ArPharazôn

Ar-Pharazôn the Golden was the last king of Númenor, ruling in the later years of the Númenórean realm during the Second Age. He was a formidable yet controversial figure, whose ambition and fear of death led him to seek immortality by confronting the Valar in Aman. Under his rule Númenor expanded its power and influence, with a powerful navy and a centralized, autocratic government.

During his reign, the deceived Sauron, who had been captured by the Númenóreans, served as an adviser and corrupted Ar-Pharazôn’s court. Sauron feigned repentance and offered counsel that fed the king’s ambitions, persuading him to demand immortality from the Valar and to invade the Undying Lands of Aman.

Ar-Pharazôn led a colossal armada to Aman; his forces seized the coasts and claimed dominion over the Immortal Lands. In response, the Valar invoked Ilúvatar’s power, and Númenor was destroyed in the Downfall as the world was reshaped and Aman was withdrawn from the circles of the world. Ar-Pharazôn perished during the cataclysm that ended Númenor.

The destruction left a small remnant faithful to the Valar who survived and fled to Middle-earth. Led by Elendil, they founded the kingdoms of Arnor and Gondor, laying the foundations for much of the history of Tolkien’s legendarium in the ages that followed.