Eminent Eight

The Eminent Eight was a nickname for eight of the most influential and powerful planets in the Galactic Republic. These were all heavily populated ecumenopolises with a population of dozens of trillions each. During the history of the Galactic Republic, these eight planets often dominated the Galactic Senate and were vital to the Republic's economy. Few motions or bills were passed in the Galactic Senate without the consent or support of at least one member of the Eminent Eight.

The eight members of the Eminent Eight were generally considered to be Alsakan, Augstaka, Ascendiai, Coruscant, Denon, Erigorm, Halcyon and Zarashtra. Metellos replaced Zarashtra as a member in 3610 BBY after Ascendiai perfected a way to produce artificial anakhrite. The nickname was often used by inhabitants of these eight planets to refer to their planets, although the nickname was also often used sarcastically or derogatorily by inhabitants of other planets.

Sometimes the group was expanded to the Eminent Eleven or even the Eminent Eighteen, with several planets considering themselves to be members of these groups, planets who considered themselves members of these groups included Brentaal IV, Corellia, Empress Teta, Hosnian, Kharzem, Kuat, Shawken, Skako, Taris and Trantor.

With the exception of Denon, all the traditional planets of the Eminent Eight were located in the Core Worlds, the most densely populated region of the galaxy. Notably, these worlds were overwhelmingly inhabited by Humans, which was one the many factors why Humans were the most influential species in the galaxy. All local governments of the Eminent Eight were also democracies and, with the exception of Augstaka and Denon, members of the original 28 Core Founders.

The Eminent Eight's influence and wealth was often subject to criticism from other worlds because these eight planets were shameless about influencing other constituencies in the Galactic Senate by means of coercion or outright vote buying to support their views. It was considered very difficult to pass legislation in the Senate without the support or approval of these eight planets, as a result many planets accused the Eminent Eight of imposing an oligarchy over the rest of the galaxy.

The Eminent's Eight's and by extension the Core Worlds' dominance and control over the Galactic Republic was one of the main reasons of the secession of the Confederacy of Independent Systems. The Eminent Eight considered the secession of the CIS a trivial matter, caring little about far-away planets, and actually wanted to let the CIS peacefully secede from the Republic. The Eminent Eight opposed the Military Creation Act, not wanting to devote any spending or draft any of their population for war with the Confederacy. Chancellor Palpatine, knowing that the Eminent Eight would stonewall the Military Creation Act, took advantage of this to have the Senate approve the Grand Army of the Republic and declare war on the Confederacy. Despite the opposition of the Eminent Eight and many of the Core Worlds, Palpatine successfully had the Senate narrowly pass the Clone Army Creation Act, which adopted the Clone Troopers as the official military of the Republic, the Grand Army of the Republic.

The local governments of the Eminent Eight, with the exception of Coruscant, responded to this apparent snub by defying the government, refusing to pay any taxes and blocking the Republic from accessing any of their funds until peace with the Confederacy was established. Many other Core Worlds shared this view, and did the same. Due to this, the Republic was thrown in a financial crisis, which in turn led to much of the galaxy resenting the Eminent Eight and the Core Worlds. Due to the sudden lack of tax income, the Republic was forced to rely on loans from the InterGalactic Banking Clan and the Bank of Reallix. By the end of the Clone Wars, the Republic stood on the verge of bankruptcy due to high military spending and the defiance of the Core Worlds. When the Clone Wars came to an end, returning the galaxy to peace and stability, Palpatine was hailed by many as a hero.

Ironically, it was due to the actions of the Eminent Eight and the Core Worlds that Palpatine was able to garner enough popular support to declare the Galactic Empire. Despite the opposition of virtually all Core Worlds and the Eminent Eight, the Senate approved the chancellor motion's to reform the Republic into the Galactic Empire, with himself as Galactic Emperor. Most of the galaxy approved of the new empire which promised to bring security and stability, but many of the Core Worlds did not, instead being shocked that it was their actions allowed Palpatine to establish a dictatorship. On many Core Worlds, including the Eminent Eight, mass riots occurred, followed by demands of the immediate restoration of the Republic, or secession in case their ultimatum was refused. The Empire responded by blockading every world which had revolted, starving them into submission. After the emperor promised that the revolting planets that they would keep their autonomy and local governments, the rebelling worlds submitted. The only exception was Ascendiai, which did not rely on food imports due its many vertical farms. The Ascendiai Ascendancy remained an independent state surrounded by the Empire for several years, until they too had to accept surrender due to a shortage of essential goods.

Palpatine kept his promise, and the empire allowed the Core Worlds, especially the Eminent Eight, to keep their local autonomy and governments, as long as they accepted the supremacy of the empire. Over time, ironically, most of the Eminent Eight became loyal supporters of the Empire, as they, and to a lesser extent the Core Worlds, were given privileges and preferential treatment not accorded to other planets. It was not until the Dissolution of the Imperial Senate that the Eminent Eight began to reconsider their support for the Empire.

Members[]

These were the undisputed members of the Eminent Eight.

Planet	Population	Notes
Alsakan	100 trillion	Considered to be the second most influential world in the galaxy after CoruscantAugstaka.png
Ascendiai	100 trillion	Considered to be the third or fourth most influential world in the galaxy, produced and exported advanced technology
Augstaka	100 trillion	Ecumenopolis almost solely populated by humans, center of Human High Culture
Coruscant	200 trillion	Considered to be the galactic capital and most influential world in the galaxy
Denon	90 trillion	Most populous world in the Inner Rim, homeworld of humanity
Erigorm	80 trillion	Heavily populated ecumenopolis that recorded and administered the Republic's finances
Halcyon	100 trillion	Considered to be the third or fourth most influential world in the galaxy, heavily populated ecumenopolis in the Core Worlds, capital world of the heavily populated Aquilai system
Metellos	80 trillion	Heavily populated ecumenopolis in the Core Worlds, replaced Zarashtra as a member in 3610 BBY
Zarashtra	40 trillion	Picturesque ecumenopolis, sole known place in the galaxy to export anakhrite, lost its position in 3610 BBY to Metellos after the invention of replicative technologies which could produce artificial anakhrite

Eminent Eleven and Eminent Eighteen claimants[]

These were planets that claimed to be members of the expanded group of the Eminent Eleven or Eminent Eighteen. Several of those also attempted to usurp the position of one of the members of the Eminent Eight

Planet	Population	Notes
Brentaal IV	60 trillion	Economic powerhouse and ecumenopolis situated on the confluence of the Hydian Way and the Perlemian Traderoute, attempted to usurp Ascendiai's position in the Eminent Eight several times.
Corellia	1 trillion	Important producer of high-quality starships, attempted to usurp Zarashtra's position in the Eminent Eight several times.
Empress Teta (Koros Major)	30 trillion	Ecumenopolis in the Deep Core, important exporter of carbonite
Hosnian	80 trillion	Heavily populated ecumenopolis in the Core Worlds
Kharzem	80 trillion	Ecumenopolis in the Outer Rim, former financial capital of the Sith Empire
Kuat	1 trillion	Vital producer of starships; home to Kuat Drive Yards, which was the most important producer of starships in the galaxy
Shawken	70 trillion	Ecumenopolis in the Core Worlds, important producer of hypermatter
Skako	40 trillion	Capital of the Techno Union, important producer and exporter of technology
Taris	60 trillion (before Devastation)	Ecumenopolis in the Outer Rim, removed from the list of contenders after the Devastation of Taris
Trantor	80 trillion	Ecumenopolis in the Core Worlds