Battle of Arrakeen
the fall of the Corrino Empire
The Battle of Arrakeen was the pivotal engagement of the Arrakis Revolt, fought between Muad'Dib Paul Atreides's Fremen and the Sardaukar of Padishah Emperor Shaddam Corrino IV. The Fremen routed the Imperial forces, and in the surrender that followed Paul won control of the known universe.
The Battle of Arrakeen was the decisive event of the Arrakis Revolt within the wider Desert War. It was fought between the Fremen of Muad'Dib, Paul Atreides, and the Imperial forces of Sardaukar commanded by Padishah Emperor Shaddam Corrino IV. Muad'Dib's forces routed the Sardaukar, and the Emperor was brought to negotiate. The battle ended the reign of House Corrino and raised House Atreides to the Imperial throne. (Dune)
Prelude#
The revolt on Arrakis grew out of the failure of House Harkonnen to safeguard spice production after it seized the planet from House Atreides. That failure eventually demanded the attention of the other Great Houses of the Landsraad, the Spacing Guild, and finally the Padishah Emperor himself. Shaddam Corrino IV came to Arrakis in person, bringing his elite Sardaukar to crush the desert uprising. By this time Paul Atreides, the surviving heir of the slaughtered House Atreides, had taken his place among the Fremen and was known to them as the prophet Muad'Dib, commanding a vast and fanatical army. (Dune)
The battle#
The conflict culminated at the capital, Arrakeen. Muad'Dib used family atomics against the natural rock barrier of the Shield Wall, choosing to breach the mountains rather than to strike directly at the opposing forces. The detonation tore open the Shield Wall and exposed the Imperial position. Through the breach the Fremen drove sandworms, riding the great beasts through the fortifications and into the Imperial lines. Aided by the chaos of an approaching sandstorm, the Fremen overwhelmed the Sardaukar and the Harkonnen troops, routing the forces that had long been thought undefeatable. The capital itself fell, and House Harkonnen was near annihilated in the fighting. (Dune)
Aftermath#
With his army shattered, the Emperor was forced to negotiate with Paul Atreides. During those negotiations Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen, heir to the Baron of House Harkonnen, whom Paul's sister Alia had just killed, asked to fight Muad'Dib in a duel. Paul killed him, and with his death sealed an agreement that gave him control of the known universe. The victory marked the end of the Corrino Empire and the beginning of the era of the Atreides Empire. Shaddam Corrino IV abdicated the throne, and House Corrino was exiled to Salusa Secundus. From the foundation laid at Arrakeen, Muad'Dib's Jihad would soon spread across the Imperium. (Dune; Dune Messiah)
Frequently asked questions
- What was the Battle of Arrakeen?
- The Battle of Arrakeen was the decisive event of the Arrakis Revolt within the wider Desert War. It was fought between the Fremen of Muad'Dib, Paul Atreides, and the Imperial Sardaukar commanded by Padishah Emperor Shaddam Corrino IV, and it ended the reign of House Corrino while raising House Atreides to the Imperial throne.
- Why did Emperor Shaddam IV come to Arrakis?
- House Harkonnen's failure to safeguard spice production after seizing Arrakis from House Atreides eventually demanded the attention of the Great Houses, the Spacing Guild, and finally the Emperor himself. Shaddam Corrino IV came to Arrakis in person, bringing his elite Sardaukar to crush the desert uprising.
- How did Muad'Dib win the Battle of Arrakeen?
- Paul Atreides used family atomics against the natural rock barrier of the Shield Wall, tearing it open and exposing the Imperial position. Through the breach the Fremen drove sandworms, and aided by an approaching sandstorm they overwhelmed the Sardaukar and Harkonnen troops, routing forces long thought undefeatable.
- What happened to Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen at Arrakeen?
- After the battle, as the captured Emperor negotiated, Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen, heir to the Baron, whom Alia had just killed, asked to fight Muad'Dib in a duel. Paul killed him, and his death sealed the agreement that gave Paul control of the known universe.
- What was the outcome of the Battle of Arrakeen?
- The victory marked the end of the Corrino Empire and the beginning of the Atreides Empire. Shaddam Corrino IV abdicated the throne, House Corrino was exiled to Salusa Secundus, and House Harkonnen was near annihilated in the fighting.
Gallery
Images via Dune Wiki
Sources
- BookDune, Frank Herbert, Chilton Books, 1965
- BookDune Messiah, Frank Herbert, G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1969
Spotted a factual error or a primary source we missed? Email a correction. Every flagged claim gets reviewed.
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