The Second Age was the longest age of Middle-earth, beginning after the War of Wrath and the destruction of Beleriand. Morgoth was taken captive and was cast out into the Void, and many of the Eldar and Edain fled from Middle-earth to Aman and Númenor respectively.

The years of the Second Age were also called the Black Years, for during that time, Sauron controlled large parts of Middle-earth. Many Men were killed or enslaved, and the Elves and Dwarves hid away.

Some key events which occurred during the Second Age include: the forging of the Rings of Power, the shape of the world changing again during the destruction of Númenor, and Aman being removed from Arda. Also during this time, some of the Dúnedain returned to Middle-earth and founded the realms of Arnor and Gondor.

The Second Age ended with the overthrow of Sauron by the Last Alliance of Elves and Men.
Encyclopedia entry originally written by tarkena