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.
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.
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.
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.
Originally posted by thefallen544
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.
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.
Originally posted by thefallen544
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.
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.