Palpatine origins ... ?

Some trivia I stumbled across doing my bookworm thing ...

(Obviously, this will not be news to some, but for others it will, and that's who I post for ...)

Palatine Hill is (according to legend) the birthplace of Ancient Rome. It was where Romulus and Remus were found by the she-wolf that kept them alive, and where Romulus decided to build Rome.

The Roman emperors built their palaces on Palatine hill (which is were the word "palace" originates) - you can still see the ruins of the palaces of Augustus, Tiberius and Diocletianus.

"Palatine" is an adjective for anything palatial; also for a high officer of a palace - generally, anyone with royal privileges.

Later, "palatine" was the name given to soldiers who guarded the Emperor's palace. It was later used for all soldiers in the Roman army.

A "palatinate" is a territory ruled over by a "palatine count," who was originally a representative of the emperor but later became the hereditary ruler of the territory.


Given Lucas' love of history and wordplay, I'm guessing this would be the source for Palpatine's name: Palatine hill, birthplace of Ancient Rome, and home of Roman Emperors ...

 

I believe that if we were to ever learn of any of Palpatine's orgins, it would be in the EU. The movies will keep that a mystery and I kinda like that. I like knowning that Palpatine is mysterious.

 

I don't think even the EU will be able to exploit Palps past. If it is revealed, I rather it be in the movies or George talking about it himself.

 

After Episode III is finished, it could be possible that the EU will be able to write on Palpatine's past.