Saurons ras är Maia.
Among those of his servants that have names the greatest was that spirit whom the Eldar called Sauron, or Gorthaur the Cruel. In his beginning he was of the Maiar of Aulë, and he remained mighty in the lore of that people. In all the deeds of Melkor the Morgoth upon Arda, in his vast works and in the deceits of his cunning, Sauron had a part...
- Ainulindalë - Av fienderna
Sauron var ursprungligen Melkors löjtnant och ett mindre var:
And Melkor made also a fortress and armoury not far from the north-western shores of the sea, to resist any assault that might come from Aman. That stronghold was commanded by Sauron, lieutenant of Melkor...
- Quenta Silmarillion - Kapitel 3 - När Elven kommer och Melkor Captivity
Maiar är mindre Ainur:
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, the people of the Valar, and their servants and helpers.
- Ainulindalë - Of the Maiar
Sauron skapade One Ring själv för att få kontroll över bärarna av alla andra ringar.
Now the Elves made many rings; but secretly Sauron made One Ring to rule all the others...
Eftersom han satte så mycket av sin egen kraft i ringen, var dess förstörelse avgörande för att besegra honom:
And much of the strength and will of Sauron passed into that One Ring; for the power of the Elven-rings was very great, and that which should govern them must be a thing of surpassing potency...