Being Human
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The debate on how long humans live in Lord of The Rings is common in the Tolkien fandom. The LOTR books and movies have a lot of details and mysteries, and readers are always enthusiastic about solving them and understanding the works.
Humans have a pivotal role in the histories of Middle-earth, and so many people wonder about their lifespan and how it compares to the other races in LOTR.
Let’s delve into the details of this fantastic journey and give you all the answers about the life of humans in Tolkien’s universe;
How Long Do Humans Live In Lord Of The Rings?
Men of Numenorean descent, e.g., Aragorn, enjoy a longer lifetime and could grow as old as 210 years before they die. This was a unique lineage of men; only a few were in this category.
Ordinary humans had a lifespan similar to that of modern-day man, living between 70 to 100 years old. Tolkien never specified the lifespans of Dunlendings and other human tribes, but they are most likely comparable to that of regular men.
Who Was The Oldest Human In Lord of The Ring?
Some humans have stood out in Tolkien’s works for bravery, courage, wisdom, strong will, compassion, and age.
Through magic or intervention by other races, some humans lived significantly longer than others, and none lived longer than Tom Bombadil.
In the trilogy’s first book, “The Fellowship of the Ring,” he is referenced, but Tolkien does not go into too much detail about him.
It is important to note, however, that Tom Bombadil’s exact nature and origin are a source of much controversy among Tolkien enthusiasts, and he is an enigmatic and mysterious person.
Tom Bombadil is a cheerful, whimsical figure who lives in the Old Forest near Bree and the Barrow-downs. He is an ancient person with a special affinity to nature and a profound knowledge of the earth.
He appears unfazed by the passage of time and has a cheerful and childish disposition. Some theories suggest that he may have existed since the earliest days of the world, and his magic and connection to nature sustain him.
Others speculate that he might be a unique manifestation of nature’s essence or a personification of the land itself.
After leaving the Shire, the hobbits Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin meet Tom Bombadil. He saves them from several dangers in the old forest and later from the Barrow-wights in the Barrow-downs.
He helps the hobbits recover from the Barrow-wights’ malign influence and offers them weapons and wisdom for their adventure.
Despite his enormous age and unusual talents, Tom Bombadil plays no essential role in the broader events of the War of the Ring. He does not appear in the remaining “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy novels.
His exact nature and significance in Middle-earth mythology are still unknown, sparking countless speculations and discussions among Tolkien scholars and fans.
How Old Can All Of The Races Live in Lord Of The Rings?
Most fans argue that the best part about “Lord of the Rings” is the blend of so many characters from different races that are worlds apart.
These races have major differences in appearance, behavior, and age. Let us look at their lifespans and contrast;
1. Elves are Middle-earth’s longest-living race since they are practically immortal as they don’t age or get sick. They can, however, be killed in battle or die of grief.
High and Wood Elves can live for thousands of years, some being over 6,000 during “The Lord of the Rings.” Dark Elves often have shorter life spans because of the evil they traffic in.
2. The Valar are god-like beings sent by the supreme god, Iluvatar, to shape and rule the world. They are powerful with specific responsibilities and domains and are immortal and nearly impossible to kill, even in battle.
3. Half-Elves are people who have both Elven and human ancestors. They could choose to be Elves or Men by the Valar. Their choice will determine if they will have the lifespan of Elves or humans.
Elrond and his brother Elros, who decided to become mortal and ultimately became the first King of Numenor, are two notable Half-Elven characters.
4. The human race has the most varied lifespans; some live shorter lives, while others with Numenorean ancestry live longer. Ordinary men live about 100 years, while Numenoreans grow as old as 200, such as Aragorn, who died at 210.
5. Dwarves have longer lifespans than humans but shorter than elves. Their typical lifespan can be several hundred years. For example, Gimli, a Fellowship of the Ring member, lived for over 250 years.
6. Hobbits have a relatively short lifespan that is closer to that of humans. They live between 90 to 100 years, with a few reaching 130 or more.
7. Tolkien’s books do not expressly indicate the lifespans of Orcs and Uruk-hai, although he implies that they are shorter than the Free Peoples of Middle-earth. Orcs are brutal warmongers that mostly die in battle.
8. In Tolkien’s legendarium, Ents are ancient tree-like beings. They are also known as “Shepherds of the Trees” and guardians of Middle-earth’s woods. Ents are often sluggish and thoughtful animals that resemble the trees they guard.
They have a strong connection to nature and incredible strength. Ents have extremely lengthy lifespans, frequently living thousands of years. They are among Middle-earth’s oldest living beings.
Their slow and patient temperament reflects their lengthy lives and unique view of time, which contrasts sharply with the transitory lives of other races.
9. Trolls are giant, brutish monsters that exist in various forms, including mountain and cave trolls. They are typically portrayed as dimwitted and are frequently affiliated with destructive forces.
Trolls are mortal beings who can die in battle or by direct sunlight, which turns them to stone.
10. Skin changers like Beorn in “The Hobbit” are giant men who can transform into a bear. They can live for several centuries, and their shape-shifting abilities contribute to their long lives.
They can die in battle, as Beorn was the last of his race since orcs killed all the others.
Is There Magic On Middle Earth That Can Extend Life?
Magic is a big part of middle earth, and characters have used it to create armies, win wars, save other characters, and extend their lives. Here are some of the most significant situations in which magic extended a character’s life in Lord of The Ring;
1. The One Ring
The dark lord Sauron’s One Ring had the power to extend the life of its wearer, especially if the person was of a long-lived race like the Elves. For example, Gollum lived for hundreds of years because of the Ring’s effect.
However, the longer life came at the expense of corruption and withering of the soul, which turned Gollum into a monster.
2. Numenor
During the Second Age, the people of Numenor got an extended lifetime as a reward for their loyalty and friendship with the Valar, Tolkien’s mythological god-like beings.
The Numenoreans lived for centuries, far longer than ordinary men. Their pride and ambition, however, were their undoing, and their lives were cut short before the destruction of Numenor.
3. The Three Elves’ Rings
Celebrimbor constructed the Elven Rings of Power, Nenya, Narya, and Vilya, which he gave to Galadriel, Gandalf, and Elrond.
While they were not to prolong the lives of their bearers, they did preserve and safeguard the Elven lands to which they were linked, indirectly contributing to the longevity and prosperity of the Elves in those territories.
4. Gandalf and his fellow Istari, often known as the Wizards, were celestial creatures sent by the Valar to aid the Free Peoples of Middle-earth in their battle against Sauron.
While they took the form of ancient men, they were not mortal and lived longer lives than regular men. The magic of the Valar gave them special abilities and allowed them to live longer.
5. The Undying Lands
To the west of Middle-earth lies the Undying Lands, the Valar’s domain and the final destination for Elves seeking to depart Middle-earth. The Elves may achieve immortality by sailing to the Undying Lands, far from the sorrows and trials of the mortal world.
6. The Elves’ Healing Powers
The Elves were famous for their healing talents, and their medical knowledge permitted them to extend the lives of mortals under certain conditions.
Elrond’s healing abilities, for example, were critical in saving Frodo’s life after the Witch-king’s Morgul blade injured him.
Conclusion
So how long can humans live in “Lord of The Rings?” Humans have an average 100-year life span which is short compared to races like Elves. Some humans have particular lineages or magic that helps them live longer.
Middle Earth is a magical place full of mystery and old stories from all races that show how old they grew. Some races are entwined with nature, allowing them to live for centuries more than average.
