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Kobol (TOS): Difference between revisions

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: ''For information on the Kobol of the [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|Re-imagined Series]], see [[Kobol (RDM)]].''
{{disline|For information on the Kobol of the [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|Re-imagined Series]], see [[Kobol (RDM)]]. For more general information on the planet, see [[Kobol]].}}


'''Kobol''' is the ancestral homeworld for humanity in the original ''[[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|Battlestar Galactica]]'' saga. An unexplained event or environmental catastrophe causes humanity to leave Kobol and settle on the planets that form their new homeworlds known as the Twelve Colonies.
[[Image:BattleofKobol.jpg|thumb|right|The tombs of the [[Lords of Kobol]] {{OS|Lost Planet of the Gods, Part II}}.]]


==Kobol in the Original Series==
'''Kobol''' is the ancestral homeworld for humanity located in the {{TOS|Cyrannus|Cyrannus galaxy}}. An unexplained event or environmental catastrophe causes humanity to leave Kobol and settle on the planets that form their new homeworlds known as the Twelve Colonies. During the migration, twelve tribes set out for the stars and became lost in [[magnetic void|a starless void]] before stumbling upon the worlds that would become [[The Twelve Colonies of Man]], while the {{TOS|Thirteenth Tribe}} headed for a world called "{{TOS|Earth}}."


[[Image:BattleofKobol.jpg|thumb|left|The tombs of the Lords of Kobol as seen in the Original Series.]]
Kobol is located in a quadrant of space known to the Colonials as [[Epsilon Quadrant]] {{OS|Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I}}, approximately one to three [[parsec]]s from its star, according to Commander {{TOS|Adama}} of ''{{TOS|Galactica}}'' {{OS|Lost Planet of the Gods, Part II}}).


Kobol is located in a quadrant of space known to the Colonials as [[Epsilon Quadrant]] ([[Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I]]), approximately one to three [[parsec]]s from its star.
Kobol is rediscovered by chance during the exodus from the Twelve Colonies, following reports of a [[magnetic void]] that Adama recalls from the [[Book of the Word]]. A team from the battlestar arrives among the ruins<ref>Eden's appearance is obviously based on the [[Wikipedia:Egyptian pyramids|pyramids of Giza]] of the real-world Earth. The Original Series used Egyptian themes in several episodes.</ref> of [[Eden]], the planet's largest city, seeking to enter the tomb of the [[Ninth Lord of Kobol]] in order to find clues as to the route taken by the Thirteenth Tribe. A [[Cylon]] attack ultimately prevents them from doing so {{OS|Lost Planet of the Gods, Part II}}.


In the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|Original Series]], Kobol was the mother world where mankind originated. An ecological / environmental disaster led to humanity's migration. During the migration, twelve tribes set out for the stars, but became lost in a starless void before stumbling into the worlds that would become the new [[The Twelve Colonies (TOS)|Twelve Colonies of Man]], while the [[Thirteenth Tribe]] headed for a world called "[[Earth (TOS)|Earth]]."
== Notes ==


Kobol is rediscovered in the two-part episode, "[[Lost Planet of the Gods, Part II|Lost Planet of the Gods]]." A team from ''[[Galactica (TOS)|Galactica]]'' arrives among the ruins<ref>Eden's appearance is obviously based on the [[Wikipedia:Egyptian pyramids|pyramids of Giza]] of the real-world Earth. The Original Series used Egyptian themes in several episodes.</ref> of [[Eden]], the planet's largest city, seeking to enter the tomb of the [[Ninth Lord of Kobol]] in order to find clues as to the route taken by the Thirteeth Tribe. A [[Cylon]] attack ultimately prevents them from doing so.
* ''According to ''[[Encyclopedia Galactica]]'' (a non-canonical piece of merchandise published in 1979):''
<div style="clear: both;"></div>
: In attempting to prove the truth behind the [[Book of the Word]], a holy scripture in Colonial society, many Colonials have attempted to link the sudden appearance of the pyramids on Kobol to the contact of a superior civilization (i.e. [[Beings of Light]]). However, the weight of evidence to the contrary supports a belief that Kobol's humans had been "fully capable of achieving their high civilization" without external aid.<ref>{{cite_book|last=Kraus|first=Bruce|authorlink=|authorlinkurl=|coauthors=|year=1979|title=[[Encyclopedia Galactica]]|publisher=|location=|id=|pages=21-22}}</ref>


==Etymology of "Kobol"==
* Possibly because the series-bible was not fully planned during script-writing, during [[Saga of a Star World]], [[Serina]] mentions that the Armistice talks are happening, "at this very moment on the Star Kobol," which implies specific knowledge of where Kobol is, rather than stumbling upon it.  
"Kobol" originally appears to have derived from "Kolob" which, according to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_articles_about_Mormonism Mormon] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Abraham Book of Abraham] is the "star nearest unto God". [[Glen A. Larson]], creator of the Original Series, is a member of the of the [[Wikipedia:Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints|Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]]. As such, he used Mormon imagery within the show, together with elements of Egyptian imagery that tend to reflect the time of [[Wikipedia:Abraham|Abraham]] and the Israelites.  The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Abraham Book of Abraham] also claims that Abraham taught the Egyptians astronomy and that Kolob is the central star of the universe and thus controls the revolutions of all other stars and planets.  The connection seems to come from Kolob/Kobol as the (so to speak) "original starting point".


Kobol could also have been derived from the Greek word ''Kobalos'', meaning  "mine or source." The name may suggest that Kobol was originally a planet with a wealth of natural resources.
==See Also==


* [[Kobol]], for similarities between the Original and Re-imagined Series and the etymology of the planet's name.


==Similarities of Kobol between Original and Re-imagined Series==
==References==
 
{{reflist}}
*It is believed to be the original home of humanity
*It is found by chance by both Fleets
*A world catastrophe or internal strife forces humanity to leave the planet
*A tomb holds the key to the location of Earth
**[[Ninth Lord of Kobol]] - "[[Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I]]"
**[[Tomb of Athena]] - "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]]"
*Special keys are needed to open or access the secrets of the tomb
**[[Adama's Medallion]]
**The [[Arrow of Apollo]]
*The Colonials encounter Cylons on and around the planet during their quests


==References==
{{Planets (TOS)}}
<div style="font-size:85%"><references/></div>


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Latest revision as of 04:26, 22 February 2024


The tombs of the Lords of Kobol (TOS: "Lost Planet of the Gods, Part II").

Kobol is the ancestral homeworld for humanity located in the Cyrannus galaxy. An unexplained event or environmental catastrophe causes humanity to leave Kobol and settle on the planets that form their new homeworlds known as the Twelve Colonies. During the migration, twelve tribes set out for the stars and became lost in a starless void before stumbling upon the worlds that would become The Twelve Colonies of Man, while the Thirteenth Tribe headed for a world called "Earth."

Kobol is located in a quadrant of space known to the Colonials as Epsilon Quadrant (TOS: "Lost Planet of the Gods, Part I"), approximately one to three parsecs from its star, according to Commander Adama of Galactica (TOS: "Lost Planet of the Gods, Part II")).

Kobol is rediscovered by chance during the exodus from the Twelve Colonies, following reports of a magnetic void that Adama recalls from the Book of the Word. A team from the battlestar arrives among the ruins[1] of Eden, the planet's largest city, seeking to enter the tomb of the Ninth Lord of Kobol in order to find clues as to the route taken by the Thirteenth Tribe. A Cylon attack ultimately prevents them from doing so (TOS: "Lost Planet of the Gods, Part II").

Notes[edit]

In attempting to prove the truth behind the Book of the Word, a holy scripture in Colonial society, many Colonials have attempted to link the sudden appearance of the pyramids on Kobol to the contact of a superior civilization (i.e. Beings of Light). However, the weight of evidence to the contrary supports a belief that Kobol's humans had been "fully capable of achieving their high civilization" without external aid.[2]
  • Possibly because the series-bible was not fully planned during script-writing, during Saga of a Star World, Serina mentions that the Armistice talks are happening, "at this very moment on the Star Kobol," which implies specific knowledge of where Kobol is, rather than stumbling upon it.

See Also[edit]

  • Kobol, for similarities between the Original and Re-imagined Series and the etymology of the planet's name.

References[edit]

  1. Eden's appearance is obviously based on the pyramids of Giza of the real-world Earth. The Original Series used Egyptian themes in several episodes.
  2. Kraus, Bruce (1979). Encyclopedia Galactica, p. 21-22.