roseembolism: (Getoutta)
roseembolism ([personal profile] roseembolism) wrote2009-12-15 08:43 pm

And another SF thing: Galactic Empires and Gender

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.

[identity profile] hyster1a.livejournal.com 2009-12-16 07:15 am (UTC)(link)
Servalan, Supreme Commander of the Terran Federation, bad girl that she is, even gets to win in the final season. Most of your garden variety rulers dont get that. And she dresses awesomely.

[identity profile] mindstalk.livejournal.com 2009-12-16 07:32 am (UTC)(link)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Servalan