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Nine Unknown Men

The Nine Unknown Men

As confirmed by Joe and Aron during a Behind the Eclipse interview, the legend of the Nine Unknown Men is a great influence on Heroes mythology. There are many similarities between the legend and Heroes.

The Books

According to myth, the Nine Unknown Men were each given a discipline of knowledge to protect from society. It is said that the practice of the disciplines could lead to the destruction of society and the world. The Nine often act with a morally gray mentality and often commit themselves to the "greater good." Despite being common folklore of conspiracy theorists, The Nine are often regarded as being beneficial to the world, unlike organizations such as the Illuminati or the Free Masons.

This is paralleled by the amount of secrecy that evolved humans have about their abilities, and the two doomsday scenarios that the future of Heroes holds.

Propaganda

Propaganda (or Psychological Warfare) is the discipline that is said to be the most dangerous. It involves molding mass opinion toward one particular goal. It is said if you can control the mind, you can control the world.

This is paralleled in the show by Eden McCain and her power of persuasion, and represented by Angela Petrelli as well.

Physiology

Physiology is the discipline concerned with the function of the human body, and is said to protect the great secrets of the "Death Touch" and immortality. All of the nine are said to be immortal. It is unclear if the nine are truly immortal or reincarnated as another avatar. Judo is said to be leaked from this book.

Physiological abilities abound in the Heroes Universe. Claire, Adam, Monica, and Niki all display abilities related to physiology. Fusor's accomplice displays a "Death Touch" which could parallel physiology as well.

Microbiology

Contrary to one's intuitions, microbiology is mostly concerned with the healing arts, and only partially concerned with disease. It is said that information from this book assisted in the creation for the vaccine of Cholera. Also according to legend, the original member who guarded this discipline allowed microorganisms to infest the Ganges River, giving it the healing quality it is said to possess.

Daniel Linderman is the most likely candidate for a parallel to microbiology, however Maya and Alejandro might also be representations of this discipline, as does Au Co.

Alchemy

Alchemy is the transmutation of elements. This discipline was influential in creating the Delhi Iron Pillar, a pillar of iron that never rusts. This phenomenon still baffles chemists today. It is also said that during times of great famine, gold would arrive from unknown sources to help the hungry.

Bob possesses this ability, and has used it to fund The Company and to pay for Niki's medical bills. D.L. may also parallel alchemy to a lesser extent.

Communication

Communication revolves around all aspects of this discipline, including communing with dead, extraterrestrials, and telepathy.

Matt Parkman and Maury Parkman both parallel this discipline, as do Hana, the traveler, Micah, and Richard Drucker

Gravitation

Gravitation is the discipline of defying and manipulating gravity, and was said to hide the secret to creating Vimana's, which is described as a UFO.

Nathan and West are obvious candidates to paralleling this discipline, but less intuitively, Brian Davis also paralleled this with the telekinetic ability.

Cosmology

Cosmology is said to allow travel through the space-time continuum. It also includes inter, and intra-universal travel.

Hiro seems to be the only evolved human to fit this discipline with his ability: space-time manipulation, though Charles might have an ability that would fit this discipline as well if his ability is astral projection.

Light (control)

Condensing, decreasing, increasing and other forms of light manipulation mark this discipline.

Claude demonstrates at least a mental act of bending light, and Betty might also. Elle and other evolved humans with electromagnetism manipulating abilities might also be demonstrating this discipline.

Sociology

Sociology is the most vague of all the disciplines, and only refers to the rules at which societies evolve and fall. It is sometimes inferred that one can predict the future with the knowledge from this book.

Isaac would be a parallel to this discipline, though Charles might have an ability that relates to this discipline as well if his ability is prophetic dreaming.

Miscellaneous

With the exception of cosmology, light, sociology, and gravitation, the nine disciplines all have a member of the Group of 12 to represent them. Sociology and/or Cosmology however might be represented by Charles.

Peter's ability is not represented by a discipline. This might be significant to the plot of Heroes. E.g.: After he had acquired abilities from every book, he went nuclear.