The Creation of Middle-earth | The Beginning of Days : Silmarillion Explained - Part 1 of 4

Welcome to the beginning of all things! In this very first video we'll take a look at the creation of Tolkien's universe, the formation of the planet Arda, and we'll meet the gods, angels, and demons who start the story of Middle Earth. **Stick around to the end of the episode for a weekly Tolkien Fun Fact**

Much love and many thanks to the artists who make the wonderful art. No Tolkien art is created by myself, and all credit goes to the individual artists. If an artist is not credited, it is because I cannot find the source of their image, but if any of your artwork is featured during this video, please drop a message or a comment and I can link your page in the description of my videos!

All content falls under fair use: any copying of copyrighted material done for a limited and “transformative” purpose, such as to comment upon, criticize, parody, or use a copyrighted work for educational purposes. Such uses can be done without permission from the copyright owner.

Art credits in order of appearance:

Elves at Cuivienen - Annamare
Eru Ilúvatar – enanoakd
Ainur – Anna Kulisz
Demons - enanoakd
Secret Fire – Noei1984
Melkor - enanoakd
Ainulindalë: The Discord of Melkor - Anna Kulisz
Ainulindalë - Jef Murray
Manwe – Dymond Starr
Ulmo – Ted Nasmith
Aulë – Alice Falto
Melkor (Raiment) - Joel Kilpatrick
Map of Arda - The Encyclopaedia of Arda
Tulkas - Antonio Vinci
The days of the Lamps of the Valar - Bmosig
Valar (Valian Years) - Phobs
Varda – Tania Weil
Yavanna – Sedeptra
Vana – Losse-elda
Oromë – Steamey
Nahar – Alexis Chaudouet
Nessa – Farothiel
Mandos – Elena Kukanova
Halls of Mandos - Rekyrem
Vairë - Adelaiy
Irmo – Elena Kukanova
Estë – Alice Falto
Nienna – Aerankai
Eonwë – Tuuliky
Ilmarë – Meraclitus
Arien & Tilion – Julia 94s
Olorin – Annie Claudine
Osse – Steamey
Uinen – Raquel Martins
Mairon – Maureval
Sauron – Gerwell
Valaraukar – Thomas Rouillard
Balrog – James Bousema
Gothmog - Per Øyvind Haagensen
Years of the Lamps - Ted Nasmith

Extra special thanks to Ted Nasmith and Elena Kukanova. Check out their pages:

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Music provided by No Copyright Music:

Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
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♩♫ Epic Orchestral Music ♪♬ - Dragon Slayer - Ross Bugden

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Celtic Fantasy Background Music - "Beautiful Village" - Medieval emotional Instrumental nordic soundtrack
Epic Music - Dark Orchestral Fantasy Background Instrumental Soundtrack
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"Dungeons and Dragons" - Royalty Free Music For Commercial Use - Epic/Celtic Fantasy
Royalty Free Music - Alexander Nakarada

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Much love, stay groovy, and navaer mellyn nin!

[Gorlim_the_Unhappy]

This channel has aged like the finest cask of Dorwinion wine ever to grace all of Arda. Thank you so much for all you've shared with us, much love!!!

[redjirachi]

The Valar: So what's with Tom Bombadill
Eru: I don't know, he was there when I got here

[ghouling]

I want to pay you to read everything, ever.. Your voice is so calming and yet mesmerising.. I've been binge watching your videos. Thank you for all your work in these videos.

[tessaparis]

Love the Prince of Egypt music in the background! Works so perfect for this subject! Thanks for this channel!

[aevenova]

When the prince of egypt music omg. Goosebumps.

[christopherhicks]

Also, when Gandalf confronts the Balrog, he refers to him as "flame of Udun". This is a reference to the Balrog being a corrupted Maia, and servant of Melkor. His first fortress in Middle Earth was Udun. He's basically saying, "Your power is nothing compared to the power of the One, whom I serve."

[shoeonhead]

I like how the prince of Egypt was playing in the background. Specifically the score where Moses meets God.

[mariacvale]

Listening for the second time now that I've gone thru all the Silmarillion videos. 👍 Awesome work. Thanks!

[CarlSanford]

The detail with which Tolkien wrote is absolutely amazing.

[SwordlordRoy]

It always fascinated me that, while most of those fantasy writers who have come since tend to either have a Polytheistic Pantheon or a Monotheistic Religion, Tolkien managed to create a mythology that is both Monotheistic and Polytheistic in such a way that is not at odds with each other.

[PaulCecchettiMusic]

I subscribed immediately after hearing your voice. What a captivating and engaging way of telling stories you have.

[Rumkugel]

I only came to this channel a month or so ago but in that time it has become my most beloved youtube channel. I remember very well when my mother gifted me "The Hobbit" when I was 7 years old and thus instilled in me a great appreciation for both the written word and the fantastic realms that J.R.R. Tolkien concieved of.
I would grow up to read the Silmarillion but truth be told parts of it where a bit much for a teenage boy I guess😅.
You explain everything with such passion and detail. You are truly a gift, kind Sir.
I cannot wait for what comes next ☺️
Cuio mae, Rainbow Dave

[ho]

I love how Tolkien imbued the powers of the Valar throughout his works. The Valar are ever-present in our favorite stories

[InfinityX]

The creation of Arda: Eru’s toddlers throwing around each others toys and one stamping on the sandcastles. (Btw: I love the Silmarillion, there is so much in it). Great video’s!! Keep them coming

[ysgramornorris]

My favorite part of the legendarium is how Gandalf's foresight is explained.

During the Ainulindalë, the Song of the Holy Ones, the Ainur sing about a world that doesn't exist yet, then Eru gives them a vision of it. A partial vision of the things that will appear in that world, the beings that will inhabit it, the events that will transpire in it.

And that's how Gandalf knows so much and can arrange plans so masterfully. It's not just that he has the intelligence and wisdom of an angelic being; he has seen a large part of the world's history before it was even created.

[joeyboxrox]

Absolutely wonderful telling of Tolkiens' legendarium!!! So glad I found this channel! 👍👍

[beorbeorian]

I found the creation story for middle earth to be incredibly beautiful.

[striderman-]

Hold up. You think the Creation of the ainur through thought and melkors rebellion through song is weird? I think it absolutely beautiful. To have an outside look of this would be the most incredible thing to ever.

[marishaakamissm]

I've officially just hit the 24 hour binge watching streak on these videos! 😅 atleast I know what to put on when the insomnia is playing up or if I'm obsessing over work and need to take some time off! What a fab way to spend a free day thank you for these :)

[williamcraig]

I love how the music from the burning bush scene from Prince of Egypt is playing in the background ❤️❤️❤️