System Lord

A hierarchy of the galaxy's most powerful Goa'uld, each controlling and operating from their own region of space. As the Goa'uld have a feudal society, these areas are constantly in dispute. Various System Lords are almost constantly in conflict with one another; if one Goa'uld is forced to abandon a planet, another will often take his or her place. The System Lords form the highest level of authority within Goa'uld society, with lesser Goa'uld, Jaffa, and human slaves in their service. They meet together on rare occasions to discuss their mutual interests and enemies.

Currently active System Lords include (but are not necessarily limited to) Anubis, Baal, Bastet, Kali, Morrigan, Olokun, Svarog, and Yu. Yu has been a member of the elite group the longest, for more than 1,000 years. Deceased Goa'uld who were once at the level of System Lord include Ra, Nirrti, Cronus, Apophis, and possibly Heru-ur.

From time to time, there has been a single System Lord who dominates the others. Ra was called the "Supreme System Lord" before his death.