The Akallebeth is the story of the downfall of Numneor (Atlante). It is essentially Tolkiens Flood myth, which ties his mythology in with the other major mythologies around the world. It can be found after the Quenta Silmarillion.
I like to view mythologies in a certain way. Mythologies weren't specifically designed to teach a lesson (fables would do this, though). Mythologies are attempts by man to explain history through the eyes of hero, typically. These histories also detail explanations of diasters throughout history and how man has associated with his hubris. Ultimately, we as humans know we are not perfect; sometimes we seek to connect our history with our faults and relate these faults to how our creator/creators (given your religious background) deal with us in the grand scheme. As noted in the Ainulande (sp?), all of the music of life is interwoven, evil and good; immortallity and mortallity, etc. One can not change the music, only Illuvatar knows the finale. Tolkien's books are the written histories of Illuvatar's music, and if you consider Tolkiens' works as the mythos of England, Illuvatar's music is still playing.
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