Guide to The Silmarillion: Of Men (Ch. 12)

Chapter Twelve: Of Men

Now the Valar were at peace in Valinor, but Morgoth had dominion of Middle-earth,
held back only by the light of the Sun and the valor of the Noldor. Then began the Years of the Sun, and the younger children of Ilúvatar awoke in Hildórien.

They were called:

• The Atani, the Second People

• The Hildor, the Followers

• The Apanónar, the After-born

• The Engwar, the Sickly

• The Fírimar, the Mortals

• The Usurpers

• The Strangers

• The Inscrutable

• The Self-Cursed

• The Heavy-Handed

• The Night-Fearers

• The Children of the Sun

The Men befriended the Dark Elves and learned a lot from them, but they learned little of the Valar and knew of them only by rumor. For a time, they lived in happiness, but the lies of Morgoth and the curse upon Fëanor were ever at work.

Elves and Men

Elves and Men were alike in body, but Elves were immortal and Men were not. Men were more prone to illness and injury, and their fate after death was unknown to the Eldar.