AR-PHARAZÔN The Golden and the Downfall of Númenor | Tolkien's Darkest King | Middle-Earth Lore

[@Brandon-a-writer]

I would like to thank everyone at the broken sword for giving me the opportunity to work on this script, as a long time fan of this channel (since the Melkor vid), seeing this brought to life was surreal. It was an honor to write for this channel, truly!

[@beylertagiyev220]

There's so much story to tell about the time of Numenor, i hope they make more of it in the upcoming series truly fascinating.

[@jamielandis4308]

Ar-Pharazon was destined to fall into darkness regardless of Sauron’s intervention or no. His usurpation of the throne and taking his cousin to wife occurred before Sauron’s arrival. Without Sauron, Numenor probably would have gone on longer, but eventually it would have gone into decline. It is the fate of men that nothing lasts and, because of Melkor’s influence, the fear of men spells their eventual doom and ruin.

[@erikhendrickson59]

Men possess an inherent greed that doesn't seem to afflict the other "good races" of Middle Earth. This is why Melkor and Morgoth were so easily able to exert their influence over men specifically. ALL nine men to whom he gifted Rings of Power were corrupted by the artifacts and became Ring wraiths, while NONE of the Dwarves succumbed to the temptations of their Rings. Nor did any of the Elves who wore their Rings of Power, some for many thousands of years.

[@kardy12]

@@erikhendrickson59 Hmm, a certain inherent greed also seemed to affect dwarves. Arguably, a kind of greed prompted the oath of Fëanor, and the atrocities committed in the lust to possess the Silmarils.

[@tomlienert882]

Given Ar-Pharazon’s inherent arrogance and other flaws, he qualifies as the darkest mortal king in Tolkien’s legendarium. Sauron’s con game simply put out the foot near the brink that finished the trip to oblivion that the fool started on his own.

[@negelsin3956]

You bring these stories to life. I appreciate your content 🙌

[@ethonehas9975]

I met your channel roughly a week ago and already watched all (almost) your videos. Amazing work!

[@Brandon-a-writer]

plenty more to come :)

[@Jayjay-qe6um]

The pillar was called the Golden King of Numenor: a dark crystal globe, on a tall white column, which absorbed and radiated the sun's rays and glimmered in the night for everyone to see. The monument was destroyed by the Corsairs of Umbar after Sauron's return to Mordor in the late Third Age.

[@elanur1899]

Your videos never miss! Such quality, much wow, every time! I appreciate the work <3

[@LordOfTheLore123]

I hope they portray Pharazon like this in Rings Of Power, would be so interesting to see him try to conquer Valinor

[@abdokahya9902]

The story of Númenor was really touching to me since I first read. The fine threads that connecting the flat Arda to the round real world, with the sunken island, Atalante... The Silmarillion mostly like legends of a different world, but the Akallabeth sounds as the missing part of Plato's Critias.

[@Brandon-a-writer]

I thought that too! nice insight mate

[@silabalandi1491]

Fantastic video, really well explained and discussed. Nicely done! 😎👍

[@yasinekrem2862]

I’m really enjoying your videos. Thank you for sharing your knowledge of Tolkien’s world.

[@rafaelgustavo7786]

Interesting that Ar-pharazôn's adventure had a Numenorean steampunk version in the history of middle earth: "The teaching of Sauron has led to the invention of ships of metal that traverse the seas without sails, but which are hideous in the eyes of those who have not abandoned or forgotten Tol-eressea; to the building of grim fortresses and unlovely towers; and to missiles that pass with a noise like thunder to strike their targets many miles away.” (-History of Middle-earth 5, The Númenórean chapters, Chapter IV)" It may even be figurative language, but "and to missiles that pass with a noise like thunder to strike their targets many miles away." Rockets? Many miles away? "And behold what hath happened since, step by step, At first he revealed only secrets of craft, and taught the making of many powerful and wonderful things; and they seemed good. metal that sheareth hidden rocks, and they sink not in calm or storm; but they are no longer fair to look upon. Our towers grow ever stronger and climb ever higher, but beauty they leave behind upon earth. with impregnable fortresses - and mostly on the West. Men covet, therefore, the lands that other families have long possessed. They fret as men in chains." So are these Metal Ships ironclads? It's noticeable that: I - the construction of metal ships, powered by propulsion (I think by steam): "Our ships go now without the wind, and many are made of metal that sheareth hidden rocks, and they sink not in calm or storm; but they are no longer fair to look upon."

[@timelliott841]

listening to yours and JRR's talk about death and man's desire to avoid it, is it any wonder that Gollum is his best character?

[@pepeninrenklisapkasi]

I really appreciate this video, answered alot of questions I had

[@jamth118]

Great video my friend keep up the good work

[@paulgalligan1916]

Your my go to channel for all things Tolkien bro thanks man 🤘👍

[@senaygurgoz5539]

Thank you so much for these videos. I loved the Silmarillion but had a hard time piecing it all together. I will enjoy my next read through much more

[@Brandon-a-writer]

If you have a hard time with it, I'd recommend giving it a go through an audiobook. My younger brother was never quite able to finish it until he got an audiobook version. This might be a better way to approach it, especially if you work a lot and have trouble finding time to sit down and read!

[@hrr3127]

Great story again Dear👍👍

[@adfadh3619]

Awesome channel! Great work! Could you do an episode on the Beacon Hills of Gondor? Thanks!

[@grandadmiralzaarin4962]

His pride led him to believe he could keep Sauron ensnared and instead became ensnared by Sauron.

[@ercanayrata3563]

Its cool that an alternative name for Numenor is Atalante, making the connection to the Atlantis myth more solid.

[@pyropulseIXXI]

Atlantis was real

[@annaroselarsen4218]

Awesome video!

[@googleodulugoogleodulu2152]

Great video! I can't wait to see the Nautical themes as they play out in Prime series. I was a bit of a seafaring hobbit in my younger, adventuring days.

[@Tadicuslegion78]

Truth be told, the story of Ar-Pharazon, Sauron, and Elendil, would be an epic to see adapted to a graphic novel/tv show. I mean, Technically isn't that what Rings of Power is partially adapting?

[@redheadsilver8041]

No, not adapting. Subverting.

[@macdansav1546]

The problem is the 'partially'. If the series sticks to Tolkien's text with only minor changes it has the potential to be an excellent series. But from what we've seen in teasers so far... I guess we'll have to wait and see. :)

[@kennethknoppik5408]

@@redheadsilver8041 damn right. It's going to be a mess.

[@samfaris313]

That means having strong male leads and we cant have that lol

[@SkeletorsSon]

@@samfaris313 the truth, feminist doggy doo doo at least House Of The Dragon is not so far

[@TheMarineIguanaStudios]

3:42 For more context, here's most of what was said in the intervening footage (some missing, some cut): "Now, what made the Ring work? Its corrupting power very largely by its attempt to escape that by a back door. And really the whole constant interweaving opposition of Men and Elves you see is really a very long story, a very long story based most particularly on the differences in eternal life and unlimited serial life and death. I don’t know if would you agree with that, but, anyway, that is what-there was a quotation from Simone [de] Beauvoir that I read in the paper only the other day, which seems to me to put it in a nutshell. May I? I think I’ll read it to you. This is apropos of the untimely death of a musical composer of whom I’ve always been extremely fond, Carl Maria [von] Weber, who died at 39 of tuberculosis, and the man who has written his biography actually quotes these words of Simone: 'There is no such thing...'" (Note: From "Tolkien in Oxford" (BBC, 1968): A Reconstruction, compiled by Stuart D. Lee)

[@martinkunz7155]

I think ar-pharazon is a cautionary "pride before the fall" tale. It gives a fairly direct glimpse of tolkiens own religious beliefs. If Tolkien wasn't a religious man but rather followed the philosophy of Nietzsche, the story of ar pharazon might start similarly, but in the end he would conquer the land of the gods and they would perish.

[@venkelos6996]

Tolkien was an amazing writer and storyteller, so it may be a shame he didn't make an attempt to illustrate, in his great work, what his work claims; that death and the unknown is somehow the gift of Eru Illuvatar. I'm not going to sit here and personally babble about death vs immortality, but I feel the books do a terrible job of really illustrating how the elves are anything less than Eru Illuvatar's chosen race. Their immortality is never shown in a negative way; they live forever, and even reincarnate, should they die. They have supernatural powers of dexterity and agility, and spiritual abilities akin to magic. Even the greatest lands of Men are often shown as expected to pay respect to them, and their "wisdom". Human rulers long to "earn" the partnership of elven maids, and even the mighty Sauron was mostly dedicated to simply subjugating the elves. Numenor was the greatest kingdom of men, yet a fair number of elves easily recall long before it ever even existed, much less returned to the depths. Men get death, and while I don't personally see that as just some big slap in the face by God, I can see why many people would, and especially when they live alongside the haughty elves, untouched by illness, or infirmity, and then when they meet death, they don't even get a happy afterlife with god, but a mysterious question mark they can't even hype up as being worth living a righteous life to earn. I know that the elves can have their own problems, but theyvare rately shown as such, and so they just look like favored sons of on high. I don't know if Tolkien could have done this; many real life people don't understand, or appreciate, that people die, often beyond our own ability to control, or believe there is some great, better place we go after here, buti guess I still wish hechad tried? We are to hate Ar Pharazon for the terrible things he did, and that's fine; he was a narcissistic monster, but that doesn't totally discredit what compelled him to do it; what helped push him to become that monster. Why should Aragorn, Denethor, Eomer, and orhers see dath as a reward, wven after the elves leave, but certainly before?

[@bearwoodian8607]

Great video. I wonder if they'll consider turning Ar-Pharazon into the Witch King at the end in the show?

[@tarkhan15]

the witch-king, watching this: Am I a joke to you??

[@Spartan-Of-Truth]

Thank you for your service.

[@Huskytabby]

What-if video idea for you to do: What if Gandalf never fell at the Bridge of Khazad-dum and continued with the fellowship to Lothlorien and on forward?

[@Aurora-qn2dx]

What do i think? Unfortunatley dont have a bond yet with first age second age stuff..but still nevertheless a fantastic character with the most wonderful name. Hopefully when i am older and look back to today a bond for these characters will had developed as i read more of the Silmarillion etc and understand them as much as the characters in the lord of the rings.

[@CrookedRosePOD]

Assyrian Gilgamesh and enkidu would make a fire anime me and my buddy were walking on

[@logictotalwar1201]

amazing video

[@6666Imperator]

although Ar-Pharazôn is a bad guy through and through I love the epicness of him challenging the gods. I would love to see that, the fight between Fingolfin and Morgoth as well as the fall of Gondolin and Turgon+Glorfindel specifically. I just love grandeur and the Silmarillion/Tolkiens world is full of it. I have to say I prefer the pronounciation of his name in German. It sounds even more epic.

[@ModernRefugee]

Maybe he waits till the end to fight against Melkor? To redeem himself like the oathbreakers.

[@snakes3425]

One must wonder what could've been had the Faithful revolted against Ar-Pharazon

[@emirhank8360]

I love this channel.

[@thespyingeyeofmordor]

Oh look! The follower of Maeglin and last wielder of Elu Thingol's sword Aranruth.

[@fred20097]

Isn't the witch-king the worst king in all of middle earth's history? On a side note, who would be better at the gift of the gab? Saruman or Sauron? I'd argue that it's Sauron because it was Sauron who corrupted Saruman through the palantier, and not the other way round. It could be that Sauruman thought of himself as independent, with no loyalty to Sauron, all his evil acts of his own volition, but he would simply be deluding himself. Everything he did at Isengard was to the benefit of Sauron, whether he knew it or not.

[@andrewgunnels]

I want to know why the Valar didn't just destroy them. How was Numenor able to continue to fight for 9 years against beings that are much more powerful?

[@frenchsterr4708]

they were forbidden to harm the children of Eru.

[@nemilyk]

🎼Pharazon, Ar-Pharazon, You took things too far-azon Then you lost theeee Whole thing to the seeea. 🎼 🎼Pharazon, Ar-Pharazon, You married your cous-ee-on Poor Tar-Miriel, You put her through hell ...You wanker...🎼 (set to tune of Corazon o Corazon)

[@zeynepkaya4787]

Great video! I would love to see a video about the different parts of Numenor during it's peak and how the people had different roles and jobs depending on the region where they lived and just how everything worked economically.

[@Oszczywilski]

I don't understand that why you said that Ar-Pharazon wedding of Miriel ended the line of the rightfull kings. Elendil's line was also the rightfull line of the kings.

[@achillesrodriguezxx3958]

Elendil's line only has a connection to Elros via the female line. One of the sisters of the king of numenor married a lord who was granted the title of lord of andunie.

[@jensphiliphohmann1876]

You don't need Sauron's influence to turn evil. Greed, Lust for power and the lack of compassion leads to evil anyway. And note he took the princess his wife against her will. That's outright rape.

[@theophrastusbombastus1359]

I thought is name was Adunaic, therefore not following the same pronunciation rules as the Quenya. And, even if it did, I was sure the accent over the final vowel dictates that vowel be stressed - the rule for which supercedes all other rules, even in Quenya. For example: Númenorë (stress the "u" and pronounce the final "e" as an extra voiced sound) would be pronounced NOO-menor-ay Or am I wrong?

[@Tim.Stotelmeyer]

Where was the one ring while Sauron was in Númenor? Did Sauron have it with him or did he leave it in a safe place?

[@leonardofaber5823]

Yes, Sauron had the One Ring with him while in Númenórë

[@crabbuckets7506]

Arthur ass-on.

[@ancienthamatendiscipline3533]

Ar-Pharazon is clearly Xerxes. Lol

[@morgoth173]

Video 153

[@cal9605]

Too bad the Amazon show runners confirmed he’s not in the show. No surprise there they also said theydidn’t read the books

[@blackwolf4653]

Pharazon is in the show.

[@Brandon-a-writer]

@@blackwolf4653 This. He can even be seen in the trailers, and you can find information on the actor cast to play Pharazon on IMDB.

[@blackwolf4653]

@@Brandon-a-writer He probably works at CNN.

[@Brandon-a-writer]

@@blackwolf4653 CNN? Nah, maybe a vimeo blog.

[@ghostjames2685]

I met your channel roughly a week ago and already watched all (almost) your videos. Amazing work!