Why Was Sauron so Powerful? (Even Among Maiar) - Middle-earth Explained

The power of Sauron was great throughout all of the ages of Middle-earth, but why was he so powerful, even when compared to other Maiar? Thank you all so much for watching, let me know your thoughts on Sauron’s power in the comments below! As always, a great thanks to the online artists whose visual works made this video possible! If you are one of the artists, please let me know and I will post your name and a link to your work in this description!
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[@MenoftheWest]

Thanks to Andy for pointing out this error, at 3:38 I did mean to say "Valar" and not "Maiar", as I go on to list those that Gandalf (Olórin) served. My mistake!

[@angramainyu8423]

Sauron's Stupidity was reaching his ring finger hand sown so it could get cut off. But not doing so would ruin the story.

[@EinoUotila]

@@angramainyu8423 That was the movie. Actually Gil-Galad and Elendil defeated him but perished in the progress. Isildur merely cut the ring from Saurons hand after he had fallen.

[@Mojojojoe000]

You forgot eonwe he is greater than Sauron.

[@joshjames582]

Sauron is a power-gamer who exploited glitches and stacked magic rings to get buffs.

[@deletos]

Sauron is a mmorpg gamer.

[@2102082]

He mastered the Skyrim alchemy/enchanting loop. Then lost his enchanted ring

[@fenrir-art4742]

yet he gets easily distracted and he was strong enough to be overconfident with magic, ego, and strength.

[@InhabitantOfOddworld]

​@@2102082 It's funny you say that. Skyrim's code has a peculiar glitch where, if a sufficiently powerful health enchantment is used, removing the item afterward results in the player having "negative health", and instantly dying Which is close enough to, but not exactly, what happened to Sauron.

[@TexMeta]

@@deletos feels like he dabbles in RTS, he's a master of turtling.

[@cherechesalexdaniel811]

I feel like Sauron was originally not that powerful among the maiar (i think Tolkien confirmed that he was similar to Olorin) but he sought power while the other maiar didn't so he over the ages acquired greater physical and magical might than most of if not all the other maiar but was lesser in the values that Tolkien believed true power lies in.

[@_semih_]

Not actually. In Morgoth's Ring book, Tolkien stated that Sauron was a *high Maiar spirit* and the Balrogs were lesser Maiar spirits that Morgoth corrupted at the beginning. So even at the beginning Sauron was that powerful. At the other hand, Olorin wasn't a great/powerful spirit. His peak was even weaker than Sauron's crippled and greatly diminished state in the third age. The quote that is saying Gandalf was a peer to Sauron doesn't mean they were equal in power. Olorin was never a match to Sauron he even frightened of him in Valinor. The Silmarillion says that the Valar were "peers" too but we know that the each Vala had different amount of power. Peers means they were all the Valar tier Ainu spirits. And for the Gandalf and Sauron, they were the Maiar tier Ainu spirits but Sauron was vastly much more powerful than Olorin.

[@robdeskrd]

@@_semih_ Sauron wasn't a Balrog

[@IMSwimmer19]

I would think that Ossë might have been closest to Sauron in power rather than Olórin. They were both servants of Melkor (though Ossë repented). But I'm totally biased: I marvel the sheer powers of winds and waves, and love how Tolkien characterized sea and waters, Ulmo, and the Song of the Ainur. My money's on Ossë 👍

[@MegaFonebone]

@@robdeskrd He means that the balrogs all started out as "normal" Maiar like Sauron, but apparently even before Melkor caused their transformation they were never as powerful as Sauron. Not that Sauron was ever a balrog.

[@tominiowa2513]

@@_semih_ Olórin did have greatness in that he was the wisest of the Maiar.

[@John-tc9gp]

Just because two boxers are in the same weight class, it doesn't mean that one can't totally outclass and dominate the other. People tend to forget this for some reason when it comes to fantasy and assume all Maiar must be similar in strength.

[@MandalorV7]

Also just because someone is stronger doesn’t mean they are superior. A weaker combatant could strike at the right moment. Sauron might not have been more powerful than other Maiar but understood how to divide and conquer and play the long game in his plots.

[@shokmusic_AC]

Well said

[@thomasclark9564]

styles make matchups haha

[@davidkosiba624]

@@MandalorV7 Tbf everytime he lost a fight it was among special circumstances, first he lost against prophecy then he was forced to fight 2 very powerful Elf and Men ín a brand new body, along with a big mixed numenorian army pretty much alone , that is a big achievment that he killed both king still , if I remember correctly he had to walk about 26 miles fighting through many numenorian troop just to get to Elendil and Gil-Galad

[@dog-thebackwardgod]

Truth is, Sauron only fought three times in his entire existence. He ran from head to head fights. He got his butt kicked in 2 of the 3 fights he fought. In one, he had to call for werewolves to bail him out. The remaining fight he won. So he wasn't a great fighter.

[@metallipwn]

I always imagined that, just as the Valar are not all equivalent in the extent of their spiritual power, neither are the Maiar. Sauron is like Eönwë in that he is probably just innately more powerful than other Maiar. Gothmog is the strongest Balrog despite all of them being Maiar, etc etc

[@blackpyro91]

Finally another question living rent free in the back of my mind will be answered

[@Andman8210]

The movies did not give enough backstory to Sauron

[@Earendil_1510]

Sauron was a perfect villain. He feels like a rebel teenager who then comes of age but eventually becomes an egotistical man. He ditches the valar to hang out with the cool outcast rebel (morgoth) .. has a teen goth phase - werewolves and vampires .. rap battles an elven king to death.. then gets serious about career and life and leadership.. masters diplomacy.. starts a religion.. forcing god to change the world due to his success! But his ego eventually becomes his downfall!

[@blakan3]

rap battles an elven king to death? Do elaborate pls

[@Captain_Insano_nomercy]

Morgoth definitely fucked. Virgins Aule and Manwe vs Chad Melkor

[@rickblaine9670]

@@blakan3He had a duel of magic with Finrod, Galadriel’s brother. And that magic happened to manifest through songs, so😂

[@blakan3]

@@rickblaine9670 LoTR never ceases to amaze.

[@Marcustheseer]

Its the downfall of always wanting more not beeing satisfide with having enuf,thats how all tyrant are created and how they all fall

[@orrointhewise87]

"Against the power of Sauron, there can be no victory." Always made me wonder what would have happened if he repented of his deeds after Morgoths defeat. He would have been a great ally and had one of the best redemption stories But I think his greatest power was his mind and powers of deception. The enemy u know is far better than the one who hides his true intentions

[@adamd5849]

This would have been great. Or Morgoth being brought back and repented his deeds to fight Sauron. So many great opportunities for alternate universe stories

[@johns1625]

Man I've spent collective days daydreaming what I would want to hear said by him and Eonwe during that meeting. I once had a dream I was sort of a middle earth "journalist" and had the opportunity to interview him after the war of wrath but woke up before anything cool happened.

[@orrointhewise87]

@@johns1625 THAT WOULD B A REALLY COOL IDEA!!!! 🤣

[@TheSaneHatter]

Sadly, he seems to have had the gift of deceiving HIMSELF above all others, and that was his undoing.

[@orrointhewise87]

@Nick Hentschel very good point!! He was his own worst enemy

[@daniell1483]

Best thing about Sauron: the fan art is insanely good!

[@aigodlord]

I've always felt that Sauron, due to his use of deceit, shapeshifting, etc., made him an exponentially more interesting villain than Melkor/Morgoth, who mostly just has brute strength and the accompanying fear factor. I sometimes try to imagine a conversation between the two Dark Lords, as they're basically polar opposites (Sauron believed in order, Morgoth just wanted to destroy everything out of jealousy); I imagine it being less a matter of two generals plotting world domination and more like the Real Housewives of Angband, where they're endlessly bickering about it. In a way, Sauron is one of my favorite Tolkien characters, just because it's so tempting to imagine what Mairon could have been had he not fallen under Morgoth's sway. Under different circumstances, he might've even been the greatest benefactor to Iluvatar's children. I dislike when people assert that "power corrupts," as if that's a universal and inexorable truth ("power transforms" would be more accurate), but in Sauron's case? Yep, it definitely did.

[@Valdagast]

You know that when they watch rom come together, Morgoth is weeping during the sad parts and Sauron just sat there looking uncomfortably at his boss.

[@TheMarcHicks]

Even Melkpr initially had the power to assume a fair guise, when it suited his needs.

[@robdeskrd]

Power attracts corruptible people

[@aigodlord]

@@robdeskrd All people are corruptible.

[@forfun6273]

Idk how much power corrupts as much as power in itself is the ability to use that power over others. So even if that person’s intentions aren’t evil or bad. It can come across that way to the people who are on the receiving end of the power being exercised. You could argue that Sauron wasn’t evil. He was just trying to organize and rule Middle earth in the manner he thought was best. I mean that’s what Gandalf and Aragon did. Power corrupts might not be the best way to explain it. But power abuses others and corrupts true intentions. Like with covid. A lot of these governors got emergency powers and violated our constitution and abused american citizens. Sure their intentions may have been good but the power corrupted those intention’s which led to people being victimized by it. And the saying is power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely. Where a small amount of power may not corrupt you in any significant manner. But if you have absolute power over everyone and everything then you’re going to be corrupted. At least a human being will be in the eyes of some of those under his powers.

[@cherub3624]

I assumed that Morgoth somewhat imbued Sauron with his own power early on in the same way he put his power into the earth itself, or in a similar way that Sauron empowered The Witchking.

[@rickblaine9670]

We do know for a fact that Morgoth used a portion of his power whenever he corrupted something or someone, so that might have included Sauron as well.

[@Marcelocostache]

@@rickblaine9670he was already one of the most powerful Maia just imagine getting a big buff in power from a the biggest power to ever walk middle earth Mairon/Sauron was Vala like at this point.

[@CallmeKenneth-tb1zb]

I don't believe that Sauron begging for mercy should be considered an indicator of a lack of power, Sauron was a schemer, a strategist, he was able to take the long view of things and if it suited his purpose to do so, he would have prostrated himself and begged for mercy. I'm not saying he necessarily _was_ more powerful, simply that he _wasn't_ necessarily less simply because of one particular action he took. I think the fact that he was a strategist was his greatest gift, that he understood the peoples of Arda, more than Melkor ever did, who was more like a force of nature, and this made him better placed to exploit them.

[@porpoisepork]

When Morgoth used his power to create the Orc, Trolls, Balrogs, Dragons, etc. it diminished his power. In my mind, the Ring allowed Sauron to use his power without giving it up.

[@jamesteegardner2273]

I think that he was more willing to play the long game than Morgoth was. Morgoth seemed to be more impulsive and willing to trade off his power for short term gains. Sauron's victory over Numenor is probably the best example that I can think of. Sure, he traded his ability to shape-shift into fair looking forms with his victory, but by doing that he got rid of Middle-Earth's only super power, and his greatest enemy who he couldn't defeat by force. Morgoth on the other hand only got the Silmarils with Ungoliant's help. And he didn't even have a plan to deal with her becoming more powerful than he was once she drank all the sap from the two trees. He lucked out of that, because if his Balrog's weren't close, then he would've been dead. Morgoth couldn't see past getting the silmarils, and he almost paid for that with his life. Sauron would've at least had a plan to deal with Ungoliant after getting back to Middle-Earth. He probably would've glamored her into eating herself, like she eventually did.

[@disturbed157]

​@@jamesteegardner2273I don't think it was morgoth wanted to trade his power for small gains. His whole reason for existence was domination. If he didn't have subjects he wouldn't have been morgoth at all. It was inevitable, like watching a drug addict kill themself slowly

[@xBRVTALx]

Morgoth’s power diminished because he poured much of it into the earth. He did this to forever taint the world with his malice and corruption. Sauron did the same thing but he poured his power into the one ring, which when worn by him did not diminish his power. Sauron took morgoths idea but did it right.

[@tombombadil4028]

That first Passage is easily one of my favourites in all of fiction. Simply beautiful! Yet dark.

[@tombombadil4028]

I would also note that Melkor is definitely a Vala but isn’t one of the Aratar.

[@ethanarnold4441]

@@tombombadil4028Melkor was one of the Aratar until he turned evil.

[@johns1625]

"Sauron was become now a sorcerer of dreadful power, master of shadows and of phantoms, foul in wisdom, cruel in strength, misshaping what he touched, twisting what he ruled, lord of werewolves; his dominion was torment." One of his greatest but less talked about powers was his ability to torture bare spirits and then force them into the bodies of animals. He was much more than a simple spirit of fire like the Balrogs were before their fall. And even with all this knowledge we have of him it still barely scratches the surface of how powerful he truly is. He's an incredible antagonist. Complete with a failed redemption arc.

[@Jagonath]

I don't know if Sauron had the power to literally force spirits into animals. But it certainly seems he could do something close to that.

[@oguzhanenescetin5702]

@@Jagonath he actually did this. Werewolves are made by this technique and even possibly Two Watchers. Tolkien wrote a whole essay in Morgoths Ring about necromancy where he clarified Sauron and his servants are even capable of taking over bodies.

[@jakobrenner2230]

I think he was intrinsically very strong but Melkor made him even more powerful by infusing part of his essence within Sauron (just like he did with his other servants) in order to both make him more capable and further corrupt him. If he returned to the Valar, he would have to give that up and his pride was already too great to let that happen.

[@Jagonath]

@@oguzhanenescetin5702 Great comment, didn't know that! I knew he could twist creatures somehow, not that he could literally possess them.

[@oguzhanenescetin5702]

@@Jagonath Thanks! That is the whole paragraph if you are interested “Some say that the Houseless desire bodies, though they are not willing to seek them lawfully by submission to the judgement of Mandos. The wicked among them will take bodies, if they can, unlawfully. The peril of communing with them is, therefore, not only the peril of being deluded by fantasies or lies: there is peril also of destruction. For one of the hungry Houseless, if it is admitted to the friendship of the Living, may seek to eject the fea from its body; and in the contest for mastery the body may be gravely injured, even if it is not wrested from its rightful habitant. Or the Houseless may plead for shelter, and if it is admitted, then it will seek to enslave its host and use both his will and his body for its own purposes. It is said that Sauron did these things, and taught his followers how to achieve them.”

[@Alexs.2599]

It seems that beings who desired to craft materials such as jewels, swords and their use of the elements of Arda were prone to over pride and hubris. Fëanor, Curumo the Maia who became Saruman in the third age and of course Mairon who became Sauron all had those characteristics. Sauron thirsted to fashion things which led to him wanting to control others under his firm hard hand. He was easily seduced by Melkor because of that. Thus he grew in power. Being the mightiest of the Maiar in that regard. Once again Aulë did not have a good track record keeping tabs on his servants and detecting their hidden darkness.

[@paulomorais2066]

Aule is depicted as being generous above everything else. That's why he was in such a hurry to meet the elves, that's why he created the dwarves: to gift them. He didn't have any needs for himself so he couldn't understand greed or ambition. He just wanted to build things, not to have them or use them.

[@Alexs.2599]

@@paulomorais2066 Yep he was very pure of heart so he didn't understand evil.

[@holeeshi9959]

one of Tolkien's themes, to some degree, is "anti-industrialization", especially "anti industrialized warfare" so it kind of make sense people who makes metal and weapons would be swayed to the darkness

[@Alexs.2599]

@@holeeshi9959 Very good point, exactly. Agreed 👍

[@Finalzero0000]

I would say Sauron has a strong argument to be the most threatening being if we measure him by the amount of intervention that was taken against him by Eru Iluvatar himself. Not only did he get Eru Iluvatar's attention (something I believe few, if any, had achieved and had it written about) he managed to do so as many as three times: 1. The Fall of Numenor 2. Eru's possible involvement in the resurrection of Gandalf 3. The intervention of force that caused Gollum to fall into Mount Doom with the One Ring For all his limits in comparison to the other Ainur, we can see that Sauron has been extremely resourceful in having influence on the world of Arda.

[@tominiowa2513]

Add Bilbo finding the One Ring in a dark tunnel to the list of anti-Sauron interventions by Eru.

[@jamief1263]

@@tominiowa2513 you basically said what I was thinking, although slightly different take. Gandalf choosing Bilbo may be seen as Eru acting through or influencing Gandalf, as he didn’t really have many good reasons for choosing him and he isn’t obvious hero material.

[@Agreus93]

Great point my friend! I'm agreed with the first one, no that much the other two, but with only one is enough to make your point! Cheers

[@LordSiravant]

Also Sauron losing to Luthien and Huan ONLY because her magic cloak caught him in the face as he was lunging at her, giving Huan a perfect opening. That one reeks of Eru's casual universe rearranging too.

[@tihomirrasperic]

sauron was the strongest only because he didn't "play by the rules" Gandalf followed the rules and didn't fight directly but encouraged others, and being in human form his powers were very limited on the other hand, Sauron chose an elven form, and directly used his powers, and after his death when he sank with the Numenor fleet, he was only an evil spirit, but now he used his powers without any restrictions

[@johnquach8821]

Very nice video! "What's Sauron's power level" "It's over every other Maia!"

[@pieterherfst5188]

people call sauron a manipulator, but gandalf sure knows his way around the political landscape. he makes sure the right guys gets in power, and when he chooses between saving faramir or joining the battle, he chooses the option that secures the peaceful transit of power from steward to king. the war of the ring is a chess match between sauron and gandalf, but gandalf's pieces don't know they are being played,.

[@WilhelmDrake]

It was my impression that the Istari were metaphorically castrated upon being sent to Middle Earth in the form of old men. That they were simply not able to draw upon their full might whether wanted to or not.

[@samuelbattershell3413]

Also there is Tolkien's naming scheme to take into account. Melkor means something to the effect of He who rises in might, which would fit the mightiest of the created beings. Both of Feanor's mother given and father given names impose that he is the mightiest of the Noldor and he was recognized as the mightiest of elves. Now 'Mairon' means 'The Admired', why would a Maiar be so named naturally and when he fell be rebranded as 'The Adhorded', he would have to be among is not the the greatest of his rank to have his original name and to have such a new name after his departure into evil. Was the greatest in combat, no, but power is not limited to strength of body or arms alone in Tolkien's world.

[@gillianlovell9578]

Sauron *The Abhorred*

[@_semih_]

2:23 Eonwe was "the chief of *the Maiar of Valinor"* not all Maiar. There is no any evidence to say he was above Sauron. Sauron was *not* a Maiar of Valinor! Rather Tolkien described him as _"the Chief of the Captains and servants of Morgoth"_ in Silmarillion. It seems they were pretty equal to each other in authority and majesty. But we should keep in mind that Sauron is the Maia who cancelled/broke the power of Vala Ulmo within Tol-Sirion and later defied Manwe's lightning bolt in the second age. 2:46 Sauron did not beg for mercy out of fear from Eonwe. He found and came to Eonwe and asked to be pardoned but when Eonwe said that he has no power to judge or forgive a fellow Maia, Sauron just left the place and it seems Eonwe couldn't do anything to 'prevent' him too lol.

[@kalafinwe5498]

Aulë must have become a social pariah in Aman after everyone learned that not only his servant Mairon became the chief darkness of Middle-Earth, but also Curumo (Saruman). What are the odds that the two servants of Aulë would become something very evil ?

[@Makkaru112]

But then we get the dwarves and that leads to him teaching the fathers much in the ways of things ontop of sacred smithery which lead to arming the elves as their blades and armour. Even the famous golden feathered armour was also gifted to the elves as well as all the ways of smithery! That and the dwarves were incorruptible as they were made by aulë himself and so their children share this same ability of being impervious to a lot of things. Fascinating stuff. We’re Always learning as we expand upon things within our community interactions ❤

[@matthewmckinney5387]

I dont think they looked at aule any different, thats to suggest that the valar and mayar were as pety as humans. Besides, im quite sure that iluvatar knew exactly what was going on with aule when his servants went evil and knew that aule had nothing to do with it.

[@delliv5451]

The corruption of both Mairon (Sauron) and then in time Curumo (Saruman) is a warning by Tolkien that because Aulë was the God like being of all things of the Esrth then the theme is that if you covet earhly pleasures, jewels, metals, gold, wealth and power then there is a very great risk that your personality will be corrupted over time. It is an ideological theme that is inherent in Tolkien's books. It is a warning about the dangers of coveting physical items rather than remaining aloof , spiritual and also about learning to live in a more pure way and not burdened by earthly possessions.

[@thevalarauka101]

and Aule himself had almost committed a grave sin against Eru when he created the Dwarves.

[@tnnetnattninuttn4627]

@@thevalarauka101 Because Eru was like Sauron and wanted to control everything himself?

[@quazimawofeso4732]

Sauron has always been the best of both side good or evil As a Maia he was admirable, Under aule he was the best subcreative spirit, Under morgoth he was his most cruel servant, As a dark lord he was the greatest spirit in all middle even after he lost his ring. Sauron may be evil but damn he was a spirit of excellence. Still I admire is ability to bring creativity in what he does irrespective of his alignment. I think Tolkien would want us to know that despite him being evil he is still one of Eru's best and most creative thought.

[@brennenpoffenroth4196]

I couldn't have said it better myself. I've always found him one of the most captivating characters considering how he has no actual dialogue in the main books yet his influence is always present

[@Arkaeus04]

He survived getting splash by water from his dad pouring a bucket of it on Numenor

[@upschutt4842]

I guess you have a video on who got to be part of the Valar when entering Arda, and what were the criteria...

[@manohman8587]

Being a mai'ar and probably the 2nd strongest one he definitely is OP , though his main power is manipulation

[@Pdotta1]

He worked at it. Set goals, made and followed through on plans. Got jacked. 🙂

[@PhineasPhule]

Sauron made the same fatal mistake as his Master in that both ignored Eru's absolute prohibition against dominating Men and Elves by fear or overawe.

[@c.ladimore1237]

domination versus inspiration. one takes a lot of concentrated energy to enforce and the other generates energy when it is spread

[@Dare_To_Game]

Excellent video, as always mate. Great work here.

[@roboslug7582]

I heard Sauron was kicked out of the Ainur for using steroids. That's why he was so powerful. Seriously, if Gandalf just spent a few seasons juicing, he totally could kick Sauron's butt in 1v1 combat.

[@davidtatro7457]

I think you hit the nail on the head later in the video when you pointed out that the other Maiar in Middle Earth all had their innate powers severely limited, as their ordained role was not to personally defeat the dark powers with their own might, but to inspire the peoples of M.E. to their own victory and help them to develop and use their own potential for good. We only ever see a tiny fraction of the true powers of Gandalf, Saruman, and the rest. Sauron had no such limitations. Even so, we see that over the ages he was defeated several times by both men and elves. He was certainly not invincible despite his great power and cunning.

[@sauronpwbr9283]

Amazing video! Keep up the good work!

[@Makkaru112]

Hey Yoystan. Could you do a video tied to what I’m about to type? I think it’s very interesting. Where did Sauron go after the Ring was destroyed? Mandos? With the Ring's destruction, Sauron was permanently robbed of his physical form, reducing him to a malevolent spirit that hovered above Mordor as a "huge shape of shadow, impenetrable, lightning-crowned, ...terrible but impotent," only to be blown away by a great wind; he had ended on the same path as his old master!

[@Comicnut64]

Power level discussion nice Yoystan

[@rileytipper5110]

Bro I had no idea the Lord of The Rings lore went this deep. I have so much learning to do.

[@ChaosBud]

You always knock these out the park

[@JusticeForJonSnow]

I love this channel. Your storytelling is amazing.

[@Unpainted_Huffhines]

My head canon has always been that Sauron somehow learned to be more powerful from Morgoth, maybe absorbing some of his power while he served him.

[@marionbaggins]

Man, he was very Powerful more Powerful than the other Maiar...But he didn't think anyone would destroy his Ring!!! That thought hadn't come to him...WOW, Sauron!!! I know you are smart and all, but that above all thoughts haven't come to you!!! Thanks for this Video Mellon, Until Bard the Bowman's ECH...Marion Baggins Out!!!

[@deanlawson6880]

Well done video focusing on the powers of Sauron! As you say, this subject brings with it many tangential subjects and ideas. Maybe a future topic might be a comparison between Gandalf/Olerin and the rest of the Istari as compared to Sauron who they were sent by the Valar to advise and fight against. Nicely done - Thanks for this!

[@jeremywilliams5107]

It was five against one 😜

[@varyar77]

Great video as always! I think Sauron + the Ring was stronger than Sauron before the ring - that was a bit of an oopsie on his part in the end, though.

[@AndyOdin22]

Little error in this when you mention, “Gandalf as Olorin served multiple Maiar as well.” I’m sure you meant ‘Valar,’ just alerting you to the slip. Great videos though btw!

[@MenoftheWest]

Ah yes, my mistake! Thanks Andy! Will make a comment to amend this!

[@oguzhanenescetin5702]

“…and Huan grabbed the greatest of Maiar from throat” It was believed by many of the 'Faithful' that 'Gandalf' was the last appearance of Manwë himself... But I think it was not so... To the overthrow of Morgoth he sent his herald Eonwë. To the defeat of Sauron would he not then send some lesser (but mighty) spirit of the angelic people, one coeval and equal, doubtless, with Sauron in their beginnings, but not more? Olórin was his name. But of Olórin we shall never know more than he revealed in Gandalf." “…he was from a far higher order.” ( here Tolkien refers to Gandalf and Saruman ) This three texts are not very in harmony with each other as many would say. My theory is that Sauron was not the most powerfull in the beginning and in potential but he became probably the greatest after his allignment with Melkor. Sauron was not “badly” corrupted by Melkor unlike his Balrog counterparts and joinin Melkor only made him greater both in knowledge and in abilities. Melkor also amped his servants and it is very plauseble to assume the same for Sauron. The reason why I think Sauron is the most powerfull is because his constant comparision with Morgoth. Sauron was also greater than Osse as Osse also served Melkor for a time . ( Sauron was the most powerfull of his servants as said in this video ) Osse in the earlier drafts is a Valar this should tell about his power. There is also the fact that along with Melian and Osse he has the best feats. I also cannot see any reason Balrogs being superior to Sauron even in battle field. Huan was prophecy and whole Beren and Luthien story is full of Eru’s interventions and doings such as Beren being able to break into the girdle of Melian. As for Last Alliance Tolkien specifically said that Sauron was still not in the full control of his body after the Downfall. Even then he slayed Elendil and Gil Galad both of which should be comparable to FA elven legends. I mean Tolkien stated that only Gandalf with the One ring should be a equal to him in a battle and this is his TA version aka seriously nerfed version knowing that Gandalf the Gray stalemeted Durins Bane… well Sauron is underrated

[@Makkaru112]

There was writings also where Elendil and GilGalad slayed his physical body and somewhere between that and other things he had killed them both off. Because it lead to the scene where isildur simply walked over and sliced the finger off to get the ring. He wasn’t as involved in that duel as Gil Galad and Elendil was. So the great movies just simply made legendary Elendil and isildur into wimpy fodder. For depth of the importance of Tolkiens works and Elendil himself to where shouting his name like Aragorn does has spiritual implications that scare dark things taking them aback by watching the video “Why Tolkien Cannot Be Counterfeited”. It’s beautiful! ❤️❤️❤️

[@kaidorade1317]

Simple: it’s the clothes. Clothes make the man! Or in this case, the Maiar!

[@bencalhoun]

Ha

[@byzantiphile7630]

I appreciate the work put into your analysis, especially the nature of power in Tolkien's work. It's intentionally abstract, much like the Ring itself. It's very different from other series, like Wheel of Time (love it, don't get me wrong) where a major part of why Rand is considered so powerful is that he can cast the biggest lightening bolts. It's power in it's most material sense.

[@ThePathOfEudaimonia]

Though Rand's potential to break the wheel and reality itself introduces a more fundamental and abstract aspect of power, not only in the "most powerful magic" sense.

[@byzantiphile7630]

@@ThePathOfEudaimonia Absolutely. And ultimately, Rand also needed ample virtue to resist numerous temptations. (Creating a harem to the side, I can hardly blame the guy.) I don't mean to oversimplify the work, only to point out that material power, how much of the Source one can wield, is explicit and often very literal.

[@ThePathOfEudaimonia]

@@byzantiphile7630 Yes, that's true! I agree. (I also can't blame the guy. Nor could I blame the Aes Sedai of the Green Ajah)

[@shanenolan5625]

Thanks great subject

[@Makkaru112]

Where did Sauron go after the Ring was destroyed? Mandos? With the Ring's destruction, Sauron was permanently robbed of his physical form, reducing him to a malevolent spirit that hovered above Mordor as a "huge shape of shadow, impenetrable, lightning-crowned, ...terrible but impotent," only to be blown away by a great wind; he had ended on the same path as his old master

[@oguzhanenescetin5702]

Tolkien said he went into the void in the same manner like Morgoth.

[@cherub3624]

Also, remember that with the 3 rings, the "chief" of the three was not the mightiest. So it may be the same with the Maiar.

[@Xeno-009]

He was probably made to be powerful, just as melkor was made to be the greatest

[@NuisanceMan]

Per Gandalf, the reason Sauron was permanently cast out of the world without physical form with the destruction of the Ring was that he had put so much of his own power into it. Before he forged it, it does not seem to have been possible to "kill" him in this permanent way. It did not protect him from being "killed" but rather made it possible.

[@TexasTimeLord]

Sauron was the direct servant of Melkor, one of the Valar, for many centuries, and was likely granted Valarian knowledge and power to carry out Morgoth's plans. No other Maia had such intensive training by a Valar over such a vast amount of time.

[@meccevil321]

Fun Fact: Sauron's iconic helmet is based on a horse skull

[@tmbarton1961]

One of my favorite quotes about power is from MLK: Power without love is reckless and abusive, and love without power is sentimental and anemic. Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice, and justice at its best is power correcting everything that stands against love.” -Martin Luther King Jr. Sauron and Melkor definitely represented "power without love".

[@pawbard]

Remarkably well written video!

[@GuyUnderTheBridge]

Sauron did not squander his power like Melkor did AND leveraged that power of Melkor which was "invested" into the matter of Arda. So he kept the best part of his power and built on it with Melkor-worship.

[@imaginemyshock8067]

I imagine magic in Middle-earth as a separate thing from other forces. What Gandalf said outside the west door or Moria suggests that every race used magic to some degree [except Hobbits, who were suspicious of magic]. Therefore I see Sauron's rings as being more than using his own native power to enslave Elves, Dwarves and Men, but as a channel by which he increased his power beyond what was native to him as a Maia. This perhaps is why he could only be destroyed by the destruction of the One Master Ring. But Sauron had to yield a significant portion of his own power in the process of gaining an even greater power from that magical world that existed out there, unseen by physical eyes. When the One Ring was destroyed, the greater part of Sauron's power was destroyed with it, and Sauron fell, having too little power to continue his physical life in Middle-earth.

[@oddjam]

This was a great one. Ty

[@rafaelgustavo7786]

Sauron proved to be pluripotent. He used some powerful spells/powers (mostly) without the Ring like a sorcerer (IMHO, a 20th level in dnd 5e): 1) Volcano Control - Orodruin; >"There above the valley of Gorgoroth was built his fortress vast and strong, Barad-dûr, the Dark Tower; and there was a fiery mountain in that land that the Elves named Orod-ruin. Indeed for that reason Sauron had set there his dwelling long before, for he used the fire that welled there from the heart of the earth in his sorceries and in his forging; and in the midst of the Land of Mordor he had fashioned the Ruling Ring" 2) Earthquake >"I don’t know,’ said Frodo. ‘It’s been going on for a good while now. Sometimes the ground seems to tremble, sometimes it seems to be the heavy air throbbing in your ears." >"But it was too late. At that moment the rock quivered and trembled beneath them. The great rumbling noise, louder than ever before, rolled in the ground and echoed in the mountains." 3) Control Weather >"The skirts of the storm were lifting, ragged and wet, and the main battle had passed to spread its great wings over the Emyn Muil, upon which the dark thought of Sauron brooded for a while. Thence it turned, smiting the Vale of Anduin with hail and lightning, and casting its shadow upon Minas Tirith with threat of war." 4) Dominate Monster - Orcs, Trolls, Nazgûl, Wargs >"From all his policies and webs of fear and treachery, from all his stratagems and wars his mind shook free; and throughout his realm a tremor ran, his slaves quailed, and his armies halted, and his captains suddenly steerless, bereft of will, wavered and despaired. For they were forgotten. The whole mind and purpose of the Power that wielded them was now bent with overwhelming force upon the Mountain." >"But the Nazgûl turned and fled, and vanished into Mordor's shadows, hearing a sudden terrible call out of the Dark Tower; and even at that moment all the hosts of Mordor trembled, doubt clutched their hearts, their laughter failed, their hands shook and their limbs were loosed. The Power that drove them on and filled them with hate and fury was wavering, its will was removed from them;" 5) Mass suggestion/charm person mass - Númenor; >"Ar-Pharazôn, as is told in the 'Downfall' or Akallabêth, conquered a terrified Sauron's subjects, not Sauron. Sauron's personal 'surrender' was voluntary and cunning* he got free transport to Numenor! He naturally had the One Ring, and so very soon dominated the minds and wills of most of the Númenóreans" 6) Antimagic field - Sammath Naur; >"In his great need he drew out once more the phial of Galadriel, but it was pale and cold in his trembling hand and threw no light into that stifling dark. He was come to the heart of the realm of Sauron and the forges of his ancient might, greatest in Middle-earth; all other powers were here subdued." >"But the Temple itself was unshaken, and Sauron stood there upon the pinnacle and defied the lightning and was unharmed" 7) Sympathy - the attraction of Gollum and all evils to Mordor >"Yes, to Mordor,’ said Gandalf. ‘Alas! Mordor draws all wicked things, and the Dark Power was bending all its will to gather them there." 8) "Create"/control undead - Nazgûl, Barrow Wight. 9) Maybe Shapeshift (but no fair forms) 10) Self resurrect/reconstruct - twice. With and without the ring. 11) Aura of Terror; 12) Plague: With dark winds from the East (like Morgoth did with the disease in the first age, killing Turin's sister);

[@oguzhanenescetin5702]

All well done. Tolkien also suggested that only Sauron could have broken the power of Galadriels ring in Lothlorien shouldnt this be also a Anti-magic feat?

[@archades115]

I think Sauron's power stemmed from his preference for domination and order. Where Morgoth slowly expended his power through destruction and chaos, Sauron gained power over life and death through necromancy, and power over the physical world through binding himself with the One Ring.

[@grahamstrouse1165]

Lawful Evil vs. Chaotic Evil…

[@Bookerjj]

Feel as though Morgoth story was never finished. I wish the community would allow another writer finish the story. Feels like there is more to be told.

[@ottokarl5427]

Maybe you could say it like this: Melkor, on a fundamental level, tried to destroy the world. Be his own God. Sauron accepted the world he was in, he just wanted to rule it. Though I do wonder what exactly Saurons plan would have been if he would have conquered Middle-Earth

[@shadowofchaos8932]

The Maia of Durin's Bane changed shape. He was a winged beast until they hit the water at the bottom of the bridge of Khazadum. He changed into a muddy, oozy blob and fought Gandalf from the bottom to the top. Who was Sauron's #2? A creature this strong and powerful would teach the Witch-King sorcery. He protects a secret in the North. He is the last Werewolf of Tol-in-Gaurhoth, sole survivor, Bubhashum Gaurhoth.

[@davidandrews2972]

I agree, what made Sauron so powerful was that he had both his own innate power and the knowledge to apply it, learned from Aule, Melkor and by his own researches (into Necromancy, for example); so a balrog would have been physically stronger but was in comparison a one-trick pony.

[@_semih_]

There is not even a single text which saying or referring to that any Balrog had more physical streght than Sauron. All the Balrog pictures we see are very incorrect fan arts. The Balrogs were not horned and extremely mascular lava monsters with wings. What we know about them is, they had a humanoid look shrouded in darkness and almost twice of an elf's size (same as Sauron's size in the films). In fact the Balrogs and Sauron looked like very similar but there is one more thing we should keep in mind and it is; the Balrogs didn't have mascular/strong bodies in the books. The elves easily pushed them off the cliffs which means they were not that "heavy" or "strong" (physically)

[@Thurgosh_OG]

@@_semih_ "easily pushed them off the cliffs" might be overstating, somewhat.

[@_semih_]

@@Thurgosh_OG Echtelion... Glorfindel... These two characters literally pushed the Balrogs off the cliffs to save some survivors from the Fall of Gondolin.

[@ruperterskin2117]

Right on. Thanks for sharing.

[@megaroeny]

8:32 Those other dragons make Smaug look tiny!! That’s crazy 🤯

[@tmage23]

06:15 My understanding is that due to his nature (as a Maiar, his virtue was a love of order which would be twisted into a need to control and dominate), he could not even conceive of the idea that someone would willingly destroy the One Ring.

[@ottokarl5427]

If you are prepared to do every- and anything for power, it would seem like an odd thought that someone else would give up ultimate power by free will

[@sharkchaos5160]

Great video.

[@fenrir-art4742]

Sauron's arm was so great and long, it reached a nearby popcorn bag for snacking.

[@EB01]

My perspective is that power of a being is a balance of limitations. Limitations that bind/reduce a power. And limitations as a cost for power. As you stated Gandalf had many restrictions placed on him, so he could never wield his full power in his wizard form. I think that Sauron's powers enhancement from making his ring had a cost in that he took his power/being/soul and make it physical i.e. his power now has a weakness as he can be separated from his power and the ring itself can be destroyed by the physical world.

[@musicwithcecilia]

I think the virtues given to him by Eru play a big role in all of this too. Programming a powerful being with "a love for order and perfection" is honestly a recipe for disaster, especially if you're going to send that being down into a world full of people with free will. He was a perfectionist surrounded by chaos. Of course he would use every drop of his power to change it to his liking.

[@KipIngram]

I like it. The notion that Sauron profited mostly from his lack of inhibitions re: using any power he had, and also his "multi-faceted" interactions with the Valar - those a strong points and I can definitely see those as "enough" to explain how he prevailed in the way he did.

[@paulstewart1557]

I also think that Melkor may have gifted some of his own power to Sauron, as we know that Melkor diminished as he used (up) some of his power to dominate others ...

[@delliv5451]

Sauron was also a master of magic as Tolkien wrote in the Silmarillion. He had both the depth and the breadth of knowledge of various types of magic including necromancy obviously (Ringwraiths and Barrow wights come to mind). He would also have great knowledge and skill over more mundane magic too like heat and fire magic. In the (now defunct ) role playing games company called Iron Crown Enterprises' (ICE) game called Rolemaster , Sauron is credited as knowing every spell in Spell Law that goes with their Rolemaster series. That is over 200 spells. Hence, he is the most powerful entity in Middle Earth left in the Third Age.

[@procrastinator9]

Thank you for addressing this question that has long vexed me. Summation as to why Sauron was so much more powerful than others of his species: 1) he started more powerful (some people just have more oomph), 2) he was a polymath (dude worked on his resume), 3) he had no qualms against using his power egregiously (whereas the other of his species were adamantly hobbled by the Valar), 4) he rather cornered the market on the naughty shit.

[@genequist3859]

Man I love tan gentle topics

[@fostersstubbyasmr9557]

Sauron is the chadmost of the maiar

[@naebhor6931]

Sauron failing to repent to the Valar, to my mind, isn't a show that he was weaker than the other Maiar but a testament to his strategic prowess. Even the greatest warrior will fall in battle if surrounded by enemies on all fronts. I'm reminded of a story from the Sengoku Jidai where a lone Samurai held back an entire army at a besieged castle because he dueled each attacker. This went on for hours until the Daimyo of the besieging force ordered all his troops to attack at once and slaughter the lone defender. Sauron knew he was, mostly, alone and needed time to recuperate from his master's loss. Just like he did before causing the Downfall of Númenor.

[@themadsnowballer]

Actually, Sauron was correct about nobody being able to willingly destroy the ring. "I have come," he said. "But I do not choose now to do what I have come to do. I will not do this deed. The Ring is mine!"

[@nilocblue]

Excellent video, my Tolkien need of lore was very satisfied, at least until tomorrow.

[@PrinceOfDolAlmroth]

I like to think that Sauron didn’t plan on anyone wanting to destroy the one ring because he himself crafted it. All of its abilities and powers were designed by him for purposes he would use them for, and part of that would include a powerful curse (or something akin to that in function) that would manifest as an inability to be willingly destroyed by anyone, even himself. Melkor seems like a petulant child compared to Sauron, who in spite of his flaws was still not a fool. Him not having a contingent for someone wanting to destroy his ring was an oversight yes, but one that wasn’t without reasoning and can be overlooked when looking at his character as a whole.

[@joeldineiro6729]

In Melkor's Ring, a Tolkien draft about this issue, Sauron power, mentioned that he inherited Melkor's corruption over Arda, to manipulate matter and living beings without spend his own power. Also that in the creation he listened both musics and so he knows a lot more that Melkor about Arda

[@baystated]

The ring was destroyed and so much of his Power was lost. Would there have been any way for Sauron to return that Power back to himself to prevent its loss at the ring's destruction? Its destruction never entered his mind, but suppose it had and he deemed it too risky to have so much of himself apart from himself, and sought to re-incorporate its power back into him. Could he have?

[@davidandrews2972]

If I'm remembering rightly Tolkien said in one of the letters that not even Sauron could have brought himself to destroy the Ring, and I think unmaking it might have been similarly difficult.

[@vastolorde6194]

After he forged the one ring, his powers were increased (i think that one ring was made from gold, and Arda's matter and especially gold, was impregnated by Morgoth's will and power; the whole word is called Morgoth's ring). So, by that, let's say that Sauron was 100% before he forged the one ring. He put 90% of his power in the ring, and it was combine with Morgoth's power from the gold. His power was increased to 190%. After he lose his fair form that contain his 10% power, he was reduced to 180%. After he lost his one ring, he was reduced with almost nothing, surving just because of the one ring until it was destroyed.

[@LordSiravant]

The Ring was made from a mix of gold and Sauron's own blood.

[@vastolorde6194]

@@LordSiravant The ring was made from gold, which in a matter of the earth, corrupted by Morgoth's power, and Sauron put a part of his own power in ring as well; i don't know how exactly he put his power into the ring, probably with some "magical knowledge"; i don't remember to be said anywhere that he put his power in ring through his own blood.

[@istari0]

Sauron's assorted talents and abilities were vast. He may not have been among the leaders of the Maiar but I suspect he was more powerful. For all we know, that may be part of how Melkor corrupted Mairon into becoming Sauron. Personally, he comes across more like a Vala than a Maia although certainly well below the most powerful of the Valar.

[@ShaneHill-mu4yi]

Sauron applied himself.This is wht made him so powerful.His is the archetype of the student who plans to overtake his master.Partly in adoration but still to overthrow.

[@lmr4403]

One clarification: The one ring does not give Sauron extra power, it is just the power that he stored in it to prevent it from diminishing (and maybe practical aspect to be linked with the other rings). Power corrupted by evil diminishes greatly over time, by storing the power in the ring it would not diminish.

[@Paulafan5]

If not for the pity of Bilbo, then Sauron would have gotten the One Ring back and things would have turned out very different. Sauron was incredibly unlucky, not lucky.

[@sammyswain912]

Sauron was powerful in knowledge, cunning, and charm. The pen always beats the sword. There were a couple of maia that would have flattened him in single combat but none had the ability to cause as much chaos and destruction as Sauron.

[@Crushnaut]

What if Sauron destroyed Mount Doom, preventing anyone from destroying the ring?

[@Makkaru112]

Well dang. That’d make for an interesting adventure that’d earn multiple episodes of a story !

[@phil8821]

If I were Sauron I'd just have put a Ringwraith guarding the Mount Doom entrance until the ring was found. Also Sauron needs the shadowy clouds rising from the mountain to shield his armies from the sun.

[@LordSiravant]

A locked door blocking access to the Sammath Naur would have been all Sauron needed to stop the quest at its very end.

[@dllps]

Because Mount Doom was to Sauron what Galadriel's Mirror was to Galadriel. It was his witchcraft/crafts area.

[@zarhun7]

​@phil8821 excactly add few 100 full armoured cave trolls on ground. Orc archers and 2 nasgul. Yea, no, there were 0 guards when frodo nicely walked in Mount Doom. Awesome, stradegy, Sauron.😂😂😂

[@benbrown8258]

What do I think of Sauron's power? Rather wonder... What does Sauron think of Mandos' power once the Ring was unmade?

[@crispybatman480]

Probably not a fan of it lol.

[@starkilr101]

“As near in approach the wholly evil will as is possible”

[@jordanelza8806]

Thank you. This is very helpful and informative. The Valar and Maiar are very interesting, being a combination of angels and gods. The Creator Eru is obviously by far the most powerful, since he’s basically the creator of all, including the Ainur (the Valar and Maiar alike.) With everything said and done, I believe Sauron was a better Dark Lord than Melkor. Although Melkor was a Valar and more powerful, he was ultimately much more reckless and less intelligent than Sauron. Sauron was a master manipulator, and what he lacked in power he made up with intelligence and cunning. What’s so unfortunate is that although the Ainur (both the Valar and Maiar) can never truly die, their spirits can be diminished to such a degree that they can no longer interact with the physical world in any way. This happens with Sauron and Saruman, and to a degree Melkor. They basically used up all their power, and were essentially reduced to powerless, formless, untouchable and invisible ghosts that could do nothing but wonder until the end of time. They were forever bound to the world, but could no longer have any control over what took place in it. A fate worse than death, if you ask me.

[@TheSaneHatter]

When discussing Sauron's outsized power, we need to consider several things: 1) It may be time to consider the idea that the division between Valar and Maiar is more "shades of grey" than we thought, and not a rigid, absolute division of power or magnitude. Supposedly "lesser" Ainur may simply have grown to have more power in practical terms than some "greater" Valar in more cases than we thought, including Sauron's, to say nothing of differences within their own "orders" amongst both groups. Sauron may simply have been as powerful as a lesser Valar at his peak, just as Morgoth had frittered his power away to the point of being vulnerable to Tulkas and others. 2) Along that theme, we must ask how much of his power Morgoth had delegated to Sauron overall, since he was accused of having invested too much of hismelf into his works and creations in Arda, and becoming a weaker being in the process. Could an equal or greater sahre of Morgoth's magic have lived on in Sauron than he hismelf possessed when he was defeated? 3) Strategy may also matter, as Sauron may have taken detailed notes of his master's failures and determined not to repeat them.

[@AncestorEmpire1]

Half the internet is still jealous that Sauron beat The Lich King of Warcraft. 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@paulomorais2066]

It's a pity that you didn't mention Melian. She was probably the most powerful of all Maiar, and so powerful that she created a blessed realm in Beleriand itself

[@_semih_]

Lol, she was not. In the Silmarillion during a conversation between Melian and Beleg, Melian admitted and acknowledged Glaurung the dragon as 'a greater power' than herself. And guess what, Tolkien also wrote that Sauron was the greatest servant of Morgoth which means he was even greater than Galurung who is greater than Melian the Maia

[@Jayyy667]

Stunning and brave

[@anatoldenevers237]

@@_semih_ I think that I've seen Sauron written as the greatest of the Maiar, but also Eonwe referred to that at some point, though I can't remember where.

[@chrisperry5365]

@@_semih_ lol she likely was. Her daughter was able to put to sleep the entire population of Angband, including Morgoth himself. Luthien also destroyed Sauron's tower, and so did Galadriel millennia later with Dol Guldur - both of them learned magic from Melian.

[@chrisperry5365]

Also, the fact that she defended Doriath for so long is a testament of her might on its own. If Sauron possessed a power greater than hers, why did he never cross her Girdle?

[@samuelbattershell3413]

Given Mairon's love of order, he was probably one the very few that sang true to Eru's themes in the Song of The Ainur. I would argue he is in the truth the most power of the Maiar, but he being a maker and shaper at his start had no want to rule. Also chief simply means leader not the most powerful.

[@luisodriozola79]

There's another aspect you didn't considered: the fact that Morgoth often imbued his servants with his own powers, to the extent of greatly diminishing himself as time went by. I suspect that Sauron, being the highest among of his servants, recieved the biggest amount of power from him.

[@Ekztazy20]

I think why the Light always prevails and is more powerful than evil in Tolkien's works, is because Tolkien understood that it takes much more strength, discipline, self-awareness, and other traits that make one become "good", which in turn create stronger beings. It's much easier to sink into temptation and despair, than to fight within to reach the light.

[@geviesanta3631]

I wonder what would've happened if Sauron was caught by the Valar before he could escape

[@Makkaru112]

Get a good spanking in the void methinks

[@TheMarcHicks]

I thought the One Ring amplified his native power whenever he wore it-particularly his powers of mental domination?

[@PlayerEternal]

Manipulation and deceit was definitely Sauron's greatest power.