| Cylons | |
|---|---|
| Battlestar Galactica franchise element | |
.jpg) Cylon Centurion as depicted in the 2004–2009 series | |
| First appearance |
|
| Created by | Glen A. Larson |
| Genre | Science fiction |
| In-universe information | |
| Type | Humanoid robot |
The Cylons /ˈsaɪlɒn/ are a race of sentient robots in the Battlestar Galactica science fiction franchise, whose primary goal is the extermination of the human race. Introduced in the original 1978 series, they also appear in the 1980 sequel series, the 2004–2009 reboot series, and the spin-off prequel series Caprica.
In the 1978 series, the Cylons are the creation of a long-extinct reptilian humanoid race, also called Cylons, and view humans as a nuisance and an obstacle to the expansion of the Cylon Empire. The armies of metallic, armored Cylon Centurions are ruled by a unique, yet replaceable, Cylon known as the Imperious Leader.
The 2004 series establishes that the robotic Cylons were created by humans but rose up against them. Decades after the initial conflict ended in a truce, the Cylons reappear and launch a cataclysmic attack on human civilization that kills billions. The metallic Centurions are secretly led by several models of synthetic humanoid Cylons who are virtually indistinguishable from humans and have infiltrated their society.