The ban on "machines made in the likeness of a human mind''-computers-was rendered partially moot by the later development of mentals, who functioned as organic computers. And it was knows, even at this time, that the Ixians' scientific research was often into "forbidden" areas, and that the Bette Tfeilax were actively engaged in the production of suspect machinery; however, no clauses directly curtailed or hindered the work of either group. No House wished to cut itself off from the only sources of advanced technology and Face Dancer assassins. Many other areas were also carefully drawn out: regulations dealing with kidnapping and ransoms (scaled according to the ranks of the hostage and the kidnapper); permissible levels of import and export; the procedures followed when a fief was transferred from one House to another. No matter of consequence in the eyes of the delegates was neglected. There was even a clause, admit- tedly a brief one, which gave instructions for the proper ranking of concubines within a nobleman's house. The Convention was by far the most comprehensive body of laws in a single document ever written. LONGEVITY OF THE GREAT CONVENTION. With very minor changes, the Convention remained in effect for almost ten millennia, enforced and supported by the elements which maintained the balance of power in the Imperium: House Corrino, the Landsraad, the Guild, and CHOAM. A House which flouted the terms of the Convention openly (secret crime continued as it always had) ran the risk of being declared outlaw, stripped of its holdings, and unable to book passage on any but illegal spaceflights. "The forms must be obeyed" could as well preface the Convention as a whole as any of its individual parts. The Great Convention oudasted the empire and many of the Houses responsible for its having been written; attrition from the Great House ranks, whether from warfare or disaster, saw to that. In 10219, however, Leto Atreides 11 delivered the Great Convention's death blow by becoming emperor Few understood that at the time: it was generally supposed that the new ruler, while stronger and more prescient than any of his predecessors, would continue to preserve the social structure in use for ten thousand years and more. The lesson took centuries to learn, but by the time Leto declared himself God Emperor and locked his Imperium firmly into the stasis known as Leto's Peace, no one could question that the Great Convention had finally been overthrown. It is interesting to note that the God Emperor's reign lasted little more than a third as long as the rule of the Convention. Mortal, non-prescient humanity had no reason to be ashamed of its handiwork. C W. Further references: CHOAM; HOUSE CORRINO, SPACING nun D; V Colivcoh'p, The Text of the Great Convention, after the Materials from Arrakis (Placentia. Santa Fe); Tovat Gwinsted, Chronicles of the Conquerors [to 9222] (Caladan: INS Books), PA Lauffer, A Textofthe Treaty ofCornn, with Notes and Commentary (Fides: Malthan).