Old Empire/XD

The Old Empire was a human political settlement state which existed preceding the Time of Titans.

History

Mankind, having evolved on Earth, eventually gained the technology to travel faster than the speed of light (albeit at a much slower rate than later spacefold-capable craft). Humanity would then spread out to inhabit many other worlds across the galaxy, expanding the reach of the old empire.

During this long period of exploration and expansion humanity was governed by an imperial government under which the inhabited planets affiliated together; this Empire lasted for millennia but grew increasingly spiritually stagnant and dependent on technology as time progressed.

Decline

Near the end of its existence, the Old Empire had grown corrupt and inert, its people enslaved by apathy and ennui. Proclaiming the need for change, a revolutionary political philosopher named Tlaloc emerged but failed to shake up the bored populace. One world that was briefly explored was Arrakis, which was discovered in the last years of the Old Empire.

A few individuals became avid followers of Tlaloc’s progressive, reform-minded ideology, and began a plot to overthrow the Old Empire and install themselves as its new rulers. During this time the group adopted the names of legendary individuals from human history. One of these individuals, Barbarossa, reprogrammed many computers to impart them with human aggression and a hunger for power.

Revolt of the Titans

With the aid of the thinking machines, the rebels defeated the undermanned but still highly competent human military and conquered a large portion of the Old Empire in 1287 BG, dethroning the weak Fallen Emperor, though he was saved via the old empire military, in the Revolt of the Titans. However, 10,000 systems in the Empire resisted and founded the League of Nobles, with its capital on Salusa Secundus.

The descendants of the Fallen Emperor continued to maintain the meaningless title of Emperor up until the 8th century BG. By the time of the Butlerian Jihad, these remnants had seemingly died out completely.

Organization

Not much is known about the rules, administration and structure of the Old Empire. Some known military ranks dated from the Old Empire or even beyond were Levenbrech, Bator, Burseg, Bashar, Supreme Bashar and others.

These ranks were adopted by the Army of Humanity, replacing the numerical promotions of the League Armada used by the Army of the Jihad.

Appearances

• Dune: The Butlerian Jihad (mentioned only)
• Dune: The Machine Crusade (mentioned only)
• Dune: The Battle of Corrin (mentioned only)