Temple rule (United Planets)

A recreation of the Turanj aj-Vazan Shroud, representing the finding of Rholosh's body by the Three Great Saints and his fiery spirit observing

Temple rule (Thyssian: x), also known as Temple rule of Rholosh (Thyssian: x), and Triune rule (Thyssian: x), was the period in Ternary history when the Triune Temple governed the Thyssian people. Its start is traditionally dated to the year 12 TR (Earth calendar: 442 BC) after the death of Rholosh.

This period oversaw the final division of the Thyssian people between the 'Faithful' (Thyssian: x) and the 'Dissidents' (Thyssian: x), as the former left Thyss for a new world, which they named Rholosh after the founder of their religion. The latter remained on Thyss, culturally and religiously distinct from their kin, and have remained apart since even when the Faithful returned in 707 TR.

Leadership was given to the Three Great Saints, the Thalata, who formed a triumvirate. The Triune Temple acted as both a religious and governmental body, guiding and running the colony's expansion into a homeworld. Using archaic technologies and mastery of psionics the Thalata were able to greatly extend their lives. The Thalata placed a moratorium on travel outside the Solar System, fearing the consequences of encountering dangerous or hostile alien life before the Thyssians were ready. Each Thalata died at different points, Sahat perishing in 264 TR (44 BC) after being murdered by his students, and Vahek disappearing under unknown circumstances in 421 TR (205 AD). The death of Ayalem in 507 TR (364 AD) resulted in the collapse of Temple rule a mere decade later in 520 TR (364 AD). Led by Khetel Priest-Hater, a younger generation of Thyssian nobility gained the support of the military and took control of the state. They founded the secular Thyssian Ascendancy, an oligarchic republic, though they retained many cultural and legal aspects of Temple rule, and the Triune Temple has remained a politically and culturally dominant institution to the modern-day.

History

Temple timeline
Temple rule and Ascendancy
442 BC 12 TR	The Faithful rediscover FTL spaceflight.
426 BC 22 TR	The Faithful land upon the planet of Rholosh
420 BC 26 TR	The Thalata are declared Triumvirs
44 BC 264 TR	Sahat is murdered by his students
205 AD 421 TR	Vahek disappears on a self-imposed exile, is presumed dead.
341 AD 507 TR	Ayalem passes away
364 AD 520 TR	Temple rule is toppled, and the Thyssian Ascendancy is founded.