Timeline (TOS)

The timeline below chronicles the events depicted in the classic Battlestar Galactica series.

It does not include the sequel series Galactica 1980, which many fans, and Glen A. Larson himself, no longer recognize as part of "official" continuity. Nor does this timeline include the reimagined series or any of the novels or comics.

The timeline is given in yahrens, the classic series word for "years." The date around which the timeline revolves is 7322, the only date given in the series, and one from the Colonial calendar. This was the yahren when the Cylons attacked Umbra on Caprica - as mentioned in "The Man with Nine Lives"

Many millenia ago, on Kobol

The beings who later appear to the Galacticans aboard the "Ships of Lights", intervene at the beginning of human development on the planet that would come to be known as Kobol. Adama refers to these beings as the "Mother Race." ("War of the Gods")

Yahren 1

The date from which the Colonial calendar starts.

c. 1348

The beginning of recorded human history on Kobol. (6000 yahrens before "Saga of a Star World" - the episode set just before the seventh millennium of recorded time).

Ancient Civilization of Kobol

A series of great rulers, the Lords of Kobol, come to rule the planet.

Human civilization achieves great heights, including the creation of pyramids and the invention of interstellar travel.

Environmental disaster ensued. "..Incredible waste occurred. The rivers and oceans were contaminated. The skies couldn't support even the heartiest of creatures." -Adama, "Lost Planet of the Gods" (telemovie only).

Ultimately, the planet begins to decay. City by city the civilization falls. The largest city, Eden, was the first to fall. It was likely there that the Ninth and final Lord of Kobol was entombed. ("Lost Planet of the Gods")

The Exodus

(year undetermined)

After their home planet was known to be doomed, the people set forth across a great void which seemed endless until a bright shining star appeared as if from nowhere and guided them to safety. - The Book of the Word. ("Lost Planet of the Gods")

The original 13 tribes leave Kobol and head out into space. Twelve of the tribes settle near each other on a series of planets that became known as the Twelve colonies. The remaining Thirteenth Tribe heads to Earth.

The twelve colonies were named as follows: Caprica, Gemoni, Canceria, Piscon, Sagitara, Leo, Libra, Aquaria, Virgon, Aeriana, Taura, Scorpio. (Official Battlestar Galactica scrapbook, p. 14).

"And when they settled the Colonies, they turned on the very technology that could have saved them had they used it properly. They destroyed the ships, the machines, everything." - Adama, "Lost Planet of the Gods" (telemovie only).

On Earth, the thirteenth colony is established. This is apparently the beginning of human life on Earth. These visitors influence several great ancient Earth cultures. These likely included the civilizations of the Toltecs, Egyptians and Mayans as well as possibly those of the lost continents of Lemuria and Atlantis.

c. 5348

The Twelve Colonies begin to re-establish their space travel capabilities. At this time, the Colonials were using sub light craft reminiscent of the early space vehicles launched from Earth in the 1960s and 70s. ("Hand of God") "It took them hundreds of yahrens to revive even the most primitive crafts." - Adama, "Lost Planet of the Gods" (telemovie only).

c. 6348

Just prior to 6348 the Cylons, a humanoid race, are taken over by their robot slaves. A machine ruler, known as the Imperious Leader, comes to rule the Cylon Empire. Count Iblis may have provided the voice for the Imperious Leader at the time of his assembly. ("War of the Gods")

Also around 6348, the Cylons attack the Hasaris, whose territory neighbors the Colonies. The Colonies intervene in the conflict between the Cylons and the Hasaris, and the Thousand-Yahren War begins between the Colonies and the Cylon Empire. ("Saga of a Star World")

c. 6848

The Galactica is first launched. Back then, the celestial chambers on the Galactica were used to confirm navigational headings. (500 yahrens before "Hand of God")

prior to 7248

Adama is born. He reveals he is over a hundred yahrens old in "Lost Planet of the Gods".

7315

Apollo is born on Caprica to Adama and Ilya.

Starbuck is born on Caprica. His father is Chameleon.

(based on the age of Richard Hatch and Dirk Benedict at the time of filming - 33).

7322

After one of the first Cylon attacks on Caprica, the people of the farm village of Umbra are scattered. One of the members of the community, Chameleon, is separated from his son, Starbuck. Starbuck is later found alone at the edge of the Thorn Forest and is presumed to have been orphaned. ("The Man With Nine Lives") At this time, Starbuck was the same age Boxey was during the series - that is, seven yahrens old.

The date of the attack was given in the episode.

7341

Boxey is born to Serina in the Colonies. (Based on Noah Hathaway's age at the time of filming - seven).

7346

The Fifth Fleet engages the Cylons at the Battle of Molecay. The Battlestar Pegasus is the only Colonial vessel to survive. Commander Cain, realizing there will be Cylons lying in wait along the entire route back to the colonies, orders the Pegasus out into deep space. (2 yahrens before "The Living Legend")

c. 7347

The Pegasus heads out into deep space, eventually winding up in the Delphian Empire, which is in the process of falling to the Cylons. ("The Living Legend")

7348

Destruction of the Colonies, (just before the 7th millennium of recorded time) and the end of the Thousand Yahren War. ("Saga of a Star World")

Battlestar Galactica series takes place.

Episode "Saga of a Star World."

To replace the warriors lost in the Destruction, Adama opens the shuttle pilot training program to civilians from the Fleet. Serina joins the service and begins training, but keeps this secret from Apollo.

Cassiopeia joins the Colonial service and is given a posting as a nurse on the Galactica, serving under Dr. Salik.

Episode "Lost Planet of the Gods."

Episode "The Lost Warrior."

Episode "The Long Patrol."

Episode "Gun on Ice Planet Zero."

Episode "The Magnificent Warriors."

Episode "The Young Lords."

Episode "The Living Legend, Part I."

Episode "The Living Legend, Part II."

The viper squadrons of the Galactica are rearranged to accomodate the new Viper pilots from the Pegasus. Silver Spar squadron is reformed as a Galactica squadron under the command of Sheba.

Episode "Fire in Space."

Episode "War of the Gods."

Episode "The Man with Nine Lives."

Episode "Murder on the Rising Star."

Episode "Greetings from Earth."

Episode "Baltar's Escape."

Episode "Experiment in Terra."

Episode "Take the Celestra."

Episode "The Hand of God."

(Somehow, a signal from Earth from the year 1969 reaches the Galactica during this episode, which would seem to indicate that these events are occurring sometime after the Earth year 1969.)

After "The Hand of God" it is likely Adama kept his agreement, and stranded Baltar on a habitable planet. (conjecture)

7349

The journey continues..

In the base continuity, we end the story with Adama in command of the Galactica, and the fleet continuing its trek toward Earth.

The Cylons have been routed for the time being, and John, of the Ship of Lights, has provided the Colonials with a heading for Earth.

The recent encounter with the Terrans also indicates that the Colonists are on the right path.

(Note: This is the time frame, where, according to Glen A. Larson, Starbuck may have had a long dream about the Galactica discovering Earth - a dream which was depicted in all of the episodes of Galactica: 1980.)

What Happened Next?

So what would have happened next? Here's some speculation, based on clues in the series.

Terra, Luna and the Eastern Alliance are extremely Earth-like cultures. One explanation for this is that they are Earth colonies that were long ago cut off from their homeworld.

From this point of view, and given the transmission from 1969, the Battlestar Galactica would seem to be headed for an encounter with a spacefaring Earth civilization of the future.

Count Iblis also predicted that Sheba would see her Father again, (suggesting a second encounter with the Pegasus), and further predicted that the people of the Galactica would again meet up with Iblis himself.

Sometime after 7349

Galactica discovers Earth?

Original Series definition: unit of time akin to a "year" (see: Yahren)

Original Series definition: a title of nobility (e.g. Lord Baltar)

Original Series definition: a title of nobility (e.g. Count Iblis)