The Hutt Empire was an ancient empire in the galaxy ruled by the Hutt species from planet Varl and was a major galactic power before the advent of the Galactic Republic. Its influence was primarily economic and would enslave species they considered useful and exterminate or depopulate those they deemed undesirable. However the Hutt Empire would undertake military conquest when necessary. Such as case was during it greatest expression was against Xim empire, where it emerged more powerful from it. After the formation of the Galactic Republic, the Hutt Empire continued to exist alongside it and even allied with the Republic during the Tionese War against the Honorable Union of Desevro and Tion. After the devastating event known as the Hutt Cataclysms, the Hutt Empire collapsed, with their destruction of Varl, the Hutts moved to Nal Hutta, with the remnants of their empire becoming the Hutt Cartel.