Númenor /ˈnuːmɛnɔːr/, also called Elenna-nórë or Westernesse, is a fictional place in J. R. R.

Tolkien's writings. It was a large island in the Sundering Seas to the west of Middle-earth, the main
setting of Tolkien's writings, and was the greatest civilization of Men. However many of the
inhabitants ceased to worship the One God, Eru Ilúvatar, and rebelled against the Valar, resulting in
the destruction of the island and the death of most of its people. Tolkien intended Númenor to allude
to the legendary Atlantis.[T 1]
Númenor first appeared in print in The Lord of the Rings, set thousands of years after Númenor's
destruction. Within The Lord of the Rings, Númenor looms as a fabulous lost civilization.
An unfinished story, Aldarion and Erendis, is set in Númenor at its zenith; another, Akallabêth,
summarizes its downfall. The appendices to The Lord of the Rings and several accounts published
in Unfinished Tales and The History of Middle-earth series also touch upon it.
Originally intended to be a part of a time-travel story, Tolkien once saw the tale of the fall of
Númenor as a conclusion to his The Silmarillion and the "last tale" about the Elder Days.[T 2] Later,
with the emergence of The Lord of the Rings, it became the link between these two works and a
major part of his legendarium.

History[edit]
Land of Gift[edit]
The island of Númenor was raised from the sea as a gift from the Valar to the Edain, the Fathers of
Men who had stood with the Elves of Beleriand against Morgoth in the wars of the First Age.
Númenor was offered as a reward, a "rest after the war" for the Edain.[T 3] Early in the Second
Age the greater part of those Edain who had survived the wars left Middle-earth and journeyed to the
isle, sailing in ships provided and steered by the Elves. The migration took 50 years and brought
5,000 to 10,000 men, women and children.[T 4]
The realm was established in S.A. 32,[T 5][T 6] and Elros Half-elven, son of Eärendil, and brother
of Elrond and descendant of all the royal houses of Elves and Edain, became the first King of
Númenor. Under his rule, and those of his descendants, the Númenóreans rose to become a
powerful people.
For a long time, Númenor remained friendly with Elves, both of Eressëa and of Middle-earth. The
Elves of Eressëa brought gifts to add to the island itself, including skills and wonderful plants. Among
these gifts were seven palantíri, magical orbs that could foresee the future, but they were only given
to the Lords of Andúnië; thousands of years later they played a key part in the story of The Lord of
the Rings.
Sea-kings[edit]
Númenor was surrounded by the sea: the Great Sea of Arda, and the sea had a profound influence
on Númenor's culture and history.
From the earliest times in its history, fish from the sea were a significant part of Númenórean diet;
those providing this food were Númenor's first sea-farers.[T 7] The Númenóreans swiftly developed
great skills in ship-building, and they also became skilled mariners, with a desire to explore and
master the ocean with their great sailing-ships.
There was one limitation on this activity: the Ban of the Valar. When the island of Númenor had been
gifted to the Edain, they were strictly "forbidden to sail west out of sight" of the island. This was
because the Undying Lands lay, tantalizingly, not too far west of Númenor, and the Undying Lands
were prohibited for mortals.
So the Númenóreans began exploring the seas to the north, east and south. In S.A. 600 they
reached Middle-earth (east of Númenor), and began to explore its coasts; eventually they reached
the Eastern Sea on the far side of Middle-earth. The Númenóreans brought the gifts of their superior
civilization to the Men of Middle-earth, who called the Númenóreans the Sea-kings.[T 8] News of
Númenórean sea-farers spread far inland in Middle-earth; even the reclusive Ents heard of the
coming of "the Great Ships", and accounted it a major event in Middle-earth's history.[T 9]
By S.A. 725, Númenóreans had established good relations with Gil-galad, the king of the High Elves
of Middle-earth.[T 10] Gil-galad's realm was in the north-west of Middle-earth, and his maritime base
was the Grey Havens.
In S.A. 750 Aldarion (later the sixth King of Númenor) founded the Uinendili, the prestigious guild of
sea-farers. This marked the ascendancy of Númenor's mariner-class, although the story of Aldarion
and Erendis shows that not all Númenóreans were fond of the sea.
Aldarion succeeded to the Sceptre in S.A. 883 and became known as the Mariner-king. He
established Vinyalondë (later called Lond Daer), the first Númenórean settlement in Middle-earth.
This port provided access to the great forests of Eriador, which the Númenóreans needed for ship-
building: supplies of timber on Númenor itself had become insufficient.
Between S.A. 1693-1701, the Númenóreans assisted Gil-galad in Middle-earth's War of the Elves
and Sauron, which broke out after the forging of the Rings of Power, in particular the One Ring. Tar-
Minastir, later[T 11] the eleventh King of Númenor, assembled an armada, and sent it to Gil-galad's aid.
The forces of Númenor were without peer in war, and together with the Elves, they were able to
temporarily defeat Sauron.
The Shadow looms[edit]
The increasing power of the Númenóreans had a dark side. Even before the time of Minastir, the
forestry operations which Aldarion had founded had continued to expand, and had devastated large
regions of Eriador.
The Númenóreans also established other settlements in Middle-earth besides Lond Daer, and soon
they came to rule a great coastal empire that had no rival. At first they had engaged with the Men of
Middle-earth in a friendly manner, but in the reigns of Minastir's immediate successors, Tar-Ciryatan
(ruled S.A. 1869-2029) and Tar-Atanamir 'the Great' (2029-2221), they became increasingly
tyrannical, oppressing the Men of Middle-earth and exacting heavy tribute.
In S.A. 2280 the Númenóreans made Umbar, the harbour-city in the south of Middle-earth, into a
great fortress. In S.A. 2350 they also greatly expanded Pelargir, a landing in Gondor near the
Mouths of the Anduin.
Over time increasing numbers of Númenóreans became jealous of Elves for their immortality, and
began to resent the Ban of the Valar and to rebel against their authority, seeking everlasting life.
Those of this persuasion were the "King's Men", while those who remained loyal to the Valar and
friendly to the Elves were the "Faithful". In the reign of Tar-Ancalimon (S.A. 2221-2386) the King's
Men became a dominant majority, and the Faithful an increasingly-persecuted minority.
Zigûr[edit]
In the year 3255 of the Second Age, Ar-Pharazôn, the 25th monarch of Númenor, sailed to Middle-
earth to challenge Sauron. Sauron, who was known to the Númenóreans as Zigûr,[T 12] had claimed to
be the King of Men and overlord of Middle-earth. Ar-Pharazôn landed at Umbar, but seeing the
might of Númenor, Sauron's armies fled, and Sauron himself surrendered without a fight.
Sauron was brought back to Númenor as a prisoner, but he soon seduced the king and many other
Númenóreans, promising them eternal life if they worshipped his master Melkor. With Sauron as his
advisor, Ar-Pharazôn had a 500-foot (150 m) tall temple erected in Armenelos, the capital. In this
temple human sacrifices were offered to Melkor (those selected to be sacrificed were Elendili,
Númenóreans who were still faithful to the Elves).
During this time, the White Tree Nimloth, which stood before the King's House in Armenelos and
whose fate was tied to the line of kings, was cut down and burned as a sacrifice to Melkor, at
Sauron's direction. Isildur rescued a fruit of the tree which became an ancestor of the White Tree of
Gondor.
Cataclysm[edit]
Prompted by Sauron and fearing old age and death, Ar-Pharazôn built a great armada and set sail
into the West to make war upon the god-like Valar, intending to seize the Undying Lands, and by so
doing achieve immortality. Sauron remained behind. This force was quoted by Tolkien as the
'greatest force ever assembled on Arda'. In S.A. 3319, Ar-Pharazôn landed on the shores of Aman.
As the Valar were forbidden to take direct action against Men, Manwë, chief of the Valar, called
upon Eru Ilúvatar, the One God.
Eru then caused the Change of the World: the hitherto flat Earth was transformed into a globe,[2] and
the Undying Lands were removed from the Earth forever.
Númenor sank beneath the ocean. The whole population on the island, except Sauron, was
drowned. Many Númenóreans were absent from the island, but most of them were with Ar-Pharazôn
and his armada, and they too met their doom in the Change of the World.
The Downfall of Númenor was thus a literal descent as well as a moral one. The moral downfall of
Númenor was the second fall of Men, the first being when the race of Men first awoke and many fell
swiftly under the dominion of Melkor.
Aftermath[edit]
Melkor's chief acolyte, Sauron, was caught in the cataclysm he had helped bring about. His body
perished, robbing him of his ability to assume a fair form. He fled back to Middle-earth as a
monstrous "spirit of hatred borne upon a dark wind", returning to Mordor.[T 13]
Some Númenóreans had left the island before its destruction. Elendil, a leader of the Faithful, had
foreseen the disaster, and had set sail, with his sons and followers, in nine ships. They landed in
Middle-earth, founding the two Kingdoms in Exile: Arnor in the north, and Gondor near Mordor,
where Sauron was gathering strength, setting the scene for a struggle lasting thousands of years.
The two kingdoms endeavoured to maintain Númenórean culture. Gondor flourished, and "for a
while its splendour grew, recalling somewhat of the might of Númenor".[T 14] Gondor long defended
the west against the threat of Sauron, but the seeds of Sauron's ultimate destruction lay in Arnor.

Names and etymology[edit]

The name of the island derives from Quenya, a High-elven tongue devised by Tolkien, used by the
Númenóreans on solemn occasions and for geographical designations. Literally Númenor, or in full
form Númenórë, means both 'West-land' and 'West-folk',[T 15] and was often translated by the author
as Westernesse.
Among Quenya kennings are recorded Andor or "the Land of Gift",[T 15] which refers to the isle's being
a gift of the Valar to Men, and Elenna or "Starwards",[T 16] which was given because Men first
journeyed to it following the Star of Eärendil and because the island was in the shape of a
rough five-pointed star. The last name was also recorded by Tolkien as Elenna-nórë and rendered
"the Land of the Star" or "the land named Starwards".[T 17]
Tolkien provided several names for the island in Adûnaic, the language of the
Númenóreans: Anadûnê is a translation of Númenor,[T 16] Yôzâyan corresponds to Andor,[T 18] In other
writings of Tolkien, the Elven-king Gil-galad called Númenor "the Isle of Kings",[T 18] and the
inhabiting Drúedain referred to it as "the Great Isle".[T 19]
Retrospective names[edit]
The destruction of Númenor earned it new names. In Quenya it was recalled as Atalantë "the
Downfallen";[T 16] Tolkien described his invention of this additional allusion to Atlantis as a happy
accident when he realized that the Quenya root talat- "to fall" could be incorporated into a name
referring to Númenor, although some suspect that the name was an elaborate pun.[T
20]
The Adûnaic word for Atalantë is Akallabêth,[T 16] the name of the story of the Downfall.
The retrospective name Mar-nu-Falmar or "Home under Waves".[T 16][T 15] was less used. Perhaps the
most widely-used nostalgic name for Númenor is Westernesse.
Westernesse[edit]
The first appearance of Númenor in Tolkien's published writings is in The Lord of the Rings, where it
is initially introduced as Westernesse. At this point little is said of Westernesse, except to indicate it
was vaguely west over the Sea, had existed long ago, was an advanced civilization of Men, and was
the ancestral home of the Dúnedain of Middle-earth.
Thus Westernesse is initially presented as an enigma, imbued with myth, legend and nostalgia. The
name 'Westernesse' is later said to be the translation of a name with the same connotations
in Westron, the common speech of Middle-earth. Thus 'Westernesse' is not a literal translation of
'Númenor' ('West-land'), but has an additional layer of meaning.
Tolkien chose the name 'Westernesse' for these connotations, in particular a resonance with
'Lyonesse'.[T 21] However he acknowledged he did not invent the name, but adopted it from the Middle
English romance King Horn, where the name refers to an unknown western land reached by sea.[T 22]

Geography[edit]
The nature of the land itself is most fully related in A Description of the Island of Númenor, a text
published in Unfinished Tales. Within the fiction, this text is said to have been derived from the
archives of Gondor.[T 23]
Main island[edit]
The island of Númenor was in the Great Sea, closer to the Blessed Realm in the West than to the
continent of Middle-earth in the east.[T 16] In shape it resembled a five-pointed star, with
five peninsulas extending from the central region. The latter is stated to have been around 250 miles
(400 km) across, and the promontories were nearly of the same length each. The island itself was
"tilted southward and a little eastward".[T 23]
Karen Wynn Fonstad estimated the island to be 167,691 square miles [435,017 km²] in area:[3] more
than twice the size of Great Britain.
Regions[edit]
Númenor was divided into six main regions: five corresponding to the promontories plus the central
area.
Mittalmar or "the Inlands"
The central part of Númenor, land-locked except for a small coast around the haven
of Rómenna in the east. The Mittalmar is described as "raised above the promontories";
higher still, at its centre, stood the great mountain of Meneltarma. Much of the region
consisted of grasslands, pastures and low downs with few trees.[T 23] Númenor's main
rivers, Siril and Nunduinë, arose in Mittalmar, on or near Meneltarma.
Mittalmar's eastern district, Arandor, was the most populated part of Númenor, and
contained the cities of Armenelos (the kingdom's capital) and Rómenna. In the south-west of
Mittalmar lay the district of Emerië, Númenor's prime sheep-grazing area.
 Andustar or "the Westlands"
A generally fertile and wood-covered region, which became rocky to the north. The western
coastline of the peninsula was formed by high cliffs, which were cut by three bays, including
the Bay of Andúnië; several harbours were built in these bays, upon thin shelving land at the
feet of steep hills. The northern highlands were covered by fir-woods, while in the south the
forests consisted mainly of birches and beeches upon the upper ground and
of oaks and elms in vales. The Andustar was separated from the Hyarnustar in the south by
the wide Bay of Eldanna and a small borderland called the Nísimaldar.[T 23]
Hyarnustar or "the Southwestlands"
This promontory-region was noted for the great vineyards and fertile farmlands in its eastern
half, which in the southwest gave way to highlands with great cliffs along the coast. In the far
east were "wide white beaches and grey shingles", with numerous villages such
as Nindamos, and the marshes formed by the river Siril.[T 23]
Hyarrostar or "the Southeastlands"
The most low-lying peninsula of Númenor, with long gentle shores, especially in the west.
The region was noted for the variety of trees that grew there, and in this land were situated
the greatest plantations to supply timber for shipbuilding.[T 23]
Orrostar or "the Eastlands"
A cool but fertile region of the island, rising to highlands in the north and flat to the south. In
the south-western parts of the Orrostar were vast plantations of grain.[T 23]
Forostar or "the Northlands"
The northern peninsula of Númenor, described as rocky and the least fertile region. Most of
the landscape was formed by "high heather-covered moors", which in the north rose to rocky
hills. The only trees in the Forostar were firs and larches that grew upon the westward slopes
of the moors; the stone quarried in the region was the most esteemed for building.[T 23] It is
also stated that in this land "the airs were clearest", and that for this reason King Tar-
Meneldur built in the northern parts of Forostar a tall tower to watch the stars.[T 18]
Natural features[edit]
This is a list of all individual geographical objects of Númenor named in
Tolkien's writings.
Bays, lakes and rivers[edit]
It is stated that there were several rivers on the island of Númenor, but
all except Siril and Nunduinë (which are featured in the list below) were
"short and swift torrents hurrying to the sea".[T 23]
Bay of Andúnië
The largest and northernmost of the three bays that lay among western headlands of the
Andustar peninsula. It was named after the great haven of Andúnië located on its eastern
shores along with other smaller dwellings.[T 23]
Bay of Eldanna
The westernmost and greatest bay of Númenor, between the arms of the Andustar and
Hyarnustar peninsulas. The land about its shores, including the Nísimaldar, was the most
fertile in the island due to the warm climate and high rainfall. The name Eldanna literally
means 'Elf-wards', referring to the bay's facing towards the distant Tol Eressëa.[T 23]
The haven of Eldalondë was located at the innermost part of the bay, by the mouth of the
river Nunduinë.
Nísinen
A little lake formed by the river Nunduinë shortly before issuing into the sea. The name,
apparently meaning 'fragrant water', is said to derive "from the abundance of sweet-smelling
shrubs and flowers that grew upon its banks".[T 23]
Nunduinë
The main river on the west of the island. It arose near Meneltarma, and most of its course lay
in the Mittalmar region. Before it left that region it flowed into the lake Nísinen; from there its
last several miles ran through the small region of Nísimaldar and issued into the Sea
at Eldalondë.[T 23]
Siril
The chief river of Númenor. It began in the valley of Noirinan beneath Meneltarma and
flowed south, issuing into the sea near the settlement of Nindamos. Within
the Mittalmar region, Siril was a swift stream, but in its lower course it widened and slowed
down, forming at last a wide marshy delta. The paths of its mouths often wandered, flowing
through wide sands and dispersing into numerous meres.[T 23]
The lowest 70 or so miles of the river formed the boundary between the regions
of Hyarnustar on the west and Hyarrostar on the east.
Peaks[edit]
Meneltarma
At the centre of the island of Númenor stood a massive mountain, known as Meneltarma or
the "Pillar of the Heavens" in Quenya and as Minûl-Tarîk in Adûnaic.[4] It was the highest
location of Númenor, and it was said that the "farsighted" could see Tol Eressëa from its
summit. After the Downfall it was believed by the remnants of the Dúnedain that the top of
Meneltarma rose once more above the sea level as the Isle of Meneltarma, "a lonely island
lost in the great waters."[T 16]
The mountain is described as rising gently from the plain at first, with five long low grass-
covered ridges, called Tarmasundar or the "Roots of the Pillar", extending in the direction of
the five peninsulas. Towards the summit the slopes became more vertical and could not
have been ascended easily; a spiral road up the mountain was made, beginning at the
south-western Tarmasunda and reaching the top in the north.
The summit of Meneltarma was "flattened and depressed, and could contain a great
multitude". It was considered the most sacred place of Númenor as a shrine to Eru Ilúvatar;
nothing was built there, and "no tool or weapon had ever been borne". Only the Kings were
allowed to speak on the summit, when they said the Three Prayers to Ilúvatar; otherwise
people were free to ascend the mountain, but none broke the silence in awe. The only
animals to dwell there were the Eagles, believed by the Númenóreans to have been sent
by Manwë to watch upon the hallow and the land.[T 23]
Noirinan, the royal Valley of Tombs, was located at the southern feet of
Meneltarma. Armenelos, Númenor's capital, was situated about 20 miles away, on or near
the south-east Tarmasunda; Meneltarma dominated the city's north-west skyline.
The last Queen Tar-Míriel, foreboding the destruction of the land, attempted to climb to the
holy summit of Meneltarma hoping to escape the disaster; however the inundation overtook
her, and she perished.[T 16]
Oromet
A high hill in the west of the Andustar peninsula, not far away from Andúnië. Upon it a tall
tower was built by King Tar-Minastir, to gaze westward as his longing for the Blessed
Realm grew stronger.[T 6]
Its name is Quenya for 'high end', signifying it stands prominently at the end of a range; it is
also near the end of the peninsula. The element 'oro' is the base of the Elvish word for
'mountain'.
Sorontil
A mountain on the North Cape of the Forostar peninsula. It "rose sheer from the sea in
tremendous cliffs". The name, which means 'eagle-horn' in Quenya,[T 24] derives from the fact
that many Eagles lived upon the rocks.[T 23]
Other
natural
features[
edit]
Noirinan
A shallow dale, also called by the translation of its name: "the Valley of Tombs". It was
located between the south-western and south-eastern ridges at the feet of the great
mountain of Meneltarma. At its head were situated the tombs of the Kings and Queens, in
chambers cut in the rock of the mountain.[T 23]
Nort
h
Cape
The North Cape was the northernmost headland of the Forostar peninsula, and the
northernmost point of the island of Númenor. Here the great mountain Sorontil "rose sheer
from the sea in tremendous cliffs."
T
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l
U
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e
n
A little island situated in the Bay of Rómenna, the long firth between the promontories of
Orrostar and Hyarrostar. Tol Uinen was believed by the Númenóreans to have been set
there by the Maia Uinen.
Upon this isle Aldarion built a tall tower, called Calmindon or "Light-tower"; the
element calma, meaning 'lamp', appears to confirm that Calmindon was a lighthouse.[T
18]
Aldarion's home ship, Eambar, was often anchored near the island. The guild-house of
the Uinendili was located aboard Eambar.
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The capital and (in later years) the largest city of Númenor, also called Armenelos the
Golden (Armenelos being Quenya for 'royal heaven(wards) citadel'), Arminalêth (the name
in Adûnaic),[T 25] and the City of Kings. It was situated inland, near the centre of
the Arandor region, and about 20 miles from the great mountain Meneltarma, which
dominated the city's north-west skyline. The closest coast to Armenelos was some 50 miles
to the east, with the harbour-city of Rómenna. The city's foundation dates as S.A. 32 at the
latest.[T 6] Armenelos contained the royal palace, the King's House, reportedly built with the
help of the Maiar.[citation needed] A tall tower was constructed there by Elros (the first King of
Númenor), and the White Tree Nimloth was planted in the days of Tar-Aldarion (the sixth
king). During the reign of Ar-Pharazôn (the 25th monarch) a giant temple to Morgoth was
built in Armenelos; its circular temple, which dwarfed the ancient tower of Elros, is described
in The Silmarillion as being over five hundred feet in diameter and as much in height to its
cornice line, above which a silver dome rose. The dome had an oculus, from which the
smoke of numerous burned sacrifices rose, tarnishing the silver soon after its completion.[T 16]
A
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A haven located on the eponymous Bay in the western headlands of the Andustar peninsula-
region. Initially the most important city of Númenor,[citation needed] as there the ships of
the Eldar of Tol Eressëa would most often land.[citation needed] Its name means 'sunset' in Quenya.
Valandil, eldest grandchild of the fourth King of Númenor, was first granted the title of the
Lord of Andúnië, and though his successors were the leaders of the Faithful, they still played
an important role in Númenórean policies.
However, as the Shadow was falling over Númenor, Armenelos became larger and more
important than Andúnië. Towards the end of the realm, the remaining Faithful were labelled
as dissidents by the King's Men, with many having been deported to Rómenna and other
eastern regions, including the heirs of the former Lords.

A great haven situated at the head of the long firth on the eastern shores of Númenor. Being
nearer to the centre of the realm than other ports, it gradually increased in size as the
importance of shipbuilding and seafaring grew, especially from the reign of Tar-Aldarion. The
name means 'eastwards' in Quenya, referring to the fact that most ships heading to Middle-
earth sailed from this haven.

A seaport on the western coast of Númenor, where the river Nunduinë emptied into the Bay
of Eldanna. Its name is also recorded as "Eldalondë the Green" and can be translated as
'Elf-haven'.[T 26] It was the primary haven by which the Elves would arrive from Tol Eressëa,
before the relationship with them was cooled. Eldalondë was located in
the Nísimaldar region, and is described as "the most beautiful of all the havens of Númenor",
said to have been compared by the Elves to a town in Eressëa.[T 23]
The fiefdom of Hallacar, a descendant of the second King of Númenor. It was situated in the
south of the Mittalmar region. In the index to Unfinished Tales, Christopher Tolkien glossed it
as "lands";[T 27] however, the tale of Aldarion and Erendis creates an impression that it was
rather a detached settlement in the district of Emerië.