- "Once upon a time, there was a race of people that went on a great journey through space, across the universe. They were called the Alterans. After much time they found a great belt of stars. The Alterans named their new home Avalon and built many 'Astria Porta'."
- ―Daniel Jackson, reading from an Ancient book found in the Avalon vault.[src]
The Alterans were a race of people who originated from the planet of Celestis in a distant galaxy and eventually fled to the Milky Way Galaxy. Due to a philosophical disagreement however, they would eventually split into the fervently religious Ori, while the scientific minded Alterans fled to the another galaxy, which they called Avalon. The Ori regarded the Alterans as evil, as those who abandoned the path of enlightenment.
History[]
Tens, possibly even hundreds, of millions of years ago, the Alterans (the first evolution of humanity) lived together as one society in a distant galaxy along the evolutionary path to Ascension. However, a philosophical division soon emerged among the Alterans, dividing them into two races. One faction, which would eventually become known as the Ancients, came to rely more heavily on science and rationality, while the other, the Ori, became more and more fervent in their religious beliefs. Merlin indicated that the Ori originally had good intentions, but those good intentions eventually became corrupted.
Ultimately, the Ori became so extreme in their beliefs that the two sects split apart and began to oppose each other, culminating in the Ori attempting to wipe the Ancients out. The Alteran Ancients were too few in numbers, however, and were ultimately forced to hide their ways. Though they considered using their knowledge to defend themselves, they faced a war of attrition, one they ultimately believed that they could not win. To avoid genocide, the Alteran built a ship and left their home galaxy, while the Ori remained.
The Ori later ascended on the higher plane and were determined to destroy the Ancients, who would rarely interfere in the happenings of the lower planes of existence, but would sometime allow exceptions such in the case of Morgana, where she assisted Daniel Jackson in the fight against the Ori. Later, the Ori were destroyed by Dr. Daniel Jackson with the help of Merlin and his weapon. SG-1 then used an Alteran device called the Ark of Truth, left behind in their old home at Ortus Mallum, to show the Ori followers the truth about their "gods" and end their crusade.
Culture[]
Philosophy[]
- "We believe in the systematic understanding of the physical world through observation and experimentation, through argument and debate, but, most of all, freedom of will."
- ―Alteran Woman[src]
The Alterans believed in science, reason, and logic. Knowledge and enlightenment were fundamental to their world view. They believed that the universe was to be studied, and that scientific experimentation was essential to gaining understanding. Most importantly, the Alterans believed in free will. To them, the right to believe whatever a person wants is more important than anything else. This has been to their detriment, however, as it has been that very belief in free will that forced them to respect the rights of the Ori in believing their fanaticism. They also believed that they did not have the right to restrict the freedom of the followers of Origin to believe in the Ori by "brainwashing" the true nature of the Ori into their followers for much the same reasons.
Technology[]
- "Anyway, we've been working on a way of artificially emulating the Alteran technology."
- ―Samantha Carter[src]
The Alterans, being one of the first forms of sentient life to evolve in the universe had developed many advanced forms of technology before they left their galaxy. Ranging from advanced healing technologies, and long-range communication devices, the Alterans were one of the most advanced races in the known universe. They had also developed intergalactic hyperdrive technology long before sentient life had developed on Earth. Another piece of technology they created and ultimately abandoned was the Ark of Truth, a device meant to brainwash the Ori's followers into believing the truth, but abandoned it as they believed it was unethical.
Physiology[]
The Alterans physiology was advanced, with a heightened intellect and capacity to store knowledge with advanced mental abilities.
Appearances[]
| Appearances for Alteran |
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In chronological order:
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External links[]
- Alterans in Kathleen Ritter's Lexicon.
- GateWorld's article on Alterans in The Stargate Omnipedia