The Fall of the Hegemony
The destruction of the farcaster network and the end of the Hegemony of Man.
The Fall of the Hegemony, known simply as the Fall, is the collapse of the Hegemony of Man at the end of The Fall of Hyperion. Hegemony CEO Meina Gladstone orders the destruction of all farcaster portals to stop the TechnoCore, which is believed to be located within the farcaster network, from eliminating humankind.
Quick Facts
- Primary conflict
- Human Hegemony vs. The TechnoCore
Lore & Background
Gladstone first learns that the attacks on the WorldWeb blamed on the Ousters are really Core attacks, and then, through a dream of Joseph Severn, that the TechnoCore resides completely within the farcaster system. When the network is destroyed the WorldWeb disintegrates, and mass chaos and riots follow. Gladstone lets the rioters kill her as partial penance for the suffering she caused. The Fall brings the collapse of civilization on many planets, and the Catholic Church, with its military forces, fills the void the Hegemony leaves.
Cosmology and Technological Landscape
The fictional universe spans over two hundred planets under the Hegemony of Man, connected by advanced technologies that defy conventional physics. Faster-than-light communication utilizes Fatlines operating via tachyon bursts or the mysterious Void Which Binds, while instantaneous travel is achieved through the Farcaster network gifted by the enigmatic TechnoCore. Human exploration was initially enabled by the Hawking Drive, facilitating the great migration known as the Hegira. The planet Hyperion serves as a focal point, characterized by reduced gravity and unique flora like electricity-spewing Tesla trees. Most critically, it houses the Time Tombs, ancient artifacts surrounded by anti-entropic fields that allow movement backward through time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What defines The Fall of the Hegemony within the series?
The Fall is the collapse that follows Meina Gladstone's order to destroy every farcaster portal, 274 years before Endymion opens. The WorldWeb disintegrates, and mass chaos and riots follow.
Is there a specific ending date for this era?
The Fall of Hyperion is set in the 29th century, and Endymion opens 274 years after the Fall.
How does this event impact the main characters?
Meina Gladstone lets the rioters kill her, and General Morpurgo and his son die inside the farcaster system when it is destroyed. The Consul afterwards returns to the former Web worlds in his starship to learn what happened.
More in Chronicles & Pilgrimage Arcs
Elsewhere in Hyperion Cantos
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