The Secrets Unveiled: Unraveling the Enigma of the Ori in Stargate

The Stargate Command from the sci-fi series Stargate SG-1 encountered various malevolent forces while journeying across the Milky Way and Pegasus galaxies using the Stargates. A number of these distant civilizations were revered as godlike entities by the less advanced, often human, societies.

Among these power-seeking civilizations were the Ori. The Ori were initially encountered by Stargate Command in seasons 9 and 10 of Stargate SG-1. From that point onward, the Ori became a highly influential and malicious adversary to the series' protagonists. However, who exactly were the Ori and what was their ultimate objective in conquering and waging crusades throughout the universe?

Who Were the Ori & Where Did They Come From?

The Ori, originating from the planet Celestis, were one of the oldest civilizations in the known universe. They were once part of the Alteran species, who were believed to have created human life. Residing together in the Alteran Home Galaxy, the Alterans eventually split into two factions due to differing beliefs. This division gave rise to the Ancients, who valued scientific exploration, and the Ori, who chose to embrace religion.

Over time, the divide between the two groups deepened, leading the Ori to seek the total annihilation of the Ancients. In response, the Ancients fled to the Milky Way galaxy. However, even with the physical distance separating them, the rivalry between the two factions persisted. It is speculated that the Ori were responsible for the plague, also known as the Ancient contagion, which nearly wiped out the Ancients and forced them into hiding in the Pegasus galaxy for many years.

Both civilizations eventually ascended to the higher plane of existence, granting them unparalleled wisdom and control over the inhabitants of the tangible realm. While the Ancients opt to peacefully share their newfound knowledge, the Ori take a divergent path, perceiving their Ascension as evidence of their immortality and viewing themselves as all-powerful deities.

What Was The Ori's Goal?

After their ascension, the Ori devoted themselves to the propagation of their religious beliefs, referred to as Origin, throughout the vast expanse of the universe. Central to the Origin faith was the notion that the Ori held exclusive dominion over all forms of life. Having transcended their physical existence, they engendered a new race of individuals called Priors through artificial genetic evolution. The Priors were assigned the crucial role of acting as emissaries, disseminating the teachings of the Book of Origin.

During their crusades, the Priors would arrive on different planets carrying the Book of Origin, spreading their belief in Origin among the less advanced inhabitants. These people were often easily convinced due to their perception of the Ori as ascended beings. The Ori soon discovered that they could gain power and energy by harnessing the people's faith in them, but this required a substantial number of followers to significantly impact their power.

A major factor that facilitated the conversion to Origin was the Priors' promise of eventual Ascension for their followers. They claimed that by embracing Origin, individuals could attain eternal life in a higher realm of existence, a phenomenon believed to be possible only through the Ori's blessings. However, this was a deceit. Anyone could achieve Ascension, and the Ori had no intention of bestowing this ability upon the people. They jealously guarded this knowledge for their own advancement, aiming to ultimately destroy their Alteran counterparts, the Ancients.

The Ori Army, consisting mainly of Origin followers with little to no military training, executed those who refused to convert, labeling them as "unbelievers."

How Were the Ori Defeated?

In 2006, the Ori constructed a Supergate, enabling them to move their motherships across different galaxies, expanding their dominion beyond their home galaxy. Their primary objective was to reach the Milky Way galaxy.

Once they arrived, their formidable presence became evident as they effortlessly overcame the initial defenses. Expanding their dominion in the Milky Way, they swiftly converted planets to Origin and grew in strength. The unwavering belief of the Ancients in non-interference prevented any resistance from being mounted against the Ori. The leader of the Ori fleet was Adria the Orici, an Ori who assumed the guise of a human.

Despite the Ancients' refusal to engage in combat, one member named Merlin foresaw the threat posed by the Ori to the galaxy. He devised a powerful weapon known as the Sangraal, also referred to as the Holy Grail, capable of eradicating any ascended being. However, the Ancient Morgan Le Fay destroyed the weapon, yet chose to preserve Merlin as he possessed the knowledge to recreate the Sangraal. However, when Morgan Le Fay finally brought Merlin back to reconstruct the Sangraal, he had significantly weakened and opted to transfer his knowledge to Dr. Daniel Jackson of Stargate Command.

Adria captured Jackson in an attempt to persuade him to annihilate the Ancients. However, Jackson rejected the proposal and took SG-1's assistance to transport the Sangraal through the Ori's Supergate, effectively destroying the ascended Ori on their planet Celestis in their home galaxy.

Nonetheless, instead of complete eradication, the Ori's power transformed into Adria. Her ongoing mission was abruptly terminated when SG-1 employed another ancient device known as the Ark of Truth. Exposure to this device immediately revealed the truth about Origin and the malevolent schemes of the Ori. The Ark of Truth was used specifically on the Doci, the high-ranking Prior in the church, causing its illuminating light to spread through the staffs of the many stationed Priors, consequently reaching their followers. This marked the final demise of the Ori, ensuring their permanent absence from Stargate SG-1.