Kaitain
the imperial capital of House Corrino
Kaitain was the second capital of the Corrino Empire, the paradise world to which the Padishah Emperors moved their court from Salusa Secundus. It was the seat of Shaddam IV until the fall of his empire in the Desert War.
Kaitain was the second capital of the Corrino Empire and the seat of the Padishah Emperors of House Corrino. The imperial court had been moved there from the original Corrino seat, Salusa Secundus, which was thereafter given over to use as a prison and as the training ground of the Sardaukar. Ruled by House Corrino and home to the Royal Court, Kaitain remained the center of the Imperium until its fall in the Desert War. (Dune)
Seat of the Imperium#
Kaitain became the second capital of the Corrino Empire after the seat of power was moved from the original House Corrino homeworld of Salusa Secundus. With the court relocated, Salusa Secundus was repurposed as the empire's prison and the training ground for its feared Sardaukar troops, while Kaitain held the Royal Court and the apparatus of imperial rule. Above the door of Padishah Emperor Shaddam IV on Kaitain stood the words "Law is the ultimate science." (Dune)
The Corrino court also held the Hall of Portraits, a chamber containing the ego-likenesses of prominent figures of the Imperium. When Irulan was fourteen and Shaddam seventy-one, he brought his eldest daughter Irulan into the hall and showed her the portrait of Duke Leto Atreides I, lamenting that she had not been of age when Leto was seeking a partner. (Dune)
Fall of the Corrino court#
After the fall of the Corrino Empire in the Desert War, when Paul Atreides wrested the Imperial throne from House Corrino, the deposed house left Kaitain and moved back to Salusa Secundus, ending the world's role as the imperial seat. (Dune; Children of Dune)
Frequently asked questions
- What was Kaitain?
- Kaitain was the second capital of the Corrino Empire and the seat of the Padishah Emperors of House Corrino. It held the Royal Court and remained the center of the Imperium until its fall in the Desert War.
- Why did House Corrino move their capital to Kaitain?
- The imperial court was moved to Kaitain from the original Corrino seat of Salusa Secundus. Salusa Secundus was thereafter given over to use as a prison and as the training ground of the Sardaukar.
- What was the Hall of Portraits on Kaitain?
- The Hall of Portraits was a chamber of the Corrino court containing the ego-likenesses of prominent figures of the Imperium. When Irulan was fourteen, Shaddam IV brought his daughter Irulan into the hall and showed her the portrait of Duke Leto Atreides I, lamenting that she had not been of age when Leto was seeking a partner.
- What happened to Kaitain after the fall of the Corrino Empire?
- After the Corrino Empire fell in the Desert War, when Paul Atreides wrested the Imperial throne from House Corrino, the deposed house left Kaitain and moved back to Salusa Secundus. This ended the world's role as the imperial seat.
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Images via Dune Wiki
Sources
- BookDune, Frank Herbert, Chilton Books, 1965
- BookChildren of Dune, Frank Herbert, G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1976
Spotted a factual error or a primary source we missed? Email a correction. Every flagged claim gets reviewed.
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