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“ | We are at war with forces too terrible to comprehend. We cannot afford mercy for any of its victims too weak to take the correct course. Mercy destroys us; it weakens us and saps our resolve. Put aside all such thoughts. They are not worthy of Inquisitors in the service of Our Emperor. Praise His name for in our resolve we only reflect his purpose of will. | „ |
~ Inquisitor Octus Enoch |
“ | Some may question your right to destroy ten billion people. Those who understand know that you have no right to let them live. | „ |
~ The "Exterminatus Extremis" on its practices. |
“ | Look what they've made of our dream. This bloated, rotting carcass of an empire is driven not by reason and hope but by fear, hate and ignorance. Better that we had all burned in the fires of Horus' ambition than live to see this. | „ |
~ Roboute Guilliman on the current state of the Imperium of Man. |
The Imperium of Man, also called the Imperium of Mankind and simply The Imperium by imperial forces, are the main protagonists of the Warhammer 40,000 franchise. Their Warhammer Fantasy counterpart are the Empire of Man.
During a period known as the Great Crusade in Imperial history, the Imperium brought a materialistic and atheistic faith based on reasons and science which was known as the Imperial Truth but since the internment of the Emperor of Mankind to the Golden Throne, the entire Imperium has currently fallen under irrationality and fears of superstition, including the fanatical worship of the Emperor as a living god, which ironically the Emperor originally intended to purge all forms of religious faith and even prohibited his people to worship him as such.
The Imperium was established by its founder and sovereign, the god-like Emperor of Mankind, renowned as the most powerful Human psyker in history. He created the Imperium over 10,000 Terran years ago during the late 30th Millennium amidst the Unification Wars on Old Earth, following the devastating era known as the Age of Strife.
Though the Emperor nominally maintains his rule over the Imperium as both its political authority and primary religious figure, his severely damaged body is now housed within the arcane life-support system known as the Golden Throne. This occurred after he sustained mortal wounds during the ancient interstellar civil war known as the Horus Heresy.
As a result of his unfortunate condition, the Emperor is unable to engage with others on a daily basis. Consequently, he has delegated the governance of the Imperium to the Senatorum Imperialis, an oligarchic council composed of the most powerful noble lords and adepts in the galaxy. Presently, the council is chaired by the Emperor’s genetic son, Primarch Roboute Guilliman, who oversees Imperial policy as both the lord commander of the Imperium and the Imperial Regent.
The Imperium of Man is a classic example of an "evil versus evil" archetype. They would likely be considered villains under any other setting yet due to the excessive viciousness of their countless enemies and the general grimdark/dystopian themes of Warhammer 40,000 they are often portrayed as humanity's last bastion of hope (though only the most hardened of souls would truly call them "heroes").
Overview[]
Life in the Imperium of Man varies greatly depending on both the planet one is born and one's own social class, most worlds function under an extremely oppressive dictatorship akin to those of medieval Europe and those born in lower classes are expected to serve as workers, slaves or soldiers for their superiors, those of higher rank are granted more freedom but all ultimately face the whims of the Inquisitors, who can sentence trillions to death on the slightest suspicion of heresy or rebellion.
While the Imperium is seen as backwards, cruel and excessive the society has been forged under the brutality of countless wars, betrayals and in-fighting which has left little room for diplomacy or reason with only the strongest, most ruthless individuals being able to thrive under such conditions. Without extremely strict laws and merciless enforcement of said laws, humanity would also face falling to Chaos, its most ancient and deadly enemy.
History[]
Great Crusade[]
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Horus Heresy[]
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41st Millenium[]
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Era Indomitus[]
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Organizations[]
Government and Politics[]
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Military[]
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Members[]
Leaders[]
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Officials[]
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Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- Although the Imperium of Man may be considered evil, they were mostly forced to perform evil deeds in order to protect Humanity from various threats throughout the grimdark and unforgiving galaxy, especially in their perpetual war with the Forces of Chaos and various Xenos races.
- However this claim is questionable since they also attacked many non-hostile races simply for occupying worlds they wanted. They also destroy any human civilizations that refuse to become a part of them in 30k era, peaceful or not. Make them the only choice for humanity in 40k era as they already destroyed any others possible choices.
- Warhammer 40,000 fans would go on to nickname the Imperium of Man as Catholic Space Nazis, due to their Human Chauvinism, strict Emperor Worship and Absolute Xenophobia and rumored to be inspired after Nazi Germany.
- Some fans think Imperium of Man is an expy of Skaven from Warhammer Fantasy because both factions are backstabbing, unorganize, genocide anyone who isn't them, using their owerwheming number to beat the enemy, etcs, and most importantly dedicate their worship to One God that is actually Chaos God. (Although in Imperium case, most people still unaware of the Dark King prophecy and the fact that Emperor is one of candidates.)
External Links[]
- Imperium of Man on the Heroes Wiki
- Imperium of Man on the Warhammer 40,000 Wiki
- Imperium of Man on the Lexicanum