The Sith Lord who preceded Darth Plagueis was Darth Bane.
Darth Bane was a legendary Sith Lord known for establishing the Rule of Two, a doctrine that ensured the Sith Order's long-term survival and ultimate resurgence. This rule mandated that there could only be two Sith at any given time: a master to embody power and an apprentice to crave it. His leadership as a Sith Lord ended around 1022 BBY, after which his lineage continued discreetly through the centuries, eventually leading to Darth Plagueis.
Darth Plagueis, also known as Hego Damask, was a powerful Sith Lord who focused on manipulating the Force to create and preserve life, an ability considered unnatural by the Jedi. He was the master of Darth Sidious (Palpatine) and his reign as a Sith Lord lasted until 32 BBY.
Succession of Prominent Sith Leaders
The lineage of prominent Sith leaders in the era of the Rule of Two, leading up to the Galactic Empire, can be understood as follows:
| Period | Sith Leader | Key Contribution/Era |
|---|---|---|
| Until c. 1022 BBY | Darth Bane | Established the Rule of Two |
| Until 32 BBY | Darth Plagueis | Master of Darth Sidious |
| 32 BBY – 35 ABY | Darth Sidious | Orchestrated the fall of the Jedi |
The Sith Order is an ancient organization of Force-sensitives who utilized the dark side of the Force, opposing the Jedi Order. Their history is marked by a cycle of conquest, internal conflict, and eventual rebuilding, culminating in the rise of Darth Sidious and the Galactic Empire.
