Editing Star Wars sources and analogues (section)

===Ancient and medieval history===
{{prose|section|date=March 2025}}
[[File:Illustration of a futuristic aircraft on a landing pad by David Revoy.png|thumb|330px|A depiction of a science fictional civilization living a [[medieval]] Earth-like existence; a concept that ''Star Wars'' is a major example of.<ref name="Classen2011">{{cite book|author=Albrecht Classen|title=Handbook of Medieval Studies: Terms – Methods – Trends|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ez_edSWAQGAC&pg=PA862|date=1 January 2011|publisher=Walter de Gruyter|isbn=978-3-11-021558-8|page=862}}</ref>]]
* Ancient and medieval history play amongst the strongest and significant influences on ''Star Wars'' which reflects ancient Earth history in its settings, including [[Architecture of Star Wars|architectural]], social and hierarchical structures (i.e. the existence of monarchies and empires) as well as story lines which reflect ancient and medieval history. The transformation of the [[Old Republic (Star Wars)|Old Republic]] into the [[Galactic Empire (Star Wars)|Galactic Empire]] parallels that of the [[Roman Republic]] which transformed into the [[Roman Empire]] in the same manner of conspiracy and manipulation. Lucas was quoted as saying: "I love history, so while the psychological basis of ''Star Wars'' is mythological, the political and social bases are historical".<ref name="christopherklein"/>
* Author Nick Jamilla explains that unlike mainstream futuristic stories, with ''Star Wars'', George Lucas ties in science fiction with ancient history, comparing the Jedi to the [[Samurai]] and historical European swordsmanship. He also parallels the spiritual aspects of the Jedi to eastern [[monks]] and philosophy.<ref name="Jamilla2008">{{cite book|author=Nick Jamilla|title=Sord Fighting in the Star Wars Universe: Historical Origins, Style and Philosophy|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=g23D4YMmdb0C|date=25 June 2008|publisher=McFarland|isbn=978-0-7864-5179-1}}</ref><ref name="Jamilla2002">{{cite book|author=Nick Jamilla|title=Shimmering Sword: Samurai, Western, and Star Wars Sword Fighting|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qmNBAAAACAAJ|year=2002|publisher=NBK Pub.|isbn=978-0-9718796-0-7}}</ref>
* ''Star Wars'' reflects ancient history in its planetary settings. For example, the planet [[Coruscant]] imitates [[Ancient Rome]] as the capital of the Old Republic and later the Galactic Empire; whereas [[Tatooine]] (referring to [[Tataouine Governorate|Tataouine]] - a province south of Tunis in Tunisia, roughly where Lucas filmed for the planet) imitates the ancient [[Middle East]] (specifically the [[Arabian Peninsula]]) and [[North Africa]] in ancient times as being barren desert and sparsely populated (which it still is today to a certain degree).<ref>The Mythology of Star Wars (2000 documentary)</ref> Coruscant and [[Naboo]] are also two of many planets in the ''Star Wars'' galaxy which exhibit architecture inspired by those of [[ancient Greece]], Rome, and other ancient Mediterranean and southern/southeastern European societies.
* In his book ''The Medieval Hero on Screen: Representations from Beowulf to Buffy'', author Tom Henthorne argues that 1970s science fiction movies such as the ''Star Wars'' films and ''[[E.T.]]'' bring back neo-medieval themes at young boys with a masculine tone in his view. He argues the knighthood-type plots give a sense of encouragement to young boys and give girls the image of being their prizes or captives waiting to be rescued.<ref>Henthorne, Tom. ''Boys to Men: Medievalism and Masculinity in Star Wars and ET: The Extra-Terrestrial''. The Medieval Hero on Screen: Representations from Beowulf to Buffy (2004): 73-90.</ref>
* The [[Samurai]] warriors of [[Japan]] are somewhat parallel to the concept of the Jedi as an elite warrior class specialized in combat and swordsmanship techniques charged with protecting their respective societies.<ref>[[Star Wars: Evolution of the Lightsaber Duel]] (2015 documentary)</ref>
* The aesthetic of [[Jedi]] uniforms is borrowed from the styles of clothing worn by [[North Africa|North African]] Tribesmen and various [[Sufi brotherhood|Sufi brotherhoods]]. It has been argued by some that the name "Jedi" itself actually comes from the [[Arabic]] "Al-Jeddi'" which means "master of the mystic-warrior way."<ref>{{Cite web |title='Star Wars' has borrowed from Arab culture for years - when will it give back? |date=August 30, 2018 |url=https://uk.movies.yahoo.com/star-wars-borrowed-arab-culture-years-will-give-back-064204271.html}}</ref> 
* In an interview with 'The Muslim Magazine,' Dhul-Nun Owen spoke about [[George Lucas]] contacting members of the [[Habibiyyah Sufi Order]] in Berkeley, CA in order to do research for 'Star Wars.' However, there isn't a record of Lucas confirming this himself.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Inspiration: Star Wars: An Islamic perspective |date=June 17, 2005 |url=https://www.patheos.com/blogs/altmuslim/2005/06/star_wars_an_islamic_perspective/}}</ref> 
* Mahmoud Shelton of [[Stanford University]] wrote an article titled "Star Wars: A Tale of Spiritual Chivalry” wherein he explores the connection between the Order of the Jedi and the Orders of [[Futuwwa]] (Mediaeval Sufi Chivalry).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ustadh Mahmoud Shelton |url=https://eshaykh.com/ustadh-mahmoud-shelton/}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> Shelton maintains that the Skywalker story may be specifically compared to the Ancient Egyptian myth of Osiris and his son Horus, and that the word "Jedi" is related to the [[Djed]] through the imagery of the prequels.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Balance of George Lucas' Star Wars |url=https://www.academia.edu/19611242 |last1=Shelton |first1=Mahmoud }}</ref>