Finis Valorum

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Finis Valorum
Star Wars character
Finis Valorum, the last democratic leader of the galaxy before Palpatine
Position	Senator of Lytton Sector, Supreme Chancellor of the Galactic Republic
Homeworld	Coruscant
Species	Human
Gender	Male
Height	1.8 meters
Affiliation	Galactic Republic
Portrayed by	Terence Stamp

Finis Valorum (91–21 BBY) was a fictional character in the Star Wars universe, who first appeared in the film Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. Valorum was played by actor Terence Stamp who has stated that the character was inspired by then United States President Bill Clinton.^{[citation needed]} Stamp recalls that director George Lucas described Valorum as a good but beleaguered man.^{[citation needed]}

1 Biography
- 1.1 Death
- 1.2 Trivia
2 External links

[edit] Biography

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

He was the Chancellor of the Galactic Republic before Padmé Amidala introduced a successful motion of no confidence into the Galactic Senate. He was subsequently deposed and replaced by his colleague, Senator Palpatine of Naboo, who ends up being the last Chancellor of the Republic, and the first Emperor of the Galactic Empire. Finis Valorum had a deep respect for the Force.

According to material published as part of the Expanded Universe, Valorum comes from an ancient and distinguished family, and at least one of his ancestors had served as Chancellor in the past. This background, ironically, works against him, although he was a Senator of the Lytton Sector, many believed he had been elected solely because of his famous surname. Valorum's appropriate first name, Finis (which means "the end"), was first mentioned in Expanded Universe material. His full name in Latin translates to "the end of honour," as if presaging the imminent fall of the Republic; it finds an echo in Padmé's statement that "So this is how liberty dies... with thunderous applause."

[edit] Death

Valorum was killed shortly after the Battle of Geonosis, in a terrorist attack that was attributed to Separatists. However, Valorum had earlier been meeting with Senator Bail Organa of Alderaan, and had revealed that he was suspicious about Palpatine's political maneuverings. It is reasonable to conclude that the future Emperor had orchestrated Valorum's death. The Finis Valorum Memorial was constructed on Coruscant to honor the last person to serve as Chancellor before Palpatine's rise to power.

[edit] Trivia

The name 'Finis Valorum' suggests a translation as 'The End of Honour' in Latin, though this is a slightly liberal interpretation of his name. As the final Supreme Chancellor of the Old Republic before the dark days that lay ahead, this meaning would seem highly appropriate.