Who's older? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Lady Snickerdoodle · 11-26-2003, 03:00 PM

Tolkien can be somewhat inconsistent in his writing, like with that whole Winged/Unwinged balrog thing. So, with Treebeard and Tom Bombadil, who is older? Both claim to be the oldest creatures on earth, and that they were there before everything else was. I very much doubt that they were born, or created, at the very same moment. so is there any evidence that tips it to one side or the other?

11-26-2003, 03:45 PM

I think Treebeard. Though I'm not entirely sure. But that's what I thought he was implying anyway.

Luthien_ Tinuviel · 11-26-2003, 04:00 PM

Well, I would assume that they're both correct in different ways. First of all, this thread already discusses the question of who's oldest. And on this most excellent thread, burrahobbit put forth a very interesting argument about Tom Bombadil that would answer all questions on that subject. Hope this helps!

Nilpaurion Felagund · 11-28-2003, 02:51 AM

If we look at it closely, we'll see Eru is older...

Lady Snickerdoodle · 11-28-2003, 09:34 AM

Oops, I thought I did a thorough search on it... okay, thanks!

Galadriel55 · 12-08-2010, 05:58 PM

Eru is ultimately the oldest, then come the ainur. Both Bombadil and Treebeard are called the oldest, but Gandalf is older than both (unless Bombadil is also a maia). It says in The Sil that the Ents were the first creatures to walk on ME (aside from the ainur), but Elrond says something like "in that case Iarwain will leave this world last, just like he came first". They both seem to be oldest, no atter how you turn it.

11-26-2003, 03:00 PM	#1
Lady Snickerdoodle Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: in the cookie jar Posts: 256	Who's older? Tolkien can be somewhat inconsistent in his writing, like with that whole Winged/Unwinged balrog thing. So, with Treebeard and Tom Bombadil, who is older? Both claim to be the oldest creatures on earth, and that they were there before everything else was. I very much doubt that they were born, or created, at the very same moment. so is there any evidence that tips it to one side or the other? __________________ "Let me handle this, I'm British." ~hitchhikers guide

11-26-2003, 04:00 PM	#3
Luthien_ Tinuviel Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: May 2002 Location: A very lovely tree-hut in the Chunnel. Posts: 804	Well, I would assume that they're both correct in different ways. First of all, this thread already discusses the question of who's oldest. And on this most excellent thread, burrahobbit put forth a very interesting argument about Tom Bombadil that would answer all questions on that subject. Hope this helps! __________________ I am a nineteen-year-old nomad photographer who owns a lemonade stand. You know what? I love Mip.

11-28-2003, 02:51 AM	#4
Nilpaurion Felagund Scion of The Faithful Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: The brink, where hope and despair are akin. [The Philippines] Posts: 5,312	If we look at it closely, we'll see Eru is older... __________________ フェンリス鴨 (Fenrisu Kamo) The plot, cut, defeated. I intend to copy this sig forever - so far so good...

11-28-2003, 09:34 AM	#5
Lady Snickerdoodle Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: in the cookie jar Posts: 256	Oops, I thought I did a thorough search on it... okay, thanks! __________________ "Let me handle this, I'm British." ~hitchhikers guide

12-08-2010, 05:58 PM	#6
Galadriel55 Blossom of Dwimordene Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: The realm of forgotten words Posts: 10,377	Eru is ultimately the oldest, then come the ainur. Both Bombadil and Treebeard are called the oldest, but Gandalf is older than both (unless Bombadil is also a maia). It says in The Sil that the Ents were the first creatures to walk on ME (aside from the ainur), but Elrond says something like "in that case Iarwain will leave this world last, just like he came first". They both seem to be oldest, no atter how you turn it. __________________ You passed from under darkened dome, you enter now the secret land. - Take me to Finrod's fabled home!... ~ Finrod: The Rock Opera

11-26-2003, 03:45 PM	#2
Ari Made Me Come Here Guest Posts: n/a	I think Treebeard. Though I'm not entirely sure. But that's what I thought he was implying anyway.