Main Page | See live article | Alphabetical index Middle-earth is a fictitious land created by J. R. R. Tolkien where the action of The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and The Silmarillion takes place. Tolkien wrote extensively about the linguistics, mythology and history of the land, which form the back-story for these stories. Most of these writings, with the exception of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, were edited and published posthumously by his son Christopher. Notable among them are the multiple volumes of The History of Middle-earth, which describes a larger cosmology which includes Middle-earth as well as Valinor, Númenor, and other lands. Tolkien's great mythological tales of Middle-earth are meant to be taken, fictitiously, as an ancient history of the Earth, particularly of Europe, from several thousand years before the lands took their present shape. In fact, three of the works claim to be the life work of Bilbo Baggins. Like Shakespeare's King Lear, they occupy a historical period that could not have actually existed. The term "Middle-earth" was not invented by Tolkien; it occurs many times in Middle English (Middel-erde) and Old English writings (Middangeard). It occurs half a dozen times in Beowulf, and is cognate to Midgard in Old Norse. It is consistently misspelled as 'Middle Earth' by journalists. Although 'Middle-earth' strictly refers to a specific continent on Tolkien's fictional ancient earth, representing what we know as Eurasia and Africa, the term is sometimes erroneously used to refer to this entire 'earth' (properly called Arda). Table of contents 1 A note on "truth" and canon 2 Cosmology 3 Historical periods 4 Characters 4.1 First Age 4.2 Second Age 4.3 Third Age 5 Races 6 Places 7 Major languages 8 Items 8.4 Weapons 9 Unions 10 Role-playing Games 11 Computer Games 12 External Links 13 References A note on "truth" and canon It is remarkably difficult to speak of what is true in the context of Middle-earth, perhaps more so than for any other fictional world, such as Greek mythology. The reasons for this are three: Tolkien worked on Middle-earth over the course of decades, making substantial changes. Readers may remember, for example, the differences between The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings with regard to Gandalf and the Elves. In order to maintain consistency, it is necessary to discard many books. For instance, the Encyclopedia of Arda considers only The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and The Silmarillion to be canonical. Tolkien's writing is laden with details and hints, which tend to be contradictory. They cannot be trusted against explicit statements elsewhere, but they do add confusion. In some cases, Tolkien intentionally wrote inconsistencies into his works. For instance, Tom Bombadil simply does not fit into Middle-earth cosmology. In a letter, Tolkien said that any good mythological system—which Middle-earth is—needs a certain amount of mystery. A map of the Northwestern part of Middle-earth after the end of the First Age, courtesy of the Encyclopedia of Arda Cosmology Timeless Halls Eä The Void Arda The Sun The Moon Eärendil, the Evening Star The Two Trees The Two Lamps Historical periods Years of the Lamps Years of the Trees Years of the Sun First Age Second Age Third Age Fourth Age Characters What follows is a brief listing of characters from Tolkien's work which lived in Middle-earth. Note that characters are sorted according to several groups, and may appear multiple times. First Age House of Finwë Finwë Míriel Indis Fëanor Fingolfin Finarfin Sons of Fëanor Maedhros Maglor Celegorm Caranthir Curufin Celebrimbor Amrod Amras House of Fingolfin Fingon Ereinion Gil-galad Turgon Idril Celebrindal Aredhel House of Finarfin Finrod Felagund Orodreth Finduilas Angrod Aegnor Galadriel House of Elwë and Olwë Elwë (Elu Thingol) Melian Lúthien Tinúviel Olwë Eärwen House of Bëor Bëor the Old Bregor Barahir Beren Erchamion Bregolas Belegund Rían Baragund Morwen House of Marach Marach Hador Lórindol Gundor Galdor Húrin Túrin Turambar Nienor Níniel Huor Tuor Glóredhel Descendants of Lúthien and Beren Dior Thingol's Heir Eluréd Elurín Elwing Elrond Elros Descendants of Idril and Tuor Eärendil the Mariner Elrond Elladan Elrohir Arwen Undómiel Elros Kings of Númenor Haladin of Brethil Haldad Haleth Haldar Haldan Halmir Haldir Handir Brandir the Lame Hareth Húrin Huor Hundar Others Círdan, lord of the Falas Beleg the Bowman Glorfindel of Gondolin Ecthelion of the Fountain Eöl the Dark Elf Maeglin, sister-son of Turgon Durin the Deathless, father of the Longbeards Gothmog, lord of Balrogs Sauron aka Gorthaur, Lord of Werewolves For a list of the Valar, see that article. Second Age Kings of Númenor: see Kings of Númenor Sauron, aka Annatar Ringwraiths or Nazgûl Witch-king of Angmar Third Age Thorin and Company Thorin II Oakenshield Balin Dwalin Fíli Kíli Dori Nori Ori Óin Glóin Bifur Bofur Bombur Bilbo Baggins The Fellowship of the Ring Frodo Baggins Sam Gamgee (Samwise) Meriadoc Brandybuck (Merry) Peregrin Took (Pippin) Aragorn (Strider) Boromir Gandalf the Grey Legolas Gimli (son of Glóin) Kings of Gondor: see Kings of Gondor Kings of Arnor: see Kings of Arnor Kings of Arthedain: see Kings of Arthedain Chiefs of the Rangers of Arnor: see Chiefs of the Dúnedain Stewards of Gondor: see Steward of Gondor Kings of Rohan: see Kings of Rohan Wizards or Istari: Saruman the White Gandalf the Grey Radagast the Brown Ithryn Luin (Blue Wizards) Other characters Elves Círdan of Mithlond Celebrían, wife of Elrond Elladan Elrohir Thranduil, King of northern Mirkwood Men Beorn Vidugavia Vidumavi Imrahil, Prince of Dol Amroth Hobbits Bandobras Bullroarer Took Déagol Sméagol, or Gollum Treebeard Tom Bombadil Shelob Eye of Sauron Races Ainur Valar Maiar Istari Balrogs Elves (Quendi, the ''First Children of Ilúvatar) (see Sundering of the Elves) Calaquendi Vanyar — Light Elves Noldor — Deep Elves Teleri — Sea Elves Moriquendi Sindar — Grey Elves Nandor and Laiquendi — Green Elves Avari — Unwilling Men (Atani, the ''Second Children of Ilúvatar) Atanatari — Men descended of or related to the 'Fathers of Men' Edain — Men of the West Bëorians — First House of Men Haladin — Second House of Men Drúedain (Woses of Drúadan Forest) Marachians — Third House of Men Númenóreans — Men of the West Dúnedain — Men of Gondor and Arnor Black Númenóreans — Servants of Sauron Middle Men Northmen (Distant relations of Bëorians and Marachians) Men of Dale (also known as Bardings) Men of Esgaroth Rohirrim (Descendants of the Éothéod) Beornings Woodsmen of Mirkwood Dunlendings (Distant relations of Haladin) Men of Bree Easterlings Wainriders Balchoth Variags of Khand Southrons Haradrim of Far Harad and Near Harad Corsairs of Umbar Forodwaith — Ice-men of the North Lossoth (see [1]), also known as Snowmen of Forochel Half-elven Dwarves (Naugrim, the ''Adopted Children of Ilúvatar) Hobbits Harfoots Stoors Fallohides Ents Huorns Eagles Dragons Orcs -- usually called "goblins" in The Hobbit Uruk-hai Trolls Olog-hai Wargs Places Countries and other large places are shown in italics; cities and other small places are shown in standard font. Annúminas Bay of Belfalas Beleriand Bree Caras Galadhon Dale Eregion Eriador Fangorn Gondor Harad Helm's Deep Ice-bay of Forochel Isengard Lindon Lonely Mountain Lothlórien Minas Morgul Minas Tirith Mirkwood Moria Mordor Mount Doom Osgiliath Rhovanion Rhûn Rivendell Rohan The Shire See also Aman, Númenor for places outside Middle-earth. Major languages General overview Valarin Elvish languages: Sindarin Quenya Mannish languages: Adûnaic (the language of Númenor) Westron (aka Common Speech) Rohirric, (translated with Anglo-Saxon) Khuzdul (Dwarvish language) Black Speech Entish, a language based on an ancient form of Common Eldarin Tengwar script Cirth runes Items The One Ring aka Ruling Ring The Rings of Power The Three Rings of the Elves: Narya Nenya Vilya The Silmarilli The Arkenstone The Palantiri Weapons Sting Narsil Glamdring Orcrist Anglachel Hadhafang Unions Fellowship of the Ring The Last Alliance of Elves and Men Role-playing Games The works of Tolkien have been a major influence on role-playing games along with others such as Robert E. Howard, Fritz Leiber, H.P. Lovecraft and Michael Moorcock. Although the most famous game to be inspired partially by the setting was Dungeons & Dragons, there have been two specifically Middle-earth based and licensed games. These are the Lord of the Rings Roleplaying Game from Decipher Inc and the Middle Earth Role Play game (MERP) from Iron Crown Enterprises. Computer Games The computer game Angband is a free roguelike D&D-style game that features many characters from Tolkien's works. External Links Encyclopedia of Arda - the best online source for the names and facts of Tolkien's imaginary history. It has been used as a source. Ardalambion - This is a great site for anyone who wants to delve into the languages of Middle-earth. Recommended for anyone who wants to learn Quenya. The Tolkien Wiki - The first wikiweb dedicated to the literary works of J. R. R. Tolkien. Contains a compendium, book-descriptions, essays, FAQ, etc.. A History and Complete Chronology of Numenor - A detailed chronology of Numenor, its successor states and their rulers. References Serious students should invest in a copy of The Complete Guide to Middle-earth by Robert Foster (ISBN 0345449762), the best book on the subject. 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