The Rings of Power series, set in J.R.R. Tolkien’s rich Second Age, draws from deep layers of myth and history that shape Middle-earth. While the show adapts events with artistic licence, its backbone remains rooted in Tolkien’s legendarium, which stretches back thousands of years. Understanding the timeline provides crucial context for the rise of Númenor, the forging of the Rings, and the slow build of Sauron’s dominion.
The First Age: The Foundations of Evil and Elven Power
The First Age ends with the War of Wrath, where Morgoth, the original Dark Lord and master of Sauron, is defeated and cast into the Void. This climactic struggle reshapes the world and leads to the rise of new powers. Many of the Elves who appear in Rings of Power, notably Galadriel and Gil-galad, are survivors of this earlier age. Their memories are long, and their mistrust of evil deep-seated.
Sauron, once a lieutenant of Morgoth, escapes judgment and hides, biding his time. The end of Morgoth does not bring lasting peace but rather a deceptive calm.
Early Second Age: Rebuilding and the Rise of Númenor
With Morgoth gone, the Valar reward the Men who fought against him by raising the star-shaped island of Númenor from the sea. These Men, ancestors of Aragorn, become powerful mariners and builders. Elros, brother of Elrond and a half-Elven figure, becomes Númenor’s first king. This kingdom rises quickly in wealth and influence, though over centuries, its pride begins to outpace its virtue.
During this time, the Elves of Lindon, under Gil-galad, maintain close ties with Númenor. Meanwhile, in the East and South of Middle-earth, Sauron begins to stir once more.
Sauron’s Return and the Forging of the Rings
Around 1500 of the Second Age, Sauron, now in fair form and calling himself Annatar (the Lord of Gifts), arrives in Eregion and deceives the Elven smiths. He offers them knowledge of craftsmanship, helping Celebrimbor and his guild forge the Rings of Power. Unbeknownst to them, he secretly forges the One Ring in Mount Doom to control the others.
Once Sauron dons the One Ring, the Elves perceive his treachery. They hide the Three Rings—Narya, Nenya, and Vilya—beyond his reach. War erupts. Sauron ravages Eregion and kills Celebrimbor. The Elves suffer heavy losses, and Sauron begins exerting his influence across Middle-earth.
The Rise and Fall of Númenor
Alarmed by Sauron’s growing power, the Númenóreans intervene and temporarily halt his expansion. But their pride grows, and their kings become increasingly hostile to the Elves and envious of immortality.
Eventually, Númenor sails to war, forcing Sauron to surrender. But he corrupts the nation from within. Posing as an advisor, he convinces King Ar-Pharazôn to defy the Valar and seek eternal life. The result is catastrophic. The island of Númenor is destroyed in a divine cataclysm, swallowed by the sea.
Elendil and his sons, Isildur and Anárion, escape and establish the realms of Arnor and Gondor in Middle-earth.
The Last Alliance and the End of the Second Age
Sauron returns to Mordor and completes Barad-dûr. Elendil and Gil-galad form the Last Alliance of Elves and Men, culminating in the Siege of Barad-dûr. The battle ends with both leaders slain, and Isildur cutting the One Ring from Sauron’s hand. Sauron’s form is destroyed, but the Ring is not. Isildur claims it and is later ambushed and killed, the Ring lost to time.
This marks the end of the Second Age and sets the stage for the events of The Lord of the Rings.
Where the Series Stands
The Rings of Power takes creative liberties with the sequence of events but captures the spirit of Tolkien’s Second Age. The show condenses timelines and characters but preserves the central tension between the fading Elven influence, the ambitions of Númenor, and the growing shadow of Sauron.
Understanding this timeline gives weight to the characters’ fears, ambitions, and choices. It is a period defined by grandeur, betrayal, and a slow descent into darkness. The world is still beautiful, but that beauty is under threat—from within and without.
Where to Watch
The Rings of Power is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video. The platform holds exclusive rights, and episodes are released with multilingual support, including behind-the-scenes features for select regions.
