Silmarillion
Tolkien's creation myths
The Silmarillion is a mythological and historical work by J.R.R.
Tolkien, published posthumously in 1977.
It chronicles the creation of Middle-earth and the ancient history preceding The Lord of the Rings—the forging of the silmarils, jewels of immense beauty that drive wars among elves, men, and the dark lord Morgoth.
The title refers both to the book and to the collection of legends within it.
Often cited as dense or difficult compared to Tolkien's other works: I tried reading The Silmarillion but couldn't get through it.
- legendariumComprehensive fictional mythology collection
- mythologyBody of traditional tales
- epicImpressively grand in scope
- sagaExtended heroic narrative
narrative · prose · posthumous · Christopher · manuscript · tales · lore · worldbuilding
Cut precious stones
- lightVisible electromagnetic radiation
- oathFormal binding promise
- craftsmanshipSkill in making objects
- radianceGlowing luminous quality
Valinor · Morgoth · holy · stolen · brilliance · treasures · three · hallowed
- warsOrganized armed conflicts
- battlesMilitary combat events
- darknessTotal absence of light
- siegeEncirclement forcing surrender
ruin · doom · curse · tragedy · fall · dragons · orcs · evil
Tolkien
- legendariumComprehensive fictional mythology collection
- mythologyBody of traditional tales
- epicImpressively grand in scope
saga · narrative · prose · posthumous · Christopher · manuscript · tales · lore · worldbuilding · fantasy
gems
Cut precious stones
- lightVisible electromagnetic radiation
- oathFormal binding promise
- craftsmanshipSkill in making objects
Valinor · Morgoth · radiance · holy · stolen · brilliance · treasures · three · hallowed · crown
Morgoth
siege · ruin · doom · curse · tragedy · fall · dragons · orcs · evil · destruction
firstborn
First child born
creation
Making something exist
world · universe · discord · void · themes · harmony · making · vision · divine · powers
- Middle-earthFrodo, Gandalf, Aragorn, Bilbo, Gollum
- Tolkien mediaThe Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, Two Towers, extended editions
- Elveshigh elves, high elf, dark elves, wood elf, wood elves
- epicsIliad, Odyssey, Aeneid, epic poem, Beowulf