When Does DUNE: PROPHECY Take Place? Here’s a Complete Yet Brief DUNE Universe Timeline

As a seasoned gamer with countless hours spent navigating galaxies far, far away, I can say that HBO’s Dune: Prophecy has me more excited than a space-faring cat finding a laser pointer. The rich history and intricate world-building of Dune have always captivated me, and the upcoming series promises to delve deeper into the lore that has fascinated us for decades.


As a gaming enthusiast, I’ve been captivated by Denis Villeneuve’s Dune movies, but what truly fascinates me is the tale of the Kwisatz Haderach that stretches far back beyond Paul Atreides’ birth. The Bene Gesserit have been meticulously orchestrating events for ten thousand years to birth a superhuman, a beacon to guide humanity towards a brighter future. Now, I can’t wait to witness those early days unfold in HBO’s Dune: Prophecy, as we delve into the Sisterhood’s initial steps setting their long-term plans in motion.

And yet, not even going back that far tells the whole tale. Dune‘s history is much longer than our own. How far back does it go and what is the state of the universe at the start of the show? To help you understand what’s going on, why, and when, here’s a simplified timeline to help you understand Dune: Prophecy.

In the chronology of Dune, events are measured from the establishment of the Space Guild. Before this event is denoted as “Before Guild” (BG), while anything after it is referred to as “After Guild” (AG).

11200 BG (The year 1960) Human space travel begins.

5000 BG represents the time when humans introduced sandworms into the waters of Arrakis, initiating a process that led to the gradual desertification of the planet over a long period and also the development of the valuable spice blend known as mélange.

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2500 BG Formation of the Old Empire (a.k.a. Old Imperium) which exists for more than 2,000 years.

2100 BG Founding of the Landsraad, a political body representing all the Great Houses

1400 years ago, scientists unearth a blend of spices on the desert planet Arrakis. Much later, humanity realizes this mix can boost mental capacity, leading eventually to the development of space-folding technology, a method that enables swift traversal across galaxies.

201-108 BG marked a time when humans embarked on a fierce campaign against advanced artificial life forms, referred to as “thinking machines” and Titans, who had gained control over the galaxy and subjugated many human populations.

In the Battle of Corrin, the thinking machines suffer their ultimate defeat. Viceroy Faykan Butler, a key political figure in human forces, renames his family dynasty as Corrino and assumes the title of the first Padishah Emperor, thereby founding the Corrino Empire, which initially stemmed from Salusa Secundus. Under this new emperor, the Landsraad gains significance and influence.

  • War hero Vorian Atreides pushes for the exile of Faykan’s younger brother, the “coward” Abulurd Harkonnen, beginning the millennia-long feud between Atreides and Harkonnen.
  • Raquella Berto-Anirul founded the Sisterhood of Rossak—forerunner of the Bene Gesserit—from the remnants of the Sorceresses of Rossak. The group begins preserving mankind’s genetic heritage to secretly breed better leaders.
  • Dr. Mohandas Suk established the all-new Suk Medical School.

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The establishment of the Mentat Order, a team of human calculating devices, was initiated as an alternative to the permanently banned thinking machines.

26 BG Birth of Valya Harkonnen (played by Emily Watson on Dune: Prophecy)

10 BG Valya joins the Sisterhood of Rossak

The Foldspace Shipping Company is now known as the Spacing Guild, a joint venture founded by Emperor Roderick Corrino. They have a monopoly over interstellar transportation and trade.

  • Founding of House Atreides in response to the growing influence of the recovering House Harkonnen.

As an ardent admirer, let me share that in the captivating series, Dune: Prophecy, I find myself stepping into the shoes of Javicco Corrino, brilliantly portrayed by Mark Strong. After the demise of my father, Roderick, I ascend to the throne, taking on the mantle of Emperor.

Approximately 27 After-Galleon, we embark on the current tale within “Dune: Prophecy”, 116 years post the Great Machine War’s conclusion.

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For over ten millennia, the rule of the Corrinos has maintained a stable but secretive influence over the galaxy through their control of the precious substance called spice and the clandestine efforts of the Bene Gesserit order.

10175 AG Birth of Paul Atreides

10191 – 10193 AG Events of Dune, covered (though slighly condensed) in Denis Villeneuve’s films.

Note from the Editor: The movie “Dune: Prophecy” is produced by Legendary Entertainment, which is also the parent company of TopMob, a division under Legendary Digital Networks.

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2024-11-14 19:32