"The True King of Numenor"by Maureval
- "[...] and [Sauron] had taken now the title of King of Men [...]"
- —The Silmarillion, Akallabêth"
King of Men was a title originally claimed by Sauron the Dark Lord and later by Ar-Pharazôn (Tar-Calion), the King of Númenor.
Master and god of most of the Men in Middle-earth in the Second Age,[1] Sauron styled himself as "King of Men",[2] encouraging a cult of fear and worship among his subjects.[3] Later, Ar-Pharazôn arose seeking to supplant Sauron as ruler of all Men, After seemingly humbling Sauron, Ar-Pharazôn claimed the mantle of "King of Men" upon returning to Númenor, though in truth "Sauron ruled all from behind the throne". Ar-Pharazôn continued to formally hold onto the title until his fall.[2]
Trivia[]
Earlier in the First Age, Morgoth seems to have similarly styled himself as "Lord of Men", for his claim to the title is contested by Húrin Thalion.[4]
References[]
- ↑ The Letters of J. R. R. Tolkien, Letter 131
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 The Silmarillion, Akallabêth (The Downfall of Númenor)
- ↑ The Silmarillion, Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age
- ↑ The Children of Húrin, Narn i Chîn Húrin, The Tale of the Children of Húrin, Chapter III: "The Words of Húrin and Morgoth"