Middle-earth

Organization

Istari

Also known as Wizards, the Five Wizards, Heren Istarion

The five Wizards sent from the West in the guise of old men to move the free peoples against Sauron, of whom only Gandalf remained faithful to the end.

Tolkien’s textsSupported by the narratives published in Tolkien’s lifetime.
Category
Organization
Language
They spoke the tongues of the peoples they served, including Westron and Elvish.
Istari

What this is

In brief

A small purposeful order of Maiar clothed in mortal form, not a race or kingdom. Gandalf, Saruman and Radagast are individual members of this order, not a people; the peoples they guide are Men, Elves and Hobbits.

Origins

The Istari were Maiar of the Valar, sent about T.A. 1000 by the Valar, at the prompting of Manwë and with Eru’s sanction, to contest Sauron by counsel rather than by force. Saruman the White, Gandalf the Grey, Radagast the Brown and the two Blue Wizards (Alatar and Pallando) came to Middle-earth; their true names and natures were hidden.

Culture

Bound in the bodies of elderly Men, the Istari were forbidden to dominate others by power or fear, and were commanded to persuade and to inspire. They wielded subtle arts, kept counsel and travelled widely, but their mission was fragile against pride and weariness.

Language

They spoke the tongues of the peoples they served, including Westron and Elvish.

History

For a thousand years the Wizards worked against the Shadow. Saruman, chief of the order, grew proud, studied the Enemy’s craft and fell, becoming a tyrant of Isengard. Gandalf remained true, helped to found the White Council, and was reborn as the White after Moria, guiding the free peoples to the fall of Sauron. Radagast served the beasts and birds; the Blue Wizards went into the East and their fates are debated.

Leaders

Settlements

  • isengard
  • rosgobel

Alliances

  • the-white-council
  • the-fellowship-of-the-ring
  • elves
  • men

Conflicts

  • war-of-the-ring
  • council-of-elrond

Notable members

Sources

  • The Lord of the Rings · 1954–55

    Three volumes: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, The Return of the King.

  • The Silmarillion · 1977

    Posthumously edited. Contains the Ainulindalë, Valaquenta, Quenta Silmarillion, Akallabêth and Of the Rings of Power.

  • Unfinished Tales · 1980

    Expanded and alternative accounts of the First, Second and Third Ages.

  • The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien · 1981

    Authorial commentary useful for interpretation, but not always narrative canon.

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