Lecture on Warhammer 40k Timeline

Introduction

• Sponsored by Into the AM
• Overview: Exploring critical points in the Warhammer 40k timeline
• Warhammer 40k: Dark science fantasy
  • Humanity ruled by a brutal regime and beset by aliens, heretics, and demons
  • Contrasts with Star Trek's themes of peace
• Intimidating for newcomers
  • 400+ novels, 30 years of lore

Structure of Presentation

• Condense important periods of the 40k timeline
• Avoid in-depth plot explanations

The War in Heaven (60 million years ago)

• Necrons and the Old Ones
  • Necrontyr were originally a dying species under a radioactive sun
  • Encountered Old Ones, who refused to share their immortality
• Alliance with the C'tan
  • C'tan: Star-sucking vampire star gods
  • Promised immortality in the form of robotic skeletons (Necrons)
• War Against the Old Ones
  • Spanned entire galaxy, involving ancient myths
  • Creation of Blackstone pylons to counter psychic enemies

Consequences of the War

• Warp became turbulent due to immense suffering
• Creation of Eldar and Orks by the Old Ones
• Necrons' steps to destroy C'tan and fragment them into Tesseract Vaults
• Necrons went into stasis for 60 million years, allowing Eldar dominance

Eldar's Rise and Decline

• Post-war Eldar empire dominate the galaxy
• Immortal, pursued arts but later turned to hedonism
• Birth of Slaanesh from Eldar excesses
  • Birth scream created Eye of Terror

Humanity's Emergence

• Rise of humanity and Emperor of Mankind
• Emperor's origins: 8000 BC, created by sacrificing shamans
• Periods of influence: took many roles throughout history

The Dark Age of Technology

• 15th to 25th millennia, peak of human technology
• Achievements: STCs (Standard Template Constructs), power armor origins
• Downfall: AI revolt (Cybernetic Revolt), rise of psykers

The Age of Strife (Old Night)

• Collapse of human civilization (15k-25k AD)
• Interstellar travel and communication disrupted by warp storms
• Mars conflict and rise of the Cult Mechanicum

The Great Crusade and the Horus Heresy

• Emperor's efforts to reunite humanity
• Creation of Primarchs and Space Marine Legions
• Horus Lupercal’s betrayal leading to the Horus Heresy
  • Fracturing of the Imperium, civil war
  • Major Battles: Istvan III, Istvan V (Drop Site Massacre)

The Post-Heresy Period

• Emperor placed on the Golden Throne
• Establishment of the High Lords of Terra to govern
• Scattering and eventual disappearance of Primarchs
• Introduction of Codex Astartes to reorganize Space Marines

Key Later Events

• 13th Black Crusade: Abaddon’s major victory, destruction of Cadia, Great Rift
• Resurrection of Roboute Guilliman, lead of the Indomitus Crusade

Final Thoughts

• Omission of specific events due to focus on critical frameworks
• Encouragement for community engagement in comments to build resource pool
• Mention of Patreon support and future content plans