SPACE MARINES: the ADEPTUS ASTARTES

Astarte is the name of a goddess of war and fertility in the ancient Middle East. However she appears to have originally been only a war goddess from Syria and over time became associated with fertility. However, Adeptus Astartes are Games Workshop Latinised words which are meant to mean adepts of the stars.

While every country has its elite soldiers, marines come from other sources. The first being the novel, not the movie, Starship Troopers. Among the various things to be found in the book are powered armour, jump packs and chaplains fighting along side their brethren. Dune gives us the Sardukar, the elite legions under control of the emperor of the galaxy.

Chaplains carry a crosius as a sign of office which is based on the crozier which is carried as a symbol of pastoral office by bishops.

The motif of a fist or hand is found through out the Imperial Fist’s background. To start, by looking at the primarch’s name we find that Dorn means a fist or closed hand in Gaelic. Then the fortress-monastery Phalanx, while a close formation of troops, is the bones of the fingers. Finally all that was left of him was his hand (fist).

Rogal Dorn may have taken some inspiration from Sir Bedivere of Arthurian legend. To start, he was one of Arthur’s closest friends accompanying him everywhere. Similar to how Dorn stayed with the Emperor. Bedivere, along with Sir Kay, have both been referred to as Arthur’s seneschal. While this means the head of the household, it may be the source to Dorn building the imperial palace. Bedivere is best known for finding King Arthur in his dying moments. Mordred (Horus) mortally wounds Arthur (The Emperor) who is found by Bedivere (Dorn).

Now we know that Dorn means fist, but what about Rogal. The closest sounding word is regal, which fits well with a chapter whose first name is Imperial. However Ro has some reference to greatly in several Celtic languages and Gal is weeping. This fits what Dorn, and the Imperium, would have done after the Heresy.

There is one other thing about the Fists that comes to mind. Inwit, the planet of ice hives near where Dorn and the Emperor met, may have taken its name from the Inuit, an arctic people. Scrimshawing, a habit of the Fists, may originally have been from the arctic peoples.

There are four themes for the Salamanders; nobility, fire, blacksmiths and volcanoes. Nobility is found through out the background and the best example is in N’bel, the man who found Vulkan, his name being similar to the word noble. Then we mustn’t over look the fact he was the blacksmith who taught the primarch. While the home world of Nocturne literally means nocturnal night, it is the moon Prometheus which has a greater imagery of fire associated with it. In Greek mythology Prometheus was a Titan who stole fire from Olympus and gave it to mankind.

Vulkan, himself, follows several of the themes. He was a blacksmith and very noble. We see more when we look at the Roman god Vulcan, the god of fire and volcanoes, and the manufacturer of art, arms, Iron, and armor. His forge was situated under a volcano.

Now why would a chapter be named after salamanders? An amphibian that needs water to breed seems a rather strange choice. However, in European mythology they were believed to be baby dragons able to survive fire and flame. Even the piece of war gear, the salamander’s mantle, has a basis in history. There are ancient references to something called salamander skin which wouldn't burn and was thought to be woven asbestos.

Of the two special characters Chaplain Xavier is the easier one to find the meaning of, brilliant, an excellent name for a chaplain. Tu’shan poses more of a problem. The closest reference I have found would be T’ai Shan, the most sacred mountain in China. On its summit is the Temple of the Jade Emperor.

Ferrus Manus, whose name means iron hands, does not have much more information to go on. His home world of Medusa doesn’t offer up much of a connection to the chapter except for the Perseus myth. Perseus is a Greek hero who needs several special items to slay Medusa. These are used to great effect, Medusa is beheaded and the bad guys turn to stone. First, the special items are the equivalent to mechanical augmentation of the body. Then secondly, Medusa turning people into stone can be seen as a weakness of the flesh. I know it’s a bit of a stretch, but it’s the only connection I could see.

On the seeming need or obsession of replacing flesh with steel there is one thing similar; Munchausen syndrome, a syndrome that consists of feigning medical problems where no clinical evidence is ever found. Extreme cases involve patients having repeated operations preformed on them to the point where they almost die. Of course the Iron Hands don’t have this problem with bionics.

A legion that follows after some of the greatest horsemen and warriors the world has ever known. Jaghatai Khan was most likely named for the second son of Genghis Khan, whose life is mirrored. Like Genghis, Jaghatai’s father was killed by a rival tribe this lead to both becoming leaders. Both eventually go on to become great military leaders. ‘The Great Khan of Quan Zhou’ was written by a general named Ogedei, which was the name of Genghis’ third son. Subedei is another great general of the Khan that accompanied him on over sixty campaigns.

The name of the White Scars is taken from the facial scars they wear. The only reference to facial scars I could find is not a Mongol one but from the Huns. They would cut their cheeks as a sign of mourning, as a fallen warrior should not have tears but blood.

Mundus Planus, their home world, translates to flat world in Latin. This could be a reference to steppes where the Mongols are from.

There are two things that sum up the Space Wolves; Vikings and wolves, from the name of the primarch to their home world. The best example is Fenris, from Norse mythology, a huge wolf that will be part of Ragnarok.

Leman Russ was named for a group of Vikings who invaded the area around what would become Russia and founded Novgorod, they were the Russ and it is from them that both get their name. One of the meanings of leman is gallant; displaying great nobility. Both meanings make for an excellent name.

While most of the special characters don’t have a hidden meaning to their names there are a couple of things from the codex that do. The Wolf Lord Erik Morkai is noted as having a twin brother, Irnist the Wise. Possably named for British comedians Eric Morcambe and Ernie Wise. Then Odin, in Norse mythology, had two wolves Geri and Freki, the same names of Leman Russ' two companion wolves.

The Blood Angels, a chapter that is full of references to heaven and blood. Sanguinius is a variation on sanguineous, which means; of or relating to blood. He also is based on the classic angel, perfect in every way. The Red grail has similarities to the Holy Grail and even Dante Alighieri's Inferno Comedy is brought in with Commander Dante and his Inferno pistol.

Home world Baal Secondus takes its name from Baal which is a Semitic word which primarily signifies lord, owner or inhabitant. Now Brother Captain Tycho and his rictus mask go back to the sixteenth century astronomer who lost the tip of his nose in a duel and had it replaced with a piece of gold, Tycho Brahe. Mephiston seems to be a reference to Mephistopheles, the demon that Faust bargained with and was killed by. However there are two versions, in the one by Goethe Faust overcomes Mephistopheles’ temptation and ascends to heaven, in a way breaking the blood fury. Moriar the dreadnaught is close to morior, which is to die, wither away or decay. Last Apothecary Corbulo may take his name from a roman general who served Emperor Claudius.

Corax, named in for part of the scientific name for a raven, corvus corax. This is also referenced in his last word to the chapter, nevermore, taken from an Edgar Allan Poe poem, The Raven. The planet of Lycaeus probably comes from the mountain of the same name. On it the ritual of Zeus was practised which may have involved a human sacrifice and a feast with canabalistic rites. There is also some association with the word lycanthopy and could be the reference to the weregeld.

One other thing about Corax was his pale white skin, black eyes and hair. This may be from a comic book and film by the name of “The Crow”.

Milton’s Paradise Lost, a book about the war in heaven, provides the ideas for what the Dark Angels are. Here Lion El’Jonson represents God while Satan’s part is played by Luther. The angels of God (the DA) split into two factions and begin a civil war, those who followed Satan (Luther) were banished (the fallen being sucked into the warp). The war doesn’t end with the banishment but merely takes on another form (the hunt for the fallen).

Lion El’Jonson, and the chapter, have been named after the 19th century poet Lionel Johnson and his poem named 'The Dark Angel'. While the poem is about a former lover it does provide imagery that is in tune with the Dark Angels. To read the poem, go to; http://www.theotherpages.org/poems/johns01.html Of course the name Lion is easy to associate with its feline counter part on Earth. (Note: Lionel Johnson was said to have "died of a fall" after he had a heart attack and fell from a stool in a bar.

Many of the special characters have taken the names of angels or other biblical personalities, Azreal and Ezekiel. We also find that there are names associated with demons as well, Asmodai. This shows the duality of the Dark Angels in that they do not see themselves as pure.

Caliban, home world once and now the rock, was a Shakespearian character in the Tempest. The behaviour of Caliban switches between crude and eloquent in the play, another example of duality.

Last but not least is Luther, a character with two possible sources for his name. First is the leader, in Germany, of the Protestant Reformation, Martin Luther. The second is from the Superman comics, Lex Luther. Martin went against the status quo while Lex decided to fight a super man.

The Ravenwing is said to have taken its name from the writings of an ancient terran scribe Idgar Alunpo, obliviously Edgar Allan Poe and 'the Raven' again.

Guilliman comes from a world that was based on Sparta, his adoptive father being one of the two co-rulers similar to the duel kingship. Even the neighbouring planets can be seen as the equivalent to the ancient Greek city states. His story is closer to Octavian’s, from Roman history, as both had adoptive fathers and events concerning them lead to their eventual rise to power. Guilliman, however, did not get a month named after him.

There was a Francois Guilliman who wrote a history book, in 1607, called De Rebus Helvetiorum. This may be where Guilliman and Ancient Helveticus get their names. Ultramarine is also a colour of blue.

A chapter that has Egyptian and predatory references is the Flesh Tearers. While Chaplain Carnavon’s name may as well be carnivore, more than likely he is named for Lord Carnarvon. This was the man who funded the excavation of Tutankhamun's tomb. Now Chapter Master Seth is named for the Egyptian evil beast-headed god and the former chapter master Amit would be named for the eater of hearts in the Egyptian after world. Lastly their home world of Cretacia, which has dinosaur like creatures, must be based on the cretaceous period.

The Crimson Fists’ first chapter master was Alexis Polux. His names mean defender and very thoughtful, useful traits for one in his position and to the Imperium. Their current leader is Pedro Kantor, whose first name means stone and second name is that of a musical director or leader for those of the Jewish and early Christian faith. Seeing as how marines are warrior monks the definition fits well. Now Captain Cortez is named for the Spanish conquistador who defeated the Aztecs and conquered Mexico. Rutilius Tyrannus was the name of the fortress-monastery, a Latin name which translated is red tyrant. The Voltigern Crusade they participated in may be named for an ancient king of the British Isles. A king from the mid fifth century AD named Voltigern (also known as Vortigern) from southern England. Last the Scythians are a xenos that take their name from an ancient people of Scythia.

The relic collectors, with a name that means as much, as they go about gathering Chaos artefacts. Their censure by the Inquisition and the evil of Chaos echoes in the background. I’ll start with the Gethsemane Reclusium; Gethsemane is a place or occasion of great mental or spiritual suffering. The world on which a chaos weapon was found was Eidolon, which is an image or representation, a form, phantom or an apparition. Now Excoriator, the chaos champion whose weapon changed the chapter’s views, has a name that means to censure strongly or denounce. The chapter was censured after it denounced Imperial edicts on Chaos weapons. Inquisitor De Marche has a name that means to move or step or manoeuvre in political or diplomatic affairs; demarche. Last we have Chapter Master Artekus Bardane, whose first name may be derived from Arcturus. That is the name of the brightest star in the constellation Bootes. The name means bear-keeper and has a connection to the constellation Ursa Major, which in turn may be a connection to Cadia’s Creed.

The Black Templars, a chapter permanently on crusade, similar to their namesakes the Knights Templar. While this is a loose basis they do share the same fervour. The Initiates; someone who have been introduced to the mysteries of some field or activity, and Neophytes; a new participant in the same activities, add to the religious feel. They wear the colour black as a sign of perpetual mourning and their symbol is the Maltese. The founder, Sigismund, may be based on a King of Germany and Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire from the late thirteen hundreds to early fourteen hundreds. Captain Navarre is most likely named after a region in Spain. (Note: Sigismund was the younger brother to King Wenceslaus, from the Christmas carol.).

The Howling Griffons one time Chapter Master Orlando Furioso was taken from the epic poem "Orlando Furioso" by Ariosto. The author lends his name to the Battle of Arios Quintus. Periclitor, the daemon prince involved in this fight, is a Latin word meaning to put in peril or endanger. The current Chapter Master is Alvaro which is a Spanish name meaning; truth-speaker or guardian, both fit for a member of the Adeptus Astartes. However there is a battle barge belonging to the Griffons by the name of Force of Destiny. The name of an opera, La Forza del Destino, by Verdi with one of the main characters being Don Alvaro. A long time player of the Griffons has even had his name added. Fred Reed lends his name to Reed’s Poin where the Land Raider Sword of Fire was destroyed.

Most of the names the other chapters have straight forward; Lamenters, Minotaurs, Black Dragons, etc. Some have varying degrees of references. The Mortefactors would be perpetrators of death while the Sons of Antaeus are names for a character from Greek mythology. Antaeus was a son of Poseidon and Gaia and was extremely strong as long as he remained in contact with the ground. The Rainbow Warriors may be named for the U.S. army’s 42nd Infantry "Rainbow" Division from WW1 or named for the Rainbow Warrior. This was a ship owned by Green Peace and GW did have advertising from them a long time ago. The Flame Falcons home world of Lethe, which in Greek mythology is a river in Hades which the souls of the dead had to drink from and had the effect that they forget all they had done and suffered when they were alive. Now the Angels Porphyr have a name that is a colour of purple, like the colour they wear.