Quote:
Originally Posted by Gorthaur the Cruel
It seems that Melian is a truly powerfu and wise maia, and maybe even more powerful than the Istari (?). The fact that she was able to fend off a highly empowered (thanks to the Two Trees saps and Varda's wells) Ungoliant, whose darkness strangled all of Valinor's inhabitants (including the valar themselves), is truly impressive... considering it took a host of Balrogs to fend her off of Melkor. Of course, when Ungoliant headed for Doriath, she could have been less powerful due to the Balrogs' earlier contest with her, hence why Melian was able to restrain her? Or perhaps she was still in her full might even when apporaching the Girdle.
This makes me speculate that if the tragedies that transpired in Doriath (resulting in its destruction) did not occur, Melian's Girdle could have indefinitely held off Morgoth's full power (Sauron, Ancalagon, Glaurung, Gothmog and other Balrogs, Trolls, Orcs, and evil men).
In addition, speculate how Melian ranks against other powerful Maia like Uinen, Ilmare, Arien, Sauron, Gandalf, Saruman, and Radaghast in terms of raw power (however you want to define that). Some posters have mentioned that Sauron and Melian are possible equals, but if that were so, he wouldn't have had any reservations about attacking Doriath. Or am I giving Melian too much credit against the might of Angband?
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I do believe Melian was one of the most powerful of the Maia that lingered in Middle Earth. Arguably almost as strong as Sauron, being able to withstand him. But her power was in withstanding and protecting rather than assault, or creating things of power or leading armies.
Some of the less physical entities, such as Uinen, Ilmare, Osse, etc, Were probably just up there in power with MAnwe's herald, but they spent their powers in other ways. Sauron did work with his hands and lived himself in Middle Earth for so logn takng on a physical form similar to an Elf, and later on of a terrible lord, that he (and Melian and Gandalf) are of a different type of Maiar. More terrestrial, or more corporeal it seems. And alot of their power was spread out in different ways, over time, rather than on a single task in a single place like Uinen or the others.
Certainly top 10 greatest Maiar spirits though, of Arda in terms of powers and contribution to Arda