Exploring the Key Events in Sith History

The Sith, known for representing the dark side, were the enemies of the Jedi Order and played a significant role in shaping the Star Wars galaxy. In the Star Wars Legends timeline, the Sith had a rich history that extended thousands of years before Episode I - The Phantom Menace and continued over a hundred years after Return of the Jedi. While some details have been altered in the current canon, various facts about the Sith in different eras of the Star Wars timeline have been disclosed, with certain events carrying over from Legends.

Throughout their existence, the Sith underwent various transformations, but there were key moments that had the most impact on their history. These crucial moments include the establishment of the Sith Order, the reason behind the scarcity of Sith in the Star Wars films and TV series, and the factors leading to their downfall. The Sith were defined by ten pivotal events in the Star Wars universe as they pursued mastery of the dark side, giving rise to some of the most formidable villains ever witnessed in the galaxy.

The Hundred-Year Darkness

C. 5,000 BBY

JediSithWar - C. 5,000 BBY - The Hundred-Year Darkness

The Jedi schism caused a long conflict called the Hundred-Year Darkness. Even though the Sith were defeated, they escaped to a planet named Korriban, which was later renamed Moraband.

The Great Scourge Of Malachor

The Great Scourge of Malachor was a devastating event that took place during the ancient times of the Sith Order. It was a battle that resulted in a catastrophic outcome, leaving the planet Malachor V scarred and barren. The Great Scourge of Malachor is remembered as a dark chapter in Sith history, a reminder of the destructive power that the Sith were capable of wielding.

Unknown

star-wars-sith-superweapon-malachor-theory - Unknown - The Great Scourge Of Malachor

Darth Bane Redefines The Sith

During the age of the Sith, a powerful superweapon was built on Malachor. The Jedi launched an attack on the Sith temple to prevent the weapon from being used. The battle resulted in the superweapon being activated, scorching the surface and causing the deaths of both Sith and Jedi. The moment was preserved in ash. Malachor eventually became a legend, and Jedi were forbidden to return, unlike the Sith who faced no such restrictions. Palpatine later brought his apprentice, Darth Maul, to Malachor and made him inhale the ashes. This caused Darth Maul to have a vision of his fellow Sith being mercilessly killed by the Jedi.

1032 BBY

Darth Bane from canon's Star Wars The Clone Wars and the Battle of Ruusan from Star Wars Legends. - 1032 BBY - Darth Bane Redefines The Sith

Palpatine's Ascendancy

Palpatine, a cunning and ambitious Sith Lord, rose to power within the Galactic Republic. Through manipulation and deceit, he orchestrated the fall of the Jedi Order and the rise of the Galactic Empire. With his mastery of the dark side of the Force, Palpatine became the Emperor, ruling with an iron fist and subjugating countless worlds under his tyrannical rule. The galaxy was plunged into darkness as Palpatine's reign of terror spread, with only a small group of rebels daring to oppose his oppressive regime.

32 BBY

An image of Palpatine as a hologram with his Sith hood over his head on top of an image of Senator Palpatine smiling - 32 BBY - The Rise Of Palpatine

The Sith Return: A thousand years after the disappearance of the Sith, Darth Plagueis and his apprentice, Darth Sidious, started taking steps to carry out their ultimate plan. Under the disguise of Senator Palpatine, Sidious created a crisis on Naboo, his home planet, revealing the flaws and corruption in the Republic. He manipulated the Senate into choosing him as Supreme Chancellor by promising to eliminate corruption and bring back the Republic's former greatness. Once in power and with their master plan in motion, Palpatine betrayed and killed Plagueis in his sleep, becoming the new Sith Master.

"Begun The Clone War Has."

22 BBY

A clone army advancing - 22 BBY - "Begun The Clone War Has."

The Revenge Of The Sith

Palpatine and his new apprentice, Count Dooku, manipulated both sides of the Clone Wars conflict. Dooku used his position in the new government to further the Sith's goals, while Palpatine gained more power from the Republic Senate to defeat the Separatists. The Jedi suffered heavy losses during the war as they moved away from their traditional peacekeeping role. Despite the Republic's victory, Palpatine had orchestrated events to ensure the downfall of the Jedi.

19 BBY

Anakin Skywalker and Palpatine in Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith - 19 BBY - The Revenge Of The Sith

After Count Dooku's death, Palpatine convinced Anakin Skywalker to join the dark side and gave him the name Darth Vader. He then ordered Order 66, making all clones turn against the Jedi and wipe out most of them. With the Jedi defeated and the clone army under his command, Palpatine transformed the Republic into the Galactic Empire. For the next 19 years, the Empire maintained the former Republic's framework while building a superweapon known as the Death Star in secret. This weapon was intended to help Palpatine dissolve the Senate and establish complete dominance.

The Return Of The Jedi

4 ABY

Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, and Palpatine in Return of the Jedi. - 4 ABY - The Return Of The Jedi

However, Luke Skywalker managed to destroy the Death Star, leading to a war between the Rebellion and the Empire. The Galactic Civil War reached its climax at the Battle of Endor, where Darth Vader redeemed himself by saving his son and defeating his master. Even though Vader sacrificed himself, the defeat of Palpatine brought balance to the Force and fulfilled the Chosen One prophecy. With the Sith gone, Luke began to establish a New Jedi Order, while the galaxy united to form the New Republic.

The Birth Of Rey

15 ABY

Rey's parents in The Rise of Skywalker flashback, with Rey in the foreground - 15 ABY - The Birth Of Rey

Palpatine managed to survive his supposed demise by moving his spirit into a clone body, but this new form was deteriorating. He created more clones in the hopes of finding one that could contain his dark power. One of these clones, named Dathan, was considered a failure by Palpatine because he lacked Force sensitivity. Dathan fled from Palpatine's base on Exegol and eventually married a woman named Miramir. Together, they had a daughter named Rey. Palpatine had his sights set on Rey, wanting to use her as his new vessel. In order to protect Rey, her parents decided to hide her on Jakku. This decision led to Palpatine ordering the execution of Rey's parents.

Palpatine also survived in the Star Wars Legends timeline, where he sought to transfer his spirit into Anakin Solo.

The Dead Speak

35 ABY

Palpatine in front of his Sith fleet in Star Wars The Rise of Skywalker - 35 ABY - The Dead Speak

The Final Word In The Story Of The Sith

With the galaxy engulfed in yet another war, Palpatine made the decision to reveal himself. He was set on unleashing a massive fleet of Star Destroyers capable of destroying entire planets. When Supreme Leader Kylo Ren made his way to Exegol with the intention of eliminating his potential rival, Palpatine dropped a bombshell. He disclosed that he was the mastermind behind Snoke, the First Order, and the conversion of Ben Solo to the dark side. In addition, he had gathered a devoted following that was poised to establish a new Sith Empire. Each group of troopers in the legion was named after an ancient Sith Lord. Despite his true intention to entice Rey to Exegol, Palpatine managed to persuade Ren to collaborate with him and take down Rey.

35 ABY

Rey and Palpatine in Star Wars The Rise of Skywalker - 35 ABY - The Final Word In The Story Of The Sith

Palpatine thought he had defeated the Jedi once and for all, urging Rey to strike him down so he could transfer his spirit into her. Despite her initial struggle, Palpatine used the powerful Force Dyad to revive himself and attack the Resistance fleet. However, Rey connected with the spirits of all the past Jedi, gaining their support as she vanquished Palpatine. This marked the end of the Sith's reign after 5,000 years, as the Jedi emerged victorious, closing a chapter in Star Wars history and paving the way for a new era in the galaxy.

Editor's P/S:

The article provides a comprehensive overview of the Sith's history, highlighting key events that shaped their existence and downfall. It showcases the intricate connections between the Sith and the Jedi, emphasizing the constant struggle between the dark and light sides of the Force. The inclusion of both canon and Legends material provides a well-rounded perspective, allowing readers to delve into the full scope of the Sith's impact on the Star Wars universe. The article effectively portrays the Sith as formidable villains whose pursuit of power and mastery of the dark side had profound consequences for the galaxy, ultimately leading to their defeat and the restoration of balance in the Force.