Elros

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Elros
Half-elf
Jenny Dolfen - Until the world is broken and remade.jpg
"Until the world is broken and remade" by Jenny Dolfen
Biographical Information
Pronunciation(S, [ˈɛlrɔs])
Other namesTar-Minyatur (Q), Elerossë (Q), Gimilzôr (A)
TitlesKing of Númenor
LocationHavens of Sirion
Númenor
LanguageAdûnaic, Sindarin, Quenya
BirthF.A. 532[1]
Havens of Sirion, Beleriand
RuleS.A. 32 - 442 (410 years)
DeathS.A. 442[2] (aged 500)
Númenor
Notable forFounding the line of Kings of Númenor
Family
HouseDescended from all three Houses of the Edain and elven houses of Fingolfin and Thingol, founded the House of Elros
HeritageHalf-elven father, Half-elven mother
ParentageEärendil & Elwing
Maglor (foster father)
SiblingsElrond (twin)
ChildrenVardamir, Tindómiel, Manwendil and Atanalcar
Physical Description
GenderMale
WeaponryAranrúth
GalleryImages of Elros

Elros was the son of Eärendil, the great hero of the First Age, and his wife Elwing. He was the twin brother of Elrond and both were Half-elven.[3] Choosing to live as a mortal Man, he became a lord of the Edain and the first King of Númenor, taking the name Tar-Minyatur.

History[edit | edit source]

Elros and Elrond were born in the Havens of Sirion during the darkest days of the First Age, when the forces of Morgoth controlled most of Beleriand. When the twins were just six years old, the Sons of Fëanor, bound by their Oath, assaulted the Havens in the Third Kinslaying since they desired the Silmaril on the Nauglamír held by Elwing. Eärendil was at sea, and Elwing escaped with the Nauglamír and jumped into the sea.[3] Maedhros and Maglor, the only Sons of Fëanor to survive the assault upon the Havens, took Elros and Elrond as captives[3] and abandoned them in a cave with a fall of water over the entrance instead of killing them.[4] But Maglor took pity upon Elrond and Elros and rescued them and a mutual love grew between Maglor and the young twins afterwards.[3] Elros was given the name "Elf of the spray" or "star-foam" (see Etymology), because Elros was found playing in the water of the waterfall.[4]

And Maglor took pity upon them by Catherine Karina Chmiel

After the War of Wrath and the destruction of Beleriand, the Valar gave the twin Peredhil the choice over their race and fate. Elros chose the Gift of Men,[3] but still, he was blessed with a life longer than any other mortal Man's.

In the first years of the Second Age, the Valar had prepared for the Edain, as a reward for their struggle against Morgoth, a large island in the western part of the Great Sea. Now by right a lord of the Edain[note 1], Elros led his people across the sea, guided by the Star of Eärendil his father, to the island. For this the island was called Elenna meaning "starwards", and was the closest of mortal lands to the Blessed Realm, though Men were forbidden to go so far westward that the coasts of Elenna were no longer visible. The Valar also gave the Edain substantially longer lifespans than those of Men remaining in Middle-earth, and Elros and his descendants had the longest lives of all the people.[5]

Elros founded the realm of Númenor and became its first King in the year 32 of the Second Age. He took a royal name in Quenya, Tar-Minyatur, thus setting a tradition for the kings of Númenor to take a royal name in Quenya.[2] He brought with him the Ring of Barahir, the Axe of Tuor, the Bow of Bregor and Thingol's sword Aranrúth as family heirlooms.[6]

The city of Armenelos including the tower and the citadel were constructed during the reign of Elros.[5]

Elros had four children: three sons, Vardamir Nólimon, Manwendil, and Atanalcar; and one daughter, Tindómiel.[7][note 2] After living five centuries, and ruling Númenor for 410 years, Elros died and his son Vardamir Nólimon took up the Sceptre of Númenor as Tar-Vardamir. But because Elros had lived so long, Tar-Vardamir was already old, and was thus only a titular King: he immediately surrendered the Sceptre to his son, Tar-Amandil.[2]

Etymology[edit | edit source]

In a letter from 1958 J.R.R. Tolkien explained that Elros is a Sindarin name that he was given, because he was found playing in the water of a waterfall that fell over the entrance to a cave and that the name is a compound of eld>ell, the Sindarin term for the High-Elven exiles, and ros based on primitive Elvish rossē meaning "dew, spray (of fall or fountain)".[4] In an essay that was probably written between 1959 and 1960 J.R.R. Tolkien translated the name as "Star-glitter".[8] In an excursus on the names of Finwë's descendants that was written in 1968 or later J.R.R. Tolkien translated the name as "star-foam".[9][10] The Sindarin elements are el ("star") and ros ("foam").[11] In an essay on "The Problem of Ros" that was written in 1969 or later J.R.R. Tolkien considered the possibility that ros was a Bëorian word for "foam" and for the "white crest of waves", but he rejected this idea, because of the Sindarin name Cair Andros.[12]

Other names[edit | edit source]

The Quenya form of Elros was Elerossë.[9]

After Elros ascended the throne of Númenor he was known by the Quenya title, Tar-Minyatur in the Scroll of Kings.[13] Tar-Minyatur means "High first-ruler" in Quenya[14], consisting of tar ("high") + minya ("first") + tur ("master, lord").[15] All the Kings and Queens after Elros also used the prefix Tar- in their royal titles in the Scroll of Kings.[16]

In early versions of the legendarium, Elros' Adûnaic name was Indilzar,[17] which was changed to Gimilzôr. However, in later versions of the Númenórean tale (Ar-)Gimilzôr was the name of the twenty-third King of Númenor.[18]

Genealogy[edit | edit source]

Tuor
b. F.A. 472
 
Idril
born during Y.T.
 
Dior
F.A. 470 - 506
 
Nimloth
d. F.A. 506
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Eärendil
b. F.A. 503
 
 
 
 
 
Elwing
b. F.A. 503
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ELROS
TAR-MINYATUR

F.A. 532 - S.A. 442
 
Elrond
b. F.A. 532
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Vardamir Nólimon
S.A. 61 - 471
 
Tindómiel
after 61
 
Manwendil
after 61
 
Atanalcar
after 61
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tar-Amandil
192 - 603
 
Vardilmë
b. 203
 
Aulendil
b. 213
 
Nolondil
b. 222


Portrayal in adaptations[edit | edit source]

Television[edit | edit source]

2022: The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power:

September 9: Adar:
Elros Tar-Minyatur is depicted alongside his twin brother Elrond on a tapestry within Númenor's Hall of Lore, which Elros himself had allegedly built.

See also[edit | edit source]

Notes

  1. His father, Eärendil, was a descendant of the Lords of all Three Houses
  2. Elros' children Tindómiel, Manwendil and Atanalcar are referred to by name only in the family tree "The Earlier Generations of the Line of Elros", which is included in only some editions of Unfinished Tales.

References

  1. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "Part Three. The Wanderings of Húrin and Other Writings not forming part of the Quenta Silmarillion: V. The Tale of Years", version C of the manuscript, year changed to [>532], p. 348
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The Line of Elros: Kings of Númenor", first page of the chapter
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Voyage of Eärendil and the War of Wrath"
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 J.R.R. Tolkien; Humphrey Carpenter, Christopher Tolkien (eds.), The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, Letter 211, (dated 14 October 1958), answer to Question 4
  5. 5.0 5.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Akallabêth: The Downfall of Númenor"
  6. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "A Description of the Island of Númenor", "Notes", Note 2
  7. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "Aldarion and Erendis: The Mariner's Wife", "The earlier generations of the Line of Elros"
  8. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "Part Four. Quendi and Eldar: Author's Notes to Quendi and Eldar", Note 26, second paragraph about Hadhodrond
  9. 9.0 9.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "XI. The Shibboleth of Fëanor", "The names of Finwë's descendants", paragraph about the names of Elrond and Elros, p. 349
  10. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Index of Names", entry Elros
  11. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Appendix: Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names", entries êl and ros
  12. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "XII. The Problem of Ros", p. 369
  13. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The Line of Elros: Kings of Númenor", first paragraph
  14. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "XI. The Shibboleth of Fëanor", "The names of Finwë's descendants", paragraph about Itarilde (Idril), p. 348
  15. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Appendix: Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names", entries minas, tar-, tur
  16. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The Line of Elros: Kings of Númenor", first paragraph and I to XXV
  17. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "V. The History of the Akallabêth", p. 164
  18. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Sauron Defeated, "Part Three: The Drowning of Anadûnê, with the Third Version of The Fall of Númenor, and Lowdham's Report on the Adunaic Language", pp. 380-1 (§20)
Elros
House of Elros
Born: F.A. 532 Died: S.A. 442
None
New title
1st King of Númenor
S.A. 32 - 442
Followed by:
Tar-Vardamir


Kings of Númenor
Elros Tar-Minyatur (S.A. 32 - 442) · Tar-Vardamir* (442) · Tar-Amandil (442 - 590) · Tar-Elendil (590 - 740) · Tar-Meneldur (740 - 883) · Tar-Aldarion (883 - 1075) · Tar-AncalimëQ (1075 - 1280) · Tar-Anárion (1280 - 1394) · Tar-Súrion (1394 - 1556) · Tar-TelperiënQ (1556 - 1731) · Tar-Minastir (1731 - 1869) · Tar-Ciryatan (1869 - 2029) · Tar-Atanamir (2029 - 2221) · Tar-Ancalimon (2221 - 2386) · Tar-Telemmaitë (2386 - 2526) · Tar-VanimeldëQ (2526 - 2637) · Tar-Anducal (2637 - 2657) · Tar-Alcarin (2657 - 2737) · Tar-Calmacil (2737 - 2825) · Tar-Ardamin (2825 - 2899) · Ar-Adûnakhôr (2899 - 2962) · Ar-Zimrathôn (2962 - 3033) · Ar-Sakalthôr (3033 - 3102) · Ar-Gimilzôr (3102 - 3177) · Tar-Palantir (3177 - 3255) · Ar-Pharazôn (3255 - 3319)
* Immediately abdicated in favour of his son · Q Ruling Queens · Usurped throne. Later struck off the Line of Kings · Usurped throne from his cousin Tar-Míriel
Númenor
Andor · Atalantë · Elenna · Mar-nu-Falmar · Númenórë · Westernesse
Regions Andustar · Arandor · Emerië · Forostar · Hyarastorni · Hyarnustar · Hyarrostar · Mittalmar · Nísimaldar · Orrostar
Towns and cities Almaida · Andúnië · Armenelos · Eldalondë · Moriondë · Nindamos · Ondosto · Rómenna
Buildings Calmindon · Eämbar · King's Court · Temple · White House of Erendis
Natural features Bay of Eldanna · Bay of Rómenna · Firth of Rómenna · Hallow of Eru · Meneltarma (mountain) · Nísinen (lake) · North Cape · Nunduinë (river) · Oromet (mountain) · Siril (river) · Sorontil (mountain) · Tarmasundar (ridges) · Tompollë
Plants and trees Fragrant Trees · Lairelossë · Laurinquë · Lavaralda · Nessamelda · Nimloth · Oiolairë · Taniquelassë · Vardarianna · Yavannamírë
Heirlooms Aranrúth · Bow of Bregor · Dramborleg · Elendilmir · Narsil · Palantíri · Ring of Barahir · Sceptre of Annúminas · Sceptre of Númenor · Tile and Textiles · Helmet
Concepts Adûnaic · Ban of the Valar · Council of the Sceptre · Downfall of Númenor · Great Bear-dance · Heirship · Númenórean Sindarin · Three Prayers (Eruhantalë · Erukyermë · Erulaitalë)
Key people Aldarion · Amandil · Anárion · Captain of the King's Ships · Elendil · Elros (House of Elros) · Erendis · Faithful · Great Armament · Guild of Venturers · Guild of Weaponsmiths · Isildur · Kings and Queens of Númenor · King's Archers · King's Men · Lords of Andúnië · Meneldur · Miriel · Palantir · Pharazôn · Sauron · Silmariën
Main texts The Silmarillion ("Akallabêth") · Unfinished Tales ("A Description of the Island of Númenor" · "Aldarion and Erendis: The Mariner's Wife" · "The Line of Elros: Kings of Númenor") · The Lord of the Rings ("Appendix A" · "Appendix B") · The Nature of Middle-earth ("Lives of the Númenóreans" · "Of the land and beasts of Númenor")