B.G. (Before Guild)

B.G. (Before Guild) is the Imperial dating system used throughout the Imperium in Frank Herbert's Dune, marking time by the genesis of the Spacing Guild's monopoly on interstellar transport. This calendar system is foundational to the novel's historical framework, anchoring the timeline of the Butlerian Jihad, the rise of the Spacing Guild and the Bene Gesserit, and the events of the Arrakis Affair.

Definition and Origin

B.G. is an idiomatic abbreviation for "Before Guild," used to identify the Imperial dating system based on the genesis of the Spacing Guild's monopoly. The term appears in the novel's glossary, where it is defined as "idiomatic for Bene Gesserit except when used with a date. With a date it signifies Before Guild and identifies the Imperial dating system based on the genesis of the Spacing Guild's monopoly." This dual usage—where the same abbreviation can refer to the Bene Gesserit order or to a historical era depending on context—highlights the intertwined nature of these two institutions in the Imperium's history. The dating system is part of the broader Imperial Calendar, which is used to record events across the vast interstellar empire.

Historical Significance

The B.G. era is most prominently associated with the Butlerian Jihad, the crusade against computers, thinking machines, and conscious robots that began in 201 B.G. and concluded in 108 B.G. This conflict is a pivotal event in the novel's backstory, as it led to the destruction of "thinking machines" and robots, forcing human minds to develop. The Great Revolt, as it is also known, took away a "crutch" and compelled the creation of schools to train human talents, including the Bene Gesserit and the Spacing Guild. The B.G. dating system thus marks the period before this transformative event, providing a chronological anchor for the rise of the two major human institutions that dominate the Imperium.

Connection to the Spacing Guild

The B.G. era is defined by the genesis of the Spacing Guild's monopoly, which is the starting point of the Imperial Calendar. The Guild's monopoly on space travel and transport, as well as its control over international banking, is a cornerstone of the Imperium's political structure. The novel describes the Guild as one of the two chief survivors of the ancient schools that emerged after the Butlerian Jihad, with the other being the Bene Gesserit. The Guild's emphasis on almost pure mathematics and its secretive ways are noted, and its monopoly is so complete that it can dictate terms to even the most powerful Houses. The B.G. dating system thus marks the beginning of this monopoly, which shapes the entire political and economic landscape of the Imperium.

Role in the Novel's Timeline

Within the narrative of Dune, the B.G. dating system is used to place events in a historical context. For example, the Battle of Corrin, the space battle from which the Imperial House Corrino took its name, is dated to 88 B.G. This battle settled the ascendancy of the ruling House from Salusa Secundus. The use of B.G. dates for such events establishes a clear chronological framework that extends from the distant past to the present of the novel. The system is also used in the appendices, such as the Almanak en-Ashraf, which records the reigns of emperors and the lives of key figures, providing a sense of historical depth and continuity.

Significance in the Imperium

The B.G. dating system is more than a mere chronological tool; it reflects the Imperium's understanding of its own history. The transition from B.G. to the Guild era marks a fundamental shift in human civilization, from a time of technological dependence on machines to a period of human development and the rise of specialized institutions. The system underscores the importance of the Spacing Guild in shaping the Imperium, as its monopoly is the defining feature of the era. The novel's use of B.G. dates thus reinforces the theme of how institutions and historical forces shape the lives of individuals and the fate of entire worlds.