The Imperial Records, an extensive compendium documenting over 40,000 years of human history across the galaxy, embody a complex narrative of knowledge preservation amidst censorship and loss. This study delves into the multifaceted nature of these records, which oscillate between being apocryphal, incomplete, censored, or heretical, yet stand as the primary source of historical knowledge for the average Imperial citizen. Through an analysis of the monumental task undertaken by untold billions of scribes, archivists, and remembrancers, this paper explores the significance of recording pivotal moments and figures, such as Sanguinius’s oratory and the Horus Heresy, across various mediums including text, imagery, poetry, and astropathic transmissions.
The paper also probes the obscured, often deliberately concealed segments of the Imperial Records, highlighting controversies like the alleged historical alterations by the Emperor of Mankind and the mass execution of its Thunder Warriors at the end of the Unification Wars. These instances underscore the inherent conflict between the desire to remember and the impulse to forget or alter uncomfortable truths.
In the aftermath of the Siege of Terra, despite the recovery and transmission of knowledge to succeeding generations, the persistent failure to heed historical lessons underscores a critical inquiry: In a universe fraught with internal and external threats to humanity, what is the value and impact of maintaining accurate historical records? This paper argues that the integrity of historical documentation is paramount, serving not only as a beacon of enlightenment but also as a vital tool for survival and identity in a perilous cosmos.
Author bio
Dimitrios Chatzinas has dedicated 30 years to Warhammer 40k hobby through collecting, reading, painting, and playing, continually expanding their knowledge even outside gameplay. They possess an MSc in Records Management and Digital Preservation from Dundee University and work as a Records Manager for the Scottish Government.
