Gandalf the Grey, later known as Gandalf the White, was an Istari. Istari were Mair that were specially chosen by the Valar to help aid the people of Middle-Earth in the fight against evil. The Istari (Men called them Wizards) took the form of Men,but possessed much greater physical and mental power. For over 2,000 years, Gandalf worked most faithfully against the rising powers of evil in Middle-earth.