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Before the Hobbit- The Intriguing Chronology of Middle-earth’s Rings of Power

Does “The Rings of Power” come before “The Hobbit”? This question has intrigued fans of J.R.R. Tolkien’s works for years. The answer lies in the chronological order of the events in Tolkien’s legendarium, which is the fictional universe he created for his Middle-earth stories. Understanding this order is crucial for appreciating the depth and complexity of Tolkien’s world.

In the world of Middle-earth, “The Rings of Power” refers to a series of magical rings created by the Dark Lord Sauron. These rings were crafted by the Elves, and they possessed the power to control the will of their bearers. The story of the rings is primarily told in “The Lord of the Rings,” which is the third volume of Tolkien’s “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy. However, the events of “The Rings of Power” began long before Bilbo Baggins embarked on his adventure in “The Hobbit.”

The creation of the rings is set in the First Age of Middle-earth, a time that predates the events of “The Hobbit” by several millennia. In “The Silmarillion,” a companion volume to “The Lord of the Rings,” Tolkien provides a detailed account of the history of Middle-earth, including the creation of the rings. The story of the rings begins with the fall of the Elven King, Elu Thingol, and his wife, Melian, who were granted immortality by the Valar, the divine beings who created Middle-earth. Their son, Elrond, inherited the ring of power, which he passed down to his descendants, the Elves.

As the First Age progressed, Sauron, a former Maia, fell into darkness and sought to conquer Middle-earth. He desired the rings of power to achieve his goal, as they would give him dominion over all other rings and, consequently, over Middle-earth. The Elves, Dwarves, and Men joined forces to combat Sauron and his forces, leading to the War of the Ring. This war was a pivotal moment in the history of Middle-earth, as it determined the fate of the rings and the destiny of the free peoples.

The events of “The Hobbit,” which take place in the Third Age, are set several centuries after the War of the Ring. Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit from the Shire, is inadvertently drawn into the quest to destroy the One Ring, which Sauron had created to complete his dark plan. This quest is a continuation of the struggle against Sauron that began in the First Age with the creation of the rings.

In conclusion, “The Rings of Power” indeed come before “The Hobbit” in the chronological order of events in Tolkien’s legendarium. The story of the rings, as told in “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Silmarillion,” sets the stage for the adventures of Bilbo Baggins and the other heroes of Middle-earth. Understanding this timeline is essential for fully appreciating the rich history and depth of Tolkien’s fictional world.

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