Middle-earth: The Second Age

Contents	The Second Age	Bottom
Major Events

~ Pre-First Age ~ First Age ~ Third Age ~
The Second Age starts with the flight of the Elves to Lindon / Eriador and the Founding of Numenor following the destruction of Beleriand in the War of Wrath

Founding of Lindon and Eriador		Those among the Noldor who do not yet wish to leave Middle-earth follow Ereinion Gil-Galad, last High-King of the Noldor, to Lindon. Eriador is colonised by the remnants of the Noldor and Teleri/Sindar under Galadriel and Celeborn. Many of the Sindar eventually cross the Misty Mountains to Lorinand/Lorien (See Migrations of the Elves)
Founding of Numenor		The island of Andor (Numenor/Westernesse) is created in the West for the Elendili (Elf-friends, Men of the Three Houses) by the Valar. The Kingdom is established under Elrond's brother, Elros Tar-Minyatur
Eregion and Moria	700-750	Galadriel and Celeborn move to Eregion. Celebrimbor becomes Lord of Eregion at Ost-in-Edhil and forms a close friendship with the Dwarves of Khazad-Dum, based on a common love of craft skills and mithril.
Building of Barad-Dur Forging of The Rings	c 1000 1500-1600	Sauron selects Mordor as his base against the Numenoreans and Elves. He fails to charm Gil-Galad, but disguised as 'Lord of Gifts' makes friends with Celebrimbor. The Nine and Seven Rings of Power are forged in Eregion by Sauron and Celebrimbor. Celebrimbor forges the Three Elven Rings. Sauron forges The One Ring in Orodruin. Celebrimbor realises he has been duped.
War of Elves and Sauron Founding of Imladris	1693-1701	Sauron drives West through Eriador, wasting Eregion and destroying Ost-in-Edhil; death of Celebrimbor. Sauron captures the Seven and Nine Rings. Elrond retreats and establishes Imladris. Tar-Minastir sends a Numenorean fleet to the aid of Gil-Galad. Sauron is defeated at the battles of Sarn Ford and Tharbad and forced back to Mordor
Expansion of Numenor	1800-3261	The Numenoreans establish themselves on the mainland, but later turn from peaceful traders and teachers to oppressors of the men of Harad, Minhiriath and the Enedwaith. Their deforestation from Lond Daer of the lands either side of the Gwathlo help depopulate the region. Numenor builds a great base at Umbar; the Elendili later establish a settlement at Pelargir. Meanwhile, Sauron turns his attention to the Easterlings and Southrons. Yet the Shadow reaches Numenor, as strife between the Faithful and the 'King's men'. The Elves of Tol Eressea cease visiting Numenor. In Middle-earth the Nazgul appear.
Capture of Sauron	3262	Ar-Pharazon assembles the might of Numenor at Umbar and captures Sauron. He is taken back to Numenor, where he gains power and persuades Ar-Pharazon to defy the Ban of The Valar. A great fleet is built
The Akallabeth The World made Round	3319-3320	Ar-Pharazon lands in Aman. The Valar call upon Eru, who drowns Numenor and the followers of Ar-Pharazon. The way to Aman remains straight for the First-Born, but forever inaccessible to Men, removed from the confines of Arda which becomes curved and navigable all the way round. Sauron escapes back to Mordor, though diminished and unable to appear in fair form again.
Founding of Arnor and Gondor	3320	Elendil The Tall leads The Faithful from the wreck of Numenor. He founds the Northern kingdom of Arnor and his sons (Isildur and Anarion) the Southern kingdom of Gondor. The Palantiri are deployed
The Last Alliance and Siege of Barad-Dur	3430-3441	Sauron attacks Gondor and captures Minas Ithil. Elendil joins with Gil-Galad in the Last Alliance of Men and Elves. They defeat Sauron's forces at Dagorlad, but Anarion, Gil-Galad and Elendil are slain in the ensuing Siege of Barad-dur. Isildur cuts the One Ring from Sauron's hand with the broken blade of Narsil

The Second Age ends with the defeat of Sauron and levelling of Barad-Dur. It is chronicled in detail in the Tale of Years (Appendix B, LoTR)
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Second Age