Wikia

For the novel series of this name, see Star Trek: Klingon Empire.

For the mirror universe counterpart, see Klingon Alliance.

"If a Klingon does not fight, he does not breathe! Make allies if you must but never leave the Empire without an enemy. Klingons are born to fight and conquer! A true leader will never forget this." - Narrator of Klingon Intro in Birth of the Federation.

The Klingon Empire (Klingonese: tlhIngan wo') is an interstellar political entity in the Beta Quadrant, headed by the Klingon Chancellor and High Council, based in the Great Hall in the First City on planet Qo'noS.

The empire was begun by Kahless the Unforgettable, who first united the Klingon people. Fifteen hundred years later, Kahless, son of Kahless, a clone of the original Kahless, was installed as Emperor of the Klingon Empire, the first in three centuries, though given no political power. (TNG episode: Rightful Heir)

Non-Klingon subjects of the Klingon Empire are called "jeghpu'wI'", a status greater than slave, but less than citizen. (TNG novel: Diplomatic Implausibility) (see: "Klinzhai; a "pseudo"-Klingon. Or the archaic term for Qo'noS; Kling.)

HistoryEdit

See main article: Klingon history.

The Klingon Empire was first formed around the end of the first millennium, this Empire fell to the Hur'q. As well as the ancient Karsid Empire. (TOS novel: Ishmael) The Klingons soon recovered and began to build their Empire. By the 22nd century the Klingons were a major power in the Beta Quadrant. (DS9 episode: The Sword of Kahless; ENT episode: Broken Bow)

Throughout much of the 23rd century the Klingons were engaged with hostilities with the United Federation of Planets which finally came to an end in 2293 with the signing of the Khitomer Accords. (TOS episode: Errand of Mercy; movie: The Undiscovered Country)

By the mid-24th century the Klingons and Federation were stanch allies and fought side by side, along with the Romulans, to defend the Alpha and Beta Quadrants from the Dominion in the Dominion War of the 2370s. (DS9 episodes: By Inferno's Light, What You Leave Behind, et al.)

PoliticsEdit

See also Federation Relations with the Klingon Empire.

Officially, the Klingon Empire is a feudal monarchy, with power residing in the Emperor, who is traditionally a descendant of Kahless. In reality, however, the power lies with the Klingon High Council, which is led by the Chancellor. 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 figurehead. (TNG episode: "Rightful Heir")

The true power of the Empire is held by the Chancellor and the High Council, which consists of 24 members representing various Great Houses (essentially, the nobility).

Women are not normally permitted to hold seats on the High Council. (TNG episode: "Redemption, Part I") However, Azetbur, the daughter of Chancellor Gorkon, was permitted to succeed him as Chancellor in 2293. (Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country)

It is believed this was permitted because she was made the head of her house, due the unusual circumstances of her father's death. Various factions almost constantly challenge the leadership of the Empire, and so over time the Klingons have developed a strict and rigorous Rite of Succession to determine their leader. According to tradition, one may challenge the leader on the grounds of cowardice or dishonorable conduct and fight in single combat. Should the challenger slay the incumbent, he assumes the role as the new leader. (DS9 episode: "Tacking Into the Wind")

Because of the Klingon propensity for violence, some shrewd Klingon chancellors have redirected hostilities outward, when 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 episode: "The Way of the Warrior", "Apocalypse Rising")

Aside from challenges to the primary leadership of the Empire, there is also frequent feuding between the various Great Houses. Most often, the challenge is made on the floor of the High Council and resolved on the battlefield. However, on occasion, some "dishonorable" House leaders have chosen 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 episode: "The House of Quark")

GroupsEdit

Foreign RelationsEdit

Part of the Empire's alliance with the Federation, under Article 749.3, there was to be a free exchange of any and all information pertaining to the rescue and safety of stranded refugees. (TNG novel: War Drums)

MilitaryEdit

The Klingon Empire is a warrior culture and embraces these attributes. The role of expansion and defense are both prided and conducted by the Klingon Defense Force. While the agency controls the starships that bring new worlds into the empire, it is the Planetary Regiments that conquer the world itself and secure it in the name of the Empire. The upper levels of the Defense Force consists of the Klingon High Command.

There appears to be an elite academy group consisting of young warriors known as the First Cadre which seems as the Empire's equivalent of Starfleets Omega Squad.

A prestigious award known as the Star of Kahless is awarded to those inducted into the Order of Kahless. (DS9: When It Rains...)

Being a warrior culture, the Klingons developed several combat tactics to use in battle one of which is the N'yengoran strategy which details ways of attacking fortified ground based enemy positions. (DS9 episode: Blood Oath) One such military tactic is the BIng maneuver. It was also known that much of the Klingon Empire's scientific breakthroughs were made by the subjugation of advanced technological societies. (TOS novel: Memory Prime)

The flagship of the Klingon Defense Force is the IKS Sword of Kahless.

Ranks & TitlesEdit

Starship classesEdit

see Klingon starship classes

CultureEdit

Klingon law is quite brutal towards offenders of the crime with sentences including imprisonment on the ice mines of Rura Penthe or even death. During the trial, the Judicial Charter of Koloth allows the Advocate to attack the charges made against them at any point during the tribunal. (ENT: Judgment).

Klingon colonies tend to be equipped with special structures that appeal to the Klingon race such as the Hunting Grounds and Hall of Learning. (TNG video game: Birth of the Federation)

Religion plays an important part in the Klingon Empire, and many are devout worshipers of Kahless, or the Kuvah'magh. Many Klingons also celebrate religious holidays, including the Day of Honor and the Kot'baval festival.

ArtifactsEdit

TerritoryEdit

The Klingon Empire borders several states: the United Federation of Planets, the Romulan Star Empire, the Imperial Romulan State, the Tholian Assembly, and the Gorn Hegemony.

The immediate neighbors of the Empire was the region of space where the members of the United Federation of Planets was located. The Klingon Neutral Zone would be formed as a result of the Organian Peace Treaty, which defined a border between the two powers. The Alshanai Rift was one region of space that bordered the two states.

The Romulan Star Empire would also be an immediate neighbor of the Empire.

The Klingon Empire also shared a border with the Orion Syndicate in the mid-22nd century, known as the Borderland. It was home to rogues of both powers and was noted as being unpredictable and dangerous.

Numerous other neighbors of the Empire included the Sha'Kurian Ducal Territories. The Tholian Assembly was another neighbor of the Empire with the Taurus Reach, known to the Klingons as the Gonmog Sector, in between them and the Federation.

PlanetsEdit

Star SystemsEdit

OtherEdit

ConflictsEdit

Battle of Tong Vey
Demon War
Battle of Klan sa'
Battle of Kolm-an
Tribble Extermination Campaign
Battle of D'drazal V
Wars of Internal Dissension
Four Years War
Battle of HarOs
Khitomer Massacre (2346)
Betreka Nebula Incident
Klingon Civil War (2367-2368)
- Battle of Mempa (2368)
Klingon-Cardassian War (2372-2373)
Second Federation-Klingon War (2372-2373)
- First Battle of Deep Space 9 (2372)
- Battle of Ajilon Prime (2373)
Dominion War (2373-2375)
Gul Kentar's Rebellion

AppendicesEdit

ConnectionsEdit

major states in the Alpha and Beta Quadrants
Khitomer Accords alliance	Cardassian Union • Ferengi Alliance • Klingon Empire • United Federation of Planets
Typhon Pact	Breen Confederacy • Gorn Hegemony • Holy Order of the Kinshaya • Romulan Star Empire • Tholian Assembly • Tzenkethi Coalition
non-aligned states	Andorian Empire • Daa'Vit Confederacy • Danteri Empire • First Federation • Gottar Hegemony • Grigari • Hydran Kingdom • Interstellar Concordium • Jibetian Confederacy • Lyran Star Empire • Metron Consortium • Orion Colonies • Patriarchy • Regnancy of the Carnelian Throne • Sheliak Corporate • Talarian Republic • Tezwa • Thallonian Protectorate • Ubarrak Primacy
defunct states	Thallonian Empire • Imperial Romulan State • Zalkat Union

Other referencesEdit

Last Unicorn RPG module: The Way of D'era: The Romulan Star Empire

External linkEdit

Klingon Empire article at Memory Alpha, the wiki for canon Star Trek.

INTERSTELLAR STATE
Klingon Empire tlhIngan wo'

Dominant species:	Klingon
Location:	Beta Quadrant
Sovereignty:	c. 9th century
Military:	Klingon Defense Force
Government
System of government:	Feudal Lordship
Legislature:	High Council
Seat of government:	Great Hall
Head of state:	Emperor (Kahless, 2379)
Head of government:	Chancellor (Martok, 2380)
People
Currency:	Klingon darsek Klingon talon (colonies)
Language:	Klingonese