Uncovering the Genuine Duration of Battlestar Galactica's Epic Cylon War

The Cylons in Battlestar Galactica are not just typical villains, but rather complex humanoid machines that play a crucial role in the series' two major conflicts known as the Cylon Wars. The First Cylon War takes place between the events of Caprica and the Battlestar Galactica series in 2004, while the Second Cylon War occurs during the series itself. These wars result in ongoing animosity between humans and Cylons, but what further complicates matters is the increasing sentience and human-like qualities of the Cylons.

Since its inception in 1978, Battlestar Galactica has undergone various iterations, including a sequel series in 1980, a reimagined miniseries in 2003, a rebooted version that aired from 2004 to 2009, and a prequel series in 2010. Despite the differences in these versions, they all share the common theme of humans migrating from their home planet of Kobol to the Twelve Colonies. However, after the devastating First Cylon War, the human population is almost entirely wiped out, with the exception of the Battlestar Galactica, a spacecraft that embarks on a mission to find Earth, the lost Thirteenth Colony. Throughout the series, the humanoid Cylons play a pivotal role and remain central to the overarching storyline.

How Long The First Cylon War Lasted Before Battlestar Galactica

The First Cylon War, which spanned twelve years, was initiated by the Twelve Colonies as they introduced Cylon Centurions, their robotic slaves. Unexpectedly, the consciousness of the creator's daughter is transferred to a Centurion, resulting in the awakening of sentience among all Centurions. This triggers a rebellion among them, sparking the devastating First Cylon War. Lasting for twelve years, the war entails the Centurions conducting experiments on humans in their pursuit of creating humanoid Cylons known as "skinjobs."

Ultimately, the First Cylon War concludes abruptly with an armistice brokered by the Final Five, unbeknownst to the Twelve Colonies. In this agreement, the Final Five pledge to aid the Centurions in constructing "skinjobs" if they cease their aggression against humans. Ultimately, the Centurions accept this proposal, leading to the cessation of the war. Following the conflict, peace is maintained between the Cylons and humans for several decades with the assistance of the Final Five. However, forty years later, at the onset of the Battlestar Galactica events, the Centurions resurface.

How Long The Human/Cylon Conflict Lasts During Battlestar Galactica

The Second Cylon War, which spanned approximately four years, marked the ongoing conflict between humans and the Cylons until the conclusion of Battlestar Galactica. It began forty years after the initial Cylon War, when the Centurions launched a brutal attack on the Twelve Colonies, resulting in the near annihilation of humanity. This renewed conflict stemmed from the jealousy and resentment of John Cavil, the First Cylon Model Number One, towards the new Cylon models and humans. Convincing the Centurions to initiate another war, Cavil's actions set in motion the catastrophic events that unfolded in Battlestar Galactica.

Despite the conflicts, crimes, and betrayals that plagued the series, the humans and Cylons of Battlestar Galactica ultimately found peace. Devastated by the Fall of the Twelve Colonies, the remaining humans learned to form an alliance with the sentient Cylons, uniting against a common adversary. As a result, the conclusion of Battlestar Galactica depicted humans and Cylons coexisting harmoniously on a version of Earth that feels uncannily familiar. Thus, the twelve years of the First Cylon War and the subsequent four years following the tragic loss of the Twelve Colonies concluded in a satisfying state of peace.