- Foundation Period – The reign of Elros
Tar-Minyatur (SA 32-442)
- Classical Period – Ta-Vardamir to Tar-Meneldur (SA 442-883)
- Colonial Period
– Tar-Aldarion to Tar-Minastir; also called the Early Middle Period, the Age of Sail, or the Eldarin Alliance period (SA 883 – 1869)
- Imperial Period – Tar-Ciryatan to Tar-Alcarin; during this period the King’s Men and the Elendili factions are established between SA 2221 – 2386. Also includes Anducal’s Uprising and the Reign of the Illegitimate Sovereign, or the Time of the Unseated King; sometimes called the Late
Middle Period (SA 1869 – 2737)- Adûnaic Period – Ar-Belzagar to Ar-Gimilzôr; usually divided into early, high and late eras (SA 2737 – 3177)
- Revival Era – Tar-Palantir, sometimes referred to as the Days of Restoration by Faithful historians (SA 3177
– 3255)- Avalôiyada Period – Ar-Pharazôn’s reign (SA 3255 – 3319)
- Akallabêth Period – Fall of
Númenor to the death of Elendil (and sometimes his sons), historiography of the Kingdoms in Exile begins (SA 3319 – 3441)
