Sangheili

The **Sangheili** (**Macto cognatus** in Latin taxonomy, meaning "I glorify my kin") are a saurian sapient species known for their warrior culture and combat skill. Named after their home planet, Sanghelios, they have historically been known to humans as **Elites** for their former role in the Covenant's military hierarchy. Originally one of the Covenant's two founding species, the Sangheili formed the hegemony's military backbone until just before the end of its existence. They had a very strong rivalry with the Jiralhanae, which finally led to genocidal violence during the Great Schism at the conclusion of the Human-Covenant War.

After the High Prophets Truth and Mercy ordered the genocide of the entire Sangheili race during the Great Schism, the species was forced into civil war against the Covenant proper. This was established after the assassination of the High Prophet of Regret at the hands of John-117. The two remaining Hierarchs held the Sangheili responsible for the Prophet of Regret's death, and the species was seen as "unfit" to continue to guard the Prophets. The Prophets sought to achieve this through the use of the other Covenant races, primarily the Jiralhanae. Consequently, the Sangheili led a rebellion against the Prophets. A significant number of Sangheili sided with the UNSC against the Prophet-led Covenant; this alliance continued to hold in the post-war era. The Great Schism formed the bedrock of the Covenant Empire's ultimate collapse and the end of the Human-Covenant War.

In the post-war years, the Swords of Sanghelios, led by Arbiter Thel 'Vadam and a grand council of kaidons, emerged as the effective Sangheili government. However, they were opposed by multiple Sangheili factions with differing ideals of how to build a future for their civilization, and the species remained embroiled in civil war for several years while continuing hostilities with Jiralhanae groups, in a two-front war.

## Military structure

A Sangheili can hold many different ranks, which are all identifiable by armor color and armor type.

### Covenant Empire

#### Minor

Minors is the lowest rank a Sangheili can hold. They have very little experience compared to their superiors. They are allowed to command lower-ranking members of other races. They are not allowed to use swords. They are identifiable by their blue combat harnesses.

#### Major

Majors have significantly more experience than Minors. They are usually seen commanding their own squads. They are identifiable by their red combat harnesses.

#### Ultra

They are identifiable by their white combat harnesses.

#### Ranger

They usually use jetpacks and can be identifiable by their specialized helmets.

#### Spec Ops

They are identifiable by their black or purple Assault harnesses.

#### Zealot

They are most commonly identifiable by their gold combat-harnesses.

### Storm Covenant

#### Ranger

They usually use jetpacks and can be identifiable by their specialized helmets.

#### Zealot

Zealots loyal to Jul 'Mdama wear a different style of armor that most Zealots. It is a maroon harness that comes from the Sangheili world of Hesduros

### Banished

#### Mercenary

Ever since the fall of the Covenant, as well as the collapse of its many splinter factions, many Sangheili have outright turned to mercenary work in order to gain both a living and a purpose

## Trivia

The dialogue spoken by the Sangheili of *Halo: Combat Evolved* was made by reversing and slowing sound clips of Sergeant Johnson. "Wort! Wort! Wort!" is the reversed phrase, "Go! Go! Go!". With the IWHBYD Skull turned on in *Halo 3*, they will occasionally say their trademark, "Wort! Wort! Wort!".