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    Order 66

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    End_Days
    This article covers the Canon version of this subject.   Click here for Wookieepedia's article on the Legends version of this subject.  
    OnACanonArticle
    GoToLegends
    For other uses, see Order 66.

    "Execute Order 66."
    ―Darth Sidious — 20?cb=20250116042720 ▶️ (file info)[1]

    Order 66, also known as Clone Protocol 66, Protocol 66, or simply "the Order," was one of the top-secret contingency orders that identified all Jedi as traitors to the Galactic Republic and, therefore, subject to summary execution by the Grand Army of the Republic. The order was programmed into the Grand Army clone troopers through behavioral modification biochips implanted in their brains from creation, making it almost impossible for the clones to disobey the command to turn against their Jedi Generals. The Kaminoan scientists who designed the clone troopers believed it was only to be used as a contingency protocol against renegade Jedi. In secret, Order 66 was the means by which the Sith intended to bring about the long-awaited fall of the Jedi Order.

    During the Clone Wars, the Sith agenda was progressing relatively unnoticed until a premature activation of Order 66 resulted in the death of General Tiplar at the hands of Tup, a defective clone whose malfunctioning chip caused him to betray his Jedi officer. The incident led ARC trooper Fives to conduct his own investigation into the matter, believing the incident to be a Separatist plot against the Republic. On the galactic capital Coruscant, however, he learned that the chips conditioned the clones to become hostile against the Jedi. Furthermore, he discovered to an extent Supreme Chancellor Sheev Palpatine's involvement in the conspiracy and attempted to assassinate him. Fives told what he knew to his Jedi superior Anakin Skywalker, but before the clone could prove it, he was killed by clone shock troopers of the Coruscant Guard.

    The plan continued apace for the remainder of the war, although the Jedi High Council had grown increasingly wary of the Chancellor's motives. In 19 BBY, a group of Jedi Masters sought to arrest Palpatine upon learning his true identity as the Sith Lord Darth Sidious. When their efforts failed, Palpatine used the incident to frame the Jedi Order for treason and, as such, forcibly compelled the clone army to execute their Jedi commanding officers in accordance with Order 66.

    Across the galaxy, thousands of Jedi were betrayed and killed by their own troops while the Chancellor's new apprentice, the Sith Lord Darth Vader, formerly Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker, led the 501st Legion in a direct assault on the Jedi Temple of Coruscant. With the exception of a few surviving Jedi, such as Grand Master Yoda, Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, former Padawan Ahsoka Tano, Padawans Kanan Jarrus and Cal Kestis, and Jedi Knight Cere Junda, as well as Kelleran Beq and youngling Grogu, the Great Jedi Purge was largely accomplished through the initial activation of Order 66. Even after the initial onslaught, Order 66 still stood, and all Jedi, even people who were merely suspected of being Jedi, were to be summarily killed on sight, without requiring evidence or explanation as to why the kill was carried out. Sidious would go on to consolidate his reign as Emperor of the Galactic Empire, ruling for decades until the prophecy of the Chosen One came to pass, marking the end of the Sith and the restoration of balance in the Force by 4 ABY.

    Description

    "Under this directive, any and all Jedi leadership must be executed for treason against the Republic. Any soldier that does not comply with the order will also be executed for treason."
    ―Clone Commander Rex, on the implementation of Order 66[5]
    CloneInhibitorChip-Fugitive
    Through their bio-chip, a clone could be made to carry out Order 66

    The clone troopers of the Grand Army of the Republic were programmed to comply with Clone Protocol 66 during the cloning process.[7] All clones were given a behavioral modification biochip[4] that could be activated by remote order via voice command; Supreme Chancellor Sheev Palpatine, for example, only needed to tell clones to execute Order 66, and the order was carried out.[1] The biochip, when activated, would ensure total obedience in a clone, erasing existing biases and beliefs and instilling absolute loyalty to Palpatine. The order also forced the clones to view the Jedi as dangerous traitors who needed to be eliminated at all costs,[3] even their own lives.[8] Officially, the order was part of[9] the one hundred and fifty[10] Executive Order Codes for the Grand Army of the Republic.[9]

    In some instances, the clone could resist the will of the chip and hesitate from executing his orders. This act took great effort, and resistance could not be maintained unless the organic chip was removed, which required external assistance in the case of Clone Commander Rex.[5] A few clones were immune to the order, but they were quite rare.[11] Genetically defective clones had a high probability of immunity to the command, due to their mutations interfering with the performance of the inhibitor chip.[12] However, the chip remained a danger as long as it was still inside a clone's head whether he was immune to the order or not, as outside factors such as head injuries could set it off.[11] Failure to comply with Order 66 was deemed an act of treason; as such, any clone trooper who defied the order was also subject to execution.[5]

    History

    Prelude

    The Sith in hiding

    "It is done, Master. The clone in question is now dead, and the Jedi still suspect nothing."
    "Good. Destroy the evidence. When the time comes, no one will be able to stop our plan to execute Order 66."
    ―Darth Tyranus and Darth Sidious[13]

    The Sith, an order of users of the dark side of the Force, was formed by fallen members of the Jedi Order after a war called the Hundred-Year Darkness.[14] Eventually, after many wars, the Jedi defeated and seemingly destroyed the Sith in the final, decisive conflict.[15] However, one Sith Lord survived: Darth Bane. Believing that the Sith's infighting had caused their downfall, Bane created a tradition called the Rule of Two where he chose to pass his knowledge on to only one Sith apprentice, who was required to kill their Sith Master in order to succeed them.[16]

    For nearly one thousand years, the Sith thus existed in hiding, plotting their revenge against the Jedi.[15] Eventually, a human male from Naboo born Sheev Palpatine[17] became the apprentice of Darth Plagueis, and was dubbed Darth Sidious. He eventually took over as the Dark Lord of the Sith after betraying and murdering his master in his sleep.[1] In public life, Palpatine became a politician, serving as Naboo's Senator before eventually orchestrating an invasion of his homeworld in order to be elected the Supreme Chancellor of the Galactic Republic, while successfully hiding his true identity, which allowed to to deceive the Senate and Republic.[15] Sidious planned to fulfill the Sith's revenge plot by destroying the Jedi and transforming the ancient Republic into the Galactic Empire, and he set about engineering the eventual outbreak of the Clone Wars to do so.[1]

    In 82 BBY,[18] the Jedi Padawan Dooku, on a mission to the planet Asusto with Jedi Master Lene Kostana and her Padawan Sifo-Dyas, had a Force vision of many possible futures during an encounter with the Presagers of Hakotei, a dark-side-using cult. Among the visions was a possible version of Order 66, with Jedi Master Jor Aerith being killed by Clone Commander Crane. However, not everything Dooku saw in that vision would come to pass.[19] Years later, Dooku left the Jedi Order, before falling to the dark side of the Force and becoming the Sith Lord Darth Tyranus, apprentice to Sidious.[20]

    Warning signs

    "Jedi. Good soldiers follow orders."
    ―Tup, prior to executing Jedi General Tiplar — 20?cb=20250116042720 ▶️ (file info)[3]
    Sidious Tyranus
    The Dark Lords of the Sith orchestrated the Clone Wars, including the implantation of the bio-chips that overrode their host's will with Protocol 66.

    Around ten years prior to the outbreak of the Clone Wars, Jedi Master Sifo-Dyas ordered the clone army for the Republic,[20] having had visions of a future conflict. He had a Behavioral Modification Biochip he wanted instilled in the Clones as a safeguard against rogue Jedi's. However, the Sith took over the project as part of their plot to destroy the Jedi Order, with Dooku, having left the Jedi and become an agent of Sidious, betrayed Sifo-Dyas by having him murdered by the Pyke Syndicate and concealing the true circumstances and location of his death from the Jedi.[21] Dooku and Sidious retooled Dyas's Biochip to contain the Order 66 command, which when activated, would forcibly compel the Clone army to view the Jedi as traitors to the Republic and subsequently execute them. Count Dooku, posing as a Jedi to the Kaminoan cloners, provided the Kaminoans with a bio-chip to be implanted into the clones during the early phase of their growth period. This chip contained the order the Kaminoans knew as "Clone Protocol 66."[4]

    The Kaminoans, including Prime Minister Lama Su and Chief Medical Scientist Nala Se were deceived by Dooku into believing Dyas's intention. Dooku, who was only known to the cloners under the alias of his Sith name, also convinced them that it was imperative the existence of the protocol and chips be kept secret from the Jedi, claiming it was what Sifo-Dyas had wanted.[4] The clone army's existence became known to the Jedi just before the Clone Wars when Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi tracked clone template Jango Fett to Kamino while investigating an assassination attempt on Senator Padmé Amidala.[20] Due to Palpatine's double identity, he could control the war on both ends and deceive both sides.

    Early in the war, after the Ambush on Rugosa, Jedi Grand Master Yoda, while meditating, had a vision of Jek, one of the clone troopers who had accompanied him to the moon, at the moment Order 66 was issued, sensing Jek's emotions changing from disbelief and regret to a sudden urge to obey. However, Yoda's wariness towards Force visions and the intense disquiet he regularly felt around the clones due to their genetically engineered obedience prevented him from realizing the true import of the brief vision.[22]

    Prior to the Battle of Umbara, Jedi General Pong Krell had visions of Order 66, the Great Jedi Purge, and the rise of the Galactic Empire. Subsequently falling to the dark side, Krell used his visions as justification for attempting to sabotage the battle so he could become Dooku's new apprentice. However, he was captured by the 501st Legion, who executed him for treason due to the danger that the remaining Umbaran forces might free him and learn vital military intelligence.[23]

    At some point during the Clone Wars, Eno Cordova entered the Zeffo vault on Bogano which allowed him to see a vision of the fall of the Jedi and the subsequent spread of the Dark Side across the galaxy. Cordova then raced back to Coruscant to warn the Jedi Council, presenting them with all of his findings. None of the Council would put faith in his findings however, save for Cordova's old confidant Jocasta Nu. Nu thus entrusted Cordova with a secret copy of her list of young Force sensitives procured from the Jedi Archives.[24]

    PrematureExecution-TU
    Tiplar was killed when Protocol 66 was prematurely activated within Tup.

    Towards the end of the war, Order 66 was almost prematurely exposed due to a malfunction in the biochip inside clone trooper Tup, resulting in the clone alternating between his regular self and a trance-like state. The latter state caused Tup to betray and shoot Jedi Master Tiplar during the Battle of Ringo Vinda, killing her instantly. The Republic retreated from their offensive, preparing to study Tup to determine what had happened. Learning what had happened to Tup, Dooku and Sidious feared that he would lead the Jedi to discovering their true plans for the war, including the clone protocol. The Confederacy of Independent Systems tried to kidnap Tup, but the Republic succeeded in bringing him to Kamino for further study.[3]

    Uncovering the evidence

    "The evidence is in here. It's—it's in here. It's in all of us, every clone."
    "What is it?"
    "Organic chips built into our genetic code to make us do whatever someone wants, even kill the Jedi. It's all in here."
    ―Fives and Rex — 20?cb=20250116042720 ▶️ (file info)[13]

    The Kaminoans, trying to hide the protocol's existence, studied Tup and claimed that a virus had caused him to kill General Tiplar. Advanced Recon Commando Fives—Tup's best friend in the 501st—did not believe their claims, discovering the chip inside Tup, although he died after it was removed.[4] With the help of the medical droid AZI-3, Fives also discovered the chip inside his own head, and AZI-3 removed it for study before they both discovered that the chip was inside all of the clones. The Jedi brought Fives to Coruscant for further examination,[7] where Fives came face-to-face with Palpatine and discovered that the Chancellor was behind the plot. Palpatine framed Fives for an assassination attempt, discrediting the clone and causing the Jedi and fellow clones to pursue him. Despite knowing the truth, Fives, having been drugged into a state of aggression and paranoia, was unable to convince Anakin Skywalker or Clone Captain Rex, who were with him in the end, about the conspiracy or the Supreme Chancellor's involvement before he was killed by the Coruscant Guard. The Jedi Order accepted the story that a parasite had caused Tup and Fives' behavior, and that the chips were necessary to keep the clones mentally stable.[13] Rex was mostly skeptical of Fives' claims about the chips, but, unable to completely dismiss the theory, he filed a confidential grievance report about the chips possibly having a hidden purpose, although he was aware it was likely to be ignored.[5]

    Jedi Purge Shroud of Darkness
    Yoda's vision of Jedi fighting clones

    Later, the Jedi discovered that the Sith were behind the creation of the Grand Army of the Republic, as Count Dooku—under the name Tyranus—had selected Jango Fett as the genetic template for the clones and had worked with the Kaminoans to create the army after it was ordered by Sifo-Dyas. At the insistence of Grand Master Yoda, who testified to the clones' loyalty and valiant service, the Jedi High Council chose not to disclose the conspiracy to the public or even the Supreme Chancellor, believing that the Republic would lose the public's trust if it became known that Dooku was involved in the creation of the clone army.[21] Shortly thereafter, Yoda went on a journey to discover the secrets of immortality, and, on Dagobah, saw a vision of what would become Order 66.[25] Throughout his journey, Yoda came to accept that the Jedi would likely lose the Clone Wars, though he did not know how. He did, however, believe that the Jedi would still triumph in the long run.[16]

    After learning from members of the Grysk species, which was unknown in most of the galaxy, that the metal cortosis was resistant to lightsabers, Dooku and Sidious attempted to acquire supplies of the resource from the planet Mokivj in an operation headed by Duke Solha. The Sith hoped to make clone trooper armor containing the metal and supply it to the clones who would carry out Order 66. However, the operation, carried out under the auspices of the Separatists, was foiled by Skywalker and a temporary ally, Senior Captain Mitth'raw'nuruodo of the Chiss Ascendancy. Skywalker believed the cortosis armor had been intended for a potential infiltration of the Republic's ranks.[26]

    Sometime after the Battle of Anaxes,[27] 501st Legion clone medic Kix began to question the details surrounding the event which had led to Tup killing Tiplar. His subsequent investigation led him to discover that Fives had in fact been telling him the truth when he had first told Kix about the Jedi and the clones being framed and that the biochips implanted within the clones could indeed compel them to kill the entire Jedi Order. Before he could share his suspicions, however, he was kidnapped by forces sent by Dooku. He was subsequently tortured, but his denials about having leaked the information failed to convince his captors. He was then brought onto the Separatist cruiser Obrexta III and inserted into a cryo-cycle stasis pod for the journey to Serenno. As the cruiser was en route, however, it was ambushed by Republic forces. After sustaining heavy damage, the battle droid B1-CC14 made the decision to jump through hyperspace to a random sector to ensure Kix would stay out of enemy hands. The jump brought them to the desert planet Ponemah Terminal, with the Obrexta III crashing into the planet's dangerous south polar region, where it would lay undisturbed for decades.[28]

    Execution

    "How widespread is this?"
    "Ahsoka, it's all of us. The entire Grand Army of the Republic has been ordered to hunt down and destroy the Jedi Knights."
    ―Ahsoka Tano and Rex — 20?cb=20250116042720 ▶️ (file info)[5]
    AaylaSecuraDead-SWBC53
    Aayla Secura was among many Jedi who were betrayed by their clone troopers as a result of Order 66.

    With the secrets of Order 66 secure, Sidious and Dooku continued with their plans during the Clone Wars. By the war's end, public support for the Jedi had weakened due to their management of the conflict,[29] while Palpatine remained a popular figure. Palpatine covertly betrayed and disposed of Dooku during the Battle of Coruscant, and with Kenobi engaging General Grievous on Utapau, the Jedi hoped the war's end was imminent. However, Palpatine revealed himself to Skywalker as the Dark Lord of the Sith in an effort to seduce him to the dark side as his new apprentice. When Skywalker informed Jedi Master Mace Windu of the Chancellor's identity, Windu assembled a team composed of himself, Kit Fisto, Agen Kolar, and Saesee Tiin to arrest Palpatine. Their attempt led to a lightsaber duel in which Palpatine killed all four of the Jedi, and Skywalker betrayed the Jedi and turned to the dark side.[1]

    Palpatine used the duel as a pretext to declare that the Jedi were traitors, ones who had attempted to assassinate him and take control of the Republic for themselves. The Chancellor issued Order 66 to various clone officers across the galaxy, which caused the Clones' inhibitor chips to activate and then brainwash them into viewing the Jedi as traitors to the Republic and subsequently executing them, while Skywalker—now the Sith Lord Darth Vader—was sent to kill the Jedi within the Jedi Temple, thus launching[1] an unprecedented and galaxy-wide massacre.[30] Thousands of Jedi throughout the galaxy were betrayed and killed, including Ki-Adi-Mundi on Mygeeto, Aayla Secura on Felucia, Plo Koon in the skies of Cato Neimoidia, Stass Allie on Saleucami,[1] Depa Billaba on Kaller,[12] Jaro Tapal in the Bracca system,[24] and even Jedi younglings.[1] As part of the execution of Order 66, the elements of the 481st Legion were sent to the planet Ilum to secure the Jedi Temple there and kill any survivors.[31]

    Some officers, such as Clone Marshal Commander Cody, received individual transmissions from Palpatine.[1] Afterward, the order was broadcast on repeat through the Grand Army's communications channels to ensure that all troopers heard it.[12] Throughout the duration of the Empire, Order 66 was still active: all known or merely suspected Jedi were to be shot on sight.[32]

    Spared Jedi

    "The clones were given an order—Order 66. The only Jedi who were spared were those who saw through their lies. Like you."
    ―The Grand Inquisitor explains to Iskat Akaris how she survived[33]

    Aside from Anakin Skywalker, some Jedi were protected from the massacre invoked by Order 66, but under other circumstances. Some Jedi within the Jedi Temple on Coruscant were watched and influenced by spies placed inside the temple by Darth Sidious himself. These spies were assigned to specific Jedi who displayed deviant behavior or who harbored doubts or resentment towards the Jedi Order or the Jedi Council, such as Iskat Akaris. As shown in her case, once the order was issued and the clones turned on their Jedi officers, the doubtful Jedi, wherever they were or whatever they were doing, were approached by the clones with a hologram of Darth Sidious instead of raised blasters. Sidious offered them a chance to live, so long as they pledged their allegiance to him and revoked their Jedi ways and teachings. The ones who accepted had the chance to become some of the first Inquisitors of the Inquisitorius, while those who rejected the offer would share the fate as the rest of their Jedi brothers and sisters.[33]

    Non-Jedi targets

    Rex: "The order was to execute the Jedi for treason against the Republic. The problem is, Ahsoka Tano is no longer a Jedi and hasn't been for some time."
    Jesse: "Sir, you said yourself that we are under special order from Darth Sidious to eliminate Ahsoka Tano and any other clone that disobeys Order 66."
    Ahsoka Tano, quietly to Rex: "Just keep them talking a little bit longer."
    Rex: "Jesse. Jesse, listen to me. We've known each other a long time. If we don't get this right, we will be the ones that are committing treason, not her!"
    Jesse: "…Commander Rex, you're in violation of Order 66. I accuse you of treason against the Grand Army of the Republic. You'll be demoted in rank from Commander and subject to execution along with the traitor, Ahsoka Tano!"
    ―Freed from Order 66, Clone Commander Rex attempts to reason with his clone brother Jesse[8]

    While Order 66 only explicitly targeted the Jedi by claiming[8] every member of the Order[12] had committed treason,[8] the clones targeted non-Jedi targets just as easily.[5] Indeed, section Codicil Nine of Order 66 made keeping dark side artifacts illegal.[34] Despite having left the Jedi Order for some time prior,[8] Skywalker's former Padawan, Ahsoka Tano, was targeted by Order 66, as was the former Sith Lord Maul.[5]

    VictoryAndDeathEG
    Although many targets of Order 66 were killed by their own soldiers, Ahsoka Tano escaped with the help of Rex, after removing his inhibitor chip to free him from the brainwashing.

    Tano was with the now-Clone Commander Rex and the 332nd Division onboard the Venator-class Star Destroyer[5] Tribunal[35] at the time of Order 66. She had unofficially rejoined the Republic military to lead it in the Siege of Mandalore. When the order was given, Tano and Rex were en route to Coruscant to deliver a captured Maul to the Jedi Council. However, Tano had a Force vision of Skywalker's fall, but only realized that something terrible had happened. Rex, receiving the command from Sidious, realized at that moment that Fives had been right about everything and resisted his chip long enough to tell Tano to "find" the late ARC trooper before succumbing to the order and attacking her.[5]

    While brainwashed, Rex also ordered Maul's execution, but Tano saved the darksider's life so he could act as a diversion. Tano then found Rex's grievance report on Fives and the inhibitor chips. She subsequently captured Rex and removed his chip with the help of three astromech droids. With Rex back to his former self,[5] the two of them attempted to reach the hangar after Maul destroyed the Star Destroyer's hyperdrive, leaving the Tribunal to begin a crash course towards a moon. However, the two were cut off by Clone Lieutenant CT-5597 "Jesse" and the 332nd. Rex tried to reason with his long time comrade, but Jesse was unable to overcome the spell of Order 66 and ordered the execution of both Rex and Tano. As Maul escaped aboard a shuttle, Tano and Rex fled the Tribunal on a BTL-B Y-wing starfighter/bomber. The Star Destroyer was left to crash into the moon, killing everyone still onboard. After taking the time to bury every victim of the crash they could find, Tano and Rex covered their tracks[8] and went into hiding in the Outer Rim.[36]

    Aftermath

    Aftermath for the Jedi

    "The remaining Jedi will be hunted down and defeated!"
    ―Darth Sidious[1]
    AmeddaJediEradicationCeremony-2017DarthVader1
    Enslaved in thought and action after the dispatchment of Order 66, clones of the New Order were celebrated for their part in the eradication of the Jedi.

    The execution of Order 66 marked the destruction of the Jedi Order. Before the Galactic Senate, Palpatine told the galaxy that the Jedi were traitors who had attempted to kill him and seize power, and the destruction of the Jedi was greeted with applause by the Senate. Having amassed immense central authority during the war, and without the Jedi Order standing in his way, Palpatine transformed the Republic into the Galactic Empire and declared himself Emperor. Along with Vader, Palpatine's rule meant that the Sith plan was completed, and the Sith Lords once again ruled the galaxy.[1]

    After surviving Order 66, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda returned to Coruscant with the help of Senator Bail Organa to undertake a deadly mission to infiltrate the Jedi Temple, as Vader had set its communications beacon with a message recalling all surviving Jedi there. After fighting their way inside, Kenobi altered the beacon's programming so it warned Jedi away, while Yoda discovered that Vader had fallen to the dark side.[1] Kenobi's action managed to save an undetermined number of Jedi survivors.[37]

    Nevertheless, few Jedi had survived the onslaught of Order 66.[1] The Jedi Padawan Caleb Dume survived the initial attack on his life due to the sacrifice made by his master, Depa Billaba.[12] Sometime later he was captured by the clones who had killed his master, but avoided death once more due in part to the last-minute intervention of Commander Grey, who asserted his will and realized that something else had influenced his thoughts when he and his battalion had previously turned on Dume and his master. Shortly afterwards, Dume went into hiding and took the name of Kanan Jarrus,[38] giving up his identity as a Jedi for fourteen years before returning, with the crew of the Ghost, to rebel against the Empire.[39]

    Jedi Master Quinlan Vos was presumed to have survived by the Empire, and was a priority target of the purge.[40] Jedi Knight Grandea managed to escape the fate of her fellow Jedi, Alivar, by using the mind trick to trick the clone troopers into attacking each other. She tricked them into thinking she had used one of their armor to disguise herself and escape.[41] Former Jedi Master Eeth Koth survived by leaving the Jedi Order prior to its fall.[42] Zubain Ankonori, Nuhj, Khandra, and Mususiel all survived and went into hiding together at a Jedi shrine on Anoat.[43] Jedi Master Kirak Infil'a survived by taking the Barash Vow.[44] Jedi Master Luminara Unduli was captured, and later executed at the Spire on Stygeon Prime.[45] Obi-Wan Kenobi went into exile on Tatooine, along with Vader's infant son, Luke Skywalker; Vader did not know that Luke or his twin sister, Leia, had been born, so the twins were taken into hiding.[1] Yoda, meanwhile, went into exile on Dagobah.[46]

    Jedi Archives librarian Jocasta Nu survived and tried to create a secret school to train new Jedi Knights.[40] Jedi Master Uvell also survived and entrusted a ship of Jedi artifacts to Antron Bach to preserve the Jedi Order.[47] Jedi Knight Cere Junda survived as well, although her Padawan, Trilla Suduri, was captured by the Empire and tortured into becoming the Inquisitor Second Sister.[48] Grogu, a youngling of Yoda's species present at the Jedi Temple during the siege, was rescued, but lost his memories of the exact events due to trauma.[49]

    Jedi Masters Oppo Rancisis and Coleman Kcaj, as well as Ka-Moon Kholi and Selrahc Eluos, were all confirmed by the Empire to have survived Order 66; but they could not find them because of how well they had hidden.[42] Padawan Cal Kestis also survived Order 66 due to the sacrifice of his master, Jaro Tapal, who defended Kestis from the clones and gave him a chance to escape into hiding.[24] According to legend, Kira Vantala also survived the purge, which surprised the Grand Inquisitor when she confronted him on the planet Gaaten to stop the abductions of Force-sensitive orphans.[50]

    Aftermath for the clones

    "Rumors are, more and more clones have been questioning the Order."
    "Then they're traitors, like the Jedi."
    ―Commander Cody and commando Crosshair[51]

    Most of the irregular unit Clone Force 99 were immune to the order owing to either genetic mutations or implanted cybernetics, with the exception of Crosshair — whose chip was amplified by the Empire to enhance its effects on him. The rest of the so-called "Bad Batch" deserted the Empire within days of its formation.[12] Crosshair would later remove his inhibitor chip but remained loyal to the Empire, believing that his squad had abandoned him to his fate.[52] Becoming a fugitive from the Empire, which officially declared him killed in action, Rex[11] eventually met up with Commanders Wolffe and Gregor, who had their chips removed.[53]

    Sometime after Order 66, Rex made contact with the Bad Batch and learned they had not removed their chips, as Tech had concluded they were not a danger. However, the persistent headaches Wrecker had been suffering[11] after recent head injuries[54] said otherwise. Rex insisted that the squad meet him on Bracca to remove their chips. Reactivating the medical bay of a downed Jedi Cruiser, Wrecker was being examined by Tech when his chip activated, while Hunter and Echo were telling Rex about how they had witnessed Order 66 being carried out on Kaller. Wrecker subsequently attacked the squad, taking out the adult clones quickly before chasing after the child clone Omega. She attempted to talk him down, but failed, although Wrecker was struggling against the chip. Rex stunned Wrecker in the nick of time, and all of the Batch's chips were subsequently removed, ending the chips' threat to the squad.[11]

    Despite the control chips trying to force the clones to obey all orders given in the name of the Empire,[55] a growing number of clones began to question Order 66[51] and the Empire's actions, with the chips beginning to wear off as time went by. Despite not being aware of it, Clone Captain "Howzer" overcame his chip[55] and rallied members of his squad to reject the Empire as well.[56] Commander Cody began to question if the Empire was truly making the galaxy a better place and ultimately abandoned the regime.[51]

    ExecuteOrder66-2017DarthVader17
    Under the influence of Ferren Barr, a clone trooper squad turned against a group of fallen Jedi.

    During the Empire's subjugation of Mon Cala, surviving Jedi Padawan Ferren Barr hid in Dac City and acted as an advisor to King Lee-Char.[57] There, he took several acolytes: Nipaltoo, Orvek, Rebb, Stell, Daren, and Verla. Barr was soon confronted by several of the Inquisitors and their troopers, whom he noticed were newer clones who had not yet had their control chips activated. After revealing them as former Jedi, Barr used a mind trick to force the troopers to execute Order 66 and attack the Inquisitors. The Tenth Brother, who was formerly the Jedi Master Prosset Dibs,[58] was killed in the ensuing firefight, along with the Ninth Sister having her right leg severed due to a betrayal from the Sixth Brother in an attempt to escape.[6]

    Legacy

    "Our fellow soldiers, the clones, the ones we Jedi fought side by side with, suddenly turned and betrayed us."
    ―Kanan Jarrus, on Order 66[53]

    For nearly twenty years, the Empire expanded without any significant Jedi opposition. Approximately five years before the Battle of Yavin, however, surviving Jedi, the few remaining in the galaxy, began to actively aid rebel cells around the galaxy, such as Kanan Jarrus for the Spectres and Ahsoka Tano for a larger network of rebel cells. Years later, Kenobi emerged from his exile and began training Luke Skywalker to become a Jedi Knight,[59] in the hopes that Luke would defeat Vader and Palpatine.[60] Kenobi was killed by Darth Vader aboard the Death Star,[59] leaving Luke to be trained by Yoda, one of the only known surviving Jedi. The two trained on Dagobah before Luke left to confront Vader.[46] Luke did not return until just before Yoda's death.[60]

    JediGhosts-ROTJ
    The redemption of Anakin Skywalker led to the return of the Jedi.

    Upon the Jedi Master's death, Luke became the last of the Jedi and set out to confront Vader once more, now having learned the truth that Vader was his father. During the Battle of Endor, Sidious betrayed Vader by attempting to have Luke kill him and take his place as Sidious's apprentice, but Luke rebuffed his attempt, and instead successfully redeemed his father, with Anakin killing Sidious. The act of killing the Emperor resulted in Anakin's death, leading to the end of the Sith; through his death, Anakin fulfilled the prophecy of the Chosen One and brought balance to the Force. By confronting his father and saving him, Luke became the first new Jedi Knight in a generation, bringing about the return of the Jedi.[60] Thirty years later, Luke's nephew, Ben Solo, now known as Kylo Ren, carried out a similar incident, causing Luke to go into exile at the First Jedi Temple on the planet Ahch-To.[61]

    Fifty years after the Clone Wars, Kix was finally awoken during the Hunt for Dooku's Treasure. He had been found by Sidon Ithano's crew and, now unable to save the Republic or Jedi, joined the pirates.[28] In 32 ABY,[62] the former Jedi Padawan Naq Med found out that the Jedi were no longer being hunted, which allowed him to finally die peacefully, passing on his lightsaber and robes to his grandson Karr Nuq Sin.[63] Sometime following the Battle of Crait[64] in 34 ABY,[65] the pirate Hondo Ohnaka mentioned Order 66 in his book Galactic Explorer's Guide, claiming that the clones had risen up against their Jedi Generals. He recounted that Yoda and Luminara Unduli had survived but that the latter was arrested by the Empire and executed.[64]

    Known victims

    "At the end of the Clone Wars, when Emperor Palpatine took power, he declared the entire Jedi Order to be traitors. He issued Order 66, and most of the Jedi died that very day. Not just full Knights either. Padawans, younglings."
    ―Verla[32]

    This is a list of individuals who fell victim to Order 66.

    Known survivors

    "This is a list of the surviving Jedi. Others may remain, but of these we are certain. Unfortunately… they have hidden themselves extremely well."
    ―The Grand Inquisitor[42]
    SecondSister-Databank
    Although having escaped Order 66, some Jedi were corrupted into the Empire's service.

    This is a list of individuals who survived the initial execution of Order 66.

    The following non-Jedi Force Sensitives survived.



    Behind the scenes

    Development

    "[Order 66] was a part of the story that had been told before, and telling it again was a reminder to the audience of where this all began, where Obi-Wan's journey began. That's why it was in the show.[…]But it was a necessary part of Obi-Wan's story. It belonged in a story about a Jedi who is in hiding, who has to face his past."
    ―Joby Harold[106]
    Order66
    Order 66 first appeared in Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith.

    The events of Order 66, namely the destruction of the Jedi Order, were first mentioned in the 1977 film Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope, the first installment of the Star Wars original trilogy.[59] The destruction itself was first identified and depicted on-screen in 2005 film Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith, the final installment of the prequel trilogy.[1]

    The backstory of Order 66 was provided in a four-episode arc in The Lost Missions of the television series Star Wars: The Clone Wars.[3][4][7][13] An Order 66 flashback scene appeared in the first,[68] fifth,[91] and sixth episodes of the Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi televisions series.[107] Writer Joby Harold wanted the series to begin with Order 66 to remind the audience of where Obi-Wan Kenobi's journey began and to establish that the stakes are high for everyone.[106]

    Unused and rejected concepts

    "I think it was a little more gruesome than you ended up seeing, you know. A lot of young potential Jedi ended up on the cutting room floor."
    ―Ian McDiarmid on the original version of Order 66[108]
    QuinEp3
    Quinlan Vos depicted in a deleted animatic from the earlier versions of the Order 66

    In the first draft of of Revenge of the Sith, dated to April 13, 2003, the number of Jedi Knights who were killed was "more extensive" than the ones seen in the finished version of the film, though some animatics for these versions were made.[109] The following order in this early draft was taken from the book The Making of Star Wars Revenge of the Sith:

    On Mygeeto, clones blast KI-ADI-MUNDI and SAESEE TIIN. On Saleucami, they kill KIT FISTO, BARRISS OFFEE, and ADI GALLIA. On Kashyyyk, MINA PODIA is gunned down-but YODA saves himself. On Cato Neimoidia, PLO KOON is blasted out of the sky, while an unnamed Jedi lies dead on the planet surface. On Felucia, AAYLA SECURA and QUINLAN VOS are silenced forever.[109]

    Some other concepts featured in other drafts and versions of Revenge of the Sith included Boba Fett taking part in Order 66 by killing Mace Windu in an attempt to avenge his father Jango's death until George Lucas reorganized the entire story and felt that Fett would be "too young" and wasn't an essential part in the story.[109] For the deaths of Barriss Offee, Luminara Unduli and Shaak Ti, it was planned to use some unused footage of Nalini Krishan, Mary Oyaya and Orli Shoshan from Attack of the Clones.[110] In Ti's case, however, Shoshan filmed an earlier death for her in the film's beginning, though both scenes were cut from the finished film.[109]

    Ian McDiarmid, the actor who played Darth Sidious in the films, stated during a panel appearance at Salt Lake City's FanX convention in 2018 that Order 66 was intended to be more gruesome than in the finished version of the film, but George Lucas toned down the scene from his original vision in order to avoid a harsher rating, and his decision was probably a good idea after all. Revenge of the Sith was ultimately rated PG-13, unlike previous films.[108]

    Non-canon history

    Order 66 is mentioned in the non-canon LEGO Star Wars comic "Ambush in the Temple," which featured surviving Jedi Padawans Mel Acan and Nena Gallow, both of whom had lost their masters to the Great Jedi Purge. Having survived themselves, both Padawans took up residence in a Jedi Temple on the planet Vinee, only to eventually be discovered. Darth Vader, who believed the temple was a perfect hiding spot for those fleeing Order 66 or looking for a spot in hide-and-seek, journeyed to the temple with the Grand Inquisitor, but both Padawans managed to escape their grasp.[111]

    Appearances

    Explore all of Wookieepedia's images for this article subject.
    Acme-FollowingOrders
    Chris Dee's poster "Following Orders" depicts Rex and his clone brothers under the influence of Order 66


    Non-canon appearances

    Sources


    Non-canon sources

    Notes and references

    1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 1.20 1.21 1.22 1.23 1.24 1.25 1.26 1.27 Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith
    2. ↑ TCW mini logo Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "Conspiracy" confirms that Order 66 was established via inhibitor chips since the inception of clone troopers, which Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones places ten years prior to the Clone Wars. Star Wars: Galactic Atlas establishes that the Clone Wars began in 22 BBY, thus marking the creation of the protocol in 32 BBY.
    3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 TCW mini logo Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "The Unknown"
    4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 TCW mini logo Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "Conspiracy"
    5. ↑ 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 TCW mini logo Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "Shattered"
    6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Darth Vader (2017) 17
    7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 TCW mini logo Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "Fugitive"
    8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 TCW mini logo Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "Victory and Death"
    9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Star Wars: The Rise and Fall of the Galactic Empire
    10. ↑ Rise of the Separatists
    11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 TBBtemplate Star Wars: The Bad Batch — "Battle Scars"
    12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 12.6 TBBtemplate Star Wars: The Bad Batch — "Aftermath"
    13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 TCW mini logo Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "Orders"
    14. ↑ Star Wars (2015) 9
    15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace
    16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 TCW mini logo Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "Sacrifice"
    17. ↑ Tarkin
    18. ↑ The script of Dooku: Jedi Lost states that Dooku was twenty years old during the mission to Asusto. Star Wars: Absolutely Everything You Need to Know states that Dooku was eighty years old during the First Battle of Geonosis, dated to 22 BBY by Star Wars: Galactic Atlas. Thus, Dooku was born in 102 BBY, placing the mission to Asusto around 82 BBY.
    19. ↑ Dooku: Jedi Lost
    20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones
    21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 TCW mini logo Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "The Lost One"
    22. ↑ "Sharing the Same Face" — The Clone Wars: Stories of Light and Dark
    23. ↑ TCW mini logo Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "Carnage of Krell"
    24. ↑ 24.00 24.01 24.02 24.03 24.04 24.05 24.06 24.07 24.08 24.09 Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
    25. ↑ TCW mini logo Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "Voices"
    26. ↑ Thrawn: Alliances
    27. ↑ "The Bad Batch," which features the Battle of Anaxes, is the last episode of Star Wars: The Clone Wars Kix appears in, so his capture as detailed in "The Crimson Corsair and the Lost Treasure of Count Dooku" must have occurred afterwards.
    28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 "The Crimson Corsair and the Lost Treasure of Count Dooku" — Tales from a Galaxy Far, Far Away: Aliens: Volume I
    29. ↑ TCW mini logo Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "Sabotage"
    30. ↑ ToppsLogo-Template  2018 Topps Star Wars Galactic Files Card: ACW-23 - Commander Gree
    31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 Nexus of Power
    32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 Star Wars (2020) 5
    33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 33.2 33.3 33.4 33.5 33.6 33.7 33.8 Inquisitor: Rise of the Red Blade
    34. ↑ Crimson Reign 3
    35. ↑ Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Character Encyclopedia - Join the Battle!
    36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 Ahsoka
    37. ↑ The Star Wars Book
    38. ↑ Kanan 5
    39. ↑ 39.0 39.1 SWYT-Logo  Meet Kanan, the Cowboy Jedi | Star Wars Rebels on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link) (Posted on StarWars.com)
    40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 40.2 Darth Vader (2017) 7
    41. ↑ 41.0 41.1 41.2 Legacy of Vader 7
    42. ↑ 42.0 42.1 42.2 42.3 42.4 42.5 42.6 42.7 Darth Vader (2017) 19
    43. ↑ 43.0 43.1 43.2 43.3 43.4 Star Wars: Uprising
    44. ↑ 44.0 44.1 Darth Vader (2017) 2
    45. ↑ 45.0 45.1 Rebels-mini-logo Star Wars Rebels — "Rise of the Old Masters"
    46. ↑ 46.0 46.1 46.2 Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back
    47. ↑ 47.0 47.1 SWInsider "The End of History" — Star Wars Insider 154
    48. ↑ 48.0 48.1 48.2 StarWars-DatabankII  Cere in the Databank (backup link)
    49. ↑ The-Mandalorian-logo Star Wars: The Mandalorian — "Chapter 13: The Jedi"
    50. ↑ 50.0 50.1 "The Orphanage" — Dark Legends
    51. ↑ 51.0 51.1 51.2 TBBtemplate Star Wars: The Bad Batch — "The Solitary Clone"
    52. ↑ TBBtemplate Star Wars: The Bad Batch — "Return to Kamino"
    53. ↑ 53.0 53.1 Rebels-mini-logo Star Wars Rebels — "The Lost Commanders"
    54. ↑ TBBtemplate Star Wars: The Bad Batch — "Decommissioned"
    55. ↑ 55.0 55.1 StarWars  The Creators of Star Wars: The Bad Batch on Season 1's Biggest Moments and What's Next on StarWars.com (backup link)
    56. ↑ TBBtemplate Star Wars: The Bad Batch — "Rescue on Ryloth"
    57. ↑ 57.0 57.1 57.2 Darth Vader (2017) 14
    58. ↑ 58.0 58.1 Darth Vader (2017) 16
    59. ↑ 59.0 59.1 59.2 59.3 Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope
    60. ↑ 60.0 60.1 60.2 Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi
    61. ↑ Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens
    62. ↑ Star Wars: Timelines dates the events of Force Collector, including Naq Med's death, to 32 ABY.
    63. ↑ 63.0 63.1 63.2 Force Collector
    64. ↑ 64.0 64.1 Star Wars: The Galactic Explorer's Guide
    65. ↑ Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker: The Visual Dictionary places the Battle of Crait in the same year as the Battle of Starkiller Base, which Star Wars: Galactic Atlas dates to 34 ABY
    66. ↑ A New Dawn
    67. ↑ Star Wars: Galactic Atlas
    68. ↑ 68.0 68.1 68.2 Obi-Wan Kenobi new series logo Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi — "Part I"
    69. ↑ Heir to the Jedi
    70. ↑ Obi-Wan Kenobi new series logo Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi — "Part IV"
    71. ↑ Star Wars Helmet Collection: Poe Dameron Databank A-Z: Kaminoans–King Katuunko
    72. ↑ 72.0 72.1 Reign of the Empire: The Mask of Fear
    73. ↑ 73.0 73.1 73.2 73.3 Inquisitors 4
    74. ↑ 74.0 74.1 The-Mandalorian-logo Star Wars: The Mandalorian — "Chapter 20: The Foundling"
    75. ↑ 75.0 75.1 75.2 75.3 Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
    76. ↑ 76.0 76.1 StarWars  Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord Teaser Trailer and First Poster Arrive on StarWars.com (backup link)
    77. ↑ 77.0 77.1 Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple
    78. ↑ 78.0 78.1 78.2 78.3 Inquisitors 1
    79. ↑ Free Comic Book Day 2025: Star Wars 1
    80. ↑ 80.0 80.1 80.2 Ultimate Star Wars, New Edition
    81. ↑ Star Wars Encyclopedia: The Comprehensive Guide to the Star Wars Galaxy
    82. ↑ Obi-Wan Kenobi new series logo Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi — "Part III"
    83. ↑ StarWars  Part IV Episode Guide | Obi-Wan Kenobi on StarWars.com (backup link) establishes that Pablo-Jill was killed between Order 66 and the events of Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi "Part IV," which Star Wars: Timelines dates to 19 BBY and 9 BBY, respectively.
    84. ↑ SWInsider "Galactic Tales: A Death in Elderblock 26-0640" — Star Wars Insider 236
    85. ↑ AhsokaTitle-Template Star Wars: Ahsoka — "Part One: Master and Apprentice"
    86. ↑ SWInsider "Galactic Tales: The Failing of the Light" — Star Wars Insider 233
    87. ↑ TBBtemplate Star Wars: The Bad Batch — "Tribe"
    88. ↑ StarWars  Two Favorite Star Wars Bounty Hunters are Back for Tales of the Underworld on StarWars.com (backup link)
    89. ↑ 89.0 89.1 Hyperspace Stories 4
    90. ↑ The-Mandalorian-logo Star Wars: The Mandalorian — "Chapter 13: The Jedi"
    91. ↑ 91.0 91.1 Obi-Wan Kenobi new series logo Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi — "Part V"
    92. ↑ 92.0 92.1 92.2 92.3 92.4 TalesoftheEmpire-logo Star Wars: Tales of the Empire — "Devoted"
    93. ↑ Rebels-mini-logo Star Wars Rebels — "Twilight of the Apprentice"
    94. ↑ Tales of the Jedi logo Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi — "Resolve"
    95. ↑ Obi-Wan Kenobi new series logo Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi — "Part II"
    96. ↑ Star Wars: Dawn of Rebellion: The Visual Guide
    97. ↑ Ghosts of Dathomir
    98. ↑ TalesoftheEmpire-logo Star Wars: Tales of the Empire — "Realization"
    99. ↑ Inquisitors 2
    100. ↑ Premium-Era-real Star Wars: Skeleton Crew creators go inside the finale and future of the show by Dalton Ross on Entertainment Weekly (January 15, 2025) (backup link archived on January 16, 2025)
    101. ↑ TwitterLogo  Viz Media (@VIZMedia) on Twitter (post on October 17, 2025): "Announcement: Coming Summer 2026, an Imperial assassin droid hunts down Jedi Knight Nagi Tsukumo. A standalone story set after Order 66, Star Wars Visions: Tsukumo, with story and art by Eiichi Shimizu and Tomohiro Shimoguchi, the creators of the Ultraman manga sequel series." (backup link)
    102. ↑ Star-Wars-Visions-series-logo-short Star Wars: Visions — "The Village Bride"
    103. ↑ 103.0 103.1 The Art of Star Wars: Visions
    104. ↑ Star-Wars-Visions-series-logo-short Star Wars: Visions — "Tatooine Rhapsody"
    105. ↑ Star-Wars-Visions-series-logo-short Star Wars: Visions — "The Bandits of Golak"
    106. ↑ 106.0 106.1 Premium-Era-real Obi-Wan Kenobi: Darth Vader Was Originally Even More Terrifying by Breznican, Anthony on Vanity Fair (June 3, 2022) (backup link archived on June 3, 2022)
    107. ↑ Obi-Wan Kenobi new series logo Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi — "Part VI"
    108. ↑ 108.0 108.1 Premium-Era-real 'Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith' Cut Down a "More Gruesome" Order 66 Scene by Bonomolo, Cameron on ComicBook.com (September 9, 2018) (backup link archived on June 20, 2019)
    109. ↑ 109.0 109.1 109.2 109.3 The Making of Star Wars Revenge of the Sith
    110. ↑ Premium-Era-real C.C. Banana Interviews the Stars of STAR WARS! on www.ccbanana.com (2, 2007/http://www.ccbanana.com/main/interviews/starwars1.htm backup link archived on November 2, 2007)
    111. ↑ LegoSWLogo-Template "The Temple Ambush" — LEGO Star Wars 108
    [Source]


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