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Sith

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The Sith is a name applied to certain characters in the Star Wars universe.[1] In the films they are the central antagonists. They are capable of using the dark side of the Force.[2]

The Invention of the Sith

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Star Wars creator George Lucas took the name "Sith" from Edgar Rice Burroughs' John Carter of Mars series in which the sith are giant, venomous, hornet-like insects that are difficult to kill.[3] The first use of the word "Sith" is in the Star Wars novelization for Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, as a title for Darth Vader, the "Dark Lord of the Sith." The Sith are never formally introduced as such on-screen until The Phantom Menace. [4]

History

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The Star Wars series began with the film Star Wars which was released in 1977.[5] However since 1977, books, computer games, comics, and films have been released all set in the fictional universe of Star Wars. This has expanded the history of the Sith within the stories told in the Star Wars Universe.[6]

Early dark side users were called The Dark Jedi not the Sith. They were exiled to the planet Korriban, where they conquered a powerful but malleable indigenous species known as the sith race. Treated like gods by their conquered people, they proclaimed themselves "Lords of the Sith". [7] As time progressed The Sith ruled an isolated part of the galaxy. They called this the Sith Empire. The capital was on the planet Ziost.[8] The Empire fell because of the battle for supremacy between two Sith Lords: Ludo Kressh and Naga Sadow.[9] This period was called The Great Hyperspace War. [10] Eventually a Sith named Darth Bane creates something called the Rule of Two. He is responsible for the destruction of all the Sith save him and his apprentice, Darth Zannah. He manages to trick the Jedi Council into believing that the Sith are completely gone.[11] The Rule of Two states: "Two there shall there be...a master and an apprentice: one to embody power and the other to crave it."[12] Darth Bane is the first Sith to use the title of Darth a tradition the Sith keep.[13] Centuries Later Darth Sidious' schemes lead to the clone wars, the destruction of the Jedi Council and the transformation of the republic into the Empire.[14] However the Sith are not completely victorious, Darth Vader and the Emperor attempt to turn Luke Skywalker to the dark side but they fail and are defeated. In the end Darth Vader choses the path of the Jedi once again and becomes one with the force. He appears with Obi Wan Kenobi at the end of The Return of The Jedi.

Notable Sith Characters

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Darth Vader

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Darth Vader was the first Sith Lord to appear to the general public, appearing in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. As a Jedi Knight, he was known as Anakin Skywalker and fought in the Clone Wars against the Sith Empire. He turned slowly to the Dark Side with the help of Darth Sidious. After killing Mace Windu, he swore allegiance to the Emperor and became his pupil. As the Galactic Empire continued to grow, Darth Vader became the Emperor’s enforcer and was put in command of the task to find the Rebel Alliance’s base. After the destruction of the Death Star, Vader was in charge of tracking the Rebel Alliance down and destroying their headquarters. However, the actions of Luke Skywalker, Vader’s son, eventually turned Vader against his master, resulting in both Darth Sidious and Darth Vader's death.[15]

Darth Sidious

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Darth Sidious rose to power from a Senator of Naboo, to Supreme Chancellor, to self-proclaimed Emperor of the Galactic Empire. This was a cleverly orchestrated sequence of events done under his alternate identity, Palpatine, who gained respect in the Old Republic while secretly participating in Sith practices and planning an end to the Jedi Order. Darth Sidious' reign was in the time of the Rule of Two. He had three pupils, Darth Maul, Darth Tyranus and Darth Vader who eventually kills Darth Sidious at the end of Star Wars Episode VI: The Return of the Jedi.[16]

Darth Maul

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Unlike his master Darth Sidious, Darth Maul did not crave power to rule over the galaxy. He wanted nothing but revenge against the Jedi for their actions against him and his people on his home planet, Dathomir. With this in mind, Darth Maul reaches notable status as probably the most deadly warrior the Sith had ever created. Wielding a dual-bladed lightsaber in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, Darth Maul reeks havoc for the Jedi Order and kills Obi-Wan Kenobi's master and friend, Qui-Gon Jinn before falling to Obi-Wan Kenobi in the same lightsaber battle.[17]

Darth Tyranus

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Referred to more as Count Dooku in Episodes II and III of the Star Wars movies, Darth Tyranus is really only a notable Sith character because of his relationship with Darth Sidious and his role in the Clone Wars where he led the Separatist Alliance. Many Star Wars fans may argue that Count Dooku's lightsaber battle against three Jedi, Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda in Episode II, is reason enough to put Dooku on this list.[18]

Darth Bane

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In a time when Sith Lords were very few due to their near extinction by the Jedi Order, Darth Bane rose to lead the Sith and established the Rule of Two to replace the Brotherhood of Darkness. The Rule of Two stated that there must be two Sith Lords, one to embody the power of the Dark Side, and one to crave that power and eventually overthrow his master and adopt an apprentice of his own.[19]

Naga Sadow & Ludo Kressh

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These two Sith Lords are best known for their hatred for one another. While attending the funeral of the former Dark Lord, Naga Sadow and Ludo Kressh performed a dual to claim the title of Dark Lord for themselves. This resulted in a massive outbreak that led to the first interaction between the Sith Empire and the Galactic Republic since the separation of the Jedi and the Dark Jedi many years before. In the end, Naga Sadow killed Ludo Kressh, but was forced into isolation by the Galactic Republic.[20]

Philosophy

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The Sith Code

Peace is a lie
There is only passion
Through passion I gain strength
Through strength I gain power
Through power I gain victory
Through victory my chains are broken
The Force shall set me free
-Darth Bane[21]


Sith Beliefs

Sith believe that any form of peace is virtually a lie in itself. Sith represent evil and destruction; peace is not even thought of in the Sith world. Sith will do anything to obtain domination, no matter how violent or evil. Their power is driven from their pure passion to succeed. Through their passion they are driven, therefore they grow stronger. The stronger they get the more power they gain, thus an endless cycle of darkness.[22]

The Code of the Sith teaches its followers that strength should be embraced openly. This code is merely a guideline of ideas that should be referenced in becoming a successful Sith Lord. Emotion and passion is the most powerful concept in a Sith realm. [23] The goal of a Sith is domination of strength and power and to rule. Sith are all about creating conflict. Sith will always take chances to gain strength and better themselves.[24]

"The Force gives us all power, even the Jedi. It is our mastery of our passion that gives us the strength they lack." - Yuthura Ban [25]


The Sith Philosophy

The Sith philosophy believes that the improvement of both civilizations were done by conflict and violence. Change, evolution, and adaptation were all caused because of conflict. The stronger the being is, the more the weak will disappear leaving only the truly powerful. The Sith believe that this philosophy is what brings them to true perfection. Conflict is necessary to become great. The Sith believe that the Jedi, who disagreed with this philosophy, are a disablement of change.[26]

The Sith believe any opportunity should be taken, morals aside. Those who refrain are weak and look down upon by the Sith. The Jedi are considered to be weak in the eyes of the Sith because of this. The Sith will always try to become more powerful by the minute, no matter how hard it may be. Conquering morality is the true goal of the Sith. [27]

Sith Appearances Throughout Media

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Expanded Universe Novels

The first Expanded Universe novel was written by Alan Dean Foster titled the Splinter of the Mind's Eye in 1978.[28]The setting for this novel takes place between Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope and Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back.[29] It provides further adventures that include Princess Leia, R2-D2, C-3P0, Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader.[30]In the story, Darth Vader tries to get the Kaiburr Cyrstal to use it for his evil schemes.[31]

Other novels that depicted Sith characters were Darth Maul:Saboteur and Cloak of Deception by James Luceno.[32] In Cloak of Deception, it describes the political background surrounding the Republic in the time period before Phantom Menance. The Sith Lord at the time, Darth Sidious, plans for his blockade of Naboo. In Darth Maul: Saboteur,the Sith Lord Darth Sidious sends Darth Maul to destroy InterGalactic Ore and Lommite Limited.[33]Darth Maul:Shadow Hunter by Michael Reaves also showed insight into the Sith. This story is about how Darth Sidious takes his plan into action, however he soon finds out about a traitor who knows of his plan. He sends his apprentice, Darth Maul, to scope out the traitor that leaks the secret of his plan to take down the Rebulic.[34] Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back by Donald F. Glut takes place after the destruction of the Death Star. Darth Vader is in pursuit of Luke Skywalker, who is training with Yoda to become a Jedi Knight. This story depicts the fight scene between Vader and Skywalker almost exactly as it was scripted in the film.

Star Wars Comics

Dark Horse Comics purchased the copyrights to several Star Wars stories.[35] With their publication of Star Wars: Dark Empire #1 in 1991, they initiated what has become a large line of Star Wars manga and comics.[36] The Sith appear as major antagonists throughout this story's plot. [37]

In January 2007, Dark Horse Comics released their first of what became 5 waves of comic-pack figures.[38] Some of the Sith action figure characters that these comic packs included were Darth Vader, Clone Commando and a Trade Federation Assassin Droid. Most of the comics that were published had to do with expanding the backstory of the characters and followed the rise of the Lords of Sith.[39]

Star Wars T.V. Shows

Star Wars has had 3 T.V. shows titled Star Wars: Droids—The Adventures of R2-D2 and C-3PO, Star Wars:Ewoks and Star Wars:Clone Wars. Star Wars: Droids—The Adventures of R2-D2 and C-3PO aired their first episode in 1985. The show focused on the past history of R2-D2 and C-3PO and continueing with their future adventures throughout the galaxy.[40] Star Wars: Ewoks is an animated shows about the Ewoks and was aired in 1986. Star Wars: Clone Wars first aired on Cartoon Network in 2008. This show was made to take place some time between the Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones and Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith films. During this time, Anakin Skywalker has not become Darth Vader yet and it shows how he progresses into succumbing to the Sith.[41] There is also another (currently untitled) T.V. show who's release date will be soon[42]according to the head of Lucas Licensing, Howard Roffman.[43] Each of these T.V. series has expanded on the background story of mayor and minor characters that were introduced in the original film’s plot written by George Lucas.

Star Wars Video Games

Star Wars video games have also been adapted from the films, novels, and T.V. shows plots. The games follow the basic plot of the story, but they can also include alternative endings depending on which character is being played. Most of the games range from one to two players at a time. The earliest video game for Star Wars dates back to 1982 when Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back was released for the public in the arcades.[44] Other video games that focus mainly on the Sith are Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords released in 2004[45] and Star Wars: The Force Unleashed released in 2008.[46] In Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords, the player can choose if they want to be a Sith, Jedi or another character. The outcome of whether the character follows the dark or light side depends on what character the player chooses and with whom they end up meeting or battling with throughout the game.[47] In and Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, the player acts as Darth Vader’s secret apprentice. Along the way, the adventures consist of several battles against the mayor and minor Jedi fighters throughout the galaxy and helping Vader achieve his master plan.[48]

References

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  1. ^ The Sith, Expanded Universe. Starwars.com, Lucasfilm. Retrieved 2007-11-25.
  2. ^ The Sith. Starwars.com, Lucasfilm. Retrieved 2007-11-25.
  3. ^ Kaminski, Michael (2008), The Secret History of Star Wars (3.0 ed.), p. 63 fn., ISBN 978-0-9784652-3-0, retrieved 2011-02-20
  4. ^ [1] Star Wars: A New Hope
  5. ^ "Internet Movie Database". Retrieved 11/14/11. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  6. ^ "Star Wars". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 11/14/11. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  7. ^ Knights_of_the_old_republic
  8. ^ Golden, Christie. "Omen". Google Books. Retrieved 22 November 2011.
  9. ^ "The New Essential Chronology". Random House. Retrieved 11/19/11. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  10. ^ name="Dark Horse TPB">"The Golden Age of the Sith". Retrieved 11/15/2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  11. ^ "Darth Bane: Rule of Two". Del Rey books. Retrieved 11/19/11. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  12. ^ Darth Bane: Path of Destruction
  13. ^ Wallace, Daniel (2005). Star Wars: The New Essential Chronology. Del Rey. p. 256. ISBN 0345490533.
  14. ^ Anderson, Kevin (1997). Tales of the Jedi-The Golden Age of the Sith. Dark Horse. ISBN 1-56971-229-8.
  15. ^ "Darth Vader". StarWars.com. LucasFilm. Retrieved 22 November 2011.
  16. ^ "Darth Sidious". StarWars.com. LucasFilm. Retrieved 22 November 2011.
  17. ^ "Darth Maul". StarWars.com. LucasFilm. Retrieved 22 November 2011.
  18. ^ "Darth Tyranus/Count Dooku". StarWars.com. LucasFilm. Retrieved 22 November 2011.
  19. ^ "Darth Bane". StarWars.com. LucasFilm. Retrieved 22 November 2011.
  20. ^ "Naga Sadow/Ludo Kressh". HALL OF THE SITH LORDS. Retrieved 22 November 2011.
  21. ^ "The Sith Code"
  22. ^ "The Sith Code"
  23. ^ "The Sith Code, How to Become a Sith Lord"
  24. ^ "The Sith Code, How to Become a Sith Lord"
  25. ^ "The Sith Code, How to Become a Sith Lord"
  26. ^ "The Sith"
  27. ^ "The Sith"
  28. ^ "Splinter of the Mind's Eye". tvtropes.org. Retrieved 18 November 2011.
  29. ^ "Splinter of the Mind's Eye". tvtropes.org. Retrieved 18 November 2011.
  30. ^ "Splinter of the Mind's Eye". tvtropes.org. Retrieved 18 November 2011.
  31. ^ "Splinter of the Mind's Eye". tvtropes.org. Retrieved 18 November 2011.
  32. ^ Luceno, James (2002). Star Wars: Cloak of Deception. Random House Publishing Group. ISBN 978-0-307-79570-0.
  33. ^ Luceno, James (2001). Darth Maul:Saboteur. New York: Random House. ISBN 9780345447357.
  34. ^ Reaves, Michael (2001). Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter. Ballantine Publishing Group. ISBN 0-345-43541-9.
  35. ^ "Timeline". www.darkhorse.com. Dark Horse. Retrieved 18 November 2011.
  36. ^ Lavin, Michael R. (1998). "A Librarian's Guide to Dark Horse Comics". Serials Review. 24 (3/4). {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  37. ^ Lavin, Michael R. (1998). "A Librarian's Guide to Dark Horse Comics". Serials Review. 24 (3/4). {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  38. ^ "Timeline". www.darkhorse.com. Dark Horse. Retrieved 18 November 2011.
  39. ^ Lavin, Michael R. (1998). "A Librarian's Guide to Dark Horse Comics". Serials Review. 24 (3/4). {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  40. ^ [www.tv-links.eu "Droids The Adventures of R2-D2 and C-3P0"]. Retrieved 18 November 2011. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  41. ^ [www.tv-links.eu "Star Wars The Clone Wars"]. Retrieved 18 November 2011. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  42. ^ "Untitled Star Wars T.V. Series". Retrieved 21 November 2011.
  43. ^ "Inside Lucasfilm". Retrieved 18 November 2011.
  44. ^ [cube.ign.com "First Look: Star Wars 1982"]. Retrieved 18 November 2011. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  45. ^ "Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords". Retrieved 18 November 2011.
  46. ^ "Game Info". Retrieved 21 November 2011.
  47. ^ "Star Wars:The Old Republic:Game Overview". www.swtor.com. Lucasfilm. Retrieved 21 November 2011.
  48. ^ "Overview". Retrieved 21 November 2011.

Revised article ends here

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The Trilogies

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The Original trilogy consists of Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi.

Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope was released on May 25, 1977. The film shows how the Rebel Alliance arises to challenge the Empire's iron grip on the galaxy and surviving Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi turns to their greatest hope, Luke Skywalker, the son of Anakin, who begins his Jedi training under Kenobi. Luke and his new friends, Han Solo, Chewbacca, Ben Kenobi, C-3PO, R2-D2 travel to rescue Princess Leia, a Rebel Leader. In the film's climactic battle scene, the Rebels destroy the Empire's Death Star superweapon [2].

Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back was released on May 21, 1980. In this film Luke seeks out Yoda, a former Jedi Master, who furthers his training in the ways of the Force. Palpatine and Vader become aware of Luke's identity, and both hope to corrupt Luke to use him against each other (Palpatine wishes to replace Vader with Luke, while Vader wants to use Luke to overthrow the Emperor and rule the galaxy himself). Luke prematurely confronts Vader, who reveals that he is in fact Luke's father, Anakin Skywalker [3].

Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi was released on May 25 1983. Luke, by now having nearly completed his training under Yoda, nearly succumbs to the dark side when Palpatine and Vader threaten to kill his friends in the Rebellion. He pulls away from the brink at the last minute, however, and proudly declares his allegiance to the Jedi. As a result, Palpatine then tortures Luke with Force lightning. His son's suffering and pleas for help cause Vader to revolt and throw his master down the newly constructed second Death Star's reactor shaft, incurring fatal wounds in the process [4].

The prequel trilogy consists of Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones and Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith [5].

Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace was released on May 19, 1999. In this film the Sith reappear after 1,000 years of self-imposed exile, in the form of Darth Sidious and Darth Maul. Meanwhile, Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn meets by chance Anakin Skywalker, a nine-year-old slave. Qui-Gon becomes convinced that the boy is the "Chosen One" of Jedi prophecy who is destined to "restore balance to the force".After killing Qui-Gon, Darth Maul dies at the hands of the Jedi's apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi. The Sith ultimately emerge victorious, however; Senator Palpatine (Sidious' alter ego) is elected to the office of Supreme Chancellor of the Galactic Republic, and sets his sights on making Anakin his new apprentice [6].

Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones was released on May 16, 2002. In this film former Jedi Master Count Dooku, Sidious' new Sith apprentice, is given the Sith title Darth Tyranus. Dooku starts the separatist Confederacy of Independent Systems, which threatens the unstable Republic. A motion made in the Senate by Representative Jar Jar Binks, who was sent by Senator Padmé Amidala, grants the Chancellor vast emergency powers—an idea planted in Jar Jar's head by the Chancellor himself. When the Jedi discover the threat posed by the C.I.S' new droid army, the Clone Wars begin with a battle to rescue captured Jedi on Geonosis [7].

Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith was released on May 19, 2005. The film shows how Palpatine reveals his true identity to Anakin and turns him to the dark side. Palpatine says that the dark side holds the power to save Anakin's wife, Padmé Amidala, from dying; Anakin succumbs to the temptation and becomes Darth Vader, leading the Republic's clone troopers to exterminate the Jedi. Sidious then turns the Republic into the tyrannical Galactic Empire and appoints himself Emperor for life, effectively placing the galaxy under Sith control[8].
Kgaribay (talk) 01:59, 18 November 2011 (UTC)

Everything below this line must go

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So put the stuff you want to keep above it :)

History in Universe

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The Star Wars series began with the film Star Wars which was released in 1977.[1] However since 1977, books, [games], comics, and films have been released all set in the fictional universe of Star Wars.

Pre-Phantom Menace

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The video game Knights of the Old Republic explains that, thousands of years before the timeline of the films, early dark side users were exiled to the planet Korriban, where they conquered a powerful but malleable indigenous species known as the Sith. Treated like gods by their conquered people, the so-called "Dark Jedi" proclaimed themselves "Lords of the Sith". By the time depicted in the game, a handful of Jedi have defected to form their own group dedicated to the dark side. The Sith use the same powers as the Jedi, as well as certain powers banned by the Jedi Council.

In the comic book Tales of the Jedi: The Golden Age of the Sith, set 5,000 years before the Phantom Menace, the Sith rule an isolated part of the galaxy, calling themselves the "Sith Empire", headquartered on the planet Ziost. The empire is unstable, however; its two most powerful Sith Lords, Ludo Kressh and Naga Sadow, throw the galaxy into chaos as they fight each other for supremacy, leading to a brutal conflict known as The Great Hyperspace War. By the end of the sequel, The Fall of the Sith Empire, after a war that lasts nearly 10 years, their power struggle effectively destroys the empire from within.[2]

In the further novels, set 1,000 years later, a Dark Jedi named Exar Kun, who studies the ways of the Sith, turns to the dark side of the Force and forms an alliance with a Sith-worshiping society, which then begins a new war called the Great Sith War. This war ends when Kun is betrayed and killed by his apprentice, the exiled Jedi Ulic Qel-Droma. Shortly after Kun's demise, his Sith successors, including Darth Revan and his apprentice Darth Malak, nearly destroy the Jedi Order. This new Sith empire eventually collapses after a series of civil wars.

In Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, Yoda explains that the Sith Order went into hiding after their defeat in the last Sith war nearly 1,000 years earlier. He further explains that the Sith can exist only with two members at a time—one master and one apprentice. This idea is later explored in the Expanded Universe novels Darth Bane: Path of Destruction, Darth Bane: Rule of Two, and Darth Bane: Dynasty of Evil.

In these novels, set 1,000 years before the events in Phantom Menace, the Sith number in the many thousands, but are so focused on fighting amongst themselves, their order is unable to defeat the Jedi. Seeing that the dark side of the Force is spread too thin over many thousands, Darth Bane engineers a plan that eventually dupes the Sith into destroying themselves, leaving only him and his apprentice, Darth Zannah. This ultimately allows Darth Bane to institute a decree saying that the Sith Order from then on will never number more than two members at a time, and the Order will be committed to secrecy. The decree is known as the "Rule of Two": "Two there shall there be...a master and an apprentice: one to embody power and the other to crave it."[3] Bane also issues the decree that all Sith lords after him will have the title of "Darth" before their surname. Central to this rule is that the master must select an apprentice with the potential to surpass him/her, who will eventually kill the master and select an apprentice of their own, repeating the process. In Darth Bane: Dynasty of evil it is stated that this is done to prevent the Sith from fighting amongst themselves and to make sure that the Sith Order is always growing stronger. After Bane's death, his apprentice Zannah takes on a new apprentice, who later takes on her own after Zannah's death, and so on. For the next 1,000 years, the two-person Sith Order remained in hiding in various parts of the galaxy, and manipulating the events of the galaxy to lead to the destruction of the Jedi.

The Sith believed that the true power of the Force lay not through contemplation and passivity, but rather by tapping into the emotion-filled and hateful energies of the dark side. They believed it was their passion for things - anger, hatred, fear - that fueled their power of the Force. The Sith desired to become stronger, both as individuals and as an organization, so they could achieve a higher potential of being. They compared the passive teachings of the Jedi to the actions of shepherds, while the Sith themselves were seekers of true knowledge and power. [4]


Last thing on the talk page Stuff we can do

  1. I've added the rewrite tag and taken away two of the unreferenced tags for a number of reasons.
  2. The article obviously uses references, but most of them are not readily apparent. They need to be teased out and cited properly.
  3. Too much of the article is written from an in-universe perspective, treating these as real people (well, Sith). I know it's difficult to write out-of-universe perspective, but there are areas where it should be easier than others; the development that Lucas put into them, the cultural influence the Sith have had, etc.
  4. Excessive use of quoted material. The Philosophy section is a good example of this. While it may make a nice impact to start with a recitation of the tenets, it's not very encyclopedic.
  5. Too many lists. This is most obvious in the timeline and the Ancient Sith sections. Any dates of importance should really be in the text of the article, and I'd suggest spinning off the members of the Sith into a "List of..." article (properly sourced, of course).
  6. Tone. There's quite a bit of personal commentary worked into the wording that needs to be expunged.


The Sith are portrayed in the Star Wars films as individuals willing to use the dark side to gain power at any cost. The Star Wars films establish that they draw upon strong emotions, both negative and positive, as the source of their power, and care only about themselves. This contrasts with the Jedi, who forsake emotional attachment in order to serve others and the galaxy as a whole.

Depiction

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Prequel trilogy

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In The Phantom Menace, the Sith reappear after 1,000 years of self-imposed exile, in the form of Darth Sidious and Darth Maul. Meanwhile, Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn meets by chance Anakin Skywalker, a nine-year-old slave; Qui-Gon soon becomes convinced that the boy is the "Chosen One" of Jedi prophecy who is destined to "restore balance to the force".

After killing Qui-Gon, Darth Maul dies at the hands of the Jedi's apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi. The Sith ultimately emerge victorious, however; Senator Palpatine (Sidious' alter ego) is elected to the office of Supreme Chancellor of the Galactic Republic, and sets his sights on making Anakin his new apprentice.

In Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones former Jedi Master Count Dooku, Sidious' new Sith apprentice, is given the Sith title Darth Tyranus. Dooku starts the separatist Confederacy of Independent Systems, which threatens the unstable Republic. A motion made in the Senate by Representative Jar Jar Binks, who was sent by Senator Padmé Amidala, grants the Chancellor vast emergency powers—an idea planted in Jar Jar's head by the Chancellor himself. When the Jedi discover the threat posed by the C.I.S' new droid army, the Clone Wars begin with a battle to rescue captured Jedi on Geonosis.

In Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, Palpatine reveals his true identity to Anakin and turns him to the dark side. Palpatine says that the dark side holds the power to save Anakin's wife, Padmé Amidala, from dying; Anakin succumbs to the temptation and becomes Darth Vader, leading the Republic's clone troopers to exterminate the Jedi. Sidious then turns the Republic into the tyrannical Galactic Empire and appoints himself Emperor for life, effectively placing the galaxy under Sith control.

Original trilogy

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Beginning in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, the Rebel Alliance arises to challenge the Empire's iron grip on the galaxy, and surviving Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi turns to their greatest hope, Luke Skywalker, the son of Anakin, who begins his Jedi training under Kenobi. In the film's climactic battle scene, the Rebels destroy the Empire's Death Star superweapon.

In Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back Luke seeks out Yoda, a former Jedi Master, who furthers his training in the ways of the Force. Palpatine and Vader become aware of Luke's identity, and both hope to corrupt Luke to use him against each other (Palpatine wishes to replace Vader with Luke, while Vader wants to use Luke to overthrow the Emperor and rule the galaxy himself). Luke prematurely confronts Vader, who reveals that he is in fact Luke's father, Anakin Skywalker. In their first lightsaber battle, Vader cuts off Luke's right hand, and Luke barely escapes with his life.

In Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, Luke, by now having nearly completed his training under Yoda, nearly succumbs to the dark side when Palpatine and Vader threaten to kill his friends in the Rebellion. He pulls away from the brink at the last minute, however, and proudly declares his allegiance to the Jedi. As a result, Palpatine then tortures Luke with Force lightning. His son's suffering and pleas for help cause Vader to revolt and throw his master down the newly constructed second Death Star's reactor shaft, incurring fatal wounds in the process.


Post-Return of the Jedi

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The Sith also appear in various "Expanded Universe" material set after the Empire's destruction in Return of the Jedi. A resurrected Palpatine reappears in the comic books Dark Empire, and Empire's End, and Vader's former minion Lumiya is a main antagonist in the Marvel Comics Star Wars stories and the Legacy of the Force series. In the latter, she persuades Jacen Solo, Luke Skywalker's nephew, to learn the ways of the Sith. Solo becomes the Sith Lord Darth Caedus, convinced that it is the only way to save the galaxy from a brutal civil war; in the process, however, he becomes a ruthless tyrant willing to destroy anyone in his way, even his own parents. He ultimately dies at the hands of his twin sister, Jedi Knight Jaina Solo.

In the series Fate of the Jedi, a great number of Sith appear. These Sith comprise two separate and distinct groups. The first are "the Tribe," the descendants of a Sith Empire shipwreck on an uncharted world. This group was cut off from the galaxy at large for five millennia, and thus are unaware of the Rule of Two. The second group is the One Sith, who deliberately abandoned Darth Bane's 1,000-year-old decree of only having two Sith members at a time.

In the comic book series Star Wars: Legacy, set 130 years after Return of the Jedi, the One Sith (led by former Jedi A'Sharad Hett, now calling himself Darth Krayt) once again defeat the Jedi and take control of the galaxy. Their one opponent is Anakin and Luke Skywalker's descendant, Cade, who had previously renounced his connection to the Force.


  1. Star Wars toy line
  2. Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game, Second Edition
  3. Star Wars: The Power of the Force (1995)
  4. SWInsider small.jpg "Straight from the Horse's Mouth: A Guide to the Tales of the Jedi Universe, Part 1"—Star Wars Insider 26
  5. Star Wars: Episode I toy line
  6. Star Wars: Power of the Jedi
  7. Chronicles of the Old Republic
  8. The Dark Side Sourcebook
  9. The Secrets of Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire
  10. Star Wars: Attack of the Clones: The Illustrated Companion
  11. Hero's Guide
  12. The New Essential Chronology
  13. You must be a member of Star Wars Hyperspace to view this linkEvil Never Dies: The Sith Dynasties on Hyperspace (article) (content now obsolete; backup links 1 2 on Archive.org)
  14. Jedi vs. Sith: The Essential Guide to the Force
  15. InQuest Gamer 43
  16. Star Wars: The Ultimate Visual Guide
  17. SWInsider small.jpg "Classic Moment"—Star Wars Insider 102
  18. WizardsoftheCoast.png Behind the Threat: The Sith, Part 1: Portrayal on Wizards.com (original article link, backup links 1 2 on Archive.org)
  19. WizardsoftheCoast.png Manaan: Depths of History on Wizards.com (original article link, backup links 1 2 on Archive.org)
  20. Scum and Villainy
  21. Knights of the Old Republic Campaign Guide
  22. Hasbro logo.svg Star Wars: The Legacy Collection (Pack: Antares Draco & Ganner Krieg)
  23. SWInsider small.jpg "Classic Moment"—Star Wars Insider 107
  24. Star Wars Galaxies Trading Card Game: Galactic Hunters
  25. Rebellion Era Campaign Guide
  26. The Essential Atlas
  27. You must be a member of Star Wars Hyperspace to view this linkThe Forgotten War: The Nagai and the Tofs on Hyperspace (article) (content now obsolete; backup links 1 2 on Archive.org) (Mentioned only)
  28. You must be a member of Star Wars Hyperspace to view this linkXim Week: The History of Xim and the Tion Cluster on Hyperspace (article) (content now obsolete; backup links 1 2 on Archive.org)
  29. SWGsmall.jpg "Bartyn's Landing"—Star Wars Gamer 7
  30. The Written Word
  31. The Unknown Regions
  32. The Jedi Path: A Manual for Students of the Force
  33. StarWars.com Essential Atlas Extra: The Knight Errant Gazetteer on StarWars.com (article) (content now obsolete; backup link on Archive.org)
  34. Holonet icon allegiances.png Vine Cat on The Old Republic Holonet <1--11/26/10-->
  35. StarWars.com The Clone Wars Episode Guide: Witches of the Mist on StarWars.com (content now obsolete; backup link on Archive.org)
  36. SWInsider small.jpg "Secrets of the Force"—Star Wars Insider 123
  37. The Art and Making of Star Wars: The Old Republic
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Category:Star Wars organizations Category:Fictional cults

References

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  1. ^ "Internet Movie Database". Retrieved 11/15/2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  2. ^ "The Golden Age of the Sith". Retrieved 11/15/2011. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  3. ^ Darth Bane Path of Destruction
  4. ^ "The Sith"