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The '''Dark Years''' (also '''Black Years''' and '''Dark Days'''<ref name=Foster>{{HM|Guide}}, p. 82</ref>) were the long years of the [[Second Age]] when the races of [[Middle-earth]], especially the [[Men]], suffered under the domination of [[Sauron]].
The '''Dark Years''' were the long years of the [[Second Age]] when the races of [[Middle-earth]], especially the [[Men]], suffered under the domination of [[Sauron]].
==Background==
After the [[War of Wrath]], [[Morgoth]] was defeated and judged by the [[Valar]], but his lieutenant [[Sauron]] escaped judgment. The [[Edain]] had been offered the isle of [[Elenna]] and flourished there. While the [[Elves]] and the [[Dwarves]] retreated in their respective realms, outside them, "Middle-earth went backward and light and wisdom faded".<ref name=Ak/>


After the [[War of Wrath]], the [[Middle Men]] were in a primitive state, as they had no contact with the [[Eldar]] or the [[Edain]] of [[Beleriand]]. Some of the Men were taught agriculture by the [[Entwives]], whom they honored.<ref>{{TT|Treebeard}}</ref> In contrast, the [[Edain]] had retreated to the isle of [[Elenna]] and flourished, but around {{SA|600}} the [[Númenóreans]] established contact with the Middle Men of Middle-earth and taught them agriculture, stonecraft and smithying. But it was around {{SA|882}} when King [[Gil-galad]] warned the Númenóreans that an evil power was taking shape in the [[East]].<ref>{{UT|Aldarion}}</ref><ref>{{App|Numenor}}</ref>
The [[Middle Men]] who did not heed the summons of the [[Valar]] and Morgoth fell back in a primitive state, having no contact with the [[Eldar]] or the [[Edain]]. Instead, some of the [[Easterlings (First Age)|evil Men]] who escaped the destruction of [[Beleriand]] came to the east and became their Kings. For this the Middle Men were neglected by the Valar.<ref name=Ak/>
 
It was thanks to the [[Entwives]] that some Mannish folk learned agriculture, and the Men honored them.<ref>{{TT|Treebeard}}</ref>  
 
Around {{SA|600}} the [[Númenóreans]] sent ships to Middle-earth and established contact with the Middle Men and started teaching them agriculture, stonecraft and smithying. But it was around {{SA|882}} when King [[Gil-galad]] warned the Númenóreans that an evil power was taking shape in the [[East]].<ref>{{UT|Aldarion}}</ref><ref>{{App|Numenor}}</ref>
[[File:John Howe - The Dark Tower 02.jpg|thumb|[[John Howe]] - The Dark Tower|left]]
[[File:John Howe - The Dark Tower 02.jpg|thumb|[[John Howe]] - The Dark Tower|left]]
Indeed, [[Sauron]], who had denied the judgment of the [[Valar]], established himself to [[Mordor]] around {{SA|1000}}. He fortified the land with the [[Black Gate]] and armies of the [[Men of Darkness]] whom he corrupted and enslaved. He also built [[Barad-dûr]] near [[Mount Doom]].  
Indeed, [[Sauron]] was ever at work corrupting men in the east and the south<ref name=rings>{{S|Rings}}</ref> and established himself to [[Mordor]] around {{SA|1000}}. He fortified the land with the [[Black Gate]] and armies of the [[Men of Darkness]] whom he corrupted and enslaved. He also built [[Barad-dûr]] near [[Mount Doom]].  
[[File:Abe Papakhian - Death of Celebrimbor.jpg|thumb|Abe Papakhian - ''Death of Celebrimbor'']]
[[File:Abe Papakhian - Death of Celebrimbor.jpg|thumb|Abe Papakhian - ''Death of Celebrimbor'']]
Sauron attempted to corrupt the prosperous [[Elves]] of [[Eregion]] persuading them to create the [[Rings of Power]]. When the Elves rejected him, they begun [[War of the Elves and Sauron|a bloody conflict against him]], but Sauron destroyed [[Eregion]] and devastated much of [[Eriador]], pushing the Elves back to the [[Blue Mountains]], as the [[Dwarves]] retreated to [[Moria]]. Sauron now dominated most of the [[Westlands]] and the [[East]]. But then the powerful Númenóreans responded to the Elves' plea and sent ships and armies to their support. The alliance, after heavy fighting, managed to reclaim Eriador and pushed the Dark Lord back to Mordor with a handful of orcs.
Sauron attempted to corrupt the prosperous [[Elves]] of [[Eregion]] persuading them to create the [[Rings of Power]]. When the Elves rejected him, they fought [[War of the Elves and Sauron|a bloody conflict against him]], but Sauron destroyed [[Eregion]] and devastated much of [[Eriador]], pushing the Elves back to the [[Blue Mountains]], as the [[Dwarves]] retreated to [[Moria]].  
==The Dark Years begin==
Sauron now dominated most of the [[East]] and the [[South]], even much of the [[Westlands]] and allowing not any freedom or rivalry, he desired to destroy the Elves as well as Númenor. He gathered all evil things of his former master, multiplying the [[Orcs]]; he ruled with force and fear but also wore a fair and wise guise to those Men who worshipped him as "Lord of the Earth". It was then when he started to be known as the Dark Lord and the Enemy by those who saw his power spreadng over the world. He started to hunt the [[Elves]] who fled to [[Lindon]], where Sauron could not enter, and thence over the [[Sea]] to the [[Uttermost West]]. Other peoples retreated to the mountains or the woods, in fear.<ref name=rings/>
 
But then the powerful Númenóreans responded to the Elves' plea and sent ships and armies to their support. The alliance, after heavy fighting, managed to reclaim Eriador and pushed the Dark Lord back to Mordor with a handful of orcs.<ref name=rings/>
 
However this was not the end of the Dark Days. Sauron directed his power over the far south and east conquering and dominating the savage tribes.<ref>{{PM|Dwarves}}</ref><ref>{{UT|Amroth}}</ref>
===Shadow over Númenor===
Meanwhile Númenor fell under the [[Shadow]] and the colonists started to oppress the primitive Men of the Westlands, demanding tribute of goods and wealth.<ref name=Ak>{{S|Akallabeth}}</ref> Some indigenous folk of Middle-earth were afraid of those [[Black Númenóreans]] and their ships who intended at some point to conquer the land of [[Agar]] and slay its people.<ref>{{PM|Elmar}}</ref>
 
At some time during the Dark Years, some of the [[Men of the Mountains|Men]] of the [[White Mountains]] feared Sauron and started worshipping him.<ref>{{RK|Passing}}</ref> Others of their folk migrated northward to the southern dales of the [[Misty Mountains]].<ref name=Men>{{App|Men}}</ref>


However this was not the end of the Dark Days. Sauron directed his power over the far south and east.{{fact}} Meanwhile Númenor fell under the [[Shadow]] and the colonists started to oppress the primitive Men of the Westlands, demanding tribute of goods and wealth.<ref name=Ak>{{S|Akallabeth}}</ref> Some indigenous folk of Middle-earth were afraid of those [[Black Númenóreans]], and their ships and intended at some point to conquer the land of [[Agar]] and slay its people.<ref>{{PM|Elmar}}</ref>
Sauron turned his attention to the west once more, declaring himself "King of Men", starting against the Númenórean colonists and their ports. The arrogant Númenóreans, who were traditionally the "Kings of Men", saw him as their competitor, and once more came against him. King [[Ar-Pharazôn]] took Sauron as a captive to [[Númenor]], further corrupting the Númenóreans, who continued to enslave the primitive Men and even using them as human sacrifices. The corruption eventually resulted to the [[Downfall of Númenor]].<ref name=Ak/>


The arrogant Númenóreans started to see Sauron as their competitor, and King [[Ar-Pharazôn]] came against him. Sauron was taken on [[Númenor]], further corrupting the Númenóreans, who continued to enslave the primitive Men and even using them as human sacrifices. The corruption eventually resulted to the [[Downfall of Númenor]].<ref name=Ak/>
Sauron's spirit escaped to Middle-earth, and returned to Mordor, where he slowly rebuilt his strength. Unable to assume a fair shape, he started to rule through terror and force.


Sauron's spirit escaped to Middle-earth. Sauron returned to Mordor, where he slowly rebuilt his strength. Unable to assume a fair shape, he started to rule through terror and force.
==Fall of Sauron==
[[File:The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring - Last Alliance.jpg|left|thumb|Dúnedain attack in Peter Jackson's ''Fellowship of the Ring'']]
[[File:The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring - Last Alliance.jpg|left|thumb|Dúnedain attack in Peter Jackson's ''Fellowship of the Ring'']]
The [[Faithful]] who escaped founded [[Gondor]] and [[Arnor]] in Middle-earth and gathered Mannish peoples under them, including the [[Oathbreakers|Men of the Mountains]] who formerly worshipped Sauron. Sauron still considered the Númenóreans his most hated enemies and he launched a pre-emptive attack against them. The Númenóreans formed a [[Last Alliance]] with the Elves of [[Lindon]] and fought Sauron in the [[War of the Last Alliance]], where finally Sauron perished.<ref>{{S|Rings}}</ref>
The [[Faithful]] who escaped founded [[Gondor]] and [[Arnor]] in Middle-earth and gathered Mannish peoples under them, including the [[Oathbreakers|Men of the Mountains]] who formerly worshipped Sauron. Sauron still considered the Númenóreans his most hated enemies and he launched a pre-emptive attack against them. The Númenóreans formed a [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men|Last Alliance]] with the [[Elves of Lindon]] and fought Sauron in the [[War of the Last Alliance]], where finally Sauron perished.<ref name=rings/>


Sauron's defeat ended the Dark Years and the Second Age, and allowed the Númenórean realms to flourish during the [[Third Age]].
Sauron's defeat ended the Dark Years and the Second Age, and allowed the Númenórean realms to flourish during the [[Third Age]].


==Names==
==Names==
Other names of this period were the '''Accursed Years''',<ref name=Foster/> the '''Days of Flight'''.
Other names of this period were the '''Black Years''', '''Days of Flight''' for the Elves who fled to the Sea,<ref name=rings/> and '''Dark Days'''<ref name=Foster>{{HM|Guide}}, p. 82</ref>.


Mark Fisher has noted that the term "Accursed Years" is a "''term of uncertain meaning''" (it could also refer to the cursed [[Oathbreakers]], thus being a period roughly corresponding to the [[Third Age]]).<ref>{{webcite|author=Mark Fisher|articleurl=http://www.glyphweb.com/arda/a/accursedyears.html|articlename=Accursed Years: The long years of Isildur's curse|dated=|website=EoA|accessed=19 May 2012}}</ref>
At one point [[Aragorn]] mentions the '''Accursed Years''' to the [[Oathbreakers]], which [[Robert Foster]] identifies as another name of that period.<ref name=Foster/> On the other hand, the [[Encyclopedia of Arda]] considers it a "''term of uncertain meaning''", probably referring to the [[Third Age]] when the Oathbreakers were cursed to roam the [[White Mountains]].<ref>{{webcite|author=Mark Fisher|articleurl=http://www.glyphweb.com/arda/a/accursedyears.html|articlename=Accursed Years: The long years of Isildur's curse|dated=|website=EoA|accessed=19 May 2012}}</ref>
== Portrayal in Adaptations ==
==Portrayal in adaptations==
'''2001: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
'''2001: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
:Some of the Dark Years are seen during the [[Prologue: One Ring to Rule Them All...|Prologue]] to the film accompanied by [[Galadriel]]'s narration. After Sauron forged the [[One Ring]], his power is seen expanding over a map of the [[Westlands]], with flashback scenes of battles and peoples being ravaged and enslaved by [[Orcs]]. The Last Alliance is formed by the [[Free Peoples]] as a direct response to Sauron's brutalities.
:Some of the Dark Years are seen during the [[Prologue: One Ring to Rule Them All...|Prologue]] to the film accompanied by [[Galadriel]]'s narration. After Sauron forged [[the One Ring]], his power is seen expanding over a map of the [[Westlands]], with flashback scenes of battles and peoples being ravaged and enslaved by [[Orcs]]. The Last Alliance is formed by the [[Free peoples]] as a direct response to Sauron's brutalities.
{{References}}
{{References}}
[[Category:Periods]]
[[Category:Periods]]

Revision as of 22:38, 13 June 2018

The Dark Years were the long years of the Second Age when the races of Middle-earth, especially the Men, suffered under the domination of Sauron.

Background

After the War of Wrath, Morgoth was defeated and judged by the Valar, but his lieutenant Sauron escaped judgment. The Edain had been offered the isle of Elenna and flourished there. While the Elves and the Dwarves retreated in their respective realms, outside them, "Middle-earth went backward and light and wisdom faded".[1]

The Middle Men who did not heed the summons of the Valar and Morgoth fell back in a primitive state, having no contact with the Eldar or the Edain. Instead, some of the evil Men who escaped the destruction of Beleriand came to the east and became their Kings. For this the Middle Men were neglected by the Valar.[1]

It was thanks to the Entwives that some Mannish folk learned agriculture, and the Men honored them.[2]

Around S.A. 600 the Númenóreans sent ships to Middle-earth and established contact with the Middle Men and started teaching them agriculture, stonecraft and smithying. But it was around S.A. 882 when King Gil-galad warned the Númenóreans that an evil power was taking shape in the East.[3][4]

John Howe - The Dark Tower

Indeed, Sauron was ever at work corrupting men in the east and the south[5] and established himself to Mordor around S.A. 1000. He fortified the land with the Black Gate and armies of the Men of Darkness whom he corrupted and enslaved. He also built Barad-dûr near Mount Doom.

Abe Papakhian - Death of Celebrimbor

Sauron attempted to corrupt the prosperous Elves of Eregion persuading them to create the Rings of Power. When the Elves rejected him, they fought a bloody conflict against him, but Sauron destroyed Eregion and devastated much of Eriador, pushing the Elves back to the Blue Mountains, as the Dwarves retreated to Moria.

The Dark Years begin

Sauron now dominated most of the East and the South, even much of the Westlands and allowing not any freedom or rivalry, he desired to destroy the Elves as well as Númenor. He gathered all evil things of his former master, multiplying the Orcs; he ruled with force and fear but also wore a fair and wise guise to those Men who worshipped him as "Lord of the Earth". It was then when he started to be known as the Dark Lord and the Enemy by those who saw his power spreadng over the world. He started to hunt the Elves who fled to Lindon, where Sauron could not enter, and thence over the Sea to the Uttermost West. Other peoples retreated to the mountains or the woods, in fear.[5]

But then the powerful Númenóreans responded to the Elves' plea and sent ships and armies to their support. The alliance, after heavy fighting, managed to reclaim Eriador and pushed the Dark Lord back to Mordor with a handful of orcs.[5]

However this was not the end of the Dark Days. Sauron directed his power over the far south and east conquering and dominating the savage tribes.[6][7]

Shadow over Númenor

Meanwhile Númenor fell under the Shadow and the colonists started to oppress the primitive Men of the Westlands, demanding tribute of goods and wealth.[1] Some indigenous folk of Middle-earth were afraid of those Black Númenóreans and their ships who intended at some point to conquer the land of Agar and slay its people.[8]

At some time during the Dark Years, some of the Men of the White Mountains feared Sauron and started worshipping him.[9] Others of their folk migrated northward to the southern dales of the Misty Mountains.[10]

Sauron turned his attention to the west once more, declaring himself "King of Men", starting against the Númenórean colonists and their ports. The arrogant Númenóreans, who were traditionally the "Kings of Men", saw him as their competitor, and once more came against him. King Ar-Pharazôn took Sauron as a captive to Númenor, further corrupting the Númenóreans, who continued to enslave the primitive Men and even using them as human sacrifices. The corruption eventually resulted to the Downfall of Númenor.[1]

Sauron's spirit escaped to Middle-earth, and returned to Mordor, where he slowly rebuilt his strength. Unable to assume a fair shape, he started to rule through terror and force.

Fall of Sauron

Dúnedain attack in Peter Jackson's Fellowship of the Ring

The Faithful who escaped founded Gondor and Arnor in Middle-earth and gathered Mannish peoples under them, including the Men of the Mountains who formerly worshipped Sauron. Sauron still considered the Númenóreans his most hated enemies and he launched a pre-emptive attack against them. The Númenóreans formed a Last Alliance with the Elves of Lindon and fought Sauron in the War of the Last Alliance, where finally Sauron perished.[5]

Sauron's defeat ended the Dark Years and the Second Age, and allowed the Númenórean realms to flourish during the Third Age.

Names

Other names of this period were the Black Years, Days of Flight for the Elves who fled to the Sea,[5] and Dark Days[11].

At one point Aragorn mentions the Accursed Years to the Oathbreakers, which Robert Foster identifies as another name of that period.[11] On the other hand, the Encyclopedia of Arda considers it a "term of uncertain meaning", probably referring to the Third Age when the Oathbreakers were cursed to roam the White Mountains.[12]

Portrayal in adaptations

2001: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring:

Some of the Dark Years are seen during the Prologue to the film accompanied by Galadriel's narration. After Sauron forged the One Ring, his power is seen expanding over a map of the Westlands, with flashback scenes of battles and peoples being ravaged and enslaved by Orcs. The Last Alliance is formed by the Free peoples as a direct response to Sauron's brutalities.

References