Klingon Empire
From Memory Alpha, the free Star Trek reference
| Klingon Empire | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Founded: | 1,500 years ago |
| Location: | Beta Quadrant |
| Capital: | First City, Qo'noS |
| Head of State: | Emperor of the Klingon Empire |
| Head of Government: | Chancellor of the High Council of the Klingon Empire |
| Legislature: | High Council of the Klingon Empire |
| Major Species: | Klingons |
| Military: | Klingon Defense Force |
| Intelligence Service: | Klingon Imperial Intelligence |
| Language: | Klingonese |
| Currency: | Klingon darsek |
- "may' vISuvqang HochDaqDaq, wo'vaD!"
- ("I will fight any battle, anywhere... for the Empire!")
- - Martok (DS9: "Tacking Into the Wind")
The Klingon Empire (also referred to as the Imperial Klingon Empire or Klingon Imperial Empire) was the official state of the Klingon people, founded approximately 1,500 years ago (1,000 years by the Klingon calendar) by Kahless the Unforgettable, who first united the Klingon homeworld of Qo'noS. Since then the Klingon Empire expanded its sphere of influence by conquering numerous systems and incorporating them in the Empire.
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[edit] Government
Officially, the Klingon Empire was a feudal monarchy, with power residing in the Emperor, who was traditionally a descendant of Kahless. In reality, however, power lay with the Klingon High Council. The position of emperor was abandoned (but not officially abolished) in the mid-21st century, but was revived in 2369 when a group of clerics created a clone of Kahless, who was accepted as the new Emperor, albeit only as a religious figurehead. (TNG: "Rightful Heir")
The Chancellor, the true leader of the Empire, was head of the High Council, which consisted of 24 members representing various Great Houses (tuqmey) (essentially, the nobility). The Chancellor was protected at all times by the Yan-Isleth (Brotherhood of the Sword). (DS9: "Apocalypse Rising")
Women were not normally permitted to hold seats on the High Council. Despite that, Gowron once offered Ambassador K'Ehleyr a seat on the Council in exchange for her support of his bid to be Chancellor. (TNG: "Redemption", "Reunion") Also, Azetbur, the daughter of Chancellor Gorkon, was permitted to succeed him as Chancellor in 2293. (Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country)
- It is possible that this was permitted because she was made the head of her house, due to the unusual circumstances of her father's death. The Star Trek VI novelization indicates that Gorkon suspected that something might happen to him on the voyage and had arranged with his allies on the High Council for them to back Azetbur as Chancellor if he were to be killed.
Various factions almost constantly challenged the leadership of the Empire, and so over time the Klingons developed a strict and rigorous Rite of Succession to determine their leader. According to tradition, one was permitted to challenge the leader on the grounds of cowardice or dishonorable conduct and fight in single combat. Should the challenger slay the incumbent, he assumed the role of the new leader. (DS9: "Tacking Into the Wind")
Because of the Klingon propensity for violence, shrewd Klingon chancellors redirected hostilities outward, where they would otherwise cause a civil war. In the 2150s, the Klingon chancellor instructed Duras to recapture Jonathan Archer after the latter escaped imprisonment on Rura Penthe. In this way, the chancellor focused the blame for certain internal problems on an external cause. (ENT: "The Expanse") Likewise, Gowron focused his soldiers' energies on invading first the Cardassian Union and later the Federation in order to avoid internal conflicts at home. (DS9: "The Way of the Warrior", "Apocalypse Rising")
Aside from challenges to the primary leadership of the Empire, there was also frequent feuding between the various Great Houses. Most often, the challenge was made on the floor of the High Council and resolved on the battlefield. However, on occasion, some "dishonorable" House leaders chose to make more insidious attacks by undermining the standing of their enemies. D'Ghor underhandedly attacked the House of Kozak in this way in the early 2370s. (DS9: "The House of Quark")
[edit] Economy
The main currency unit of the Empire was the darsek. (TNG: "Firstborn"; ENT: "Bounty")
[edit] Military
[edit] Culture
See: Klingon
[edit] Groups
[edit] History
- See: Klingon history
[edit] Klingon space
- See: Klingon planets
[edit] Subject species
[edit] Appendices
[edit] Background
The unrealized series Star Trek: Phase II would have established a Klingon Empire which would have been based more on Imperial Japan (much like the Romulans were based off of the Roman Empire), rather than the canon Klingon Empire described here. See Kitumba.
[edit] External links
- Klingon Empire at Memory Beta, the wiki for licensed Star Trek works
- Klingon Empire at Wikipedia
- Klingon Imperial Diplomatic Corps – an extensive site with detailed information about Klingon history and culture
- Imperial Klingon Academy – Klingon Academy 'ampaS tlhIngan - helping to promote Klingon education, culture and family lines
- [1] - Mostly information on Klingon fandom and costuming
