How long before Lord of the Rings is Rings of Power?

How Long Before Lord of the Rings is Rings of Power?

The Lord of the Rings and Rings of Power are two epic fantasy series by J.R.R. Tolkien, one of the most renowned authors in the history of fantasy literature. While both stories are set in the same world of Middle-earth, they take place at different times in its history. In this article, we’ll explore how long before the events of Lord of the Rings, Rings of Power takes place and what significant events occurred between the two stories.

The Second Age: A Time of Great Change

Rings of Power is set during the Second Age of Middle-earth, which lasted from approximately 3,258 to 3,441 years since the creation of the world. This period saw the rise and fall of great kingdoms and the struggle between good and evil.

Here’s a brief timeline of the Second Age:

• The Dark Years: Sauron, once a servant of Aulë, the Vala, becomes powerful and corrupt, creating the One Ring to control and enslave the Free Peoples of Middle-earth.
• The Rise of Númenor: Elves and Men establish the kingdoms of Númenor and Gondor.
• The Wars of Beleriand: Beleriand, a region in eastern Middle-earth, is the site of various wars between the Elves, Men, and Dark Lord Morgoth, who is Sauron’s predecessor.
• The Downfall of Númenor: Númenor is destroyed by the Valar (angelic beings) in punishment for the Númenóreans’ pride and corruption.

Fast forward to the Third Age:

• The Events of The Lord of the Rings: The story follows the quest of Frodo Baggins to destroy the One Ring and save Middle-earth from Sauron’s resurgence.

The Gap Between the Ages

Now, let’s look at the timeline:

As you can see, there are around 420 years between the end of the Second Age and the start of the Third Age.

Key Events Between the Ages

1. The Last Alliance: Gil-galad, the High King of the Noldor, and Elendil, the King of Gondor, form an alliance to defeat Sauron in the War of the Last Alliance.
2. The Downfall of Elendil: Elendil falls in battle, and his son, Isildur, becomes the King of Arnor and Gondor.
3. Isildur’s Failure: Despite having the One Ring, Isildur fails to destroy it and is eventually killed by orcs and Uruk-hai.

Rings of Power explores the events between the Downfall of Númenor and the Last Alliance, while also delving into the stories of smaller kingdoms and characters. The showrunners have confirmed that the series will primarily focus on the Second Age and the events leading up to the Last Alliance.

Conclusion

To summarize, Rings of Power takes place 4,959 years before the events of Lord of the Rings, during the Second Age. This period is marked by great change, war, and the rise of Dark Lord Sauron. The journey between the two ages is filled with significant events, including the Downfall of Númenor, the Wars of Beleriand, and the Last Alliance. As you gear up for the new series, explore the rich history of Middle-earth and get ready to embark on an epic adventure.