HUMAN

Also Known As: Earthling, Homo Sapien, Mankind, Tellurian

Place of Origin: Earth

Description:

Ubiquitous humanoids known for their creativeness, inventiveness and adaptability, but also for their warlike tendencies and capability for destruction. Humans evolved from one of the many species of hominid such as the Neanderthals, but surplanted them, thriving in almost every corner of the Earth as they spread from their African heartland. Initially scavengers, many groups of Humans turned to hunting and gathering, eventually developing agriculture.

Initially organised into small tribes and clans, Humans gradually developed more sophisticated social structures. Regardless of the sophistication of their social structures, every group developed language and artistic expression. Many groups coalesced into larger and more elaborate civilisations such as the Egyptians and Atlanteans. This impressive early development was helped by the interference of several alien races such as the Osirans, Exxilons, Daemons, Fendahl, the Meddling Monk and Jaggaroth, each assisting Humanity's evolution for their own ends. However not all of Humanity's achievements can be attributed to these aliens; Mankind was proving to be great innovators in their own right.

As the centuries passed many civilisations forged empires, conquering other lands and peoples. Ancient empires such as the Egyptians, Greeks, Romans and a great many others not only conquered but continued to push back the boundaries of learning. Impressive works of engineering such as the Pyramids of Giza, the Temple of Zeus and the Colossus of Rhodes engendered awe and admiration for centuries after their construction. Architecture, the written word, theatre, medicine and art all flourished, influencing such disciplines for thousands of years with Greek and Roman learning dominating the curriculum well after these empires had vanished.

Human civilisation was not just confined to the 'classical' lands of the Mediterranean and Middle East, but also flourished in Asia, Africa and the Americas. China proved to be one of the most enduring civilisations, existing in one form or another for millenia. Great empires sprang up in the Americas, including the Incas and Aztecs. Although the Western world dominated culturally for much of Man's history, these 'exotic' peoples were a source of fascination and curiosity, causing many travellers and traders to traverse dangerous terrain to reach them. Global trade routes were established over land and sea, bringing widely differing civilisations into indirect contact with each other.

Religion played a very large part in the development of Humanity. Every group, from the lowliest tribe to the mightiest global empire paid homage to their chosen gods. Forms of worship differed greatly from the bloody Human sacrifices of the Aztecs to the quiet contemplation of the Buddhist monks. While religion was often used as an excuse to perpetrate much bloodshed and suffering, it could also be a source of comfort and inspiration, galvanising communities into great works and charities. As Mankind continued to develop, art, literature and music also flourished, often as a result of religious patronage.

Following the collapse of the classical civilisations, Humanity entered a period of so-called 'dark ages', a time of supposed brutality and superstition. Slowly other empires rose from the ashes; European nations such as France, Spain and Portugal began to flourish. While Religious intolerance grew, so did man's capacity for learning. This led to a renaissance of Human endevour; a flowering of culture, exploration and invention. Geniuses such as Leonardo da Vinci and Michaelangelo revolutionised art, science and a host of other fields. Man's capacity for invention continued through the centuries as advances in engineering led to the industrial revolution.

The industrial revolution allowed a vast outporing of industrial endevour as factories and automation replaced traditional small-scale cottage industries. Industrial nations such as Great Britain and the USA outstripped their competitors, carving out their own empires through globalised trade. Steam, electricity and atomic energy raised the standard of living for millions. The fight for Human rights led to more equality for the masses as old privileges were eroded. In many parts of the world Mankind threw off the old order altogether, turning on their established leaders with bloody vengeance. Other nations modified their existing hierachy, embracing democracy in one form or another.

As Human society modernised so their scientific activity increased. Radio communication revolutionised their society as television took hold even in the poorest of areas. The first tentative steps into space were made, with man landing on the moon. However Humanity's endevours soon attracted the attention of other species, many of whom were hostile and attempted to invade Earth. This dangerous development caused mankind's fragmentory power blocs to knit closer together, forming organisations such as UNIT to help combat extra-terrestrial foes. The invention of the silicon chip sparked an explosion of computerised technology, and in the blink of an eye almost every home boasted a personal computer with access to the internet and a whole new world of knowledge and communication.

Soon Mankind mastered routine space travel and finally reached for the stars. As they explored their solar system they made first contact with many alien species while on Earth governments coalesced into world zones. Technological advancements such as weather control, X-ray lasers and servo robots allowed Humans to prevail against the Ice Warriors, Cybermen and other hostiles. Following defeat of the Dalek invasion of Earth, Mankind soon bounced back and began to have expansionist thoughts of their own. Space travel evolved from costly chemical rockets to advanced spacecraft and T-mat transportation systems as Humanity looked to the skies.

As victories against their opponents mounted, Mankind continued to expand into space, carving out a galactic empire at the expense of other species. The Earth-Draconia war represented one of the many conflicts against other alien empires. These wars proved to by horrendously costly in Human life but nonetheless strenghtened Man's toehold in space. Human colonies sprang up on many planets such as Androzani and Uxarieus. Meanwhile the Earth Government promoted new cities in the few remaining unpopulated areas of a heavily industrialised and polluted homeworld. As decades passed pressure groups such as the Brotherhood of Logisticians clamoured for change while Earth's colonies agitated for independence.

Mankind's galactic possessions were soon governing themselves with varying degrees of independence from Earth as ties to the homeworld weakened. Some colonies were awarded dominion status while others fought for outright autonomy. With her empire dwindling, Earth joined a multi-species federation of planets, including Alpha Centauri and Arcturus. While entry into the federation was not universally welcomed it stood Humanity in good stead as their enemies began to pool their resources. For other races had similar ideas; led by the Guardian of the Solar System Earth would be brought into conflict with a Dalek-sponsored alliance of outer galaxy planets.

For millenia Humanity flourished, either as part of a centralised Earth-based power bloc or in independant colonies, despite galactic conflict. However mankind faced an even greater threat when solar flares threatened to destroy all life on Earth. This led to the 'Great Breakout' where millions of Humans left for other planets, colonising worlds such as Metebelis III or hibernating in orbital stations such as Nerva Beacon; waiting for the Earth to become habitable again. Those left on Earth were faced with terrible hardship as their planet faced destruction. Global alliances battled each other in the latest of several world wars until eventually Earth was completely abandoned.

Once the solar flares died down Earth was slowly recolonised, but her role as the central Human planet was lost forever. Former Human colonies such as GalSec had by now forged their own empires independant of Earth control. Earth fell victim of Timelord manipulation when it was devasted by a fireball and moved to another part of the galaxy as part of a cover-up, although the timeline was later restored to normality. When the Earth began to plunge into the Sun Humanity abandoned her again, heading for planets such as Refusis II in huge ark vessels. Others transfered to Mars and Pluto as exploited workers for the Usurian company, survived on distant colonies at the edge of the galaxy or took refuge on New Earth.

Humanity also existed in other parellel dimensions, including a world where Britain was an Orwellian republic and a universe where Arthurian legend was the norm. Humans had thrived for millions of years, evolving from stone-age tribes to galactic empire builders. They had survived countless invasion attempts, meddling of their history and interference from many alien species. However many of the threats they faced were of their own making; war, pollution, overpopulation and the occasional meglomaniac all served to push them towards extinction. But despite all this they remained one of the most successful species ever recorded. They also knew how to make good sci-fi too ;-)

See Also:

GalSec
Sevateem
Tesh
New Human

Appearances:

Humans have appeared in a great many episodes. The following examples contain highlights of Human history, culture and development.