When is Dune: Prophecy set? Timeline explained

When is Dune: Prophecy set? Timeline explained

As a cinephile with a penchant for sci-fi and a touch of gray in my sideburns (a testament to countless late-night binge-watching sessions), I must confess that the upcoming series, Dune: Prophecy, has piqued my interest. The prospect of delving into the origins of the Bene Gesserit, set thousands of years before the events of Dune, is nothing short of exhilarating.


Long before Timothée Chalamet portrayed Paul Atreides, the Bene Gesserit order was founded, and Dune: Prophecy presents this epic tale of their history.

As a passionate movie-goer, I’d express it like this: “Inspired by Brian Herbert’s novel, Son of Frank Herbert’s ‘Sisterhood of Dune’, the HBO series delves into the lives of sisters Valya and Tula, portrayed brilliantly by Emily Watson and Olivia Williams respectively. The narrative unfolds as they grapple with a perilous challenge that could potentially wipe out the Sisterhood.

In my perspective, the captivating series shares a common universe with Denis Villeneuve’s masterful cinematic creations. The talented Chris Mason, who portrays Keiran Atreides, subtly incorporated a tribute to Timothée Chalamet’s character, Paul. However, it’s essential to note that despite these similarities, the series maintains a considerable distance from the films in numerous aspects.

Here’s everything you need to know about when Dune: Prophecy is set.

When is Dune: Prophecy set?

Dune: Prophecy is set around 10,000 years before the events of Dune.

In the Dune series of books, time is marked as years before and after the creation of the Spacing Guild, denoted as BG (Before Guild) and AG (After Guild). The story in Dune: Prophecy takes place around 10,191 AG, so we’re dealing with a timeframe approximately 10,000 years before this significant event.

The show jumps back and forth through time, focusing on Valya and Tula’s early years. We can anticipate it will cover a period approximately spanning from 10 Before Gentry (BG) to 25 After Gentry (AG). Additionally, this series takes place within the Corrino Empire, which existed from Before Gentry (BG) 88 to After Gentry (AG) 10,193.

When is Dune: Prophecy set? Timeline explained

To put it simply, as far as the Dune novels are concerned, the sequence of significant events appears something like this:

  • 201 BG to 108 BG: The Butlerian Jihad, AKA the Great Revolt (the crusade against computers and thinking machines)
  • 26 BG: Birth of Valya Harkonnen
  • 10 BG: Valya Harkonnen is recruited to the Sisterhood of Rossak (later known as the Bene Gesserit)
  • 4 BG: Valya Harkonnen becomes the third Reverend Mother
  • 10,175 AG: Birth of Paul Atreides

Where is Dune: Prophecy set?

Dune: Prophecy unfolds in the same cosmos as Denis Villeneuve’s movies. Its main locales are primarily Salusa Secundus, the present seat of Imperial power, and Wallach IX, the stronghold of the Sisterhood.

The series also explores the home worlds of the Harkonnens and the Atreides.

As a passionate cinephile, I’d express it this way: “Just like the ancient tales foretell, space travel hinges on spice, a priceless commodity ten millennia ago. While Arrakis may not be at the heart of our story, its influence is certainly felt from afar. Our narrative, you see, delves into uncharted territories beyond it.

What was the Butlerian Jihad in Dune?

The Butlerian Jihad, or the Great Revolt, was the crusade against computers and thinking machines.

The outcome led to the belief that humans shouldn’t be supplanted, resulting in the destruction of all computers and intelligent devices.

It was also forbidden to create a machine “in the likeness of a human mind”.

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2024-11-18 12:05