House Atreides
Paul Atreides, the Duke’s son, and main character of the novel.
Duke Leto Atreides, head of House Atreides
Lady Jessica, Bene Gesserit and concubine of the Duke, mother of Paul and Alia
Alia Atreides, Paul’s younger sister
Thufir Hawat, Mentat and Master of Assassins to House Atreides
Gurney Halleck, staunchly loyal troubadour warrior of the Atreides
Duncan Idaho, Swordmaster for House Atreides, graduate of the Ginaz School
Wellington Yueh, Suk doctor for the Atreides, who is secretly working for House Harkonnen
House Harkonnen
Baron Vladimir Harkonnen, head of House Harkonnen
Piter De Vries, twisted Mentat
Feyd-Rautha, nephew and heir-presumptive of the Baron
Glossu “Beast” Rabban, also called Rabban Harkonnen, older nephew of the Baron
Iakin Nefud, Captain of the Guard
House Corrino
Shaddam IV, Padishah Emperor of the Known Universe (the Imperium)
Princess Irulan, Shaddam’s eldest daughter and heir, also a historian
Count Hasimir Fenring, genetic eunuch and the Emperor’s closest friend, advisor, and “errand boy”
A mixture of ethnicities, I’d say, but some of the Noble Houses have names that seem based on Arabic.
Yeah, he mixed them up a little bit but the desert dwelling Fremen were clearly based on islam. Their wars were jihads and their methods were very similar to what we see with today's islamists. Although...Paul Atreides was the Muad'ib (sp?) and the leader of their jihads.
I enjoyed the Dune novels...maybe I should start them again.