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{{History of Arda}}
{{History of Arda}}
The '''Fourth Age''' began after [[Sauron]] was finally defeated, when his [[One Ring|Ruling Ring]] was destroyed, and all the Elves but one left Middle-earth for the [[Valinor|Uttermost West]].
The '''Fourth Age''' began after [[Sauron]] was finally defeated, when his [[The One Ring|Ruling Ring]] was destroyed, and the [[Keepers of the Three Rings]] left Middle-earth for the [[Valinor|Uttermost West]].
==Starting of the Fourth Age==
The [[Third Age]] was held to have ended when the Three Rings passed away in September, {{TA|3021}}.
 
In the records of [[Gondor]] Fo.A. 1 began on [[25 March]] {{TA|3021|n}}, that is, 6 months ''before'' the end of the previous Age.<ref>{{App|A1}}</ref> This also means a difference of 1420 years with the [[Shire Reckoning]].
 
In [[the Shire]] however, the Fourth Age 1 was called {{SR|1422}}<ref>{{App|D}}</ref>, implying a difference of 1421 years and a continuation of {{FoA|1}} after {{TA|3021|n}}, instead of being the same.<ref> The discrepancy is noted in the [http://www.glyphweb.com/arda/f/fourthage.html Encyclopedia of Arda]</ref>
 
For example, [[Legolas]]'s and [[Gimli]]'s departure is given as {{FoA|120}}, {{TA}} 3141 and {{SR|1541}} (according to the latter system).
 
==History==
==History==
There is no information on more than the first few centuries of this age, so it is not known when it ended, if it ever did.  
There is no information on more than the first few centuries of this age, so it is not known when it ended, if it ever did, although it was probably shorter than 3 millennia.<ref name="Letter211"/>


This age was (presumably) marked by the recovery of the [[Númenor]]ean kingdoms in exile ([[Arnor]] and [[Gondor]]), the final ascent of [[Men]] and the total wane of the [[Elves]].
This age was (presumably) marked by the recovery of the [[Númenor]]ean kingdoms of [[Arnor]] and [[Gondor]], and a flourishing of their subjects, including [[Shire]] and the [[Hobbits]], while the [[House of Durin]] retook [[Moria]] until the race of [[Dwarves]] failed.<ref>{{PM|Dwarves}}</ref> Eventually that would lead to the final [[Dominion of Men]] over [[Arda]], coming together with the total waning of the [[Elves]] and other dwindling races, such as the [[Ents]] and probably the Dwarves.
 
For a complete list of recorded events during the Fourth Age, see the [[Timeline/Fourth Age|Timeline]].


==Further future?==
==Further future?==
Tolkien said that he thought the distance between the end of the Third Age and the 20th century A.D. was about 6000 years, and that in [[1958]] it should have been around the end of the Fifth Age if the Fourth and Fifth Ages were about the same length as the Second and Third Ages. He said, however, in a letter written in 1958 that he believed the Ages had quickened and that it was about the end of the Sixth Age/beginning of the Seventh.{{fact}}  
Tolkien said that he thought the distance between the end of the Third Age and the 20th century A.D. was about 6000 years, and that in [[1958]] it should have been around the end of the Fifth Age if the Fourth and Fifth Ages were about the same length as the Second and Third Ages. He said, however, in a letter written in 1958 that he believed the Ages had quickened and that it was about the end of the Sixth Age/beginning of the Seventh.<ref name="Letter211">{{L|211}}.</ref>
 
For a complete list of events during the Fourth Age, see the [[Timeline#Fourth Age|Timeline]].


{{references}}
[[Category:Ages]]
[[Category:Ages]]
[[de:Das Vierte Zeitalter]]
[[de:Das Vierte Zeitalter]]
[[fr:encyclo/chronologie/quatrieme_age]]
[[fi:Neljäs Aika]]
[[fi:Neljäs Aika]]

Revision as of 03:18, 21 September 2015

History of Arda
Before the Creation
Before the Ages
Days before days
Years of the Trees (up to Y.T. 1050)
Ages of the Children of Ilúvatar
First Age (begins in Y.T. 1050
and overlaps with the Years of the Trees
up to Y.T. 1500
)
- Years of the Sun begin in F.A. 1
Second Age
- Arda made round in S.A. 3319
Third Age
Fourth Age
Later Ages (up to present day)
End of Arda
Timeline of Arda
(See: Round World version of the Silmarillion
for a later conception of Tolkien's cosmology)

The Fourth Age began after Sauron was finally defeated, when his Ruling Ring was destroyed, and the Keepers of the Three Rings left Middle-earth for the Uttermost West.

Starting of the Fourth Age

The Third Age was held to have ended when the Three Rings passed away in September, T.A. 3021.

In the records of Gondor Fo.A. 1 began on 25 March 3021, that is, 6 months before the end of the previous Age.[1] This also means a difference of 1420 years with the Shire Reckoning.

In the Shire however, the Fourth Age 1 was called S.R. 1422[2], implying a difference of 1421 years and a continuation of Fo.A. 1 after 3021, instead of being the same.[3]

For example, Legolas's and Gimli's departure is given as Fo.A. 120, T.A. 3141 and S.R. 1541 (according to the latter system).

History

There is no information on more than the first few centuries of this age, so it is not known when it ended, if it ever did, although it was probably shorter than 3 millennia.[4]

This age was (presumably) marked by the recovery of the Númenorean kingdoms of Arnor and Gondor, and a flourishing of their subjects, including Shire and the Hobbits, while the House of Durin retook Moria until the race of Dwarves failed.[5] Eventually that would lead to the final Dominion of Men over Arda, coming together with the total waning of the Elves and other dwindling races, such as the Ents and probably the Dwarves.

For a complete list of recorded events during the Fourth Age, see the Timeline.

Further future?

Tolkien said that he thought the distance between the end of the Third Age and the 20th century A.D. was about 6000 years, and that in 1958 it should have been around the end of the Fifth Age if the Fourth and Fifth Ages were about the same length as the Second and Third Ages. He said, however, in a letter written in 1958 that he believed the Ages had quickened and that it was about the end of the Sixth Age/beginning of the Seventh.[4]

References