[[File:Arda in First Age.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Arda during the First Age.]]
[[File:Arda in First Age.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Arda during the First Age.]]
−
The [[First Age]] began with the rise of the [[Sun]] and the arrival of the [[Ñoldor]] in the land Beleriand in [[Middle-earth]], and ended with the overthrow of [[Morgoth]]. The First Age was also known as the '''Elder Days'''.
+
The '''First Age''' began with the rise of the [[Sun]] and the arrival of the [[Ñoldor]] in [[Beleriand]], in [[Middle-earth]] (Endor), and ended with the overthrow of [[Morgoth]]. The First Age was also known as the '''Elder Days'''.
−
It lasted about 590 years (making it the shortest of the three Ages described[[File:Map_of_Beleriand.jpg|thumb|Map of Beleriand]] by Tolkien), and ended with the final overthrow of Morgoth by the combined armies of [[Valinor]] and Beleriand.
+
It lasted about 590 years (making it the shortest of the three Ages described by Tolkien), and ended with the final overthrow of Morgoth by the combined armies of [[Valinor]] and Beleriand.
−
Tolkien describes primarily the events that occurred in Beleriand. These were centered on a series of wars waged by the [[Sindar]], the Ñoldor and the Three Houses of the [[Edain]], against the armies of [[Angband]] and the evil [[Men]]. The wars had actually begun before the First Age, during the [[Years of the Trees]], but began again with renewed fury after the arrival of the Ñoldor in Beleriand. There had been [[elves]] in Beleriand for uncounted millennia, but they sought merely to exist, and Morgoth had little to do with them. The Noldor, on the other hand, particularly the [[Sons of Fëanor]], had come with the express purpose of defeating Morgoth.
+
[[File:Map_of_Beleriand.jpg|thumb|Location of Doriath in Middle-earth]]Tolkien describes primarily the events that occurred in Beleriand. These were centered on a series of wars waged by the [[Sindar]], the Ñoldor and the Three Houses of the [[Edain]], against the armies of [[Angband]] and the evil [[Men]]. The wars had actually begun before the First Age, during the [[Years of the Trees]], but began again with renewed fury after the arrival of the Ñoldor in Beleriand. There had been [[elves]] in Beleriand for uncounted millennia, but they sought merely to exist, and Morgoth had little to do with them. The Noldor, on the other hand, particularly the [[Sons of Fëanor]], had come with the express purpose of defeating Morgoth.
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==Timeline==
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The chief battles of the First Age were:
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{|class="article-table"
+
!Year
+
!Events
+
|-style="vertical-align: top;"
+
|[[FA 1|1]]
+
|The Sun first sets sail.
+
----
+
Awakening of Men in Hildórien.
+
----
+
+
Fingolfin's host completes crossing of Helcaraxë.
+
+
|-style="vertical-align: top;"
+
|[[FA 20|20]]
+
|A council is held among the elven lords at the [[Mereth Aderthad]].
+
|-style="vertical-align: top;"
+
|[[FA 50|50]]
+
|[[Turgon]] and [[Finrod]] are told by [[Ulmo]] to establish a refuge. This refuge became [[Gondolin]].
+
|-style="vertical-align: top;"
+
|[[FA 52|52]]
+
|Finrod discovers the caves of [[Nargothrond]]
+
|-style="vertical-align: top;"
+
|[[FA 53|53]]
+
|[[Turgon]] discovers valley of [[Tumladen]].
+
|-style="vertical-align: top;"
+
|[[FA 60|60]]
+
|[[Dagor Aglareb]] (Glorious Battle) is fought.
+
----
+
The [[Ñoldor]], ruled by [[Fingolfin]], the start [[Siege of Angband]].
+
+
|-style="vertical-align: top;"
+
|c. 60 to [[FA 200|200]]
+
|[[Melkor]] is absent from [[Angband]], after discovering Men. Persuaded by Melkor, Men stop worshipping [[Eru Ilúvatar]] and turn to evil, but some revolt: the [[Atanatári]]. These travel to the West in search for the [[Valar]], aided by [[Avari]] Elves and [[Dwarves]]. According to legend, Men now lose the gift to die at will as the result of divine punishment, and are doomed to lead short life-spans at the end of which death takes them by force.
+
|-style="vertical-align: top;"
+
|[[FA 64|64]]
+
|[[Turgon]] begins building [[Gondolin]].
+
|-style="vertical-align: top;"
+
|[[FA 65|65]]
+
|[[Finrod]] builds the [[tower]] of [[Barad Nimras]] ("White Horn Tower") on a cape of the [[Falas]] between [[Brithombar]] and [[Eglarest]].
+
|-style="vertical-align: top;"
+
|c. [[FA 102|102]]
+
|Foundation of Nargothrond
+
----
+
Fingon's folk depart from [[Hithlum]]
+
+
|-style="vertical-align: top;"
+
|[[FA 116|116]]
+
|Completion of [[Gondolin]]. Turgon's people begin the migration from [[Nevrast]] in secret.
+
|-style="vertical-align: top;"
+
|[[FA 150|150]]
+
|The [[Dwarves]] renew their trade in [[Beleriand]].
+
|-style="vertical-align: top;"
+
|[[FA 155|155]]
+
|An assault upon [[Hithlum]] from the [[Firth of Drengist]] is defeated by Fingolfin's forces.
+
|-style="vertical-align: top;"
+
|[[FA 260|260]]
+
|[[Glaurung]] ravages [[Ard-galen]], but is driven back to [[Angband]].
+
----
+
The Long Peace begins.
+
+
|-style="vertical-align: top;"
+
|[[FA 305|305]]
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|[[Bëor]] leads The First House of the [[Edain]] into [[Beleriand]].
+
----
+
Men discovered by [[Finrod]].
+
+
|-style="vertical-align: top;"
+
|[[FA 341|341]]
+
|Haldar and [[Haleth]] born.
+
|-style="vertical-align: top;"
+
|[[FA 345|345]]
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|Return of [[Aredhel]] and [[Maeglin]] to [[Gondolin]]. Later that year [[Eöl]] and Aredhel die.
+
|-style="vertical-align: top;"
+
|[[FA 361|361]]
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|[[Andreth]], the daughter of Boromir son of [[Boron]] is born.
+
|-style="vertical-align: top;"
+
|[[FA 389|389]]
+
|Birth of [[Hador]], later Lord of [[Dor-lómin]].
+
|-style="vertical-align: top;"
+
|[[FA 432|432]]
+
|Birth of [[Beren]] Erchamion.
+
|-style="vertical-align: top;"
+
|c. [[FA 445|455]]
+
|Birth of Ereinion (later called [[Gil-galad]]), son of [[Orodreth]].
+
|-style="vertical-align: top;"
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|455
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|[[Morgoth]] breaks the [[Siege of Angband]] in [[Dagor Bragollach]], Battle of Sudden Flame, and kills [[Fingolfin]] in a duel.
+
----
+
Fingolfin's son Fingon succeeds his father as [[High King of the Ñoldor]].
+
----
+
+
[[Húrin]] and [[Huor]] are brought to [[Gondolin]] by [[Thorondor]].
+
+
|-style="vertical-align: top;"
+
|[[FA 456|456]]
+
|[[Húrin]] and [[Huor]] return out of [[Gondolin]] to [[Dor-lómin]].
+
|-style="vertical-align: top;"
+
|[[FA 457|457]]
+
|Capture of [[Finrod]]'s fortress of [[Minas Tirith (First Age)|Minas Tirith]] by the forces of [[Sauron]]. Finrod's nephew [[Orodreth]] flees for [[Nargothrond]].
+
----
+
Minas Tirith is renamed [[Tol-in-Gaurhoth]], Isle of the Werewolves.
+
+
|-style="vertical-align: top;"
+
|[[FA 460|460]]
+
|[[Barahir]] and companions are betrayed and killed.
+
----
+
[[Beren]] becomes the sole outlaw in Dorthonion.
+
+
|-style="vertical-align: top;"
+
|[[FA 464|464]]
+
|Birth of [[Túrin Turambar]] in [[Dor-lómin]].
+
----
+
[[Beren]] departs for [[Doriath]] and first comes upon [[Lúthien]].
+
+
|-style="vertical-align: top;"
+
|[[FA 465|465]]
+
|[[Celegorm]] and [[Curufin]] are exiled from [[Nargothrond]] and journey to [[Himring]].
+
----
+
[[Finrod]] and [[Beren]] are imprisoned in [[Tol-in-Gaurhoth]].
+
----
+
+
[[Finrod]] is slain by a werewolf, but [[Beren]] is rescued by [[Lúthien]].
+
+
|-style="vertical-align: top;"
+
|[[FA 466|466]]
+
|[[Beren]] and Lúthien achieve the Quest of the [[Silmaril]].
+
----
+
Beren dies, and Lúthien abandons life. Lúthien pleads with [[Mandos]] and Beren and Lúthien are restored to life.
+
----
+
+
Beren and Lúthien take up bodies again in [[Ossiriand]] on the isle of [[Tol Galen]].
+
+
|-style="vertical-align: top;"
+
|[[FA 469|469]]
+
|Beren and Lúthien return to life in Middle-earth. Lalaith, sister of Turin dies of the plague.
+
|-style="vertical-align: top;"
+
|[[FA 471|471]]
+
|Birth of [[Tuor]], son of [[Huor]].
+
|-style="vertical-align: top;"
+
|[[FA 472|472]]
+
|Siege and capture of the Havens of the [[Falas]]: [[Brithombar]] and [[Eglarest]].
+
----
+
[[Nirnaeth Arnoediad]], The Battle of Unnumbered Tears, is fought.
+
----
+
+
[[Huor]] is slain in the [[Fens of Serech]]
+
----
+
+
[[Húrin]] is captured by [[Morgoth]].
+
----
+
+
[[Fingon]] slain.
+
+
|-style="vertical-align: top;"
+
|c. [[FA 473|473]]
+
|Birth of [[Nienor]].
+
----
+
Death of [[Rían]].
+
+
|-style="vertical-align: top;"
+
|[[FA 475|475]]
+
|Birth of [[Dior]] Eluchíl on [[Tol Galen]].
+
|-style="vertical-align: top;"
+
|[[FA 949|949]]
+
|[[Gurthang]] is reforged for [[Túrin]], who becomes known as the Black Sword of [[Nargothrond]], or Mormegil.
+
|-style="vertical-align: top;"
+
|[[FA 495|495]]
+
|The [[Battle of Tumhalad]] and Sack of [[Nargothrond]].
+
----
+
The coming of [[Tuor]] to [[Gondolin]].
+
+
|-style="vertical-align: top;"
+
|[[FA 497|497]]
+
|Dior weds [[Nimloth (elf)|Nimloth]].
+
|-style="vertical-align: top;"
+
|[[FA 499|499]]
+
|Slaying of [[Glaurung]].
+
----
+
Deaths of [[Túrin Turambar]] and [[Nienor]] Níniel in [[Brethil]].
+
+
|-style="vertical-align: top;"
+
|[[FA 500|500]]
+
|Birth of [[Elwing]], daughter of Dior.
+
|-style="vertical-align: top;"
+
|c. [[FA 501|501]]
+
|Death of [[Morwen]].
+
|-style="vertical-align: top;"
+
|[[FA 502|502]]
+
|[[Thingol]] is slain and [[Doriath]] sacked by [[Dwarves]] of [[Nogrod]].
+
----
+
[[Beren]], [[Laiquendi]] and [[Ent]]s destroy the Dwarves.
+
----
+
+
[[Melian]] returns to [[Valinor]] in grief
+
----
+
+
[[Lúthien]] wears the [[Silmaril]].
+
----
+
+
[[Dior]] refounds [[Doriath]].
+
+
|-style="vertical-align: top;"
+
|c. [[FA 503|503]]
+
|Final deaths of [[Beren]] and [[Lúthien]].
+
----
+
+
Dior receives the [[Silmaril]]
+
----
+
+
Death of [[Húrin]].
+
+
|-style="vertical-align: top;"
+
|c. [[FA 504|504]]
+
|Birth of [[Eärendil]], son of Idril and [[Tuor]].
+
|-style="vertical-align: top;"
+
|[[FA 505|505]]
+
|[[Doriath]] is destroyed in the Second Kinslaying.
+
----
+
+
Dior, Nimloth, and sons killed.
+
----
+
+
[[Celegorm]], [[Curufin]] and [[Caranthir]] are all slain.
+
----
+
+
[[Elwing]] escapes for the [[Mouths of Sirion]] with the [[Silmaril]].
+
+
|-style="vertical-align: top;"
+
|[[FA 510|510]]
+
|[[Gondolin]] is betrayed by [[Maeglin]] and sacked.
+
----
+
+
[[Glorfindel]] slays a [[Balrog]] in the [[Echoriath]], and is himself slain.
+
----
+
+
[[Ecthelion of the Fountain|Ecthelion]] slays [[Gothmog]], Lord of Balrogs.
+
----
+
+
The deaths of [[Maeglin]] and [[Turgon]].
+
+
|-style="vertical-align: top;"
+
|[[FA 525|525]]
+
|[[Elrond]] and [[Elros]] are born to [[Eärendil]] and [[Elwing]].
+
|-style="vertical-align: top;"
+
|[[FA 538|538]]
+
|Third Kinslaying: while [[Eärendil]] is away the remaining [[Sons of Fëanor]] attack the people of the [[Mouths of Sirion]] trying to claim the [[Silmaril]].
+
----
+
+
[[Amrod]] is slain.
+
----
+
+
[[Elwing]] casts herself in the sea but is brought to [[Eärendil]] by [[Ulmo]]
+
----
+
+
[[Eärendil]] sets out to [[Valinor]] to beg for rescue by the [[Valar]].
+
----
+
+
[[Maglor]] begins raising Elrond and Elros.
+
+
|-style="vertical-align: top;"
+
|[[FA 545|545]] to [[FA 587|587]]
+
|The [[War of Wrath]].
+
----
+
+
[[Morgoth]] is cast into the [[Void]].
+
----
+
+
Most of [[Beleriand]] is sunk.
+
----
+
+
The [[Sea of Helcar]] is drained through the [[Great Gulf]].
+
----
+
+
The plateaus of [[Mordor]], [[Khand]], and [[Rhûn]] rise from the former seabed.
+
----
+
+
The remaining two [[Silmarils]] are stolen by [[Maedhros]] and [[Maglor]] but are lost in the earth and in the sea.
+
----
+
+
The elves are summoned to [[Valinor]] and settle on [[Tol Eressëa]].
+
----
+
+
[[Galadriel]] refuses the summons and is still banned.
+
----
+
+
A small part of the [[Ñoldor]] remain in [[Lindon]].
+
----
+
+
Many [[Sindar]] depart east and establish realms, under [[Oropher]].
+
|}
+
+
===Chief Battles of this Age===
* The [[Dagor-nuin-Giliath]] (''Battle under the Stars''), so named because it was fought before the rising of the Sun) was fought soon after the arrival of the Ñoldor. Morgoth sent a raiding party from Angband to attack the Ñoldor encampment in [[Hithlum]], but the elves drove it back. [[Fëanor]] was killed. It is considered the second battle in the Wars of Beleriand, after one that took place during the Years of the Trees.
* The [[Dagor-nuin-Giliath]] (''Battle under the Stars''), so named because it was fought before the rising of the Sun) was fought soon after the arrival of the Ñoldor. Morgoth sent a raiding party from Angband to attack the Ñoldor encampment in [[Hithlum]], but the elves drove it back. [[Fëanor]] was killed. It is considered the second battle in the Wars of Beleriand, after one that took place during the Years of the Trees.
−
* The [[Dagor Aglareb]] (''Glorious Battle'') was fought about seventy-five years after the return of the Ñoldor. Morgoth again attacked the Ñoldor, and (again) with no success. The Ñoldor became as bold as to besiege Angband. However, the Siege [[File:Picture_6.png|thumb|2380px|Morgoth Bauglir, Enemy of the World and the first Dark Lord.]] was of limited effectiveness, because the northern side of Angband was on the north side of the [[Ered Engrin]], and was unapproachable.
+
* [[File:Picture_6.png|thumb|183px|Morgoth Bauglir, Enemy of the World and the first "Dark Lord"]]The [[Dagor Aglareb]] (''Glorious Battle'') was fought about seventy-five years after the return of the Ñoldor. Morgoth again attacked the Ñoldor, and (again) with no success. The Ñoldor became so bold as to besiege Angband. However, the Siege was of limited effectiveness, because the northern side of Angband was on the north side of the [[Ered Engrin]], and was unapproachable.
* The [[Dagor Bragollach]] (''Battle of Sudden Flame'') began when Morgoth poured rivers of fire out of Angband, ruining the besieging Ñoldorin armies. The Ñoldor eventually mustered a defense, but their losses were severe. For instance, the green plain of [[Ard-galen]] had been permanently laid waste by the rivers of fire, and was now called ''Anfauglith'', the Choking Dust; and the highlands of [[Dorthonion]], which had been inhabited by Edain, were made inhospitable.
* The [[Dagor Bragollach]] (''Battle of Sudden Flame'') began when Morgoth poured rivers of fire out of Angband, ruining the besieging Ñoldorin armies. The Ñoldor eventually mustered a defense, but their losses were severe. For instance, the green plain of [[Ard-galen]] had been permanently laid waste by the rivers of fire, and was now called ''Anfauglith'', the Choking Dust; and the highlands of [[Dorthonion]], which had been inhabited by Edain, were made inhospitable.
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*[[Timeline of Arda#First Age|Timeline of the First Age]] - For key dates in the First Age.
*[[Timeline of Arda#First Age|Timeline of the First Age]] - For key dates in the First Age.
*[[Realms of Middle-earth (first age)]] - For an in-depth breakdown of the Elven and Mannish realms before the defeat of Morgoth.
*[[Realms of Middle-earth (first age)]] - For an in-depth breakdown of the Elven and Mannish realms before the defeat of Morgoth.
The First Age began with the rise of the Sun and the arrival of the Ñoldor in Beleriand, in Middle-earth (Endor), and ended with the overthrow of Morgoth. The First Age was also known as the Elder Days.
It lasted about 590 years (making it the shortest of the three Ages described by Tolkien), and ended with the final overthrow of Morgoth by the combined armies of Valinor and Beleriand.
Location of Doriath in Middle-earth
Tolkien describes primarily the events that occurred in Beleriand. These were centered on a series of wars waged by the Sindar, the Ñoldor and the Three Houses of the Edain, against the armies of Angband and the evil Men. The wars had actually begun before the First Age, during the Years of the Trees, but began again with renewed fury after the arrival of the Ñoldor in Beleriand. There had been elves in Beleriand for uncounted millennia, but they sought merely to exist, and Morgoth had little to do with them. The Noldor, on the other hand, particularly the Sons of Fëanor, had come with the express purpose of defeating Morgoth.
Melkor is absent from Angband, after discovering Men. Persuaded by Melkor, Men stop worshipping Eru Ilúvatar and turn to evil, but some revolt: the Atanatári. These travel to the West in search for the Valar, aided by Avari Elves and Dwarves. According to legend, Men now lose the gift to die at will as the result of divine punishment, and are doomed to lead short life-spans at the end of which death takes them by force.
Many Sindar depart east and establish realms, under Oropher.
Chief Battles of this Age
The Dagor-nuin-Giliath (Battle under the Stars), so named because it was fought before the rising of the Sun) was fought soon after the arrival of the Ñoldor. Morgoth sent a raiding party from Angband to attack the Ñoldor encampment in Hithlum, but the elves drove it back. Fëanor was killed. It is considered the second battle in the Wars of Beleriand, after one that took place during the Years of the Trees.
Morgoth Bauglir, Enemy of the World and the first "Dark Lord"
The Dagor Aglareb (Glorious Battle) was fought about seventy-five years after the return of the Ñoldor. Morgoth again attacked the Ñoldor, and (again) with no success. The Ñoldor became so bold as to besiege Angband. However, the Siege was of limited effectiveness, because the northern side of Angband was on the north side of the Ered Engrin, and was unapproachable.
The Dagor Bragollach (Battle of Sudden Flame) began when Morgoth poured rivers of fire out of Angband, ruining the besieging Ñoldorin armies. The Ñoldor eventually mustered a defense, but their losses were severe. For instance, the green plain of Ard-galen had been permanently laid waste by the rivers of fire, and was now called Anfauglith, the Choking Dust; and the highlands of Dorthonion, which had been inhabited by Edain, were made inhospitable.
The Nirnaeth Arnoediad (Unnumbered Tears) was the first battle to be initiated by the Ñoldor. They massed an army composed of Elves, Edain, and the houses of Bór and Ulfang allied to the Sons of Fëanor. The Elves and their allies advanced very close to Angband, but Morgoth's trickery had upset their battle plan, and Ulfang proved treacherous. The name "Unnumbered Tears" comes from the fact that the Elves' last hope of victory was destroyed. The land of Hithlum was lost, the Sons of Fëanor were largely scattered, and the peoples of Beleriand had been decimated. Morgoth's Orcs made a heap of the Elven and Mannish dead in the center of Anfauglith.
The War of Wrath took place after Eärendil sailed to Valinor and persuaded the Valar to help those whom they had forsaken. The Valar gathered an army comprised of Maiar, Vanyar, and those Ñoldor who had stayed in Valinor. The Teleri refused their aid, due to the Kinslaying of Alqualonde, but consented to ferry the armies of the Valar in their famous ships. This battle marked the first appearance of the winged dragons, most notably Ancalagon the Black, but the Valar had the day. Morgoth was captured, and cast out of Arda, but his lands, as well as most of Beleriand, had been destroyed and sunk under the sea in the heat of battle.
