Historical Records

Galactic Timeline

A comprehensive chronicle of major galactic events from the rise of the Leviathans to the Reaper War.

Ancient Era

Leviathan Dominance
1,000,000,000 BCE
The Leviathans rule the galaxy as the apex species, creating the Intelligence that would later become the Catalyst.
Major
Location

Unknown regions of the galaxy

Significance

Establishment of first known galactic civilization

Key Figures
Leviathan Leaders
The Intelligence
Casualties

Unknown

Immediate Aftermath

Creation of the first AI overseer

Long-term Effects

Set in motion events leading to the Reaper cycle

First Harvest
37,000,000 BCE
The Intelligence creates the first Reaper, Harbinger, from the harvested Leviathan species.
Conflict
Significant casualties reported
Location

Multiple systems across the galaxy

Significance

Creation of the first Reaper and beginning of the cycle

Key Figures
Harbinger
The Intelligence
Last Leviathan survivors
Casualties

Billions of Leviathans

Immediate Aftermath

Near extinction of Leviathan species

Long-term Effects

Establishment of the cyclical harvest pattern

Pre-Prothean Era

Inusannon Civilization
Unknown BCE
The rise and fall of the Inusannon, who preceded the Protheans.
Major
Location

Throughout known space

Significance

Advanced civilization that influenced Prothean development

Key Figures
Unknown Inusannon Leaders
Casualties

Entire species

Immediate Aftermath

Complete extinction of species

Long-term Effects

Technology and artifacts discovered by Protheans

Rise of the Prothean Empire
200,000 BCE
Early Prothean civilization begins its expansion across the galaxy.
Major
Location

Multiple star systems

Significance

Beginning of Prothean dominance

Key Figures
Early Prothean Leaders
Pioneer Scientists
Immediate Aftermath

Establishment of initial Prothean colonies

Long-term Effects

Foundation of galactic civilization

Peak of Prothean Science
68,000 BCE
Prothean research reaches its zenith, producing numerous technological breakthroughs.
Discovery
Location

Various research centers

Significance

Major technological advancement

Key Figures
Lead Researchers
Project Directors
Immediate Aftermath

Rapid technological progress

Long-term Effects

Technologies discovered by modern races

Prothean Era

Prothean Empire Rise
68,000 BCE
The Prothean Empire reaches its height, dominating the galaxy through technological superiority.
Major
Location

Entire known galaxy

Significance

Establishment of first unified galactic government

Key Figures
Prothean Empire Leadership
Various subject races
Casualties

Unknown

Immediate Aftermath

Galaxy-wide Prothean dominion

Long-term Effects

Development of mass effect technology foundation

Prothean-Reaper War
48,000 BCE
The Reapers emerge from dark space, beginning the systematic harvest of the Prothean Empire.
Conflict
Significant casualties reported
Location

All Prothean systems

Significance

Fall of the most advanced known civilization

Key Figures
Reaper forces
Prothean military command
Ilos scientists
Casualties

Trillions of Protheans and subject species

Immediate Aftermath

Near-total extinction of Protheans

Long-term Effects

Loss of vast technological knowledge

Conduit Construction
48,000 BCE
Prothean scientists on Ilos construct the Conduit while in cryogenic stasis, hoping to break the cycle.
Discovery
Location

Ilos research facility

Significance

Creation of secret Mass Relay

Key Figures
Vigil VI
Ilos Chief Scientist
Research Team
Casualties

Most of the Ilos research team

Immediate Aftermath

Successful creation of mini mass relay

Long-term Effects

Crucial to defeating Sovereign in modern era

Council Formation

Citadel Discovery
580 BCE
Asari explorers discover the Citadel and establish the first Citadel Council.
Discovery
Location

Widow System

Significance

Foundation of modern galactic government

Key Figures
Asari exploration team
First Council members
Casualties

None

Immediate Aftermath

Establishment of Citadel as galactic capital

Long-term Effects

Creation of unified galactic community

Salarian Contact
520 BCE
The Asari make first contact with the Salarians. Together they establish the foundation of the Citadel Council.
Contact
Location

Citadel Space

Significance

Formation of Citadel Council partnership

Key Figures
Asari diplomats
Salarian Union representatives
Casualties

None

Immediate Aftermath

Creation of two-species Council

Long-term Effects

Framework for modern galactic politics

Rachni Wars

Rachni Discovery
1 CE
Council explorers discover the Rachni after opening a dormant mass relay.
Discovery
Location

Rachni space

Significance

First contact with hostile species

Key Figures
Council expedition team
First Rachni Queen
Casualties

Initial exploration team

Immediate Aftermath

Beginning of Rachni Wars

Long-term Effects

Council restrictions on relay activation

Rachni Wars
1 CE - 300 CE
The Rachni immediately begin attacking Council space, starting centuries of conflict.
Conflict
Significant casualties reported
Location

Multiple systems across Council space

Significance

First major galactic war

Key Figures
Rachni Queens
Council military leadership
Casualties

Millions of Council species citizens

Immediate Aftermath

Decision to uplift the Krogan

Long-term Effects

Shaped future Council military policy

Modern Era

Mars Discovery
2148 CE
Humans discover Prothean ruins on Mars, leading to rapid technological advancement.
Discovery
Location

Mars, Sol System

Significance

Human discovery of mass effect technology

Key Figures
Dr. Matilda Warren
Alliance Research Team
Casualties

None

Immediate Aftermath

Rapid human technological advancement

Long-term Effects

Humanity's emergence as galactic power

First Contact War
2157 CE
Humanity's first contact with an alien race (the Turians) leads to the First Contact War.
Conflict
Significant casualties reported
Location

Shanxi colony

Significance

Humanity's introduction to galactic community

Key Figures
General Williams
Admiral Drescher
Turian Commander
Casualties

623 humans, 1,200 turians

Immediate Aftermath

Peace negotiations and diplomatic relations

Long-term Effects

Complex human-turian relationship

Eden Prime Attack
2183 CE
Saren and the geth attack Eden Prime, marking the return of the Reaper threat.
Conflict
Significant casualties reported
Location

Eden Prime colony

Significance

First modern encounter with Reaper technology

Key Figures
Commander Shepard
Saren
Nihlus
Casualties

Thousands of colonists

Immediate Aftermath

Investigation of Saren and discovery of Sovereign

Long-term Effects

Beginning of modern Reaper war

Battle of the Citadel
2183 CE
Sovereign attacks the Citadel, leading to a massive space battle.
Conflict
Significant casualties reported
Location

Citadel

Significance

First major battle against a Reaper

Key Figures
Commander Shepard
Sovereign
Saren
Admiral Hackett
Casualties

Thousands of military and civilian

Immediate Aftermath

Destruction of Sovereign

Long-term Effects

Proof of Reaper existence

Collector Ship Encounters
2184 CE
Multiple colonies report sightings of unknown vessels later identified as Collector ships.
Discovery
Location

Various human colonies

Significance

First confirmation of Collector presence

Key Figures
Colonial witnesses
Alliance investigators
Immediate Aftermath

Increased colony defenses

Long-term Effects

Led to investigation of Collector threat

Arrival DLC Events
2185 CE
Dr. Amanda Kenson's discovery of Reaper arrival evidence and subsequent events.
Major
Location

Bahak System

Significance

Delayed Reaper invasion

Key Figures
Dr. Amanda Kenson
Commander Shepard
Casualties

300,000+ Batarian colonists

Immediate Aftermath

Destruction of Bahak System

Long-term Effects

Strained Human-Batarian relations

Collector Attacks
2185 CE
Human colonies begin disappearing due to Collector attacks.
Conflict
Significant casualties reported
Location

Human colonies in Terminus Systems

Significance

Revelation of Collector threat

Key Figures
Commander Shepard
Illusive Man
Collector General
Casualties

Hundreds of thousands of colonists

Immediate Aftermath

Destruction of Collector base

Long-term Effects

Delayed Reaper invasion plans

Reaper Invasion
2186 CE
The Reapers launch a full-scale invasion of the galaxy.
Conflict
Significant casualties reported
Location

Galaxy-wide

Significance

Culmination of Reaper harvest cycle

Key Figures
Commander Shepard
Admiral Anderson
Admiral Hackett
Illusive Man
Casualties

Billions across all species

Immediate Aftermath

Activation of Crucible

Long-term Effects

End of Reaper threat and transformation of galaxy

Event Classifications
Major Event
Conflict
Discovery
First Contact