Old Time

The Old Time, also referred to as the Dark Time and the Age of Pythias, refers to the time on Gallifrey before Rassilon had created the Time Lord civilisation. Details of this time were detailed in the Book of the Old Time (TV: The Deadly Assassin), and forbidden knowledge from this time was in the Black Scrolls of Rassilon. (TV: The Five Doctors)

During this time, the Great Schism occurred, a war between the forces loyal to Rassilon and the female priesthood of the Pythia. Pythia lost, her ruling matriarchy destroyed and she was banished from Gallifrey. As punishment for her defeat, Pythia cursed the Time Lords with sterility. This led to the creation of Looms, as a means of reproducing without sex. (PROSE: Lungbarrow)

Rassilon during this period harnessed the exploding energy of a collapsing star, in the process creating the Eye of Harmony from which the Time Lords gained their power of time travel. The event was described in the Book of the Old Time:

"...and Rassilon journeyed into the black void with a great fleet. Within the void, no light, would shine and nothing of that outer nature continue in being, except that which existed within the Sash of Rassilon. Now Rassilon found the Eye of Harmony which balances all things, that they may neither flux, nor wither, nor change their state in any measure. And he caused the eye to be brought to the world of Gallifrey wherein he sealed this beneficence with the great key. Then the people rejoiced..." (TV: The Deadly Assassin)

According to one account, when Rassilon first opened a black hole to draw the power of time travel, he burst open a hole into an inhabited plane, upon which the Great Vampires, or the Yssgaroth, were accidentally unleashed into the universe, starting the Eternal War. (TV: State of Decay; PROSE: Interference - Book One, The Pit)

During this period too, both validium (TV: Silver Nemesis), and the Hand of Omega were created. (TV: Remembrance of the Daleks)

Lady Peinforte threatened to reveal the Doctor's secret "from the Old Time". (TV: Silver Nemesis)

The Seventh Doctor told the Mi'en Kalarash that he was afraid of the Old Time, that he remembered it and feared its return. (AUDIO: House of Blue Fire)