Shaddam Corrino IV
the last Padishah Emperor
Shaddam Corrino IV was the 81st and final Padishah Emperor of the Corrino Empire. Threatened by the popularity of Duke Leto Atreides, he conspired with House Harkonnen to destroy him, only to be brought down himself by Paul Muad'Dib and the Fremen during the Desert War.
Shaddam Corrino IV was the 81st and final Padishah Emperor of the Corrino Empire. After pressuring Duke Leto Atreides and House Atreides to relocate to Arrakis and take over its spice production, Shaddam enlisted House Harkonnen and disguised legions of his own Sardaukar to ambush his rival, crushing both the Duke and his army with the help of a treacherous insider.
Early years and ascent#
Shaddam was born in 10119 AG in the Imperial Palace on Kaitain to Elrood IX, the 80th Padishah Emperor. As Imperial Crown Prince he became close friends with his maternal cousin, Count Hasimir Fenring, who would remain his closest confidant.
In 10156 AG, Shaddam succeeded his father as the 81st Padishah Emperor and head of House Corrino, after Elrood IX succumbed to chaumurky. Count Fenring was responsible for poisoning Elrood in collusion with Shaddam. During his reign the ranks of Bursegs were doubled within the first sixteen years, while appropriations for Sardaukar training declined steadily over the final thirty.
Shaddam married Anirul, a Bene Gesserit of Hidden Rank, who bore him five daughters: Irulan, Chalice, Wensicia, Josifa, and Rugi. His lack of legitimate sons ensured he would be the last ruler of House Corrino. Anirul died in 10176 AG.
The plot against House Atreides#
The events of Shaddam's fall were triggered by the Emperor himself. He felt threatened by his adoptive cousin Duke Leto Atreides, a charismatic and honorable man who had grown very popular in the Landsraad and had trained a small army under Thufir Hawat, Gurney Halleck, and Duncan Idaho capable of rivaling the Sardaukar. Consequently the Emperor conspired with House Harkonnen, the long-standing rivals of House Atreides.
In private, Shaddam admired Leto, once telling Irulan that he wished the political climate had not necessitated animosity toward the Atreides. He had even wished Irulan old enough to marry Leto, both because he knew the Duke to be honorable and beloved and because, lacking a male heir, he would have made Leto an ideal successor. Despite these feelings, Shaddam pressured Leto to surrender the fief of his native Caladan to Count Fenring and to take over the spice operations of Arrakis. House Atreides took control of Arrakis in 10191 AG.
Shortly after, Leto and most of his army were slain in a combined Sardaukar and Harkonnen invasion. Shaddam considered the Atreides threat ended, but Lady Jessica and, more importantly, her son Paul survived, given sanctuary by the Fremen, among whom they rose to leadership.
Fall of the Corrino Empire#
By 10193 AG the young Duke led the Fremen to victory over the Harkonnen and Sardaukar forces on Arrakis and halted the melange trade. Shaddam IV was forced to step down, ending his forty-year reign and the ten-thousand-year Imperial reign of House Corrino. He surrendered his eldest daughter Irulan's hand in marriage to Paul, who took the Golden Lion Throne.
In 10196 AG, Shaddam was exiled to his ancestral planet of Salusa Secundus along with his four younger daughters and Count Hasimir Fenring, while Irulan was named Sovereign Co-regent though Paul effectively ruled as her husband. Shaddam remained alive long after, and in 10208 AG was still putting his Sardaukar through landing maneuvers on Salusa Secundus. In a final desperate move against Muad'Dib that year, he smuggled a small group of Sardaukar disguised as Guild members into a meeting with the Emperor. Paul detected the plan and ordered the Sardaukar executed.
Appearance#
Shaddam Corrino IV was a slim and elegant man with red hair, a thin face, and cold eyes. His visage reminded Baron Harkonnen of Duke Leto, sharing the same look of the predatory bird. Though already an old man when House Atreides left Caladan, his rich spice diet kept his body appearing to be in its mid-thirties.
Frequently asked questions
- Who was Shaddam Corrino IV?
- Shaddam Corrino IV was the 81st and final Padishah Emperor of the Corrino Empire. Born in 10119 AG in the Imperial Palace on Kaitain, he ruled for forty years before being brought down by Paul Muad'Dib and the Fremen.
- How did Shaddam Corrino IV become Emperor?
- Shaddam succeeded his father Elrood IX as the 81st Padishah Emperor in 10156 AG, after Elrood succumbed to chaumurky. Count Hasimir Fenring, his closest confidant, was responsible for poisoning Elrood in collusion with Shaddam.
- Why did Shaddam Corrino IV conspire against House Atreides?
- Shaddam felt threatened by his adoptive cousin Duke Leto Atreides, a charismatic and honorable man who had grown popular in the Landsraad and trained a small army capable of rivaling the Sardaukar. He conspired with House Harkonnen and pressured Leto to surrender Caladan and take over the spice operations of Arrakis.
- How did Shaddam Corrino IV lose his throne?
- By 10193 AG, Paul Atreides led the Fremen to victory over the Harkonnen and Sardaukar forces on Arrakis and halted the melange trade. Shaddam was forced to step down, ending the ten-thousand-year Imperial reign of House Corrino, and he surrendered his eldest daughter Irulan's hand in marriage to Paul.
- What happened to Shaddam Corrino IV after he abdicated?
- In 10196 AG, Shaddam was exiled to his ancestral planet of Salusa Secundus along with his four younger daughters and Count Hasimir Fenring. He remained alive long after, and in a final desperate move against Muad'Dib in 10208 AG, he smuggled disguised Sardaukar into a meeting, but Paul detected the plan and ordered them executed.
Gallery
Images via Dune Wiki
Sources
- WikiShaddam Corrino IV — Dune Wiki entry
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