So in the scene where we are in the majestic land of Numenor, the Queen as well as Galadriel talk about leaving in ships to Middle Earth. What?! All of this time I thought Middle Earth is the world that this entire story takes place in, but it’s actually a continent within this fantasy world, I guess? Kind of like Numenor is an island kingdom within this fantasy world as well, apparently. Forgive my ignorance.
shareArda. No one ever uses that word in the Hobbit or Lord of the Rings though.
shareI had the same ignorance. I thought all of this was Middle-Earth. It isn't. I watched a crap-load of videos on YouTube by "Nerd of The Rings". Videos of all the characters, the lands, and all about the 3 Ages. Now that I'm educated, I can see all the flaws in this show.
Plus, I didn't realise how deep this stuff is. I have no idea how Tolkien kept it all straight in his head. There is a lot of story in this world. Very complex. You should check some of those videos out if you're interested in learning a little about it.
Numenor is the island kingdom of the Dunedain (high men) who were allies of the elves in the First Age.
The First Age was basically the time of the Noldor (high elves) and their allies (mostly men/Dunedain) vs Morgoth. It took place in the land of Beleriand.
At the end of the First Age was a great battle in which Morgoth was defeated.
This battle was so great it basically broke the continent, and Beleriand sank beneath the sea. Beleriand was no more.
Go here to see a map, the land covered in blue is Beleriand: https://external-preview.redd.it/-HGsjwmMk1jczIgyhY-tc4QHniBV7Jz47E4VREI7W0w.jpg?auto=webp&s=67f9c53ad36a067c7a5d0945052674c842f9705e
The remaining part of the continent above the sea is Middle Earth.
The elves that survived the final battle were given a choice to go back to Valinor (a heavenly type land) and live among what we would call "angels" or "Olympian-type Gods" or relocate to Middle Earth. The kingdom called Lindon in the show, it's where King Gil-Galad resides/rules.
The men who allied themselves with the elves of the First Age against Morgoth...the Dunedain...were given the gift of Numenor. Elrond's brother, Elros, was their first King. The island of Numenor is located just below the box with the word "Belerian" in it on the map I shared.
The "lower men" who never ventured to Beleriand or who aligned with Morgoth stayed in Middle Earth.
This is how the Second Age began. Sauron is on sabbatical at this time ...but eventually returns to become the primary villain.
So hopefully this helps you understand a little bit better.
Good info. Thanks. It would seem to me the the stories of Numenor shown back-and-forth with the people of the Southlands are slightly a few months off from each other. The episode makes it look like things are happening back-and-forth at the same time, but it would take months for those ships to get from Numenor across the sea and across the land to reach the Southerlands to help out against the Orcs.
shareThe show definitely has thrown "timelines" and realistic travel considerations out the window, lol.
Here's a link to another map you'll find more useful as it pertains to the show:
https://qph.cf2.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-6206f454f5754b7d49c204255ab526b8-c
*I'd put Numenor a little further west than where it is placed on the map.
Thanks again. It's a little confusing to see the 2nd age and the 3rd age on the same map. I didn't see Tirharad or Hordern on this map. I now find out that those places are made up for the Amazon show. Somewhat disappointing since I'm trying to get this world straight in my head. This show will have me wondering what's canon, and what's not.
shareI believe it's both.
In one sense Middle Earth is like Midgard - a world between Aman and Udun.
But the absolute majority of the Arda's inhabitants think of the world's main continent as the Middle Earth.
but it’s actually a continent within this fantasy world, I guess?
That was the impression i had from day1 . it had to be in the middle of something , the clues in the name!
I remember reading somewhere that Tolkien wanted to make his fantasy world a sort of fable or tall tale of England in a distant past. So my impression was always of Middle-Earth being the period between prehistoric Earth and modern times, hence, “Middle Earth”. Maybe my logic was faulty, but it’s great that the series addresses this.
shareThe series did BUGGER ALL to explain ANYTHING, Tolkien himself did all of that!