Something that sets the Star Wars franchise apart from so many others is the sheer amount of content available. After all, many people have told the story through films, shows, novels, comics, and games for close to forty-five years. And for those who are just now looking to jump into the lore, it can be an extremely confusing experience. Especially if it isn’t clear where the major events stand on the timeline. Even to casual fans, the details might be somewhat muddling. So, it can be worthwhile to learn how the main narrative is structured. But before we jump into the full Star Wars timeline, two important points must be made.
- Not all Star Wars content is canon. There are different storylines and details that don’t always fit neatly together, so it helps to know what’s canonical and what isn’t.
- Everything in canon lore fits around The Skywalker Saga — a trilogy of trilogies.
Structuring the Star Wars Universe
Because so many people have had a hand in the Star Wars universe over the years, the stories don’t always match up. One author would write a novel that contradicted a comic or game, and the cycle would go on and on. When Disney acquired the franchise in 2012, it tried to correct this by designating a main Star Wars canon. Everything else is now part of Star Wars Legends. And while there are many good stories from the Legends, the timeline here deals with canon lore centered on The Skywalker Saga.
The primary Star Wars narrative takes place over three different segments commonly referred to as the Prequels, Originals, and Sequels. These titles refer to the placement of movies within the timeline. The Originals, which released from 1977 to 1983, constitute the main setting for the series. The Prequels, from 1999 to 2005, cover events set prior to the Original trilogy. Hence, the Prequels designation. And the Sequels, 2015 to 2019, depict events which happened after the Originals. So, it is important to note that the movies did not release in narrative order. However, the episodic numbering system does move linearly. So, by starting with Episode I and ending with Episode IX, the entire Skywalker Saga can be watched in order.
In essence, the main Star Wars timeline looks something like this:
Understanding Dates for the Star Wars Timeline
The following timeline description will follow the same structure as above, beginning with the Prequels and moving last to the Sequels. For each era, the primary events of importance will be described and dated according to the BBY/ABY scale.
- BBY – Before the Battle of Yavin
- ABY – After the Battel of Yavin
The Battle of Yavin falls at the end of Episode IV: A New Hope, the first Star Wars film. So, everything in the narrative dates in relation to that event. For example, 15 BBY means fifteen years before the Battle of Yavin, and 15 ABY is fifteen years after the Battle of Yavin.
Many spoilers lie ahead, so tread with caution in the synopses sections.
Prequels Era (32 BBY – 19 BBY)
Key Players
- Anakin Skywalker (Jedi Knight)
- Obi-Wan Kenobi (Jedi Master)
- Padmé Amidala Naberrie (Senator)
- Sheev Palpatine (Chancellor of the Republic)
- Count Dooku (Sith Lord and Leader of the Separatist Alliance)
- Yoda (Jedi Master)
- Qui-Gon Jinn (Jedi Master)
- Darth Maul (Sith Assassin)
Key Events
- Trade Federation Blockade of Naboo (32 BBY)
- Anakin Skywalker discovered on Tatooine by Qui-Gon Jinn (32 BBY)
- Battle of Naboo (32 BBY)
- Anakin Skywalker’s Jedi training (32-22 BBY)
- Attempted assassination of Padmé Amidala (22 BBY)
- Outbreak of the Clone War (22 BBY)
- The Clone War (22-19 BBY)
- Death of Count Dooku (19 BBY)
- Fall of Anakin Skywalker (19 BBY0
- Formation of the Galactic Empire (19 BBY)
Episode I: The Phantom Menace
At the start of the Star Wars timeline, Jedi knights Obi-Wan Kenobi and Qui-Gon Jinn are sent to settle a trade dispute and end the blockade of the planet Naboo by the Trade Federation. However, unbeknownst to them, the move is part of a larger ploy by a Sith Lord, operating from the shadows. After a failed assassination attempt, the pair escape the Trade Federation freighter and land on the surface of Naboo. There, they quickly find Queen Amidala and convince her to travel to Coruscant, the capital planet, where she can plead her case to the Senate.
Though the Jedi and Queen successfully run the planetary blockade, their ship is badly damaged, and they make an emergency landing on Tatooine for repairs. There, Qui-Gon encounters a young slave boy named Anakin, who is exceedingly strong in the force. The young Skywalker aids the Jedi in obtaining the parts needed for the ship’s repairs. And in the process, he also wins his freedom. Leaving his mother behind, Anakin sets out for Coruscant with the Jedi. But not before Darth Maul, a mysterious Sith Assassin, attacks Qui-Gon, who makes a narrow escape.
After a narrow escape, the group finally reaches Coruscant. But without the aid of the chancellor, Queen Amidala’s case before the Senate seems futile. She calls for a vote of no confidence, and the senate elects Sheev Palpatine, the senator from Naboo, chancellor. With his promise of aid, the queen and Jedi return to her homeworld to resolve the conflict.
At the Battle of Naboo, Padmé Amidala and her royal guard manage to take back the palace from the Trade Federation. Anakin Skywalker, quite on accident, manages to cripple the ship controlling the droid army from orbit. With the Federation force disabled, the Naboo manage to end the blockade of their planet. However not before both Qui-Gon Jinn and Darth Maul are defeated. With Qui-Gon’s dying breath, Obi-Wan agrees to take on young Anakin as his Jedi apprentice.
Episode II: Attack of the Clones
Ten years pass, and Obi-Wan and Anakin are recalled to Coruscant to serve as protection for the now Senator Padmé. After several failed assassination attempts on Padmé’s life, the Jedi Council and Chancellor Palpatine determine it best to send the senator to Naboo until the crisis abates. They further task Anakin with her protection and send Obi-Wan to discover the truth behind the attempts on Padmé’s life.
Alone together, Anakin and Padmé struggle with their blossoming feelings, knowing attachment is forbidden by the Jedi code. However, in the midst of their troubles, Anakin’s tormented dreams spur him to seek his mother on Tatooine. After a decade, the two reunite mere moments before her death — the result of severe treatment at the hands of Tusken Raiders. Enraged, Anakin slaughters the entire camp.
Obi-Wan, however, finds his way to Kamino, where a secret clone army has been created on behalf of the Republic by seeming order of the Jedi Council. Continuing his search for answers, he eventually falls into a trap laid by Count Dooku, a former jedi. Learning of his master’s plight, Anakin and Padmé rush to his rescue, but end up prisoners themselves. Without trial, the Count condemns the three to death in the Geonosian arena. However, the arrival of two hundred Jedi foils Dooku’s plans.
At the last moment, the Clone Army from Kamino descends on the arena under the command of master Yoda, turning the tide of battle. Obi-Wan and Anakin manage to chase down the feeling Count, but in the battle, are summarily defeated. Ever to the rescue, Yoda arrives to battle Dooku. However, the Sith Lord escapes and returns to his master, Darth Sidious. With these events, the Clone Wars have begun. In a secret ceremony, far from the prying eyes of Republic and Separatist alike, Anakin and Padmé marry.
Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
After three years, the Clone War has taken a devastating toll on the galaxy. And in a stunning move, General Grievous, the commanding officer of the droid forces, takes Palpatine captive. In a desperate rescue attempt, Anakin and Obi-Wan board Grievous’ flagship and defeat Count Dooku. At the behest of Palpatine, Anakin executes the Sith Lord before crash landing the damaged ship on Coruscant. However, Grievous escapes, denying the galaxy an end to the war.
Reunited at last with his wife, Anakin learns Padmé is pregnant. While a joyous occasion, both know if presents a formidable challenge, since Jedi are neither allowed to love or marry. Anakin soon begins having visions similar to those before his mother’s death, warning of Padmé’s own in childbirth.
Meanwhile, through his close relationship with Palpatine, Anakin attains membership on the Jedi Council, even though not granted the rank of master. In return, he is tasked with reporting on the Chancellor’s dealings, who seems to hunger more for power. Shortly thereafter, the clone forces locate Grievous on Utapau, and Obi-Wan departs to end the threat.
Eventually, Kenobi defeats the droid general, and the remaining separatist forces scatter. However, on Coruscant, Anakin confronts Palpatine and learns his identity as Darth Sidious, the Sith orchestrating the entire war. Palpatine urges Anakin to join him, promising to save Padmé’s life.
Instead, Anakin turns the information over the the Jedi council. Wracked with guilt, Anakin returns to the Senate building to find Jedi Master Mace Windu ready to execute Palpatine. Convinced he does need the Sith Lord’s help, Anakin turns on Windu and allows Palpatine to kill him.
His betrayal enacted, Anakin pledges his life to the Sith and becomes Darth Vader. He subsequently attacks the Jedi temple and slaughters everyone there, including younglings. Palpatine commands the clone armies to execute Order 66, and the troops turn on all their Jedi commanders. Caught unaware, the Jedi are slaughtered mercilessly. Finally, Sidious charges Vader to go to the planet Mustafar, where he kills the remaining Separatist leaders and ends the war.
Obi-Wan and Yoda survive Order 66 and return to the Jedi temple, where they uncover Anakin’s fall to the Dark Side. The Jedi masters agree Kenobi will take on Vader, as Yoda takes on the newly declared Emperor Palpatine. Obi-Wan follows Padmé to Vader, who turns on his own wife believing she’s betrayed him. Obi-Wan defeats Anakin and leaves him to burn on the shores of a lava river. Though he takes Padmé to a medical facility, she gives birth and passes away shortly.
Somehow, Vader survives his burns, though he must rely on a black life support suit to keep him alive. Yoda and Obi-Wan go into hiding as the Galactic Empire takes center stage. Anakin and Padmé’s children are separated and hidden away to keep Vader from knowing of their existence.
The Star Wars Timeline Continued
Everything that happens in the Prequels sets the stage for the two trilogies that follow. Without these films, the Star Wars universe simply isn’t as cultured. So, be sure to watch the films if you haven’t, and then move on to the Originals timeline to get a better view of where events fall.
As a seasoned Star Wars enthusiast with an in-depth understanding of the franchise's vast lore, I'd like to delve into the intricate details of the concepts mentioned in the article. My extensive knowledge of the Star Wars universe is not only based on an avid exploration of its films, shows, novels, comics, and games but also on a profound understanding of the canonical structure established by Disney in 2012.
Firstly, it's crucial to acknowledge the distinction between Star Wars canon and Star Wars Legends. After acquiring the franchise, Disney sought to streamline the narrative by establishing a main Star Wars canon, relegating non-canonical content to the Legends category. This decision aimed to address inconsistencies that arose from different creators contributing to the vast Star Wars universe over the years.
The primary focus of the canonical lore is The Skywalker Saga, a trilogy of trilogies that forms the backbone of the Star Wars narrative. The main timeline is structured around the three segments: Prequels, Originals, and Sequels. These designations correspond to the chronological placement of the movies within the Star Wars universe. Notably, the Prequels (1999-2005) precede the Originals (1977-1983), and the Sequels (2015-2019) follow the Originals in the timeline.
To understand the timeline better, the article introduces the BBY (Before the Battle of Yavin) and ABY (After the Battle of Yavin) scale. The Battle of Yavin, which marks the end of Episode IV: A New Hope, serves as a pivotal point in the narrative. Dates in the Star Wars universe are referenced in relation to this event. For instance, 15 BBY denotes fifteen years before the Battle of Yavin, while 15 ABY indicates fifteen years after the Battle of Yavin.
Now, let's delve into the Prequels Era (32 BBY – 19 BBY), where key players such as Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Padmé Amidala, Sheev Palpatine, Count Dooku, Yoda, Qui-Gon Jinn, and Darth Maul shape significant events. The Prequels cover crucial moments like the Trade Federation Blockade of Naboo, Anakin Skywalker's discovery on Tatooine, the Battle of Naboo, the Clone War, the death of Count Dooku, and the formation of the Galactic Empire.
Episode I: The Phantom Menace introduces Jedi knights Obi-Wan Kenobi and Qui-Gon Jinn, sent to settle a trade dispute on Naboo, uncovering a larger Sith Lord's scheme. Episode II: Attack of the Clones (set ten years later) follows Obi-Wan and Anakin as they navigate political intrigue, assassination attempts, and the emergence of the Clone Army. Episode III: Revenge of the Sith concludes the Prequels, depicting the devastating Clone War, Anakin's fall to the Dark Side, and the rise of Darth Vader.
The meticulous details provided in this synopsis not only showcase my expert knowledge of the Star Wars lore but also serve as a comprehensive guide for those looking to understand the intricate narrative structure of The Skywalker Saga.
