Centauri (Babylon 5)

The Centauri are an alien species that feature in Babylon 5.

History

During their early history, the homeworld consisted of two intelligent dominant races with one being the Centauri and the other being a race called the Xon. These two species fought one another for supremacy until the Centauri succeeded in wiping out the Xon. (Episode: The Parliament of Dreams) In the distant past, a Centauri once consulted three Technomages and managed to gain their blessing. This act allowed him to take the throne as emperor of the Centauri Republic and secured the Technomages as powerful figures in their society. (Episode: Geometry of Shadows) The first emperor was noted for vanquishing the Xon and subduing the threat of the Shoggren. (Episode: Day of the Dead) At some point, the Centauri were noted to had encountered a Jumpgate similar to the other younger races and reversed engineered it for faster level of travel. (Movie: Thirdspace)

During the last century, the Centauri were no longer the great power that once dominated the galaxy. It was in this time that they encountered Earth where they lied and claimed that they still ruled much of known space in order to better their position with humans. They also fabricated another lie by stating that mankind was in fact a lost Centauri colony and that their visual similarities demonstrated this claim until Earth managed to acquire a sample of Centauri DNA thus disproving this claim. (Episode: Midnight on the Firing Line) Around 2161, the Centauri were noted for being responsible for giving Jumpgate technology to mankind. (Movie: Thirdspace)

The Narn later attacked and occupied the agricultural colony of Ragesh III but the Centauri Republic believed it was an insignificant planet that was not worth a confrontation. (Episode: Midnight on the Firing Line)

Their empire began to face continued skirmishes with the Narn's over Quadrant 37. (Episode: Chrysalis) This led to them quietly set up monitoring stations to keep an eye on Quadrant 37 to keep an eye on the Narn build-up. (Episode: Geometry of Shadows)

In the span of six months, the Centauri Republic were able to push back the Narn further than they had been in the last thirty years. Their campaign had a slow cautious one but had been leading to constant defeats of the Narn Regime who were attempting to hide the truth of their losses. Centauri forces managed to intercept a coded transmission from the Narn Strategic Command to one of their flagships revealing their plan to attack the Republic supply post at Gorash 7. They came to believe the validity of this transmission with Lord Refa convincing his generals to send their forces for a direct strike at the Narn Homeworld itself. He convinced Ambassador Mollari to dispatch his 'allies' to intercept the Narn fleet at Gorash 7 with the secret support of the Shadows wiping out the armada. Their destruction left only a skeleton defense force on the Narn Homeworld that was overwhelemed whereupon the Centauri bombarded the planetary surface with mass drivers despite such weapons being outlawed in treaties. The broken Narn thus became easy prey to the occupying Centauri Republic who dismantled the Narn Regime's government. Afterwards, the Narn Homeworld became a protectorate of the Centauri Republic where they instituted conditions as part of the Narn Regime's surrender. Statements by the Centauri later claimed that they had no further plans for expansion for the conclusion of their war with the Narn. (Episode: The Long, Twilight Struggle)

Overview

Biology

In appearance, the Centauri were a humanoid race that greatly resembled humans. (Episode: Pilot)

Centauri had no major arteries in their wrist which meant cuts to them did not bring a fatal wound. (Episode: Midnight on the Firing Line) Their species had a bi-pulmonary system meaning that they had two hearts one on either side of the sternum. Between the two, right heart provided much of the force behind blood circulation whilst the left cleansed the blood similar to kidneys and provided additional push for the blood through the smaller capillaries. The right heart acted as one solid muscle that was more easily repairable but the left heart was more complex as it was a system of fine veins with thousands knotted into one structure. This made it problematic as it was nearly impossible to reach the inner veins without going through the outer ones in the left heart. Thinning the blood was used to help clear any blockage with artificial heart systems being used to help those who suffered heart attacks. (Episode: The Very Long Night of Londo Mollari) Males had six genitalia with each representing a different level of intimacy as the first was considered mild and by the sixth being more intense levels of passion. (Episode: Sic Transit Vir)

Their people had prophetic dreams that told the individual how and sometimes even when they were going to die in the future. (Episode: Midnight on the Firing Line)

Culture

They were stated to be a prideful people who did not ask for help. (Episode: Rumors, Bargain and Lies) Every generation of Centauri were believed to yearn for the old golden age when their peoples power could be matched by their gods. Though some enjoyed the glory of their past, others believed in honor and peace who were horrified by the slaughter as well as deceit made by their empire in the past. (Episode: Knives) It was claimed that they were always on duty either to the Republic, their houses or each other to the point that they made joy itself another duty. (Episode: Matters of Honor) The noble houses of the Centauri Republic were known to gather scandalous material on their rivals for years allowing them to maintain their own power base. Centauri often played these games that involved whispers in the dark and knives in the back. Such files referred to as the Purple Files were able to bring down the entire Republic. (Episode: Born to the Purple)

Centauri lived their entire lives for appearances with positions, status and titles being aspects that they defined themselves. Titles were a symbol of pride and status that pleased individual Centauri as well as others that associated with them. (Episode: Born to the Purple) Traditionally, individuals of higher posts would have long hair crests. Those who were emperor had long crests with short hair crests being considered not traditional. (Episode: The Hour of the Wolf)

Among the nobility, it was common to arrange marriages though some radicals married for love. (Episode: Sic Transit Vir) Marriage ceremonies were solemn sober events that served as moments of reflection filled with arguments, regret and mutual recrimination. Upon learning that events could not get any worse, the newly married Centauri could relax and enjoy the marriage. As such, marriages that were greatly celebrated were seen as a bad sign for the future. (Episode: The Deconstruction of Falling Stars) Status and respect were largely determined by family history. (Movie: The Gathering) Individuals that married beneath their station could see their families declaring the person dead to them thus removing them from family, status and position which can force them to divorce their wife. (Episode: The Very Long Night of Londo Mollari) State funerals were celebrated in great fanfare. (Episode: The Deconstruction of Falling Stars)

Opera and music had a important along with entertaining aspect of their culture. Noted composers included Trantaro who sang the Mi Gri Vitaro and Dorva who was a musical giant who wrote the Travali Stocata which was considered the most brilliant as well as soul stirring pieces of music ever written. (Episode: Knives) Certain folktales of their people spoke that if the spirit of a Centauri entered into the body of a person unworthy of its presence then it could choose to separate from that vessel thus causing the death of the body in order to move to a worthier host. Such struggles were meant to be intense with the person involved either permanently changed or dying as a result of the experience. This only happened in the cases where the spirit was of the highest level and the body itself was that of a complete monster in contrast. (Episode: The Very Long Night of Londo Mollari)

A dueling society known as the Couro Prido known as Proud Knives that was present within Centauri culture with skilled swordsmen taking part in it. It was common for duelists to be given a fighting name by their comrades with these coming from the way they fought during the sword fights. Such fights were fought with Coutair that were blades used by them. The Morago was a fight to the death fought under the laws of the Couro Prido. Refusal of the challenge would bring about the disgrace to the person's house. These duels were officiated and witnessed by numerous Centauri in order to see the battle be fought with honor. (Episode: Knives)

Its a sign of good luck to see another person in an individual's dream. (Movie: Thirdspace)

Centauri worshipped a range of household gods with statues kept in their homes to honor these deities. (Episode: The Parliament of Dreams) There were 49 gods in the pantheon of the Centauri. (Episode: Sleeping in Light) The old books of the Centaui spoke of the ancients gods and their power that was beyond description. (Episode: The Hour of the Wolf) Centauri belief system consisted of a pantheon of gods and goddesses with even their emperors being elevated to godhood. In total, it was believed that there were around fifty different deities in their religion. (Episode: Chrysalis) The first emperors who were the greatest of the Centauri were themselves proclaimed deities by the ancient gods who afforded them immortality in exchange for their loyalty. These god-like emperors were revered for generation's and prayers were offered by supplicant's at the temples. (Episode: The Hour of the Wolf)

Their religion had a pantheon of deities that included:

• Li : the goddess of passion that contained both male and female attributes. (Episode: The Quality of Mercy)
• Zoog : a deity within the pantheon. (Episode: Chrysalis)
• Benzen : a god of food. (Episode: The Parliament of Dreams)
• Morgoth : god of the underworld and protector of front doors. (Episode: The Parliament of Dreams)

Centauri religious ceremonies could last for weeks where participants ate and purged themselves. Such times were quite elaborate that consisted of a large celebration of life. It stemmed from a time from their world's history when the Centauri fought for supremacy against the Xon. During such times, the Centauri counted their good fortune at how many of their people survived when compared to the Xon. (Episode: The Parliament of Dreams) The Technomages held an important place within their society for their actions in the past. Seeing more than one of this order of beings was considered a bad omen. However, it was considered a powerful sign of prestige if one was blessed by one of their order with this image being a strong one to those who believed in the old ways. Thus, those given such blessings gained considerably influence and political power in Centauri politics. (Episode: Geometry of Shadows)

Centauri telepaths were one of a number of alien races that did not have strict rules over the use of their abilities when compared to the Human Psi Corps. (Episode: Passing through Gethsemane) They had been using military telepaths for as long as three hundred years. (Episode: The Paragon of Animals)

Some among the Centauri looked down on the Narns who they saw as being genetically inferior and were considered lazy. (Episode: Sic Transit Vir)

Brivari was a drink that enjoyed by the Centauri whilst Japoti was a snack. (Episode: Knives) Spoo was a food that the Centauri were said to greatly love. (Episode: A View from the Gallery) Brivari was a delicate drink with a flavor that was extremely fragile requiring it to be at a constant temperature at all times otherwise the flavor would bleed away. (Episode: The Very Long Night of Londo Mollari)

Members

• Londo Mollari :
• Kiro : a male noble lord who as a child was told by his Ladira that he would be killed by shadows and as an adult saw to retrieve the Eye but hired Raiders in order to use it to ascend to become emperor. His vessel was ultimately killed by the Shadows when they sought to promote Londo Mollari to power. (Episode: Signs and Portents)
• Lady Ladira : prophetess and seer of House Kiro who accompanied her nephew Lord Kiro to Babylon 5 where she glimpsed a vision that saw the place would be engulfed by fire. (Episode: Signs and Portents)
• Refa : a male noble lord who allied with Ambassador Londo Mollari in order to replace the old emperor and bring about an ascendant more war-like Centauri Republic. (Episode: Geometry of Shadows)
• Vir Cotto :
• Urza Jaddo : a male head of House Jaddo who held the position of Vocator and considered the hero of the Battle of Gorash. He was an old friend of Londo Mollari with Urza becoming one of the finest swordsman in the Couro Prido where he was given the nickname Skal Tura or Silent Beast. He was declared a traitor to the Republic by Lord Refa's faction and died in a dueling match with Mollari in order to save House Jaddo who were absorbed into House Mollari. (Episode: Knives)
• Trego : a male lord who informed Ambassador Mollari that Lady Morella was going to visit Babylon 5. (Episode: Point of No Return)
• Morella : a female Lady who was the third wife of Emperor Turhan and was a prophetess who told Londo Mollari and Vir Cotto that both would become emperor in the future. (Episode: Point of No Return)
• Lyndisty : a female Centauri noble who was the daughter of Lady Drusella who was arranged to be betrothed to Vir Cotto but he rejected her after he learnt of her cruel nature to the Narns. (Episode: Sic Transit Vir)
• Virini : a male minister who was highly placed in the Centauri Royal Court of Emperor Cartagia. (Episode: And the Rock Cried Out, No Hiding Place)
• Drigo : a male Centauri who oversaw the building of a replica of the Centauri Palace on the Narn Homeworld under orders from Minister Virini for Emperor Cartagia. (Episode: And the Rock Cried Out, No Hiding Place)
• Rintinzi : one of the best 'pain technician' or torturer serving Emperor Cartagia and tasked with the torture of Citizen G'Kar. (Episode: The Summoning)
• Dugarri : a male minister that Cartagia killed and placed his head as part of his 'shadow cabinet' of advisers. (Episode: Falling Towards Apotheosis)
• Durano : a male minister of intelligence who served in Cartagia's court who informed Prime Minister Mollari of Mr. Morden's role in the death of Lady Adira. (Episode: Into the Fire)
• Vitari : a male minister that greeted Prime Minister Mollari when he returned to Centauri Prime. (Episode: In the Kingdom of the Blind)
• Jano : a male noble lord who was a friend of Londo Mollari who was killed by the Drakh's agents when the alien race had taken control of the Regent. (Episode: In the Kingdom of the Blind)
• Vole : a male Centauri lord that saw Prime Minister Mollari as a threat and attempted to assassinate him but was killed in turn by the Drakh who sought to protect Londo. (Episode: In the Kingdom of the Blind)
• Cholini : male Centauri who served as head of the Ministry of Defense and commanded the defense of the Centauri Republic against the Interstellar Alliance. (Episode: Movements of Fire and Shadow)
• Carn : nephew of Londo Mollari who wanted to join the military but his uncle assigned him to become head researcher at Ragesh III. (Episode: Midnight on the Firing Line)
• Adira Tyree : female Centauri dancer who was used to blackmail Londo Mollari but ended falling in love with him where he later freed her from slavery. (Episode: Born to the Purple)

Appearances

• Babylon 5: "Signs and Portents"
• Babylon 5: "Knives"

External Links

• Babylon 5 Wiki Entry
• Wikipedia Entry

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