Great Jedi Purge

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The Great Jedi Purge

Newly appointed Darth Vader leading the 501st Legion up the steps of the Jedi Temple.
Depictions
Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, Star Wars: Clone Wars, Star Wars Expanded Universe material
Canon information
Date 19 BBY
Location all over the The Galaxy
Result Foundation of the Galactic Empire and the initiation of the Galactic Civil War
Combatants
Galactic Empire Jedi Order
Commanders
Emporer Palpatine w/ apprentice Darth Vader Jedi Master Yoda and the Jedi Council
Casualties
Clone Troopers All Jedi except for Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda and several others

The Great Jedi Purge is a plot element in the 2005 film Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, as well as the Star Wars Expanded Universe in numerous books. In the film, the Jedi are nearly exterminated by the Sith-led Galactic Empire, thus enacting revenge from their previous defeats (hence the title of the movie).

Contents

[edit] Fall of the Jedi

Also known as the "Jedi Massacre," the Purge begins shortly before the end of the Clone Wars, which had been conceived as part of a scheme by Chancellor Palpatine to eliminate the Jedi and establish himself as the Emperor of the Star Wars galaxy.

At some point between the known events of Episodes II and III, members of the Jedi council began to suspect Chancellor Palpatine was tied to Sidious and Count Dooku's Separatist army. In Revenge of the Sith, Jedi Master Mace Windu openly states to the Jedi Council that he no longer trusts the Chancellor; Obi-Wan Kenobi expresses similar misgivings.

Anakin Skywalker, then believed to be the "Chosen One" of Jedi prophecy, finds out that Palpatine is actually Darth Sidious, the Dark Lord of the Sith for which the Jedi have been searching for more than a decade. Anakin reveals this information to Windu, who then leads a small team of fellow Jedi Masters to apprehend Sidious. In the ensuing lightsaber duel, Sidious quickly kills all but Windu, who defeats him. Just as Windu is about to execute Palpatine, however, Anakin suddenly enters the room while Palpatine is apparently pleading for his own life. Palpatine had long been nurturing the young Jedi's desire for power and had recently roused Anakin's fear for the safety of his pregnant wife, Padmé Amidala. As Windu is about to strike the Chancellor down, Anakin severes Windu's hand with his lightsaber; Sidious springs to life, blasting Windu with a torrent of Force lightning, which throws him out the window to his apparent death.

It was mentioned by George Lucas in the Revenge of the Sith DVD commentary that Anakin thought he was doing the right thing saving Palpatine’s life when he cut off Windu's hand with his lightsaber. However, Anakin did not think that Palpatine would kill Windu, and as a result of Windu's death Anakin believed that he had gone too far to be forgiven. To save his life, he had no other choice but to join with Palpatine.

Darth Sidious gives Anakin the Sith name Darth Vader, and orders him to exterminate the Jedi. He sends his new apprentice to the Jedi Temple along with the 501st Clone Trooper Legion to kill all of the Jedi there. Palpatine said that if Vader carries out his commands, he will be strong enough in the dark side to save Padmé, and so Vader complies without a second thought. While the newly turned Dark Lord is completing this task, Palpatine instructs the clone troopers to carry out Order 66, an order secretly implanted in them to kill their Jedi generals when commanded.

Among the most notable Jedi killed at the very beginning of the purge are Ki-Adi-Mundi, Aayla Secura, Barriss Offee, Luminara Unduli, Plo Koon, Stass Allie, and Traavis.

Returning to Coruscant, Masters Yoda and Obi-Wan Kenobi enter the Temple long enough to re-encode a secret retreat signal being broadcast by the in-house communications ordering all Jedi to return to the Jedi Temple, deciding to warn all surviving Jedi about the treachery and to take precautions. During a special Senate session, Palpatine declares the Jedi traitors. He then reorganizes the Republic into the Galactic Empire, declaring himself Emperor of the Galaxy.

[edit] Planning

The Fall of the Jedi was completely planned. It began as an experiment by the Sith a few years after the Battle of Naboo. Count Dooku sent an invitation to two very well known bounty hunters, Jango Fett and Montross, traitor to the Mandalorians. The reward was 5,000,000 Republic Credits for the capture or killing of Dooku's previous apprentice Kamari Vosa, leader of the Bando Gora. Dooku did this because he felt that any mercenary that could kill or capture one of his previous students could kill any Jedi in the Galaxy. After killing Montross and Vosa, Fett won the "contest", and was sent to Kamino to begin the mass production of genetically-modified clones. Jedi Master Sifo-Dyas had been sent to Kamino by then-Senator Palpatine to commission a clone army. All it took after that was time. When the Senator was called to supreme power of the courts and the Senate, he would issue Order 66 and have every Jedi in the known galaxy exterminated.

[edit] Survivors

Both Yoda and Kenobi survive the initial purge and were picked up by Senator Bail Organa of Alderaan, who had secretly remained loyal to the Jedi, aboard his diplomatic cruiser Tantive IV.

Realizing they are in no position to oppose the Empire for the time being, Kenobi and Yoda go into hiding. Additionally, they decide that Luke and Leia, the children of Anakin and Padmé (who had died giving birth to them), would need to be raised separately and in hiding in order to protect them from the Empire. Bail Organa volunteers to adopt Leia with his wife on Alderaan. By Yoda's decision, Luke would be raised by Anakin's stepbrother, Owen Lars on Tatooine, while Kenobi watches over him from a distance. Yoda chooses exile on the planet Dagobah.

[edit] Expanded Universe

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The Expanded Universe indicates that other Jedi also survive the initial stages of the Purge, though few of these Jedi live to see the fall of the Empire. The existence of any Jedi surviving beyond the period of time is covered in the Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back - in particular, the point at which Yoda tells Luke Skywalker that, when Yoda is dead, "the last of the Jedi will you be" - is in direct conflict with Star Wars Canon.

According to the The Hand of Thrawn Duology, Palpatine begins killing Jedi before the Great Jedi Purge occurs. Shortly after the Battle of Naboo (depicted in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace), the Jedi Council approved the "Outbound Flight Project". A group of Jedi masters would travel to the edge of the galaxy and attempt to use the Force to punch through the hyperspace turbulence surrounding the galaxy, thereby allowing them to attempt contact with life in other galaxies.

The ship is intercepted on Palpatine's command and all hope of contacting life outside the galaxy ended. It is known that the Chiss who would become Imperial Grand Admiral Thrawn was involved in the interception of this ship.

Timothy Zahn has two new novels, Survivor's Quest and Outbound Flight, to further elaborate the Outbound Flight Project.

One of those Jedi Masters killed by Thrawn is Jorus C'Baoth. His clone, which serves the Empire, is subject to fits of insanity and eventually betrays Thrawn in the Heir to the Empire series.

X-Wing Rogue Squadron pilot Corran Horn discovers a museum chronicling members of the Jedi Order whom Palpatine had killed, filled with destroyed statues of former Jedi on Coruscant.

In the strategy game Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds, after crashlanding on the planet of Krant, Princess Leia Organa and C-3PO, along with a small group of rebels, discover a Jedi who survived the purge, Echuu Shen-Jon. He helps them win many victories on Krant, then travels with them to the Geddes asteroids to reclaim a Jedi artifact. When they land there, they are helped by a small army of Wookiees. In this mission, Shen-Jon dies at Darth Vader's hand, sacrificing himself so Leia and the other Rebels could escape.

In the expansion, it is revealed that he stays on Krant after the battle on Geonosis (depicted in Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones). During that battle, he loses his Padawan, Stam Reath, and tries to avenge him by following the killer, Sev'Rance Tann, to Krant. His Padawan for this mission is Naat Reath, Stam's sister. Naat is captured and Echuu attacks Tann and her droid army, overtaken by the dark side. Helping him in this was a small group of Wookiees, who were left on Krant when their leaders evacuated. He succeeds in killing the Dark Jedi, but at the cost of many clones and Wookiees. After realizing that he let the dark side overtake him, he stays on Krant in self-exile, narrowly avoiding the Great Jedi Purge, which he refers to as "the Jedi Massacre."

In the New Jedi Order series, Vergere is revealed as a Jedi Knight from before the Empire. She was sent on a mission to investigate the living planet Zonama Sekot, where she encounters the Yuuzhan Vong. Considering them to be a threat, Vergere convinces them to take her as an advisor and jester of sorts to their Warmaster, Tsavong Lah. The Great Jedi Purge takes place after she leaves with the Yuuzhan Vong. Her connections to the Old Jedi Order prove important in the training of Jacen Solo and allow her to provide Luke Skywalker with a small view of the old order. Before she can finish completely instructing them, she dies protecting Jacen from Tsavong Lah's forces.

In the game Star Wars Battlefront II, some Jedi survive the purge and have to be killed by Stormtroopers on Naboo.

[edit] Recorded Purge victims

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The article could be improved by integrating relevant items and removing inappropriate ones. (March 2008)

This list includes all Jedi definitively known to have been killed, one way or another, during the Purge. The list includes those mentioned in Expanded Universe sources as well as those depicted in Revenge of the Sith.

Jedi Introduction Death Killer
Stass Allie Attack of the Clones Revenge of the Sith (Part of Order 66) Commander Neyo and the 91st Reconnaissance Corps
Koffi Arana Star Wars Republic #80: "Into the Unknown" "Purge" Darth Vader
Darrin Arkanian "Dark Vendetta" "Dark Vendetta" High Inquisitor Tremayne
Sors Bandeam Revenge of the Sith Revenge of the Sith, off-screen (Part of Order 66) Darth Vader
Nem Bees Clone Wars not depicted (Part of Order 66) Commander Deviss
Bene Revenge of the Sith Revenge of the Sith (Part of Order 66) Darth Vader
Ashka Boda Dark Empire Sourcebook not depicted Emperor Palpatine
Aidan Bok Galaxy of Fear #5: Ghost of the Jedi not depicted Darth Vader
Niebur Boton Evasive Action: Prey not depicted Inquisitor Tremayne
Callista Children of the Jedi not depicted Callista (suicide, later "resurrected" in Cray Mingla's body)
Bol Chatak Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader Darth Vader
Olana Chion Jedi Apprentice #9: The Fight for Truth Revenge of the Sith, off-screen (Part of Order 66) Darth Vader
Tsui Choi Jedi Council: Acts of War "Purge" Imperial stormtroopers on Kessel
Roblio Darté Star Wars Republic #61: "Dead Ends" "Purge" Imperial stormtroopers on Kessel
Cin Drallig Revenge of the Sith Revenge of the Sith (Part of Order 66) Darth Vader
Jastus Farr "Purge" "Purge" Imperial stormtroopers on Kessel
Siadem Forte Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader Darth Vader
Geith Children of the Jedi not depicted Eye of Palpatine
Lagan Ismaren Children of the Jedi not depicted Inquisitor Ameesa Darys
Zett Jukassa Attack of the Clones Revenge of the Sith (Part of Order 66) Commander Appo and the 501st Legion
Taj Junak X-Wing: Rogue Squadron: The Phantom Affair not depicted Imperial Inquisitors
Jurokk Revenge of the Sith Revenge of the Sith (Part of Order 66) Darth Vader
Kendalina Mission from Mount Yoda not depicted unknown
Serra Keto Revenge of the Sith Revenge of the Sith (Part of Order 66) Darth Vader
Ki-Adi-Mundi Prelude to Rebellion Revenge of the Sith (Part of Order 66) Commander Bacara and the Galactic Marines
Plo Koon The Phantom Menace Revenge of the Sith (Part of Order 66) Captain Jag
Iwo Kulka Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader Darth Vader
Saras Loorne Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader The 22nd
Ma'kis'shaalas Geonosis and the Outer Rim Worlds "Purge" Darth Vader
Whie Malreaux Yoda: Dark Rendezvous Revenge of the Sith (Part of Order 66) Darth Vader
Dama Montalvo "Schism" "Purge" Darth Vader
Jocasta Nu Jedi Apprentice #17: The Only Witness Revenge of the Sith (Part of Order 66) Darth Vader
Barriss Offee The Approaching Storm Revenge of the Sith (Part of Order 66) Lieutenant Galle and the 327th Star Corps
Shadday Potkin Star Wars Republic #80: "Into the Unknown, Part 2" "Purge" Darth Vader
Aayla Secura Twilight Revenge of the Sith (Part of Order 66) Commander Bly and the 327th Star Corps
Sev "The Order of Outcasts" "The Order of Outcasts" (Part of Order 66) Clone troopers over Ragmar V
Roan Shryne Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader Darth Vader
Simms Star Wars Republic #79: "Into the Unknown, Part 1" Star Wars Republic #79: "Into the Unknown, Part 1" (Part of Order 66) Clone troopers on Toola
Ranik Solusar Dark Empire II not depicted Darth Vader
Morvet Storm Jedi Dawn not depicted Darth Vader
Bultar Swan Star Wars Adventures #1: Hunt the Sun Runner "Purge" Jedi Master Koffi Arana
Tra'avis "Orders" "Orders" (Part of Order 66) Sarge and Aiwha Squad
Axton Tredway Jedi's Honor Jedi's Honor Darth Vader
Luminara Unduli Cloak of Deception Revenge of the Sith (Part of Order 66) Commander Faie and the 41st Elite Legion
Sia-Lan Wezz Invasion of Theed Adventure Game Invasion of Theed Adventure Game High Inquisitor Volytar
Zonder Evasive Action: Reversal of Fortune Evasive Action: End Game Darth Vader

[edit] Survivors of the Purge

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Note: This list does not necessarily reflect those Jedi who survived to join the New Jedi Order. Indeed, many of these Jedi were ultimately killed by the Empire. This list only reflects those who, according to the Expanded Universe, survived the eighteen-year hunt by Darth Vader and the Jedi hunters of the Galactic Empire. The actual "Jedi purge" might only conceivably be considered to have ended with the final death of Palpatine seven years after the Battle of Endor.

  • Aqinos (Actual Survivor: killed during the Yuuzhan Vong War)
  • Ood Bnar (killed in battle with Executor Sedriss)
  • Empatojayos Brand (killed by Palpatine)
  • Drun Cairnwick (whereabouts unknown)
  • Caryn (whereabouts unknown)
  • Vima Da Boda (Actual Survivor: whereabouts unknown)
  • Gruu Dunrik (whereabouts unknown)
  • Ikrit (Actual Survivor: killed during the Yuuzhan Vong War)
  • Ilum (whereabouts unknown)
  • A'sharad Hett (Actual Survivor: returned to live on Tatooine, eventually became Darth Krayt)
  • Ylenic It'kla (killed on Alderaan)
  • Drakka Judarrl (whereabouts unknown)
  • Kai Justiss (killed by Crimson Nova bounty hunters Breela, Zuckuss, and Boussh)
  • K'Kruhk (Actual Survivor: joined the new Jedi order)
  • Obi-Wan Kenobi (killed by Darth Vader on the first Death Star)
  • Ephaan Kenzon (Actual Survivor: whereabouts unknown)
  • Sinsor Khal (Actual Survivor: currently working as a scientist in the Hapes Consortium)
  • An'ya Kuro (killed by Darth Vader on Cophrigim 5)
  • Exocron (Actual Survivor: Fled to the planet for which he is named.)
  • Nos'lyn (whereabouts unknown)
  • Qid Proko (whereabouts unknown)
  • Qu Rahn (killed by Inquisitor Jerec)
  • Tyneir Renz (whereabouts unknown)
  • Corwin Shelvay (whereabouts unknown)
  • Bardan Jusik (Actual Survivor: Currently resides on Mandalore)
  • Echuu Shen-Jon (killed by Darth Vader)
  • Ydra Kilwallen Sibwarra (killed during the Ssi-ruuk invasion of G'rho)
  • Dorn Tavers (whereabouts unknown)
  • Urootar (killed on Kashyyyk)
  • Halagad Ventor (died due to dark side corruption)
  • Vergere (Actual Survivor: killed during the Yuuzhan Vong War)
  • Yoda (Actual Survivor: died of old age on Dagobah)
  • Shaak Ti (see article)

[edit] Missing in action

A number of Jedi survived the initial slaughter of Order 66, but have not reappeared in the galaxy at large since the early days of the Purge. Their ultimate fates are unknown, but it is likely that many of them eventually succumbed to the Emperor's Jedi-hunters.

  • Klossi Anno
  • Ekria
  • Minos Fel'Kona
  • Fy-Tor-Ana
  • Kai Hudorra
  • Darrus Jeht
  • Sian Jeisel
  • Das Jennir
  • Drake Lo'gaan
  • Garen Muln
  • Noirah Na
  • Deran Nalual
  • Ferus Olin
  • Plett
  • Joc Sah
  • Olee Starstone
  • T'ra Saa
  • Tholme
  • Travgen
  • Quinlan Vos
  • Zao

[edit] Traitors to the Knighthood

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Please rewrite this article or section to explain the fiction more clearly and provide non-fictional perspective.

In many cases, escaping the wrath of the Emperor's Jedi hunters by wit and guile alone proved too taxing for the Jedi outlaws. Many Jedi fell to the dark side during the Purge, and several actually joined the ranks of those who made a living persecuting their former comrades. Anakin Skywalker was the first of these, of course, but nowhere near the last.

Though the number of Jedi who survived the purge, in one form or another, is significant, it should be reinforced that Emperor Palpatine's Jedi Purge was nearly a complete success. Out of an order that had once included ten thousand or more Jedi Knights, fewer than one hundred escaped the Sith's revenge, and nearly all of those who survived were destroyed in some other way. Many fell to the dark side, and many others renounced their Jedi vows and let galactic affairs go on without them. By the time Luke Skywalker joined the Rebel Alliance, virtually all of the Jedi survivors had ceased actively carrying out the Order's will; for one reason or another, they remained silent and retired.

[edit] Other Jedi Purges

In 3951 BBY, After the Jedi Civil War, there were few Jedi remaining. Most fell to the dark side under Darth Revan's influence, and many were killed in the destruction of the Jedi Temple on Dantooine. Five years after the end of the war, what few Jedi that were left were destroyed by a new kind of Sith that killed through the Force, most noticeably Darth Nihilus. Most of these were killed at the destruction of the Force-strong world of Katarr where they had gathered. The remaining few were killed due to the Jedi Exile's actions in her quest. (It is unknown if they were killed by a dark Exile, or by Kreia to save a light Exile, as in the game Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords, the Exile's actions are based upon the players actions and the story can vary due to them.) However the remaining masters died, a new Jedi Order was founded by a handful of surviving Jedi. (It is commonly believed that the canonical ending is the light side ending, in which the companions of the Exile might eventually become Jedi themselves and be the ones to reform the Jedi Order.)

In Star Wars: Legacy, a Sith named Darth Krayt sends his legions to destroy the Jedi Temple at Ossus. They massacre the Order, missing half of the Jedi, including:

  • Cade Skywalker, Human male
  • Shado Vao, Twi'lek male
  • Wolf Sazen male
  • K'Kruhk, Whipid male
  • Rasi Tuum male
  • Tuum's apprentice, Human male
  • Hosk Tre'lyis, Bothan male
  • six other apprentices

K'Kruhk is an extraordinary individual, the survivor of two Jedi purges.

[edit] Misc info

It was implied on the back of Boba Fett action figure cases, as well as the Dark Force comic, which came with the Boba Fett/IG88 bonus set, that Boba Fett assisted Darth Vader in the hunt for the Jedi, to avenge his father who was killed by Mace Windu (Attack of the Clones).

[edit] External links