Gandalf‘s True Age: From Before Creation to the Third Age

So how old is Gandalf exactly? As one of the primordial Maiar spirits, Gandalf‘s consciousness arose before the Years of the Lamps when the Valar first illuminated Arda. He has walked Middle Earth for over 2,000 years. But his physical form does not match his ancient, angelic origins.

Gandalf‘s Pre-Existence as Olórin

Long before the First Age and the awakening of Elves in Middle Earth, Gandalf existed as Olórin – an ageless spirit dwelling in the gardens of Valinor. The Maiar assisted the more powerful Valar in shaping the world. As Tolkien wrote in The Silmarillion:

"…with the Valar came other spirits whose being also began before the World, of the same order as the Valar but of less degree. These are the Maiar…"

With his peer Maiar Curumo (Saruman) and Aiwendil (Radagast), Olórin was associated with the Vala Irmo, master of visions and dreams. So even Sauron himself was younger than Olórin‘s earliest beginnings.

Gandalf has thus existed, immortal and ageless, since the Timeless Halls before the creation of Arda. Even the Elves awoke long ages after Gandalf became part of Eru Ilúvatar‘s grand melody that shaped reality.

Why Walk as an Old Man?

After the First Age ended, the Maiar beings were sent to Middle Earth around 1000 TA in humble forms. As Tolkien explains in Letter 156:

"…they were ‘veiled‘, that they sent out…their own diminished selves in human forms that age, suffer, and die…"

So why an old man? CTolkien clarified in Unfinished Tales that the Istari:

"…must be already adult when sent, in order that they may adapt themselves to their conditions in Arda…"

Their aged appearance also established trust. But Gandalf only seemed old – his mortal body was newly created while his spirit remained unbound by time.

Gandalf‘s Timeline in Middle Earth

When did key events happen over Gandalf‘s 2000+ years in Middle Earth? Consulting Tolkien‘s appendices, writings, and timelines, we can piece together an estimate:

Year TA | Event 
------- | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1000 | Olórin the Maia enters Middle Earth as Gandalf 
>1600 | Gandalf roams among Elves of Lindon, Rivendell, and Lothlorien
2463 | Gandalf urges Thorin Oakenshield to reclaim Erebor in the Hobbit  
2941 | Gandalf helps Thorin‘s company defeat Smaug
3018 | Gandalf the Grey falls fighting the Balrog 
3019 | Gandalf returns from death as Gandalf the White
3021 | Last ship sails from Middle Earth bearing Frodo, Bilbo, Gandalf and Elves  

So Gandalf spent over 1600 years befriending Elves before joining Thorin‘s quest. And he walked Middle Earth for around 2000 years through the Third Age leading opposition to Sauron.

How Gandalf‘s Power Changed with Time

In different ages, Gandalf wields varying levels of power:

Age   |  Powers
------| ------------------------------------------------------------------  
Years of Trees | Helps Valar shape world as Olórin but cannot yet walk Middle Earth   
First Age | Remains in Timeless Halls gathering wisdom
Second Age  | Unknown - Istari yet to appear; Sauron forges Rings of Power
Early Third Age | Immortal Maia with memories of Valinor but limited mortal form   
Late Third Age | Gains growing authority to rally forces against Sauron  
After Rebirth | Restored as Gandalf the White with full unveiling of powers

So Gandalf likely reached the peak of his strength by the end of the Third Age to directly confront Sauron‘s might through his ring.

Conflicting Texts on Gandalf‘s Age

Tolkien‘s writings give slightly different perspectives on Gandalf‘s origins. In the Valaquenta beings like Gandalf are:

"…of the same order as the Valar but of less degree".

But Appendix B states Gandalf and his peers are actually:

"…messengers sent to contest the power of Sauron … and to unite all those who had the will to resist him."

So were the Istari incarnations or angels? Tolkien evolved their backstory but maintained Gandalf‘s hidden divine nature.

Is Gandalf the Oldest Being in Middle Earth?

Gandalf‘s age compared to other beings depends on whether we count his eternal divine origins or earthly years.

By origins:

• Older: The Valar
• Same age: Fellow Maiar
• Younger: All Children of Ilúvatar

By years in Middle Earth:

• Older: Treebeard, Cirdan, maybe Bombadil
• Similar: Sauron, Galadriel and ancient Elves
• Younger: Aragorn, Legolas, Hobbits

So Gandalf is neither the youngest nor oldest being – but his wisdom spans eras.

How Does Gandalf‘s Age Relate to Defeating Sauron?

Why incarnate a Millenia-old spirit as an old man to fight Sauron? Gandalf‘s age and origins may factor in several ways:

• Ancient knowledge of Sauron‘s past weaknesses
• Authority to rally Elves, Men from past friendships
• Forged Ring of Power so required an Istari‘s aid
• Destiny split among three comrades (Saruman, Radagast)
• Mortal form that could sacrifice life against Balrog

So Gandalf‘s age shaped alliances and foresight while limiting his powers. Only combined with others could he outmatch a Maia spirit corrupted from beginnings.

Lifespans: Gandalf vs. Other Races

How does Gandalf‘s age compare to the peoples of Middle Earth? Compared to mortal Men, Gandalf lived through many generations:

Among mortals, only the long-lived Numenoreans and wisest elves matched Gandalf‘s apparent age. But his spirit endures far beyond Arda‘s existence.

In Summary: Ancient Spirit, Mortal Form

So in the end, Gandalf occupies a span between eras:

• Origin pre-exists Arda before the First Age
• Appears as old man wandering Middle Earth for 2000+ years
• Holds immortal spirit with finite mortal vessel
• Defeats chief evil Maia he knew before Time
• Departs into the West beyond knowledge or age

That enduring duality – primeval and venerable, human and angelic – defines Gandalf‘s mythic role linking past ages to the Fourth Era beginning after his departure.