[Huinesoron]

Originally Posted by Zigûr

I agree that Sauron's empire was bigger, but isn't it fair to say that Morgoth did rule over the lands of Men in the East for all intents and purposes? He was simply unable to leverage them into a military force with which to crush the Noldor – unlike Sauron at the end of the Third Age against the Free Peoples of course, which is another point in Sauron's favour.

Hmm. How true is this? The story of the Fall of Man is pretty well known, despite the Silm's protestations:

Originally Posted by Silm

But it was said afterwards among the Eldar that when Men awoke in Hildórien at the rising of the Sun the spies of Morgoth were watchful, and tidings were soon brought to him; and this seemed to him so great a matter that secretly under shadow he himself departed from Angband, and went forth into Middle-earth, leaving to Sauron the command of the War. Of his dealings with Men the Eldar indeed knew nothing, at that time, and learnt but little afterwards; but that a darkness lay upon the hearts of Men (as the shadow of the Kinslaying and the Doom of Mandos lay upon the Noldor) they perceived clearly even in the people of the Elf-friends whom they first knew. To corrupt or destroy whatsoever arose new and fair was ever the chief desire of Morgoth; and doubtless he had this purpose also in his errand: by fear and lies to make Men the foes of the Eldar, and bring them up out of the east against Beleriand. But this design was slow to ripen, and was never wholly achieved; for Men (it is said) were at first very few in number, whereas Morgoth grew afraid of the growing power and union of the Eldar and came back to Angband, leaving behind at that time but few servants, and those of less might and cunning.

The Athrabeth puts this story into narrative, which makes it clear that Morgoth's control over Men was never one of command, but rather of corruption. He put evil into the hearts of Men, and turned them from Iluvatar - but he never really did more than that, in the beginning.

A chapter later, the Silm discusses the Swarthy Men, and again is very clear on what and when Morgoth did:

Originally Posted by Silm

To Men Morgoth feigned pity, if any would hearken to his messages, saying that their woes came only of their servitude to the rebel Noldor, but at the hands of the rightful Lord of Middle-earth they would get honour and a just reward of valour, if they would leave rebellion. But few men of the Three Houses of the Edain would give ear to him, not even were they brought to the torment of Angband. Therefore Morgoth pursued them with hatred; and he sent his messengers over the mountains.

It is told that at this time the Swarthy Men came first into Beleriand. Some were already secretly under the dominion of Morgoth, and came at his call; but not all, for the rumour of Beleriand, of its lands and waters, of its wars and riches, went now far and wide, and the wandering feet of Men were ever set westward in those days.

It was only after the Sudden Flame that Morgoth started sending messengers east to try and actively control Men, and even then his success was marginal: two houses of the Swarthy Men showed up, and one of those 'cheated the hope of Morgoth'.

I think it's also worth bearing in mind that much of Sauron's power derived from exploiting corruption already engendered by Melkor (albeit not by "Morgoth").

This is a decent point. Obviously everything goes back to the Marring, and to the early wars before the Elves awoke; and Sauron's pet orcs were made by Melkor, not by Sauron. But on the flip side, the fact that I didn't invent the pencil doesn't mean that the person who did gets credit for my exam scores! Melkor set the stage, but fumbled the execution; Sauron used his master's props and made excellent use of them.

hS