June 10, 2002

Many Sources
Brett C.

Lauri, I was also struck by the similarity of the Downfall of Numenor to the Atlantis legend the first time I read it. Tolkien clearly borrowed form many sources to inspire his writings, and I don't doubt that his reference to Atalante was to lend his pre-history Middle Earth an aspect of realism, making it's history come across as the well-spring for our own legends, rather than the other way round.

As an example, consider the story of the Irish Tuatha de Dannan, beings of enormous power wh journeyed to ancient Ireland in nine flying ships, and the tale of Elendil's return to Middle Earth from the wreck of Numenor, 4 ships with him and 3 and 2 for Isildur and Anarion respectively, each of these lifted by great waves '...like unto mountains...[which]bore them up amid the wreckage of the clouds...'. Or the name of the city of the Elves in Aman, Avallone, beyond the circles of the world, and the Isle of Avalon in Arthurian legend.