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Fictional time period from J. R. R. Tolkien's universe of Middle-earth.
Ages: First Age - Second Age - Third Age - Fourth Age
The Third Age began after the first downfall of Sauron, when he was defeated by the Last Alliance of Elves and Men following the downfall of Númenor.
This age was characterized by the waning of the Elves, the rise and decline of the exiled Númenorean kingdoms, and the slow recovery of Sauron's power.
It lasted for 3021 years, until Sauron was again defeated, this time finally, when his Ruling Ring was destroyed. When the Ringbearers left Middle-earth for the Uttermost West, the Fourth Age began.
See also: Timeline of the Third Age.
The 80 chapter Red Book of Westmarch (or Red Book of the Periannath) was written by Bilbo Baggins and Frodo Baggins, and completed by Sam Gamgee. Bilbo memoirs manuscript,"There and Back Again: A Hobbit's Holiday", and notes along with the three red-bound volumes of Translations from the Elvish comprise the "Red Book of Westmarch".Red Book of Westmarch
