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{{Government
|name        = Klingon Empire
|image       = [[Image:KlingonEmpire.png|175px]]
|imagecap    = The crest of the Klingon Empire
|location    = [[Beta Quadrant]]
|capital     = First City, [[Qo'nos]]
|founded     = 854 AD
|warp        = 922 AD
|species     = [[Klingon]]
|language    = ''TlhIngan Hol''
|currency    = Darsek
|type        = Feudal Lordship
|headstate   = Emperor of the Klingon Empire
|headgov     = Chancellor of the High Council
|legislature = High Council of the Klingon Empire
|judiciary   = 
|military    = Klingon Defence Force
|intel       = Klingon Imperial Intelligence
|flag        = 
|flagcap     = 
}}
The '''Klingon Empire''' (also referred to as the '''Imperial Klingon Empire''' or '''Klingon Imperial Empire''') is the official state of the [[Klingon]] people, founded in the [[memoryalpha:9th century|9th century]] by [[memoryalpha:Kahless the Unforgettable|Kahless the Unforgettable]], who first united the Klingon homeworld of [[Qo'noS]]. Since then the Klingon Empire has expanded its sphere of influence by conquering numerous systems and incorporating them into the Empire. 

Non-Klingon subjects of the Klingon Empire are called "''jeghpu'wI'''", a status greater than slave, but less than citizen.

== Government & Politics ==
: '''For more, see''': [[memoryalpha:Klingon history|Klingon history]]

The Klingon Empire was first formed around the end of the first millennium, though this Empire fell to the [[memoryalpha:Hur'q|Hur'q]]. As well as the ancient Karsid Empire. The Klingons soon recovered and began to rebuild their Empire. By the 22nd century the Klingons had become a major power in the [[Beta Quadrant]].

Officially, the Klingon Empire is a feudal monarchy, with power residing in the [[memoryalpha:Klingon emperor|Emperor]], who is traditionally a descendant of Kahless.  In reality, however, power lies with the [[Klingon High Council]]. The position of emperor was abandoned (but not officially abolished) in the mid-[[memoryalpha:21st century|21st century]], but was revived in [[memoryalpha:2369|2369]] when a group of clerics created a [[memoryalpha:Kahless (clone)|clone of Kahless]], who was accepted as the new Emperor, albeit only as a religious figurehead.

The [[Klingon Chancellor|Chancellor]], the true leader of the Empire, is head of the High Council, which consists of twenty-four members representing various [[Klingon Great House|Great House]]s (tuqmey, essentially, the nobility). The Chancellor is protected at all times by the ''[[Yan-Isleth]]'' (Brotherhood of the Sword).

Women are not normally permitted to hold seats on the High Council. Despite that, [[memoryalpha:Azetbur|Azetbur]], the daughter of Chancellor [[memoryalpha:Gorkon|Gorkon]], was permitted to succeed him as Chancellor in [[memoryalpha:2293|2293]]. Chancellor Azetbur was later assassinated by a Klingon named Ditagh, who hoped that after her death the more powerful General Kaarg would rise to power.  Kaarg did indeed rise to power and it was he who would forbid women ever on the High Council again.

Various factions almost constantly challenge the leadership of the Empire, and so over time the Klingons have developed a strict and rigorous [[memoryalpha:Rite of Succession|Rite of Succession]] to determine their leader.  According to tradition, one was permitted to challenge the leader on the grounds of cowardice or dishonourable conduct and fight in single combat.  Should the challenger slay the incumbent, he assumed the role of the new leader.

Because of the Klingon propensity for violence, shrewd Klingon chancellors have always redirected hostilities outward, where they would otherwise cause a civil war.  In the [[memoryalpha:2150s|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. Likewise, Gowron focused his soldiers' energies on invading first the [[Cardassian Union]] and later the [[Federation]] in order to avoid internal conflicts at home.

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 "dishonourable" House leaders choose to make more insidious attacks by undermining the standing of their enemies.

== Military ==
'''For more, see:''' [[Klingon Defence Force]]

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 Defence Force]]. While the agency controls the starships that bring new worlds into the empire, it is the [[Klingon Planetary Regiments|Planetary Regiments]] that conquer the world itself and secure it in the name of the Empire. The upper levels of the Defense Force consist of the [[Klingon High Command]].

Much of the Klingon Empire's scientific breakthroughs have been made by the subjugation of advanced technological societies.

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

== Culture ==
'''For more, see:''' [[Klingon]]

Klingon law is quite brutal towards offenders, with criminal 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.

Klingon colonies tend to be equipped with special structures that appeal to the Klingon race such as the Hunting Grounds and Hall of Learning.

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.

== Klingon space ==
* '''For more, see''': [[Klingon planets]], [[Federation-Klingon border]]

The Klingon Empire borders several states: the [[United Federation of Planets]], the [[Romulan Star Empire]], and the [[Gorn Hegemony]]. They are also situated relatively close to the [[Tholian Assembly]].

The immediate neighbour of the Empire is the region of space where the members of the United Federation of Planets are located. The Klingon Neutral Zone was originally formed as a result of the Organian Peace Treaty, which defined a border between the two powers, but was abolished with the signing of the [[Khitomer Accords]]. The Alshanai Rift is one region of space that borders the two states.

The Romulan Star Empire is also an immediate neighbour of the Empire.

== Groups ==
*[[memoryalpha:Order of the Bat'leth|Order of the Bat'leth]]
*[[memoryalpha:Order of Kahless|Order of Kahless]]
'''See also:''' [[Klingon Great House|Great House]]s
<nowiki>[[Category:Governments]]</nowiki>