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the phantom · 12-03-2002, 01:16 PM

Another question.

Earlier, the differences between Maia, Vala, and Ainu were set forth. It was said that the title 'Maia' was merely denoting the job or office that the particular Ainu filled, and did not necessarily represent power or lack there of. It was said that there were other Ainu that could possibly rival the Valar on the power scale, but weren't called Valar because they didn't fill that role.

If the title Valar was indeed not representative of amount of power, but merely a position, I don't believe it would be a stretch to say that Sauron was nearly as powerful as some of the Valar, instead of considering him to be some watered down version of Morgoth.

He was a Maia of Aule, but if Maia was merely the name for a helper or assistant to a Vala, then the fact that he was a Maia should not put him very far down on the scale. All that it would say about him was that Aule had more skill with things of the earth. But, maybe Sauron wasn't too far behind, and was more skilled in other areas. Maybe before Arda was created, back when the holy ones were dwelling with Iluvatar and they were all in the same boat as the Ainur, maybe Sauron had the greater overall power in comparison to lets say Orome or Mandos, but because of his nature and the particular roles that needed to be filled in Arda (and because of his allegience to Melkor), he never became one of the Valar.

Am I way off base, or misreading the other posts? What do you think?

12-03-2002, 01:16 PM	#17
the phantom Beloved Shadow Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: The Stadium Posts: 5,971	Another question. Earlier, the differences between Maia, Vala, and Ainu were set forth. It was said that the title 'Maia' was merely denoting the job or office that the particular Ainu filled, and did not necessarily represent power or lack there of. It was said that there were other Ainu that could possibly rival the Valar on the power scale, but weren't called Valar because they didn't fill that role. If the title Valar was indeed not representative of amount of power, but merely a position, I don't believe it would be a stretch to say that Sauron was nearly as powerful as some of the Valar, instead of considering him to be some watered down version of Morgoth. He was a Maia of Aule, but if Maia was merely the name for a helper or assistant to a Vala, then the fact that he was a Maia should not put him very far down on the scale. All that it would say about him was that Aule had more skill with things of the earth. But, maybe Sauron wasn't too far behind, and was more skilled in other areas. Maybe before Arda was created, back when the holy ones were dwelling with Iluvatar and they were all in the same boat as the Ainur, maybe Sauron had the greater overall power in comparison to lets say Orome or Mandos, but because of his nature and the particular roles that needed to be filled in Arda (and because of his allegience to Melkor), he never became one of the Valar. Am I way off base, or misreading the other posts? What do you think? __________________ the phantom has posted. This thread is now important.