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This article details the known history of the [[Covenant]].
{{Status|Canon}}
{{New content|[[Halo: Broken Circle]]}}
{{Cleanup}}


==Summary==
[[File:H2A Terminals - Working scribe.jpg|300px|thumb|A San'Shyuum scribe documenting the history of the Covenant.]]
The [[Covenant]], like almost all cultures, kept a record of their '''history''' using their own methods of timekeeping. Significant time periods in Covenant history were divided and categorized based on a system of ages,<ref name="halosm">[http://halosm.bungie.org/story/staten102204.html '''Halo.Bungie.Org''' - Halo Story Page]</ref> which were assigned into seven categories based on notable events within each.<ref>'''Halo: Contact Harvest'''</ref> Shorter spans of time were measured based on the [[Covenant Battle Calendar]]. Certain time periods within the ages were also given names, an example of which is the [[Step of Silence]].<ref>'''[[Halo: First Strike]]''', ''page 338''</ref>


The Covenant divide their history into periods called Ages. There are at least eight ages, although their exact order is uncertain. The Ages are named according to things that have happened/are happening in them. This also means that the lengths of the Ages vary, with some longer than other. One of the problems with ordering the Ages is that there may be several ages with the same name. At the start of [[Halo 2]], subtitles gave the date as the '''''9th Age of Reclamation'''''. This suggests that eight other ages of Reclamation have gone before it. The standard version of Covenant history in the article [[The Covenant]] does not appear to take account of this.
Each age was broken up into [[cycle]]s and [[unit]]s, the former consisting of 265 of the latter and corresponding to a single artificial day within the Covenant's holy city ''[[High Charity]]''.<ref>'''Halo Encyclopedia''', ''page 31''</ref> The last of the ages was the 9th Age of Reclamation, which saw the fracturing of the Covenant during the [[Great Schism]].<ref name="goo240">'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''', ''page 240''</ref>


==The Ages==
== The Ages ==
{{Ages}}
Rather than following one another in a succession, the ages represent designated periods of time which were defined by a major event during each age and named based on seven main categories. For example, the 23rd Age of Doubt was followed directly by the 9th Age of Reclamation because of the events that occurred during those ages.
Not much is known about the history of the Covenant, but the order of Ages detailed here is probably the most commonly accepted version. All notes in italics are assumptions based on logical guesswork, which will need verifying.


====Speculation====
=== Age of Abandonment ===
It is unknown why the Ages are called the “Ages of Reclamation”. It is often speculated that it is a reference to the name the [[Monitors]] give humans: [[Reclaimers]]. The Monitors appear to give this label to the race which will set off the Halos, i.e humans. It is possible that because the Covenant are trying to set off the Halos, they think of themselves as Reclaimers, even though they aren’t.
{{Main|Age of Abandonment}}
The Covenant traces its history back at least 100,000 years, when an ancient species called the [[Forerunner]]s activated the [[Halo Array|Halo installations]], disappearing from the galaxy. This is referred to as the Age of Abandonment by the Covenant.{{Ref/Reuse|halosm}}


===A New Age?===
=== Ages of Conflict ===
It may be possible that a new Age could have begun upon the start of the Covenant Civil War and the apparent breakup of the Covenant.
{{Main|Ages of Conflict}}
The Ages of Conflict were periods of time when the Covenant was embroiled in major conflicts. The first such age occurred directly preceding the formation of the Covenant, when the [[Sangheili]] and [[San'Shyuum]] [[Sangheili-San'Shyuum war|waged war against each other]] in a power struggle.{{Ref/Reuse|halosm}} Additionally, the [[Unggoy Rebellion]] took place during the 39th Age of Conflict.<ref>'''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''', ''page 151'' (''"No one had known that the infusion incident, as it came to be known, was the most important of many small grievances that precipitated the Unggoy rebellion, a civil war that ushered in the Covenant's 39th Age of Conflict"'')</ref>


==Related Links==
=== Ages of Discovery & Reconciliation ===
*[[The Covenant]]
{{Main|Ages of Discovery|Ages of Reconciliation}}
What is known is that the San'Shyuum's discovery of ancient Forerunner artifacts during an Age of Discovery{{Ref/Reuse|halosm}} and the end of the war between the Sangheili and the San'Shyuum during an early Age of Reconciliation,{{Ref/Reuse|halosm}} became the foundation on which the Covenant was founded upon. The San'Shyuum promised to find the means of the Forerunners' [[Covenant religion|transcendence]] and the Sangheili promised to protect the hierarchy. These ages marked the beginnings of the Covenant, the start of the Covenant's search for Forerunner artifacts and presumably the Covenant [[Writ of Union]].


=== Ages of Conversion ===
{{Main|Ages of Conversion}}
The Ages of Conversion were defined by the Covenant subjugating other species in their search for Forerunner artifacts, incorporating them into their society, adding their strengths to their own.{{Ref/Reuse|halosm}} It is likely that the [[Taming of the Lekgolo]] occurred during one such age, requiring the creation of another [[Arbiter]] and defeated them only by threatening to destroy the [[Te|homeworld]] of the Lekgolo. Separate Ages of Conversion also likely included the incorporation of the [[Unggoy]], [[Kig-Yar]], [[Yanme'e|Yanme’e]] and [[Huragok]].


[[Category: The Covenant]]
=== Ages of Doubt ===
{{Main|Ages of Doubt}}
The Ages of Doubt are periods during which the Covenant suffered from varying degrees of internal dissent and began to lose faith in their mission.{{Ref/Reuse|halosm}} The last Age of Doubt, the 23rd, was preceded by the 39th Age of Conflict, during which the [[Unggoy Rebellion]] occurred. The 23rd Age of Doubt ended in the year 2525, in human counting, leading into the 9th Age of Reclamation.
 
=== Ages of Reclamation ===
{{Main|Age of Reclamation}}
The Ages of Reclamation were marked by the discovery of major Forerunner artifacts. The 9th,<ref>'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level ''[[The Heretic]]''</ref> and final, Age of Reclamation began simultaneously with the onset of the [[Human-Covenant War]] in [[2525]] and lasted until the Covenant's defeat at the Ark in late [[2552]]. Originally, the war had been started by the Prophets of Truth, Mercy and Regret to prevent the majority of the Covenant learning that the humans were "[[Reclaimer|descendants]]" of the Forerunners, their gods, and that the Covenant religion was based on a lie.
 
As the decades wore on, tensions rose within the Covenant for a variety of reasons. Some Sangheili grew increasingly frustrated at apparent San'Shyuum favoritism toward the Jiralhanae. Others began to question the validity of their holy crusade, beginning to see the humans as worthy adversaries rather than heretics. After the [[Changing of the Guard]], where the [[Sangheili Honor Guardsman|Sangheili Honor Guards]] were replaced with Jiralhanae, these tensions erupted into full civil war in 2552 with the beginning of the [[Great Schism]],{{Ref/Reuse|goo240}} where the Sangheili broke away from the Covenant, wresting away significant territories, personnel and equipment, allying themselves (at least grudgingly) with the humans they had formerly fought.<ref>[http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/intel/titles/halo3 '''Halo Waypoint''' - ''Halo 3'': Finish the Fight]</ref>
 
The Age of Reclamation also marked the discovery of a number of important Forerunner installations and outposts, ranging from minor artifacts uncovered on human colonies, to the massive installations of the Halo Array, such as the individual Halos, to two [[Shield World]]s, ending with the discovery and subsequent destruction of the [[Installation 00|Ark]] where the Covenant met its end at the hands of a combined Sangheili-human force spearheaded by the legendary [[John-117|Master Chief]], known amongst the Covenant as "the Demon" and the former Covenant [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]].
 
== Known timeline ==
*[[2200 BCE]] - The [[War of Wills]] begins
*[[2100 BCE]] - The San'Shyuum civil war ends, [[Reformists]] flee [[Janjur Qom]].
*[[938 BCE]] - The San'Shyuum encounter the Sangheili and war ensues between both races. The start of the [[War of Beginnings]] ushers in the first Age of Conflict.
*[[876 BCE]] - The Sangheili reluctantly begin using Forerunner technology to improve their warships, arms and armor.
*[[860 BCE]] -  San'Shyuum and Sangheili forces [[Skirmish of the Planet of Blue and Red|battle]] on [[Anvarl]].
*[[852 BCE]] - The Sangheili-San'Shyuum war comes to an end, and the Covenant is formed with the creation of the [[Writ of Union]]. The first Age of Reconciliation begins.
*[[851 BCE]] - Sangheili opposed to the Writ of Union rebel against the Covenant.
*[[784 BCE]] - [[Taming of the Lekgolo]]: the Lekgolo are discovered and incorporated into the Covenant.
*[[648 BCE]] - [[Janjur Qom]] is destroyed by a natural stellar collapse and ''[[High Charity]]'' becomes  the surrogate homeworld of the San'Shyuum. The Forerunner Dreadnought is made into the centerpiece of the capital.
*[[1112]] - The [[Yanme'e]] are incorporated into the Covenant.
*[[1342]] - The [[Kig-Yar]] are discovered and form an alliance with the Covenant.
*[[1552]] - San'Shyuum begin searching for lifespan augmentation methods.
*[[2142]] - The Covenant incorporate the [[Unggoy]] into their society.
*[[2462]] - The [[Unggoy Rebellion]] occurs and ends, inaugurating the 29th Age of Doubt.
*[[2492]] - The [[Jiralhanae]] are discovered and incorporated into the Covenant.
*[[2524]] - First public appearance to [[human]]ity.
*[[2525]] - The Covenant glass [[Harvest]], declaring a [[Human-Covenant War|genocidal campaign]] against the so-called "heretics". The 9th Age of Reclamation begins.
*[[2552]] November - The [[Great Schism]] causes the Covenant to erupt into civil war as the entire Sangheili species are forced out.
*[[2552]] December - The Covenant meets its end at the [[Battle of the Citadel]].
 
 
== Sources ==
{{Ref/Sources}}
 
{{Covenantwars}}
 
[[Category:History of the Covenant| ]]
[[Category:The Covenant]]

Latest revision as of 12:56, December 9, 2023

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A San'Shyuum scribe documenting the history of the Covenant.

The Covenant, like almost all cultures, kept a record of their history using their own methods of timekeeping. Significant time periods in Covenant history were divided and categorized based on a system of ages,[1] which were assigned into seven categories based on notable events within each.[2] Shorter spans of time were measured based on the Covenant Battle Calendar. Certain time periods within the ages were also given names, an example of which is the Step of Silence.[3]

Each age was broken up into cycles and units, the former consisting of 265 of the latter and corresponding to a single artificial day within the Covenant's holy city High Charity.[4] The last of the ages was the 9th Age of Reclamation, which saw the fracturing of the Covenant during the Great Schism.[5]

The Ages[edit]

Rather than following one another in a succession, the ages represent designated periods of time which were defined by a major event during each age and named based on seven main categories. For example, the 23rd Age of Doubt was followed directly by the 9th Age of Reclamation because of the events that occurred during those ages.

Age of Abandonment[edit]

Main article: Age of Abandonment

The Covenant traces its history back at least 100,000 years, when an ancient species called the Forerunners activated the Halo installations, disappearing from the galaxy. This is referred to as the Age of Abandonment by the Covenant.[1]

Ages of Conflict[edit]

Main article: Ages of Conflict

The Ages of Conflict were periods of time when the Covenant was embroiled in major conflicts. The first such age occurred directly preceding the formation of the Covenant, when the Sangheili and San'Shyuum waged war against each other in a power struggle.[1] Additionally, the Unggoy Rebellion took place during the 39th Age of Conflict.[6]

Ages of Discovery & Reconciliation[edit]

Main articles: Ages of Discovery, Ages of Reconciliation

What is known is that the San'Shyuum's discovery of ancient Forerunner artifacts during an Age of Discovery[1] and the end of the war between the Sangheili and the San'Shyuum during an early Age of Reconciliation,[1] became the foundation on which the Covenant was founded upon. The San'Shyuum promised to find the means of the Forerunners' transcendence and the Sangheili promised to protect the hierarchy. These ages marked the beginnings of the Covenant, the start of the Covenant's search for Forerunner artifacts and presumably the Covenant Writ of Union.

Ages of Conversion[edit]

Main article: Ages of Conversion

The Ages of Conversion were defined by the Covenant subjugating other species in their search for Forerunner artifacts, incorporating them into their society, adding their strengths to their own.[1] It is likely that the Taming of the Lekgolo occurred during one such age, requiring the creation of another Arbiter and defeated them only by threatening to destroy the homeworld of the Lekgolo. Separate Ages of Conversion also likely included the incorporation of the Unggoy, Kig-Yar, Yanme’e and Huragok.

Ages of Doubt[edit]

Main article: Ages of Doubt

The Ages of Doubt are periods during which the Covenant suffered from varying degrees of internal dissent and began to lose faith in their mission.[1] The last Age of Doubt, the 23rd, was preceded by the 39th Age of Conflict, during which the Unggoy Rebellion occurred. The 23rd Age of Doubt ended in the year 2525, in human counting, leading into the 9th Age of Reclamation.

Ages of Reclamation[edit]

Main article: Age of Reclamation

The Ages of Reclamation were marked by the discovery of major Forerunner artifacts. The 9th,[7] and final, Age of Reclamation began simultaneously with the onset of the Human-Covenant War in 2525 and lasted until the Covenant's defeat at the Ark in late 2552. Originally, the war had been started by the Prophets of Truth, Mercy and Regret to prevent the majority of the Covenant learning that the humans were "descendants" of the Forerunners, their gods, and that the Covenant religion was based on a lie.

As the decades wore on, tensions rose within the Covenant for a variety of reasons. Some Sangheili grew increasingly frustrated at apparent San'Shyuum favoritism toward the Jiralhanae. Others began to question the validity of their holy crusade, beginning to see the humans as worthy adversaries rather than heretics. After the Changing of the Guard, where the Sangheili Honor Guards were replaced with Jiralhanae, these tensions erupted into full civil war in 2552 with the beginning of the Great Schism,[5] where the Sangheili broke away from the Covenant, wresting away significant territories, personnel and equipment, allying themselves (at least grudgingly) with the humans they had formerly fought.[8]

The Age of Reclamation also marked the discovery of a number of important Forerunner installations and outposts, ranging from minor artifacts uncovered on human colonies, to the massive installations of the Halo Array, such as the individual Halos, to two Shield Worlds, ending with the discovery and subsequent destruction of the Ark where the Covenant met its end at the hands of a combined Sangheili-human force spearheaded by the legendary Master Chief, known amongst the Covenant as "the Demon" and the former Covenant Arbiter Thel 'Vadam.

Known timeline[edit]

  • 2200 BCE - The War of Wills begins
  • 2100 BCE - The San'Shyuum civil war ends, Reformists flee Janjur Qom.
  • 938 BCE - The San'Shyuum encounter the Sangheili and war ensues between both races. The start of the War of Beginnings ushers in the first Age of Conflict.
  • 876 BCE - The Sangheili reluctantly begin using Forerunner technology to improve their warships, arms and armor.
  • 860 BCE - San'Shyuum and Sangheili forces battle on Anvarl.
  • 852 BCE - The Sangheili-San'Shyuum war comes to an end, and the Covenant is formed with the creation of the Writ of Union. The first Age of Reconciliation begins.
  • 851 BCE - Sangheili opposed to the Writ of Union rebel against the Covenant.
  • 784 BCE - Taming of the Lekgolo: the Lekgolo are discovered and incorporated into the Covenant.
  • 648 BCE - Janjur Qom is destroyed by a natural stellar collapse and High Charity becomes the surrogate homeworld of the San'Shyuum. The Forerunner Dreadnought is made into the centerpiece of the capital.
  • 1112 - The Yanme'e are incorporated into the Covenant.
  • 1342 - The Kig-Yar are discovered and form an alliance with the Covenant.
  • 1552 - San'Shyuum begin searching for lifespan augmentation methods.
  • 2142 - The Covenant incorporate the Unggoy into their society.
  • 2462 - The Unggoy Rebellion occurs and ends, inaugurating the 29th Age of Doubt.
  • 2492 - The Jiralhanae are discovered and incorporated into the Covenant.
  • 2524 - First public appearance to humanity.
  • 2525 - The Covenant glass Harvest, declaring a genocidal campaign against the so-called "heretics". The 9th Age of Reclamation begins.
  • 2552 November - The Great Schism causes the Covenant to erupt into civil war as the entire Sangheili species are forced out.
  • 2552 December - The Covenant meets its end at the Battle of the Citadel.


Sources[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Halo.Bungie.Org - Halo Story Page
  2. ^ Halo: Contact Harvest
  3. ^ Halo: First Strike, page 338
  4. ^ Halo Encyclopedia, page 31
  5. ^ a b Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 240
  6. ^ Halo: Contact Harvest, page 151 ("No one had known that the infusion incident, as it came to be known, was the most important of many small grievances that precipitated the Unggoy rebellion, a civil war that ushered in the Covenant's 39th Age of Conflict")
  7. ^ Halo 2, campaign level The Heretic
  8. ^ Halo Waypoint - Halo 3: Finish the Fight

v • d • e
 
Wars in Covenant history
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