"J.R.R. Tolkien - The History of Middle-Earth - 00" - читать интересную книгу автора (Tolkien J.R.R)

The seven Dwarven peoples were called the Firebeards (of Gabilgathol), the Broadbeams (of
Tumunzahar), the Longbeards (of Khazad-dum), the Ironfists, the Stiffbeards, the Blacklocks,
and the Stonefoots. They awoke in four places: a mountain in Ered Luin (perhaps near where
Gabilgathol was located, if not that place itself), Gundabad, and two other mountains in the
distant east, each separated from the others by at least as much distance as separated Gundabad
from the place of awakening in Ered Luin.


The Dwarves spread throughout Middle-earth, trading with the Avari, Nandor, and Sindar. They
also engaged in some trade among themselves, but also fought occasional wars. Their knowledge
of weapons and armor allowed the Dwarves to teach these skills to the Sindar of Beleriand, and
at least two kindreds of Dwarves fought in the wars against Melkor.

During the Second Age many of the Dwarves gathered in Khazad-dum, making it a multi-
kindred city. Durin's Line became the most powerful and renowned of the Dwarven Houses, and
they allied themselves with the Eldar in the wars against Sauron. It is possible the easternmost
Dwarves fell into evil and perhaps even served Sauron.

The Third Age saw the decline of the Dwarves, although Durin's Folk endured and flourished for
two thirds of the age until they awoke a Balrog. The Balrog devastated their kingdom, forcing
them to flee into exile. Although the Dwarves of Durin's Line established new homes elsewhere,
they never again realized the greatness of their ancient civilization in Khazad-dum. Legend said
that they would one day inhabit Khazad-dum again, but by that time (sometime in the Fourth
Age) the Dwarven race had dwindled to a remnant of its former numbers.




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 Essays On Middle-earth


The Atani (Men)
There is no part of the history of Arda in which Men play a singular role until the final departure
of the Eldar and decline of the Dwarves. Men fought in the wars of Beleriand on both sides, and
they served Sauron even as the Edain aided the Eldar in the Second Age.

The wars and great kingdoms of the Third Age were the wars and realms of Men, not Elves or
Dwarves. The great migrations of that age were all Mannish. Civilization in Middle-earth was all
but destroyed by Sauron, yet what little survived the tumultuous age was preserved largely by the
Dunedain and their allies.

The Fourth Age was called the Age of Men because its advent heralded the end of the Elder
Days, the passing of the Eldar, and the onset of the domination of Men in the history of Middle-
earth.




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