Life expectencies in Dune

[Guest LtTitan]

I have been thinking, lately, about the various ages of the Dune characters. After reading the prequels and am now reading the original Dune, I have noticed that there are quite a difference in the characters' ages. For instance: When Leto first took Jessica as a concubine, Leto was, I think, in his mid-twenties, early thirties. Jessica was around her mid to late teens. Chani is also a bit older than Paul is, being that he was suppose to be 14 when the book first started, and, I think, Chani was probably in her early 20s.

So I am wondering, age doesn't seem to be much a of a factor in the Dune culture. Since, in today's society, it isn't considered that good to marry someone who is a lot older than you are. Is this just something that isn't really noticed any more because of an increased life span? Also, how long does the average person live in the universe. I know that the Padishah Emperor is at least 70 years old, yet he is still very fit. This is probably due to the spice increasing life span and its healing properties. But the average person can't get any spice, so how long would they live on average?

I was also thinking on what the average person's life would be like, since it isn't really talked about at all.

Just some thoughts...

[Khan]

Well don't use the prequels as a source of Dune knowledge, as the havemessed up somethings, such as dates. As for the life expectancy, it all depends on the Spice. Someone who takes spice in small amounts, such as in tea, could expect another 10 or maybe 20 years, I think. But Fremen, with a constant intake of spice, Could probably live into about 100 years, again, I think.

[Andrew]

I think they can live to around 100 years with spice intake and still be competent.(not old age where they are weak)

The culture in the Duniverse is a bit different than our culture. Leto was a "political" figure so therefor it would be normal to choose an older mate. The choose people becuase of their political power and not necessarily their age. You could say that Paul and Chani are together as chani is Liet Kynes daughter.(political power) That is if you do not include love, and prescience ideas/powers.

[Vanguard3000]

Although a question like that can really only be answered with speculation, the standard "Spice factor" is about 4x, I believe. That is, a Spice user can extend his life by about four times. Miles Teg himself was about 300 SY (which itself is a debatable amount of time), although judging by his level of fitness, he seemed to be in his fifties or so.

[TMA_1]

isnt the standard year 330 days? I remember reading somewhere that they use the imperial dating system, and I am guessing it is based on kaitain time. I could be wrong, because that is just a speculation. I remember reading somewhere in the early novels that the standard year is 330 days. Still though when miles Teg was around, it was thousands of years after Paul reigned and the dating system might have changed, I highly doubt this though as dating systems usually last a long time, and I have seen no reason to think there had been a calander change between the first dune trilogy and the second trilogy.

Also, I dont think that the age taking a concubine or wife matters as much as it matters for us in our culture (mistress might be a better word than concubine in our culture.) It is not a good idea to put our age into a different age, or a fictional age. The reason being is that the Dune universe carries with it a culture that is highly advanced, and yet archaic. In their culture, manhood and womanhood is judged differently than our standard. It seems to resemble that of cultures which are centuries or millenia older than ours. Those cultures usually saw manhood or womanhood as the age when a person fully matured into puberty. usually around the age of 12 to 15. Kids had to grow up faster than they do now days, so marriage between young people back then wasent as restricted in the age department. Especially when looking at royalty. That is why in Dune those who are bonded sexually in higher classes seem to be fairly young. They are usually more matured in the world around them, and also they dont have a stigma about early marriage like we do now days.

Also because of the geriatric properties of spice, late marriage wouldnt be a problem either theoretically. Look at ancient myth for example, when humans lived hundreds upon hundreds of years. If you read what they say, it says they have kids in their early hundreds!

[NHJ BV]

If I remember correctly it is said (in Heretics, I think) that the Standard Year is only a few days shorter than the "Ancient Year", which I assume is the real-life year.

[TMA_1]

well then the DE could be right, saying it is 360 days, but I remember reading somewhere it is 330 days.

[Inoculator9]

I don't think so, but who knows... Teg would still be around 300 years old, regardless.

[Mr_Hangman]

Dr. Yueh was 109 years old when he was killed.