Chronology of Arda (I)
We begin our exploration of Tolkien’s enormous universe by reviewing the different temporal ages of Arda.
Like any mythology, cosmogony, or universe, everything has a beginning and a specific order.
The imagination created by Tolkien is no exception. In his Bible, which is none other than The Silmarillion, we are told the beginning of the universe in which the incredible story of The Lord of the Rings or all the plot that we currently see in The Rings of Power will end up developing.
This great scenario full of myths and legends is Arda, which is none other than our own Earth many years ago (Tolkien’s idea was to create English mythology that could be compared to others such as the Greek or Egyptian).
A place that goes through many phases, many eras, and that we highlight below so that no one gets lost when it comes to placing the countless stories in time.
Arda has had several ages in which events of great importance for the evolution of time have taken place. We will not dwell on the details but outline a quick chronology which we will delve into in future articles.
We must remember that the first periods of history are measured in Valian years. Although they have many different versions, the most official estimate estimates that each Valian year is equivalent to 144 solar years. From the First Age of the Sun, when men awaken and the solar star is created, each year equals one of ours.
Creation of Arda (Duration: incalculable)
Before the world had its first form, there were eons of unfathomable times in which Eru-Ilúvatar, the one god, wandered in the void.
Finally, he created the Ainur, with whom he began singing a song that made a beautiful vision of Ëa (the universe) and Arda. Some of these Ainur were captivated by the image and decided to enter Ëa. They divided into two groups:
The Valar, the most powerful. There were 14 of them (and Melkor). They shaped Arda and ended up being its absolute rulers.
The rest of the Ainur who descended was called Maiar, much more numerous and with characteristics in tune with certain Valar.
Thus, with Valar, Maiar, and Melkor in Ëa, they began to create the world of Arda. It was a highly complex task because Melkor, already fallen in disgrace and determined to do evil, destroyed everything Valar and Maiar created.
For countless ages, they created and Melkor overthrew until little by little, Arda was taking a natural form.
Finally, the Valar managed to expel Melkor from Arda. They finished their work and settled in their particular paradise.
Years of the Lamps (Duration: 3500 valian years)
The Valar finally enjoyed the vision that Eru-Ilúvatar had shown them, and Melkor had left Arda.
In this age, vegetables and animals were created (by the grace of the Valië — feminine singular to refer to the Valar — called Yavanna.
Moreover, the Vala Aulë created two gigantic lamps, Iluin in the north and Ormal in the south, which perpetually illuminated the whole land of Aman.
And in the center, the Valar decided to build their city: Almaren. There they resided permanently for millennia.
So proud and self-absorbed were the Valar that they did not notice the return of Melkor, who in the north built inside the mountains the fortress of Utumno and began to corrupt Arda.
Nobody noticed until it was too late: Melkor brought down the two lamps, which in their fall destroyed Almaren and changed the geography of Arda: the earth cracked, and several continents emerged, among them Aman and Middle-earth.
The Valar saddened, had to recompose themselves and adapt. They decided to inhabit the continent of Aman, west of Middle-earth (where Melkor continued to dwell in the shadows of the north) and separate themselves from the wounds of destruction.
Already in their new home, they fortified themselves with the creation of the Pelori Mountains, and they returned to illuminate their existence with the Two Trees, the moment that meant the end of the Age of Lamps.
Years of the Trees (Duration: 1500 valian years)
In this era, some of the most extraordinary events in the history of Arda took place, events that would mark the future of Middle-earth and whose consequences would last for millennia.
With the Valar already living in Aman and Melkor taking refuge in the north, the day came when the Elves awoke in Cuivénen. To the disgrace of the newly appeared race, Melkor discovered their presence and began to harass them, ready to corrupt and enslave them.
The Valar returned to Middle-earth to protect the elves and defeated Melkor, who was condemned to spend three ages in chains in Aman.
Enamored of those creatures, the Valar invited them to live with them in Aman. Three representatives traveled there (Ingwë, Finwë, and Elwë) and led the rest in a march that lasted centuries.
From this pilgrimage arose the separation of the elves into three races.
Much later, Melkor was released and began to corrupt the Noldor (race led by Finwë), who started distrusting the Valar.
After several clashes, Melkor managed to destroy the two trees of Valinor and fled to Middle-earth with the Silmarils (jewels created by Fëanor, son of Finwë).
In his flight, the fallen Vala killed Finwë himself, which caused the Noldor to vow not to rest until they recover the Silmarils and defeat Melkor, who will be called Morgoth from then on.
With the remains of the trees, the Valar creates the Sun and the Moon, the moment in which the Men wake up in Hildórien, in the east. The Noldor arrive in Middle-earth to wage war against Morgoth.
With this tremendous panorama, the Years of the Trees ends.
The next article will take a quick look at the Years of the Sun (First, Second and Third Age), the best known to the general public, and the setting for much of what will eventually lead to The Lord of the Rings.