before the Ages
Days before days
Years of the Trees (up to Y.T. 1050)
Ages of the Children of Ilúvatar
First Age (begins in Y.T. 1050
and overlaps with the Years of the Trees
up to Y.T. 1500
)
- Years of the Sun begin in F.A. 1
Second Age
- Arda made round in S.A. 3319
Third Age
Fourth Age
Later Ages (up to present day)
End of Arda
Timeline of Arda
(See: Round World version of the Silmarillion
for a later conception of Tolkien's cosmology)

The Days before days were three thousand and five hundred Valian Years that passed ere the measurement of time first known to the Eldar began with the flowering of the Two Trees of Valinor.[1]

History[edit | edit source]

The Days before days began shortly after the Music of the Ainur, when the Valar descended into Arda. After they entered the world, it was still lifeless and had no distinct geographical features. However, Melkor claimed Arda for himself alone, and there were the First War that ravaged until the coming of Tulkas whose prowess urged Melkor to retreat.

Early Arda by Steven White Jr.

When the Valar finally repaired damage made by Melkor, they chose the initial shape of Arda; it was of a symmetrical continent lit by the Two Lamps: one in the continent's north, and one in the south, made out of the misty light that veiled the barren ground. The Valar concentrated this light into two colossal vessels, Illuin and Ormal. Then Aulë the Smith forged great towers, one in the north, Helcar, and another in the south, Ringil. In the middle, where the light of the Lamps mingled, the Valar dwelt at the island of Almaren, their first kingdom. Thus the Spring of Arda flourished upon the Earth.

The Making of Middle-earth by John Howe

The Two Lamps shone until they were destroyed by an assault of Melkor. Arda was again darkened, and the Lamps' fall spoiled the perfect symmetry of Arda's surface, and thus the Spring came to an end. Separate continents were created: Aman in the far West, Middle-earth, or Endor, in the centre from the north to south, and the Land of the Sun in the far East. At the site of the northern Lamp the inland Sea of Helcar later formed, of which Cuiviénen was a bay. After that the Years of the Trees began when Yavanna grew the Two Trees in Valinor. However, Middle-earth was still covered in darkness and Melkor dominated it residing in his stronghold Utumno.[2]

Other versions of the legendarium[edit | edit source]

In J.R.R. Tolkien's latest writings in which Arda was a round world from its beginning, the Sun and Moon (and the Two Trees for a time) had always given light to Arda, and the Two Lamps never existed.[3]

David Day's books[edit | edit source]

In David Day's books the period was fanonically misnamed "Ages/Years of the Lamps".[4] However, J.R.R. Tolkien himself never used such terms, and this is one of many reasons why Day's books are considered highly unreliable and criticised for misinterpretations of Tolkien's mythology.[5][6]

See also[edit | edit source]

Timeline of the Days before days

References

  1. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Morgoth's Ring, "Part Two. The Annals of Aman: First section of the Annals of Aman", p. 51
  2. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Beginning of Days"
  3. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Morgoth's Ring, "Part Five. Myths Transformed", p. 375 - 385
  4. David Day, Tolkien: The Illustrated Encyclopedia, section "History", pp. 14-15
  5. "Recommended books on Tolkien", David Bratman's Home Page (accessed 21 January 2015)
  6. "Tolkien Transactions XXXIII" dated 1 February 2013, Parma-kenta (accessed 21 January 2015)