During much of the Old Republic, there was considerable debate on the classification of Sakiyans as near-human or alien. Imperial scientists firmly established them as alien, but could only cite the differences in the brain structure of the Sakiyans as the basis for their decision. Over the millennia of their civlization, the Sakiyans have resisted or survived invasions, from the ancient Sith to the Drackmarians. This made them wary and suspicious of the galactic community. The musculature and ligament-attachment angles of the Sakiyan body gave them incredible strength and agility, making a Sakiyan about half again as strong as a comparable human.