Warhammer 40k an in depth analysis: Part 1, IoM, part 9, Final thoughts

Introduction

This will be the final chapter in our introduction to the humans of the Warhammer 40k universe. We will in this chapter combine what we have learned in previous chapters to create a uniform image of the Imperium of Mankind. Furthermore, will we deepen and contrast these themes with each other to see how they work together to create a coherent whole in a way that we will not see in many of the other factions in the Warhammer 40k franchise.

Knowledge and Faith

One defining feature of the different factions we examine, is how they view knowledge and the use of said knowledge. In the case of the IoM is knowledge, and the pursuit of knowledge, deeply tangled in with the pursuit of theological enlightenment and purity, this is particularly true in the case of the cult of the Adeptus Mechanicus (see Adeptus Mechanicus).

Magic and science

The British writer Arthur C. Clarke said the famous quote “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” This statement is most assuredly true when it comes to the scientific and technological advancements of the Imperium of Mankind. As described earlier are technology and knowledge highly mistrusted and mystified amongst most of the citizenry of the Imperium.

The members of the Imperium that do follow scientific pursuits uses terms of mysticism and magic rather than pursue science. A good example of this is that Chemistry is referred to as Alchemy, and the psychic powers of many races, are referred to interchangeably as magic. Furthermore is the term Miasma and similar terminology frequently used within fiction, giving us a good idea of how the scientific outlook works within the Imperium of man.

The last point is something that we have not yet had a chance to go into detail about, the concept of the “Machine Spirit”. The Machine spirit or, or the “Prime motivating force” is the name that the Adeptus Mechanicus has given to the force responsible for the function of al machinery in existence. This force is sentient and have wants and needs. As a result are machines not seen as tools to be used, but allies to be cooperated with, and in some cases, deities to be venerated. This further blurs the line between magic, science and faith. (Sanders, R 2016)

Doctrine vs innovation

As we have discussed previously, is innovation highly frowned upon, and in some cases, illegal. This taboo is particularly true within the Adeptus Mechanicus, and their punishment of supposed “Techno heretics”, goes far beyond that of their own priesthood. Citizens as well as members of the Imperial military has felt the ire of the Adeptus Mechanicus for “unlawful modification” of holy machines. To try and carelessly modify or invent new technology would be to put oneself above the wisdom of the ancients.

Most research stations and laboratories of the Imperium are described to be worked by several generations of scribes and scientists. It is rare that any of these scholars knows the original purpose of their research, even rarer for them to see any form of results within their own lifetime. This further drives home the idea of hopelessness, helplessness and overwhelming scale, as even such an innovative and creative task as research is turned into a series of monotonous and seemingly pointless tasks.

There are exceptions to this rule tough, for example does the Space Marine chapters personal engineers (known as Tech marines), often modify, or even create new forms of war gear. This blatant breaking of the status quo creates even more tension within an already fractured imperium.

Technology and religion

Lastly do we have the subject of technology and how it pertains to faith. The Adeptus Mechanicus are the most obvious of these connections, as they literally and metaphorically worship technology and knowledge, In this search do they willingly sacrifice flesh for metal in their quest of spiritual purity.

The Adeptus Mechanicus is far from the only area where technology and religion melds. We see it in the weapons they wear, the mechanical angels and statues, and the warships and tanks they use in battle. They are all used to give the feeling of the machines superiority over thee human. The venerated machines such as the bolter, is also valued many more times higher than that on any individual life.

The warrior culture of mankind

Throughout the narratives focused on the IoM, there is the notion of omnipresent war, a culture that is so deadest on victory and conquest, that peace is al but inconceivable.

Divine destiny

We have already discussed this concept earlier, but now we have a fuller understanding of the faith and philosophies of the Imperium, we can dig further into these concepts.

Both the pre and Post Horus Heresy Imperium is lead by a distinct notion of an ultimate destiny, that the galaxy is the property of humanity by birthright. The biggest difference between the two, would be that one crusade was done in the name of logic and reason, while the other was made in the name of faith and duty. The end result is tough, arguably still the same.

Be it the Imperial truth or the Imperial faith, both are highly strict doctrines, that meets any opposition with extreme violence. We see it in the Emperor’s crusade, where all those human civilisations that had no interest in joining peacefully were brutally torn down, and again where the Word Bearers were forced to watch as their cult to the Emperor were utterly destroyed before their very eyes. The same sort of unforgiving rhetoric is very much present in the current era of the Imperium, it can be found in the aggressively anti alien propaganda of the public officials, the strict and unforgiving teachings of the Ecclesiarchy and Adeptus Mechanicus, and in the uncaring and brutal methods of the inquisition. (Games Workshop 2013)

The cult of war

War is in general described as glorious within the Imperium of man, and a society is often measured by how skilled and or powerful their warriors are. One of the greatest imperial planets, is the Planet of Cadia, here the concept of a civilian do not exist, and most have gotten their first kills at the age of 14. This kind of dedication to war and combat it is seen as a sign of great cultural strength within the Imperium.

Another good example of this is the sector of Ultramar, the homeland of the mighty Ultramarines. The strength of this system is described to come from their “noble and warrior like citizens”. The greatest honour is to be chosen in to the grand space marine chapter. (Games Workshop 2017)

The individual and the masses

The dichotomy of the faceless masses and the lone hero is one that go through all the texts we have examined so far. This theme more than anything signifies the themes that strongest represent the Imperium of Man.

The hero and the expendable masses

The dichotomy between the faceless masses, and the heroic individual is most clearly seen then in the Astra Militarum. The organisation is described as unimaginably large, and one that sacrifices countless lives each day. Despite these facts, are the actions of single individuals, or small groups of valiant heroes been said to save the day constantly. This might also be meant to represent the large amount of propaganda the Imperium is constantly producing. The story of a lone hero in a large and careless world, is an interesting one when put next to the further narrative of the 40k universe, and one that we will surely come back to at a later date. (Hill, J.D. 2016)

Grand names and grand wars

The Warhammer narrative is usually signified by large distances, and long spans of time, this is often done to further drive home the idea of the vastness of the world, and the hopelessness of the characters struggles.

There are characters that are seemingly immune to the effects of time and space, that can freely travel large distances, and be able to have large sway over world changing events, sometimes even, galaxy spanning once. A good example of this would be during the Horus Heresy related texts. Here a few named individuals take up central and leading roles in a galaxy spanning event, spanning over decades if not centuries. We will discuss the Horus Heresy later, once I have presented a more complete image of the Warhammer 40k narrative as a whole. (Games Workshop 2013)

These examples can easily be explained away using “narrative convenience”, these breaks of the fictional rules needed to happen in order for the narrative to flow. With that said, are these points still important to keep in mind as we move forward.

The horrors of The Imperium

Lastly we will take a look at our final unifying theme, that of horror and dread, be it from the body horror of the twisted technology of the Imperium, to the existential dread of the Adeptus Militarum, is dread something that is always lurking beneath the surface.

Icons of horror

The iconography of horror and death is one that has run through most, if not all of the areas we have looked at through this series. The most easily recognizable one is that of the skull, it is a unifying sign throughout the Imperium, often as a sign of power or authority. This symbol can easily be tied to death, for obvious reasons.

The horror of scale

This is other tool of producing terror we have seen time again and again throughout the series. The size of the enemy armies, the vast distances between the characters and possible salvation, the size of the Imperium itself, al is is use to further a sense of dread and despair. One excellent examples of scale used to build dread, would be the Manufactorum with its endless scribes, protocol’s and barley functioning logistics. Another example is, the size of the galaxy itself, and the time and effort it takes to send a single message from one star system to another, not to mention, physical space travel.

Conclusion

With this analysis have we managed to create a coherent image of the Imperium of mankind, as well as presented some of the tools we will be using in the rest of the series. We have so far presented an image of our subject as a Xenophobic, highly religious civilisation that values war, and venerates as well as worships technology. I have during this series tried to show the coherency of these themes, as well as to categorize them into the three different areas presented above. We will give each faction the same analysis, and when we have a good grasp of the subject matter, will we use this as a platform to discuss smaller and intricate subjects.

This wraps up our first chapter on the Warhammer 40k franchise, the next few series of episodes will be shorter one offs to cleanse our pallet, before returning and taking a deep dive into the strange and intriguing world of the Immaterium.

References

Games Workshop (2013). Codex: Inquisition. Games Workshop. Lenton, Nottingham.
Hill, J.D. (2016). Astra militarum. Games Workshop. Lenton, Nottingham. Games Workshop (2017). Codex Space Marines . Games Workshop.
Sanders, R. (2016).Adeptus Mechanicus . Games Workshop.

Copyright Disclaimer

Under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. I do not claim to own an of the pictures in this post. Al copyrighted materials belongs to their respective owners.