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Revision as of 21:12, 2 August 2011

Biographical Information
Other names"The Great", "The Unwilling"
TitlesKing of Númenor
LanguageAdûnaic, Sindarin and Quenya
BirthS.A. 1800
RuleS.A. 2029 - 2221 (192 years)
DeathS.A. 2221 (aged 421)
HouseHouse of Elros
ChildrenTar-Ancalimon, unnamed child - ancestor of Herucalmo
Physical Description
Tar-Atanamir (Q "Jewel of Man", pron. [aˈtanamir]) was the thirteenth King of Númenor.


Tar-Atanamir succeeded his father, Tar-Ciryatan, and ruled for 192 years, from S.A. 2029 until his death. He was the first King of Númenor that refused to willingly give up the Sceptre to his heir.[1] Every King afterwards did not relinquish his reign until death, with the notable exception of Tar-Palantir.

During his reign the Eldar reported to the Valar that the Númenóreans were beginning to speak against the Ban of the Valar. Aggrieved, Manwë sent messengers to Tar-Atanamir. They explained that even if the Númenóreans could find the way to Aman it would not undo their doom. Tar-Atanamir asked if his ancestor Eärendil still lived; the messengers replied that his was a fate apart, but that all other men were mortal. The messengers told the King and his people that they must abide the will of Eru yet still Tar-Atanamir remained unsatisfied.[2]

He was one of Númenor's most famous and powerful Kings, but also one of its proudest and most greedy. He exacted tribute from the Men of Middle-earth, and despite the message Manwë was the first to speak openly against the Ban of the Valar[3] (though he did not dare to actually defy the Ban). He was known as "the Great", and also "the Unwilling", because he refused to give up his life freely, and lived on into old age and senility.[1] His reign is thus generally considered to constitute the beginning of Númenor's moral decline.

He was succeeded by his son, Tar-Ancalimon.[3] Herucalmo, the husband of Tar-Vanimeldë, also was descended from Tar-Atanamir.[4]



Other Versions of the Legendarium

In the Tale of Years, it said in S.A. 2251 "Tar-Atanamir takes the sceptre", however, Atanamir died in 2221. 2221 is itself an emendation of 2251, and the former (2221) appears in the later tables, while the latter (2251) in the earlier tables: therefore 2251 (properly 2221) should have read "Death of Tar-Atanamir. Tar-Ancalimon takes the sceptre".[5]


Preceded by:
13th King of Númenor
II 2029 – 2221
Followed by: