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{{Status|Canon}}
{{Era|Forerunner}}
{{Affiliation infobox
{{Affiliation infobox
|name=Ecumene
|name=Ecumene
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[[File:Crowd of Forerunner.jpg|300px]]<br>A gathering of Forerunner councilors
[[File:Crowd of Forerunner.jpg|300px]]<br>A gathering of Forerunner councilors
|section1-title=Empire overview
|section1-title=Empire overview
|type=Intergalactic empire
|type=Intragalactic empire
|founder=
|founder=
|documents=
|documents=
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Now the dominant race in the galaxy, the Forerunners and their ecumene began to expand. This often resulted in several sapient species being forcibly relocated from their homeworlds to allow the ecumene to colonize the world.<ref name="cryp112">'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 112''</ref> Over the course of their history, the ecumene experienced a number of civil wars, one of which took place over half a million years before their war against the Flood. To safeguard the Orion complex—the center of the ecumene's governance—during these conflicts, the Forerunners constructed the [[Maginot Sphere]], an immense array of defensive installations spread out in a sphere which completely surrounded the Orion complex.{{Ref/Reuse|silent104}} During these civil wars, the Builders slowly made themselves the political leaders of the ecumene, rising to supremacy and removing the cultures of the Warrior-Servants and the [[Miner]]s.<ref name="silent119">'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 119''</ref>
Now the dominant race in the galaxy, the Forerunners and their ecumene began to expand. This often resulted in several sapient species being forcibly relocated from their homeworlds to allow the ecumene to colonize the world.<ref name="cryp112">'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 112''</ref> Over the course of their history, the ecumene experienced a number of civil wars, one of which took place over half a million years before their war against the Flood. To safeguard the Orion complex—the center of the ecumene's governance—during these conflicts, the Forerunners constructed the [[Maginot Sphere]], an immense array of defensive installations spread out in a sphere which completely surrounded the Orion complex.{{Ref/Reuse|silent104}} During these civil wars, the Builders slowly made themselves the political leaders of the ecumene, rising to supremacy and removing the cultures of the Warrior-Servants and the [[Miner]]s.<ref name="silent119">'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 119''</ref>


The [[Capital]], the center of the ecumene and the seat of the [[Ecumene Council]], was constructed around [[122,990 BCE]].<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 296''</ref> At some point, the ecumene fought a series of bloody civil wars known as the [[Kradal conflicts]] in the galactic center.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 246''</ref><ref name="warlord">'''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''', multiplayer map ''[[Warlord]]'' (map description)</ref>
The [[Capital]], the center of the ecumene and the seat of the [[Ecumene Council]], was constructed around [[122,445 BCE]].<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 296''</ref> At some point, the ecumene fought a series of bloody civil wars known as the [[Kradal conflicts]] in the galactic center.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 246''</ref><ref name="warlord">'''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''', multiplayer map ''[[Warlord]]'' (map description)</ref>


===War with humanity===
===War with humanity===
[[File:H4-Terminal-HumanShip-Bridge.jpg|thumb|300px|[[Forthencho]] orders his crew to orbitally bombard a Flood infested ecumene world.]]
[[File:H4-Terminal-HumanShip-Bridge.jpg|thumb|300px|[[Forthencho]] orders his crew to orbitally bombard a Flood infested ecumene world.]]
{{Main|Human-Forerunner wars}}
{{Main|Human-Forerunner wars}}
By [[150,000 BCE]], the ecumene was the largest empire in the [[Milky Way]].<ref>'''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)]]''', ''page 26''</ref> The expansion of the ecumene began reaching human space. Looking to escape from the Forerunners' dominion, [[Prehistoric human civilization|the human empire]] expanded throughout the [[Orion Arm]] and eventually built an impressive empire consisting of at least 20,000 worlds in a thousand systems, rivaling the might of the ecumene.<ref>'''Halo: Primordium''', ''page 129''</ref>
By [[150,000 BCE]], the ecumene was the largest empire in the [[Milky Way]].<ref>'''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]''', ''page 26''</ref> The expansion of the ecumene began reaching human space. Looking to escape from the Forerunners' dominion, [[Prehistoric human civilization|the human empire]] expanded throughout the [[Orion Arm]] and eventually built an impressive empire consisting of at least 20,000 worlds in a thousand systems, rivaling the might of the ecumene.<ref>'''Halo: Primordium''', ''page 129''</ref>


When the human empire was at war with the [[Flood]], human fleets under the command of [[Forthencho]], Lord of Admirals were sterilizing planets, home to other species, with Flood infestations. When worlds in the ecumene began to become infected by the Flood, they were immediately targeted for [[orbital bombardment]], killing millions of Forerunners in the process. The Forerunners did not believe that the Flood was a credible threat to the ecumene and began attacking humanity in response, believing that the humans were attacking other worlds to expand.<ref name="terminals">'''[[Halo 4]]''', ''[[Terminal (Halo 4)|Terminals]]''</ref> While the humans were successful at holding their own against the Forerunner military, despite also fending off the Flood, humanity never came closer than 15,000 light-years of the Orion complex.<ref>'''Halo: Primordium''', ''page 311''</ref>
When the human empire was at war with the [[Flood]], human fleets under the command of [[Forthencho]], Lord of Admirals were sterilizing planets, home to other species, with Flood infestations. When worlds in the ecumene began to become infected by the Flood, they were immediately targeted for [[orbital bombardment]], killing millions of Forerunners in the process. The Forerunners did not believe that the Flood was a credible threat to the ecumene and began attacking humanity in response, believing that the humans were attacking other worlds to expand.<ref name="terminals">'''[[Halo 4]]''', ''[[Terminal (Halo 4)|Terminals]]''</ref> While the humans were successful at holding their own against the Forerunner military, despite also fending off the Flood, humanity never came closer than 15,000 light-years of the Orion complex.<ref>'''Halo: Primordium''', ''page 311''</ref>
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==Government and politics==
==Government and politics==
[[File:HTMCC-H4 Terminals EcumeneCouncil.png|thumb|300px|The [[Librarian]], [[Ur-Didact|Didact]], and [[Faber]] before the Council, three influential political individuals.]]
[[File:EcumeneCouncil.png|thumb|300px|The [[Librarian]], [[Ur-Didact|Didact]], and [[Faber]] before the Council, three influential political individuals.]]
{{Quote|The ecumene has become confused. The Council steeps itself in lies and dishonor.|The [[Ur-Didact|Didact]] on the corruption in the ecumene and the Old Council}}
{{Quote|The ecumene has become confused. The Council steeps itself in lies and dishonor.|The [[Ur-Didact|Didact]] on the corruption in the ecumene and the Old Council}}
The primary governing body of the ecumene was known as the [[Ecumene Council]]. Based in the [[Capital]], it was led by the [[First Councilor]], composed of five hundred [[Councilor (Forerunner)|councilors]] from various [[rate]]s, and supported by a network of [[ancilla]]s known as the [[Metarchy|Council metarchy]].<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 292''</ref> The ecumene's primary judicial institution, known as the [[Capital Court]], which could be assembled into the [[Supreme Mantle Court]] in times of great crisis.<ref name="crypt264">'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 264''</ref> After the [[Master Builder]] [[Faber]] used [[Installation 07]] to [[Battle of Janjur Qom|quell a rebellion]] that resulted in the deaths of a majority of the remaining [[San'Shyuum]], a revolutionary party of younger councilors opposed to the Master Builder took command of the Ecumene Council.{{Ref/Reuse|silent264}} A majority of the Council was replaced by new, mostly younger, councilors that were appointed through brevets.{{Ref/Reuse|crypt264}} This Council became referred to as the "New Council", while the one led by Faber was referred to as the "Old Council".<ref name="s18">'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 18''</ref>
The primary governing body of the ecumene was known as the [[Ecumene Council]]. Based in the [[Capital]], it was led by the [[First Councilor]], composed of five hundred [[Councilor (Forerunner)|councilors]] from various [[rate]]s, and supported by a network of [[ancilla]]s known as the [[Metarchy|Council metarchy]].<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 292''</ref> The ecumene's primary judicial institution, known as the [[Capital Court]], which could be assembled into the [[Supreme Mantle Court]] in times of great crisis.<ref name="crypt264">'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 264''</ref> After the [[Master Builder]] [[Faber]] used [[Installation 07]] to [[Battle of Janjur Qom|quell a rebellion]] that resulted in the deaths of a majority of the remaining [[San'Shyuum]], a revolutionary party of younger councilors opposed to the Master Builder took command of the Ecumene Council.{{Ref/Reuse|silent264}} A majority of the Council was replaced by new, mostly younger, councilors that were appointed through brevets.{{Ref/Reuse|crypt264}} This Council became referred to as the "New Council", while the one led by Faber was referred to as the "Old Council".<ref name="s18">'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 18''</ref>
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==Military==
==Military==
[[File:H4 - Warrior-Servants.jpg|thumb|300px|A squad of Warrior-Servants during the [[human-Forerunner wars]].]]
[[File:H4_-_Warrior-Servants.jpg|thumb|300px|A squad of Warrior-Servants during the [[human-Forerunner wars]].]]
A majority of the ecumene's military consisted of the members of the [[Warrior-Servant]] rate, traditionally tasked with defense and warfare in the Forerunner ecumene.{{Ref/Site|Id=CryptumGlossary|URL=http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/intel/related/text/cryptum-glossary/62e29c59-a3f9-4b63-af76-def71fda5459|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Cryptum Glossary|D=14|M=03|Y=2014|LocalArchive=Halo: Cryptum/Glossary}} Despite this, the Warrior-Servants stood second-lowest in the hierarchy of rates, only higher than the [[Huragok|Engineers]]. The individual with the rank of [[protector of the ecumene]] was considered the commander of the Forerunner military and was historically held by a high-ranked Warrior-Servant. The [[Ur-Didact|Didact]] held this title for twelve thousand years, during the Forerunner conflicts with [[human]]ity and the [[Flood]]. His successor, the [[IsoDidact]], held the title in the final years of the ecumene.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 233''</ref> The highest and most respected class of Warrior-Servants were known as the [[Promethean]]s.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 54''</ref> Additionally, the [[Builder]] rate had their own private military under the influence of [[Master Builder]] [[Faber]], known as [[Builder Security]]. Builder Security often had more advanced weaponry and warships than the Warrior-Servants.{{Ref/Reuse|CryptumGlossary}} After the Didact went into exile for the first time, Builder Security almost entirely supplanted the Warrior-Servants, with most former Warrior-Servants joining their ranks after their own rate was diminished.<ref name="string 3">'''Halo: Silentium''', ''String 3''</ref> The Warrior-Servant rate was partly reconstituted near the end of the Forerunner-Flood war, although their forces were virtually merged with those of Builder Security.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 197''</ref>
A majority of the ecumene's military consisted of the members of the [[Warrior-Servant]] rate, traditionally tasked with defense and warfare in the Forerunner ecumene.<ref name="glossary">'''[[Halo Waypoint]]''', ''[[Halo: Cryptum/Glossary|Halo: Cryptum glossary]]''</ref> Despite this, the Warrior-Servants stood second-lowest in the hierarchy of rates, only higher than the [[Huragok|Engineers]]. The individual with the rank of [[protector of the ecumene]] was considered the commander of the Forerunner military and was historically held by a high-ranked Warrior-Servant. The [[Ur-Didact|Didact]] held this title for twelve thousand years, during the Forerunner conflicts with [[human]]ity and the [[Flood]]. His successor, the [[IsoDidact]], held the title in the final years of the ecumene.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 233''</ref> The highest and most respected class of Warrior-Servants were known as the [[Promethean]]s.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 54''</ref> Additionally, the [[Builder]] rate had their own private military under the influence of [[Master Builder]] [[Faber]], known as [[Builder Security]]. Builder Security often had more advanced weaponry and warships than the Warrior-Servants.{{Ref/Reuse|glossary}} After the Didact went into exile for the first time, Builder Security almost entirely supplanted the Warrior-Servants, with most former Warrior-Servants joining their ranks after their own rate was diminished.<ref name="string 3">'''Halo: Silentium''', ''String 3''</ref> The Warrior-Servant rate was partly reconstituted near the end of the Forerunner-Flood war, although their forces were virtually merged with those of Builder Security.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 197''</ref>


[[File:HTMCC-H4 Terminals ProtectorOfTheEcumene.png|thumb|250px|left|The [[Ur-Didact|Didact]], [[protector of the ecumene]] for twelve thousand years.]]
[[File:H4-Terminal-Didact.jpg|thumb|250px|left|The [[Ur-Didact|Didact]], [[protector of the ecumene]] for twelve thousand years.]]
In battle, military personnel wore varying types of fighting suits—[[combat skin]]s—the [[war sphinx]] or [[Seeker (vehicle)|Seeker]] combat suit variants being examples of a medium-sized suit.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 43''</ref> The Warrior-Servants once operated the ecumene's most prominent [[Forerunner fleet|battle fleets]], comprising warships such as {{Class|Fortress|vessel}}s, [[Forerunner dreadnought|dreadnoughts]], [[planet-breaker]]s, and [[Forerunner picket cruiser|picket cruisers]]. Support by [[ancilla]]s and copious amounts of robotic drones — including [[monitor]]s, [[sentinel]]s and [[weapon-ship]]s — was a key component of Forerunner warfare,<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 139''</ref><ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 214''</ref> along with their weaponized use of the higher dimensions of [[slipstream space]].<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 211''</ref> This usage of slipspace culminated in a strategy known as "[[Clench]]", using non-linear causality and probability manipulation to influence the outcomes of interstellar warfare.<ref>''[[Halo: Warfleet – An Illustrated Guide to the Spacecraft of Halo|Halo: Warfleet]]'', Glossary (p. 90)</ref>
In battle, military personnel wore varying types of fighting suits—[[combat skin]]s—the [[war sphinx]] or [[Seeker (vehicle)|Seeker]] combat suit variants being examples of a medium-sized suit.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 43''</ref> The Warrior-Servants once operated the ecumene's most prominent [[Forerunner fleet|battle fleets]], comprising warships such as {{Class|Fortress|vessel}}s, [[Forerunner dreadnought|dreadnoughts]], [[planet-breaker]]s, and [[Forerunner picket cruiser|picket cruisers]]. Support by [[ancilla]]s and copious amounts of robotic drones — including [[monitor]]s, [[sentinel]]s and [[weapon-ship]]s — was a key component of Forerunner warfare,<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 139''</ref><ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 214''</ref> along with their weaponized use of the higher dimensions of [[slipstream space]].<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 211''</ref> This usage of slipspace culminated in a strategy known as "[[Clench]]", using non-linear causality and probability manipulation to influence the outcomes of interstellar warfare.<ref>''[[Halo: Warfleet – An Illustrated Guide to the Spacecraft of Halo|Halo: Warfleet]]'', Glossary (p. 90)</ref>


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==Sphere of influence==
==Sphere of influence==
[[File:HTMCC-H4 Terminals MaethrillianSkyline.png|thumb|300px|The [[Capital]], the ecumene's political center.]]
[[File:Capital.png|thumb|300px|The [[Capital]], the ecumene's political center.]]
{{Quote|I thought the Forerunners didn't need new planets—that we'd achieved maximum growth?|[[IsoDidact|Bornstellar]], surprised to learn that the ecumene was still expanding}}
{{Quote|I thought the Forerunners didn't need new planets—that we'd achieved maximum growth?|[[IsoDidact|Bornstellar]], surprised to learn that the ecumene was still expanding}}
The ecumene once encompassed three million fertile worlds in the [[Milky Way|Milky Way Galaxy]].<ref name= "cryptum"/> The core worlds of the ecumene were located in the [[Orion complex]]. The Forerunners primarily divided the ecumene into [[thema]]s, whose borders were marked by galactic magnetic fields,<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''pages 234-235''</ref> as well as segments known as [[margin arc]]s.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 77''</ref> Divisions of the ecumene were overseen by [[regional commandant]]s.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 195''</ref> The territory of the ecumene encompassed not only the worlds of the Forerunners themselves, but also the various subject species that lived under their rule.<ref>'''Halo: Primordium''', ''page 156''</ref> Years prior to the [[human-Forerunner wars|conflicts with humanity]], the ecumene had began expanding towards the galactic center. Wishing to develop in isolation from other species, the Forerunners moved native populations from their home regions to newer, outer systems.{{Ref/Reuse|cryp112}} When the ecumene borders began expanding close to the [[Sol system|Erde-Tyrene system]], the [[prehistoric human civilization|human empire]] moved their civilization from their homeworld to outward along the [[Orion Arm]], likely to flee from Forerunner control.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 20''</ref> At the height of their power, billions of Forerunner starships plied goods and ferried passengers between the stars, and enforced their vision of peace on the galaxy.<ref>'''[[Halo: Warfleet]]''', ''page 8''</ref>
The ecumene once encompassed three million fertile worlds in the [[Milky Way|Milky Way Galaxy]].<ref name= "cryptum"/> The core worlds of the ecumene where located in the [[Orion complex]]. The Forerunners primarily divided the ecumene into [[thema]]s, whose borders were marked by galactic magnetic fields,<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''pages 234-235''</ref> as well as segments known as [[margin arc]]s.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 77''</ref> Divisions of the ecumene were overseen by [[regional commandant]]s.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 195''</ref> The territory of the ecumene encompassed not only the worlds of the Forerunners themselves, but also the various subject species that lived under their rule.<ref>'''Halo: Primordium''', ''page 156''</ref> Years prior to the [[human-Forerunner wars|conflicts with humanity]], the ecumene had began expanding towards the galactic center. Wishing to develop in isolation from other species, the Forerunners moved native populations from their home regions to newer, outer systems.{{Ref/Reuse|cryp112}} When the ecumene borders began expanding close to the [[Sol system|Erde-Tyrene system]], the [[prehistoric human civilization|human empire]] moved their civilization from their homeworld to outward along the [[Orion Arm]], likely to flee from Forerunner control.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 20''</ref> At the height of their power, billions of Forerunner starships plied goods and ferried passengers between the stars, and enforced their vision of peace on the galaxy.<ref> '''[[Halo: Warfleet]]''', ''page 8''</ref>


The population of the ecumene's worlds varied greatly. Some planets, such as [[DM-3-1123 b]] and [[LP 656-38 e]], had populations numbering in the billions.{{Ref/Reuse|h3terminals}} The [[Warrior-Servant]] world [[Nomdagro]] was home to a million inhabitants.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 49''</ref> [[Bornstellar Makes Eternal Lasting]]'s wealthy Builder family personally owned an [[Molaetra|entire planet]] that was also inhabited by a number of subservient Builders.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 230''</ref>
The population of the ecumene's worlds varied greatly. Some planets, such as [[DM-3-1123 b]] and [[LP 656-38 e]], had populations numbering in the billions.{{Ref/Reuse|h3terminals}} The [[Warrior-Servant]] world [[Nomdagro]] was home to a million inhabitants.<ref>'''Halo: Silentium''', ''page 49''</ref> [[Bornstellar Makes Eternal Lasting]]'s wealthy Builder family personally owned an [[Bornstellar's homeworld|entire planet]] that was also inhabited by a number of subservient Builders.<ref>'''Halo: Cryptum''', ''page 230''</ref>


===Former ecumene worlds===
===Former ecumene worlds===
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*[[Alpha Corvi system]]
*[[Alpha Corvi system]]
**[[Alpha Corvi II]]
**[[Alpha Corvi II]]
*[[Anvarl]]
*[[Buta system]]
*[[Buta system]]
**[[Zhoist]]
**[[Zhoist]]
*[[Carthage system]]
**[[New Carthage]]
*[[Caspar system]]
*[[Caspar system]]
**[[Kamchatka]]
**[[Kamchatka]]
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*[[Cordoba system|Coro system]]
*[[Cordoba system|Coro system]]
**[[Gao|Edod]]
**[[Gao|Edod]]
*[[Gurrama]]
*[[Kan Pakko]]
*[[Kan Pakko]]
*[[Keth Sidon]]
*[[Keth Sidon]]
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{{Col-2}}
{{Col-2}}
*[[Korinth Prior system]]<ref>'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 180''</ref>
*[[Korinth Prior system]]<ref>'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 180''</ref>
**[[Trove|Shield World 0459]] {{C|destroyed in [[2531]]}}
**[[Etran Harborage|Shield World 0459]] {{C|destroyed in [[2531]]}}
*[[LP 656-38]]
*[[LP 656-38]]
**[[LP 656-38 e]]
**[[LP 656-38 e]]
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**[[Genesis]]
**[[Genesis]]
*[[Orion complex]]
*[[Orion complex]]
**[[Bastion]] {{c|moved in [[2558]]}}
**[[Ghibalb]] {{C|rendered uninhabitable by several [[supernova]]e}}
**[[Ghibalb]] {{C|rendered uninhabitable by several [[supernova]]e}}
**[[Molaetra]]
**[[Bornstellar's homeworld]]
*[[Path Kural]]
*[[Path Kural]]
*[[Planet of Blue and Red]]
*[[Procyon system]]
*[[Procyon system]]
**[[Arcadia]]
**[[Arcadia]]
*[[Rherray]]
*[[Rhotero]]
*[[Rhotero]]
*[[Rostrach a]]
*[[Seclusion]]
*[[Seclusion]]
*[[Secunda]]
*[[Secunda]]
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*''[[Halo: Renegades]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Renegades]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Point of Light]]
*''[[Halo: Point of Light]]
*''[[Halo: Epitaph]]''


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