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

[deirdremoon.livejournal.com]

This. And the Queen is a political badass.

Also, I'd mention Dune, which has at least an Empress-heir-apparent in Irulan until she marries the Atreides, PLUS the Bene Gesserit are basically the power behind every throne everywhere. Kinda like a union of Grand Viziers.

[deirdremoon.livejournal.com]

OH! And Mindstalk reminded me... Nand'Dowager Ilisidi in the Cherryh Atevi series, who is basically the Queen Mother who is rumored to have killed her own son because he was unworthy of the throne.

Just sayin'.

[mindstalk.livejournal.com]

Though she's not a Galactic Empress, unless the later books have gotten really far-ranging.

[deirdremoon.livejournal.com]

No, you're right... only Empress of one world, even though it's basically two civilizations. That probably doesn't count for the original question.

[mindstalk.livejournal.com]

She's more like T'Pau, planetary governor of Vulcan. Planetary empress-like.

Better example might be Pyanfar Chanur, who stumbles from "space freighter trading captain" to something like an Augustan ruler of the oxygen-breathing part of Compact space. President of the hani amphictiony, mekt-hakkikt of the kif, Personage of Personages of the mahen (why?), maybe something of the sstsho I think. Oh, President of Compact Space according to Wikipedia -- really?

Of course, she's clearly alien. So's Ilisidi.