Thespis

**Thespis** is a planet within the Periphery of the Outer Reach.

## General Information

The planet Thespis was located within the Periphery of the Outer Reach, and the world had an icy, tundra-like climate. The Anthor Belt asteroids are central to the religion of the Thespins, and they have a enmity towards their neighboring planet, Anacreon. The Thespins are a reserved people, and typically wore grey robes. Thespins had intricate and beautiful hand tattoos, and typically sported lavender irises.

## History

At some point in the planet's history, the Dust Wars ravaged Thespis. The Book of Ablution survived the destruction. In 9,067 Era Imperial, Thespis became part of the Galactic Empire, falling under Imperial rule.

Sometime around 11,700 Era Imperial, Cleon II secretly sabotaged the wedding of the Anacreon Grand Huntress with the Thespin king Throy un Thark, resulting in her death. This lead to an an open conflict between Anacreon and Thespis. In 11,167 Era Imperial, the Anthor Belt Agreement was signed, establishing peace between the two worlds, though a great deal of animosity remained and shaped all relations between them since.

In 12,066 Era Imperial, a rogue asteroid from the Anthor Belt was discovered by the Thespins and mined for palladium, leading the Anacreons to believe that Thespis acted in bad faith and broke the Anthor Belt Agreement. The Galactic Empire took no official position on the matter but did take ten percent of the palladium mined as a tithe. By 12,067 Era Imperial the dispute turned into bloodshed when Imperial appraisers were killed in a crossfire between the two worlds. A delegation was sent, led by Ambassador Shae Un Shae, to Trantor in an effort to maintain the peace. As a gift, the Thespins presented a Book of Ablution to Cleon XII, filigreed in palladium as a subtle sign that they were willing to increase their tithe to the Empire if their claim was supported.

In 12,067 Era Imperial, following the involvement of a Thespin Bomber in the destruction of the Star Bridge on Trantor, Emperor Cleon XII ordered Imperial forces to bombard Thespis in retaliation. At some point after the bombardment Thespis switched from monarchy to democracy and the Thespin Republic was formed.[*Source?*]

In 12,102 Era Imperial, after the Vault on Terminus opened and Hari Seldon exposed Cleon II's involvement in the murder of the Anacreon Great Huntress, Thespis abandoned its conflict with Anacreon and united with the Foundation. As of 12,240 Era Imperial, Thespis is an integral part of Foundation.

## Military

Like Anacreon, the Thespin Republic has a sizeable military force of ground troops and fleets of armed Thespian Lancers, enough to wage war with Anacreon but useless against the Empire and their vast armada of armed jumpships.

## Appearances

* Season One
	+ "The Emperor's Peace" (First mentioned)
	+ "Preparing to Live" (First appearance)
	+ "Barbarians at the Gate" (Mentioned only)
* Season Two
	+ "In Seldon's Shadow" (Mentioned only)

## Sources

* "Foundation: The Art and Making of Seasons 1 & 2"

## Notes and references

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 "The Emperor's Peace"
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Foundation: The Art and Making of Seasons 1 & 2"
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Preparing to Live"
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "The Leap"
5. ↑ "Creation Myths"