In J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium, the Dark Years is a term used in The Lord of the Rings for the time of Sauron's great and almost undisputed domination of Middle-earth, during which many peoples were enslaved or corrupted. It was also referred to as the Accursed Years, the Black Years, the Days of Flight, and the Dark Days. In the story, this period lasted from ca. SA 1693 to 3441, when Sauron was overthrown by the Last Alliance of Elves and Men. During this period, Sauron built the stronghold Barad-dûr, forged the Rings of Power, and fought the War of the Elves and Sauron.
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