Why Was the Line of Isildur Broken? The Tragic Fall of a Royal Bloodline

The Rise of Isildur: A Legacy of Power and Honor

So, you're curious about why the line of Isildur was broken, huh? Honestly, I get it – it’s a pretty dramatic part of Tolkien’s legendarium, and when you dig into it, there’s a lot to unpack. Let’s start from the top. Isildur was one of the greatest kings of men, and his story begins with such promise. He was the son of Elendil, one of the leaders who fought against Sauron in the Second Age, and he helped to defeat the Dark Lord during the War of the Last Alliance.

But Isildur wasn’t just a warrior. He was a ruler with the blood of Númenor running through his veins – a bloodline known for its greatness. After the fall of Sauron, Isildur became the High King of Gondor, alongside his brother Anárion. They ruled a kingdom that was, at least for a time, powerful and just. But, like many great heroes, Isildur’s downfall was a tragic mix of pride, fate, and a single, ill-fated decision.

The One Ring: Isildur’s Fatal Flaw

The Ring’s Temptation: A Decision That Changed Everything

You’ve probably heard the story before, right? That infamous moment when Isildur, after slaying Sauron in battle, claimed the One Ring for himself instead of destroying it. It's easy to judge him now, but think about it – in his shoes, would you have been able to resist? This wasn’t some trinket; it was a powerful, seductive object that promised control over the entire world. And I get it, I do. I’ve had conversations with friends like Mark, who argue that Isildur was just trying to hold on to what he thought was his. But the truth is, that decision was his undoing.

At the time, Isildur saw the Ring as a means to secure his reign and protect his people, but it was a massive miscalculation. You could almost hear the whisper of the Ring, couldn’t you? The Ring’s influence was already at work, bending him toward arrogance and self-doubt.

The Breaking of the Line: A Result of Greed?

So why did the line of Isildur fall apart? Was it just a matter of bad luck, or was Isildur’s fatal flaw rooted in his refusal to let go of the Ring? Here's the thing: while Isildur’s line started with immense power, his failure to destroy the Ring left a ripple effect. It’s almost like one wrong turn at the beginning of a long journey. When Isildur was eventually killed by Orcs while trying to escape with the Ring, it sealed the fate of his descendants. There was no heir to continue the throne of Gondor, and the once-proud line crumbled into obscurity.

It’s funny, I remember reading this part when I was younger and thinking, “Surely, he should have known better!” But when I talked to my buddy Alex last week, we both agreed: it’s easy to criticize Isildur, but the Ring was designed to corrupt and control. It’s almost like fate played a hand in all of it.

The Loss of the Kingdom: The Consequences of the Line's End

A Kingdom in Decline: The Aftermath of Isildur’s Fall

Now, let’s talk about the consequences of this. After Isildur's death, Gondor was left without a strong leader for a long time. The loss of the direct line of Isildur meant that the Kingdom was forced to rely on a series of weaker rulers and the rise of rival factions. This weakened the once mighty kingdom, and Gondor's position was never quite the same. Sure, they managed to survive, but their power had definitely diminished.

Here’s something that I always found fascinating: in some ways, the line of Isildur was symbolic of Gondor’s own struggle. The kingdom, much like Isildur, was dealing with its own internal conflicts and pride. It had an incredible legacy but was often burdened by past mistakes. They didn't just lose their king; they lost a symbol of their future.

Aragorn: A New Hope, but a Price to Pay

And yet, it wasn't the end of the story. Fast forward to the events of The Lord of the Rings, and here comes Aragorn, the direct heir to Isildur. You could say he’s the embodiment of redemption – a rightful king who, unlike his ancestor, was wise enough to resist the Ring's allure. But here’s the kicker: Aragorn’s journey to reclaim the throne of Gondor wasn’t just about proving himself as a king, it was about healing the wounds left by Isildur’s prideful fall. In a way, Aragorn was breaking the cycle of the broken line. But it wasn’t without immense struggle, and it took a lot of sacrifice.

I’ve been thinking about it lately, actually. It’s strange how Isildur’s choices set the stage for Aragorn’s own trials. If Isildur hadn’t been so blinded by the Ring, maybe things would have turned out differently for Gondor. But then again, would we have gotten the Aragorn we know and love today? It’s hard to say.

What We Can Learn from Isildur’s Fall

The Temptation of Power: A Universal Struggle

When I look at Isildur’s story, I see a lot of parallels to our own struggles with power, pride, and responsibility. It’s easy to sit back and say, “Well, I’d never make that choice,” but in reality, the temptation of power is something we all face. Whether it’s in our careers, relationships, or personal lives, we’re all constantly walking that fine line between ambition and humility.

I was talking to an old friend of mine, Greg, last week about how we deal with temptation. He’s been through some tough career choices, and it’s hard not to see the parallels. Isildur’s failure to let go of the Ring is something we can all learn from: sometimes, the hardest thing to do is not take control, but let go.

The Importance of Legacy and Redemption

In the end, Isildur’s line was broken, but it wasn’t lost forever. The lesson here isn’t just about the fall; it’s also about redemption. Aragorn’s story proves that even from a broken legacy, something strong can rise again. So, while Isildur’s line may have ended tragically, it also set the stage for something far greater. And in that, there’s a kind of beauty.

In conclusion, the line of Isildur was broken by pride, the temptation of power, and a single, fateful choice. But the echoes of that fall reverberated through the ages, showing us that even in our darkest moments, redemption is always possible.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.