Tantûrak, as most colonies of the Numenoreans, was settled in the later second age. Originally settling on the uninhabited island of Ardinâk as a naval outpost, in time this outpost would project power across much of the northeastern portion of the Bay of Usakan. Here was built the citadel of Ardinâk, also known as the Shân-ta-Rhôn, said to be built of black marble and steel. However, a terrible plague striking Ardinâk in the mid 2500s would see the creation of the city of Sarûl on the continent proper as a new capital for the colony, with Ardinâk all but abandoned. This resulted in Ardinâk no longer being a sufficient port for the Numenorean navy (with them transferred to either Anarike or to Zimrathani), and Tantûrak became perhaps the most neglected (or at least, least supervised) of the Numenorean colonies. As a result, Tantûrak would increasingly lose loyalty to the mother-country, and would even build its own military fleets, conscripting the natives to row in great slave galleys. No more did settlers come to Tantûrak, and the Numenorean elite of the colony maintained their power with iron.

It would be during the contentious reigns of Ar-Gimilzôr and Tar-Palantir that Tantûrak moved from a disatisfied colony to one in open revolt. An agent of Sauron, known only as 'The Magician', became an advisor to the royal governor of Tantûrak, inflaming his desire for glory and power. The governor, in league with the Empire of Mumakan, declared himself Ar-Kinyârn of Tantûrak, renouncing all ties to the mother country. This was met with great acclaim by the Adunaic populace of Tantûrak, who had grown resentful of a homeland they saw no support from for its high taxes and tariffs. Even the indigenous population oppressed by the Aduani were moved to support it, as they hoped the removal of the yoke of the Numenorean homeland would result in a lightening of their own burdens. Ar-Gimilzôr and Tar-Palantir both would fail to crush the revolt, as both were far too concerned with the internal tensions in the Numenorean homeland, let alone the broader empire (Ar-Gimilzôr being paranoid of the Faithful, and Tar-Palantir attempting to turn his people back to the light), to concern themselves with the least of their colonies.

Between them, Tantûrak and Mumakan dismembered and disarmed the republic of Kôronânde, bringing the entire south under their uneasy alliance.

However, Tantûrak's luck would run out with the ascension of Ar-Pharazôn. Proud and mighty, Ar-Pharazôn would not tolerate such frank rebellion against the rule of Numenor. While he launched his great campaign against Sauron in Mordor, so too did he command the colonies of the Thani-Hazad and Anarike to marshal a fleet and army with which to punish Mumakan and Tantûrak both. Hearing of the discontent and subjugated Kôronânde, the Admiral of Anarike made a covert offer to the leadership there. Rise against their oppressors and grant the Numenorean fleets access to it as a base of operations and a port, and Numenor would restore the republic to its former glory as a protected tributary of the Sceptre. While it would later be heavily debated if he had such authority, Ar-Pharazôn ultimately tolerated and approved the act for its shrewd maneuvering. Kôronânde rose, and the Numenorean fleets and armies landed there. Mumakan and Tantûrak both rushed their armies to throw the Numenoreans back into the sea, but it was too late. With the walls of Kôrlan (capital of Kôronânde) held against them, they could not push them back into the sea, and ultimately the Numenoreans utterly destroyed both on the field, the serf-soldiers of Tanturak and tribesmen of Mumakan no match for Numenorean steel despite their numbers. In the aftermath of the battle, the Empire of Mumakan was shattered beneath the Numenorean host, its God-King Ji-Indur fleeing into the wilds. In its place once more would be hundreds of tribes. So too did the aging Ar-Kinyârn flee Tantûrak with his family into the wilds, and despite great effort Numenor could not find him, and many of his supporters went to ground. Likewise, Tantûrak was put under heavy taxation and occupied by Numenor as punishment for its rebellion, its navy confiscated and forced to provide much men and resources for the Great Armament. This would explain the precariousness of its position as the Third Age progressed. However, in the wake of the Downfall, the son of Ar-Kinyârn returned from the wilds, rallying support for his father's throne. What few remained of the imposed garrison surrendered and bowed to the returned king of Tantûrak.

Tantûrak was free, its monarchy surviving where the mighty Ar-Pharazon did not. But its Numenorean population was few, and it now had to stand alone without the aid of Mumakan or Numenor, and with an enemy in the realm of Kôronânde. If the Tantûraki were wise, they would've made peace with their local indigenous population as well as their neighbor. It would do neither...