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The Twelve Colonies of Kobol

2010-02-10T05:11:32Z

Blackcampbell: /* Notes */

:''This article discusses the Twelve Colonies of the [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|Re-imagined Series]]. See [[The Twelve Colonies (TOS)]] for information on the Colonies of the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|Original Series]].''

[[Image:Bsyashuman.jpg|thumb|Caprica, shortly before its downfall. ([[The Plan]])]]

The Twelve Colonies of Kobol were twelve distinct worlds, located in a remote part of their home galaxy. For about 2,000 years they were home to the human survivors of the Exodus of [[Kobol (RDM)|Kobol]].

After the settlement, the colonies slowly began to prosper and eventually gave birth to a race of cybernetic lifeforms, known as [[Cylons (RDM) | Cylons]]. Soon after their creation the Cylons raged a devastating war on their creators' home planets which ultimately led to the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies]].

Wasted and in ruins, the once prosperous home worlds of humanity were finally left to themselves. What became of them is unknown to their inhabitants' descendants.
{{RDM twelve colonies series}}

==Star System==
The Twelve Colonies of Kobol are located in the star system Cyrannus.<ref>''Battlestar Galactica: The Official Magazine''; "Encyclopedia Galactica"; issue #3; page 51</ref>

During the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies | Cylon attack]] one [[Hybrid]] indicates that the Colonies orbit three stars ([[The Plan]]). It is also known that at least some of the Colonies share their orbits ([[Caprica pilot|Caprica Pilot]], TV version).

While [[Elosha]] stated that the Tribes settled onto "twelve worlds", the exact definition of "world" remains ambiguous. Although the Colonies are defined as independent, habitable celestial bodies, it is not known, whether they only include major planets or other astronomical objects such as moons, minor planets or even asteroids.

Prior to their destruction, the Twelve Colonies had approximately 50 billion inhabitants ([[A Disquiet Follows My Soul]]).

===Notes===
* The fact, that the Colonies are located within one system originates from a [http://blog.scifi.com/battlestar/archives/2005/01/#a000016 blog entry] by Ronald D. Moore.
* Jane Espenson revealed on Twitter that the Colonies are within a star cluster and share some orbits. The latter fact was finally shown to be true in the TV version of the [[Caprica pilot#Differences between the DVD and TV Cut | series premiere]] of Caprica.
* The original Miniseries script stated a population of about 12 billion. The webisodes [[The Resistance]] stated the death of 20 billion people caused by the Cylons.

==History==
{{mainarticle|History of the Twelve Colonies}}
[[Image:Home pt1-Kobol.jpg|thumb|[[Kobol (RDM)|Kobol]], the ancient homeworld of humanity.]]
About 2,000 years prior to the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies]], the last twelve tribes of [[Kobol (RDM)|Kobol]] left their planet<ref>According to dialogue from "[[Torn]]", "[[A Measure of Salvation]]" and "[[The Eye of Jupiter]]", the [[Thirteenth Tribe (RDM)|Thirteenth Tribe]] left Kobol some 2,000 years ''before'' the twelve tribes. The Scroll of [[Pythia]] is dated as written 3,600 years before the last exodus of Kobol, and chronicles the Thirteenth Tribe's exodus.</ref> over conflicts with their [[Religion in the Twelve Colonies#The Lords of Kobol|gods]], as well as some sort of calamity<ref>As noted by [[Billy Keikeya]] in "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]]".</ref>.

The tribes settled on twelve worlds some distance away ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]]). The tribes' namesakes and icons originally corresponded to the twelve signs of the ancient tribes, although these [[wikipedia:Zodiac|names]] drifted over time<ref>Flag matches with Colonies from "Encyclopedia Galactica." [[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Magazine]]. Feb./Mar. 2006: 50-55.</ref> ([[Home, Part II]]).

The early Colonies lived (and fought) more as sovereign nations. Some (particularly [[Caprica (RDM) | Caprica]]) prospered, while others (such as [[Sagittaron]] and [[Aerilon]]) were often considered lessers. For peacetime labor forces as well as for wars between each other, humanity created the [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]]. When these [[Cylon Centurion Model 0005|early models]] rebelled, the Colonies unified their governments under the [[Articles of Colonization]] sometime before or during the [[Cylon War]] as a federal republic known as the '''Twelve Colonies of Kobol'''<ref>Note the difference between the name of the Original Series' counterpart, known as the [[The Twelve Colonies (TOS)|the Twelve Colonies of ''Man'']].</ref>.

The official symbol of the Twelve Colonies was the [[Colonial seal]].

===Downfall===
{{mainarticle|Fall of the Twelve Colonies}}
40 years after the end of the devastating war, the Cylons return and cause havoc among the twelve worlds of their creators ([[Miniseries]], [[The Plan]]). For some time the Colonies remain occupied by Cylon forces and a [[Caprica resistance | small group of human survivors]]. After nine months, humanity and the Cylons leave the twelve worlds for good ([[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]]).

Of the original 50 billion inhabitants, only about 55,000 survive the first days of the holocaust. Most of them leave the Colonies behind in two small [[The Fleet (RDM) | fugitive fleets]]. The fleet of the [[Battlestar (RDM) | battlestar]] ''[[Galactica (RDM) | Galactica]]'' eventually encounters both [[Kobol]], as well as the original Thirteenth Colony [[Earth (RDM) | Earth]]. Some time after that, and after the destruction of the [[The Colony | the Cylon home world]], they settle on a [[Earth (RDM)#A New Earth | beautiful, rich world]], leaving behind the baggage of their Colonial heritage. ([[Miniseries]], [[Razor]], [[Daybreak, Part II]])

===Fate===

The ultimate fate of the Twelve Colonies 150,000 years after [[The Fall]] is unknown. Presumably, after several hundred years, their climates and surfaces would degrade until they resembled the original [[Earth]].

It can be presumed that by the present-day radiation levels would have lowered past the point in which life would be allowed to flourish once again. However, little, if any traces would remain of the human civilizations that once thrived upon them, excluding remains in space, such as the remnants of [[Scorpion Fleet Shipyards]] or [[Ragnar Anchorage]].

==Aerilon==

{{mainarticle|Aerilon}}

[[Image:ColonialColors7.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Aerilon]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[wikipedia:Aries (constellation)|Aries]]

Aerilon was primarily an agricultural world. It was considered to be the "food basket" of the Twelve Colonies and ranked among its poorest members.

The mannerisms of Aerilon's natives were considered rough and rude, at least by [[Caprica (RDM) | Caprican]] standards. The people of this world also spoke with a distinctive accent that was quite hard to cover up ([[Dirty Hands]]).

One of the very last [[Pyramid (RDM) | Pyramid]] games occurred on Aerilon, right before the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies | Cylon attack]] ([[Resistance]]). A [[Lest We Forget | photograph]], showcasing the destruction of Aerilon's capital, became one of the most memorable documents of the Fall of the Twelve Colonies within [[The Fleet (RDM) | the Fleet]] ([[33]], deleted scene).

=== Natives ===

* [[Gaius Baltar | Gaius]] and [[Julius Baltar]]
* [[Sherry Bennett]]
* [[Sekou Hamilton]]
* [[Socinus]]

=== Notes ===
* On some occasions this colony's name was also spelled '''Aerelon'''. Battlestar Wiki uses the more commonly found '''Aerilon'''. There is a similar discrepancy in the pronunciation of the colony's name.
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==Aquaria==
[[Image:ColonialColors12.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Aquaria]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[wikipedia:Aquarius (constellation)|Aquarius]]

Aquaria was widely known for its vast oceans ([[The Plan]]).

Its first [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum of Twelve]] delegate within the [[The Fleet (RDM) | fugitive Fleet]], [[Miksa Burian]], voted for [[Tom Zarek]] in the vice-presidential elections ([[Colonial Day]]).

=== Notes ===
* On many occasions this colony's name was also spelled '''Aquarion'''. However, the name '''Aquaria''' was heard on screen during the Hybid's monologue in [[The Plan]].
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==Canceron==
[[Image:ColonialColors9.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Canceron]]
[[Image:Canceron.png|thumb|left|Canceron from orbit ([[The Plan]]).]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[wikipedia:Cancer (constellation)|Cancer]]

The planet was well known for its beaches and had at least one large coastal metropolis.

One of the [[Luxury liner | passenger liners]] within [[The Fleet (RDM) | the fleet]], ''[[Pyxis]]'', was one of the last ships that escaped this world when the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies | Cylon attack]] began. Aboard was the [[Number Six]] copy [[Shelly Godfrey]] ([[The Plan]]).

[[Robin Wenutu]] is the Canceron delegate to the first [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum of Twelve]] after the Fall.
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==Caprica==
{{mainarticle|Caprica (RDM)}}
[[Image:ColonialColors3.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Caprica]]
[[Image:Caprica from Orbit.jpg|left|thumb|[[Caprica (RDM) | Caprica]] from orbit ([[Daybreak, Part I]]).]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[w:Capricornus|Capricorn]]

Caprica was a lush blue-green planet, covered by large oceans and continents. It shared its orbit with another arid and desertic world ([[Caprica pilot|Caprica Pilot]], TV version). Metropolitan areas on the planet included the capital [[Caprica City]], as well as [[Delphi]].

Caprica was regarded as the center of Colonial civilization, even long before the [[First Cylon War]]. [[Graystone Industries]] was one of the Colonies most influential technology developers and had a hand in creating the very [[U-87 | first Cylons]]. Some 60 years before [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies | the Fall]], Caprica was also plagued by [[Soldiers of the One | religious]] motivated terrorism ([[Caprica pilot|Caprica Pilot]]).

After the war, the planet was once again the seat of politics, culture, art, science, learning and even the Colonial government. It was also one of the wealthiest colonies ([[Epiphanies]], [[Dirty Hands]]).

During the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies | Cylon attack]] Caprica came under heavy bombardment by Cylon forces. At least four [[Battlestar (RDM) | battlestars]] were destroyed in its orbit and Caprica City was annihilated in a nuclear explosion ([[Miniseries]], [[The Plan]]).

After the Fall of Mankind, Caprica was occupied by [[Cylons (RDM) | Cylon forces]]. Some of the few remaining [[Caprica resistance | human survivors]] within the Colonies also fought on this world for several months ([[33]], [[Resistance]], [[The Plan]]). The occupation and resistance both ended roughly 9 months after the attack and the planet was left for good ([[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]]).

6,250 people from Caprica joined the [[Laura Roslin faction]] over [[Kobol (RDM) | Kobol]] ([[Home, Part I]]). The overall Caprican survivor population, possibly significantly greater, is unknown (see analysis [[The Fleet (RDM)#Demographics|here]]). The first [[Quorum of Twelve]] delegate after the Fall was [[Gaius Baltar]]. Years later this spot was taken by [[Lee Adama]].

===Natives===
* [[William Adama | William]], [[Tamara Adama | Tamara]], [[Zak Adama | Zak]] and [[Lee Adama]]
* [[Richard Adar]], presumed as he was also the mayor of Caprica City at one point
* [[Daniel Graystone | Daniel]], [[Amanda Graystone | Amanda]] and [[Zoe Graystone]]
* [[Lacy Rand]] and her family
* [[Laura Roslin | Laura]], [[Cheryl Roslin | Cheryl]] and [[Sandra Roslin]], as well as their parents
* [[Ben Stark]] and his mother, [[Natalie Stark | Natalie]]
* [[Kara Thrace | Kara]], [[Socrata Thrace | Socrata]] and (presumably) [[Dreilide Thrace]]

===Notes===
* Caprica was and continues to be the world most prominently depicted in the [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM) | re-imagined series' continuity]]. It wasn't until [[Razor]] that another of the Twelve Colonies was actually seen on screen.
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==Gemenon==
[[Image:ColonialColors5.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Gemenon]]
[[Image:Gemenon.png|thumb|left|A suburb of Gememon during the Cylon attack ([[The Plan]]).]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[wikipedia:Gemini (constellation)|Gemini]]

Gemenon was one of the poorer colonies ([[Dirty Hands]]) and known for its religious fundamentalism. Before the [[First Cylon War]], Gemenon was also home to the Kobol Colleges and a monotheistic cult called "[[Soldiers of the One|The Soldiers of the One]]" ([[Caprica pilot|Caprica Pilot]]).

The Gemenese were known for their literal interpretations of the [[Sacred Scrolls]] ([[Fragged]]). Most of the population of Gemenon was apparently very strongly opposed to the federal laws legalizing abortion ([[The Captain's Hand]]).

The planet also had either an old or disused language, known as [[Language in the Twelve Colonies | Old Gemenese]].

Three months after [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies | the Fall]], approximately 9,500 Gemenese joined the [[Laura Roslin faction]] over [[Kobol]], apparently persuaded by the president's play of the "religious card" ([[Home, Part I]]). The large and devoted Gemenese population continued to be an important political factor within the [[The Fleet (RDM) | fugitive fleet]] ([[The Captain's Hand]]).

===Natives===
*[[Adrien Bauer]]
*[[Jurgen Belzen]] and his family
*[[Rya Kibby]]
*[[Romo Lampkin]]
*[[Sarah Porter]], former delegate to the [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum of Twelve]]
*Corporal [[Venner]]

===Notes===
* If the word "Inviere" (meaning "Resurrection") is any indication, Old Gemenese was probably similar to the Romanian language of [[Earth (RDM)#A New Earth | our Earth]].
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==Leonis==
[[Image:ColonialColors8.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Leonis]]
[[Image:Leonis.png|thumb|left|A Leonisian thoroughfare under Cylon assault ([[The Plan]]).]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[wikipedia:Leo (constellation)|Leo]]

Leonis was geographically known for its open plains ([[The Plan]]).

[[Leonis Estates Sparkling Wine]] was a type of alcohol produced on this colony.

[[Safiya Sanne]] was identified as both Leonis's and [[#Picon|Picon]]'s representative on the first [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum of Twelve]] after [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies | the Fall]].
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==Libran==
[[Image:ColonialColors11.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Libran]]
[[Image:Libran.png|thumb|left|One of Libran's famed courthouses ([[The Plan]]).]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[wikipedia:Libra (constellation)|Libra]]

Practically no information exists about this colony except that it was known for its courthouses and lawyers ([[The Plan]]). A major city on Libran was called Themis, and the colony had no official Pyramid team prior to the [[First Cylon War]]<ref>[http://showblogs.syfy.com/caprican/sports/libran-needs-a-pyramid-team-statim.php ''The Caprican'' Article: "Libran Needs a Pyramid Team Statim"]</ref>.

After the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies]], [[Oswin Eriku]] is chosen to be this colony's representative to the [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum of Twelve]].

''[[Zephyr]]'', a passenger liner in the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]], was of Libran registry (SciFi.com).

===Notes===
* The Colony's actual name, '''Libran''', was not heard on screen until [[The Plan]] but could already be seen on a name plate in [[The Ties That Bind]] and [[A Disquiet Follows My Soul]]. Before that it was often called '''Libris''' in secondary publications.
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==Picon==
[[Image:ColonialColors2.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Picon]]
[[Image:Picon.png|thumb|left|Picon from orbit ([[The Plan]]).]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[wikipedia:Pisces (constellation)|Pisces]]

Picon was a turquoise planet, mainly covered by water and famous for its harbors ([[The Plan]]). After the Unification of the Twelve Colonies this world was the location of the [[Picon Fleet Headquarters|Colonial Fleet Headquarters]] ([[Miniseries]]). Picon was also the home of [[Picon Laboratories]], located in Pailyn, Muritolan.

The colony came under heavy attack during the early stages of the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies | Cylon attack]]. One of the last ships to leave the planet was the ''[[Rising Star (RDM) | Rising Star]]'', carrying many wounded people including an unconscious [[Ellen Tigh]] ([[The Plan]]).

The destruction of Picon's Fleet Headquarters caused President [[Richard Adar]] to offer a complete and unconditional surrender to the [[Cylons (RDM) | Cylons]]. This offer was ignored by the invading forces ([[Miniseries]]).

===Natives===

* [[Asha Janik]]
* [[Billy Keikeya | Billy Keikeya's]] family
* [[Playa Palacios]]

===Publications===
*''[[Picon Star Tribune]]''

===Pyramid Team===
* [[Picon Panthers]]
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==Sagittaron==

{{mainarticle|Sagittaron}}

[[Image:ColonialColors10.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Sagittaron]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[wikipedia:Sagittarius (constellation)|Sagittarius]]

Sagittaron was one of the poorest worlds of the Twelve Colonies ([[Bastille Day]]).

The Sagittarons were traditionalists who practiced a different form of religion from the other Colonials. They distrusted modern medicine and were generally unsupportive of the military ([[The Woman King]]).

The Planet endured centuries of exploitation at the hands of the other Colonies. Eventually, [[Tom Zarek]] led an organized series of terrorist acts against the established government there, many years before the [[Fall of the Colonies | fall of the Colonies]] ([[Bastille Day]]).

A few days after the Cylon attack, 5,251 people from this world resided in [[The Fleet (RDM) | the Fleet]] ([[33]]).

===Natives===

* [[Jacob Cantrell]]
* [[Anastasia Dualla]]
* [[Portia King | Portia]] and [[Willie King]]
* [[Clarice Willow]]
* [[Tom Zarek]]

===Notes===
* The colony's name was originally spelled as "Sagittar'''i'''on" in the [[Miniseries]], but this changed to Sagittaron when the regular series began.
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==Scorpia==
[[Image:ScorpionFleetShipyards1.jpg|thumb|left|Scorpia and and its shipyards from orbit ([[Razor]]).]]
[[Image:ColonialColors6.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Scorpia]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[wikipedia:Scorpius|Scorpio]]

Scorpia was known for its lush jungles ([[The Plan]]) and hot temperatures.

Before the [[First Cylon War]] one of the major leisure spots of the world was Argentum Bay, despite the colony's trashy reputation.<ref>[http://showblogs.syfy.com/caprican/entertainment/argentum-bay-the-ultimate-vernal-break.php ''The Caprican'' Article: "Argentum Bay: The Ultimate Vernal Break"]</ref>. The Planet was also apparently well-known for its [[Scorpia Paragliding | Paragliding]].

After the Unification, Scorpia was home to the [[Scorpion Fleet Shipyards|Scorpion Fleet Shipyards]]. This structure came under heavy fire during the initial [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies | Cylon attack]], destroying five ships and causing [[Pegasus (RDM) | another one]] to risk a blind jump in order to escape ([[Razor]]).

[[Eladio Puasha]] served as the planet's delegate to the first [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum of Twelve]] assembled after the Fall.
<div style="clear:both;"></div>
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==Tauron==

{{mainarticle|Tauron (RDM)}}

[[Image:ColonialColors4.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Tauron]]
[[Image:Tauron.png|thumb|left|Tauron from orbit ([[Razor]]).]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[wikipedia:Taurus (constellation)|Taurus]]

Tauron was a barren, arid planet that lacked any kind of flowers. However, it was well-known for its agriculture.

The Tauronese were known to be very traditional people, even speaking a very old and distinctive [[Language in the Twelve Colonies | language]].

Originally Tauron was one of the poorer Colonial worlds and the center of a [[Tauron Civil War|civil war]] a century before [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies | the Fall]]. A few years before the [[First Cylon War]], the crime syndicate [[Ha'la'tha]] had enormous influence over the planet, which even extended to other colonies, such as [[Caprica (RDM) | Caprica]] ([[Caprica pilot|Caprica Pilot]]).

During the War, the Tauron city of [[Hypatia]] was was the location of a [[Battle of Tauron | fierce and lossy battle]] against [[Cylons (RDM) | Cylon forces]] ([[Razor|Razor]], extended Edition).

After the War, Tauron was known to be a somewhat troublesome colony within the [[Government of the Twelve Colonies|federal system]] of the Colonies, often disobeying directives decided by the colonies and pushing their luck with the admiralty ([[Hero]]). Yet this world was counted among the wealthier of the twelve worlds ([[Dirty Hands]]).

===Natives===
* [[Joseph Adama | Joseph]] and [[Sam Adama]]
* [[Shannon Adama]] and her mother, [[Ruth]]
* [[Helena Cain]] and her murdered family
* [[Tomas Vergis]]

===Notes===
* The language of Tauron is remarkably similar to Ancient Greek that, thousands of years later, was spoken on [[Earth (RDM)#A New Earth | a planet]] on the other side of the galaxy.
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==Virgon==
[[Image:ColonialColors1.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Virgon]]
[[Image:Virgon.png|thumb|left|An urban centre on Virgon ([[The Plan]]).]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[wikipedia:Virgo (constellation)|Virgo]]

Virgon was well-known for its forests ([[The Plan]]) and considered to be one of the wealthier colonies ([[Dirty Hands]]).

[[Virgon Brew]] was a beer produced on the planet and exported to other Colonies ([[Maelstrom]]).

Soon after the beginning of the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies | Cylon attack]], the Colonials launched a counter-attack over Virgon. The battle ended with the destruction of the flagship battlestar ''[[Atlantia (RDM) | Atlantia]]'' and the resulting death of [[Nagala | Fleet Admiral Nagala]] ([[Miniseries]]).

[[Marshall Bagot]] was the Virgon delegate to the first [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum of Twelve]]. He nominated [[Tom Zarek]] for the vice-presidency ([[Colonial Day]]). In public ceremonies, the Virgon delegate wore a light blue sash.

=== Notes ===
* As an "Easter Egg" in [[The Plan]], the building on the lower left of the screen is the same one where the [[memoryalpha:Romulan Senate|Romulan Senate]] assembles in ''[[memoryalpha:Star Trek Nemesis|Star Trek Nemesis]]''. A detailed picture of this building is [[memoryalpha:File:Romulan senate building, 2379.jpg|available here]].
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== See Also==
*[[Colonial anthem]]
*[[Ithaca]]

==References==
<div style="font-size:85%"><references/></div>

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[[de:Die Zwölf Kolonien (RDM)]]
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The Twelve Colonies of Kobol

2010-02-10T05:11:02Z

Blackcampbell: /* Notes */

:''This article discusses the Twelve Colonies of the [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|Re-imagined Series]]. See [[The Twelve Colonies (TOS)]] for information on the Colonies of the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|Original Series]].''

[[Image:Bsyashuman.jpg|thumb|Caprica, shortly before its downfall. ([[The Plan]])]]

The Twelve Colonies of Kobol were twelve distinct worlds, located in a remote part of their home galaxy. For about 2,000 years they were home to the human survivors of the Exodus of [[Kobol (RDM)|Kobol]].

After the settlement, the colonies slowly began to prosper and eventually gave birth to a race of cybernetic lifeforms, known as [[Cylons (RDM) | Cylons]]. Soon after their creation the Cylons raged a devastating war on their creators' home planets which ultimately led to the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies]].

Wasted and in ruins, the once prosperous home worlds of humanity were finally left to themselves. What became of them is unknown to their inhabitants' descendants.
{{RDM twelve colonies series}}

==Star System==
The Twelve Colonies of Kobol are located in the star system Cyrannus.<ref>''Battlestar Galactica: The Official Magazine''; "Encyclopedia Galactica"; issue #3; page 51</ref>

During the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies | Cylon attack]] one [[Hybrid]] indicates that the Colonies orbit three stars ([[The Plan]]). It is also known that at least some of the Colonies share their orbits ([[Caprica pilot|Caprica Pilot]], TV version).

While [[Elosha]] stated that the Tribes settled onto "twelve worlds", the exact definition of "world" remains ambiguous. Although the Colonies are defined as independent, habitable celestial bodies, it is not known, whether they only include major planets or other astronomical objects such as moons, minor planets or even asteroids.

Prior to their destruction, the Twelve Colonies had approximately 50 billion inhabitants ([[A Disquiet Follows My Soul]]).

===Notes===
* The fact, that the Colonies are located within one system originates from a [http://blog.scifi.com/battlestar/archives/2005/01/#a000016 blog entry] by Ronald D. Moore.
* Jane Espenson revealed on Twitter that the Colonies are within a star cluster and share some orbits. The latter fact was finally shown to be true in the TV version of the [[Caprica pilot#Differences between the DVD and TV Cut | series premiere]] of Caprica.
* The original Miniseries script stated a population of about 12 billion. The webisodes [[The Resistance]] stated the death of 20 billion people caused by the Cylons.

==History==
{{mainarticle|History of the Twelve Colonies}}
[[Image:Home pt1-Kobol.jpg|thumb|[[Kobol (RDM)|Kobol]], the ancient homeworld of humanity.]]
About 2,000 years prior to the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies]], the last twelve tribes of [[Kobol (RDM)|Kobol]] left their planet<ref>According to dialogue from "[[Torn]]", "[[A Measure of Salvation]]" and "[[The Eye of Jupiter]]", the [[Thirteenth Tribe (RDM)|Thirteenth Tribe]] left Kobol some 2,000 years ''before'' the twelve tribes. The Scroll of [[Pythia]] is dated as written 3,600 years before the last exodus of Kobol, and chronicles the Thirteenth Tribe's exodus.</ref> over conflicts with their [[Religion in the Twelve Colonies#The Lords of Kobol|gods]], as well as some sort of calamity<ref>As noted by [[Billy Keikeya]] in "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]]".</ref>.

The tribes settled on twelve worlds some distance away ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]]). The tribes' namesakes and icons originally corresponded to the twelve signs of the ancient tribes, although these [[wikipedia:Zodiac|names]] drifted over time<ref>Flag matches with Colonies from "Encyclopedia Galactica." [[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Magazine]]. Feb./Mar. 2006: 50-55.</ref> ([[Home, Part II]]).

The early Colonies lived (and fought) more as sovereign nations. Some (particularly [[Caprica (RDM) | Caprica]]) prospered, while others (such as [[Sagittaron]] and [[Aerilon]]) were often considered lessers. For peacetime labor forces as well as for wars between each other, humanity created the [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]]. When these [[Cylon Centurion Model 0005|early models]] rebelled, the Colonies unified their governments under the [[Articles of Colonization]] sometime before or during the [[Cylon War]] as a federal republic known as the '''Twelve Colonies of Kobol'''<ref>Note the difference between the name of the Original Series' counterpart, known as the [[The Twelve Colonies (TOS)|the Twelve Colonies of ''Man'']].</ref>.

The official symbol of the Twelve Colonies was the [[Colonial seal]].

===Downfall===
{{mainarticle|Fall of the Twelve Colonies}}
40 years after the end of the devastating war, the Cylons return and cause havoc among the twelve worlds of their creators ([[Miniseries]], [[The Plan]]). For some time the Colonies remain occupied by Cylon forces and a [[Caprica resistance | small group of human survivors]]. After nine months, humanity and the Cylons leave the twelve worlds for good ([[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]]).

Of the original 50 billion inhabitants, only about 55,000 survive the first days of the holocaust. Most of them leave the Colonies behind in two small [[The Fleet (RDM) | fugitive fleets]]. The fleet of the [[Battlestar (RDM) | battlestar]] ''[[Galactica (RDM) | Galactica]]'' eventually encounters both [[Kobol]], as well as the original Thirteenth Colony [[Earth (RDM) | Earth]]. Some time after that, and after the destruction of the [[The Colony | the Cylon home world]], they settle on a [[Earth (RDM)#A New Earth | beautiful, rich world]], leaving behind the baggage of their Colonial heritage. ([[Miniseries]], [[Razor]], [[Daybreak, Part II]])

===Fate===

The ultimate fate of the Twelve Colonies 150,000 years after [[The Fall]] is unknown. Presumably, after several hundred years, their climates and surfaces would degrade until they resembled the original [[Earth]].

It can be presumed that by the present-day radiation levels would have lowered past the point in which life would be allowed to flourish once again. However, little, if any traces would remain of the human civilizations that once thrived upon them, excluding remains in space, such as the remnants of [[Scorpion Fleet Shipyards]] or [[Ragnar Anchorage]].

==Aerilon==

{{mainarticle|Aerilon}}

[[Image:ColonialColors7.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Aerilon]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[wikipedia:Aries (constellation)|Aries]]

Aerilon was primarily an agricultural world. It was considered to be the "food basket" of the Twelve Colonies and ranked among its poorest members.

The mannerisms of Aerilon's natives were considered rough and rude, at least by [[Caprica (RDM) | Caprican]] standards. The people of this world also spoke with a distinctive accent that was quite hard to cover up ([[Dirty Hands]]).

One of the very last [[Pyramid (RDM) | Pyramid]] games occurred on Aerilon, right before the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies | Cylon attack]] ([[Resistance]]). A [[Lest We Forget | photograph]], showcasing the destruction of Aerilon's capital, became one of the most memorable documents of the Fall of the Twelve Colonies within [[The Fleet (RDM) | the Fleet]] ([[33]], deleted scene).

=== Natives ===

* [[Gaius Baltar | Gaius]] and [[Julius Baltar]]
* [[Sherry Bennett]]
* [[Sekou Hamilton]]
* [[Socinus]]

=== Notes ===
* On some occasions this colony's name was also spelled '''Aerelon'''. Battlestar Wiki uses the more commonly found '''Aerilon'''. There is a similar discrepancy in the pronunciation of the colony's name.
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==Aquaria==
[[Image:ColonialColors12.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Aquaria]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[wikipedia:Aquarius (constellation)|Aquarius]]

Aquaria was widely known for its vast oceans ([[The Plan]]).

Its first [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum of Twelve]] delegate within the [[The Fleet (RDM) | fugitive Fleet]], [[Miksa Burian]], voted for [[Tom Zarek]] in the vice-presidential elections ([[Colonial Day]]).

=== Notes ===
* On many occasions this colony's name was also spelled '''Aquarion'''. However, the name '''Aquaria''' was heard on screen during the Hybid's monologue in [[The Plan]].
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==Canceron==
[[Image:ColonialColors9.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Canceron]]
[[Image:Canceron.png|thumb|left|Canceron from orbit ([[The Plan]]).]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[wikipedia:Cancer (constellation)|Cancer]]

The planet was well known for its beaches and had at least one large coastal metropolis.

One of the [[Luxury liner | passenger liners]] within [[The Fleet (RDM) | the fleet]], ''[[Pyxis]]'', was one of the last ships that escaped this world when the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies | Cylon attack]] began. Aboard was the [[Number Six]] copy [[Shelly Godfrey]] ([[The Plan]]).

[[Robin Wenutu]] is the Canceron delegate to the first [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum of Twelve]] after the Fall.
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==Caprica==
{{mainarticle|Caprica (RDM)}}
[[Image:ColonialColors3.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Caprica]]
[[Image:Caprica from Orbit.jpg|left|thumb|[[Caprica (RDM) | Caprica]] from orbit ([[Daybreak, Part I]]).]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[w:Capricornus|Capricorn]]

Caprica was a lush blue-green planet, covered by large oceans and continents. It shared its orbit with another arid and desertic world ([[Caprica pilot|Caprica Pilot]], TV version). Metropolitan areas on the planet included the capital [[Caprica City]], as well as [[Delphi]].

Caprica was regarded as the center of Colonial civilization, even long before the [[First Cylon War]]. [[Graystone Industries]] was one of the Colonies most influential technology developers and had a hand in creating the very [[U-87 | first Cylons]]. Some 60 years before [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies | the Fall]], Caprica was also plagued by [[Soldiers of the One | religious]] motivated terrorism ([[Caprica pilot|Caprica Pilot]]).

After the war, the planet was once again the seat of politics, culture, art, science, learning and even the Colonial government. It was also one of the wealthiest colonies ([[Epiphanies]], [[Dirty Hands]]).

During the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies | Cylon attack]] Caprica came under heavy bombardment by Cylon forces. At least four [[Battlestar (RDM) | battlestars]] were destroyed in its orbit and Caprica City was annihilated in a nuclear explosion ([[Miniseries]], [[The Plan]]).

After the Fall of Mankind, Caprica was occupied by [[Cylons (RDM) | Cylon forces]]. Some of the few remaining [[Caprica resistance | human survivors]] within the Colonies also fought on this world for several months ([[33]], [[Resistance]], [[The Plan]]). The occupation and resistance both ended roughly 9 months after the attack and the planet was left for good ([[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]]).

6,250 people from Caprica joined the [[Laura Roslin faction]] over [[Kobol (RDM) | Kobol]] ([[Home, Part I]]). The overall Caprican survivor population, possibly significantly greater, is unknown (see analysis [[The Fleet (RDM)#Demographics|here]]). The first [[Quorum of Twelve]] delegate after the Fall was [[Gaius Baltar]]. Years later this spot was taken by [[Lee Adama]].

===Natives===
* [[William Adama | William]], [[Tamara Adama | Tamara]], [[Zak Adama | Zak]] and [[Lee Adama]]
* [[Richard Adar]], presumed as he was also the mayor of Caprica City at one point
* [[Daniel Graystone | Daniel]], [[Amanda Graystone | Amanda]] and [[Zoe Graystone]]
* [[Lacy Rand]] and her family
* [[Laura Roslin | Laura]], [[Cheryl Roslin | Cheryl]] and [[Sandra Roslin]], as well as their parents
* [[Ben Stark]] and his mother, [[Natalie Stark | Natalie]]
* [[Kara Thrace | Kara]], [[Socrata Thrace | Socrata]] and (presumably) [[Dreilide Thrace]]

===Notes===
* Caprica was and continues to be the world most prominently depicted in the [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM) | re-imagined series' continuity]]. It wasn't until [[Razor]] that another of the Twelve Colonies was actually seen on screen.
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==Gemenon==
[[Image:ColonialColors5.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Gemenon]]
[[Image:Gemenon.png|thumb|left|A suburb of Gememon during the Cylon attack ([[The Plan]]).]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[wikipedia:Gemini (constellation)|Gemini]]

Gemenon was one of the poorer colonies ([[Dirty Hands]]) and known for its religious fundamentalism. Before the [[First Cylon War]], Gemenon was also home to the Kobol Colleges and a monotheistic cult called "[[Soldiers of the One|The Soldiers of the One]]" ([[Caprica pilot|Caprica Pilot]]).

The Gemenese were known for their literal interpretations of the [[Sacred Scrolls]] ([[Fragged]]). Most of the population of Gemenon was apparently very strongly opposed to the federal laws legalizing abortion ([[The Captain's Hand]]).

The planet also had either an old or disused language, known as [[Language in the Twelve Colonies | Old Gemenese]].

Three months after [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies | the Fall]], approximately 9,500 Gemenese joined the [[Laura Roslin faction]] over [[Kobol]], apparently persuaded by the president's play of the "religious card" ([[Home, Part I]]). The large and devoted Gemenese population continued to be an important political factor within the [[The Fleet (RDM) | fugitive fleet]] ([[The Captain's Hand]]).

===Natives===
*[[Adrien Bauer]]
*[[Jurgen Belzen]] and his family
*[[Rya Kibby]]
*[[Romo Lampkin]]
*[[Sarah Porter]], former delegate to the [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum of Twelve]]
*Corporal [[Venner]]

===Notes===
* If the word "Inviere" (meaning "Resurrection") is any indication, Old Gemenese was probably similar to the Romanian language of [[Earth (RDM)#A New Earth | our Earth]]. The Twitter page for Serge, the Graystones' robotic butler, relates that Caprica and Gemenon are "twin planets" with a barycentric orbit.
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==Leonis==
[[Image:ColonialColors8.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Leonis]]
[[Image:Leonis.png|thumb|left|A Leonisian thoroughfare under Cylon assault ([[The Plan]]).]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[wikipedia:Leo (constellation)|Leo]]

Leonis was geographically known for its open plains ([[The Plan]]).

[[Leonis Estates Sparkling Wine]] was a type of alcohol produced on this colony.

[[Safiya Sanne]] was identified as both Leonis's and [[#Picon|Picon]]'s representative on the first [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum of Twelve]] after [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies | the Fall]].
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==Libran==
[[Image:ColonialColors11.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Libran]]
[[Image:Libran.png|thumb|left|One of Libran's famed courthouses ([[The Plan]]).]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[wikipedia:Libra (constellation)|Libra]]

Practically no information exists about this colony except that it was known for its courthouses and lawyers ([[The Plan]]). A major city on Libran was called Themis, and the colony had no official Pyramid team prior to the [[First Cylon War]]<ref>[http://showblogs.syfy.com/caprican/sports/libran-needs-a-pyramid-team-statim.php ''The Caprican'' Article: "Libran Needs a Pyramid Team Statim"]</ref>.

After the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies]], [[Oswin Eriku]] is chosen to be this colony's representative to the [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum of Twelve]].

''[[Zephyr]]'', a passenger liner in the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]], was of Libran registry (SciFi.com).

===Notes===
* The Colony's actual name, '''Libran''', was not heard on screen until [[The Plan]] but could already be seen on a name plate in [[The Ties That Bind]] and [[A Disquiet Follows My Soul]]. Before that it was often called '''Libris''' in secondary publications.
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==Picon==
[[Image:ColonialColors2.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Picon]]
[[Image:Picon.png|thumb|left|Picon from orbit ([[The Plan]]).]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[wikipedia:Pisces (constellation)|Pisces]]

Picon was a turquoise planet, mainly covered by water and famous for its harbors ([[The Plan]]). After the Unification of the Twelve Colonies this world was the location of the [[Picon Fleet Headquarters|Colonial Fleet Headquarters]] ([[Miniseries]]). Picon was also the home of [[Picon Laboratories]], located in Pailyn, Muritolan.

The colony came under heavy attack during the early stages of the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies | Cylon attack]]. One of the last ships to leave the planet was the ''[[Rising Star (RDM) | Rising Star]]'', carrying many wounded people including an unconscious [[Ellen Tigh]] ([[The Plan]]).

The destruction of Picon's Fleet Headquarters caused President [[Richard Adar]] to offer a complete and unconditional surrender to the [[Cylons (RDM) | Cylons]]. This offer was ignored by the invading forces ([[Miniseries]]).

===Natives===

* [[Asha Janik]]
* [[Billy Keikeya | Billy Keikeya's]] family
* [[Playa Palacios]]

===Publications===
*''[[Picon Star Tribune]]''

===Pyramid Team===
* [[Picon Panthers]]
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==Sagittaron==

{{mainarticle|Sagittaron}}

[[Image:ColonialColors10.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Sagittaron]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[wikipedia:Sagittarius (constellation)|Sagittarius]]

Sagittaron was one of the poorest worlds of the Twelve Colonies ([[Bastille Day]]).

The Sagittarons were traditionalists who practiced a different form of religion from the other Colonials. They distrusted modern medicine and were generally unsupportive of the military ([[The Woman King]]).

The Planet endured centuries of exploitation at the hands of the other Colonies. Eventually, [[Tom Zarek]] led an organized series of terrorist acts against the established government there, many years before the [[Fall of the Colonies | fall of the Colonies]] ([[Bastille Day]]).

A few days after the Cylon attack, 5,251 people from this world resided in [[The Fleet (RDM) | the Fleet]] ([[33]]).

===Natives===

* [[Jacob Cantrell]]
* [[Anastasia Dualla]]
* [[Portia King | Portia]] and [[Willie King]]
* [[Clarice Willow]]
* [[Tom Zarek]]

===Notes===
* The colony's name was originally spelled as "Sagittar'''i'''on" in the [[Miniseries]], but this changed to Sagittaron when the regular series began.
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==Scorpia==
[[Image:ScorpionFleetShipyards1.jpg|thumb|left|Scorpia and and its shipyards from orbit ([[Razor]]).]]
[[Image:ColonialColors6.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Scorpia]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[wikipedia:Scorpius|Scorpio]]

Scorpia was known for its lush jungles ([[The Plan]]) and hot temperatures.

Before the [[First Cylon War]] one of the major leisure spots of the world was Argentum Bay, despite the colony's trashy reputation.<ref>[http://showblogs.syfy.com/caprican/entertainment/argentum-bay-the-ultimate-vernal-break.php ''The Caprican'' Article: "Argentum Bay: The Ultimate Vernal Break"]</ref>. The Planet was also apparently well-known for its [[Scorpia Paragliding | Paragliding]].

After the Unification, Scorpia was home to the [[Scorpion Fleet Shipyards|Scorpion Fleet Shipyards]]. This structure came under heavy fire during the initial [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies | Cylon attack]], destroying five ships and causing [[Pegasus (RDM) | another one]] to risk a blind jump in order to escape ([[Razor]]).

[[Eladio Puasha]] served as the planet's delegate to the first [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum of Twelve]] assembled after the Fall.
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==Tauron==

{{mainarticle|Tauron (RDM)}}

[[Image:ColonialColors4.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Tauron]]
[[Image:Tauron.png|thumb|left|Tauron from orbit ([[Razor]]).]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[wikipedia:Taurus (constellation)|Taurus]]

Tauron was a barren, arid planet that lacked any kind of flowers. However, it was well-known for its agriculture.

The Tauronese were known to be very traditional people, even speaking a very old and distinctive [[Language in the Twelve Colonies | language]].

Originally Tauron was one of the poorer Colonial worlds and the center of a [[Tauron Civil War|civil war]] a century before [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies | the Fall]]. A few years before the [[First Cylon War]], the crime syndicate [[Ha'la'tha]] had enormous influence over the planet, which even extended to other colonies, such as [[Caprica (RDM) | Caprica]] ([[Caprica pilot|Caprica Pilot]]).

During the War, the Tauron city of [[Hypatia]] was was the location of a [[Battle of Tauron | fierce and lossy battle]] against [[Cylons (RDM) | Cylon forces]] ([[Razor|Razor]], extended Edition).

After the War, Tauron was known to be a somewhat troublesome colony within the [[Government of the Twelve Colonies|federal system]] of the Colonies, often disobeying directives decided by the colonies and pushing their luck with the admiralty ([[Hero]]). Yet this world was counted among the wealthier of the twelve worlds ([[Dirty Hands]]).

===Natives===
* [[Joseph Adama | Joseph]] and [[Sam Adama]]
* [[Shannon Adama]] and her mother, [[Ruth]]
* [[Helena Cain]] and her murdered family
* [[Tomas Vergis]]

===Notes===
* The language of Tauron is remarkably similar to Ancient Greek that, thousands of years later, was spoken on [[Earth (RDM)#A New Earth | a planet]] on the other side of the galaxy.
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==Virgon==
[[Image:ColonialColors1.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Virgon]]
[[Image:Virgon.png|thumb|left|An urban centre on Virgon ([[The Plan]]).]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[wikipedia:Virgo (constellation)|Virgo]]

Virgon was well-known for its forests ([[The Plan]]) and considered to be one of the wealthier colonies ([[Dirty Hands]]).

[[Virgon Brew]] was a beer produced on the planet and exported to other Colonies ([[Maelstrom]]).

Soon after the beginning of the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies | Cylon attack]], the Colonials launched a counter-attack over Virgon. The battle ended with the destruction of the flagship battlestar ''[[Atlantia (RDM) | Atlantia]]'' and the resulting death of [[Nagala | Fleet Admiral Nagala]] ([[Miniseries]]).

[[Marshall Bagot]] was the Virgon delegate to the first [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum of Twelve]]. He nominated [[Tom Zarek]] for the vice-presidency ([[Colonial Day]]). In public ceremonies, the Virgon delegate wore a light blue sash.

=== Notes ===
* As an "Easter Egg" in [[The Plan]], the building on the lower left of the screen is the same one where the [[memoryalpha:Romulan Senate|Romulan Senate]] assembles in ''[[memoryalpha:Star Trek Nemesis|Star Trek Nemesis]]''. A detailed picture of this building is [[memoryalpha:File:Romulan senate building, 2379.jpg|available here]].
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== See Also==
*[[Colonial anthem]]
*[[Ithaca]]

==References==
<div style="font-size:85%"><references/></div>

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The Twelve Colonies of Kobol

2010-02-10T05:10:20Z

Blackcampbell: /* Notes */

:''This article discusses the Twelve Colonies of the [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|Re-imagined Series]]. See [[The Twelve Colonies (TOS)]] for information on the Colonies of the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|Original Series]].''

[[Image:Bsyashuman.jpg|thumb|Caprica, shortly before its downfall. ([[The Plan]])]]

The Twelve Colonies of Kobol were twelve distinct worlds, located in a remote part of their home galaxy. For about 2,000 years they were home to the human survivors of the Exodus of [[Kobol (RDM)|Kobol]].

After the settlement, the colonies slowly began to prosper and eventually gave birth to a race of cybernetic lifeforms, known as [[Cylons (RDM) | Cylons]]. Soon after their creation the Cylons raged a devastating war on their creators' home planets which ultimately led to the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies]].

Wasted and in ruins, the once prosperous home worlds of humanity were finally left to themselves. What became of them is unknown to their inhabitants' descendants.
{{RDM twelve colonies series}}

==Star System==
The Twelve Colonies of Kobol are located in the star system Cyrannus.<ref>''Battlestar Galactica: The Official Magazine''; "Encyclopedia Galactica"; issue #3; page 51</ref>

During the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies | Cylon attack]] one [[Hybrid]] indicates that the Colonies orbit three stars ([[The Plan]]). It is also known that at least some of the Colonies share their orbits ([[Caprica pilot|Caprica Pilot]], TV version).

While [[Elosha]] stated that the Tribes settled onto "twelve worlds", the exact definition of "world" remains ambiguous. Although the Colonies are defined as independent, habitable celestial bodies, it is not known, whether they only include major planets or other astronomical objects such as moons, minor planets or even asteroids.

Prior to their destruction, the Twelve Colonies had approximately 50 billion inhabitants ([[A Disquiet Follows My Soul]]).

===Notes===
* The fact, that the Colonies are located within one system originates from a [http://blog.scifi.com/battlestar/archives/2005/01/#a000016 blog entry] by Ronald D. Moore.
* Jane Espenson revealed on Twitter that the Colonies are within a star cluster and share some orbits. The latter fact was finally shown to be true in the TV version of the [[Caprica pilot#Differences between the DVD and TV Cut | series premiere]] of Caprica.
* The original Miniseries script stated a population of about 12 billion. The webisodes [[The Resistance]] stated the death of 20 billion people caused by the Cylons.

==History==
{{mainarticle|History of the Twelve Colonies}}
[[Image:Home pt1-Kobol.jpg|thumb|[[Kobol (RDM)|Kobol]], the ancient homeworld of humanity.]]
About 2,000 years prior to the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies]], the last twelve tribes of [[Kobol (RDM)|Kobol]] left their planet<ref>According to dialogue from "[[Torn]]", "[[A Measure of Salvation]]" and "[[The Eye of Jupiter]]", the [[Thirteenth Tribe (RDM)|Thirteenth Tribe]] left Kobol some 2,000 years ''before'' the twelve tribes. The Scroll of [[Pythia]] is dated as written 3,600 years before the last exodus of Kobol, and chronicles the Thirteenth Tribe's exodus.</ref> over conflicts with their [[Religion in the Twelve Colonies#The Lords of Kobol|gods]], as well as some sort of calamity<ref>As noted by [[Billy Keikeya]] in "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]]".</ref>.

The tribes settled on twelve worlds some distance away ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]]). The tribes' namesakes and icons originally corresponded to the twelve signs of the ancient tribes, although these [[wikipedia:Zodiac|names]] drifted over time<ref>Flag matches with Colonies from "Encyclopedia Galactica." [[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Magazine]]. Feb./Mar. 2006: 50-55.</ref> ([[Home, Part II]]).

The early Colonies lived (and fought) more as sovereign nations. Some (particularly [[Caprica (RDM) | Caprica]]) prospered, while others (such as [[Sagittaron]] and [[Aerilon]]) were often considered lessers. For peacetime labor forces as well as for wars between each other, humanity created the [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]]. When these [[Cylon Centurion Model 0005|early models]] rebelled, the Colonies unified their governments under the [[Articles of Colonization]] sometime before or during the [[Cylon War]] as a federal republic known as the '''Twelve Colonies of Kobol'''<ref>Note the difference between the name of the Original Series' counterpart, known as the [[The Twelve Colonies (TOS)|the Twelve Colonies of ''Man'']].</ref>.

The official symbol of the Twelve Colonies was the [[Colonial seal]].

===Downfall===
{{mainarticle|Fall of the Twelve Colonies}}
40 years after the end of the devastating war, the Cylons return and cause havoc among the twelve worlds of their creators ([[Miniseries]], [[The Plan]]). For some time the Colonies remain occupied by Cylon forces and a [[Caprica resistance | small group of human survivors]]. After nine months, humanity and the Cylons leave the twelve worlds for good ([[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]]).

Of the original 50 billion inhabitants, only about 55,000 survive the first days of the holocaust. Most of them leave the Colonies behind in two small [[The Fleet (RDM) | fugitive fleets]]. The fleet of the [[Battlestar (RDM) | battlestar]] ''[[Galactica (RDM) | Galactica]]'' eventually encounters both [[Kobol]], as well as the original Thirteenth Colony [[Earth (RDM) | Earth]]. Some time after that, and after the destruction of the [[The Colony | the Cylon home world]], they settle on a [[Earth (RDM)#A New Earth | beautiful, rich world]], leaving behind the baggage of their Colonial heritage. ([[Miniseries]], [[Razor]], [[Daybreak, Part II]])

===Fate===

The ultimate fate of the Twelve Colonies 150,000 years after [[The Fall]] is unknown. Presumably, after several hundred years, their climates and surfaces would degrade until they resembled the original [[Earth]].

It can be presumed that by the present-day radiation levels would have lowered past the point in which life would be allowed to flourish once again. However, little, if any traces would remain of the human civilizations that once thrived upon them, excluding remains in space, such as the remnants of [[Scorpion Fleet Shipyards]] or [[Ragnar Anchorage]].

==Aerilon==

{{mainarticle|Aerilon}}

[[Image:ColonialColors7.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Aerilon]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[wikipedia:Aries (constellation)|Aries]]

Aerilon was primarily an agricultural world. It was considered to be the "food basket" of the Twelve Colonies and ranked among its poorest members.

The mannerisms of Aerilon's natives were considered rough and rude, at least by [[Caprica (RDM) | Caprican]] standards. The people of this world also spoke with a distinctive accent that was quite hard to cover up ([[Dirty Hands]]).

One of the very last [[Pyramid (RDM) | Pyramid]] games occurred on Aerilon, right before the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies | Cylon attack]] ([[Resistance]]). A [[Lest We Forget | photograph]], showcasing the destruction of Aerilon's capital, became one of the most memorable documents of the Fall of the Twelve Colonies within [[The Fleet (RDM) | the Fleet]] ([[33]], deleted scene).

=== Natives ===

* [[Gaius Baltar | Gaius]] and [[Julius Baltar]]
* [[Sherry Bennett]]
* [[Sekou Hamilton]]
* [[Socinus]]

=== Notes ===
* On some occasions this colony's name was also spelled '''Aerelon'''. Battlestar Wiki uses the more commonly found '''Aerilon'''. There is a similar discrepancy in the pronunciation of the colony's name.
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==Aquaria==
[[Image:ColonialColors12.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Aquaria]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[wikipedia:Aquarius (constellation)|Aquarius]]

Aquaria was widely known for its vast oceans ([[The Plan]]).

Its first [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum of Twelve]] delegate within the [[The Fleet (RDM) | fugitive Fleet]], [[Miksa Burian]], voted for [[Tom Zarek]] in the vice-presidential elections ([[Colonial Day]]).

=== Notes ===
* On many occasions this colony's name was also spelled '''Aquarion'''. However, the name '''Aquaria''' was heard on screen during the Hybid's monologue in [[The Plan]].
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==Canceron==
[[Image:ColonialColors9.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Canceron]]
[[Image:Canceron.png|thumb|left|Canceron from orbit ([[The Plan]]).]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[wikipedia:Cancer (constellation)|Cancer]]

The planet was well known for its beaches and had at least one large coastal metropolis.

One of the [[Luxury liner | passenger liners]] within [[The Fleet (RDM) | the fleet]], ''[[Pyxis]]'', was one of the last ships that escaped this world when the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies | Cylon attack]] began. Aboard was the [[Number Six]] copy [[Shelly Godfrey]] ([[The Plan]]).

[[Robin Wenutu]] is the Canceron delegate to the first [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum of Twelve]] after the Fall.
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==Caprica==
{{mainarticle|Caprica (RDM)}}
[[Image:ColonialColors3.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Caprica]]
[[Image:Caprica from Orbit.jpg|left|thumb|[[Caprica (RDM) | Caprica]] from orbit ([[Daybreak, Part I]]).]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[w:Capricornus|Capricorn]]

Caprica was a lush blue-green planet, covered by large oceans and continents. It shared its orbit with another arid and desertic world ([[Caprica pilot|Caprica Pilot]], TV version). Metropolitan areas on the planet included the capital [[Caprica City]], as well as [[Delphi]].

Caprica was regarded as the center of Colonial civilization, even long before the [[First Cylon War]]. [[Graystone Industries]] was one of the Colonies most influential technology developers and had a hand in creating the very [[U-87 | first Cylons]]. Some 60 years before [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies | the Fall]], Caprica was also plagued by [[Soldiers of the One | religious]] motivated terrorism ([[Caprica pilot|Caprica Pilot]]).

After the war, the planet was once again the seat of politics, culture, art, science, learning and even the Colonial government. It was also one of the wealthiest colonies ([[Epiphanies]], [[Dirty Hands]]).

During the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies | Cylon attack]] Caprica came under heavy bombardment by Cylon forces. At least four [[Battlestar (RDM) | battlestars]] were destroyed in its orbit and Caprica City was annihilated in a nuclear explosion ([[Miniseries]], [[The Plan]]).

After the Fall of Mankind, Caprica was occupied by [[Cylons (RDM) | Cylon forces]]. Some of the few remaining [[Caprica resistance | human survivors]] within the Colonies also fought on this world for several months ([[33]], [[Resistance]], [[The Plan]]). The occupation and resistance both ended roughly 9 months after the attack and the planet was left for good ([[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]]).

6,250 people from Caprica joined the [[Laura Roslin faction]] over [[Kobol (RDM) | Kobol]] ([[Home, Part I]]). The overall Caprican survivor population, possibly significantly greater, is unknown (see analysis [[The Fleet (RDM)#Demographics|here]]). The first [[Quorum of Twelve]] delegate after the Fall was [[Gaius Baltar]]. Years later this spot was taken by [[Lee Adama]].

===Natives===
* [[William Adama | William]], [[Tamara Adama | Tamara]], [[Zak Adama | Zak]] and [[Lee Adama]]
* [[Richard Adar]], presumed as he was also the mayor of Caprica City at one point
* [[Daniel Graystone | Daniel]], [[Amanda Graystone | Amanda]] and [[Zoe Graystone]]
* [[Lacy Rand]] and her family
* [[Laura Roslin | Laura]], [[Cheryl Roslin | Cheryl]] and [[Sandra Roslin]], as well as their parents
* [[Ben Stark]] and his mother, [[Natalie Stark | Natalie]]
* [[Kara Thrace | Kara]], [[Socrata Thrace | Socrata]] and (presumably) [[Dreilide Thrace]]

===Notes===
* Caprica was and continues to be the world most prominently depicted in the [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM) | re-imagined series' continuity]]. It wasn't until [[Razor]] that another of the Twelve Colonies was actually seen on screen. The Twitter page for Serge, the Graystones' robotic butler, relates that Caprica and Gemenon are "twin planets" with a barycentric orbit.
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==Gemenon==
[[Image:ColonialColors5.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Gemenon]]
[[Image:Gemenon.png|thumb|left|A suburb of Gememon during the Cylon attack ([[The Plan]]).]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[wikipedia:Gemini (constellation)|Gemini]]

Gemenon was one of the poorer colonies ([[Dirty Hands]]) and known for its religious fundamentalism. Before the [[First Cylon War]], Gemenon was also home to the Kobol Colleges and a monotheistic cult called "[[Soldiers of the One|The Soldiers of the One]]" ([[Caprica pilot|Caprica Pilot]]).

The Gemenese were known for their literal interpretations of the [[Sacred Scrolls]] ([[Fragged]]). Most of the population of Gemenon was apparently very strongly opposed to the federal laws legalizing abortion ([[The Captain's Hand]]).

The planet also had either an old or disused language, known as [[Language in the Twelve Colonies | Old Gemenese]].

Three months after [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies | the Fall]], approximately 9,500 Gemenese joined the [[Laura Roslin faction]] over [[Kobol]], apparently persuaded by the president's play of the "religious card" ([[Home, Part I]]). The large and devoted Gemenese population continued to be an important political factor within the [[The Fleet (RDM) | fugitive fleet]] ([[The Captain's Hand]]).

===Natives===
*[[Adrien Bauer]]
*[[Jurgen Belzen]] and his family
*[[Rya Kibby]]
*[[Romo Lampkin]]
*[[Sarah Porter]], former delegate to the [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum of Twelve]]
*Corporal [[Venner]]

===Notes===
* If the word "Inviere" (meaning "Resurrection") is any indication, Old Gemenese was probably similar to the Romanian language of [[Earth (RDM)#A New Earth | our Earth]]. The Twitter page for Serge, the Graystones' robotic butler, relates that Caprica and Gemenon are "twin planets" with a barycentric orbit.
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==Leonis==
[[Image:ColonialColors8.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Leonis]]
[[Image:Leonis.png|thumb|left|A Leonisian thoroughfare under Cylon assault ([[The Plan]]).]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[wikipedia:Leo (constellation)|Leo]]

Leonis was geographically known for its open plains ([[The Plan]]).

[[Leonis Estates Sparkling Wine]] was a type of alcohol produced on this colony.

[[Safiya Sanne]] was identified as both Leonis's and [[#Picon|Picon]]'s representative on the first [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum of Twelve]] after [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies | the Fall]].
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==Libran==
[[Image:ColonialColors11.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Libran]]
[[Image:Libran.png|thumb|left|One of Libran's famed courthouses ([[The Plan]]).]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[wikipedia:Libra (constellation)|Libra]]

Practically no information exists about this colony except that it was known for its courthouses and lawyers ([[The Plan]]). A major city on Libran was called Themis, and the colony had no official Pyramid team prior to the [[First Cylon War]]<ref>[http://showblogs.syfy.com/caprican/sports/libran-needs-a-pyramid-team-statim.php ''The Caprican'' Article: "Libran Needs a Pyramid Team Statim"]</ref>.

After the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies]], [[Oswin Eriku]] is chosen to be this colony's representative to the [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum of Twelve]].

''[[Zephyr]]'', a passenger liner in the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]], was of Libran registry (SciFi.com).

===Notes===
* The Colony's actual name, '''Libran''', was not heard on screen until [[The Plan]] but could already be seen on a name plate in [[The Ties That Bind]] and [[A Disquiet Follows My Soul]]. Before that it was often called '''Libris''' in secondary publications.
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==Picon==
[[Image:ColonialColors2.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Picon]]
[[Image:Picon.png|thumb|left|Picon from orbit ([[The Plan]]).]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[wikipedia:Pisces (constellation)|Pisces]]

Picon was a turquoise planet, mainly covered by water and famous for its harbors ([[The Plan]]). After the Unification of the Twelve Colonies this world was the location of the [[Picon Fleet Headquarters|Colonial Fleet Headquarters]] ([[Miniseries]]). Picon was also the home of [[Picon Laboratories]], located in Pailyn, Muritolan.

The colony came under heavy attack during the early stages of the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies | Cylon attack]]. One of the last ships to leave the planet was the ''[[Rising Star (RDM) | Rising Star]]'', carrying many wounded people including an unconscious [[Ellen Tigh]] ([[The Plan]]).

The destruction of Picon's Fleet Headquarters caused President [[Richard Adar]] to offer a complete and unconditional surrender to the [[Cylons (RDM) | Cylons]]. This offer was ignored by the invading forces ([[Miniseries]]).

===Natives===

* [[Asha Janik]]
* [[Billy Keikeya | Billy Keikeya's]] family
* [[Playa Palacios]]

===Publications===
*''[[Picon Star Tribune]]''

===Pyramid Team===
* [[Picon Panthers]]
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==Sagittaron==

{{mainarticle|Sagittaron}}

[[Image:ColonialColors10.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Sagittaron]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[wikipedia:Sagittarius (constellation)|Sagittarius]]

Sagittaron was one of the poorest worlds of the Twelve Colonies ([[Bastille Day]]).

The Sagittarons were traditionalists who practiced a different form of religion from the other Colonials. They distrusted modern medicine and were generally unsupportive of the military ([[The Woman King]]).

The Planet endured centuries of exploitation at the hands of the other Colonies. Eventually, [[Tom Zarek]] led an organized series of terrorist acts against the established government there, many years before the [[Fall of the Colonies | fall of the Colonies]] ([[Bastille Day]]).

A few days after the Cylon attack, 5,251 people from this world resided in [[The Fleet (RDM) | the Fleet]] ([[33]]).

===Natives===

* [[Jacob Cantrell]]
* [[Anastasia Dualla]]
* [[Portia King | Portia]] and [[Willie King]]
* [[Clarice Willow]]
* [[Tom Zarek]]

===Notes===
* The colony's name was originally spelled as "Sagittar'''i'''on" in the [[Miniseries]], but this changed to Sagittaron when the regular series began.
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==Scorpia==
[[Image:ScorpionFleetShipyards1.jpg|thumb|left|Scorpia and and its shipyards from orbit ([[Razor]]).]]
[[Image:ColonialColors6.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Scorpia]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[wikipedia:Scorpius|Scorpio]]

Scorpia was known for its lush jungles ([[The Plan]]) and hot temperatures.

Before the [[First Cylon War]] one of the major leisure spots of the world was Argentum Bay, despite the colony's trashy reputation.<ref>[http://showblogs.syfy.com/caprican/entertainment/argentum-bay-the-ultimate-vernal-break.php ''The Caprican'' Article: "Argentum Bay: The Ultimate Vernal Break"]</ref>. The Planet was also apparently well-known for its [[Scorpia Paragliding | Paragliding]].

After the Unification, Scorpia was home to the [[Scorpion Fleet Shipyards|Scorpion Fleet Shipyards]]. This structure came under heavy fire during the initial [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies | Cylon attack]], destroying five ships and causing [[Pegasus (RDM) | another one]] to risk a blind jump in order to escape ([[Razor]]).

[[Eladio Puasha]] served as the planet's delegate to the first [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum of Twelve]] assembled after the Fall.
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==Tauron==

{{mainarticle|Tauron (RDM)}}

[[Image:ColonialColors4.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Tauron]]
[[Image:Tauron.png|thumb|left|Tauron from orbit ([[Razor]]).]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[wikipedia:Taurus (constellation)|Taurus]]

Tauron was a barren, arid planet that lacked any kind of flowers. However, it was well-known for its agriculture.

The Tauronese were known to be very traditional people, even speaking a very old and distinctive [[Language in the Twelve Colonies | language]].

Originally Tauron was one of the poorer Colonial worlds and the center of a [[Tauron Civil War|civil war]] a century before [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies | the Fall]]. A few years before the [[First Cylon War]], the crime syndicate [[Ha'la'tha]] had enormous influence over the planet, which even extended to other colonies, such as [[Caprica (RDM) | Caprica]] ([[Caprica pilot|Caprica Pilot]]).

During the War, the Tauron city of [[Hypatia]] was was the location of a [[Battle of Tauron | fierce and lossy battle]] against [[Cylons (RDM) | Cylon forces]] ([[Razor|Razor]], extended Edition).

After the War, Tauron was known to be a somewhat troublesome colony within the [[Government of the Twelve Colonies|federal system]] of the Colonies, often disobeying directives decided by the colonies and pushing their luck with the admiralty ([[Hero]]). Yet this world was counted among the wealthier of the twelve worlds ([[Dirty Hands]]).

===Natives===
* [[Joseph Adama | Joseph]] and [[Sam Adama]]
* [[Shannon Adama]] and her mother, [[Ruth]]
* [[Helena Cain]] and her murdered family
* [[Tomas Vergis]]

===Notes===
* The language of Tauron is remarkably similar to Ancient Greek that, thousands of years later, was spoken on [[Earth (RDM)#A New Earth | a planet]] on the other side of the galaxy.
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==Virgon==
[[Image:ColonialColors1.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Virgon]]
[[Image:Virgon.png|thumb|left|An urban centre on Virgon ([[The Plan]]).]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[wikipedia:Virgo (constellation)|Virgo]]

Virgon was well-known for its forests ([[The Plan]]) and considered to be one of the wealthier colonies ([[Dirty Hands]]).

[[Virgon Brew]] was a beer produced on the planet and exported to other Colonies ([[Maelstrom]]).

Soon after the beginning of the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies | Cylon attack]], the Colonials launched a counter-attack over Virgon. The battle ended with the destruction of the flagship battlestar ''[[Atlantia (RDM) | Atlantia]]'' and the resulting death of [[Nagala | Fleet Admiral Nagala]] ([[Miniseries]]).

[[Marshall Bagot]] was the Virgon delegate to the first [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum of Twelve]]. He nominated [[Tom Zarek]] for the vice-presidency ([[Colonial Day]]). In public ceremonies, the Virgon delegate wore a light blue sash.

=== Notes ===
* As an "Easter Egg" in [[The Plan]], the building on the lower left of the screen is the same one where the [[memoryalpha:Romulan Senate|Romulan Senate]] assembles in ''[[memoryalpha:Star Trek Nemesis|Star Trek Nemesis]]''. A detailed picture of this building is [[memoryalpha:File:Romulan senate building, 2379.jpg|available here]].
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== See Also==
*[[Colonial anthem]]
*[[Ithaca]]

==References==
<div style="font-size:85%"><references/></div>

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The Twelve Colonies of Kobol

2010-02-10T05:06:00Z

Blackcampbell: /* Notes */

:''This article discusses the Twelve Colonies of the [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|Re-imagined Series]]. See [[The Twelve Colonies (TOS)]] for information on the Colonies of the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|Original Series]].''

[[Image:Bsyashuman.jpg|thumb|Caprica, shortly before its downfall. ([[The Plan]])]]

The Twelve Colonies of Kobol were twelve distinct worlds, located in a remote part of their home galaxy. For about 2,000 years they were home to the human survivors of the Exodus of [[Kobol (RDM)|Kobol]].

After the settlement, the colonies slowly began to prosper and eventually gave birth to a race of cybernetic lifeforms, known as [[Cylons (RDM) | Cylons]]. Soon after their creation the Cylons raged a devastating war on their creators' home planets which ultimately led to the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies]].

Wasted and in ruins, the once prosperous home worlds of humanity were finally left to themselves. What became of them is unknown to their inhabitants' descendants.
{{RDM twelve colonies series}}

==Star System==
The Twelve Colonies of Kobol are located in the star system Cyrannus.<ref>''Battlestar Galactica: The Official Magazine''; "Encyclopedia Galactica"; issue #3; page 51</ref>

During the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies | Cylon attack]] one [[Hybrid]] indicates that the Colonies orbit three stars ([[The Plan]]). It is also known that at least some of the Colonies share their orbits ([[Caprica pilot|Caprica Pilot]], TV version).

While [[Elosha]] stated that the Tribes settled onto "twelve worlds", the exact definition of "world" remains ambiguous. Although the Colonies are defined as independent, habitable celestial bodies, it is not known, whether they only include major planets or other astronomical objects such as moons, minor planets or even asteroids.

Prior to their destruction, the Twelve Colonies had approximately 50 billion inhabitants ([[A Disquiet Follows My Soul]]).

===Notes===
* The fact, that the Colonies are located within one system originates from a [http://blog.scifi.com/battlestar/archives/2005/01/#a000016 blog entry] by Ronald D. Moore.
* Jane Espenson revealed on Twitter that the Colonies are within a star cluster and share some orbits. The latter fact was finally shown to be true in the TV version of the [[Caprica pilot#Differences between the DVD and TV Cut | series premiere]] of Caprica.
* The original Miniseries script stated a population of about 12 billion. The webisodes [[The Resistance]] stated the death of 20 billion people caused by the Cylons.

==History==
{{mainarticle|History of the Twelve Colonies}}
[[Image:Home pt1-Kobol.jpg|thumb|[[Kobol (RDM)|Kobol]], the ancient homeworld of humanity.]]
About 2,000 years prior to the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies]], the last twelve tribes of [[Kobol (RDM)|Kobol]] left their planet<ref>According to dialogue from "[[Torn]]", "[[A Measure of Salvation]]" and "[[The Eye of Jupiter]]", the [[Thirteenth Tribe (RDM)|Thirteenth Tribe]] left Kobol some 2,000 years ''before'' the twelve tribes. The Scroll of [[Pythia]] is dated as written 3,600 years before the last exodus of Kobol, and chronicles the Thirteenth Tribe's exodus.</ref> over conflicts with their [[Religion in the Twelve Colonies#The Lords of Kobol|gods]], as well as some sort of calamity<ref>As noted by [[Billy Keikeya]] in "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]]".</ref>.

The tribes settled on twelve worlds some distance away ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]]). The tribes' namesakes and icons originally corresponded to the twelve signs of the ancient tribes, although these [[wikipedia:Zodiac|names]] drifted over time<ref>Flag matches with Colonies from "Encyclopedia Galactica." [[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Magazine]]. Feb./Mar. 2006: 50-55.</ref> ([[Home, Part II]]).

The early Colonies lived (and fought) more as sovereign nations. Some (particularly [[Caprica (RDM) | Caprica]]) prospered, while others (such as [[Sagittaron]] and [[Aerilon]]) were often considered lessers. For peacetime labor forces as well as for wars between each other, humanity created the [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]]. When these [[Cylon Centurion Model 0005|early models]] rebelled, the Colonies unified their governments under the [[Articles of Colonization]] sometime before or during the [[Cylon War]] as a federal republic known as the '''Twelve Colonies of Kobol'''<ref>Note the difference between the name of the Original Series' counterpart, known as the [[The Twelve Colonies (TOS)|the Twelve Colonies of ''Man'']].</ref>.

The official symbol of the Twelve Colonies was the [[Colonial seal]].

===Downfall===
{{mainarticle|Fall of the Twelve Colonies}}
40 years after the end of the devastating war, the Cylons return and cause havoc among the twelve worlds of their creators ([[Miniseries]], [[The Plan]]). For some time the Colonies remain occupied by Cylon forces and a [[Caprica resistance | small group of human survivors]]. After nine months, humanity and the Cylons leave the twelve worlds for good ([[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]]).

Of the original 50 billion inhabitants, only about 55,000 survive the first days of the holocaust. Most of them leave the Colonies behind in two small [[The Fleet (RDM) | fugitive fleets]]. The fleet of the [[Battlestar (RDM) | battlestar]] ''[[Galactica (RDM) | Galactica]]'' eventually encounters both [[Kobol]], as well as the original Thirteenth Colony [[Earth (RDM) | Earth]]. Some time after that, and after the destruction of the [[The Colony | the Cylon home world]], they settle on a [[Earth (RDM)#A New Earth | beautiful, rich world]], leaving behind the baggage of their Colonial heritage. ([[Miniseries]], [[Razor]], [[Daybreak, Part II]])

===Fate===

The ultimate fate of the Twelve Colonies 150,000 years after [[The Fall]] is unknown. Presumably, after several hundred years, their climates and surfaces would degrade until they resembled the original [[Earth]].

It can be presumed that by the present-day radiation levels would have lowered past the point in which life would be allowed to flourish once again. However, little, if any traces would remain of the human civilizations that once thrived upon them, excluding remains in space, such as the remnants of [[Scorpion Fleet Shipyards]] or [[Ragnar Anchorage]].

==Aerilon==

{{mainarticle|Aerilon}}

[[Image:ColonialColors7.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Aerilon]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[wikipedia:Aries (constellation)|Aries]]

Aerilon was primarily an agricultural world. It was considered to be the "food basket" of the Twelve Colonies and ranked among its poorest members.

The mannerisms of Aerilon's natives were considered rough and rude, at least by [[Caprica (RDM) | Caprican]] standards. The people of this world also spoke with a distinctive accent that was quite hard to cover up ([[Dirty Hands]]).

One of the very last [[Pyramid (RDM) | Pyramid]] games occurred on Aerilon, right before the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies | Cylon attack]] ([[Resistance]]). A [[Lest We Forget | photograph]], showcasing the destruction of Aerilon's capital, became one of the most memorable documents of the Fall of the Twelve Colonies within [[The Fleet (RDM) | the Fleet]] ([[33]], deleted scene).

=== Natives ===

* [[Gaius Baltar | Gaius]] and [[Julius Baltar]]
* [[Sherry Bennett]]
* [[Sekou Hamilton]]
* [[Socinus]]

=== Notes ===
* On some occasions this colony's name was also spelled '''Aerelon'''. Battlestar Wiki uses the more commonly found '''Aerilon'''. There is a similar discrepancy in the pronunciation of the colony's name.
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==Aquaria==
[[Image:ColonialColors12.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Aquaria]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[wikipedia:Aquarius (constellation)|Aquarius]]

Aquaria was widely known for its vast oceans ([[The Plan]]).

Its first [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum of Twelve]] delegate within the [[The Fleet (RDM) | fugitive Fleet]], [[Miksa Burian]], voted for [[Tom Zarek]] in the vice-presidential elections ([[Colonial Day]]).

=== Notes ===
* On many occasions this colony's name was also spelled '''Aquarion'''. However, the name '''Aquaria''' was heard on screen during the Hybid's monologue in [[The Plan]]. The Twitter account for Serge, the robotic butler in Caprica, relates that Aquaria and Arelon are "located close to each other."
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==Canceron==
[[Image:ColonialColors9.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Canceron]]
[[Image:Canceron.png|thumb|left|Canceron from orbit ([[The Plan]]).]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[wikipedia:Cancer (constellation)|Cancer]]

The planet was well known for its beaches and had at least one large coastal metropolis.

One of the [[Luxury liner | passenger liners]] within [[The Fleet (RDM) | the fleet]], ''[[Pyxis]]'', was one of the last ships that escaped this world when the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies | Cylon attack]] began. Aboard was the [[Number Six]] copy [[Shelly Godfrey]] ([[The Plan]]).

[[Robin Wenutu]] is the Canceron delegate to the first [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum of Twelve]] after the Fall.
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==Caprica==
{{mainarticle|Caprica (RDM)}}
[[Image:ColonialColors3.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Caprica]]
[[Image:Caprica from Orbit.jpg|left|thumb|[[Caprica (RDM) | Caprica]] from orbit ([[Daybreak, Part I]]).]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[w:Capricornus|Capricorn]]

Caprica was a lush blue-green planet, covered by large oceans and continents. It shared its orbit with another arid and desertic world ([[Caprica pilot|Caprica Pilot]], TV version). Metropolitan areas on the planet included the capital [[Caprica City]], as well as [[Delphi]].

Caprica was regarded as the center of Colonial civilization, even long before the [[First Cylon War]]. [[Graystone Industries]] was one of the Colonies most influential technology developers and had a hand in creating the very [[U-87 | first Cylons]]. Some 60 years before [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies | the Fall]], Caprica was also plagued by [[Soldiers of the One | religious]] motivated terrorism ([[Caprica pilot|Caprica Pilot]]).

After the war, the planet was once again the seat of politics, culture, art, science, learning and even the Colonial government. It was also one of the wealthiest colonies ([[Epiphanies]], [[Dirty Hands]]).

During the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies | Cylon attack]] Caprica came under heavy bombardment by Cylon forces. At least four [[Battlestar (RDM) | battlestars]] were destroyed in its orbit and Caprica City was annihilated in a nuclear explosion ([[Miniseries]], [[The Plan]]).

After the Fall of Mankind, Caprica was occupied by [[Cylons (RDM) | Cylon forces]]. Some of the few remaining [[Caprica resistance | human survivors]] within the Colonies also fought on this world for several months ([[33]], [[Resistance]], [[The Plan]]). The occupation and resistance both ended roughly 9 months after the attack and the planet was left for good ([[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]]).

6,250 people from Caprica joined the [[Laura Roslin faction]] over [[Kobol (RDM) | Kobol]] ([[Home, Part I]]). The overall Caprican survivor population, possibly significantly greater, is unknown (see analysis [[The Fleet (RDM)#Demographics|here]]). The first [[Quorum of Twelve]] delegate after the Fall was [[Gaius Baltar]]. Years later this spot was taken by [[Lee Adama]].

===Natives===
* [[William Adama | William]], [[Tamara Adama | Tamara]], [[Zak Adama | Zak]] and [[Lee Adama]]
* [[Richard Adar]], presumed as he was also the mayor of Caprica City at one point
* [[Daniel Graystone | Daniel]], [[Amanda Graystone | Amanda]] and [[Zoe Graystone]]
* [[Lacy Rand]] and her family
* [[Laura Roslin | Laura]], [[Cheryl Roslin | Cheryl]] and [[Sandra Roslin]], as well as their parents
* [[Ben Stark]] and his mother, [[Natalie Stark | Natalie]]
* [[Kara Thrace | Kara]], [[Socrata Thrace | Socrata]] and (presumably) [[Dreilide Thrace]]

===Notes===
* Caprica was and continues to be the world most prominently depicted in the [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM) | re-imagined series' continuity]]. It wasn't until [[Razor]] that another of the Twelve Colonies was actually seen on screen. The Twitter page for Serge, the Graystones' robotic butler, relates that Caprica and Gemenon are "twin planets" with a barycentric orbit.
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==Gemenon==
[[Image:ColonialColors5.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Gemenon]]
[[Image:Gemenon.png|thumb|left|A suburb of Gememon during the Cylon attack ([[The Plan]]).]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[wikipedia:Gemini (constellation)|Gemini]]

Gemenon was one of the poorer colonies ([[Dirty Hands]]) and known for its religious fundamentalism. Before the [[First Cylon War]], Gemenon was also home to the Kobol Colleges and a monotheistic cult called "[[Soldiers of the One|The Soldiers of the One]]" ([[Caprica pilot|Caprica Pilot]]).

The Gemenese were known for their literal interpretations of the [[Sacred Scrolls]] ([[Fragged]]). Most of the population of Gemenon was apparently very strongly opposed to the federal laws legalizing abortion ([[The Captain's Hand]]).

The planet also had either an old or disused language, known as [[Language in the Twelve Colonies | Old Gemenese]].

Three months after [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies | the Fall]], approximately 9,500 Gemenese joined the [[Laura Roslin faction]] over [[Kobol]], apparently persuaded by the president's play of the "religious card" ([[Home, Part I]]). The large and devoted Gemenese population continued to be an important political factor within the [[The Fleet (RDM) | fugitive fleet]] ([[The Captain's Hand]]).

===Natives===
*[[Adrien Bauer]]
*[[Jurgen Belzen]] and his family
*[[Rya Kibby]]
*[[Romo Lampkin]]
*[[Sarah Porter]], former delegate to the [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum of Twelve]]
*Corporal [[Venner]]

===Notes===
* If the word "Inviere" (meaning "Resurrection") is any indication, Old Gemenese was probably similar to the Romanian language of [[Earth (RDM)#A New Earth | our Earth]]. The Twitter page for Serge, the Graystones' robotic butler, relates that Caprica and Gemenon are "twin planets" with a barycentric orbit.
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==Leonis==
[[Image:ColonialColors8.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Leonis]]
[[Image:Leonis.png|thumb|left|A Leonisian thoroughfare under Cylon assault ([[The Plan]]).]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[wikipedia:Leo (constellation)|Leo]]

Leonis was geographically known for its open plains ([[The Plan]]).

[[Leonis Estates Sparkling Wine]] was a type of alcohol produced on this colony.

[[Safiya Sanne]] was identified as both Leonis's and [[#Picon|Picon]]'s representative on the first [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum of Twelve]] after [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies | the Fall]].
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==Libran==
[[Image:ColonialColors11.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Libran]]
[[Image:Libran.png|thumb|left|One of Libran's famed courthouses ([[The Plan]]).]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[wikipedia:Libra (constellation)|Libra]]

Practically no information exists about this colony except that it was known for its courthouses and lawyers ([[The Plan]]). A major city on Libran was called Themis, and the colony had no official Pyramid team prior to the [[First Cylon War]]<ref>[http://showblogs.syfy.com/caprican/sports/libran-needs-a-pyramid-team-statim.php ''The Caprican'' Article: "Libran Needs a Pyramid Team Statim"]</ref>.

After the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies]], [[Oswin Eriku]] is chosen to be this colony's representative to the [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum of Twelve]].

''[[Zephyr]]'', a passenger liner in the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]], was of Libran registry (SciFi.com).

===Notes===
* The Colony's actual name, '''Libran''', was not heard on screen until [[The Plan]] but could already be seen on a name plate in [[The Ties That Bind]] and [[A Disquiet Follows My Soul]]. Before that it was often called '''Libris''' in secondary publications.
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==Picon==
[[Image:ColonialColors2.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Picon]]
[[Image:Picon.png|thumb|left|Picon from orbit ([[The Plan]]).]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[wikipedia:Pisces (constellation)|Pisces]]

Picon was a turquoise planet, mainly covered by water and famous for its harbors ([[The Plan]]). After the Unification of the Twelve Colonies this world was the location of the [[Picon Fleet Headquarters|Colonial Fleet Headquarters]] ([[Miniseries]]). Picon was also the home of [[Picon Laboratories]], located in Pailyn, Muritolan.

The colony came under heavy attack during the early stages of the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies | Cylon attack]]. One of the last ships to leave the planet was the ''[[Rising Star (RDM) | Rising Star]]'', carrying many wounded people including an unconscious [[Ellen Tigh]] ([[The Plan]]).

The destruction of Picon's Fleet Headquarters caused President [[Richard Adar]] to offer a complete and unconditional surrender to the [[Cylons (RDM) | Cylons]]. This offer was ignored by the invading forces ([[Miniseries]]).

===Natives===

* [[Asha Janik]]
* [[Billy Keikeya | Billy Keikeya's]] family
* [[Playa Palacios]]

===Publications===
*''[[Picon Star Tribune]]''

===Pyramid Team===
* [[Picon Panthers]]
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==Sagittaron==

{{mainarticle|Sagittaron}}

[[Image:ColonialColors10.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Sagittaron]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[wikipedia:Sagittarius (constellation)|Sagittarius]]

Sagittaron was one of the poorest worlds of the Twelve Colonies ([[Bastille Day]]).

The Sagittarons were traditionalists who practiced a different form of religion from the other Colonials. They distrusted modern medicine and were generally unsupportive of the military ([[The Woman King]]).

The Planet endured centuries of exploitation at the hands of the other Colonies. Eventually, [[Tom Zarek]] led an organized series of terrorist acts against the established government there, many years before the [[Fall of the Colonies | fall of the Colonies]] ([[Bastille Day]]).

A few days after the Cylon attack, 5,251 people from this world resided in [[The Fleet (RDM) | the Fleet]] ([[33]]).

===Natives===

* [[Jacob Cantrell]]
* [[Anastasia Dualla]]
* [[Portia King | Portia]] and [[Willie King]]
* [[Clarice Willow]]
* [[Tom Zarek]]

===Notes===
* The colony's name was originally spelled as "Sagittar'''i'''on" in the [[Miniseries]], but this changed to Sagittaron when the regular series began.
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==Scorpia==
[[Image:ScorpionFleetShipyards1.jpg|thumb|left|Scorpia and and its shipyards from orbit ([[Razor]]).]]
[[Image:ColonialColors6.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Scorpia]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[wikipedia:Scorpius|Scorpio]]

Scorpia was known for its lush jungles ([[The Plan]]) and hot temperatures.

Before the [[First Cylon War]] one of the major leisure spots of the world was Argentum Bay, despite the colony's trashy reputation.<ref>[http://showblogs.syfy.com/caprican/entertainment/argentum-bay-the-ultimate-vernal-break.php ''The Caprican'' Article: "Argentum Bay: The Ultimate Vernal Break"]</ref>. The Planet was also apparently well-known for its [[Scorpia Paragliding | Paragliding]].

After the Unification, Scorpia was home to the [[Scorpion Fleet Shipyards|Scorpion Fleet Shipyards]]. This structure came under heavy fire during the initial [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies | Cylon attack]], destroying five ships and causing [[Pegasus (RDM) | another one]] to risk a blind jump in order to escape ([[Razor]]).

[[Eladio Puasha]] served as the planet's delegate to the first [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum of Twelve]] assembled after the Fall.
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==Tauron==

{{mainarticle|Tauron (RDM)}}

[[Image:ColonialColors4.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Tauron]]
[[Image:Tauron.png|thumb|left|Tauron from orbit ([[Razor]]).]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[wikipedia:Taurus (constellation)|Taurus]]

Tauron was a barren, arid planet that lacked any kind of flowers. However, it was well-known for its agriculture.

The Tauronese were known to be very traditional people, even speaking a very old and distinctive [[Language in the Twelve Colonies | language]].

Originally Tauron was one of the poorer Colonial worlds and the center of a [[Tauron Civil War|civil war]] a century before [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies | the Fall]]. A few years before the [[First Cylon War]], the crime syndicate [[Ha'la'tha]] had enormous influence over the planet, which even extended to other colonies, such as [[Caprica (RDM) | Caprica]] ([[Caprica pilot|Caprica Pilot]]).

During the War, the Tauron city of [[Hypatia]] was was the location of a [[Battle of Tauron | fierce and lossy battle]] against [[Cylons (RDM) | Cylon forces]] ([[Razor|Razor]], extended Edition).

After the War, Tauron was known to be a somewhat troublesome colony within the [[Government of the Twelve Colonies|federal system]] of the Colonies, often disobeying directives decided by the colonies and pushing their luck with the admiralty ([[Hero]]). Yet this world was counted among the wealthier of the twelve worlds ([[Dirty Hands]]).

===Natives===
* [[Joseph Adama | Joseph]] and [[Sam Adama]]
* [[Shannon Adama]] and her mother, [[Ruth]]
* [[Helena Cain]] and her murdered family
* [[Tomas Vergis]]

===Notes===
* The language of Tauron is remarkably similar to Ancient Greek that, thousands of years later, was spoken on [[Earth (RDM)#A New Earth | a planet]] on the other side of the galaxy.
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==Virgon==
[[Image:ColonialColors1.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Virgon]]
[[Image:Virgon.png|thumb|left|An urban centre on Virgon ([[The Plan]]).]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[wikipedia:Virgo (constellation)|Virgo]]

Virgon was well-known for its forests ([[The Plan]]) and considered to be one of the wealthier colonies ([[Dirty Hands]]).

[[Virgon Brew]] was a beer produced on the planet and exported to other Colonies ([[Maelstrom]]).

Soon after the beginning of the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies | Cylon attack]], the Colonials launched a counter-attack over Virgon. The battle ended with the destruction of the flagship battlestar ''[[Atlantia (RDM) | Atlantia]]'' and the resulting death of [[Nagala | Fleet Admiral Nagala]] ([[Miniseries]]).

[[Marshall Bagot]] was the Virgon delegate to the first [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum of Twelve]]. He nominated [[Tom Zarek]] for the vice-presidency ([[Colonial Day]]). In public ceremonies, the Virgon delegate wore a light blue sash.

=== Notes ===
* As an "Easter Egg" in [[The Plan]], the building on the lower left of the screen is the same one where the [[memoryalpha:Romulan Senate|Romulan Senate]] assembles in ''[[memoryalpha:Star Trek Nemesis|Star Trek Nemesis]]''. A detailed picture of this building is [[memoryalpha:File:Romulan senate building, 2379.jpg|available here]].
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== See Also==
*[[Colonial anthem]]
*[[Ithaca]]

==References==
<div style="font-size:85%"><references/></div>

{{RDM Planets}}

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[[de:Die Zwölf Kolonien (RDM)]]
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The Twelve Colonies of Kobol

2010-02-10T05:05:16Z

Blackcampbell: /* Caprica */

:''This article discusses the Twelve Colonies of the [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|Re-imagined Series]]. See [[The Twelve Colonies (TOS)]] for information on the Colonies of the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|Original Series]].''

[[Image:Bsyashuman.jpg|thumb|Caprica, shortly before its downfall. ([[The Plan]])]]

The Twelve Colonies of Kobol were twelve distinct worlds, located in a remote part of their home galaxy. For about 2,000 years they were home to the human survivors of the Exodus of [[Kobol (RDM)|Kobol]].

After the settlement, the colonies slowly began to prosper and eventually gave birth to a race of cybernetic lifeforms, known as [[Cylons (RDM) | Cylons]]. Soon after their creation the Cylons raged a devastating war on their creators' home planets which ultimately led to the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies]].

Wasted and in ruins, the once prosperous home worlds of humanity were finally left to themselves. What became of them is unknown to their inhabitants' descendants.
{{RDM twelve colonies series}}

==Star System==
The Twelve Colonies of Kobol are located in the star system Cyrannus.<ref>''Battlestar Galactica: The Official Magazine''; "Encyclopedia Galactica"; issue #3; page 51</ref>

During the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies | Cylon attack]] one [[Hybrid]] indicates that the Colonies orbit three stars ([[The Plan]]). It is also known that at least some of the Colonies share their orbits ([[Caprica pilot|Caprica Pilot]], TV version).

While [[Elosha]] stated that the Tribes settled onto "twelve worlds", the exact definition of "world" remains ambiguous. Although the Colonies are defined as independent, habitable celestial bodies, it is not known, whether they only include major planets or other astronomical objects such as moons, minor planets or even asteroids.

Prior to their destruction, the Twelve Colonies had approximately 50 billion inhabitants ([[A Disquiet Follows My Soul]]).

===Notes===
* The fact, that the Colonies are located within one system originates from a [http://blog.scifi.com/battlestar/archives/2005/01/#a000016 blog entry] by Ronald D. Moore.
* Jane Espenson revealed on Twitter that the Colonies are within a star cluster and share some orbits. The latter fact was finally shown to be true in the TV version of the [[Caprica pilot#Differences between the DVD and TV Cut | series premiere]] of Caprica.
* The original Miniseries script stated a population of about 12 billion. The webisodes [[The Resistance]] stated the death of 20 billion people caused by the Cylons.

==History==
{{mainarticle|History of the Twelve Colonies}}
[[Image:Home pt1-Kobol.jpg|thumb|[[Kobol (RDM)|Kobol]], the ancient homeworld of humanity.]]
About 2,000 years prior to the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies]], the last twelve tribes of [[Kobol (RDM)|Kobol]] left their planet<ref>According to dialogue from "[[Torn]]", "[[A Measure of Salvation]]" and "[[The Eye of Jupiter]]", the [[Thirteenth Tribe (RDM)|Thirteenth Tribe]] left Kobol some 2,000 years ''before'' the twelve tribes. The Scroll of [[Pythia]] is dated as written 3,600 years before the last exodus of Kobol, and chronicles the Thirteenth Tribe's exodus.</ref> over conflicts with their [[Religion in the Twelve Colonies#The Lords of Kobol|gods]], as well as some sort of calamity<ref>As noted by [[Billy Keikeya]] in "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]]".</ref>.

The tribes settled on twelve worlds some distance away ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]]). The tribes' namesakes and icons originally corresponded to the twelve signs of the ancient tribes, although these [[wikipedia:Zodiac|names]] drifted over time<ref>Flag matches with Colonies from "Encyclopedia Galactica." [[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Magazine]]. Feb./Mar. 2006: 50-55.</ref> ([[Home, Part II]]).

The early Colonies lived (and fought) more as sovereign nations. Some (particularly [[Caprica (RDM) | Caprica]]) prospered, while others (such as [[Sagittaron]] and [[Aerilon]]) were often considered lessers. For peacetime labor forces as well as for wars between each other, humanity created the [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]]. When these [[Cylon Centurion Model 0005|early models]] rebelled, the Colonies unified their governments under the [[Articles of Colonization]] sometime before or during the [[Cylon War]] as a federal republic known as the '''Twelve Colonies of Kobol'''<ref>Note the difference between the name of the Original Series' counterpart, known as the [[The Twelve Colonies (TOS)|the Twelve Colonies of ''Man'']].</ref>.

The official symbol of the Twelve Colonies was the [[Colonial seal]].

===Downfall===
{{mainarticle|Fall of the Twelve Colonies}}
40 years after the end of the devastating war, the Cylons return and cause havoc among the twelve worlds of their creators ([[Miniseries]], [[The Plan]]). For some time the Colonies remain occupied by Cylon forces and a [[Caprica resistance | small group of human survivors]]. After nine months, humanity and the Cylons leave the twelve worlds for good ([[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]]).

Of the original 50 billion inhabitants, only about 55,000 survive the first days of the holocaust. Most of them leave the Colonies behind in two small [[The Fleet (RDM) | fugitive fleets]]. The fleet of the [[Battlestar (RDM) | battlestar]] ''[[Galactica (RDM) | Galactica]]'' eventually encounters both [[Kobol]], as well as the original Thirteenth Colony [[Earth (RDM) | Earth]]. Some time after that, and after the destruction of the [[The Colony | the Cylon home world]], they settle on a [[Earth (RDM)#A New Earth | beautiful, rich world]], leaving behind the baggage of their Colonial heritage. ([[Miniseries]], [[Razor]], [[Daybreak, Part II]])

===Fate===

The ultimate fate of the Twelve Colonies 150,000 years after [[The Fall]] is unknown. Presumably, after several hundred years, their climates and surfaces would degrade until they resembled the original [[Earth]].

It can be presumed that by the present-day radiation levels would have lowered past the point in which life would be allowed to flourish once again. However, little, if any traces would remain of the human civilizations that once thrived upon them, excluding remains in space, such as the remnants of [[Scorpion Fleet Shipyards]] or [[Ragnar Anchorage]].

==Aerilon==

{{mainarticle|Aerilon}}

[[Image:ColonialColors7.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Aerilon]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[wikipedia:Aries (constellation)|Aries]]

Aerilon was primarily an agricultural world. It was considered to be the "food basket" of the Twelve Colonies and ranked among its poorest members.

The mannerisms of Aerilon's natives were considered rough and rude, at least by [[Caprica (RDM) | Caprican]] standards. The people of this world also spoke with a distinctive accent that was quite hard to cover up ([[Dirty Hands]]).

One of the very last [[Pyramid (RDM) | Pyramid]] games occurred on Aerilon, right before the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies | Cylon attack]] ([[Resistance]]). A [[Lest We Forget | photograph]], showcasing the destruction of Aerilon's capital, became one of the most memorable documents of the Fall of the Twelve Colonies within [[The Fleet (RDM) | the Fleet]] ([[33]], deleted scene).

=== Natives ===

* [[Gaius Baltar | Gaius]] and [[Julius Baltar]]
* [[Sherry Bennett]]
* [[Sekou Hamilton]]
* [[Socinus]]

=== Notes ===
* On some occasions this colony's name was also spelled '''Aerelon'''. Battlestar Wiki uses the more commonly found '''Aerilon'''. There is a similar discrepancy in the pronunciation of the colony's name.
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==Aquaria==
[[Image:ColonialColors12.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Aquaria]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[wikipedia:Aquarius (constellation)|Aquarius]]

Aquaria was widely known for its vast oceans ([[The Plan]]).

Its first [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum of Twelve]] delegate within the [[The Fleet (RDM) | fugitive Fleet]], [[Miksa Burian]], voted for [[Tom Zarek]] in the vice-presidential elections ([[Colonial Day]]).

=== Notes ===
* On many occasions this colony's name was also spelled '''Aquarion'''. However, the name '''Aquaria''' was heard on screen during the Hybid's monologue in [[The Plan]]. The Twitter account for Serge, the robotic butler in Caprica, relates that Aquaria and Arelon are "located close to each other."
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==Canceron==
[[Image:ColonialColors9.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Canceron]]
[[Image:Canceron.png|thumb|left|Canceron from orbit ([[The Plan]]).]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[wikipedia:Cancer (constellation)|Cancer]]

The planet was well known for its beaches and had at least one large coastal metropolis.

One of the [[Luxury liner | passenger liners]] within [[The Fleet (RDM) | the fleet]], ''[[Pyxis]]'', was one of the last ships that escaped this world when the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies | Cylon attack]] began. Aboard was the [[Number Six]] copy [[Shelly Godfrey]] ([[The Plan]]).

[[Robin Wenutu]] is the Canceron delegate to the first [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum of Twelve]] after the Fall.
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==Caprica==
{{mainarticle|Caprica (RDM)}}
[[Image:ColonialColors3.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Caprica]]
[[Image:Caprica from Orbit.jpg|left|thumb|[[Caprica (RDM) | Caprica]] from orbit ([[Daybreak, Part I]]).]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[w:Capricornus|Capricorn]]

Caprica was a lush blue-green planet, covered by large oceans and continents. It shared its orbit with another arid and desertic world ([[Caprica pilot|Caprica Pilot]], TV version). Metropolitan areas on the planet included the capital [[Caprica City]], as well as [[Delphi]].

Caprica was regarded as the center of Colonial civilization, even long before the [[First Cylon War]]. [[Graystone Industries]] was one of the Colonies most influential technology developers and had a hand in creating the very [[U-87 | first Cylons]]. Some 60 years before [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies | the Fall]], Caprica was also plagued by [[Soldiers of the One | religious]] motivated terrorism ([[Caprica pilot|Caprica Pilot]]).

After the war, the planet was once again the seat of politics, culture, art, science, learning and even the Colonial government. It was also one of the wealthiest colonies ([[Epiphanies]], [[Dirty Hands]]).

During the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies | Cylon attack]] Caprica came under heavy bombardment by Cylon forces. At least four [[Battlestar (RDM) | battlestars]] were destroyed in its orbit and Caprica City was annihilated in a nuclear explosion ([[Miniseries]], [[The Plan]]).

After the Fall of Mankind, Caprica was occupied by [[Cylons (RDM) | Cylon forces]]. Some of the few remaining [[Caprica resistance | human survivors]] within the Colonies also fought on this world for several months ([[33]], [[Resistance]], [[The Plan]]). The occupation and resistance both ended roughly 9 months after the attack and the planet was left for good ([[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]]).

6,250 people from Caprica joined the [[Laura Roslin faction]] over [[Kobol (RDM) | Kobol]] ([[Home, Part I]]). The overall Caprican survivor population, possibly significantly greater, is unknown (see analysis [[The Fleet (RDM)#Demographics|here]]). The first [[Quorum of Twelve]] delegate after the Fall was [[Gaius Baltar]]. Years later this spot was taken by [[Lee Adama]].

===Natives===
* [[William Adama | William]], [[Tamara Adama | Tamara]], [[Zak Adama | Zak]] and [[Lee Adama]]
* [[Richard Adar]], presumed as he was also the mayor of Caprica City at one point
* [[Daniel Graystone | Daniel]], [[Amanda Graystone | Amanda]] and [[Zoe Graystone]]
* [[Lacy Rand]] and her family
* [[Laura Roslin | Laura]], [[Cheryl Roslin | Cheryl]] and [[Sandra Roslin]], as well as their parents
* [[Ben Stark]] and his mother, [[Natalie Stark | Natalie]]
* [[Kara Thrace | Kara]], [[Socrata Thrace | Socrata]] and (presumably) [[Dreilide Thrace]]

===Notes===
* Caprica was and continues to be the world most prominently depicted in the [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM) | re-imagined series' continuity]]. It wasn't until [[Razor]] that another of the Twelve Colonies was actually seen on screen. The Twitter page for Serge, the Graystones' robotic butler, relates that Caprica and Gemenon are "twin planets" with a barycentric orbit.
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==Gemenon==
[[Image:ColonialColors5.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Gemenon]]
[[Image:Gemenon.png|thumb|left|A suburb of Gememon during the Cylon attack ([[The Plan]]).]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[wikipedia:Gemini (constellation)|Gemini]]

Gemenon was one of the poorer colonies ([[Dirty Hands]]) and known for its religious fundamentalism. Before the [[First Cylon War]], Gemenon was also home to the Kobol Colleges and a monotheistic cult called "[[Soldiers of the One|The Soldiers of the One]]" ([[Caprica pilot|Caprica Pilot]]).

The Gemenese were known for their literal interpretations of the [[Sacred Scrolls]] ([[Fragged]]). Most of the population of Gemenon was apparently very strongly opposed to the federal laws legalizing abortion ([[The Captain's Hand]]).

The planet also had either an old or disused language, known as [[Language in the Twelve Colonies | Old Gemenese]].

Three months after [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies | the Fall]], approximately 9,500 Gemenese joined the [[Laura Roslin faction]] over [[Kobol]], apparently persuaded by the president's play of the "religious card" ([[Home, Part I]]). The large and devoted Gemenese population continued to be an important political factor within the [[The Fleet (RDM) | fugitive fleet]] ([[The Captain's Hand]]).

===Natives===
*[[Adrien Bauer]]
*[[Jurgen Belzen]] and his family
*[[Rya Kibby]]
*[[Romo Lampkin]]
*[[Sarah Porter]], former delegate to the [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum of Twelve]]
*Corporal [[Venner]]

===Notes===
* If the word "Inviere" (meaning "Resurrection") is any indication, Old Gemenese was probably similar to the Romanian language of [[Earth (RDM)#A New Earth | our Earth]].
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==Leonis==
[[Image:ColonialColors8.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Leonis]]
[[Image:Leonis.png|thumb|left|A Leonisian thoroughfare under Cylon assault ([[The Plan]]).]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[wikipedia:Leo (constellation)|Leo]]

Leonis was geographically known for its open plains ([[The Plan]]).

[[Leonis Estates Sparkling Wine]] was a type of alcohol produced on this colony.

[[Safiya Sanne]] was identified as both Leonis's and [[#Picon|Picon]]'s representative on the first [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum of Twelve]] after [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies | the Fall]].
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==Libran==
[[Image:ColonialColors11.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Libran]]
[[Image:Libran.png|thumb|left|One of Libran's famed courthouses ([[The Plan]]).]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[wikipedia:Libra (constellation)|Libra]]

Practically no information exists about this colony except that it was known for its courthouses and lawyers ([[The Plan]]). A major city on Libran was called Themis, and the colony had no official Pyramid team prior to the [[First Cylon War]]<ref>[http://showblogs.syfy.com/caprican/sports/libran-needs-a-pyramid-team-statim.php ''The Caprican'' Article: "Libran Needs a Pyramid Team Statim"]</ref>.

After the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies]], [[Oswin Eriku]] is chosen to be this colony's representative to the [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum of Twelve]].

''[[Zephyr]]'', a passenger liner in the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]], was of Libran registry (SciFi.com).

===Notes===
* The Colony's actual name, '''Libran''', was not heard on screen until [[The Plan]] but could already be seen on a name plate in [[The Ties That Bind]] and [[A Disquiet Follows My Soul]]. Before that it was often called '''Libris''' in secondary publications.
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==Picon==
[[Image:ColonialColors2.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Picon]]
[[Image:Picon.png|thumb|left|Picon from orbit ([[The Plan]]).]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[wikipedia:Pisces (constellation)|Pisces]]

Picon was a turquoise planet, mainly covered by water and famous for its harbors ([[The Plan]]). After the Unification of the Twelve Colonies this world was the location of the [[Picon Fleet Headquarters|Colonial Fleet Headquarters]] ([[Miniseries]]). Picon was also the home of [[Picon Laboratories]], located in Pailyn, Muritolan.

The colony came under heavy attack during the early stages of the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies | Cylon attack]]. One of the last ships to leave the planet was the ''[[Rising Star (RDM) | Rising Star]]'', carrying many wounded people including an unconscious [[Ellen Tigh]] ([[The Plan]]).

The destruction of Picon's Fleet Headquarters caused President [[Richard Adar]] to offer a complete and unconditional surrender to the [[Cylons (RDM) | Cylons]]. This offer was ignored by the invading forces ([[Miniseries]]).

===Natives===

* [[Asha Janik]]
* [[Billy Keikeya | Billy Keikeya's]] family
* [[Playa Palacios]]

===Publications===
*''[[Picon Star Tribune]]''

===Pyramid Team===
* [[Picon Panthers]]
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==Sagittaron==

{{mainarticle|Sagittaron}}

[[Image:ColonialColors10.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Sagittaron]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[wikipedia:Sagittarius (constellation)|Sagittarius]]

Sagittaron was one of the poorest worlds of the Twelve Colonies ([[Bastille Day]]).

The Sagittarons were traditionalists who practiced a different form of religion from the other Colonials. They distrusted modern medicine and were generally unsupportive of the military ([[The Woman King]]).

The Planet endured centuries of exploitation at the hands of the other Colonies. Eventually, [[Tom Zarek]] led an organized series of terrorist acts against the established government there, many years before the [[Fall of the Colonies | fall of the Colonies]] ([[Bastille Day]]).

A few days after the Cylon attack, 5,251 people from this world resided in [[The Fleet (RDM) | the Fleet]] ([[33]]).

===Natives===

* [[Jacob Cantrell]]
* [[Anastasia Dualla]]
* [[Portia King | Portia]] and [[Willie King]]
* [[Clarice Willow]]
* [[Tom Zarek]]

===Notes===
* The colony's name was originally spelled as "Sagittar'''i'''on" in the [[Miniseries]], but this changed to Sagittaron when the regular series began.
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==Scorpia==
[[Image:ScorpionFleetShipyards1.jpg|thumb|left|Scorpia and and its shipyards from orbit ([[Razor]]).]]
[[Image:ColonialColors6.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Scorpia]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[wikipedia:Scorpius|Scorpio]]

Scorpia was known for its lush jungles ([[The Plan]]) and hot temperatures.

Before the [[First Cylon War]] one of the major leisure spots of the world was Argentum Bay, despite the colony's trashy reputation.<ref>[http://showblogs.syfy.com/caprican/entertainment/argentum-bay-the-ultimate-vernal-break.php ''The Caprican'' Article: "Argentum Bay: The Ultimate Vernal Break"]</ref>. The Planet was also apparently well-known for its [[Scorpia Paragliding | Paragliding]].

After the Unification, Scorpia was home to the [[Scorpion Fleet Shipyards|Scorpion Fleet Shipyards]]. This structure came under heavy fire during the initial [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies | Cylon attack]], destroying five ships and causing [[Pegasus (RDM) | another one]] to risk a blind jump in order to escape ([[Razor]]).

[[Eladio Puasha]] served as the planet's delegate to the first [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum of Twelve]] assembled after the Fall.
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==Tauron==

{{mainarticle|Tauron (RDM)}}

[[Image:ColonialColors4.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Tauron]]
[[Image:Tauron.png|thumb|left|Tauron from orbit ([[Razor]]).]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[wikipedia:Taurus (constellation)|Taurus]]

Tauron was a barren, arid planet that lacked any kind of flowers. However, it was well-known for its agriculture.

The Tauronese were known to be very traditional people, even speaking a very old and distinctive [[Language in the Twelve Colonies | language]].

Originally Tauron was one of the poorer Colonial worlds and the center of a [[Tauron Civil War|civil war]] a century before [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies | the Fall]]. A few years before the [[First Cylon War]], the crime syndicate [[Ha'la'tha]] had enormous influence over the planet, which even extended to other colonies, such as [[Caprica (RDM) | Caprica]] ([[Caprica pilot|Caprica Pilot]]).

During the War, the Tauron city of [[Hypatia]] was was the location of a [[Battle of Tauron | fierce and lossy battle]] against [[Cylons (RDM) | Cylon forces]] ([[Razor|Razor]], extended Edition).

After the War, Tauron was known to be a somewhat troublesome colony within the [[Government of the Twelve Colonies|federal system]] of the Colonies, often disobeying directives decided by the colonies and pushing their luck with the admiralty ([[Hero]]). Yet this world was counted among the wealthier of the twelve worlds ([[Dirty Hands]]).

===Natives===
* [[Joseph Adama | Joseph]] and [[Sam Adama]]
* [[Shannon Adama]] and her mother, [[Ruth]]
* [[Helena Cain]] and her murdered family
* [[Tomas Vergis]]

===Notes===
* The language of Tauron is remarkably similar to Ancient Greek that, thousands of years later, was spoken on [[Earth (RDM)#A New Earth | a planet]] on the other side of the galaxy.
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==Virgon==
[[Image:ColonialColors1.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Virgon]]
[[Image:Virgon.png|thumb|left|An urban centre on Virgon ([[The Plan]]).]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[wikipedia:Virgo (constellation)|Virgo]]

Virgon was well-known for its forests ([[The Plan]]) and considered to be one of the wealthier colonies ([[Dirty Hands]]).

[[Virgon Brew]] was a beer produced on the planet and exported to other Colonies ([[Maelstrom]]).

Soon after the beginning of the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies | Cylon attack]], the Colonials launched a counter-attack over Virgon. The battle ended with the destruction of the flagship battlestar ''[[Atlantia (RDM) | Atlantia]]'' and the resulting death of [[Nagala | Fleet Admiral Nagala]] ([[Miniseries]]).

[[Marshall Bagot]] was the Virgon delegate to the first [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum of Twelve]]. He nominated [[Tom Zarek]] for the vice-presidency ([[Colonial Day]]). In public ceremonies, the Virgon delegate wore a light blue sash.

=== Notes ===
* As an "Easter Egg" in [[The Plan]], the building on the lower left of the screen is the same one where the [[memoryalpha:Romulan Senate|Romulan Senate]] assembles in ''[[memoryalpha:Star Trek Nemesis|Star Trek Nemesis]]''. A detailed picture of this building is [[memoryalpha:File:Romulan senate building, 2379.jpg|available here]].
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== See Also==
*[[Colonial anthem]]
*[[Ithaca]]

==References==
<div style="font-size:85%"><references/></div>

{{RDM Planets}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Twelve Colonies (RDM), The}}
[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Organizations]]
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[[Category:Planets| ]]
[[Category:Planets (RDM)]]
[[Category:Twelve Colonies| ]]
[[Category:RDM]]

{{quality article}}
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[[de:Die Zwölf Kolonien (RDM)]]
[[es:Las Doce Colonias (RDM)]]
[[fr:Les Douze Colonies (RDM)]]
[[zh:拾贰殖民地 (RDM)]]

The Twelve Colonies of Kobol

2010-02-10T05:01:46Z

Blackcampbell: /* Aquaria */

:''This article discusses the Twelve Colonies of the [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|Re-imagined Series]]. See [[The Twelve Colonies (TOS)]] for information on the Colonies of the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|Original Series]].''

[[Image:Bsyashuman.jpg|thumb|Caprica, shortly before its downfall. ([[The Plan]])]]

The Twelve Colonies of Kobol were twelve distinct worlds, located in a remote part of their home galaxy. For about 2,000 years they were home to the human survivors of the Exodus of [[Kobol (RDM)|Kobol]].

After the settlement, the colonies slowly began to prosper and eventually gave birth to a race of cybernetic lifeforms, known as [[Cylons (RDM) | Cylons]]. Soon after their creation the Cylons raged a devastating war on their creators' home planets which ultimately led to the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies]].

Wasted and in ruins, the once prosperous home worlds of humanity were finally left to themselves. What became of them is unknown to their inhabitants' descendants.
{{RDM twelve colonies series}}

==Star System==
The Twelve Colonies of Kobol are located in the star system Cyrannus.<ref>''Battlestar Galactica: The Official Magazine''; "Encyclopedia Galactica"; issue #3; page 51</ref>

During the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies | Cylon attack]] one [[Hybrid]] indicates that the Colonies orbit three stars ([[The Plan]]). It is also known that at least some of the Colonies share their orbits ([[Caprica pilot|Caprica Pilot]], TV version).

While [[Elosha]] stated that the Tribes settled onto "twelve worlds", the exact definition of "world" remains ambiguous. Although the Colonies are defined as independent, habitable celestial bodies, it is not known, whether they only include major planets or other astronomical objects such as moons, minor planets or even asteroids.

Prior to their destruction, the Twelve Colonies had approximately 50 billion inhabitants ([[A Disquiet Follows My Soul]]).

===Notes===
* The fact, that the Colonies are located within one system originates from a [http://blog.scifi.com/battlestar/archives/2005/01/#a000016 blog entry] by Ronald D. Moore.
* Jane Espenson revealed on Twitter that the Colonies are within a star cluster and share some orbits. The latter fact was finally shown to be true in the TV version of the [[Caprica pilot#Differences between the DVD and TV Cut | series premiere]] of Caprica.
* The original Miniseries script stated a population of about 12 billion. The webisodes [[The Resistance]] stated the death of 20 billion people caused by the Cylons.

==History==
{{mainarticle|History of the Twelve Colonies}}
[[Image:Home pt1-Kobol.jpg|thumb|[[Kobol (RDM)|Kobol]], the ancient homeworld of humanity.]]
About 2,000 years prior to the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies]], the last twelve tribes of [[Kobol (RDM)|Kobol]] left their planet<ref>According to dialogue from "[[Torn]]", "[[A Measure of Salvation]]" and "[[The Eye of Jupiter]]", the [[Thirteenth Tribe (RDM)|Thirteenth Tribe]] left Kobol some 2,000 years ''before'' the twelve tribes. The Scroll of [[Pythia]] is dated as written 3,600 years before the last exodus of Kobol, and chronicles the Thirteenth Tribe's exodus.</ref> over conflicts with their [[Religion in the Twelve Colonies#The Lords of Kobol|gods]], as well as some sort of calamity<ref>As noted by [[Billy Keikeya]] in "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]]".</ref>.

The tribes settled on twelve worlds some distance away ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]]). The tribes' namesakes and icons originally corresponded to the twelve signs of the ancient tribes, although these [[wikipedia:Zodiac|names]] drifted over time<ref>Flag matches with Colonies from "Encyclopedia Galactica." [[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Magazine]]. Feb./Mar. 2006: 50-55.</ref> ([[Home, Part II]]).

The early Colonies lived (and fought) more as sovereign nations. Some (particularly [[Caprica (RDM) | Caprica]]) prospered, while others (such as [[Sagittaron]] and [[Aerilon]]) were often considered lessers. For peacetime labor forces as well as for wars between each other, humanity created the [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]]. When these [[Cylon Centurion Model 0005|early models]] rebelled, the Colonies unified their governments under the [[Articles of Colonization]] sometime before or during the [[Cylon War]] as a federal republic known as the '''Twelve Colonies of Kobol'''<ref>Note the difference between the name of the Original Series' counterpart, known as the [[The Twelve Colonies (TOS)|the Twelve Colonies of ''Man'']].</ref>.

The official symbol of the Twelve Colonies was the [[Colonial seal]].

===Downfall===
{{mainarticle|Fall of the Twelve Colonies}}
40 years after the end of the devastating war, the Cylons return and cause havoc among the twelve worlds of their creators ([[Miniseries]], [[The Plan]]). For some time the Colonies remain occupied by Cylon forces and a [[Caprica resistance | small group of human survivors]]. After nine months, humanity and the Cylons leave the twelve worlds for good ([[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]]).

Of the original 50 billion inhabitants, only about 55,000 survive the first days of the holocaust. Most of them leave the Colonies behind in two small [[The Fleet (RDM) | fugitive fleets]]. The fleet of the [[Battlestar (RDM) | battlestar]] ''[[Galactica (RDM) | Galactica]]'' eventually encounters both [[Kobol]], as well as the original Thirteenth Colony [[Earth (RDM) | Earth]]. Some time after that, and after the destruction of the [[The Colony | the Cylon home world]], they settle on a [[Earth (RDM)#A New Earth | beautiful, rich world]], leaving behind the baggage of their Colonial heritage. ([[Miniseries]], [[Razor]], [[Daybreak, Part II]])

===Fate===

The ultimate fate of the Twelve Colonies 150,000 years after [[The Fall]] is unknown. Presumably, after several hundred years, their climates and surfaces would degrade until they resembled the original [[Earth]].

It can be presumed that by the present-day radiation levels would have lowered past the point in which life would be allowed to flourish once again. However, little, if any traces would remain of the human civilizations that once thrived upon them, excluding remains in space, such as the remnants of [[Scorpion Fleet Shipyards]] or [[Ragnar Anchorage]].

==Aerilon==

{{mainarticle|Aerilon}}

[[Image:ColonialColors7.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Aerilon]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[wikipedia:Aries (constellation)|Aries]]

Aerilon was primarily an agricultural world. It was considered to be the "food basket" of the Twelve Colonies and ranked among its poorest members.

The mannerisms of Aerilon's natives were considered rough and rude, at least by [[Caprica (RDM) | Caprican]] standards. The people of this world also spoke with a distinctive accent that was quite hard to cover up ([[Dirty Hands]]).

One of the very last [[Pyramid (RDM) | Pyramid]] games occurred on Aerilon, right before the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies | Cylon attack]] ([[Resistance]]). A [[Lest We Forget | photograph]], showcasing the destruction of Aerilon's capital, became one of the most memorable documents of the Fall of the Twelve Colonies within [[The Fleet (RDM) | the Fleet]] ([[33]], deleted scene).

=== Natives ===

* [[Gaius Baltar | Gaius]] and [[Julius Baltar]]
* [[Sherry Bennett]]
* [[Sekou Hamilton]]
* [[Socinus]]

=== Notes ===
* On some occasions this colony's name was also spelled '''Aerelon'''. Battlestar Wiki uses the more commonly found '''Aerilon'''. There is a similar discrepancy in the pronunciation of the colony's name.
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==Aquaria==
[[Image:ColonialColors12.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Aquaria]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[wikipedia:Aquarius (constellation)|Aquarius]]

Aquaria was widely known for its vast oceans ([[The Plan]]).

Its first [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum of Twelve]] delegate within the [[The Fleet (RDM) | fugitive Fleet]], [[Miksa Burian]], voted for [[Tom Zarek]] in the vice-presidential elections ([[Colonial Day]]).

=== Notes ===
* On many occasions this colony's name was also spelled '''Aquarion'''. However, the name '''Aquaria''' was heard on screen during the Hybid's monologue in [[The Plan]]. The Twitter account for Serge, the robotic butler in Caprica, relates that Aquaria and Arelon are "located close to each other."
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==Canceron==
[[Image:ColonialColors9.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Canceron]]
[[Image:Canceron.png|thumb|left|Canceron from orbit ([[The Plan]]).]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[wikipedia:Cancer (constellation)|Cancer]]

The planet was well known for its beaches and had at least one large coastal metropolis.

One of the [[Luxury liner | passenger liners]] within [[The Fleet (RDM) | the fleet]], ''[[Pyxis]]'', was one of the last ships that escaped this world when the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies | Cylon attack]] began. Aboard was the [[Number Six]] copy [[Shelly Godfrey]] ([[The Plan]]).

[[Robin Wenutu]] is the Canceron delegate to the first [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum of Twelve]] after the Fall.
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==Caprica==
{{mainarticle|Caprica (RDM)}}
[[Image:ColonialColors3.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Caprica]]
[[Image:Caprica from Orbit.jpg|left|thumb|[[Caprica (RDM) | Caprica]] from orbit ([[Daybreak, Part I]]).]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[w:Capricornus|Capricorn]]

Caprica was a lush blue-green planet, covered by large oceans and continents. It shared its orbit with another arid and desertic world ([[Caprica pilot|Caprica Pilot]], TV version). Metropolitan areas on the planet included the capital [[Caprica City]], as well as [[Delphi]].

Caprica was regarded as the center of Colonial civilization, even long before the [[First Cylon War]]. [[Graystone Industries]] was one of the Colonies most influential technology developers and had a hand in creating the very [[U-87 | first Cylons]]. Some 60 years before [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies | the Fall]], Caprica was also plagued by [[Soldiers of the One | religious]] motivated terrorism ([[Caprica pilot|Caprica Pilot]]).

After the war, the planet was once again the seat of politics, culture, art, science, learning and even the Colonial government. It was also one of the wealthiest colonies ([[Epiphanies]], [[Dirty Hands]]).

During the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies | Cylon attack]] Caprica came under heavy bombardment by Cylon forces. At least four [[Battlestar (RDM) | battlestars]] were destroyed in its orbit and Caprica City was annihilated in a nuclear explosion ([[Miniseries]], [[The Plan]]).

After the Fall of Mankind, Caprica was occupied by [[Cylons (RDM) | Cylon forces]]. Some of the few remaining [[Caprica resistance | human survivors]] within the Colonies also fought on this world for several months ([[33]], [[Resistance]], [[The Plan]]). The occupation and resistance both ended roughly 9 months after the attack and the planet was left for good ([[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]]).

6,250 people from Caprica joined the [[Laura Roslin faction]] over [[Kobol (RDM) | Kobol]] ([[Home, Part I]]). The overall Caprican survivor population, possibly significantly greater, is unknown (see analysis [[The Fleet (RDM)#Demographics|here]]). The first [[Quorum of Twelve]] delegate after the Fall was [[Gaius Baltar]]. Years later this spot was taken by [[Lee Adama]].

===Natives===
* [[William Adama | William]], [[Tamara Adama | Tamara]], [[Zak Adama | Zak]] and [[Lee Adama]]
* [[Richard Adar]], presumed as he was also the mayor of Caprica City at one point
* [[Daniel Graystone | Daniel]], [[Amanda Graystone | Amanda]] and [[Zoe Graystone]]
* [[Lacy Rand]] and her family
* [[Laura Roslin | Laura]], [[Cheryl Roslin | Cheryl]] and [[Sandra Roslin]], as well as their parents
* [[Ben Stark]] and his mother, [[Natalie Stark | Natalie]]
* [[Kara Thrace | Kara]], [[Socrata Thrace | Socrata]] and (presumably) [[Dreilide Thrace]]

===Notes===
* Caprica was and continues to be the world most prominently depicted in the [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM) | re-imagined series' continuity]]. It wasn't until [[Razor]] that another of the Twelve Colonies was actually seen on screen.
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==Gemenon==
[[Image:ColonialColors5.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Gemenon]]
[[Image:Gemenon.png|thumb|left|A suburb of Gememon during the Cylon attack ([[The Plan]]).]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[wikipedia:Gemini (constellation)|Gemini]]

Gemenon was one of the poorer colonies ([[Dirty Hands]]) and known for its religious fundamentalism. Before the [[First Cylon War]], Gemenon was also home to the Kobol Colleges and a monotheistic cult called "[[Soldiers of the One|The Soldiers of the One]]" ([[Caprica pilot|Caprica Pilot]]).

The Gemenese were known for their literal interpretations of the [[Sacred Scrolls]] ([[Fragged]]). Most of the population of Gemenon was apparently very strongly opposed to the federal laws legalizing abortion ([[The Captain's Hand]]).

The planet also had either an old or disused language, known as [[Language in the Twelve Colonies | Old Gemenese]].

Three months after [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies | the Fall]], approximately 9,500 Gemenese joined the [[Laura Roslin faction]] over [[Kobol]], apparently persuaded by the president's play of the "religious card" ([[Home, Part I]]). The large and devoted Gemenese population continued to be an important political factor within the [[The Fleet (RDM) | fugitive fleet]] ([[The Captain's Hand]]).

===Natives===
*[[Adrien Bauer]]
*[[Jurgen Belzen]] and his family
*[[Rya Kibby]]
*[[Romo Lampkin]]
*[[Sarah Porter]], former delegate to the [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum of Twelve]]
*Corporal [[Venner]]

===Notes===
* If the word "Inviere" (meaning "Resurrection") is any indication, Old Gemenese was probably similar to the Romanian language of [[Earth (RDM)#A New Earth | our Earth]].
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==Leonis==
[[Image:ColonialColors8.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Leonis]]
[[Image:Leonis.png|thumb|left|A Leonisian thoroughfare under Cylon assault ([[The Plan]]).]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[wikipedia:Leo (constellation)|Leo]]

Leonis was geographically known for its open plains ([[The Plan]]).

[[Leonis Estates Sparkling Wine]] was a type of alcohol produced on this colony.

[[Safiya Sanne]] was identified as both Leonis's and [[#Picon|Picon]]'s representative on the first [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum of Twelve]] after [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies | the Fall]].
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==Libran==
[[Image:ColonialColors11.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Libran]]
[[Image:Libran.png|thumb|left|One of Libran's famed courthouses ([[The Plan]]).]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[wikipedia:Libra (constellation)|Libra]]

Practically no information exists about this colony except that it was known for its courthouses and lawyers ([[The Plan]]). A major city on Libran was called Themis, and the colony had no official Pyramid team prior to the [[First Cylon War]]<ref>[http://showblogs.syfy.com/caprican/sports/libran-needs-a-pyramid-team-statim.php ''The Caprican'' Article: "Libran Needs a Pyramid Team Statim"]</ref>.

After the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies]], [[Oswin Eriku]] is chosen to be this colony's representative to the [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum of Twelve]].

''[[Zephyr]]'', a passenger liner in the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]], was of Libran registry (SciFi.com).

===Notes===
* The Colony's actual name, '''Libran''', was not heard on screen until [[The Plan]] but could already be seen on a name plate in [[The Ties That Bind]] and [[A Disquiet Follows My Soul]]. Before that it was often called '''Libris''' in secondary publications.
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==Picon==
[[Image:ColonialColors2.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Picon]]
[[Image:Picon.png|thumb|left|Picon from orbit ([[The Plan]]).]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[wikipedia:Pisces (constellation)|Pisces]]

Picon was a turquoise planet, mainly covered by water and famous for its harbors ([[The Plan]]). After the Unification of the Twelve Colonies this world was the location of the [[Picon Fleet Headquarters|Colonial Fleet Headquarters]] ([[Miniseries]]). Picon was also the home of [[Picon Laboratories]], located in Pailyn, Muritolan.

The colony came under heavy attack during the early stages of the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies | Cylon attack]]. One of the last ships to leave the planet was the ''[[Rising Star (RDM) | Rising Star]]'', carrying many wounded people including an unconscious [[Ellen Tigh]] ([[The Plan]]).

The destruction of Picon's Fleet Headquarters caused President [[Richard Adar]] to offer a complete and unconditional surrender to the [[Cylons (RDM) | Cylons]]. This offer was ignored by the invading forces ([[Miniseries]]).

===Natives===

* [[Asha Janik]]
* [[Billy Keikeya | Billy Keikeya's]] family
* [[Playa Palacios]]

===Publications===
*''[[Picon Star Tribune]]''

===Pyramid Team===
* [[Picon Panthers]]
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==Sagittaron==

{{mainarticle|Sagittaron}}

[[Image:ColonialColors10.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Sagittaron]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[wikipedia:Sagittarius (constellation)|Sagittarius]]

Sagittaron was one of the poorest worlds of the Twelve Colonies ([[Bastille Day]]).

The Sagittarons were traditionalists who practiced a different form of religion from the other Colonials. They distrusted modern medicine and were generally unsupportive of the military ([[The Woman King]]).

The Planet endured centuries of exploitation at the hands of the other Colonies. Eventually, [[Tom Zarek]] led an organized series of terrorist acts against the established government there, many years before the [[Fall of the Colonies | fall of the Colonies]] ([[Bastille Day]]).

A few days after the Cylon attack, 5,251 people from this world resided in [[The Fleet (RDM) | the Fleet]] ([[33]]).

===Natives===

* [[Jacob Cantrell]]
* [[Anastasia Dualla]]
* [[Portia King | Portia]] and [[Willie King]]
* [[Clarice Willow]]
* [[Tom Zarek]]

===Notes===
* The colony's name was originally spelled as "Sagittar'''i'''on" in the [[Miniseries]], but this changed to Sagittaron when the regular series began.
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==Scorpia==
[[Image:ScorpionFleetShipyards1.jpg|thumb|left|Scorpia and and its shipyards from orbit ([[Razor]]).]]
[[Image:ColonialColors6.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Scorpia]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[wikipedia:Scorpius|Scorpio]]

Scorpia was known for its lush jungles ([[The Plan]]) and hot temperatures.

Before the [[First Cylon War]] one of the major leisure spots of the world was Argentum Bay, despite the colony's trashy reputation.<ref>[http://showblogs.syfy.com/caprican/entertainment/argentum-bay-the-ultimate-vernal-break.php ''The Caprican'' Article: "Argentum Bay: The Ultimate Vernal Break"]</ref>. The Planet was also apparently well-known for its [[Scorpia Paragliding | Paragliding]].

After the Unification, Scorpia was home to the [[Scorpion Fleet Shipyards|Scorpion Fleet Shipyards]]. This structure came under heavy fire during the initial [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies | Cylon attack]], destroying five ships and causing [[Pegasus (RDM) | another one]] to risk a blind jump in order to escape ([[Razor]]).

[[Eladio Puasha]] served as the planet's delegate to the first [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum of Twelve]] assembled after the Fall.
<div style="clear:both;"></div>
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==Tauron==

{{mainarticle|Tauron (RDM)}}

[[Image:ColonialColors4.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Tauron]]
[[Image:Tauron.png|thumb|left|Tauron from orbit ([[Razor]]).]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[wikipedia:Taurus (constellation)|Taurus]]

Tauron was a barren, arid planet that lacked any kind of flowers. However, it was well-known for its agriculture.

The Tauronese were known to be very traditional people, even speaking a very old and distinctive [[Language in the Twelve Colonies | language]].

Originally Tauron was one of the poorer Colonial worlds and the center of a [[Tauron Civil War|civil war]] a century before [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies | the Fall]]. A few years before the [[First Cylon War]], the crime syndicate [[Ha'la'tha]] had enormous influence over the planet, which even extended to other colonies, such as [[Caprica (RDM) | Caprica]] ([[Caprica pilot|Caprica Pilot]]).

During the War, the Tauron city of [[Hypatia]] was was the location of a [[Battle of Tauron | fierce and lossy battle]] against [[Cylons (RDM) | Cylon forces]] ([[Razor|Razor]], extended Edition).

After the War, Tauron was known to be a somewhat troublesome colony within the [[Government of the Twelve Colonies|federal system]] of the Colonies, often disobeying directives decided by the colonies and pushing their luck with the admiralty ([[Hero]]). Yet this world was counted among the wealthier of the twelve worlds ([[Dirty Hands]]).

===Natives===
* [[Joseph Adama | Joseph]] and [[Sam Adama]]
* [[Shannon Adama]] and her mother, [[Ruth]]
* [[Helena Cain]] and her murdered family
* [[Tomas Vergis]]

===Notes===
* The language of Tauron is remarkably similar to Ancient Greek that, thousands of years later, was spoken on [[Earth (RDM)#A New Earth | a planet]] on the other side of the galaxy.
<br style="clear:both;">

==Virgon==
[[Image:ColonialColors1.png|thumb|100px|right|Colors and symbol of Virgon]]
[[Image:Virgon.png|thumb|left|An urban centre on Virgon ([[The Plan]]).]]
'''Ancient Name''': [[wikipedia:Virgo (constellation)|Virgo]]

Virgon was well-known for its forests ([[The Plan]]) and considered to be one of the wealthier colonies ([[Dirty Hands]]).

[[Virgon Brew]] was a beer produced on the planet and exported to other Colonies ([[Maelstrom]]).

Soon after the beginning of the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies | Cylon attack]], the Colonials launched a counter-attack over Virgon. The battle ended with the destruction of the flagship battlestar ''[[Atlantia (RDM) | Atlantia]]'' and the resulting death of [[Nagala | Fleet Admiral Nagala]] ([[Miniseries]]).

[[Marshall Bagot]] was the Virgon delegate to the first [[Quorum of Twelve (RDM)|Quorum of Twelve]]. He nominated [[Tom Zarek]] for the vice-presidency ([[Colonial Day]]). In public ceremonies, the Virgon delegate wore a light blue sash.

=== Notes ===
* As an "Easter Egg" in [[The Plan]], the building on the lower left of the screen is the same one where the [[memoryalpha:Romulan Senate|Romulan Senate]] assembles in ''[[memoryalpha:Star Trek Nemesis|Star Trek Nemesis]]''. A detailed picture of this building is [[memoryalpha:File:Romulan senate building, 2379.jpg|available here]].
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== See Also==
*[[Colonial anthem]]
*[[Ithaca]]

==References==
<div style="font-size:85%"><references/></div>

{{RDM Planets}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Twelve Colonies (RDM), The}}
[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Organizations]]
[[Category:Places]]
[[Category:Planets| ]]
[[Category:Planets (RDM)]]
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{{quality article}}
{{featured article}}

[[de:Die Zwölf Kolonien (RDM)]]
[[es:Las Doce Colonias (RDM)]]
[[fr:Les Douze Colonies (RDM)]]
[[zh:拾贰殖民地 (RDM)]]