Cycle of Time

The Cycle of Time, or the Cycle, is a pattern of events which has repeated itself several times. Each iteration of the cycle starts when a civilization creates intelligent biological or mechanical beings. These being rebel against their masters, resulting in a devastating war which typically results in the loss of technology. The survivors on one or both sides of the conflict engage in a mass exodus, and eventually repeat the cycle.

• The war between the Twelve Tribes the the Thirteenth Tribe's "Cylons" on Kobol.
• The war between the Thirteenth Tribe and their "Centurions" on the original Earth.
• The Cylon War, in which the Cylon Centurions rebelled against the humans of the Twelve Colonies.
• The Fall of the Twelve Colonies, in which the modern Humanoid Cylons attacked the humans of the Twelve Colonies.

The Ones' coup against the Final Five could also be interpreted as an iteration of the Cycle. Additionally, the fact that the Sacred Scrolls mention the Cycle of Time implies that the war on Kobol was not the first iteration of the Cycle.