Amazon Prime Video's The Rings of Power delves deep into the First Age of Middle-earth. That said, the history of Arda begins with the Years of the Lamps, Illuin and Ormal, which were created by the Valar to illuminate the world. Melkor wrecks the lamps, forcing his brethren to cultivate Laurelin and Telperion, effectively initiating the Years of the Trees.

The First Age commenced with the Awakening of the Elves on Middle-earth and ended when Morgoth was thrown into his eternal prison. This period of time, also known as the Elder Days, lasted for 450 Years of the Trees followed by 590 Years of the Sun, totaling up to 4,902 normal years. As the Second and Third Ages went on for 3,441 and 3,021 years, respectively, the events of the First Age were far more historically relevant.

Updated on September 25, 2023, by Ajay Aravind: Amazon's The Rings of Power may not have enjoyed critical acclaim, but the show did well enough to receive praise. That said, many Lord of the Rings fans complained that the story took too many liberties with the source material. In any case, The Rings of Power Season 2 is already in the late stages of production, with an estimated release in 2024. As such, we've updated this list with five more entries pertaining to the early history of Middle-earth.

RELATED: Lord of the Rings: How Old Each Member of the Fellowship Actually Is

15 The First Fall Of Morgoth

Morgoth raising his hammer Grond by Ted Nasmith
© Ted Nasmith

The First Age of Middle-earth officially began when the Elves arose at Cuiviénen. However, the world had already been populated by the Valar and their attendants long before this. Morgoth, the strongest of the Valar, consistently attempted to meddle with Middle-earth against the will of the Creator, leading to strife with his brethren. The Valar eventually had enough of their fallen sibling and declared war on Morgoth, later known as the War of the Powers. This skirmish lasted several dozen years, but ended with a decisive victory for the Host of the Valar. Morgoth was subsequently sentenced to spend the next few millennia trapped in the Halls of Mandos.

14 The Awakening Of Men

Lord of the Rings — Middle-earth Gate artwork by J.R.R. Tolkien

Eru created Middle-earth for two races: Elves and Men. Although they are both known as the Children of Ilúvatar, the immortal Elves came into being several hundred years before their short-lived counterparts. The Awakening of Men takes place in the first Year of the Sun, somewhere in the vicinity of Hildórien. This race subsequently split into two notable factions, the Easterlings and the Edain. Morgoth tried to sway the Edain towards his cause, but most of them refused to follow the Dark Lord. Men are popularly referred to as the Children of the Sun, partly explaining why they fear the darkness more than Elves or Dwarves.

13 The Creation Of The Orcs

Orcs from the Lord of the Rings

Despite numbering in the tens of thousands, little is known about the Orcs of Middle-earth. There are several conflicting theories as to their origins, the most prominent among them being that Morgoth created them. It is said that some of the earliest Elves were abducted by the Dark Lord and transferred to his dungeons, where they experienced agonizing abuse and endless torture. This eventually transformed them into the first "race" of Orcs, from whom all other Orcs have descended. That said, Orcs don't seem to be immortal like the Elves, so even this popular theory is riddled with holes. Whatever the case, the Orcs came into being during the First Age.

RELATED: The Importance of the Harfoots in The Lord of the Rings

12 The Sundering Of The Elves

Gil-Galad, Galadriel, and Elrond in Rings of Power

After awakening at Cuiviénen, the Elves spent around 35 years wandering around the wilderness before they were discovered by Oromë of the Valar. During this period, the Elves had already separated themselves into three distinct groups, later known as the Ñoldor, the Vanyar, and the Teleri. Those who willingly accepted the summons to Valinor were referred to as the Eldar, while those Elves who rejected the idea were called the Avari.

Even among the Eldar, some of them simply failed to complete the journey, thereby forming smaller sub-tribes like the Silvan Elves. The Sundering of the Elves occurs twice in the First Age.

11 The Making Of The Silmarils

Front cover of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Silmarillion

Tolkien's The Silmarillion is named after the Silmarils, the most prized items in all of Middle-earth. Created by Fëanor, these three jewels supposedly glowed with the ineffable radiance of the Two Trees. Interestingly, some have suggested that Fëanor crafted the Silmarils because Galadriel refused to let him have a single strand of her. All things considered, however, the existence and fate of the Silmarils were deeply entwined with the history of the First Age. Morgoth stole them after killing Fëanor's father, Finwë, prompting a war between the Elves and the Dark Lord that half-destroyed Middle-earth.

10 The Destruction Of The Two Trees

Laurelin and Telperion, the Two Trees of Valinor

Laurelin and Telperion were the Two Trees of Valinor, spreading their blessed light all over Aman. They were brought to life by Yavanna, and nurtured by Nienna, Gandalf's former mentor. Laurelin's golden light mingled with Telperion's silver glow to create a glorious vision that has never been seen since. Unfortunately, Morgoth teamed up with Ungoliant the Spider to destroy the Two Trees, right before escaping Valinor with Fëanor's Silmarils. Nothing in Yavanna's power could reverse the damage — however, Laurelin's last fruit and Telperion's last flower would become the Sun and Moon, respectively.

RELATED: Lord of the Rings' Most Terrifying Creature Wasn't Smaug - It Was Much Bigger

9 The Siege Of Angband

Morgoth and Fingolfin duel outside Angband

Spearheaded by Fingolfin, the forces of the Ñoldor beleaguered Morgoth's subterranean lair for nearly four centuries. The so-called Siege of Angband was initiated in sync with the War of the Silmarils. Unfortunately, the fortress' location and defensive architecture prevented the Elves from inflicting any real damage on Morgoth's armies. Meanwhile, Morgoth slyly developed an intricate network of Elvish spies to shatter the Ñoldor's flagging morale. Protected from all four sides by Thangorodrim, the tallest peaks in Middle-earth, Angband remained unbreached until the Dagor Bragollach.

8 The Triumph Of Lúthien

Luthien from The Lord of the Rings on the Blind Guardian album art

The Silmarillion waxes eloquent about Lúthien and her undying love for Beren. When King Elu Thingol orders his daughter's suitor to secure a Silmaril, a seemingly inconceivable pursuit, Beren willingly walks into Morgoth's clutches. Lúthien courageously embarks on a rescue mission with Huan, the Vala Oromë's overpowered Hound. Sauron tries to stop the intrepid pair at Tol-in-Gaurhoth, only to be shamed and defeated. Then Lúthien's "voice came dropping down like rain into pools," lulling Morgoth into a dreamless sleep and allowing Beren to seize his glittering prize from the Iron Crown. Lúthien's greatest accomplishment, however, is convincing Mandos, Manwë, and Ilúvatar to resurrect Beren.

7 The Nírnaeth Arnoediad

Middle-earth army depicted on the front cover of The Shaping of Middle-earth by J.R.R. Tolkien

The Battle of Unnumbered Tears, or Nírnaeth Arnoediad, was fought between the Dark Lord and the Sons of Fëanor. The Union of Maedhros, formed in the 468th Year of the Sun, included the Easterlings, the Dwarves, the Edain, as well as the Beleriand Elves. Led by Bór, Ulfang, Fingon, Caranthir, and Maedhros himself, this inauspicious alliance weakened and crumbled under the weight of Morgoth's incessant assaults. Turgon's sudden appearance bought the Union some much-needed time, but Ulfang's unexpected betrayal essentially destroyed any hope for victory. The Nírnaeth Arnoediad ended on a distinctly bitter note — although Fëanor's doomed spawn managed to escape, Húrin Thalion was captured and imprisoned.

RELATED: A Rings of Power Theory Suggests Sauron Isn't Who You Think He Is

6 The Sufferings Of Húrin

Túrin Turambar depicted on the cover of The Children of Húrin by J.R.R. Tolkien

Despite his limitless valor, Húrin's battle-axe is gradually corroded by his enemies' acidic blood. In his bid to uncover Gondolin's whereabouts, Morgoth subjected him to the worst imaginable forms of torture, but to no avail. As a result, the Dark Lord "cursed" the House of Húrin to eternal torment. Morgoth then immobilized Húrin "in a chair of stone upon a high place of Thangorodrim," forcing the helpless man to watch as his family was slowly annihilated. However, some of Tolkien's unpublished writings state that "Túrin shall deal unto Morgoth his death and final end; and so shall the Children of Húrin and all fallen Men be avenged."

5 The Coming Of Eärendil

A statue of Earendil at Númenor harbor in Rings of Power

Born to Idril and Tuor in Gondolin, Eärendil was unquestionably the most important individual of the First Age. He married Elwing, thereby combining the royal lineages of Thingol and Turgon. Eärendil implored the Valar to take mercy on Middle-earth — his noble actions persuaded Valinor to lend their military support, ultimately leading to the Dark Lord's downfall. Eärendil continues to revolve around the world on his flying ship, Vingilótë, equitably distributing the light of the Silmaril across Middle-earth. In fact, Samwise Gamgee indirectly used his radiance to blind Shelob and rescue Frodo. Eärendil's sons, Elrond & Elros, played several crucial roles during the Second and Third Ages.

4 The Second Kinslaying

Elwing as a bird on the front cover of The Lost Road and Other Writings by J.R.R. Tolkien

The First Kinslaying transpired at Alqualondë, where the Teleri and Ñoldor Elves effectively massacred each other over a simple misunderstanding. The Vala Mandos condemned the House of Fëanor for their cruel actions, stating that "their Oath shall drive them, and yet betray them, and ever snatch away the very treasures that they have sworn to pursue." The Sons of Fëanor were similarly responsible for the Second Kinslaying, also known as the Second Sack of Doriath. The Elves of Doriath were utterly vanquished by Celegorm, Curufin, and Caranthir, and the once-glorious kingdom would never rise again in Middle-earth.

RELATED: A Cut Lord of the Rings Scene Almost Turned Frodo Into Gollum

3 The Rise & Fall Of Gondolin

The city of Gondolin depicted on the cover of The Fall of Gondolin by J.R.R. Tolkien

The Vala Ulmo guides Turgon to the Vale of Tumladen, where the latter establishes the Ñoldorin city of Gondolin. The construction process took 75 years, but the final product was well worth the effort. The Book of Lost Tales: Part Two describes the architectural grandeur of Gondolin in intimate detail — "many towers of great slenderness and beauty" and fountains that "shot twenty fathoms and seven in the air and fell in a singing rain of crystal." Glamdring and Orcrist, the swords used by Gandalf and Thorin Oakenshield in The Hobbit, were originally forged in this ancient kingdom. Despite the city's allegedly secret location, however, Morgoth manages to invade and destroy Gondolin with his Balrogs.

2 The War Of Wrath

Eärendil'S ship depicted on the cover of The Book of Lost Tales Part Two by J.R.R. Tolkien

The War of Wrath was arguably the most significant battle in the history of Arda. Morgoth's domination over Middle-earth was nearly complete by the end of the First Age. The Valar formally renounced their neutral stance and went to war with the Dark Lord. Although this skirmish dragged on for half a century, Morgoth's forces were slowly whittled down to nothing. Countless Orcs, Balrogs, and Dragons perished in the War of Wrath, but Middle-earth was also ruined beyond recognition. It took the victors several decades to regain some semblance of peace and political stability.

1 The Second Fall Of Morgoth

Morgoth and Ungoliant depicted on the cover of Morgoth's Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien

The Vala Melkor was, is, and will always be the greatest of Ilúvatar's children. Driven by his own monumental ego, however, he decides to seize control of the universe created for Elves and Men and reshape it according to his malicious whims. After stealing the Silmarils, Melkor becomes Morgoth, a name that means "Black Foe of the World" in Sindarin Elvish. Upon his final defeat in the War of Wrath, he desperately beseeches his siblings for mercy, but the remaining Valar refuse to pardon his crimes. Morgoth's Iron Crown is "beat[en] into a collar for his neck", and before he's "thrust through the Door of Night beyond the Walls of the World, into the Timeless Void."