The collection begins with the "Ainulindale," a creation myth, proceeds to the "Valaquenta," an elvan account of the Powers (Valar and Maiar), then to "The Silmarillion," and finally to two short pieces, the "Alkallabeth" and a short legend bridging this collection and "The Lord of the Rings," entitled "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age."
Perhaps the greatest value to The Silmarillion is the cosmology that Tolkien uses to establish his world. There is certainly a very Christian element to it, with Eru (God) casting down the powerful, but prideful Melkor. But Tolkien also makes extensive use of Finnish, Norse, and Greek influences. And these mythic underpinnings provide the foundation for the epic struggles that will unfold across three full Ages of Middle Earth