Actually, I'd compare the Elves to the Native Americans (and not just because of the bow and arrow thing). The Native Americans were much more in touch with nature than technology and such, and also had an elf-like, helpful demeanor (remember the Puritans and the corn).
Númenóreans would definetly be Roman, Orcs would be Vikings, and the Gondorians/Rohirrim would be Byzantines (left over from Romans).
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