Istari and Wizards

There were five Istari in the Third Age of Middle Earth--Maiar (minor gods) sent to the mortal lands to help Elves and Men in their struggles against Sauron (also a Maia). Three of the five Istari are named in Lord of the Rings: Gandalf, Saruman and Radagast. The other two are named in other works of Tolkien's: Alatar and Pallando.

It is important to take note of the difference in The Two Towers between "wizards" and "istari". Wizards are players who specialize in magic... along the lines of Elrond, Galadriel and other elves of Tolkien's books. Wizards here are NOT Istari...which means they are neither immortal nor gods.