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{{ambig|subject=Space Marine Primarchs|disambiguation=Primarchs}}
{{SpaceMarinePortal}}
The '''Primarchs''' were the twenty genetically-engineered "sons" of the [[Emperor of Mankind]], and the genetic "fathers" of the [[Space Marine Legion]]s. The Emperor used his own DNA in their creation, and they were designed to be far superior to the average human: immensely larger, stronger, hardier, faster, and more intelligent. They were also incredibly charismatic, as their main role was to be generals and leaders of the [[Imperium|Imperial]] military. Each had their own purpose and specialty, allowing them to serve in specific functions that the Emperor's forces would need in reconquering the galaxy.
Traditional accounts state that the first Primarch to be found was [[Horus]], who became the Emperor's favourite. However a dubious account given by [[Alpharius]] states he was the first, and landed on [[Terra]] itself following the scattering.{{Fn|40a}} Most Primarchs somehow recognized the Emperor on sight, and immediately pledged their allegiance on the spot. A few, ([[Leman Russ (primarch)|Leman Russ]], [[Ferrus Manus]] and [[Vulkan]]) only followed him after being bested in contests. [[Angron]] refused, and was abducted from his homeworld, something he never really accepted. The last to be found was [[Alpharius]].
According to [[Malcador the Sigilite]], both the Emperor and himself deliberately agitated the Primarchs and sought to turn them against one another, with the resulting war purging certain unmanageable Primarchs and their respective [[Space Marine Legion]]s just as they had the earlier [[Thunder Warrior]]s. This would leave humanity, not bio-engineered superhumans, as the rulers of the galaxy. However, the [[Ruinious Ruinous Powers]] intervened before their plan could be fully formulated, leading to disaster in the [[Horus Heresy]]. This account may be either a partial or total lie, as Malcador himself seems to keep its validity ambiguous.{{Fn|27}}
At the end of the [[Great Crusade]] Warmaster Horus fell to Chaos, and eight of his fellow Primarchs followed him against the Emperor, resulting in a full-scale civil war known as the [[Horus Heresy]]. Each Primarch chose his side, loyalists against traitors, leading their legions against their former comrades.