The Silmarillion facts for kids
The Silmarillion is a famous book written by J. R. R. Tolkien. It was published in 1977, after Tolkien had passed away. His son, Christopher Tolkien, helped put the book together. The Silmarillion tells the very old stories of Middle-earth, which is the same world where The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings take place. These stories happen long before the events in those other books.
The word "Silmarillion" can mean the book itself. But it can also refer to all the ancient tales from the First Age of Middle-earth. These specific stories are known as the Quenta Silmarillion.
Contents
What is The Silmarillion About?
The published book The Silmarillion is divided into five main parts. Each part tells a different piece of the history of Middle-earth.
The Beginning: How the World Was Made
The first part is called the Ainulindalë. It explains how the world and everything in it was created. It tells about Eru Ilúvatar, who is like the God of this world. He created powerful beings called the Ainur.
The Valar and Maiar: Powerful Spirits
Next comes the Valaquenta. This part describes the Ainur who came down into the world. They are known as the Valar and the Maiar. These are very powerful spirits who helped shape the world and guide its early history.
The Great Stories of the First Age
The third and largest part is the Quenta Silmarillion. This section contains the main stories of the First Age of Middle-earth. It describes the long wars between the Elves and Men against the evil Dark Lord Morgoth. The stories also focus on the fight to get back the special jewels called the Silmarils.
The Fall of Númenor
The fourth part is the Akallabêth. This section tells the sad story of the downfall of Númenor. Númenor was a great island kingdom of Men, but it was destroyed because of their pride and rebellion.
Leading Up to The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings
The final part is titled Of The Rings of Power and the Third Age. This section connects the ancient history to the more recent events. It explains how the Rings of Power were made and sets the stage for the stories told in The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.
