Ar-Pharazôn
"Ar-Pharazôn the Golden was the proudest and most powerful of all the Kings, and no less than the kingship of the world was his desire." —The Lord of the Rings: Appendix A
Ar-Pharazôn the Golden (Second Age 3118 – 3319, aged 201 years) was the twenty-fifth and last King of Númenor, ruling for 64 years, from 3255 to 3319. He was the son of Gimilkhâd, who was the younger brother of the twenty-fourth King, Tar-Palantir.
History
In his youth, Pharazôn and Amandil, the Lord of Andúnië and later the leader of the Faithful Númenóreans, were dear friends. After some time, Pharazôn went to off to the wars in Middle-earth that the Númenóreans were waging against Sauron. He became a great captain and commander of the Númenórean armies. Pharazôn did not return to Númenor until a few years before the death of Tar-Palantir, when he heard of his own father's early death. During his time there, Pharazôn was generous with the wealth he had acquired in Middle-earth, and the hearts of the people were turned toward him. He remained on the island until Tar-Palantir died. At that time, Pharazôn took the King's daughter Míriel as his wife, much against her will, and against the laws of Númenor that prohibited first cousins from marrying. Pharazôn then changed her name to Ar-Zimraphel. Thus he usurped the throne and, taking the Sceptre into his own hand, proclaimed himself King Ar-Pharazôn.
Soon after Ar-Pharazôn's unlawful ascent to power, he heard news that Sauron had been assailing the Númenórean settlements in Middle-earth since his return to the island. His captains explained to him that the Maia wished to drive the Númenóreans back to the Sea whence they had come, and declare himself King of Men. They also told Ar-Pharazôn that Sauron wished to destroy Númenor itself, if possible.
Ar-Pharazôn became very angry upon hearing this news, and he decided that he himself would claim the title of King of Men instead, and make Sauron his servant. To accomplish this end, he spent five years preparing a great army, and in 3062 he launched the Númenórean fleet and landed at the Haven of Umbar. From there, Ar-Pharazôn and his army marched north for seven days, to Mordor. Such was their power that Sauron's own servants deserted him. Therefore, the Maia changed into his fair form and came before Ar-Pharazôn and humbled himself, for he saw that he could not defeat the Dúnedain through strength of arms. Ar-Pharazôn stripped Sauron of his titles and decreed that he would be taken prisoner, to keep his servants from harassing the Númenóreans.
Sauron acted as though he was dismayed by this decision, but in reality it furthered his plans. He allowed himself to be taken to Númenor by Ar-Pharazôn's army, but as soon as he set foot on the island he began corrupting the minds of the Númenóreans. Within three years he had become Ar-Pharazôn's chief advisor. The White Tree was cut down and sacrifices were made in the Temple.
Sauron ultimately convinced Ar-Pharazôn to challenge the Valar directly. In 3310, Ar-Pharazôn began building a massive fleet to attack Valinor. Nine years later he broke the Ban of the Valar, landing on the shores of the Undying Lands and marching his army into the abandoned city of Valimar. The next morning the Valar laid down their guardianship of the world and called upon Eru the One, who sank Ar-Pharazôn, his fleet, and all of Númenor beneath the ocean, and changed the shape of the world so that the Undying Lands were no longer part of the world.
The line of Elros survived through Elendil and his two sons, Isildur and Anárion. They would later create the kingdoms of Arnor and Gondor in Middle-earth.
Etymology
Pharazôn means "Golden" in Adûnaic. Had Ar-Pharazôn taken a Quenya name, he would have ruled as Tar-Calion.
| Preceded by: Tar-Palantir |
25th King of NúmenorII 3255 – 3319
|
Followed by: none (Kingdom destroyed) |
