Ar-Pharazon the Golden was the final king of Numenor and the captor of Sauron, though this King would later be seduced by Sauron. This would end the royal Númenórean line and Númenor itself. However, the faithful, the Elendili, such as Amandil or Tar-Palantir, would keep Ilúvatar in their hearts and not view the Gift of Men as an evil and were able to survive the downfall.
Early Life
Ar-Pharazôn the Golden was born in 3118 SA and was the son of Gimilkhad, who was the son of Ar-Gimilzor of Númenor. He had a Quenya name, Tar-Calion, that was seldom used.
“He had fared often abroad, as the leader in the wars of the Numenoreans made then in the coastlands of Middle-earth, seeking to extend their dominion over Men; and thus he had won great renown as a captain both by land and by sea. Therefore when he came back to Númenor, hearing of his father’s death, the hearts of the people were turned to him; for he brought with him of great wealth, and was for the time free in his giving. And it came to pass that Tar-Palantir grew weary of grief and died.” (The Silmarillion, “Akallabêth”)
After hearing of his father’s death, Pharazôn would seek wealth and power even more so than his father. While he was most known for fighting the mortality of Men under Sauron’s command, this would be more apparent much later. However, it is likely that his father’s death played a role in Pharazôn’s later desire, as Gimilkhâd was “two years before his two hundredth year (which was accounted an early death for one of Elros’ line even in its waning),” and also that the Númenóreans had started speaking against the Ban of the Valar much earlier, during the reign of Tar-Atanamir, and shortly after, Ar-Adunakhor would persecute the faithful from speaking Elven Tongues.
Meanwhile, the Faithful, who became distinct during the ruling of Tar-Atanamir in SA 2251, would continue keeping Ilúvatar in their hearts, and would move to the East and continue speaking the Elven Tongues. Pharazôn would be friends with Amandil, one of the Faithful, and the last Lord of Andunié of Númenor. During his kingship, he would keep Amandil in his council until the return of Sauron.
Pharazôn would also wed Tar-Miriel against her will, which would also be against the law of the Númenóreans, as they were not permitted to wed those closer than cousins of the second degree. There, he would take the name, Ar-Pharazôn, and Miriel, the queen, Ar-Zimraphel.
The Sceptre
Ar-Pharazôn would be the mightiest and proudest of those that wielded the scepter of the Sea-Kings since Númenor was founded. His first thought was securing power, which he would do while seizing the sceptre.
While sitting upon his carven throne in the city of Armenelos he would start thinking of war. “For he had learned of the strength of the realm of Sauron, and of his hatred of Westernesse. And now there came to him the masters of ships and captains returning out of the East, and they reported that Sauron was putting forth his might, since Ar-Pharazôn had gone back from Middle-earth, and he was pressing down upon the cities by the coasts; and he had taken now the title of King of Men, and declared his purpose to drive the Númenóreans into the sea, and destroy even Númenor, if that might be.” (The Silmarillion, “Akallabêth”)
Much like Melkor in the first age, Ar-Pharazôn would ponder long in secret and during this time, he would start to desire power and dominion of his will so he could become the King of Men, which he would seek without the counsel of the Valar.
Sauron’s Deception
Meanwhile, Sauron came from his tower of Barad-dûr, though initially he made no offer of battle. However, he humbled himself before the King, as men wondered, for all that he said seemed fair and wise. The King was not deceived yet, though Sauron would pass over the sea looking at the land of Númenor, and his heart would start to fill with envy and hate.
There were still a remnant of the Faithful, with the chief among them being Amandil, councillor of the King, and his son Elendil, whose sons were Isildur and Anarion. Amandil would be dismissed from the council, going their separate ways, and he would withdraw to Romenna as the rest of the council of Ar-Pharazôn would be deceived by Sauron into worshipping Melkor.
“Therefore Amandil withdrew to Rómenna, and all that he trusted still to be faithful he summoned to come thither in secret; for he feared that evil would now grow apace, and all the Elf-friends were in peril.” (The Silmarillion, “Akallabêth”)
Sauron would ask the King to cut down the white tree, Nimloth the Fair, as it was the memorial of the Eldar and the light of Valinor. At first he refused since his fortunes were still bound up with the Tree, fore spoken by Tar-Palantir. But he would start hating the Eldar and the Valar and the evil purpose of Sauron would be clear to Amandil, who knew that Sauron would have his will – and he did, as the king would later yield to Sauron and cut down the White Tree. This was only the beginning, as Sauron’s power would continue increasing.
Ar-Pharazôn would become the mightiest tyrant, especially as he started to feel that time was ticking and death was looming. Sauron would come in strategically – saying that his strength was so great, and he has to have his will and be subject to no command or ban.
“And he said: ‘The Valar have possessed themselves of the land where there is no death; and they lie to you concerning it, hiding it as best they may, because of their avarice, and their fear lest the Kings of Men should wrest from them the deathless realm and rule the world in their stead. And though, doubtless, the gift of life unending is not for all, but only for such as are worthy, being men of might and pride and great lineage, yet against all justice is it done that this gift, which is his due, should be withheld from the King of Kings, Ar-Pharazôn, mightiest of the sons on Earth, to whom Manwë alone can be compared, if even he. But great kings do not brook denials, and take what is their due.’
Then Ar-Pharazôn, being besotted, and walking under the shadow of death, for his span was drawing towards its end, hearkened to Sauron; and he began to ponder in his heart how he might make war upon the Valar. He was long preparing this design, and he spoke not openly of it, yet it could not be hidden from all.”
Thus, Sauron foresaw Ar-Pharazôn’s fear and wrath, caused by the eventual end of his life and his desire for great power which he had worked towards. Meanwhile, his old friend, Amandil, would be filled with great dread knowing that Sauron had corrupted Ar-Pharazôn and that Númenor would eventually reach its downfall.
Amandil sails west
Meanwhile, Amandil would call on his son, Elendil, to try a counsel done by Eärendil.
“The days are dark, and there is no hope for Men, for the Faithful are few. Therefore I am minded to try that counsel which our forefather Eärendil took of old, to sail into the West, be there ban or no, and to speak to the Valar, even to Manwë himself, if may be, and beseech his ere all is lost…as for the Ban, I will suffer in myself the penalty, lest all my people should become guilty.”
He would sail west in a small ship at night, steered east first before going into the west taking three unnamed servants. However, “never again were they heard of by word or sign in this world, nor is there any tale or guess of their fate.” It is unknown what happens to him after he sails west, though he goes to plead with the Valar for Númenor, while Eärendil would have gone to ask for help with the Elves and Men. Also, while the faithful were able to survive the Downfall of Númenor, it is unknown whether Amandil’s plan worked out, though we can guess that he survived the Downfall of Númenor.
Meanwhile, Elendil would do what his father told him, to not meddle in the evil deeds of the Númenóreans.
Downfall
Ar-Pharazôn would harden his heart, going aboard his ship, Alcarondas, Castle of the Sea to Valinor, breaking the Ban of the Valar. While he initially turned back, pride overtook him at this point and he and his army would arrive in Valinor.
Manwë would call upon Iluvatar while the Valar laid down their government of Arda. Iluvatar showed his power. Men would never be able to sail to Valinor. Númenor sank, as Ar-Pharazôn, along with his companions on the fleet were buried underground in the Caves of the Forgotten, while Amandil’s son Elendil and his sons were able to escape and survive the downfall of Númenor and create the Kingdoms of Gondor and Arnor in Middle-earth.
“But whether or no it were that Amandil came indeed to Valinor and Manwë hearkened to his prayer, by grace of the Valar Elendil and his sons and their people were spared from the ruin of the day.” (Akallabêth)
