One of the biggest sci-fi franchises out there has to be Dune. Beginning with the seminal Frank Herbert work with just the name Dune, the franchise has expanded under the watchful eye of Frank's son Brian. They have expanded not only around the initial set of books by Frank, but deep, deep into Dune's past. Writing novels that take place thousands of years before the original works. I present here what eventually will be a "complete" timeline of all of the Dune works. It will be updated as I complete the novel, short story, or TV series myself.
Timeline Key:
Novels by Frank Herbert
Novels by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson
Short Stories
Movies and/or TV Series
~2,000 AD = ~11,000 B.G. (Before Guild)
This is the dawn of the space age
...
217 B.G.
Hunting Harkonnens (2002)
Short Story: Can be found in The Road to Dune or Tales of Dune
(Agamemnon kills Ulf and Katarina Harkonnen. Piers Harkonnen escapes to Caladan.)
...
203 B.G.
Legends of Dune: The Butlerian Jihad (2002)
1st Chapter - 61st Chapter
(Omnius attacks Salusa Secundus.)
202 B.G.
Legends of Dune: The Butlerian Jihad (2002)
62nd Chapter - 98th Chapter
(It has been 1 year since the attack on Salusa Secundus. Manion Butler is born.)
201 B.G.
Legends of Dune: The Butlerian Jihad (2002)
99th Chapter - 121st Chapter
(Manion Butler is 11 months old and murdered by Erasmus. Revolt erupts on Earth. Jihad Year 1)
200 B.G.
Legends of Dune: The Butlerian Jihad (2002)
121nd Chapter - End
(Months pass getting the armada sent to Earth and Earth is nuked.)
...
188 B.G.
Whipping Mek (2003)
Short Story: Can be found in The Road to Dune or Tales of Dune
(It has been a dozen years since the start of the Jihad after the death of Manion.)
...
177 B.G.
Legends of Dune: The Machine Crusade (2003)
1st Section
(Jihad Year 25, 24th year of the Jihad. All previous dates are based on this one.)
176 B.G.
Legends of Dune: The Machine Crusade (2003)
2nd Section
(Jihad Year 26. One year after the Battle for IV Anbus.)
175 B.G.
Legends of Dune: The Machine Crusade (2003)
3rd Section
(Jihad Year 27. One year after the Victory on Poritrin.)
174 B.G.
Legends of Dune: The Machine Crusade (2003)
4th Section
(Jihad Year 28. One year after the Conquest of Ix.)
173 B.G.
Legends of Dune: The Machine Crusade (2003)
5th Section
(Jihad Year 29. One year after the return of the Ivory Tower Cogitors.)
...
166 B.G.
Legends of Dune: The Machine Crusade (2003)
6th Section
(Jihad Year 36. Eight years after the Great Slave Uprising on Poritrin. Seven years after the founding of the Kolhar Shipyards.)
165 B.G.
Legends of Dune: The Machine Crusade (2003)
7th Section
(Jihad Year 37. One year after Serena's Hessra Expedition.)
164 B.G.
Legends of Dune: The Machine Crusade (2003)
8th Section
(Jihad Year 38. Ten years after Arrival of Poritrin refugees on Arrakis. Serena Butler, Iblis Ginjo, and Xavier Harkonnen all die.)
163 B.G.
The Faces of a Martyr (2004)
First Part - Short Story: Can be found in The Road to Dune or Tales of Dune
(States that it is 36 years after the start of the Jihad, but that can't be correct based on other dates. Takes place shortly after the death of Iblis Ginjo and Xavier Harkonnen.
...
153 B.G.
The Faces of a Martyr (2004)
Second Part - Short Story: Can be found in The Road to Dune or Tales of Dune
(Several years have passed and the Serena clone is fully grown. Assuming twice the accelerated growth rate, that would be 10 years.)
...
108 B.G.
Legends of Dune: The Battle of Corrin (2004)
Part I
(The Omnius Scourge and the Great Purge. The Jihad is declared officially over.)
...
88 B.G.
Legends of Dune: The Battle of Corrin (2004)
Part II
(19 years later after the Great Purge. All of the remaining Titans are destroyed. Omnius is destroyed at the Battle of Corrin.)
...
2 B.G.
Great Schools of Dune: Sisterhood of Dune (2012)
Entire Novel
(It states 83 years after the Battle of Corrin, however that can't be entirely accurate with Vorian leaving Kepler during the novel and Navigator's of Dune taking place roughly 2 years later.)
1 B.G.
Great Schools of Dune: Mentats of Dune (2014)
Entire Novel
(1 year after Vorian left Kepler. Several months after Valya became a Reverend Mother. Death of Emerperor Salvador and crowning of Roderick.)
Red Plague (2016)
Short Story: Can be found in Tales of Dune or online at Tor.com
(Takes place immediately before Navigators of Dune and shortly after Roderick becomes emperor.)
1 A.G.
Great Schools of Dune: Navigators of Dune (2016)
Entire Novel
(Vorian left Kepler 2 years before. Roderick has been Emperor for 2 months. The Spacing Guild is established.)
1 AG (After Guild) = ~13,000 AD
VenHold Shipping Company is dissolved and the Spacing Guild is crerated to monopolizes space commerce.
...
...
...
9 AG
Imperial Court (2022)
Short Story: Can be found in Sands of Dune
...
...
...
10,135AG
The Edge of a Crysknife (2022)
Part I
Short Story: Can be found in Sands of Dune
...
...
...
10,152AG
The Edge of a Crysknife (2022)
Part II
Short Story: Can be found in Sands of Dune
10,153 AG
Prelude to Dune: House Atreides (1999)
1st Chapter - 22nd Chapter
(Leto is 13 years old)
10,154 AG
Prelude to Dune: House Atreides (1999)
23rd Chapter - 62nd Chapter
(It's been about a year since Elrood was first poisoned. The Bene Tleilax take over Ix. Paulus Atreides is killed; Leto becomes Duke. Lady Jessica is born. Liet-Kynes is born.)
...
10,156 AG
Prelude to Dune: House Atreides (1999)
63rd Chapter - End
(Elrood dies and Shaddam becomes emperor. Liet-Kynes is 1 1/2 years old. Leto is accused of attacking the Tleilaxu.)
...
10,166 AG
Prelude to Dune: House Harkonnen (2000)
1st Chapter - 32nd Chapter
(Liet-Kynes is 12 years old. Gurney's sister is kidnapped. Duncan starts his sword master training.)
...
10,168 AG
Prelude to Dune: House Harkonnen (2000)
33rd Chapter - 34th Chapter
(18 months has passed. Kailea is pregnant)
...
10,170 AG
Prelude to Dune: House Harkonnen (2000)
35th Chapter - 46th Chapter
(Leto's son, Victor, is 2. Gurney's sister has been missing for 4 years. Duncan has been gone for 4 years.)
10,171 AG
Prelude to Dune: House Harkonnen (2000)
47th Chapter - 51st Chapter
(Jessica joins House Atreides. Leto was accused of attacking the Tleilaxu 15 years ago. Rabban attacks Tula Ford.)
10,172 AG
Prelude to Dune: House Harkonnen (2000)
52nd Chapter - 61st Chapter
(Liet-Kynes is 18; he goes on a mihna challenge to win a wife. It has been 1 1/2 years since the attack on the Bifrost Eyrie.)
10,173 AG
Prelude to Dune: House Harkonnen (2000)
62nd Chapter - 69th Chapter
(It has been 1 year since Liet-Kynes' mihna challenge. Victor is 4 1/2. Duncan is in year 7 of his 8 years at Ginaz.)
10,174 AG
Prelude to Dune: House Harkonnen (2000)
70th Chapter - 103rd Chapter
(Feyd-Rautha is born. Duncan has finished his sword master training. Victor is killed.)
10,175 AG
Prelude to Dune: House Harkonnen (2000)
104th Chapter - End
(Paul is conceived.)
Prelude to Dune: House Corrino (2001)
1st Chapter - 87th Chapter
(Leto has been Duke for 21 years.)
Prelude to Dune: House Corrino (2001)
88th Chapter - End
(The Bene Tleilax have been on Ix for 22 years. The Battle for Ix. Paul is born towards the end of the year.)
...
Heroes of Dune: Paul of Dune (2008)
Part 2: 1st - 6th Chapters
(Young Paul Atreides - Age 12)
Wedding Silk (2011)
Short Story: Can be found in Tales of Dune
(Takes place between the 6th and 7th Chapters in Part 2 of Paul of Dune.)
Heroes of Dune: Paul of Dune (2008)
Part 2: 7th Chapter - End, Part 4, and Part 6.
(Young Paul Atreides - Age 12)
10,188 AG
Heroes to Dune: The Winds of Dune (2009)
Part 2
(6 months after the end of the War of Assassins)
10,189 AG
Princess of Dune (2023)
(Set 2 years before the events of Dune. The story takes place over 2-3 months.)
10,190 AG
The Caladan Trilogy: The Duke of Caladan (2020)
(Paul just turned 14 less than a month earlier. One year and one month after the events of The Winds of Dune. Novel takes place over ~2 months.)
The Caladan Trilogy: The Lady of Caladan (2021)
(Starts immediately after The Duke of Caladan ends and lasts for 2 to 3 months. Leto is on Kaitain for one month for the first half of the book.)
The Caladan Trilogy: The Heir of Caladan (2022)
(Starts immediately after The Lady of Caladan ends and lasts for several months. The end of the book Paul has just turned 15 and leads directly into Dune.)
10,191 AG
Dune (1965)
Book 1: 1st Chapter - 17th Chapter
(Paul is 15 years old at the beginning of the book. Towards the beginning of the year.)
Dune (1965)
Book 1: 18th Chapter - End
(They have been on Dune for 1 month. The Harkonnen's attack Arrakeen and kill Duke Leto.)
A Whisper of Caladan Seas (2001)
Short Story: Can be found in The Road to Dune or Tales of Dune
(Takes place during the Harkonnen attack on Arrakeen in Dune (the 18th Chapter of Book 1 to the end of Book 1).)
Blood of the Sardaukar (2019)
Short Story: Can be found in Sands of Dune
(Takes place during the Harkonnen attack on Arrakeen in Dune (the 18th Chapter of Book 1 to the end of Book 1).)
Dune (1965)
Book 2
(Paul is 15 years old at the beginning of the book. Towards the beginning of the year. Leto is killed towards the end of the year and Paul and Jessica flee to the desert.)
10,192 AG
Dune: The Waters of Kanly (2017)
Short Story: Can be found in Infinite Stars or Sands of Dune
(A year has passed since the death of Duke Leto.)
10,193 AG
Dune (1965)
Book 3
(Paul has been on Dune for 2 years)
10,194 AG
Heroes of Dune: Paul of Dune (2008)
Part 1
(One year after the fall of Shaddam IV)
...
10,197 AG
Heroes of Dune: Paul of Dune (2008)
Part 3: 1st - 3rd Chapters
(Four years after the beginning of the Jihad)
10,198 AG
Heroes of Dune: Paul of Dune (2008)
Part 3: 4th Chapter - End, Part 5, and Part 7
(Emperor Muad'Dib)
...
10,200 AG
Heroes of Dune: The Winds of Dune (2009
Part 4
(It has been 7 years since the fall of Shaddam IV, and 2 years since the failed assassination attempt on Paul)
...
10,206 AG
Dune: Messiah (1969)
1st Chapter - 13th Chapter(Paul has been Emperor for about 12 years. Alia is 15, going on 16)
10,207 AG
Dune: Messiah (1969)
14th Chapter - End
(Chani starts in the 6th week of her pregnancy. The twins are born.)
Heroes to Dune: The Winds of Dune (2009)
Part 1, Interlude 1, Part 3, Interlude 2, Part 5
(It has been 1 to 2 months since Paul went out into the desert)
...
10,216 AG
Children of Dune (1976)
1st Chapter - 52nd Chapter(The twins are 9 years old until just after Leto acquires his sandworm suit)
10,217 AG
Children of Dune (1976)
53rd Chapter - End(Time jump 3 months to where Alia finds out that someone destroyed several qanats)
...
13,725 AG
God Emperor of Dune (1981)
Entire Novel(Takes place ~3,500 years after the God Emperor ascends to the throne, as mentioned in Heretics of Dune)
...
15,225 AG
Heretics of Dune (1984)
1st Chapter - 9th Chapter(Takes place ~1,500 years after the death of the God Emperor. Sheeana is eight years old and Duncan is 12.)
...
15,228 AG
Heretics of Dune (1984)
10th Chapter - 25th Chapter(Duncan is 15 years old)
15,229 AG
Heretics of Dune (1984)
26th Chapter - End(Several months pass in the no-globe and Duncan is almost 16. Dune is destroyed and Miles Teg is killed.)
15,230 AG
Chapterhouse: Dune (1985)
1st Chapter
(Miles Teg's ghola is born)
...
15,240 AG
Chapterhouse: Dune (1985)
2nd Chapter - 28th Chapter
(Miles Teg's ghola is 10 years old.)
Sea Child (2006)
Short Story: Can be found in The Road to Dune or Tales of Dune
(Takes place during Chapterhouse: Dune. Seems to take place after the 28th Chapter when the Sisters are taken from Buzzel.)
Chapterhouse: Dune (1985)
29th Chapter - End(The Honored Matres and Bene Gesserit are merged into one group at the Battle of Junction. Duncan, Miles, Sheeana, and others flee Chapterhouse.)
15,241 AG
Treasure in the Sand (2006)
Short Story: Can be found in Tales of Dune
(No set time period but it is listed after Chapterhouse: Dune and before Hunters of Dune)
15,243 AG
Hunters of Dune (2006)
1st Section
(Three years after Escape from Chapterhouse.)
15,244 AG
Hunters of Dune (2006)
2nd Section
(Four years after Escape from Chapterhouse.)
...
15,246 AG
Hunters of Dune (2006)
3rd Section
(Six years after Escape from Chapterhouse.)
...
15,251 AG
Hunters of Dune (2006)
4th Section
(Eleven years after Escape from Chapterhouse.)
...
15,253 AG
Hunters of Dune (2006)
5th Section
(Thirteen years after Escape from Chapterhouse.)
15,254 AG
Hunters of Dune (2006)
6th Section
(Fourteen years after Escape from Chapterhouse.)
...
15,256 AG
Hunters of Dune (2006)
7th Section
(Sixteen years after Escape from Chapterhouse.)
...
15,259 AG
Hunters of Dune (2006)
8th Section
(Nineteen years after Escape from Chapterhouse.)
...
15,261 AG
Sandworms of Dune (2007)
1st Section
(Twenty-one years after Escape from Chapterhouse.)
15,262 AG
Sandworms of Dune (2007)
2nd Section
(Twenty-two years after Escape from Chapterhouse.)
15,263 AG
Sandworms of Dune (2007)
3rd Section
(Twenty-three years after Escape from Chapterhouse.)
15,264 AG
Sandworms of Dune (2007)
4th Section
(Twenty-four years after Escape from Chapterhouse. Omnius is defeated and everyone on the No-Ship go their separate ways.)
15,265 AG
Sandworms of Dune (2007)
Epilogue: 1st Chapter
(More than a year had passed...)
15,275 AG
Sandworms of Dune (2007)
Epilogue: 2nd - 4th Chapters
(Jessica had been on Caladan for 11 years.)
Alternate Timeline
Spice Planet (pre-1965)
Short Story: Can be found in The Road to Dune
(Spice Planet is a story based on the original outline for Dune)
Webarchive of old Official Dune Timeline
Official Dune Chronology Timeline
(Official Dune Website - Dune is © Herbert Properties LLC)