Centauri Prime was originally the home of two sentient races, the Xon and the Centauri. The Centauri totally destroyed the Xon. The continent where they lived is still called Xonos. The Centauri hold a celebration at the end of the year when they count the number of dead Xon and thank the many Centauri gods for their own survival. The Centauri have at least 50 gods, including Li, the god of passion; Venzann, the god of food; and Mogath, the god of the underworld. Family is important to the Centauri and their honor and status comes from their marriages and families. The women shave their heads while the men have elaborate, fan-like hairdos. The Centauri Republic (Empire) was very powerful and spanned many worlds. It began to decline during the mid-22nd century and the Centauri withdrew from many of its former colonies, including the Narn homeworld. The Centauri ran into humans in the mid-22nd century. The Centauri Republic sent several expeditions to the Vorlons. None returned. The Centauri are also rumored to have worked with the Dilgar. By the mid-23rd century, the Centauri Republic only covered 12 worlds. Their fortunes seemed to revive when Londo allied with the Shadows. The Centauri retook the Narn homeworld and reduced the planet to rubble with mass drivers. The Republic also expanded into Drazi and Pak'ma'ra space. But the fortunes of the Centauri turned again when the Shadows fell. Vir Cotto, the future emperor, was briefly assigned to Minbar in 2260.
Adira - Londo's love interest (1)
Aria - Aria Tensus is Kiron's girlfriend (1, 5)
Celes - Lady Celes was the wife of Lord Refa and the mother of Senna (4)
Daggair - One of Londo's wives (1)
Drusella - Lindisty's mother(2)
Ladira - Lord Kiro's aunt (1)
Lindisty/Lyndisty - Vir's intended (2, 5)
Mariel - One of Londo's wives (1)
Maruelia - Wife of Urza Jaddo (1)
Morella - Lady Morella was the third wife of Turhan and a seer (2)
Senna - The daughter of Lord Refa (3, 4)
Timov - One of Londo's wives (1)
Algur - Timov's father (1)
Andilo (1)
Antono - Antono Refa was a Centauri mover and shaker (4)
Beyon - The young son of Emperor Turhan, who drowned in a "boating accident" in 2252. The boy's personal guardian said he couldn't find the child in the murky water. The guard was later found dead. (6)
Carn - Carn Mollari is Londo's nephew (1)
Cartagia - The mad emperor (1)
Kiron - Kiron Maray is Vir Cotto's young cousin (1, 5)
Londo - Londo Mollari was the Centauri ambassador to Babylon 5, later emperor of the Centauri. (1)
Renegar (3)
Throk - Nasty Prime Candidate(3)
Turhan - The Centauri Emperor when Babylon 5 goes live. His son had recently died in a "boating accident" (1, 5). Turhan may be a surname. Some refer to House Turhan (6).
Urza - Urza Jaddo was a friend of Londo (1)
Vir - Vir Cotto is Londo's assistant, later emperor of the Centauri (1)
Dachow - A former ruling Lord(3)
Dunseny - a valet (3)
Durla (3)
Durza - A giant of Centauri opera, favord by Mollari (1)
Malachi - Prime Minister (1)
Morkel (3)
Sentauro - A giant of Centauri opera, favored by Vir (1)
Surkel - Former ruling lord (3)
Teela - Former ruling lord (3)
Valo - Lord Valo (1)
Vallko (3)
Cotto (1)
Jaddo (1)
Jarno - A noble house (2)
Kiro - House Kiro are descendants of the first emperor (1)
Maray (1)
Mollari (1)
Refa (1, 4)
Tensus (1)
Tyree (1)
Virini/Verini - A prime minister, who likes pastels for the curtains (2, 4). One site calls him Milo. Perhaps Milo is a first name? (5)
Sources:
(1) - The A to Z of Babylon 5, David Bassom, London: Boxtree, 1996.
(2) - The Babylon File, Andy Lane, London: Virgin Publishing, 1997.
(3) - Legions of Fire, Book 2 of the series "Armies of Light and Dark", Peter David, New York: Ballantine, 2000.
(4) - 190 Bester Place: The Centauri
(5) - Babylon 5 :The Minor Characters, Centauri
(6) - Voltayre's Encyclopedia Xenobiologica - Centauri.
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Updated June 2005