Why Did the Númenoreans Attack Valinor: The Role of Immortality, Sauron, and Hubris

Introduction

Why Did the Númenoreans Attack Valinor?

The Númenoreans, rulers of Middle-earth in J.R.R. Tolkien's legendarium, launched their assault on Valinor, the home of the Valar and the Eldar, primarily due to a combination of desire for immortality, manipulation by Sauron, and a newfound hubris. This attack was a turning point in the history of Middle-earth, leading to catastrophic consequences and dramatically reshaping the fate of the lands.

The Desire for Immortality

During the rule of Ar-Pharaz?n, the Númenoreans became increasingly obsessed with the idea of achieving immortality, a concept they believed the Elves possessed. This aspiration to challenge the natural order and attain eternal life laid the foundation for their audacious move to Valinor. The desire for immortality was driven by the ruling council, who saw it as a way to solidify their power and their place in the grand scheme of things.

Sauron’s Manipulation and Deception

Underlying the Númenoreans' bold move was the insidious influence of Sauron. Captured by the Númenoreans, Sauron turned the tables and used his cunning to manipulate their ambitions and fears. He convinced them that they could conquer Valinor and claim the immortality of the Elves. Sauron’s influence stoked the flames of their hubristic desires, while also instilling a sense of fear that they might be denied this prize. His false promises were a means to sow discord and ultimately bring about his own ends.

Rebellion Against the Valar

The Númenoreans’ attack on Valinor was also a rebellion against the Valar, the divine beings who governed the world. They sought to assert their dominance and challenge what they perceived as the unjust and arbitrary denial of immortality to Men by the Valar. This conflict of wills demonstrated a profound disrespect for the established order, highlighting the dangers of unchecked ambition and the desire to challenge divine authority.

The Attack and Its Consequences

The Númenorean assault on Valinor was a pivotal moment in the history of Middle-earth. The Valar, recognizing the imminent threat to their realm, intervened and brought the Númenoreans to account. The result was the sinking of Númenor and a significant shift in the fate of Middle-earth. This event not only marked the end of an era but also set the stage for the rise of new powers and the unfolding of a new age of destiny.

Additional Context: Sauron’s Tactics and the Númenorean Nobility

For many decades, the Númenoreans, and particularly the King's Men, had put aside their respect for the Elves and the Valar. Ar-Pharaz?n’s pride and hubris were limitless, and his subjects, minus the Faithful, began to follow his lead. This era saw the deterioration of the relationship between the Númenoreans and the Eldar, culminating in the Númenorean attack on Valinor.

At the heart of the conflict was the desire for immortality. For a long time, the Eldar and Men of Númenor had been allies. However, when Tar-Ancalime came to the throne, she severed ties with one of the Eldar’s best friends among the Númenorean nobility, further straining the relationship. The Elves, who lost much in this process, saw their position weakened. Sauron, these events as an opportunity to weaken the Númenoreans. He made war on the Elves for other reasons, but the Númenoreans did not offer their help. When the High King of the Eldar called for their aid, their subsequent rescue of Gil-Galad intensified the desire for immortality among the royal lineage. Sauron later convinced Ar-Pharaz?n that attacking Valinor could grant the Númenoreans immortality, and Ar-Pharaz?n fell under Sauron’s sway. The result was the devastating attack on Valinor and the subsequent sinking of Númenor.