First Age

   The Age of the Wars of Beleriand.

   First, and shortest by far, of the Four Ages chronicled by Tolkien.

   Unlike the Second and Third Ages, there is no detailed chronicle of the events of the First Age, and so dates must be inferred from references in the text - hence many dates in this Age (including the year in which it ended) are necessarily approximate. The First Age began with the Return of the Noldor to Middle-earth, the first rising of the Moon and the Sun, and the Awakening of Men in Hildórien. It ended with the War of Wrath, the destruction of Beleriand and the final defeat of Morgoth. The end of the First Age was marked by the return of many of the Noldor, accompanied also by many Sindarin Elves, into the West to dwell on Tol Eressëa.

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   Key Events of the First Age:

   - 1: Return of the Noldor; Dagor-nuin-Giliath; Awakening of Men.

   - c. 75: Dagor Aglareb.

   - 126: Completion of Gondolin.

   - c. 305: Arrival of Men in Beleriand.

   - 455: Dagor Bragollach.

   - 465: Beren and Lúthien achieve the Quest of the Silmaril.

   - 471: Nirnaeth Arnoediad.

   - 495: Sack of Nargothrond.

   - 510: Fall of Gondolin.

   - c. 583: War of Wrath; defeat of Morgoth.