Aratan
Aratan was the second son of Isildur. He was born in year 3339 of the Second Age in Gondor. His older brother was Elendur and his two younger brothers were Ciryon and Valandil. Aratan had an uncle named Anarion who shared the rule of Gondor with Isildur, and a grandfather named Elendil who ruled both Gondor and Arnor in the north.
In 3429 of the Second Age, Sauron launched an attack on Isildur's city of Minas Ithil and the enemy forces successfully captured it. Isildur fled with his family to Arnor and sought advise from Elendil. Elendil had allied his kingdom with the Elves of Lindon led by Gil-galad. They had formed the Last Alliance of Elves and men in 3430 and they gathered in Rivendell. The armies of Elves and men marched to war against Sauron.
Aratan and Ciryon did not fight in the War of the Last Alliance. Instead, they were given duties as guards in Minas Ithil just in case Sauron tried to escape from Mordor over the pass of Cirith Duath. The war ended in 3441 when Sauron was defeated by Isildur. Elendil had died at war and Isildur became High King. The defeat of Sauron finalized the Second Age.
In year 2 of the Third Age, Aratan and his brothers Elendur and Ciryon accompanied their father to Arnor where they were to live the rest of their days. But on October 4 on the Gladden Fields, Orcs from the Misty Mountains who were drawn by the power of Isildur's Ring attacked. Ciryon was immediately killed and Aratan was badly wounded trying to defend him. Isildur and Elendur were killed as well later on in the battle. Valandil was still a child at the time and remained in Rivendell. He became king of Arnor but not Gondor, and Gondor's kings became separated from those of Arnor and the two kingdoms were not united for many years.
As it turned out, Aratan's wound was mortal and he died soon after the attack.
In 3429 of the Second Age, Sauron launched an attack on Isildur's city of Minas Ithil and the enemy forces successfully captured it. Isildur fled with his family to Arnor and sought advise from Elendil. Elendil had allied his kingdom with the Elves of Lindon led by Gil-galad. They had formed the Last Alliance of Elves and men in 3430 and they gathered in Rivendell. The armies of Elves and men marched to war against Sauron.
Aratan and Ciryon did not fight in the War of the Last Alliance. Instead, they were given duties as guards in Minas Ithil just in case Sauron tried to escape from Mordor over the pass of Cirith Duath. The war ended in 3441 when Sauron was defeated by Isildur. Elendil had died at war and Isildur became High King. The defeat of Sauron finalized the Second Age.
In year 2 of the Third Age, Aratan and his brothers Elendur and Ciryon accompanied their father to Arnor where they were to live the rest of their days. But on October 4 on the Gladden Fields, Orcs from the Misty Mountains who were drawn by the power of Isildur's Ring attacked. Ciryon was immediately killed and Aratan was badly wounded trying to defend him. Isildur and Elendur were killed as well later on in the battle. Valandil was still a child at the time and remained in Rivendell. He became king of Arnor but not Gondor, and Gondor's kings became separated from those of Arnor and the two kingdoms were not united for many years.
As it turned out, Aratan's wound was mortal and he died soon after the attack.
Names & Meanings
The name Aratan means "nobleman" in Quenya. It is derived from ar meaning "noble" and atan meaning "man." Tolkien had originally selected the name Eärnur for this character in an early version, but then changed his name to Aratan.
References
The Unfinished Tales: "The Disaster of the Gladden Fields," pages 271, 274, 279-280
The History of Middle-earth, Volume XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs of Elendil," pages 191-192, 208
The Silmarillion: "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age," pages 293-295
The History of Middle-earth, Volume XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs of Elendil," pages 191-192, 208
The Silmarillion: "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age," pages 293-295
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