Emperor Cartagia
Encyclopedia
Emperor Cartagia is a fictional character from the universe of the science fiction television series Babylon 5
, played by Wortham Krimmer
. He is mentioned by name early in the series but his first on-screen appearance was in the fourth season episode The Hour of the Wolf
.
and Londo Mollari, he acted as, essentially, a powerless figurehead; however, he gradually amassed near absolute power. The scale of his self-aggrandizement and madness were exposed in early 2261, near the end of the Shadow War
, when he willingly brought Centauri Prime to the brink of annihilation by the Vorlon
s in an effort to secure his place among the gods.
in a series of quick strikes aided by the Shadows and illegal mass driver
s, Cartagia's government undertook military campaigns against other races bordering Centauri space.
In early 2261, Cartagia had Babylon 5 Ambassador Mollari recalled to Centauri Prime, and appointed him as Minister of Internal Security. At first, Cartagia merely seemed flamboyant and self-indulgent, with his shocking lower-class hairstyle and numerous hangers-on. It did not take long for Mollari to realize that Cartagia was dangerously insane, especially after he learned from Morden
that Cartagia had allowed the Shadows
, reeling from the events on Z'ha'dum
, to establish a base on the Centauri homeworld. Mollari expressed his concerns to a member of the royal court, who explained that though the Centarum had tried to oppose Cartagia, all of his opposition had since disappeared, with the rumor being that Cartagia had hidden their heads in a secret room
, where he spoke with them on a regular basis. Mollari later discovered this rumor to be true. It was also around this time that Londo learned that the Vorlons were destroying any planet with even the slightest taint of Shadow influence. When Londo informed Cartagia of this, he explained that the Shadows had agreed to reward his assistance by turning him into a deity
. Cartagia then explained that the Vorlons would help his plans for deification by turning Centauri Prime into a massive inauguration pyre. Londo knew that, in order to protect his planet and its people, he would have to kill Cartagia
.
During these events, G'Kar was captured and brought to Centauri Prime. Cartagia proceeded to have G'Kar tortured and punished. However, Londo and G'Kar had come to an agreement: in return for G'Kar's assistance in his plot to assassinate Cartagia, Londo would end the Centauri occupation of the Narn. As part of this ruse, Mollari convinced Cartagia to take G'Kar to Narn and execute him there, thus allowing Mollari to draw the Emperor away from the royal court, leaving him more vulnerable.
The plan came close to failure when Cartagia had G'kar's chains replaced after noting that they looked "a little weak." Despite this, G'Kar managed to break free and began fighting with the guards, and in the following commotion Mollari escorted Cartagia away from the fight and prepared to inject the poison into him. Cartagia went into a fit of rage about how this was not part of his destiny and, reacting to being told to quiet down by Mollari, turned and punched him, knocking the device away. Cartagia grabbed Mollari in a stranglehold, ranting about how Mollari deserved to burn with the rest of the Centauri for failing to see his greatness. As Cartagia turned to walk away, he was injected with the poison by Vir Cotto
, who had picked up the device while Londo and Cartagia struggled.
Shortly after this, the Imperial guards found Cartagia, supported by Mollari and Vir. Mollari explained that the Emperor had collapsed, and that he believed the Emperor's hearts had failed. Mollari kept his promise to G'Kar by explaining to the court that the Centauris' dealings with the Narn have now resulted in the deaths of two Emperors, and that Cartagia would interpret this as a sign from the gods to leave.
Following the death of Emperor Cartagia, the Centauri government decided not to name a new Emperor right away, hoping to prevent the possibility of another Cartagia assuming the throne. Indeed, a long-serving minister, Virini, remarked the royal bloodline was not what it once was due to inbreeding
, commenting that, "...when you reduce a family tree to a family bush, you can't hide as much underneath". As an interim solution, then, the Centarum selected this very minister to serve as their Regent, until such time as a new Emperor was selected.
met Cartagia's son Dius Vintari, third in line for the throne behind Vir. The technomage Galen had warned Sheridan that in thirty years, Dius would follow in his father's footsteps, destroying Earth and beginning a new reign of terror. Sheridan was told to kill him as the only sure way to prevent this future, but agonized over taking the life of someone who was still young and had not yet done anything to deserve it. Eventually he realized that there was another way to prevent the future and decided to introduce Dius to the concept of simple kindness, something completely lacking in the Centauri royal court. He allowed him to pilot a Starfury as he had always dreamed, then invited him to stay in the Alliance headquarters on Minbar, safe from any assassins sent by the people in line for the throne after him. Galen apparently disapproved, saying that killing Dius was the only sure way to prevent Earth's destruction, but Sheridan was confident that he could help Dius become a better man than his father and forced Galen to all but admit that was his true objective in this affair.
Babylon 5
Babylon 5 is an American science fiction television series created, produced and largely written by J. Michael Straczynski. The show centers on a space station named Babylon 5: a focal point for politics, diplomacy, and conflict during the years 2257–2262...
, played by Wortham Krimmer
Wortham Krimmer
Robert Krimmer is an American actor. Formerly known professionally as Wortham Krimmer , Krimmer has since reverted back to his original birth name of Robert Krimmer.With appearances on St...
. He is mentioned by name early in the series but his first on-screen appearance was in the fourth season episode The Hour of the Wolf
The Hour of the Wolf
"The Hour of the Wolf" is the first episode of the fourth season of the science-fiction television series Babylon 5.-Synopsis:Ivanova, Delenn and Lyta venture to Z'ha'dum to search for Sheridan. When they get there, a telepathic lure tries to draw them to the planet, but they are saved due to a...
.
Overview
When installed as emperor in 2259 by a group of Centauri politicians led by Lord RefaLord Refa
Lord Antono Refa is a fictional character from the universe of the science fiction television series Babylon 5, played by William Forward. He is a regular guest character in the second and third seasons.-Personality:...
and Londo Mollari, he acted as, essentially, a powerless figurehead; however, he gradually amassed near absolute power. The scale of his self-aggrandizement and madness were exposed in early 2261, near the end of the Shadow War
Shadow War
The Shadow Wars are a fictional series of wars involving the Shadows in the television science fiction series Babylon 5. There have actually been many Shadow Wars since ancient times in the galaxy. Roughly every thousand years, the Shadows begin a new Shadow War to promote chaos in the universe in...
, when he willingly brought Centauri Prime to the brink of annihilation by the Vorlon
Vorlon
A Vorlon is a member of a fictional alien species in the Babylon 5 television series and fictional universe. The Vorlon species is a member of the First Ones, a group made up of the earliest species to gain sentience in the galaxy...
s in an effort to secure his place among the gods.
Background
Cartagia was the nephew of Emperor Turhan; when Turhan died while on a visit to Babylon 5, he left no direct heirs (as his son had also died recently in an accident). It was expected that his Prime Minister, Malachi, would be the next Emperor, but he was assassinated by forces loyal to Lord Refa. Several Centauri houses then vied for the throne, but were unable to secure a binding claim, enabling Cartagia, with the backing of Refa's agents, to make a claim on the throne. Serving largely as a figurehead for Refa and his agents, Cartagia was in favor of the military expansion of the Centauri, including the conquest of the Narn, and this quickly translated into the Narn-Centauri conflict of 2259.Cartagia's Reign and the Shadow War
After defeating the NarnNarn
The Narn are a fictional alien race in the universe of the Babylon 5 television series. Their homeworld is also called Narn.-Homeworld:Narn is the homeworld of the Narn and the Narn Regime. Its day is 31 hours long. Prior to the Centauri's first invasion, Narn was a healthy green planet. Now it...
in a series of quick strikes aided by the Shadows and illegal mass driver
Mass driver
A mass driver or electromagnetic catapult is a proposed method of non-rocket spacelaunch which would use a linear motor to accelerate and catapult payloads up to high speeds. All existing and contemplated mass drivers use coils of wire energized by electricity to make electromagnets. Sequential...
s, Cartagia's government undertook military campaigns against other races bordering Centauri space.
In early 2261, Cartagia had Babylon 5 Ambassador Mollari recalled to Centauri Prime, and appointed him as Minister of Internal Security. At first, Cartagia merely seemed flamboyant and self-indulgent, with his shocking lower-class hairstyle and numerous hangers-on. It did not take long for Mollari to realize that Cartagia was dangerously insane, especially after he learned from Morden
Morden (Babylon 5)
Morden is a fictional character in the universe of the science fiction television series Babylon 5, played by Ed Wasser. He is a recurring antagonist in the show.-Overview:...
that Cartagia had allowed the Shadows
Shadow (Babylon 5)
The Shadows are a fictional alien species in the science fiction television series Babylon 5. Their homeworld is Z'ha'dum. In contrast to the Vorlons, whose philosophy is represented by the question "Who are you?", that of the Shadows is represented by the question "What do you want?", centering...
, reeling from the events on Z'ha'dum
Z'ha'dum
Z'ha'dum is the final episode of the third season of the science fiction television series Babylon 5.-Teaser:Anna Sheridan, John Sheridan's lost wife, returns to the station, unexpectedly showing up at Sheridan's room, much to the shock and anxiety of Delenn. Anna attempts to get close to...
, to establish a base on the Centauri homeworld. Mollari expressed his concerns to a member of the royal court, who explained that though the Centarum had tried to oppose Cartagia, all of his opposition had since disappeared, with the rumor being that Cartagia had hidden their heads in a secret room
Secret passage
Secret passages, also commonly referred to as hidden passages or secret tunnels, are hidden routes used for stealthy travel. Such passageways are sometimes inside buildings leading to secret rooms. Others allow occupants to enter or exit buildings without being seen...
, where he spoke with them on a regular basis. Mollari later discovered this rumor to be true. It was also around this time that Londo learned that the Vorlons were destroying any planet with even the slightest taint of Shadow influence. When Londo informed Cartagia of this, he explained that the Shadows had agreed to reward his assistance by turning him into a deity
Deity
A deity is a recognized preternatural or supernatural immortal being, who may be thought of as holy, divine, or sacred, held in high regard, and respected by believers....
. Cartagia then explained that the Vorlons would help his plans for deification by turning Centauri Prime into a massive inauguration pyre. Londo knew that, in order to protect his planet and its people, he would have to kill Cartagia
Regicide
The broad definition of regicide is the deliberate killing of a monarch, or the person responsible for the killing of a monarch. In a narrower sense, in the British tradition, it refers to the judicial execution of a king after a trial...
.
During these events, G'Kar was captured and brought to Centauri Prime. Cartagia proceeded to have G'Kar tortured and punished. However, Londo and G'Kar had come to an agreement: in return for G'Kar's assistance in his plot to assassinate Cartagia, Londo would end the Centauri occupation of the Narn. As part of this ruse, Mollari convinced Cartagia to take G'Kar to Narn and execute him there, thus allowing Mollari to draw the Emperor away from the royal court, leaving him more vulnerable.
Overthrow and Assassination
When they arrived on Narn, Cartagia planned to have G'Kar killed in front of local Narns to break their spirits. However, Mollari had arranged for the chains on G'Kar's restraints to be weakened to distract Cartagia long enough for Londo to act. They would then secretly inject a poison into the Emperor which would cause his cardiovascular system to shut down nearly instantly.The plan came close to failure when Cartagia had G'kar's chains replaced after noting that they looked "a little weak." Despite this, G'Kar managed to break free and began fighting with the guards, and in the following commotion Mollari escorted Cartagia away from the fight and prepared to inject the poison into him. Cartagia went into a fit of rage about how this was not part of his destiny and, reacting to being told to quiet down by Mollari, turned and punched him, knocking the device away. Cartagia grabbed Mollari in a stranglehold, ranting about how Mollari deserved to burn with the rest of the Centauri for failing to see his greatness. As Cartagia turned to walk away, he was injected with the poison by Vir Cotto
Vir Cotto
Vir Cotto is a character from the fictional Babylon 5 universe, played on screen by Stephen Furst. He is a Centauri male who was from a family of minor nobility, who would eventually become the Centauri Ambassador to Babylon 5, and then became the Emperor of the Centauri Republic in 2278.Vir Cotto...
, who had picked up the device while Londo and Cartagia struggled.
Shortly after this, the Imperial guards found Cartagia, supported by Mollari and Vir. Mollari explained that the Emperor had collapsed, and that he believed the Emperor's hearts had failed. Mollari kept his promise to G'Kar by explaining to the court that the Centauris' dealings with the Narn have now resulted in the deaths of two Emperors, and that Cartagia would interpret this as a sign from the gods to leave.
Aftermath
In the following days, as the Army of Light planned for its final assault upon the Vorlons and the Shadows, Mollari systematically removed the Shadow influence from Centauri Prime. He dealt first with the Shadow vessels on Centauri Prime by destroying the island they were on and then had Mr. Morden beheaded.Following the death of Emperor Cartagia, the Centauri government decided not to name a new Emperor right away, hoping to prevent the possibility of another Cartagia assuming the throne. Indeed, a long-serving minister, Virini, remarked the royal bloodline was not what it once was due to inbreeding
Inbreeding
Inbreeding is the reproduction from the mating of two genetically related parents. Inbreeding results in increased homozygosity, which can increase the chances of offspring being affected by recessive or deleterious traits. This generally leads to a decreased fitness of a population, which is...
, commenting that, "...when you reduce a family tree to a family bush, you can't hide as much underneath". As an interim solution, then, the Centarum selected this very minister to serve as their Regent, until such time as a new Emperor was selected.
The Lost Tales
In 2271, John SheridanJohn Sheridan (Babylon 5)
John J. Sheridan is a lead character in the fictional universe of the science-fiction television series Babylon 5, played by Bruce Boxleitner. For most of the series, he is the commander of the Babylon 5 station; during the series' final season he is the President of the Interstellar...
met Cartagia's son Dius Vintari, third in line for the throne behind Vir. The technomage Galen had warned Sheridan that in thirty years, Dius would follow in his father's footsteps, destroying Earth and beginning a new reign of terror. Sheridan was told to kill him as the only sure way to prevent this future, but agonized over taking the life of someone who was still young and had not yet done anything to deserve it. Eventually he realized that there was another way to prevent the future and decided to introduce Dius to the concept of simple kindness, something completely lacking in the Centauri royal court. He allowed him to pilot a Starfury as he had always dreamed, then invited him to stay in the Alliance headquarters on Minbar, safe from any assassins sent by the people in line for the throne after him. Galen apparently disapproved, saying that killing Dius was the only sure way to prevent Earth's destruction, but Sheridan was confident that he could help Dius become a better man than his father and forced Galen to all but admit that was his true objective in this affair.