The Fantasy Review answers: How is Aragorn Related to the Númenóreans?
Aragorn II, first King of the Reunited Kingdom, and the sexiest man to ever open a pair of doors, has a rich heritage even he was unaware of early on in his life before all was revealed by Elrond in Rivendell.
In this article we will explore his lineage and how Aragorn is related to the Númenóreans.
The Númenórean Legacy
The Númenóreans were an advanced race of Men, blessed with long life and great wisdom by the Valar. They were also given the island of Númenor, located between Middle-earth and the Undying Lands.
Over time the people of Númenor began to resent the Elves’ immortality and, with an extra push from Sauron, sought it out for themselves. This leads to the Fall of Númenor, where the island was destroyed and most of its inhabitants died except a few still faithful to the Valar.
Aragorn’s Lineage
Elendil was one of those Faithful who escaped the Fall of Númenor. He and some other survivors went on to establish the kingdoms of Arnor and Gondor in Middle-earth. These Númenóreans who settled in Middle-earth were known as the Dúnedain.
Elendil became the first King of Gondor, and after his death at the hands of Sauron, his son, Isildur, took the throne. Weighed down by the One Ring he failed to destroy, thinking he could use it for the good of Middle-earth, Isildur was eventually killed and the One Ring lost. No heir was found, leaving the throne of Gondor in the hands of stewards until the rightful heir returned.
Aragorn, known as Estel until he was twenty and his lineage was revealed to him, is the heir of Isildur. When Aragorn learned of his bloodline, he left Rivendell and spent the following decades travelling Middle-earth and fighting Sauron’s forces.
Númenórean Traits & Significance of Aragorn’s Lineage
Aragorn exhibits many Númenórean characteristics, including a long life and Elven-wisdom. He also possessed the foresight of the Dúnedain.
When Aragorn became King of the Reunited Kingdom and Lord of the Western Lands, the people of Middle-earth said the nobility of the Númenóreans was restored. He was then known as Elessar Telcontar and married Arwen, daughter of Elrond, and ruled as King for 120 years.
