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Ar-Pharazôn

Meaning: the golden (one)

Other Names: Tar-Calion

Location(s): Númenor

Race/Species: Man

Type/Kind: 2nd age Numenoreans

Title(s): king of Númenor

Dates: SA 3118 to SA 3319

Parents: Gimilkhâd

Spouse: Tar-Míriel/Ar-Zimraphel

Description:
Twenty-fourth and last king of Númenor, he rebelled against the Valar and provoked the Downfall.

Pharazôn was the son of Gimilkhâd, who opposed the pro-Eldar policies of Tar-Palantír. Gimilkhâd died the year before his brother the King, leaving his son head of the opposition; when the King died, leaving his daughter Míriel the Sceptre, Pharazôn made his move, taking Míriel to wife against her will and seizing the Sceptre.

Pharazôn's campaign against Sauron in Middle Earth ended when Sauron, feigning defeat, submitted and became a prisoner of war. Pharazôn took his prisoner back to Númenor for safekeeping, but this was a mistake. Sauron flattered the king and fed upon his fear of death, and eventually persuaded him to turn toward the worship of Morgoth. The White Tree was cut down at Pharazôn's order and burned on the altar of Morgoth; human sacrifices, mostly of the Faithful, followed.

In SA 3319, Ar-Pharazôn, under the direction and encouragement of Sauron, assembled a Great Armament and sailed west, violating the Ban of the Valar. As he sailed within sight of Valinor, "he wavered at the end, and almost he turned back...but pride was now his master." He left his ship Alcarondas and laid claim to the land of Aman.

Manwë appealed to Eru, who changed the shape of the world. Ar-Pharazôn's fleet, including Alcarondas, was swept into a great chasm that opened in the sea; the King and all those who set foot upon the land were buried under falling rocks, where "it is said they lie imprisoned in the Caves of the Forgotten, until the Last Battle and the Day of Doom" (Akallabêth, The Silmarillion.)

Contributors:
15.7.2003 Celandine Brandybuck, Zimraphel 7/15/2003

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