What is the Necromancer?

[Nevfeniel]

I was reading The Hobbit and Gandalf said something about the Necromancer. Can anyone tell me what it is?

[ElanorGamgee]

I'm pretty sure that the Necromancer was Sauron in disguise.

[Nevfeniel]

Thanx. smilies/smile.gif

[kementari]

Sauron was the Necromancer. smilies/evil.gif

[Merendis]

OK, from Diablo II a necromancer is one who can raise the spirits of the dead. or the bodies, not sure, consulting my Latin dictionary, neco-to kill, murder
mancipo-to deliver up intereting, interesting... and finally the easiest part, look it up!

Necromancer (Deut. 15:11), i.e., "one who interrogates the dead," as the word literally means, with the view of discovering the secrets of futurity

SO yes, the necromancer was sauron, as others have mentioned, but sauron was as stated above

[Doderic Hedgeworth]

the necromancer was Sauron's title in order to hide himself for protection when he dwelt in Dol Guldur in southern Mirkwood. He was then driven from Dol Guldur by the White Council and fled to Barad-Dur and declared himself to Middle-Earth

[Olorin_The_Grey]

The Necromancer was Sauron, but was believed by the Wise of the Council of the istari to be one of the Nazgul in hiding. It was Gandalf that 'scared' the Necromancer off, and so Sauron returned to his stronghold.

[Nevtalathiel]

Is the story of how the white council overhtrew the necromancer told anywhere? I think Gandalf mentions but does not tell the story in the hobbit, and it always interested me, is it recorded anywhere?

[lathspell]

no, as far as I know it ain't told in full anywhere, but there are the stories of Gandalf when he goes in Dol Guldur and tries to discover the true identity of the Necromancer... I read them in a book about Dol Guldur, but I dunno if it is told anywhere else

greetings,
Ill-News

[Nevtalathiel]

What was the book about Dol Guldur called? Gandal is so interesting, did he do anything else that I can read about?

[Mhoram]

"Your grandfather[Thrain]," said the wizard slowly and grimly, "gave the map to his son for safety before he went to the mines of Moria. Your father went away to try his luck with the map after your grandfather was killed; and lots of adventures of a most unpleasant sort he had, but he never got near the Mountain. How he got there I don't know, but I found him a prisoner in the dungeons of the Necromancer."
" -The Hobbit

2850 Gandalf again enters Dol Guldur, and discovers that its master is indeed Sauron, who is gathering all the Rings and seeking for news of the One, and of Isildur's Heir. He finds Thrain and recieves the key of Erebor. Thrain dies in Dol Guldur. -Lord of the Rings, Appendix B

There is nothing to interpret, the Necromancer is Sauron.

[Nevfeniel]

Thanks, everyone. You've all been real helpful. smilies/smile.gif