Galactic Emperor

The Galactic Emperor, also referred to as the Imperial Emperor, the Imperial king, the Sith Emperor, or simply the Emperor, was the sovereign ruler of the Galactic Empire during the Imperial Era of galactic history. Despite the existence of the Imperial Senate, the last remnant of the Galactic Republic in the New Order, the Emperor was invested with supreme authority over both the Imperial government and the Imperial Military. As such, the Emperor had free rein to govern the galaxy as he so desired, from replacing senators with Moffs as regional governors, to disbanding the Senate altogether.

In the aftermath of the Clone Wars, the democratic Republic was transformed into an authoritarian state by Supreme Chancellor Sheev Palpatine, who appointed himself Galactic Emperor in 19 BBY. Unbeknownst to his subjects, Palpatine was in fact the Sith Lord Darth Sidious who conspired to take over the Republic and destroy the Jedi Order. Sidious' reign brought the galaxy under the rule of the Sith, which lasted for a generation until the Emperor was killed in 4 ABY. In the ensuing crisis, the Empire broke into factionalism due to the lack of a clear chain of succession, with individuals such as Grand General Levinous, Admiral Rolas, and Grand Moff Plorest all making efforts to anoint themselves as the new Imperial Emperor. Ultimately, it was Fleet Admiral Gallius Rax and his Shadow Council that seized power as regent, with Rax becoming Emperor in all but effect, while Grand Vizier Mas Amedda was forced to serve as a figurehead for the Empire. After Rax's demise, the Galactic Civil War concluded with the New Republic in 5 ABY.

During the New Republic Era, the First Order and the Sith Eternal emerged from the Unknown Regions as offshoots of the Emperor's Contingency. Despite his own death, Sidious returned to oversee the final stage of his plan to create a Sith Empire that would rule the galaxy forever. In his weakened state, he had considered Supreme Leader Kylo Ren and the Jedi apprentice Rey as potential successors, but after discovering their nature as a dyad in the Force, Sidious siphoned the energy of their Force-bond to regain his full strength as the one true Emperor. Before he could unleash the Sith Eternal's fleet, the Final Order, against the galaxy, Sidious was destroyed by Rey with the help of all the Jedi who were one with the Force. As a result of the Resistance victory, the people of the galaxy were inspired to rise up against the military junta.

Text and facts from the “Galactic Emperor” article on Wookieepedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. Modified for this site.