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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 - of unknown meaning - given to the area by its original inhabitants. 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 formed a natural harbour of enclosing rock, but the Númenórean fortification of the same name that was located within was not built until 2280 S.A.

Like the earlier haven of Lond Daer Ened in Enedwaith, and the later Pelargir on the Anduin, Umbar 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, to challenge Sauron:

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' from "The Silmarillion")

Despite the Downfall of Númenor 58 years later, Umbar remained in the hands of the Númenóreans, in essence the third Realm in Exile alongside Arnor and Gondor. But unlike these others, 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 more southerly exiles were not friendly to the Elves, and became known as Black Númenóreans.

Two Black Númenórean lords, Herumor and Fuinur, 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.

The rulers of Umbar retained much influence over the Haradwaith into The Third Age. When not part of Gondor, it's system of government was no doubt tyrannical, but it may also have been a duumvirate: Black Númenórean and Corsair Lords are paired when mentioned; Herumor/Fuinur for example, and later Angamaite/Sangahyando.

Gondors power, however, eclipsed that of Umbar as the Third Age progressed, 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 following 500 years, Umbar was an important Gondorian city: not only a major sea-port, but as the site of the submission of Sauron to Ar-Pharazôn, and so 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' from "The Peoples of Middle-earth")

Many Black Númenóreans had fled Umbar from the assault of 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' from 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".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' from Appendix A to "The Lord of the Rings")

Gondorian possession of Umbar 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 raided Pelargir, killing King Minardil. Gondor could not retaliate as it was hit hard by the Great Plague, but 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' from Appendix A to "The Lord of the Rings")

Throughout the rest of The Third Age, Umbar was home a new generation of 'Corsairs of Umbar', ruled by a 'Captain of the Haven', and once again it became a powerful enemy of Gondor. These new Corsairs were cruel slavers, who raided the coasts of Belfalas and Anfalas, and in 2746 T.A. Amrothos, the 15th Prince of Dol Amroth fell defending Dol-en-Ernil against them.

In 2758 T.A. Umbar joined a massive co-ordinated attack with Men of the Harad and Dunland, against 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' from Appendix A to "The Lord of the Rings")

In 2885 T.A, Umbar supported the Haradrim who claimed Harondor, and when Sauron declared himself openly in 2951, Umbar allied itself with him, and the great monument commemorating Ar-Pharazôn's victory over him at Umbar was destroyed.

Umbars fleet was largely destroyed 29 years later, 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 in the process.

During the War of the Ring, Umbar had not fully recovered from this, but could still send 50 'great ships' and smaller vessels "beyond count", to raid the coastlands of Gondor and draw off major forces from the defence of Minas Tirith. They were once 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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