[Sever]

Sauron, has his hayday during the 2nd age of the sun. A vast era spanning no less than 3441 years in which he is ever present but has THREE major uprisings. The first being the War of Sauron and the Elves immedietly after the truth of the One ring is discovered. The second is the result of his capture at the hands of the Numenoreans (ancestors of the Dunedain) some 1620 years later and ends in the total destruction of Westernesse and the changing of the world. The third is the Last alliance of elves and men and the Battle of Dagorlad which everyone knows about because they saw it in the movie.

He and his Nazghul also have various uprisings in Angmar, Mirkwood and Minas Morgul and constantly harass the Dunedain throughout the Third age.

One little known point that is worth noting is that, from start (creation of Arda) to finish (migration to the Undying lands) there is 37063 years of history of conflicts between Valar, maiar, elf, orc and man. LotR covers a total time span of 1.