Byrsa

A primitive, pre-industrial people of the planet Cartego, plagued by frequent attacks from Goa'uld seeking new hosts for their young. The Byrsan justice system follows the Cor-Ai, a trial in which the one who has been injured or wronged determines the proper punishment for the transgressor.

Normally the Byrsa are a very pleasant society. They are artful in the use of fire. They are developed in the culinary arts and the building of relatively tall stone structures, including sturdy holding areas for captured prisoners.

When the chevrons on the Stargate shine red, the Byrsa are alerted that the Goa'uld are on the way. They have caves and tunnels in all directions, and immediately flee into hiding. Unfortunately, the Byrsa are only as fast as the slowest among them, as they refuse to ever leave anyone behind. Teal'c, while in the service of Apophis, was aware of this, and after being ordered to kill one of the Byrsa to stir their submission Teal'c chose to execute a crippled old man -- the member of the group he believed would slow them down the most. He hoped that by doing so the Byrsa might evade his battalion during their next encounter.

After the son of the victim agreed not to put Teal'c to death for this horrible act (Teal'c had recently proven his worth to the people by fighting for them against a Jaffa battalion), SG-1 agreed to help them fortify themselves against the Goa'uld.

DETAILS

HOMEWORLD - Cartego
FIRST APPEARED - Cor-Ai

KEY EPISODE

Cor-Ai - The Byrsa put Teal'c on trial for a murder he committed while in the service of Apophis. With the aid of SG-1, the Byrsa successfully repel a new attack and the team offers to help the primitive people defend themselves from future invasions.