Changes: Klingon Empire

Revision as of 18:15, 4 November 2019

"I will fight any battle, anywhere… for the Empire!"

– Martok, 2375 ("Tacking Into the Wind")

The Klingon Empire was the official state of the Klingon people. It was founded in the 9th century 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. This made the Empire a major power in its region of the galaxy, as of the 22nd, 23rd, and 24th centuries.

Though exclusively called "the Klingon Empire" or internally "the Empire", one exception was a reference to the "Klingon Imperial Empire" in "Sins of the Father".

History

Main article: Klingon history

Kahless painting — A painting of Kahless the Unforgettable as seen on Boreth in 2369

The mytho-historical origin of the Klingon Empire revolves around Kahless the Unforgettable, who emerged as a champion of the people in the 9th century AD and became the first Emperor. In the 14th century, the Empire faced one of its biggest threats when a race from the Gamma Quadrant the Klingons called Hur'q invaded Qo'noS. They looted many valuable cultural treasures, including the revered Sword of Kahless, but then left again. In the mid-21st century, the reign of the last Emperor ended and authority passed to the Chancellor of the Klingon High Council. (e.g., TNG: "Rightful Heir"; DS9: "Looking for par'Mach in All the Wrong Places", "The Sword of Kahless")

Because of a Human-caused medical crisis and later territorial conflicts, United Earth and subsequently the United Federation of Planets became the Empire's main adversary in the 22nd and 23rd centuries, during which cold as well as hot wars were fought. While the Empire was in disarray as of the first half of the 23rd century, the conflict with the Federation helped to unify the disparate Klingon Houses and stabilized the rule of the Chancellor. (e.g., ENT: "Affliction", "Divergence"; DIS: "Battle at the Binary Stars", "Point of Light"; TOS: "Errand of Mercy")

After the Praxis disaster of 2293, Chancellor Gorkon pursued peace with the Federation, resulting in the Khitomer Accords and ultimately paving the way for the Treaty of Alliance between both powers. Klingon-Federation cooperation persisted despite interference by the Romulan Star Empire and a Klingon Civil War from 2367 to 2368. (e.g., Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country; TNG: "Reunion", "Redemption", "Redemption II")

In the 2370s, the Dominion, a hegemonic empire from the Gamma Quadrant managed to sow discord among Alpha and Beta Quadrant powers, resulting in yet another brief Federation-Klingon war. Eventually, both powers joined forces and, after a costly war, together defeated the Dominion in 2375. (e.g., DS9: "Apocalypse Rising", "By Inferno's Light", "What You Leave Behind")

Territory

See also: Klingon planets, Federation-Klingon border, Klingon-Romulan border

Alpha Beta Quadrant Overview star chart — The frontline between the Klingon Empire and the Federation in 2256

Qo'noS and many other Klingon systems, including Ty'Gokor which was said to lie deep within Klingon territory, were located in the Beta Quadrant. (Star Trek Into Darkness, display graphic; DIS: "Context Is for Kings", display graphic; DS9: "Apocalypse Rising")

Klingons were a very territorial species, vigorously patrolling the borders of their Empire with severe consequences for any trespassers. The Klingon Empire shared borders with the Romulan Star Empire and the Federation, the latter of which was protected by a Neutral zone during the later 23rd century. (e.g., ENT: "Bounty"; Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan; TNG: "Aquiel").

The Empire contained Klingon colonies as well as annexed, previously inhabited worlds. (e.g., ENT: "Judgment"; TNG: "The Mind's Eye") The foundation of a Klingon colony could be preceded by bio-surveying potentially suitable planets. (DS9: "Dramatis Personae") For conquered inhabited worlds, the traditional Klingon practice called for the execution of all government officials, and the installation of an Imperial Overseer, e.g., a governor, to put down any further resistance. An alternative approach was the creation of a puppet regime under a native governor. (TOS: "Errand of Mercy", "A Private Little War"; DS9: "The Way of the Warrior")

Government

Great Hall, night — The Great Hall in the First City on Qo'noS, seat of the Klingon High Council

Officially, the Klingon Empire was a feudal monarchy, with power residing in the Emperor, who was traditionally a descendant of Kahless. However, de facto 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 de facto leader of the Empire, was head of the High Council, which consisted of twenty-four 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. The novel Serpents Among the Ruins establishes Azetbur's assassination by a Klingon named Ditagh, who hoped that after her death the more powerful General Kaarg would rise to power. Kaarg would indeed rise to power and it would be him that would forbid women ever on the High Council again.

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")

Agencies and institutions

Subject species

Arin'Sen
Kriosians
Tessic's species (uncertain)
Xarantine (uncertain)

Economy

The main currency unit of the Empire was the darsek. (TNG: "Firstborn"; ENT: "Bounty"; DIS: "Will You Take My Hand?")

The destruction of the Empire's key energy-production facility on the moon of Praxis was a catastrophic event from which recovery was impossible due to the strain of the Empire's enormous military budget on the resources of their economy. This event was critical in establishing peaceful overtures between the Empire and the Federation. (Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country)

Culture

See: Klingon

Appendices

Background information

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 on the Roman Empire), rather than the Klingon Empire described here, which as commonly regarded as a metaphor for the Soviet Union during the Cold War. See Kitumba.

Many of the notions ultimately ascribed to the Klingon Empire were originally devised by Ronald D. Moore. In a Klingon-defining memo he wrote to Michael Piller before beginning work on TNG: "Sins of the Father", Moore wrote, "Unlike the United Federation of Planets, the Klingon Empire is not an amalgam of several different star systems brought together by common purpose and values. The Klingon Empire sprang from a single, relatively poor planet in a modest star system. The worlds that now make up the Empire were either subjugated in a not-so-distant past or were annexed at the point of a sword. The Empire is efficiently managed and extremely well run. No star system has ever broken away from Klingon rule in over two centuries of steady conquest. This is not to say that the member worlds of the Klingon Empire are straining at the bit to break away from despotic rule. Quite the contrary, the member worlds of the Empire have learned the many advantages and benefits of their association with the Klingons and few would choose to leave, even if given the option." A breakdown of the Empire's political framework was also provided in the memo, explaining that a High Council had ultimate rule over all aspects of Klingon life but that the daily ruling of the planets in the empire was "left to local families and clans" as well as outlining the existence of an almost-completely ceremonial Emperor who had the option of reassuming power if he should decide to do so. ("Sins of the Father" audio commentary, TNG Season 3 Blu-ray)

In the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "Samaritan Snare", Wesley Crusher asked Captain Picard if an event happened "before the Klingons joined the Federation." This statement has never been explained in canon and later episodes clearly show a Klingon Empire that didn't join the Federation. However, it is possible he meant that the Klingons joined the Federation as allies. [Per the TNG "bible", the Empire joined the Federation, and in the Season One episode "Heart of Glory", the Federation crest was beside the Klingon Empire's behind the commander of the Klingon cruiser pursuing the three fugitives.]

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

@@ Line 25: / Line 25: @@
 :''Main article: [[Klingon history]]''
 [[File:Kahless painting.jpg|thumb|A painting of Kahless the Unforgettable as seen on [[Boreth]] in [[2369]]]]
-The mytho-historical origin of the Klingon Empire revolves around Kahless the Unforgettable, who emerged as a champion of the people in the 9th century AD and became the first Emperor. In the mid-21st century, the reign of the last Emperor ended and authority passed to the [[Chancellor of the Klingon High Council]]. (e.g., {{TNG|Rightful Heir}}; {{DS9|Looking for par'Mach in All the Wrong Places}})
+The mytho-historical origin of the Klingon Empire revolves around Kahless the Unforgettable, who emerged as a champion of the people in the 9th century AD and became the first Emperor. In the [[14th century]], the Empire faced one of its biggest threats when a race from the [[Gamma Quadrant]] the Klingons called ''[[Hur'q]]'' invaded Qo'noS. They looted many valuable cultural treasures, including the revered [[Sword of Kahless]], but then left again. In the mid-[[21st century]], the reign of the last Emperor ended and authority passed to the [[Chancellor of the Klingon High Council]]. (e.g., {{TNG|Rightful Heir}}; {{DS9|Looking for par'Mach in All the Wrong Places|The Sword of Kahless}})
-Because of a [[Human]]-caused [[Augment Crisis|medical crisis]] and later territorial conflicts, [[United Earth]] and subsequently the [[United Federation of Planets]] became the Empire's main adversary in the [[22nd century|22nd]] and [[23rd century|23rd centuries]], during which cold as well as hot wars were fought. After the [[Praxis]] disaster of [[2293]], Chancellor [[Gorkon]] pursued peace with the Federation, resulting in the [[Khitomer Accords]] and ultimately paving the way for the [[Treaty of Alliance]] between both powers. Klingon-Federation cooperation persisted despite interference by the [[Romulan Star Empire]] and a [[Klingon Civil War]] from [[2367]] to [[2368]]. (e.g., {{ENT|Affliction|Divergence}}; {{film|6}}; {{TNG|Reunion|Redemption|Redemption II}})
+Because of a [[Human]]-caused [[Augment Crisis|medical crisis]] and later territorial conflicts, [[United Earth]] and subsequently the [[United Federation of Planets]] became the Empire's main adversary in the [[22nd century|22nd]] and [[23rd century|23rd centuries]], during which cold as well as hot wars were fought. While the Empire was in disarray as of the first half of the 23rd century, the conflict with the Federation helped to unify the disparate [[Great House|Klingon Houses]] and stabilized the rule of the Chancellor.  (e.g., {{ENT|Affliction|Divergence}}; {{DIS|Battle at the Binary Stars|Point of Light}}; {{TOS|Errand of Mercy}})
+After the [[Praxis]] disaster of [[2293]], Chancellor [[Gorkon]] pursued peace with the Federation, resulting in the [[Khitomer Accords]] and ultimately paving the way for the [[Treaty of Alliance]] between both powers. Klingon-Federation cooperation persisted despite interference by the [[Romulan Star Empire]] and a [[Klingon Civil War]] from [[2367]] to [[2368]]. (e.g., {{film|6}}; {{TNG|Reunion|Redemption|Redemption II}})
-In the [[2370s]], the [[Dominion]], a hegemonic empire from the [[Gamma Quadrant]] managed to sow dissent among Alpha and Beta Quadrant powers, resulting in yet [[Federation-Klingon War (2372-73)|another brief Federation-Klingon war]]. Eventually, both powers joined forces and, after [[Dominion War|a costly war]], together defeated the Dominion in [[2375]]. (e.g., {{DS9|Apocalypse Rising|By Inferno's Light|What You Leave Behind}})
+In the [[2370s]], the [[Dominion]], a hegemonic empire from the [[Gamma Quadrant]] managed to sow discord among Alpha and Beta Quadrant powers, resulting in yet [[Federation-Klingon War (2372-73)|another brief Federation-Klingon war]]. Eventually, both powers joined forces and, after [[Dominion War|a costly war]], together defeated the Dominion in [[2375]]. (e.g., {{DS9|Apocalypse Rising|By Inferno's Light|What You Leave Behind}})
 == Territory ==
@@ Line 77: / Line 79: @@
 == Economy ==
-The main currency unit of the Empire was the ''[[darsek]]''. ({{TNG|Firstborn}}; {{ENT|Bounty}})
+The main currency unit of the Empire was the ''[[darsek]]''. ({{TNG|Firstborn}}; {{ENT|Bounty}}; {{DIS|Will You Take My Hand?}})
 The destruction of the Empire's key energy-production facility on the moon of [[Praxis]] was a catastrophic event from which recovery was impossible due to the strain of the Empire's enormous military budget on the resources of their economy. This event was critical in establishing peaceful overtures between the Empire and the [[United Federation of Planets|Federation]]. ({{film|6}})
@@ Line 90: / Line 92: @@
 Many of the notions ultimately ascribed to the Klingon Empire were originally devised by [[Ronald D. Moore]]. In a Klingon-defining memo he wrote to [[Michael Piller]] before beginning work on {{TNG|Sins of the Father}}, Moore wrote, "''Unlike the United Federation of Planets, the Klingon Empire is not an amalgam of several different star systems brought together by common purpose and values. The Klingon Empire sprang from a single, relatively poor planet in a modest star system. The worlds that now make up the Empire were either subjugated in a not-so-distant past or were annexed at the point of a sword. The Empire is efficiently managed and extremely well run. No star system has ever broken away from Klingon rule in over two centuries of steady conquest. This is not to say that the member worlds of the Klingon Empire are straining at the bit to break away from despotic rule. Quite the contrary, the member worlds of the Empire have learned the many advantages and benefits of their association with the Klingons and few would choose to leave, even if given the option.''" A breakdown of the Empire's political framework was also provided in the memo, explaining that a High Council had ultimate rule over all aspects of Klingon life but that the daily ruling of the planets in the empire was "left to local families and clans" as well as outlining the existence of an almost-completely ceremonial Emperor who had the option of reassuming power if he should decide to do so. ("Sins of the Father" [[audio commentary]], [[TNG Season 3 Blu-ray]])
-In the {{s|3}} episode {{e|Samaritan Snare}}, [[Wesley Crusher]] asked {{dis|Captain|rank}} [[Jean-Luc Picard|Picard]] if an event happened "before the Klingons joined the Federation." This statement has never been explained in canon and later episodes clearly show a Klingon Empire that didn't join the Federation. However, it is possible he meant that the Klingons joined the Federation as allies. [Per the ''TNG ''"bible", the Empire joined the Federation, and in the Season One episode "Heart of Glory", the Federation crest was beside the Klingon Empire's behind the commander of the Klingon cruiser pursuing the three fugitives.]
+In the {{s|TNG}} episode {{e|Samaritan Snare}}, [[Wesley Crusher]] asked {{dis|Captain|rank}} [[Jean-Luc Picard|Picard]] if an event happened "before the Klingons joined the Federation." This statement has never been explained in canon and later episodes clearly show a Klingon Empire that didn't join the Federation. However, it is possible he meant that the Klingons joined the Federation as allies. [Per the ''TNG ''"bible", the Empire joined the Federation, and in the Season One episode "Heart of Glory", the Federation crest was beside the Klingon Empire's behind the commander of the Klingon cruiser pursuing the three fugitives.]
 === External links ===