oldest person in middle earth - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

The Might · 12-18-2006, 02:19 PM

I personally believe the oldest Elf is Ingwe, King of all Elves, that still dwells in Aman
It is not clear if he is still alive at the end of the Third Age, but neither is his death mentioned, and it is very possible that he is the eldest.
he is known to have awoken at Cuivienen
Ingwe has the most chances to be considered the eldest, as his name means "the first one".
on the other hand, this name could also have this meaning in reference to his exalted position as High King of all the Elves.

Raynor · 12-18-2006, 02:34 PM

In an early variant of the story, Ingwe is indeed given the title of the first elf:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Of the valian tongues and its descendants, HoME V

On the march to the West the Lindar went first, and the chief house among them was the house of Ingwe, high-king of the Eldalie, and the oldest of all Elves, for he first awoke.

...although later the name of the first elf is given as Imin - in the legend of the awakening of the elves, Quendi and Eldar, HoME XI.

Legate of Amon Lanc · 12-19-2006, 05:49 AM

Well the thing is, are we telling the oldest person in Middle-Earth (meaning: not Aman) or oldest person in Middle-Earth (actually meaning Eä, or the world of Tolkien as such)?

As for the first, I stand for Tom. Maybe even for the second (if you don't consider Maiar persons. And, of course, if you don't consider old TB being Maia

Do Balrogs have wings?)

The Might · 12-19-2006, 07:32 AM

well I saw the opening post asking about Elves, and in this case it would be Ingwe
however, if we are talking about other races as well, I also agree that TB is the oldest

Legate of Amon Lanc · 12-19-2006, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Might

well I saw the opening post asking about Elves, and in this case it would be Ingwe

Oh yeah, then Círdan, because Ingwë was not in Middle-Earth (see above).

Valier · 12-19-2006, 11:07 AM

If we are not specifically talking about the oldest Elf, would not one of the Dwarves that Aule made be the oldest? He did make them before the coming of the Elves.

The Might · 12-19-2006, 11:41 AM

however, at the end of the Third Age this dwarf would be long gone...
theoretically one could debate if Durin VII and Last wasn't the oldest...however as mentioned in LOTR the name of Durin was given to a Dwarf if he resembled his famous ancestor a great deal and was believed to be a reincarnation of Durin. But even if this were so, considering he had already died 6 times before makes me not a valid candidate for the title...

12-18-2006, 02:19 PM	#1
The Might Guard of the Citadel Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Oxon Posts: 2,205	I personally believe the oldest Elf is Ingwe, King of all Elves, that still dwells in Aman It is not clear if he is still alive at the end of the Third Age, but neither is his death mentioned, and it is very possible that he is the eldest. he is known to have awoken at Cuivienen Ingwe has the most chances to be considered the eldest, as his name means "the first one". on the other hand, this name could also have this meaning in reference to his exalted position as High King of all the Elves. __________________ “The invisible and the non-existent look very much alike.” Delos B. McKown

12-19-2006, 05:49 AM	#3
Legate of Amon Lanc A Voice That Gainsayeth Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: In that far land beyond the Sea Posts: 7,431	Well the thing is, are we telling the oldest person in Middle-Earth (meaning: not Aman) or oldest person in Middle-Earth (actually meaning Eä, or the world of Tolkien as such)? As for the first, I stand for Tom. Maybe even for the second (if you don't consider Maiar persons. And, of course, if you don't consider old TB being Maia Do Balrogs have wings?) __________________ "Should the story say 'he ate bread,' the dramatic producer can only show 'a piece of bread' according to his taste or fancy, but the hearer of the story will think of bread in general and picture it in some form of his own." -On Fairy-Stories

12-19-2006, 07:32 AM	#4
The Might Guard of the Citadel Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Oxon Posts: 2,205	well I saw the opening post asking about Elves, and in this case it would be Ingwe however, if we are talking about other races as well, I also agree that TB is the oldest __________________ “The invisible and the non-existent look very much alike.” Delos B. McKown

12-19-2006, 11:07 AM	#6
Valier Twisted Taleswapper Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: somewhere between sanity and insanity Posts: 1,706	If we are not specifically talking about the oldest Elf, would not one of the Dwarves that Aule made be the oldest? He did make them before the coming of the Elves. __________________ grand return?........

12-19-2006, 11:41 AM	#7
The Might Guard of the Citadel Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Oxon Posts: 2,205	however, at the end of the Third Age this dwarf would be long gone... theoretically one could debate if Durin VII and Last wasn't the oldest...however as mentioned in LOTR the name of Durin was given to a Dwarf if he resembled his famous ancestor a great deal and was believed to be a reincarnation of Durin. But even if this were so, considering he had already died 6 times before makes me not a valid candidate for the title... __________________ “The invisible and the non-existent look very much alike.” Delos B. McKown

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