The Various Empires Of 'Star Wars' Legends And Canon

Star Wars

Apr 1

There are many forms of monarchy in the Star Wars universe, including tribal, planetary, and multi-planetary governments. By far the most wide-reaching and, therefore, more impactful are the governments known as empires. In this galaxy far, far, away. There are plenty.

THE SITH EMPIRES

The Sith Empire: This was an empire ruled by the force-wielders known as the Sith. It had several iterations that, at various points, controlled most of the Galaxy. It fought the Galactic Republic and the Jedi Order in numerous battles and wars, eventually leading to the Empire's collapse. However, its legacy endured: the Sith regained control after the Clone Wars as the Galactic Empire.

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Sith Empire (Exar Kun): This iteration of the Sith Empire was founded by two former Jedi in the period following the Great Hyperspace War. Its capital was Empress Teta.

Sith Empire (Darth Siberus): This iteration of the Sith Empire was headed by Darth Siberus. When Darth Siberus thought she had no more challenges to overcome, she froze herself in carbonite to await future challenges. As a result, her empire stagnated and eventually collapsed.

Jedi versus Sith — Image Source: Wallpapers.com

Brotherhood of Darkness: This iteration of a Sith Empire existed during the Dark Age of the Old Republic, 1000 years before the Clone Wars. Sith Lord Darth Bane served in the Brotherhood. The Jedi Order eventually defeated them.

Galactic Empire: This was the dictatorship that replaced the Galactic Republic at the end of the Clone Wars. It rose from within the politics of the Republic until it gained supremacy, partly by promising to bring order to the Galaxy. Instead, its two-decade existence was characterized by military rule and aggressive expansion. It was eventually defeated by the Alliance to Restore the Republic.

OTHER EMPIRES

Infinite Empire: this empire of the Rakatan species existed before the Imperial Era. Located on the planet Aleen, it had two possible client species: the Aleena and the Kindalo.

Ubdurian’s Empire: this was the trade-based empire of the Ubdurians, one of the earliest spacefaring species, who were in the Inner Rim long before the Galactic Republic’s expansion.

Chiss Ascendancy: Also known simply as the Ascendancy, this empire of the near-human Chiss was located in the Unknown Regions. It favoured a more libertarian approach to governance, as well as philosophies of strict policy and peaceful diplomacy with outsiders. The Ascendancy’s history was long and ancient, dominated by the hierarchy of Chiss families.

Zygerrian Slave Empire: also known as the Zygerrian Empire, this empire was in the Outer Rim Territories. A vast slavery industry was maintained for thousands of years from Zygerria’s capital. Eventually, the Old Republic declared slavery illegal, and the Jedi Order dismantled operations, leaving the Empire shattered.

Jabba’s Criminal Empire: based on the planet Tatooine, Jabba’s criminal empire spread across the Outer Rim, partly by employing a network of smugglers to move its goods. It lasted through both the Republic and Imperial era, and controlled a bulk of Outer Rim piracy, slavery, and trafficking.

TRIGGER Empire: this was a faction formed by Imperial military remnants after the Battle of Exegol. It was ruled by the dark side twins, Am and Karre. They remained loyal to the deceased Emperor Palpatine, and their uniforms evoked the Galactic Empire & First Order.

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