Aratar
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The Aratar, also known as the Máhani (Val. māchanumāz) or simply just the Eight, were the High Ones of Arda, the greatest of the Valar: Manwë, Varda, Ulmo, Yavanna, Aulë, Mandos, Nienna and Oromë. Though Manwë was held to be the High King of Arda, the Eight were held in equal reverence, and were said to possess a majesty that surpassed even the other Valar.
The Aratar were originally nine, and included Morgoth. He was removed from this 'order' during and after his rebellion.[1]
Etymology[edit | edit source]
Aratar is Quenya for "The High Ones",[2] "The Exalted"[3] or "The Supreme".[4]
Aratar is the plural of arata ("high, lofty, noble"),[5] being an extended form of the stem ara-, which in Quenya had become specialized for the Aratar, but also used in noble names.[3] It has the same root as the Sindarin term Rodon (pl. Rodyn).[6]
Another form is Máhan/Máhani, a loan from the Valarin term māchanāz pl. māchanumāz "Authorities". These terms are also the source of Máhanaxar/Māchananaškad.[4]
Other versions of the legendarium[edit | edit source]
The idea of some exalted Valar is present since the earlier versions of the Valaquenta, but the number increased with the development.
References
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Valaquenta: Of the Valar"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Morgoth's Ring, "Part Three. The Later Quenta Silmarillion: (II) The Second Phase: The Valaquenta", p. 203 (text used in the published Valaquenta)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "XI. The Shibboleth of Fëanor", "Notes", p. 363, note 43
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "Part Four. Quendi and Eldar: Appendix D. *Kwen, Quenya, and the Elvish (especially Ñoldorin) words for 'Language': Note on the 'Language of the Valar'", p. 402
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, "Words, Phrases and Passages in Various Tongues in The Lord of the Rings: Eldarin Roots and Stems", in Parma Eldalamberon XVII (edited by Christopher Gilson), p. 49
- ↑ Hiswelókë suggests an etymology from OS *(a)råto(ndo) "noble one", CE *arâtô. Cf. Eldamo: S. Rodon n.
| Ainur | ||
|---|---|---|
| Valar | Lords | Manwë · Ulmo · Aulë · Oromë · Mandos · Irmo · Tulkas · |
| Valier | Varda · Yavanna · Nienna · Estë · Vairë · Vána · Nessa | |
| Maiar | Arien · Blue Wizards · Eönwë · Gandalf · Ilmarë · Melian · Ossë · Radagast · Salmar · Saruman · Tilion · Uinen | |
| Úmaiar | Sauron · Balrogs (Gothmog · Durin's Bane) · Boldogs | |
| Concepts and locations | Almaren · Aratar (indicated in italics) · Creation of the Ainur · Fana · Máhanaxar · Ainulindalë · Order of Wizards (indicated in bold) · Second Music of the Ainur · Timeless Halls · Valarin · Valinor · Valimar | |
