Glossary

Istari

Most of this information about the Istari comes from the appendices to The Lord of the Rings, the chapter in The Silmarillion titled Of The Rings of Power and the Third Age and from the book of Unfinished Tales which has an essay on the Istari.

The Wizards of the third age appeared for only a brief time in Middle Earth's Third Age and their true origins were known only to a few such as Galadriel, Elrond and Cirdan. Wizard is a translation of the Sindarin ithron. The term Istari comes from the Quenya term Heron Istarion, meaning Order of Wizards. It is not known how many there were though at least five were sent to the northern part of middle earth.

The Mission of the Istari

In the early ages of Middle Earth, the Valar attempted to shelter the elves from Morgoth. The results of this were the rebellion of the Noldor elves and great wars between them and Morgoth. Eventually, the Valar themselves were forced to intervene and defeated Morgoth. When Sauron began to make war on Middle Earth, the Valar hadn't forgotten the men and elves. However, they wanted to avoid the mistakes of their past by not interfering directly. Manwé summoned the rest of the Valar to a council to decide what to do about Sauron. Their decision, with the approval of Ilúvatar, was to send emissaries to Middle Earth, peers of Sauron to contest the power of Sauron. These representatives of the Valar were not to go forth in power against Sauron. Instead, they were to go in the appearance of men so that they could mingle with and win the trust of men. They would help the inhabitants of Middle Earth without confronting Sauron directly. They would not have their full power and wisdom and would be subject to the fears and ills of men (they had to eat and sleep as men). They did not grow old but aged visibly with the care and toil of their work.
In this council, Manwé asked who would be willing to go. Curumo (later Saruman) was suggested by Aulë and Alatar was chosen by Oromë. Manwé asked for Olórin (later known as Gandalf) who arrived late at the council and asked him to go also. Olórin agreed despite his fear of Sauron. Aiwendil (later Radagast) was also chosen at the urging of Yavanna and Palando went as a friend of Alatar.

The Arrival of the Istari

Some of the Istari arrived on the north-west coasts of Middle Earth. There were five chief Istari among these. The first to arrive appeared more noble and fair than the others and was dressed in white. This was Curumo. He was known to the elves as Curunír (man of craft) and to men as Saruman. At first he went far in to the east but he later returned to the western parts of Middle Earth. He was generally regarded as the head of the Istari.
The next to arrive were two blue wizards and one brown wizard. The blue wizards, Alatar and Palando, went in to the east and never returned. It is not known if they continued their work there, were killed or were swayed to Sauron's service. The other wizard was Aiwendil, known as Radagast (tender of beasts).
Last of the wizards to arrive was Olórin. Cirdan, Lord of the elves in that area and keeper of the third elven ring, welcomed him and recognised him as the wisest of the wizards. He gave the elven ring of fire to him as he believed that he could do more good with it. Olórin wandered long throughout the lands of Middle Earth and never chose a home for himself. He became known to the elves as Mithrandir (Grey Pilgrim) and was known to men as Gandalf the Grey.

Fate of the Istari

Of all the Istari that came to Middle Earth, Gandalf was the only one to stay true to his task.
Saruman became obsessed with studying the power of the rings, which led to him wanting to take the ruling ring for himself. He intended to challenge Sauron against the will of the Valar. This attempt to challenge one more powerful than himself resulted in him being ensnared by Sauron's will.
The Blue wizards were never heard of after they went to the lands in the east.
Radagast never turned to Sauron's side but he ceased to be any help as well. He became so fond of the animals and birds in Middle Earth that he spent his whole time with them, and forgot his mission.
Gandalf was never swayed from his mission and played a key part in the downfall of Sauron.