Petranaki Arena

Content approaching.Catalyst: A Rogue One Novel,Darth Vader Annual 2,Rise of the Separatists,Star Wars Bestiary, Vol. 1: Creatures of the Galaxy–class. Parts of this article are no longer up to date. Please update the article to include missing information, and remove this template when finished.

Petranaki Arena

ThePetranaki Arena,^[1] also known as theArena of Justice^[3] and commonly referred to as theGeonosis execution arena, was a large structure on theplanetGeonosis. It was used forPetranaki gladiatorial battles between creatures andsentient beings. Tenyears after theInvasion of Naboo by theTrade Federation, the arena was the site of the attempted execution ofJediObi-Wan Kenobi andAnakin Skywalker andsenatorPadmé Amidala. Ateam of 212 Jedi led byJedi MasterMace Windu was sent to the arena to rescue the trio, but were attacked bybattle droids belonging to theConfederacy of Independent Systems. Most of the Jedi werekilled before being rescued by the newly formedGrand Army of the Republic, marking thebeginning of theClone Wars.

Description[]

Located on theplanetGeonosis in the desert plains near thebattle droid foundries andArchdukePoggle the Lesser's seat of power, the Petranaki arena^[5] was a circular structure comprised of large spires built out of a natural rock hollow. The center of the arena was a flat, circular, sand floor with three columns near the edge. On the columns were chains used to keep prisoners in place during executions.^[2]

The arena contained seating for over 100,000 spectators while certain viewers were able to watch thegladiatorial duels from a balcony. The arena served as a form of execution for prisoners rather than maintaining costly detention centers, and also doubled as a distraction for the native Geonosians, who often had to pay a fortune to sit in the front while enjoying lightly grilledarch grubs as a snack food. Along the base of the inside of the structure were gates that would open to release vicious creatures which either fought other creatures such asreeks,nexus, oracklays in brutal sporting contests, or pitted beings against the fierce creatures. The arena also served as a means of displaying new military droids and weapons, and could be flooded for water battles. Visiting nobles from other hives and off world often brought fierce animals as gifts.^[6] Keeping order in the arena were thepicadors,orray-mounted Geonosians with stun poles who pulled carts of criminals into the arena, and re-established order when things got out of hand.^[1]

History[]

Ancient Geonosian times[]

The arena was a natural geological foundation that was adapted by the Geonosians with tunnels and towers. The first overlords of Geonosis were expected to prove their fitness by battling their rivals to the death.^[6]

Clone Wars[]

Tenyears after theInvasion of Naboo by theTrade Federation, Geonosis was the location of massive battle droid foundries operated by theGeonosians for use by theConfederacy of Independent Systems, a political alliance ofstar systems that had left theGalactic Republic. WhenJedi KnightObi-Wan Kenobi was taken prisoner after discovering the foundries and the status of formerJediCountDooku as the leader of the Separatist movement, JediAnakin Skywalker andsenatorPadmé Amidala arrived on Geonosis and attempted to rescue him. The two were captured and sentenced to be executed in the arena along with Kenobi. The Geonosians, under the leadership of Poggle the Lesser, deployed anacklay, areek, and anexu tokill the trio, but the three managed to escape their chains and last long enough for a team of 212 Jedi, led by MasterMace Windu, to come to their rescue. The Jedi were attacked by battle droids belonging to the Separatists, and the majority of them perished in the battle. However, just as Dooku was ordering thedroids to finish off the remaining survivors, the newly-formedGrand Army of the Republic rescued the Jedi. This began theFirst Battle of Geonosis, the first battle in theClone Wars.^[2]

After the Clone Wars returned to Geonosis with theSecond Battle of Geonosis, the Republic would again claim victory and begin asecond occupation of Geonosis,^[7] but theRepublic Military continued to face resistance from someGeonosian hives.^[8] At some point after the introduction ofphase II clone trooper armor, members of the212th Attack Battalion carried out an attack in the Petranaki Arena.^[9]

Legacy[]

In the years followingGalactic Empire's rise to power, the Empire would spin the tale of Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker and Senator Padmé Amidala's execution as being lawful and interrupted by Mace Windu and his "criminal gang," thus sparking the Clone Wars.^[11] TheTrandoshanCharr was aware of the Patranaki Arena but believed his presence within theGrand Arena ofVespaara made it better than Geonosis's own.^[10]

Behind the scenes[]

Obi-Wan Kenobi's fight with the acklay in the 2002 filmStar Wars: Episode IIAttack of the Clones was inspired by the 1961 movieMysterious Island, where a shipwrecked sailer battled a giant crab.^[1]

The Geonosis execution arena made an appearance in the2002 filmStar Wars: Episode IIAttack of the Clones.^[2] It was referred to as the "Petranaki arena" for the first time incanon viaUltimate Star Wars published in2015.^[5]

Appearances[]

Non-canon appearances[]

• LEGO Star Wars: Droid Tales — "Exit from Endor"(In flashback(s))
• LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga

Sources[]

Non-canon sources[]

• "The Bounty Hunters" Episode Guide | Star Wars: Visions Volume 3 onStarWars.com(backup link)(Picture only)

Notes and references[]