Tolkien did not create another Earth for his novels, although the shape of our lands have changed since the Third Age. Middle-earth corresponds to the Eurasian land mass, "east of the Sea." The Silmarillion tells of how the Noldor, immortal Elves from the West, invade Middle-earth on a quest for three Silmarils stolen by Morgoth. There they find the younger race of mortal Men, whose souls are not bound to Arda but depart beyond the circles of the world upon death. | Tolkien did not create another Earth for his novels, although the shape of our lands have changed since the Third Age. Middle-earth corresponds to the Eurasian land mass, "east of the Sea." The Silmarillion tells of how the Noldor, immortal Elves from the West, invade Middle-earth on a quest for three Silmarils stolen by Morgoth. There they find the younger race of mortal Men, whose souls are not bound to Arda but depart beyond the circles of the world upon death. |