Alpharius, Origins and The First Legion

[Sviox]

The Lion was the eleventh primarch to be discovered. Number twelve (Perturabo) was discovered 849.M30 and number 9 (Magnus) was discovered 840.M30 so that leaves a very narrow window for Lion's discovery. The 1st Rangdan Xenocide started at 860.M30 (according to FW book 7) with Lion and Russ participating. The 3rd Rangdan Xenocide started at 899.M30. So there is no issue with the timeline for Lion.

 

We also know that Alpharius assumed command of the XXth legion 981.M30 and was officially the last primarch to be found. The legion itself was established long before. So there could be a number of theories that would explain term 'Apharius' used this early. Perhaps the primarch assumed that titular name and never revealed the actual name? Perhaps one or both of the primarchs were already discovered just not assuming command of the legion?

[Charlo]

I can really see it being his MO upon being discovered and learning about the Alpha Legion being his legion and understanding the activities they specialise in Alpharius would hear "the leader of the Alpha Legion is traditionally been called Alpharius..." to simple be all "Say no more, I am Alpharius." And that being the end of it.

 

Omegon then probably took the opposite name to oppose it.

[Phoebus]

The Lion was the eleventh primarch to be discovered. Number twelve (Perturabo) was discovered 849.M30 and number 9 (Magnus) was discovered 840.M30 so that leaves a very narrow window for Lion's discovery.

I’m happy to read this, as it finally closes that particular loop for the Lion. Out of curiosity, though, what is the source for Perturabo’s discovery date?

[RedFurioso]

Rangdan Xenocides surely lasted at least till 930s.
The Horus Heresy Book 3 - Extermination:

 

Official accounts found in both the arcanlooms of the Logistica Corpus and the more prosaic works of the Remembrancers place the Alpha Legion's appearance as an active Legion force in its own right to either the decade immediately preceding the commencement of the Farinatus Extermination or as appearing as an unexpected reinforcing power during the darkest days of the third Rangdan Genocides. This represents a discrepancy of some thirty sidereal years

The Farinatus Extermination was in 972.M30

~30 years between Third Rangdan Xenocide and 962-972.M30

[Sviox]

 

The Lion was the eleventh primarch to be discovered. Number twelve (Perturabo) was discovered 849.M30 and number 9 (Magnus) was discovered 840.M30 so that leaves a very narrow window for Lion's discovery.

I’m happy to read this, as it finally closes that particular loop for the Lion. Out of curiosity, though, what is the source for Perturabo’s discovery date?

 

 

A little late reply, but better late than never. Magnus the Red: Master of Prospero takes place in 853.M30 and states that Magnus assumed command of TS 13 years earlier and Perturabo command of IW 4 years earlier. I'm assuming he took command quite immediately after discovery since he was 12th primarch found and 8th (Roboute) was discovered 832.M30 leaving very little time between him and the 14th (Lorgar) primarch discovery at 857.M30.