Mightiest of the Maiar?

[Belegorn]

Originally Posted by Puddleglum

Agreed. We must be careful not to equate "position" (rank in the valinorean stature) with "might" or "power" in combat.

For example, it is clearly stated (in the Valaquenta), wrt the Valar, that "Greatest in strength and deeds or prowess in Tulkas", and also that Orome is "less strong than Tulkas" - and yet Tulkas is named last among the Lords of the Valar in Order.

I think in that first list the order is not necessarily who is the greatest power overall in order, but there is a 2nd list on which Tulkas is not included that starts with the sentence, "Nine were of chief power and reverence... the High Ones of Arda: Manwë and Varda, Ulmo, Yavanna and Aulë, Mandos, Nienna, and Oromë... in majesty they are peers, surpassing beyond compare all others, whether of the Valar and the Maiar, or of any other order that Ilúvatar has sent into Ea." [Sil, p. 23]

So what does "less strong" mean between Tulkas and Oromë when clearly the latter is supposed to be one of the 9 greatest beings in Arda. I do not know. Like the Greek gods Zeus, Hades, and Poseiden these Nine are all peers in majesty, although not necessarily in practice as Manwë is King and the strongest, as was Zeus.