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

[ccw71266.livejournal.com]

Not literature exactly, but the backstory in the Traveller RPG includes several empresses, one of which ended a century-long civil war.

[roseembolism.livejournal.com]

Oh, that reminded me- in the Traveller Rebellion era, there's Emperess Margaret, the most sane and reasonable choice for the contending emperors in the splintered Imperium.

This is something I'm kind of glad about, though we then have to address the whole concept of "Galactic Empires" in the first place.

[fintach.livejournal.com]

Speaking of RPGs, 5th Edition Champions included an Empress who conquered multiple dimensions.

Also, the Dr. Strange comic included a power struggle in the Dark Dimension in which Clea struggles with her mother, Umar the Unspeakable, for rule of the Dark Dimension. Strange provides some help, but it's clearly her show every step of the way.