Changes

The world of Middle-earth is supposed to be a long gone mythological time of our earth. The continent Middle-earth corresponds roughly to the [[Eurasia]]n landmass, "east of the Sea.", although the shape of the lands have changed since then.  

The world of Middle-earth is supposed to be a long gone mythological time of our earth. The continent Middle-earth corresponds roughly to the [[Eurasia]]n landmass, "east of the Sea.", although the shape of the lands have changed since then.  

The name "Middle-earth" was derived from [[Midgard]]<ref>http://www.pantheon.org/areas/mythology/europe/norse/articles.html</ref>, the "Middle World" of [[Norse mythology]] inhabited by humans, and located underneath Asgard, home of the gods, and above Hel, the underworld.  

The name "Middle-earth" was derived from [[Midgard]],<ref>http://www.pantheon.org/areas/mythology/europe/norse/articles.html</ref> the "Middle World" of [[Norse mythology]] inhabited by humans, and located underneath Asgard, home of the gods, and above Hel, the underworld.  

== History ==

== History ==

=== Beginning ===

=== Beginning ===

In the beginning there was Eru Ilúvatar, and from him came the [[Ainu (Middle-earth)|Ainur]]. Eru created the universe, '''Eä'''. Some of the Ainur entered into Eä, as the powerful [[Vala (Middle-earth)|Valar]] and lesser [[Maia (Middle-earth)|Maiar]], who worked a to shape the world.  

In the beginning there was [[Eru Ilúvatar]], and from him came the [[Ainu (Middle-earth)|Ainur]]. Eru created the universe, '''Eä'''. Some of the Ainur entered into Eä, as the powerful [[Vala (Middle-earth)|Valar]] and lesser [[Maia (Middle-earth)|Maiar]], who worked a to shape the world.  

In the east was the continent Middle-earth, and in the west the island Valinor, land of the Valar.  

In the east was the continent Middle-earth, and in the west the island Valinor, land of the Valar.

=== First Age ===

=== First Age ===

== Peoples ==

== Peoples ==

The world of Middle-earth is inhabited by many peoples and creatures. The oldest are the '''[[Elf (Middle-earth)|Elves]]''', powerful and immortal. Next are the '''[[Dwarves (Middle-earth)|Dwarves]]''', who are mortal, and great craftsmen and miners. There are also the mortal '''Men'''. Youngest of all, appearing only in the Third Age, are the '''[[Hobbits]]'''. Another people are the tree-like '''[[Ent (Middle-earth)|Ents]]'''. Although not one of the peoples of Middle-earth,{{fact}} there are the '''[[Orc (Middle-earth)|Orcs]]''', made by the first Dark Lord [[Morgoth]] as his servants. The peoples of the Middle-earth world speak a [[Tolkien's languages|variety of different languages]].

The world of Middle-earth is inhabited by many peoples and creatures. The oldest are the '''[[Elf (Middle-earth)|Elves]]''', powerful and immortal. Next are the '''[[Dwarves (Middle-earth)|Dwarves]]''', who are mortal, and great craftsmen and miners. There are also the mortal '''Men'''. Youngest of all, appearing only in the Third Age, are the '''[[Hobbits]]'''. Another people are the tree-like '''[[Ent (Middle-earth)|Ents]]'''. Although not one of the peoples of Middle-earth, there are the '''[[Orc (Middle-earth)|Orcs]]''', made by the first Dark Lord [[Morgoth]] as his servants. The peoples of the Middle-earth world speak a [[Tolkien's languages|variety of different languages]].

== Chronology ==

== Chronology ==

The history of the Middle-earth world spans thousands of years. Sometimes, in the wake of great historical events, a new ''Age'' is begun, again starting with the year 1.

The history of the Middle-earth and the Undying Lands world spans thousands of years. Sometimes, in the wake of great historical events, a new ''Age'' is begun, again starting with the year 1.

* '''First Age''': The First Age can be further divided, into the "First Age of the Trees" and the "First Age of the Sun"; referring to simply the "First Age" often means the "First Age of the Sun".  

* '''Creation''': The period in which Arda (the world in which Middle-Earth is based in) is created by Eru.

** ''First Age of the Trees'': The long period beginning at the creation of the Two Trees, containing the Awakening of the [[Elf (Middle-earth)|Elves]] and the [[Dwarves (Middle-earth)|Dwarves]], and ending with the destruction of the Two Trees.

* '''Ages of Lamps''': The period in which the world was lighted up by gaint lamps. The age ended when [[Morgoth|Melkor]] distroyed the lamps.

** ''First Age of the Sun'' (590 years): Begins with the creation of the Sun and Moon, and ends with the ''War of Wrath'', the final imprisonment of [[Morgoth]] and the destruction of [[Beleriand]].

* '''First Age of the Trees''': An era within the Undying Lands. In this era, Trees of Valar were planted.

* '''Second Age''' (S.A., 3441 years): Begins after the end of the ''[[War of Wrath]]''. Contains the destruction of [[Númenor]] (T.A. 3319). Ends with the defeat of Sauron in the ''[[War of the Last Alliance]]''.

* '''Second Age of the Trees''': Began with the creation of stars and ended with the destruction of the Trees of Valar.

* '''Third Age''' (T.A., 3021 years): Began after Sauron's defeat by the Last Alliance. Contains the events of ''[[The Hobbit]]'' (T.A. 2941) and the [[The Lord of the Rings|War of the Ring]] (T.A. 3018-3019). Ends with the destruction of the [[One Ring (Middle-earth)|One Ring]] and the defeat of [[Sauron]].

* '''Fourth Age''': followed the defeat of Sauron and the One Ring, but started officially when the Bearers of the [[Rings of Power|Three Rings]] left for the West. The Elves dwindle and leave, while the realms of Men prosper, becoming the dominant people of Middle-earth.<ref>J. R. R. Tolkien, ''The Lord of the Rings'', Appendix B</ref>  

* '''Age of Stars''': Began with the Awakening of the [[Elf (Middle-earth)|Elves]] and the [[Dwarves (Middle-earth)|Dwarves]]. In this age, the [[Orcs]] were created by [[Morgoth]].

* '''First Age of the Sun''': (590 years): Begins with the creation of the Sun and Moon and the awakening of men. It ended with the ''War of Wrath'', the final imprisonment of [[Morgoth]] and the destruction of [[Beleriand]].

* '''Second Age of the Sun''' (S.A., 3441 years): Begins after the end of the ''[[War of Wrath]]''. Contains the destruction of [[Númenor]] (T.A. 3319). Ends with the defeat of Sauron in the ''[[War of the Last Alliance]]''.

* '''Third Age of the Sun''': (T.A., 3021 years): Began after Sauron's defeat by the Last Alliance. Contains the events of ''[[The Hobbit]]'' (T.A. 2941) and the [[The Lord of the Rings|War of the Ring]] (T.A. 3018-3019). Ends with the destruction of the [[One Ring (Middle-earth)|One Ring]] and the defeat of [[Sauron]].

* '''Fourth Age of the Sun''': followed the defeat of Sauron and the One Ring, but started officially when the Bearers of the [[Rings of Power|Three Rings]] left for the West. The Elves dwindle and leave, while the realms of Men prosper, becoming the dominant people of Middle-earth.<ref>J. R. R. Tolkien, ''The Lord of the Rings'', Appendix B</ref>  

There exist several calendars, as the different peoples created their own or adapted them from older systems. Another important calendar for the books is that of the [[Hobbit]]s: the '''''Shire Calendar''''' and the '''''Shire Reckoning'''''. The Shire Reckoning (S.R.) starts with the colonisation of the [[Shire (Middle-earth)|Shire]] in T.A. 1601 as year one. The Shire Calendar and Shire Reckoning was used in the Shire and in [[Breeland]].<ref>J. R. R. Tolkien, ''The Lord of the Rings'', Appendix D</ref>

There exist several calendars, as the different peoples created their own or adapted them from older systems. Another important calendar for the books is that of the [[Hobbit]]s: the '''''Shire Calendar''''' and the '''''Shire Reckoning'''''. The Shire Reckoning (S.R.) starts with the colonisation of the [[Shire (Middle-earth)|Shire]] in T.A. 1601 as year one. The Shire Calendar and Shire Reckoning was used in the Shire and in [[Breeland]].<ref>J. R. R. Tolkien, ''The Lord of the Rings'', Appendix D</ref>