29Herpesviruses utilize multiple mechanisms to redirect host proteins for use in viral 30 processes and to avoid recognition and repression by the host. To investigate the dynamic 31 interactions between HSV-1 DNA and viral and host proteins, we developed an approach to 32 identify proteins that associate with the infecting viral genome from nuclear entry through 33 packaging. We found that input viral DNA progressed within six hours through four temporal 34 stages where the genomes: 1. interacted with intrinsic and DNA damage response proteins, 35 2. underwent a robust transcriptional switch mediated largely by ICP4, 3. engaged in 36 replication, repair, and continued transcription, and then 4. transitioned to a more 37 transcriptionally inert state engaging de novo synthesized viral structural components while 38 maintaining interactions with replication proteins. Using a combination of genetic, imaging, 39 and proteomic approaches, we provide a new and temporally compressed view of the HSV-1 40 life cycle based on genome-proteome dynamics. 41 42 43