Arthur
Summary
According to legend, King Arthur was ruler of Britain and his kingdom was centered at Camelot. In Stargate mythology, he was a human who was entrusted with Merlin's secret about being an ascended Ancient who retook human form.
Earth Culture of Origin
Celtic, British, Druid, Roman, Scottish, Welsh
Alternate Names/Spellings
Possible name roots: Artorius, Arturius, Artus, Artur, Arcturus, Artursus
Possible Celtic gods as origin of legend: Artio, Artos
Possible Historical Persons as origin of legend: Lucius Artorius Castus, Magnus Maximus, Riothamus, Ambrosius Aurelianus, Owain Ddantgwyn, and Athrwys ap Meurig, amongst others
Mythological References
Although some believe Arthur was based on a Celtic god, many scholars believe King Arthur was a historical person, likely a warrior, either Roman or Romano-Britain in origin, such as Lucius Artorius Castus and Ambrosius Aurelianus. However, the idea of Arthur as a king, much less King of all Britons and leader of knights in shining armor was developed over centuries, and likely does not have any historical truth.
Although the Arthurian legend changed over time to reflect the mores of the day and authors' preferences, the essentials of the tale are often the same. Arthur was born as the son of Igrid and Uther Pendragon, a king, or at least a tribal leader. The circumstances of his birth were secret and mysterious; Merlin was often implicated in the conception as creating an illusionary disguise for Uther. Raised by a knight, Sir Ector, and ignorant of his heritage, Arthur was but a young teenager when Uther Pendragon dies, and a new king could only be determined by whoever pulls a sword from the stone. When Arthur did this, he was hence crowned king.
Arthur became a good and strong military leader. When the Sword from the Stone was broken during the Battle of Badon Hill, the Lady of the Lake provided the king with Excalibur, a sword magically forged and unbreakable in battle. Guided by his chief advisor, the magician Merlin, Arthur received tribute from other kings, and their sons come to him to learn chivalry from his court at Camelot. Arthur was the paragon of virtue, possessing Solomon-like wisdom, military strength, keen wit, and an unerring moral code. Arthur allowed his knights to go on quests to help those in need, and in many legends, specifically on a holy quest to find the Holy Grail, the Sangreal.
Arthur's kingdom was torn apart from within. Medraut/Modred/Mordred, nephew of Arthur (and in some legends, his illegitimate son) sowed seeds of discontent, including spreading the tale that Arthur was cuckolded by his favorite knight Lancelot with Queen Gwenivere (legends vary on whether or not the affair was consummated. When Mordred's betrayal came to light, knights loyal to Arthur met with Mordred and his allies at the Battle of Camlann. Arthur killed Mordred in this battle, but his nephew dealt him a mortal blow. Dying, Arthur ordered Sir Bedivere to throw Excalibur back into the lake. Upon his death, Arthur's body was sent by barge to Avalon. Many legends foretell that Arthur one day will return to reclaim his kingdom, as the once and future king of Britain.
Character Biography
According to Merlin's hologram, King Arthur was the historical personage Ambrosius Aurelianus (9.01 "Avalon Part 1"). Arthur and his court learned Merlin's true history, that he was an Ancient that descended back into the realm of the "lowers" with all of his powers (10.03 "The Pegasus Project"). Arthur and his knights allied with Merlin. It is unclear how/when/if Arthur of Earth moved to another planet, but the Arthurian legend there has blended with alien Arthurian legends (9.01 "Avalon Part 1", 9.20 "Camelot").
Apparently, Camelot now existed on an alien planet, PX1-767, the coordinates of which were hidden except in Merlin's transdimensional device (9.18 "Arthur's Mantle"). Here Arthur ruled as king. Instead of dying at the Battle of Camlann, Arthur defeated Mordred without injury and continued to rule the alien Camelot (9.20 "Camelot"). He and his knights went on a quest to find the Sangreal to Castiana, Sahal, Vagonbrei. At this time Morgan Le Fay was Merlin's enemy, and so Arthur and his knights pursued her (10.02 "Morpheus"). It was said in Camelot, that once someone pure of heart and true of spirit pulled the sword from the stone left in the village square, Arthur and his knights would return from their quest to rule once again over Camelot.
Episode References
- 9.01 "Avalon Part 1"
- 9.02 "Avalon Part 2"
- 9.18 "Arthur's Mantle"
- 9.20 "Camelot Part 2"
- 10.02 "Morpheus"
- 10.03 "The Pegasus Project"
Related Characters
Related Articles
- Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table
- Arthur's Mantle
- Ascended Beings
- Avalon
- Camelot (PX1-767)
- Castiana / Taoth Vaclarush
- People of Camelot
- Sahal / Valos Cor
- Sangreal
- Vagonbrei
Further Reading
- Arthurian Romances, Chretien de Troyes, Penguin Books, 1991.
- Idylls of the King, Alfred Lord Tennyson, Signet Classic, 1961.
- Illustrated Encyclopedia of Arthurian Legends, Ronan Coghlan, Barnes and Noble, 1995.
- Malory Works, edited by Eugene Vinaver, Oxford University Press, 1971.
- The Once and Future King, T.H. White, (1958)
- Wikipedia entry on King Arthur
- Wikipedia entry on Ambrosius Aurelianus
- Camelot Project of Library of Rochester
- Timeless Myths' King Arthur
- Arthurian Resources by Tom Green of Exeter College, University of Oxford
--Aurora 09:25, 19 October 2006 (PDT)