And another SF thing: Galactic Empires and Gender

[roseembolism]

So, I've always been a bit bemused by the fascination that SF writers have with Galactic Empires. But just now, something new grabbed my attention. We all know that in history, there's been a number of empires -- some of the more famous and powerful ones in fact -- have been headed by women: Elizabeth, Victoria, Catherine the Great, and so on. But here's the question: in SF literature, story, can one name an interstellar empire run by an Empress?

(note: planetary empires, of the sort headed by the beautiful queen just waiting to be impressed by a strapping Earthman don't count)

Hmm...I honestly can't think of any. And what does this say about Science Fiction and gender?

edit: My beautiful wife did point out a female GE empress: the Ahb empire in the anime/novels Banner of the Stars.

Comments

[mindstalk.livejournal.com]

The Abh Emp -- oh.

The Raalgon Empress from Irresponsible Captain Tylor, though she does fall for Tylor, but then so does everyone.

The Mazone in Space Captain Pirate Harlock, perhaps. Though they're all female. And plants. But pretty humanoid.

I'm noticing trends of "not quite human" (GenEng humans, unexplained space elves, outright aliens), somewhat enemy-like, and "story is from Japan".

It's not an empire, but Nanoha's Time-Space Administration Bureau has a mix of male and female admirals.

Huh, there's no TV Tropes for Galactic Empire?

Western lit... uh, I haven't read much that has galactic empires. Bujold, Banks... no empresses I recall there, vs. a few emperors. Cherryh if you accept the Ariane Emories.

I give up.

[roseembolism.livejournal.com]

I'm actually kind of gratified that there's more empresses out there than I thought. Albeit most of them are Japanese- which probably has something to do with it (Watch me drift off into muttered musings about Japanese legends and history).

I'm absolutely amazed there isn't a TV trope for Galactic Empires. If I wasn't so down on TV Tropes, I'd do something about it.

[mindstalk.livejournal.com]

Weren't the Japanese reigning empresses pre-1000, practically legendary? Does stuff that far back have impact?

Though you do have the imperial line having legitimacy from the sun-goddess... still, there's a suspicious level of "OTHER people, if you can call them people, have empresses". Even if the Abh are sympathetic.