Glossu Rabban
the Beast of Arrakis
Glossu Rabban, called the Beast, was the brutish eldest nephew of Baron Vladimir Harkonnen. As Count of Lankiveil and Governor of Arrakis, his merciless oppression of the population earned him the Fremen name Mudir Nahya and helped ignite the Desert War that destroyed his House.
Glossu "Beast" Rabban was the brutish eldest nephew of Baron Vladimir Harkonnen, Count of Lankiveil and for many years the Harkonnen governor of Arrakis. His tyranny over the planet's people earned him the Fremen name Mudir Nahya, the Demon Ruler, and fed the rebellion that destroyed House Harkonnen. (Dune)
Origins#
Dune's appendix on the noble Houses lists Count Glossu Rabban of Lankiveil (10132 to 10193) as the eldest nephew of Vladimir Harkonnen. He and Feyd-Rautha were legal sons of the Baron's youngest demibrother, Abulurd, who renounced the Harkonnen name and all rights to the title when he was given the subdistrict governorship of Rabban-Lankiveil. Feyd-Rautha took the Harkonnen name back when he was chosen for the Baron's household. (Dune)
Rabban is low built and gross of face and body, with the Harkonnen narrow-set eyes and heavy shoulders. Gurney Halleck carries a beet-coloured inkvine scar on his jaw that Beast Rabban gave him in a Harkonnen slave pit on Giedi Prime. Gurney's younger sister died in a pleasure house for Harkonnen troops. (Dune)
Governor of Arrakis#
Dune's glossary calls Rabban the Harkonnen cousin who was siridar governor on Arrakis for many years. The Emperor then hands Arrakis to House Atreides, a move that is really a trap set by the Baron and the Emperor to destroy that House. Once the Atreides are broken, the Baron summons Rabban and gives the planet back to him, since Piter de Vries, who had been meant to have it, is dead. (Dune)
The Baron calls his nephew a muscle-minded tank-brain, no Mentat, but the right tool for the job: given his freedom, Rabban will grind over everything in his path and be hated for it. The plan is to let him squeeze Arrakis dry so that when Feyd-Rautha takes over he'll be welcomed as a saviour. The Fremen come to know Rabban as Mudir Nahya, the Demon Ruler. (Dune)
The Desert War and death#
Rabban's oppression feeds the guerrilla war waged by the Fremen under Muad'Dib, and spice production collapses. Jessica, two years into her life among the Fremen, thinks of the years still to come before they can hope to take Arrakis back from the Mudir Nahya, the Beast Rabban. (Dune)
When the rebellion grows too great, the Emperor comes to Arrakis with his court and his Sardaukar to end it. Rabban doesn't survive the Fremen victory at the Battle of Arrakeen, and the appendix gives 10193 as the year of his death. (Dune)
Frequently asked questions
- Who was Glossu Rabban?
- Glossu Rabban, called the Beast, was the brutish eldest nephew of Baron Vladimir Harkonnen, serving as Count of Lankiveil and Governor of Arrakis during the Desert War. His tyranny over the planet's population earned him the Fremen name Mudir Nahya, the Demon Ruler.
- Why was Glossu Rabban called the Beast?
- Dune never spells out how he got the name, but it shows why it stuck. Gurney Halleck carries an inkvine scar that Beast Rabban gave him in a Harkonnen slave pit on Giedi Prime, and on Arrakis Rabban squeezes the population so hard the Fremen call him Mudir Nahya, the Demon Ruler.
- What did Glossu Rabban do to Gurney Halleck?
- He gave Gurney the beet-coloured inkvine scar on his jaw in a Harkonnen slave pit on Giedi Prime. Gurney's younger sister also died in a pleasure house for Harkonnen troops, one more reason for his hatred of the Harkonnens.
- Why did the Baron make Rabban Governor of Arrakis?
- The Baron intended Rabban to rule the desert planet through terror and submission for a time, so that when his favored younger brother Feyd-Rautha took over, Feyd would be welcomed as a hero and restore the Harkonnens to the Emperor's favor.
- How did Glossu Rabban die?
- His oppression fed the Fremen revolt under Muad'Dib that wrecked spice production and brought the Emperor to Arrakis. Rabban doesn't survive the Fremen victory at Arrakeen, and Dune's appendix gives 10193 as the year of his death.
Gallery
Images via Dune Wiki
Sources
- BookDune, Frank Herbert, 1965
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