Spheres of Expansion

Tau Portal

The Tau Spheres of Expansion

The Spheres of Expansion are distinct phases in the expansion of the Tau Empire.^[1a]

Overview

The First Sphere of Expansion (502.M37-936.M38)^[1b] was launched from T'au and lasted roughly a millennium for the Tau. It was a period of unprecedented growth that saw eight fully settled Septs established as well as the assimilation of new races such as the Kroot.^[1a]
The Second Sphere of Expansion (018.M39 - ~700.M41)^[1b] was launched by Aun'Wei across previously unreachable regions of space and saw Commander Puretide score a wide range of victories. It came to the end when the Tau crossed the Damocles Gulf and reached the borders of the Imperium.^[1a]
The Third Sphere of Expansion (997.M41 - ~999.M41)^[1b] was launched by Aun'va shortly after the Great War of Confederation. Led by Commander Shadowsun, it drove deep into eastern Imperial territory^[1a] before being largely halted due to heavy Imperial counterattacks on the Damocles Gulf^[2]
The Fourth Sphere of Expansion (999.M41)^[2] was launched shortly after the Third, but was lost due to the formation of the Great Rift.^[2]
The Fifth Sphere of Expansion (~M42-Present)^[2] was launched at the heels of the ill-fated Fourth and is the current Tau campaign of expansion.^[2]