Numenoreans

The Numenoreans (or Dunedain) are those Men who in the start of the Second Age were given the star-shaped island of Numenor by the Valar, halfway between Middle-earth and Valinor. They were forbidden to sail to the west and they explored Middle-earth.

The Numenoreans were prosperous and longeval as most had Elven blood. They were seafarers and carried trade to Middle-earth.

History
Their first leader was Elros.

Numenoreans helped the Elves in their war against Sauron and saved them from utter defeat and Sauron retreated to Mordor.

While the Elves were in the west of the Middle-earth, Numenoreans built colonies and great towers, and Sauron always retreated, oppressing peoples to the East.

Nine Numenorean Princes took Rings of Power and became the Ringwraiths.

However they became discontent and troubled. Their Kings broke the friendship with the Elves and became tyrants, except the Faithful who kept true to the old ways.

During the time of Ar-Pharazon, Sauron planned to attack their bases and drive them back to the sea. Angered, Ar-Pharazon mustered a great host; Sauron saw that he was no match to the power of Numenor and abased himself, swearing allegiance.

Pharazon took Sauron captive to Numenor but then became the King's advisor and corrupted the discontent Numenoreans further. As he was growing old, he was persuaded by Sauron that he must conquer Valinor to gain immortality. The Valar responded by drowning the fleet and burying Numenor under the sea. The Undying Lands were removed from Middle-earth.

Elendil with his sons Isildur and Anarion led seven ships of the Faithful with a sapling of the White Tree. They established great kingdoms in Middle-earth, Arnor in the north, and Gondor in the south.