Star Wars Teases that a Jedi Purge Already Took Place Long Before Order 66

When you think of Order 66 or the Clone Protocol 66, only one thing comes to mind and that is the annihilation of the Jedi at the hands of Emperor Palpatine. The said order identifies all Jedi as traitors to the Galactic Empire and therefore, they are deemed as massive threats to the galaxy and should be eradicated by the Grand Army of the Republic.

It was always believed that Order 66 marked the first and last time that the Jedi were purged but what if we tell you that long before that horrific event took place, the Jedi population was once obliterated in a similar fashion? The new comic book and novel series Star Wars: The High Republic which chronicles the undiscovered beginnings of the Jedi has revealed that a Jedi purge has taken place in the past, long before the Skywalker saga.

In Charles Soule's novel Light of the Jedi, fans are introduced to the "Great Sith Wars" that may have resulted in the said purge taking place. The horrific event was talked about by characters Oppo Rancisis, Rana Kant, and Yarael Poof, members of the Jedi Council during the High Republic Era.

"But we have been a military force in the past," said Rancisis. "In fact, our predecessors waged and won the Great Sith Wars. There is endless precedent in the chronicles for this sort of thing."

"True, but we are not at war now. We are the farthest thing from it," said Kant.

"Not the farthest," replied Yarael. "There have been times in our history when the Order was reduced to but a handful of members."

Just when we thought we knew everything about Star Wars lore, The High Republic steps in and changes everything and hopefully, it will be for the better. With it being set hundreds of years before the Skywalker saga, there's plenty of opportunities for the writers to come up with interesting and completely riveting stories that could end up playing a major factor in future Star Wars material.

Star Wars: The High Republic's novels and comics are now on sale on Amazon.

Also Read: Star Wars: The High Republic Writers Reportedly Infuriated By Luke Skywalker's Return in The Mandalorian