The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum - View Single Post - Half-elven Lifespan

Alfirin · 12-03-2008, 06:34 AM

I seem to recall something about Elros's 500 year lifespan being cosidered something exceptional and unusual. I would imagine that once choosing mortality, a Half-elf usally had a lifespan comperable to a ordianry mortal of the same approximate physical age as themselves; the 122 years Arven lived are likey on the high side of normal, but nothing out of the ordinary. Still when you consider how long that is in comparison to the mean lifespan of the real world Tolkein was basing it on (Wasn't the average lifespan in Roman society around 40 years or so?) 122 is in itslef, incredible.

12-03-2008, 06:34 AM	#11
Alfirin Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 435	I seem to recall something about Elros's 500 year lifespan being cosidered something exceptional and unusual. I would imagine that once choosing mortality, a Half-elf usally had a lifespan comperable to a ordianry mortal of the same approximate physical age as themselves; the 122 years Arven lived are likey on the high side of normal, but nothing out of the ordinary. Still when you consider how long that is in comparison to the mean lifespan of the real world Tolkein was basing it on (Wasn't the average lifespan in Roman society around 40 years or so?) 122 is in itslef, incredible.