Chronology of the Grim Dark Future
Key Eras of the Warhammer 40,000 Universe
Pre-Imperial Eons
The War in Heaven
The ancient conflict between the Necrontyr and the Old Ones. (Click for details)
The C’tan and the Necrons fought a galaxy-spanning war against the Old Ones. This conflict birthed the Eldar and Ork races and shattered the tranquility of the Warp forever.
M15 – M25
The Dark Age of Technology
Humanity’s golden age of scientific advancement and expansion.
The zenith of human power. Invention of the Warp Drive and the STC (Standard Template Construct). It ended with the revolt of the “Men of Iron” (AI) and the onset of the Age of Strife.
M30
The Great Crusade
The Emperor of Mankind emerges to reunite the scattered human colonies.
The Emperor creates the 20 Primarchs and the Legiones Astartes. After unifying Terra, he leads the Great Crusade to reclaim the galaxy for humanity under the “Imperial Truth.”
M31
The Horus Heresy
The ultimate betrayal that crippled the Imperium forever.
Warmaster Horus is corrupted by Chaos and leads half the Space Marine Legions against the Emperor. The war ends with Horus slain and the Emperor interred on the Golden Throne.
M41.999
The Fall of Cadia
The 13th Black Crusade and the Great Rift.
Abaddon the Despoiler destroys Cadia, causing the Cicatrix Maledictum (a massive warp rift) to tear the galaxy in half. Roboute Guilliman, the Primarch, is resurrected to save the Imperium.
