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Aratar

Aratar or Máhani (Val. māchanumāz) were the High Ones of Arda, the greatest of the Valar: Manwë, Varda, Ulmo, Yavanna, Aulë, Mandos, Nienna and Oromë. Though Manwë was held to be the High King of Arda, the Eight were held in equal reverence, and were said to possess a majesty that surpassed even the other Valar.

The Aratar were originally nine, and included Melkor. He was removed from this 'order' after his rebellion.[1]

[edit] Etymology

Aratar is Quenya for "The High Ones",[2] "The Exalted"[3] or "The Supreme".[4]

Aratar is the plural of arata ("high, lofty, noble"),[5] being an extended form of the stem ara-, which in Quenya had become specialized for the Aratar, but also used in noble names.[3] It has the same root as the Sindarin term Rodon (pl. Rodyn).[6]

Another form is Máhan/Máhani, a loan from the Valarin term māchanāz pl. māchanumāz "Authorities". These terms are also the source of Máhanaxar/Māchananaškad.[4]

[edit] Other versions of the legendarium

The idea of some exalted Valar is present since the earlier versions of the Valaquenta, but the number increased with the development.

References

  1. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Valaquenta: Of the Valar"
  2. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Morgoth's Ring, "Part Three. The Later *Quenta Silmarillion*: (II) The Second Phase: The Valaquenta", p. 203 (text used in the published Valaquenta)
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "XI. The Shibboleth of Fëanor", "Notes", p. 363, note 43
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "Part Four. Quendi and Eldar: Appendix D. *Kwen, Quenya, and the Elvish (especially Ñoldorin) words for 'Language': Note on the 'Language of the Valar'", p. 402
  5. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, "Words, Phrases and Passages in Various Tongues in The Lord of the Rings: Eldarin Roots and Stems", in *Parma Eldalamberon* XVII (edited by Christopher Gilson), p. 49
  6. ↑ Hiswelókë suggests an etymology from OS *(a)råto(ndo) "noble one", CE *arâtô. Cf. Eldamo: S. *Rodon* n.

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