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In J. R. R. Tolkien's universe of Middle-earth, a great haven to the far south of Gondor.

'Umbar' was a name given to the area by the original inhabitants, and its meaning was unknown. The Númenóreans adopted the name, probably aware of the fact that 'Umbar' was the Quenya word for 'fate'.

The great cape and land-locked firth of Umbar ( — "Annals of the Kings and Rulers", part of Appendix A to 'The Lord of the Rings') formed a natural harbour of enclosing rock, but the Númenórean fortification of the same name was not built within it until 2280 S.A. Like the earlier haven of Lond Daer Ened in Enedwaith, and the later Pelargir on the Anduin, it became a base from which Númenórean influence spread over Middle-earth.

It was at Umbar that the last king of Númenor, Ar-Pharazôn the Golden, landed in 3261 S.A, marching forth to take Sauron captive:

The fleet came at last to that place that was called Umbar, where was a mighty haven that no hand had wrought. Empty and silent under a sickle moon was the land when the King of the Sea set foot upon the shore. For seven days he journeyed with banner and trumpet. (…) Then he sent forth heralds, and he commanded Sauron to come before him and swear to him fealty. — Akallabêth, 'The Silmarillion'

Despite the Downfall of Númenor 58 years later, Umbar remained as a Númenórean realm, in essence the third Realm in Exile alongside Arnor and Gondor. But unlike the coasts further north, Umbar had been mainly used by the King's Men, who had turned to the worship of Melkor in the last days of Númenor. These exiles were not friendly to the Elves, and became known as Black Númenóreans.

Two Black Numenorean lords, Herumor, were probably from Umbar, as at the end of The Second Age they became very powerful amongst the Haradrim, a neighbouring people. Their fate is unknown, but they likely shared Sauron's defeat at the hands of the Last Alliance of Elves and Men.

Umbar retained much influence over the Haradwaith into The Third Age. It's system of government was no doubt tyrannical, but it may also have been a duumvirate: it's lords are paired when mentioned; Herumor/Fuinur for example, and later Angamaite/Sangahyando. They did not speak Westron, but probably retained their old tongue Adûnaic, speaking a dialect of it. (In The Notion Club Papers, part of Sauron Defeated, Arundel Lowdham cited two descendants of classical Adûnaic. One of these must have been Westron, the other the tongue of Umbar.

It became a powerful enemy of Gondor, and the province of Harondor or South Gondor was long contested between the two realms. Gondors power eclipsed that of Umbar as the Third Age progressed, however, and in 933 T.A. the first Gondorean Ship-king Eärnil I took Umbar in a surprise attack, although this was "at great cost".

For the next 500 years Umbar was an important Gondorian city: not only a major sea-port, but the site of the defeat of Sauron by Ar-Pharazôn, and it served as a proud reminder of the might of the Dúnedain of old:

on the highest hill of the headland above the Haven they (…) set a great white pillar as a monument. It was crowned with a globe of crystal that took the rays of the Sun and of the Moon and shone like a bright star that could be seen in clear weather even on the coasts of Gondor or far out upon the western sea. — "The Heirs of Elendil", part of The Peoples of Middle-earth.

The Black Númenóreans had fled from Umbar in 933 T.A to their subjects in Near Harad, but 82 years later, in a vain attempt to recapture it,

the Men of the Harad, led by the lords that had been driven from Umbar, came up with great power against that stronghold.. — "Annals of the Kings and Rulers", part of Appendix A to 'The Lord of the Rings'.

This 'great power' availed the Men Of Harad little, however, for despite investing and beseiging the fortress of Umbar for 35 years, they failed to take it, as its supply was easily maintained because of the sea-power of Gondor — "Annals of the Kings and Rulers", part of Appendix A to 'The Lord of the Rings'. In 1050 T.A., the late King Earnil's son Ciryandil,

came down from the north by sea and by land, and crossing the River Harnen his armies utterly defeated the Men of the Harad.. — "Annals of the Kings and Rulers", part of Appendix A to 'The Lord of the Rings'.

Gondorian possession finally came to an abrupt end In 1448 T.A., but not at the hands of an external foe. Following the disastrous Kin-strife, the sons of Castamir the Usurper arrived there with many men and most of the fleet of Gondor. They turned Umbar into a new realm and became known as the Corsairs of Umbar. Whether any of the Black Númenóreans returned to their old city after five centuries of exile, mingling with the exiles from Gondor, is not known.

Within two centuries of losing it, Umbar was once again a major threat to Gondor, and in 1634 T.A. Castamir's great-grandsons Angamaitë and Sangahyando attacked and killed King Minardil at Pelargir, and raided the city. Gondor could not retaliate as it was hit hard by the Great Plague. Vengeance, if not swift, was certainly devastating: 78 years later, Minardils great-grand nephew succeeded in breifly recapturing Umbar, and even renamed himself Umbardacil, however,

..in the new evils that soon befell Gondor Umbar was again lost, and fell into the hands of the Men Of Harad. — "Annals of the Kings and Rulers", part of Appendix A to 'The Lord of the Rings'.

Throughout the rest of The Third Age, Umbar was home to new Corsairs of Umbar, ruled by the Captain of the Haven. These new Corsairs were cruel slavers, who raided the coasts of Belfalas and Anfalas. In 2746 T.A. Amrothos, the 15th Prince of Dol Amroth fell defending Dol-en-Ernil against the Corsairs, and in 2758 T.A. the Corsairs once again attacked Gondor and the new realm of Rohan:

Three great fleets, long prepared, came up from Umbar and the Harad, and assailed the coasts of Gondor in great force; and the enemy made many landings, even as far north as the mouth of the Isen. — "Annals of the Kings and Rulers", part of Appendix A to 'The Lord of the Rings'.

In 2885 T.A, the Corsairs supported the Haradrim when they once again claimed Harondor. When Sauron declared himself openly in 2951, the great monument commemorating Ar-Pharazôn's victory over Sauron at Umbar was destroyed, and the Corsairs officially allied themselves with Mordor.

Umbars fleet was largely destroyed in 2980 T.A, when Thorongil (Aragorn Elessar, as it later turned out) in the service of the Steward of Gondor Ecthelion II led a taskforce south and burned them, killing the Captain of the Haven.

During the War of the Ring, Umbar had not fully recovered from this, and could send only 50 great ships north. Still, they sent many smaller ships "beyond count", and raided the coastlands of Gondor. They were again defeated by Aragorn, and the Army of the Dead. With the Fall of Barad-dûr, Umbar, weakened and defeated, finally lost its sovereignty and submitted to the crown of King Elessar.

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