Sauron’s History in Middle-earth, Explained

by

As a lifelong fan of J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic masterpiece, I find myself captivated by the tale of Sauron and his relentless pursuit of power in Middle-earth. Having read the books countless times and watched numerous adaptations, I must say that Sauron’s story is one that never fails to send shivers down my spine.

In the second season of “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power,” set for release on August 29, we’ll return to the world of Middle-earth. This season delves into the disintegration of Eregion, and it’s quite possible that the tumultuous rise and decline of the island kingdom of Númenor will be addressed in future seasons. If you’ve seen season one of “The Rings of Power” or even just Peter Jackson’s films, you might recall this villain. The Dark Lord Sauron, a significant figure in Middle-earth’s Second Age, is poised to make a significant impact on the storyline. He carries over into the Third Age, the era where “The Lord of the Rings” takes place. However, his origins and the path that led him to wield such devastating power in Middle-earth are yet to be fully explored. Here’s what you need to know about Sauron and his impact in “The Rings of Power.”

The History of Sauron and the first Dark Lord Morgoth

As a dedicated fan, I’d like to share some insights about Sauron’s backstory. Let’s delve into his precursor and the initial Dark Lord of Middle-earth: Morgoth, originally named Melkor. Born as one of the powerful beings in Arda, the Valar, Melkor was created by Eru Ilúvatar, the supreme deity. He arrived in Arda alongside the other Valar at the onset of creation. Initially a being of pure essence, Melkor eventually defied his creator, took on the name Morgoth, and was eventually exiled from Arda into the Void. However, before these events unfolded, he caught the eye of another figure destined to become a Dark Lord.

Initially, Sauron went by the name Mairon, which means “the admirable,” and was a powerful Maia – spirits who arrived in the world of Arda to aid the Valar in its creation. Notable Maia include Gandalf and Saruman. At first, Mairon was a virtuous and organized being who specialized in craftsmanship, but his desires turned self-centered, leading him to side with Morgoth. Although Sauron served under Morgoth, their beliefs were not entirely congruent. While Morgoth sought conquest, Mairon aimed to control the thoughts and wills of Arda’s inhabitants instead.

While serving under Morgoth, Mairon was cunningly deceitful. He upheld a facade of loyalty towards the other Valar, but once Morgoth asserted his power in Middle-earth, Mairon abandoned his disguise and openly declared his alliance with the Dark Lord. It was then that he earned the name Sauron, which translates roughly to “the abhorrent.”

Sauron in The First Age

In the First Age of Middle-earth, Sauron served under Morgoth during their conflict with the Elves. While Morgoth held dominion, Sauron governed the stronghold of Angband. However, during the War of the Powers, he managed to break free from Morgoth’s control for the first time, as the Valar subdued Morgoth. Sauron became notorious during this period, capturing and renaming the Elvish island Tol Sirion to Tol-in-Gaurhoth, or “The Isle of Werewolves.” To add to his menacing persona, Sauron had a minion named Thuringwethil on Tol-in-Gaurhoth who assumed the form of a Vampire. During his peak of power, Sauron himself would transform into a Werewolf or Vampire.

In the grand saga, Morgoth was the arch-nemesis of Elves, while Sauron posed a threat to Men. Yet, Sauron played a pivotal role in the tragic love tale of Beren and Lúthien – the ill-fated union between a human and an Elven maiden. (Aragorn recounts their story in The Lord of the Rings, as their love echoes his own feelings for Arwen.) During their ordeal, Sauron abducted Beren and the Elven king Finrod, holding them captive on Tol-in-Gaurhoth. Although Finrod eventually perished, Lúthien managed to free Beren upon her arrival at the Isle of Werewolves accompanied by the faithful wolfhound Huan. In a fierce battle against Huan, Sauron transformed into a werewolf but was defeated. He relinquished his power to Lúthien, assumed the form of a vampire, and vanished, hiding himself thereafter.

After Morgoth had been vanquished, he reappeared seeking forgiveness from Eönwë, a Maia. However, due to apprehension about the impending judgment, he chose to conceal himself once more within the realms of Middle-earth.

Sauron and the Forging of the Rings of Power

Approximately five centuries later, Sauron resurfaced and settled in Mordor, constructing there the imposing Barad-dûr tower. He amassed armies consisting of Orcs, Trolls, and Men, tempting them with prospects of wealth. Initially, his intention was merely to rebuild following Morgoth’s war; however, as he became aware of his control over these forces, he started devising strategies to conquer Middle-earth. To achieve this goal, Sauron transformed himself into the alluring Annatar. This facade was designed to deceive the Elves, and it succeeded in fooling some, although not everyone – Galadriel and Elrond among them were not swayed by his disguise.

Under the guise of Annatar, Sauron convinced the Elven blacksmiths of Eregion to manufacture the Rings of Power. Leveraging his expertise in craftsmanship, he offered guidance during their creation. Once these rings were fashioned and dispersed among Men, Dwarves, and Elves, Sauron covertly crafted another ring: the One Ring. This ring, forged in Mount Doom within Mordor, exerted control over the other rings through dark sorcery. On the ring, Sauron etched a phrase in Black Speech:

The One Ring has dominion over them all, it locates them, it gathers them together, and in the shadows, it enslaves them.

Sauron’s scheme unraveled swiftly once he donned the One Ring. Instantly, Elves detected his deceitfulness and concealed their rings from him. Dwarves, on the other hand, proved difficult for Sauron to control over their rings. Yet, it was the nine Men who received rings that were tainted. They transformed into the Nazgûl, becoming Sauron’s most formidable agents, as seen in Jackson’s The Fellowship of the Ring, where they appeared as shadowy figures pursuing Frodo.

In the epic tale of Middle-earth, Sauron launched an aggressive campaign against the Elves, aiming to conquer nearly every corner of this realm. However, the brave Men of the West, under the leadership of Tar-Minastir, King of Númenór, intervened. As a result, Sauron was vanquished and was forced to withdraw to Mordor. In this hiding place, Sauron gradually regained his strength and started boasting as “The King of Men.” This arrogant claim infuriated the Númenóreans, who stormed into Mordor and took Sauron captive, transporting him back to their homeland, Númenor.

Sauron’s Evil Plans for Númenor

Sauron’s imprisonment turned out to be advantageous for him. While he pretended to be disheartened, he secretly reveled in the chance to corrupt Númenor from within. He ingratiated himself with King Ar-Pharazôn, gradually influencing him until he became the king’s closest confidant. Sauron persuaded Ar-Pharazôn and other Númenóreans to worship Morgoth, perceiving in them a fear of death. Under his guidance, they constructed a temple on Númenor dedicated to Morgoth, where the king performed human sacrifices. Eventually, he even convinced Ar-Pharazôn to lead a rebellion against the Valar, aiming to seize their home of Valinor for themselves.

Similar to many schemes orchestrated by Sauron, this one too ended up causing harm to him instead. When the Men launched an assault on the West, it was Eru Ilúvatar who stepped in. He submerged Númenor, transforming Arda from flat to round so that Men could no longer reach Valinor. While on Númenor, Sauron had taken a human-like form, but its sinking shattered his physical body and stripped him of his shape-shifting abilities permanently. His spirit escaped back to Mordor, where he reconstructed a new body and reclaimed his power. Unlike before, Sauron was no longer focused on minds—he began ruling and assaulting with raw force and fear.

Those loyal to the divine beings known as the Valar among the people of Númenor managed to escape their homeland’s demise. They journeyed to Middle-earth and established the realms of Arnor and Gondor. Sauron, who held a deep-seated hatred for Elendil, learned that these men were ruled by him. In retaliation, Sauron launched a war against them; however, they found an alliance with the Elven king Gil-Galad. This union was known as the Last Alliance. During this conflict, Sauron confronted and killed both Elendil and Gil-Galad. Yet, Isildur, Elendil’s son, seized his father’s shattered sword and severed the One Ring from Sauron’s grasp. Since the ring was Sauron’s primary source of power, he lost his physical form and power when it was removed. His troops retreated, and Sauron’s fractured spirit withdrew to Mordor, seeking refuge in seclusion there.

Sauron in The Lord of the Rings

As a devoted fan of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle Earth saga, I find myself constantly amazed by the intricate web of history and legend that he weaves in his stories. In this particular narrative, I find myself drawn to the enigmatic figure of Gollum – a hobbit-like creature twisted by the corrupting power of the One Ring.

As an ardent fan, I’m thrilled that Sauron’s time on Númenor will be woven into the narrative of “The Rings of Power.” Given his status as the literal Master of the Rings and one of Middle-earth’s most formidable antagonists, a character with immense power and an enduring place among the greatest fictional villains ever penned, I eagerly anticipate witnessing him brought to life in a fresh, innovative manner on screen.

Read More

2024-08-22 21:33