The Parallelism of Numenor and Valyria

When reading through the immortal epics of Middle-earth and the A Song of Ice and Fire series, one cannot ignore the striking similarities between the mighty empires of Númenor and Valyria. Both stories are filled with themes of downfall, sorcery, and the price of arrogance. But just how similar are these two empires, and is there any real connection?

Comparing Númenor and Valyria: A Look at Similarities

Let's begin by examining the empires of Númenor and Valyria side by side. Both were powerful nations that embarked on quests of conquest and domination, subjugating their neighbors. In the -The Lord of the Rings-, the Númenóreans were known for their exceptional architecture and their mastery of sorcery. Similarly, the Valyrians were renowned for their prowess in sorcery and construction. However, their downfall came from shared arrogance and hubris, leading to their ultimate demise.

Númenor: An Empire of Giants

Númenor, the original home of the Númenóreans, is often compared to Atlantis due to its legendary status and the cyclical nature of its rise and fall. Famed for its long-lived inhabitants and their exceptional craftmanship, Númenor symbolized the pinnacle of human achievement. However, this great empire was consumed by arrogance and eventually destroyed by the wrath of the gods, leaving only a small fraction to establish a new realm.

Valyria: A Kingdom of Dragons

Valyria, on the other hand, rose to power through its mastery of sorcery and the construction of impressive architecture. Cities such as Dragonstone and Volantis serve as testaments to their architectural genius, and the Valyrian citizenry were known for their distinct physical features: purple eyes and gold, blue, or silver hair. These traits might suggest a genetic domination over their neighboring peoples. However, the downfall of Valyria was not a natural disaster, as it was said that the Faceless Men punished them for their arrogance. Like Númenor, Valyria's fall paved the way for a new era of power, with a fraction of the original population founding a new realm.

Is Valyria a Copy of Númenor?

Some readers argue that Valyria was indeed a copy of Númenor, suggesting that Tolkien and George R. R. Martin borrowed heavily from each other. While it is true that both empires shared significant characteristics, such as their focus on sorcery and architecture, it is also important to note their unique differences. For instance, Valyrian towers lacked tops, unlike those in Númenor. Valyrians also had distinct physical traits, while Númenóreans were described as normal. Additionally, Númenor was a colossal oceanic empire, while Valyria was geographically smaller.

Unique Traits of Númenor and Valyria

Despite the similarities, each empire had its unique attributes. For Númenor, the sinking by the waters of the gods marked the end of an era, while Valyria's fall was influenced by the vengeful Faceless Men. Both empires had significant impacts on the surrounding regions, with their architectural grandeur and sorcerous prowess leaving lasting legacies in their respective worlds.

Beyond Sorcery: A Comparison of Emperors and Artifacts

Another interesting aspect of the comparison between Númenor and Valyria is their governing structures and relics. In the Númenor stories, the palantiri (seeing stones) were important artifacts used for communication and vision. Interestingly, there are tantalizing parallels between these and the glass candles of Valyria, which also allowed for enhanced communication and vision. Both artifacts serve as symbols of the power and unification achieved by their respective empires.

While it is tempting to see Valyria as a direct copy of Númenor, a closer examination reveals the distinct characteristics and emphases of each. Both empires, however, can be seen as profound reflections on the rise and fall of civilizations, the dangers of arrogance, and the eternal struggle for power.