Ricker the Usurper is a character in Isaac Asimov's Foundation series.
About Ricker[]
Ricker, known solely by the epithet "the Usurper," was a short-lived claimant to the Imperial throne who ruled around 150 F.E. (Foundation Era). His seizure of power, typical of the period's instability, was accomplished by force, likely through a military coup or the assassination of the legitimate predecessor.
His reign was marked by a complete lack of legitimacy and was undoubtedly tumultuous. He served as a placeholder of chaos between the collapse of one order and the fragile establishment of another. His rule was abruptly ended when he was overthrown by the father of Cleon II, a popular general who restored a semblance of dynastic continuity.
Ricker's existence is cited by historians and characters within the narrative as a classic example of the "rebellions and pretenders" that psychohistory predicted would plague the Empire in its terminal phase.
"There was a savage outbreak of rebellion and pretenders in the Provinces, and an Emperor—[Ricker]—[he] was overthrown by a popular general who was then overthrown by an aristocratic fleet commander who, in turn, was succeeded by the [father] of present Emperor."
- — Ducem Barr in a historical summary given to General Bel Riose.
His rise and fall demonstrated the complete breakdown of centralized authority on Trantor, a key symptom of the Empire's irreversible decay. He is a mere footnote in history, significant only for the chaos he represented and for his role as the catalyst that led to the rise of the last strong Emperor, Cleon II.
Appearances[]
- Foundation and Empire (mentioned)