Posted: April 09, 2000 at 21:55:04: by Maedhros
: In some threads there have been debates on whether there is a hiearchy among the maiar. Tolkien does mention such a hiearchy on a few occasions.
: In Unfinished Tales he writes that Radagast is of lesser power than Saruman and Gandalf. He also writes that Saruman had a higher 'valinorean stature' than Gandalf.
: In a remarkable passage in one of his letters, Tolkien stresses that Sauron "is of the same angelic order (maiar) as Gandalf and Saruman, but of a FAR HIGHER stature".: -Frode In my understanding, the Maiar are split into three ranks...
1. Heralds... this rank is the Maiar version of 'the General', there are very few (only two that we read about), and they are almost Valar.
2. Name... The named Maia (other than the heralds). These are the Maiar version of skilled warriors. Thus they were not in any leadership role (except Gothmog, as head of the balrogs).
3. Nameless... Theoretically the majority of the Maiar. They do not have names (given by JRRT) and are not as powerful as the named. They would be the Maiar version of 'the grunt' (the many of lesser skill/will/knowledge).
Each of these three orders would have their own ranking system.
All I have written is based on my own theory.
Maedhros
|
