Distant pastBackground
The Butlerian Jihad
The struggle against thinking machines provides the historical foundation for the order in which Mentats, the Bene Gesserit, and the Guild later rise.
BEYOND GENERATIONS
Dune chronology.
The Imperium’s turning points. Follow the events of the original novels and the expanded past on separate timelines. Where exact dates are given, the source calendar is identified.
DuneChange of House
The Atreides arrive on Arrakis
Duke Leto takes control of the spice planet. A joint Harkonnen and imperial attack destroys the House; Paul and Jessica seek refuge with the Fremen.
The end of DuneNew empire
Muad'Dib takes power
Fremen military strength and the threat to destroy spice bring the Imperium to its knees. Paul ascends the throne through a political marriage to Irulan.
About 12 years laterPaul's withdrawal
The price of a savior
In Dune Messiah, a conspiracy forms against Paul. Chani dies giving birth to the twins; Hayt recovers his old memory. The blind Paul finally walks into the desert.
About 9 years laterTransformation
The Atreides legacy divides
Alia's identity falls under the influence of the Baron within her. Leto merges with sandtrout; Ghanima carries the path toward the continuation of the human bloodline.
About 3,500 years laterGolden Path
The end of the God Emperor
Siona's bloodline, hidden from prescience, emerges. Leto falls into water and dies; the sandtrout separating from his body establish a new worm cycle.
After LetoHumanity's expansion
Famine and Scattering
The central order dissolves. People spread far beyond the known Imperium, forming societies that no single government or prescient vision can fully track.
About 1,500 years laterNew conflict
Return to the Old Empire
The Honored Matres return as a new power. The struggle around Sheeana, Duncan, and Teg leads to the destruction of Rakis. One worm is rescued.
After Heretics of DuneInstitutional change
Growing a new Dune
The Bene Gesserit transform their homeworld into desert. The memories of Lampadas are rescued; after Odrade's death, Murbella leads the united Sisterhood.
The end of the sixth bookOpen ending
A ship into the unknown
Duncan, Sheeana, and their companions depart in the no-ship. Daniel and Marty cannot stop them. Frank Herbert's series ends at this threshold, leaving the future open.