Depends, Gandalf as the Maia Olorin is immortal. He existed when Middle-Earth was born and will exist when it comes to its end. As Gandalf the old Wizard who travelled across Middle-Earth probably about 2,021 years old. From his arrival in ME in the year 1000 of the Third Age to his departure to the West in the year 3021 Third Age.
__________________ Yet the making of things is in my heart from my own making by thee; and the child of little understanding that makes a play of the deeds of his father may do so without without thought of mockery, but because he is the son of his father.
Radagast is about the same age, as they arrived together, right? Actually, Radagast would be older by a few seconds, as he got off the boat before Gandalf!
__________________
"Today was good. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one." -Dr. Seuss
Saurman would be the same age (around 2,000 years from 1,000 3rd Age to 3019 3rd age), Saurman was the first to get off the boat/arrive as we know Gandalf arrived last and looked the least of them. Grey haired and clad in grey leaning upon a staff.
All the Five Istari's Mortal bodies would be the same age, but we know not what happened to the two Blue Wizards and Saurman was slain. Their spirits however are immortal.
__________________ Yet the making of things is in my heart from my own making by thee; and the child of little understanding that makes a play of the deeds of his father may do so without without thought of mockery, but because he is the son of his father.
yup, it just came to my mind. In the two towers movie, gandalf says something like "three ages have I walked this earth, and now I am lack of time". can't remember if he does in the book. however I don't know how many years an "age" is so this doesn't mean anything. It's just the number three that confused me a little.
Although Tom Bombadil is older, the oldest actually. Tom was around before anything if I remember correctly. He is also the only being able to full resist the pull of the one ring. He could hold it or look upon it without feeling its pull because no part of his being desired it. Or the power it could bring.
__________________ Yet the making of things is in my heart from my own making by thee; and the child of little understanding that makes a play of the deeds of his father may do so without without thought of mockery, but because he is the son of his father.
Eru Illuvatar is the oldest being, he created all the Ainur (the Valar and the Maiar are the Ainur who went into Creation to shape it after its Creation).
Tom Bombadil is not a maia as far as I know. I think Tom Bombadil is something like the Ents and the great Eagles, elemental spirits created by Eru or the Valar to serve a certain purpose.
__________________ Among the tales of sorrow and of ruin that come down to us from the darkness of those days there are yet some in which amid weeping there is joy and under the shadow of death light that endures.
J.R.R. Tolkien, "Of Beren and Luthien" from the Silmarilion
Tom is however still the Eldest being in Middle-Earth he says so himself. He is also one the purest. No one truly knows what Tom Bombadil is, he is an engima if hes a Maia or not we don't know its left for us to decide for ourselves really.
__________________ Yet the making of things is in my heart from my own making by thee; and the child of little understanding that makes a play of the deeds of his father may do so without without thought of mockery, but because he is the son of his father.
But Gandalf and all the Valar and Maiar are themselves older than Middle Earth...
So either Tom Babadil is Eru Illuvater or he simply means he is the oldest being who was born on Middle Earth.
__________________ Among the tales of sorrow and of ruin that come down to us from the darkness of those days there are yet some in which amid weeping there is joy and under the shadow of death light that endures.
J.R.R. Tolkien, "Of Beren and Luthien" from the Silmarilion
The spirit Olorin is older than Middle-Earth. Gandalf as he existed in Middle-Earth is about 2,000. Tom seems to state that he was there at the very beginning of creation that he was not born per se. I seem to him saying he remembers the first rain drop at some point...must find quote.
__________________ Yet the making of things is in my heart from my own making by thee; and the child of little understanding that makes a play of the deeds of his father may do so without without thought of mockery, but because he is the son of his father.
It goes to the Undying Lands and reincarnates. Then Saruman answers to Aule.
__________________ Among the tales of sorrow and of ruin that come down to us from the darkness of those days there are yet some in which amid weeping there is joy and under the shadow of death light that endures.
J.R.R. Tolkien, "Of Beren and Luthien" from the Silmarilion
It is also suggested that Saurmans spirit was too weak from his fall, that he was never to return to the blessed realm, that he would have been subjected to the same fate as Sauron a weak spirit. This is implied because his spirit in a grey mist is seen to rise from his body and quote
"as a pale shrouded figure it loomed over the Hill. For a moment it wavered, looking to the West; but out of the West came a cold wind, and it bent away, and with a sigh dissolved into nothing." ROTK, Scouring of the Shire.
I put it forward that Saurman/Curumo did not return to the West for he failed and fell into darkness. Only Gandalf/Olorin is confirmed to have returned to the West from where he came.
__________________ Yet the making of things is in my heart from my own making by thee; and the child of little understanding that makes a play of the deeds of his father may do so without without thought of mockery, but because he is the son of his father.
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Nov 25th, 2006 08:03 PM
