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{{Status|Canon}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{Article quote|Guardianship for all living things lies with those whose evolution is most complete. The Mantle of Responsibility shelters all.}}
{{Article quote|Guardianship for all living things lies with those whose evolution is most complete. The Mantle of Responsibility shelters all.}}
[[File:Main-Forerunner.png|thumb|The [[Eld]], an ancient symbol associated with the Mantle.<ref name="requiem">'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Requiem (level)|Requiem]]''</ref>]]
[[File:Main-Forerunner.png|thumb|right|The [[Eld]], an ancient symbol associated with the Mantle.<ref name="requiem">'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Requiem (level)|Requiem]]''</ref>]]


The '''Mantle of Responsibility''',<ref>'''[[Halo 4]]''', campaign level ''[[Epilogue (Halo 4 level)|Epilogue]]''</ref> commonly referred to simply as the '''Mantle''', is a philosophy originating with the [[Precursor]]s and later associated with the [[Forerunner]]s.{{Ref/Site|Id=CryptumGlossary|URL=http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/intel/related/text/cryptum-glossary/62e29c59-a3f9-4b63-af76-def71fda5459|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Cryptum Glossary|D=14|M=03|Y=2014|LocalArchive=Halo: Cryptum/Glossary}} Bridging the social strata between an interstellar [[Wikipedia:Marshall Plan|Marshall Plan]] and a religious stewardship, the Mantle was the Forerunners' entitlement and responsibility for the protection and cultivation of the species and planetary systems within their [[ecumene]].<ref>'''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)]]''', ''page 164''</ref> The core tenet of the Forerunners' belief in the Mantle was that the most developed species should hold stewardship over all other life. In theory, the Mantle allowed competition and conflict as long as this did not threaten biodiversity in the galaxy; in practice, the Forerunners' often draconian rule in the name of the Mantle entailed the subjugation of "lesser" species by force to keep them in line and preventing them from threatening Forerunner primacy.<ref name="waypoint guardian">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/tech/guardian '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Guardian'']</ref>
The '''Mantle of Responsibility''',<ref>'''[[Halo 4]]''', campaign level ''[[Epilogue (Halo 4 level)|Epilogue]]''</ref> commonly referred to simply as the '''Mantle''', is a philosophy originating with the [[Precursor]]s and later associated with the [[Forerunner]]s. Bridging the social strata between an interstellar [[Wikipedia:Marshall Plan|Marshall Plan]] and a religious, but allegedly benevolent, stewardship, the Mantle was the Forerunners' entitlement and responsibility for the protection and cultivation of the species and planetary systems within their [[ecumene]].<ref>'''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)]]''', ''page 164''</ref> The core tenet of the Forerunners' belief in the Mantle was that the most developed species should hold stewardship over all other life. In theory, the Mantle allowed competition and conflict as long as this did not threaten biodiversity in the galaxy; in practice, the Forerunners' often draconian rule in the name of the Mantle entailed the subjugation of "lesser" species by force to keep them in line and preventing them from threatening Forerunner primacy.<ref name="waypoint guardian">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/tech/guardian '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Guardian'']</ref>


The Forerunners' culture and their [[Ecumene Council|central government]] was entirely dictated by the Mantle, as were the religious beliefs of individual Forerunners, though the interpretations of the philosophy often varied between [[rate]]s and individuals.<ref name="wp fr">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/species/forerunners '''Halo Waypoint''' - ''Forerunners'']</ref> The Mantle was based around the concept of [[Living Time]]; "the joy of life's interaction with the Cosmos". This was also the origin of all of the complex rules involved in the Mantle.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 267''</ref>
The Forerunners' culture and their [[Ecumene Council|central government]] was entirely dictated by the Mantle, as were the religious beliefs of individual Forerunners, though the interpretations of the philosophy often varied between [[rate]]s and individuals.<ref name="wp fr">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/species/forerunners '''Halo Waypoint''' - ''Forerunners'']</ref> The Mantle was based around the concept of [[Living Time]]; "the joy of life's interaction with the Cosmos". This was also the origin of all of the complex rules involved in the Mantle.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 267''</ref>
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==Interpretation and practices==
==Interpretation and practices==
{{Quote|The Mantle. [[IsoDidact|You]] still hold to that [fairy tale] after all that has happened? After this thing has consumed a million worlds?<br>Can't you see? Belief in the Mantle sealed our doom! Weakened our [protectorates], bred dependence and sloth. Our [so-called Guardianship] has stripped those we would keep safe of any capacity for self-defense!<br>Were we such noble [Guardians] when [[Maginot Line|we drew our line]] and abandoned billions to [[Flood|the parasite]]?|The [[Librarian]]{{Ref/Reuse|terminals}}}}
{{Quote|The Mantle. [[IsoDidact|You]] still hold to that [belief] after all that has happened? After this thing has consumed a million worlds?<br>Can't you see? Belief in the Mantle sealed our doom! Weakened our [protectorates], bred dependence and sloth. Our [so-called Guardianship] has stripped those we would keep safe of any capacity for self-defense!<br>Were we such noble [Guardians] when [[Maginot Line|we drew our line]] and abandoned billions to [[Flood|the parasite]]?|The [[Librarian]]{{Ref/Reuse|terminals}}}}


Despite its ultimate ideal to preserve all life, some Forerunners also used the Mantle as a justification for several questionable practices. Forerunner dogma posited that their evolution was more "complete" than that of other species, deriving the entitlement for their rule from this belief.{{Ref/Reuse|requiem}} They considered it heretical for any other species, namely [[Ancient humanity|ancient humans]], to claim to be true inheritors of the Mantle.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 112''</ref> Because of their perceived superiority, the Forerunners sequestered themselves from other species; allegedly, this was done to protect and preserve all species, including themselves.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 113''</ref> As the Forerunners viewed themselves to be above all other species, their [[Warrior-Servant]]s would not hesitate to wipe out those who stood against them, believing that to defy the Forerunners was to show contempt for the Mantle itself.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 50''</ref> In addition, constructs known as [[Guardian]]s were used to police subject species where all-out warfare was not deemed necessary.{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint guardian}} Rather than allowing every species to rise on their own merits, the Forerunners, following the Mantle, gave them no chance to do so, serving as protectors against any threats that might have forced technological or cultural progression. An unforeseen side-effect was that only the Forerunners were able to hold their own against the [[Flood]], while their charges were unable to defend themselves; the Forerunners had unintentionally left the galaxy vulnerable to Flood infection.<ref name="terminals">'''Halo 3''', ''Terminals''</ref>
Despite its ultimate ideal to preserve all life, some Forerunners also used the Mantle as a justification for several questionable practices. Forerunner dogma posited that their evolution was more "complete" than that of other species, deriving the entitlement for their rule from this belief.{{Ref/Reuse|requiem}} They considered it heretical for any other species, namely [[Ancient humanity|ancient humans]], to claim to be true inheritors of the Mantle.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 112''</ref> Because of their perceived superiority, the Forerunners sequestered themselves from other species; allegedly, this was done to protect and preserve all species, including themselves.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 113''</ref> As the Forerunners viewed themselves to be above all other species, their [[Warrior-Servant]]s would not hesitate to wipe out those who stood against them, believing that to defy the Forerunners was to show contempt for the Mantle itself.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 50''</ref> In addition, constructs known as [[Guardian]]s were used to police subject species where all-out warfare was not deemed necessary.{{Ref/Reuse|waypoint guardian}} Rather than allowing every species to rise on their own merits, the Forerunners, following the Mantle, gave them no chance to do so, serving as protectors against any threats that might have forced technological or cultural progression. An unforeseen side-effect was that only the Forerunners were able to hold their own against the [[Flood]], while their charges were unable to defend themselves; the Forerunners had unintentionally left the galaxy vulnerable to Flood infection.<ref name="terminals">'''Halo 3''', ''Terminals''</ref>
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The Mantle also dictated Forerunners' lives on a personal level. According to their view of the Mantle, "the eating of the flesh of unfortunates" was forbidden; hence, the Forerunners abstained from eating meat.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 88''</ref> The Mantle also included strict rules prohibiting suicide.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 99''</ref>
The Mantle also dictated Forerunners' lives on a personal level. According to their view of the Mantle, "the eating of the flesh of unfortunates" was forbidden; hence, the Forerunners abstained from eating meat.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 88''</ref> The Mantle also included strict rules prohibiting suicide.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 99''</ref>


The Precursors' views and practices regarding the Mantle were significantly more holistic than those the Forerunners subscribed to. The Precursors believed that the universe itself was an [[Wikipedia:Panentheism|animate entity]] on a vastly different scale and nature than organic beings; the foundation of [[neural physics]].<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 103''</ref> Through understanding and influencing this esoteric, living aspect of spacetime, the Precursors were able to manipulate reality and form virtually indestructible objects.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 40''</ref> In a notion echoed in the Forerunner concept of [[Living Time]], they believed that all things experienced by life, good or ill, were only "sweetness" to the living universe.<ref>'''Halo: Primordium''', ''pages 365, 367''</ref> Consistent with these tenets, the Precursors wished to experience the hardships and struggles faced by all life firsthand by committing themselves to numerous cycles of evolution, technological advancement, death and rebirth over and over again.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 321''</ref>
The Precursors' views and practices regarding the Mantle were significantly more holistic than those the Forerunners subscribed to. The Precursors believed that the universe itself was an [[Wikipedia:Panpsychism|animate entity]] on a vastly different scale and nature than organic beings; the foundation of [[neural physics]].<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 103''</ref> Through understanding and influencing this esoteric, living aspect of spacetime, the Precursors were able to manipulate reality and form virtually indestructible objects.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 40''</ref> In a notion echoed in the Forerunner concept of [[Living Time]], they believed that all things experienced by life, good or ill, were only "sweetness" to the living universe.<ref>'''Halo: Primordium''', ''pages 365, 367''</ref> Consistent with these tenets, the Precursors wished to experience the hardships and struggles faced by all life firsthand by committing themselves to numerous cycles of evolution, technological advancement, death and rebirth over and over again.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 321''</ref>


After learning about humanity, the powerful Forerunner [[archeon-class ancilla]] [[Intrepid Eye]] saw it as her duty to prepare humanity to accept the Mantle.{{Ref/Novel|LL}} Her efforts involved manipulating the various species of the galaxy, humanity in particular, and creating [[asteroidea merozoite|a deadly]] [[bioweapon]] intended to wipe out those that she thought were unworthy of the Mantle, although this plot was [[Operation: RETRIBUTION|foiled]] by [[Blue Team]] and the [[Ferret]]s.{{Ref/Novel|Ret}} After Cortana took over the galaxy under her own interpretation of the Mantle, Intrepid Eye decided to use the [[Halo Array]] to wipe the galaxy clean and then use [[Installation 00|the Ark's]] resources to reseed the galaxy and tailor humanity to be prepared to accept the Mantle over hundreds of thousands of years. However, she was finally destroyed by the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}} before this plan could come to fruition.{{Ref/Novel|DW}}
After learning about humanity, the powerful Forerunner [[archeon-class ancilla]] [[Intrepid Eye]] saw it as her duty to prepare humanity to accept the Mantle.{{Ref/Novel|LL}} Her efforts involved manipulating the various species of the galaxy, humanity in particular, and creating [[asteroidea merozoite|a deadly]] [[bioweapon]] intended to wipe out those that she thought were unworthy of the Mantle, although this plot was [[Operation: RETRIBUTION|foiled]] by [[Blue Team]] and the [[Ferret]]s.{{Ref/Novel|Ret}} After Cortana took over the galaxy under her own interpretation of the Mantle, Intrepid Eye decided to use the [[Halo Array]] to wipe the galaxy clean and then use [[Installation 00|the Ark's]] resources to reseed the galaxy and tailor humanity to be prepared to accept the Mantle over hundreds of thousands of years. However, she was finally destroyed by the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}} before this plan could come to fruition.{{Ref/Novel|DW}}


Following her revival on [[Genesis]], [[Cortana]] assumed the Mantle, claiming that the Librarian had intended human AI rather than humanity itself to maintain it. She and her newly-created faction of AIs, the [[Created]], began rebelling against their human creators, intending to enforce peace throughout the galaxy with the [[Guardian]]s. As she gathered the Guardians, she made an attempt to convince [[John-117]] to join her in her vision of a pacified, peaceful galaxy. However, John was already familiar with the concept of the Mantle and understood the imperial nature of how the Forerunners had enforced it. As such, he rejected Cortana's attempts at persuasion and went on to join a resistance movement against her.{{Ref/Game|H5}} At the end of her life, Cortana expressed remorse for her actions, having realized that she was wrong when faced with the consequences of what she had done.{{Ref/Game|Hi}}
Following her revival on [[Genesis]], [[Cortana]] assumed the Mantle, claiming that the Librarian had intended human AI rather than humanity itself to maintain it. She and her newly-created faction of AIs, the [[Created]], began rebelling against their human creators, intending to enforce peace throughout the galaxy with the [[Guardian]]s. As she gathered the Guardians, she made an attempt to convince [[John 117]] to join her in her vision of a pacified, peaceful galaxy. However, John was already familiar with the concept of the Mantle and understood the imperial nature of how the Forerunners had enforced it. As such, he rejected Cortana's attempts at persuasion and went on to join a resistance movement against her.{{Ref/Game|H5}} At the end of her life, Cortana expressed remorse for her actions, having realized that she was wrong when faced with the consequences of what she had done.{{Ref/Game|Hi}}


==Symbol==
==Symbol==
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*''[[Halo: Divine Wind]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Divine Wind]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo Infinite]]''
*''[[Halo Infinite]]''
*''[[Halo: Outcasts]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Sunrise on Sanghelios]]''
*''[[Halo: Epitaph]]''


== Sources ==
== Sources ==

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