The Shipbuilder

Númenor had a long tradition of shipbuilding, and by the time of its eleventh King Tar-Minastir, its navy had grown powerful enough that it could sail to Middle-earth and defeat Sauron himself. Tar-Minastir's heir was greedy for power and wealth, and even before he succeeded to the throne he had built a great fleet and voyaged the seas of the world, plundering the lands of Middle-earth.

When this great voyager succeeded to become the twelfth King of Númenor, he chose as his royal name Tar-Ciryatan, 'King Shipbuilder'. Such was his lust for power that it was said that he forced his father Tar-Minastir to abandon the Sceptre before his time. As King, Tar-Ciryatan's many ships sailed often to Middle-earth to carry away its metals and gems, and oppress its people, and the ships of the Númenóreans began to be feared by the Men of Middle-earth. Tar-Ciryatan the Shipbuilder was succeeded as King by his son Tar-Atanamir the Great, who continued his father's cruel policies, and so a darkness began to descend on the isle of the Dúnedain.