Star Wars: The Acolyte new release gives us first look at origins of Sith

The origins of the Sith have been detailed in a new Star Wars: The Acolyte release.

The Sith are one of the most sinister and compelling villainous entities in the world of TV and film, and not just in the Star Wars universe

An ancient religious order that harnesses the power of the dark side of the Force, channelling anger, greed and hate, the opposite approach of its fiercest rival, the Jedi Order.

The Sith have provided some of the most infamous rulers in the galaxy, such as Darth Sidious, Darth Vader, and Darth Bane, to name a few. There have been many tales of how the Sith Order came to be, whether it's canon or non-canon.

However, in a recent release, namely Star Wars The Acolyte Visual Guide, written by Pablo Hidalgo, it may have provided some new answers.

“Decades before the birth of Darth Vader, explore the glorious High Republic era in the Star Wars galaxy,” reads the synopsis of the novel. “During this exciting time, the noble Jedi are protectors of peace and justice, and the Republic is thriving – but a threat to their power is growing in the shadows.”

As brought to our attention by The Holo Files, the Visual Guide details that the Sith were once powerful conquerors.

It states that in Star Wars Legends, the Galactic Republic and the Sith Empire were at war until the Republic came out on top, but there might be more to that story.

A passage of the Visual Guide reads: “After the defeat of Sith conquerors, the Republic emerges from the ashes of galactic conflict to reach unprecedented heights in the long strength of peace that follows.”

The authors of the article from The Holo File, George and Josh Bate, believe that the words “defeat of Sith conquerors” could suggest that the Sith once conquered the galaxy before the Republic’s uprising.

The article also takes a passage from the Star Wars (2020) comic #20, in which Elzar Mann (a Jedi Master) says, “This is what the Order was for me…. A golden age, about eight centuries after we ended the rule of Sith Lord Darth Bane.” Adding to the speculation that the Sith were once all-conquering.

It’s also suggested that between The Acolyte: Visual Guide and Star Wars (2020) #20, Darth Bane was the leader of the Sith Empire when it was said to rule the galaxy.

It’s important not to take all Star Wars theories as gospel, but it certainly makes sense that the Sith once conquered all life in the galaxy, far, far, away.