The Formation and early life

The Galaxy is believed to have been formed around 7,500,000,000 years BBY. The first star was Morasil in the Cularin system. Later around 5,000,000,000 BBY the Yavin System was formed. The earliest records of civilisation come from 2,000,000,000 years later in the Rafa system, the Sharu. They built huge plastic pyramid structures in the system as well as the legendary Mindharp of Sharu. The Sharu feared the mysterious Celestials and hid beneath their pyramids in vast cities. The Mindharp existed so that eventually an outsider would find and activate it and the Sharu would know it was safe to emerge. They also used life-orchids to drain their intelligence. They became the much more primitive Toka until 4 BBY when the governor of Rafa IV accidentally activated the Mindharp.

The Architects

The Architects were an unknown race credited with the formation of the Maw cluster and the Corellian system. It was also said they built the Centerpoint Station. Where they came from and where they went is unknown. Theories abound that came from outside the galaxy, they were an unknown race or they were simply one of the early races that were extremely technologically advanced. Others have been more specific in their theories, identifying the Architects with the Rakata or the Killiks (see below) as well as the Celestials that the Sharu had feared. The truth is likely that the Architect legend developed from a combination of all three of the races.

The Columi

These sentient beings evolved from herbivorous reptiles from the marshes of their home planet Columus. They measured approximately 1.75 metres in height and had greatly enlarged heads that accounted for a third of their height. Around 2,000,000 BBY they were the first race to develop any sort of interstellar travel and even a rudimentary hyperdrive. Their explorations were greatly disappointing for them, as the bulk of races they met were barbarous and savage. In addition to this, gravity on most of these worlds was much more than the Columi were used to. They abandoned space travel and returned to isolation on Columus. They began to develop their minds at the expense of their bodies. Their brains expanded dramatically; by the time of the Republic they had four cerebrums and over a hundred lobes. In addition their eyes could detect almost all of the electromagnetic spectrum. However their neglect of their bodies had left them with no sense of smell or taste and they were mostly unable to move without the aide of repulsorlift chairs and droids.

Coruscant

Many believe that human life first developed on Coruscant and it is considered the closest thing humans have to a homeworld. It is also thought that the Architects took humans from Coruscant to colonise Corellia. Around 200,000 BBY the humanoid Taungs attempted to take control of Coruscant by defeating the native Zhell. A huge volcanic eruption obliterated the Zhell, to the point of near extinction. Despite this the Zhell managed to regroup and drive the Taungs off planet. The Taungs fled to Roon, where they would evolve into the Mandalorians. It has been hypothesised that the Zhell would later evolve into humankind.

By 100,000 years BBY the surface of Coruscant was entirely covered in buildings, known as Galactic City. New buildings were built on top of these, as the underlevels of the city were forgotten along with their pollution and crime. The lowest 50 levels last saw daylight around 95,000 BBY. Also at this time the Columi observed Coruscant, but dismissed it as a primitive disappointment.

The Infinite Empire

Around 49,000 years BBY the Rakata species founded the Infinite Empire, the first galaxy-spanning empire recorded. They used dark side energy and advanced technology to enslave numerous worlds including Coruscant, Corellia, Duro, Tatooine, Kashykk and Korriban. Their Empire was small compared to later Galactic standards due to the limits of their hyperdrive technology, however they still conquered over 500 worlds with a population of ten billion Rakata and one trillion slaves. As well as the hyperdrive they created numerous technological advances including terraforming machinery, semi-sentient star maps and computers. They were also rumoured to have been the first civilisation to develop an energy shield. Despite their advanced state they were responsible for many atrocities, including the destruction of Tatooine's biosphere - transforming the jungles and oceans into the desert wasteland that remained.

They also constructed the gigantic Star Forge around 30,000 BBY. This shipyard was a dark side artefact that drew energy and matter from a nearby star and also dark side energy from Rakata. In return for this it was able to build an endless supply droids and vehicles. The scale of the shipyard was massive, with capital class ships easily being able to pass through its fins. The Star Forge itself had very little weaponry other than a handful of turbolasers located near its hanger bays. Despite this it was amply protected by its ship and droid building capabilities. A ship disabling force field projected from nearby Rakata also protected it. The force field would cause any ship entering the area to spiral out of control to the planet below.

The Rakatan civilisation, under the influence of the corrupting Star Forge, eventually descended into civil war. The civil war would only be ended by a plague that all but wiped out the Rakata. Those that survived faced almost a worse punishment - they lost their connection to the Force. No explanation could be found for this turn of events and in 25,200 BBY the Rakata were forced to abandon their empire and return to their homeworld of Rakata Prime. What remained of their society collapsed into barbarism and isolation.

The Star Forge, capable of surviving without its Rakata masters, was eventually discovered thanks to surviving Rakata star maps. It was finally destroyed during the Jedi Civil War in 3,956 BBY.

The Killik

The Killik were another advanced civilisation, this one insect-like in appearance. They originated on Alderaan where they built the Castle Lands of Oroboro in around 35,000 years BBY. They also colonised Alsakan and claimed to have created Centerpoint Station as well as being present at the creation of the Maw. Generally peaceful, they were divided into colonies called hives. The Killik were in mental contact with every other Killik and each hive acted as an individual. It is unknown what happened to them after they dissapeared from Alderaan, however the theory has been put forward that they were driven into the Unknown Regions by the Celestials. This all happened long before humans came to Alderaan.

Xim the Despot

Around 25,130 BBY the person known as Xim the Despot came to prominence. He was the son of a pirate who had a small empire in the Cronese Sweeps, part of the Tion Cluster. Xim began as head of his father's organisation but soon branched into politics, conquering multiple worlds with the most advanced technology available in the galaxy at that time. He conquered most of the Tion Cluster and eventually held an empire stretching from the Radama Void to the Maw. He kept control in his empire using the Genoharadan, his greatly feared secret police.

In 25,105 BBY Xim came into conflict with the Hutts. It was unknown how this conflict started, but it is likely that its origins were in their competing criminal interests or Xim's territorial expansion into the Si'Klaatu Cluster. Opening skirmishes concluded in the First Battle of Vontor, where Xim was soundly defeated. In 25,100 BBY Xim was finally defeated at the Third Battle of Vontor, where his forces were surprised by the Hutts' Klatooinian, Nikto, Weeequay and Vodran allies. According to official Tionese history Xim was killed at Vontor, however it is know that he escaped into slavery on Evocar, where he died in 25,095 years BBY. It is rumoured that remnants of the Genoharadan survived as a secretive, but powerful, criminal organisation until at least the Jedi Civil War.

The Republic

Shortly after this the Unification Wars erupted. They ended with the singing of the Galactic Constitution and the formation of the Galactic Republic.