Mightiest of the Maiar?

[Zigûr]

Originally Posted by Nikkolas

So then was Sauron the strongest Maia? Or was perhaps someone like Melian even better?

While I've seen some suggestions that Sauron was the mightiest Maia, I don't think there's any definitive evidence to that effect. I think some people like the idea that Sauron might have been to the Maiar as Morgoth was to the Valar, but it's not really something which I think can be substantiated.

In lieu of an absolutely certain answer, I would argue that Ëonwë and Ilmarë were probably the mightiest of the Maiar simply because they were their Chiefs and the immediate servants of Manwë and Varda. However, their rank is hardly proof of their power, Melkor being originally most powerful of the Ainur despite Manwë being the leader.

That being said, I personally perceive Sauron being among Maiar of near-Vala stature along with the aforementioned chiefs, as well as other powerful Maiar like Melian, Ossë and Uinen. Perhaps Sauron originally occupied within the household of Aulë a similar position of eminence to that of Ëonwë, Ilmarë, Ossë and Uinen in the service of their respective Valar - albeit, I would argue, not the highest among Aulë's folk, as I think we would have been told if he was.