Middle-earth

Army

Last Alliance of Elves and Men

Also known as The Last Alliance, Army of the Last Alliance

The great host of Elves and Men that marched against Sauron at the end of the Second Age and cast him down in a seven-year siege of Barad-dûr.

Tolkien’s textsSupported by the narratives published in Tolkien’s lifetime.
Category
Army
Language
Sindarin, Quenya and Westron, with each contingent using its own tongue.

What this is

In brief

An army or coalition, not a people, kingdom or lasting organisation. It was raised for one war, gathered from many peoples, and dissolved after Sauron’s fall; Elves and Men remain the peoples it joined.

Origins

The Last Alliance was formed in S.A. 3430 when Gil-galad, High King of the Noldor, and Elendil, High King of the Dúnedain, joined forces against Sauron, who had taken the One Ring and threatened all the West. Círdan, Elrond, Isildur, Anárion and Oropher led contingents.

Culture

A coalition army of distinct units: Noldor, Sindar, Silvan Elves, Dwarves and the Dúnedain of Arnor and Gondor. Its campaigns moved through Eriador and down into Mordor and Gorgoroth.

Language

Sindarin, Quenya and Westron, with each contingent using its own tongue.

History

The Alliance marched against Sauron in S.A. 3431 and fought the Battle of Dagorlad, then besieged Barad-dûr for seven years. In S.A. 3441 Sauron came forth; Gil-galad and Elendil were slain, and Isildur cut the One Ring from Sauron’s hand, ending the war. The Alliance then dispersed, and Isildur’s failure to destroy the Ring doomed the peace.

Leaders

Settlements

  • rivendell
  • arnor
  • gondor
  • mordor

Alliances

  • elves
  • men
  • gondor
  • arnor
  • durins-folk

Conflicts

  • battle-of-the-last-alliance
  • battle-of-dagorlad
  • war-of-sauron

Notable members

Sources

  • The Silmarillion · 1977

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

  • The Lord of the Rings · 1954–55

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

  • Unfinished Tales · 1980

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

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