Klingons, a race of humanoids in the fictional Star Trek universe, were the main antagonists in Star Trek: The Original Series and later became the uneasy allies of the United Federation of Planets. They were introduced in the episode Errand of Mercy.
| Table of contents |
|
2 Klingon religion 3 History of the Klingon Empire 4 Klingon leadership 5 Klingon hand weapons 6 Extent of the Klingon Empire 7 Trivia 8 External Links |
Klingon biology
Roughly humanoid in appearance, Klingons typically sport long manes of luxuriant hair, and for males, mustaches, and beards. Perhaps their most prominent external feature is their ridged forehead. These intricate, bony patterns vary by family line and are an evolutionary remnant of their prehistoric forms, when Klingons had a more extensive exoskeleton and a decidedly crustacean appearance. For a period during the 2260s [during the original Star Trek], Klingons had external features resembling Humans and wore their hair in a more conservative fashion.
Most body functions incorporate multiple redundancies, such as redundant stomachs, lungs, and livers. This characteristic, known as "brak'lul," makes Klingons incredibly resilient. Other features of Klingon anatomy include a lack of tear ducts, and lavender/pink blood, based on the metal ion manganese according to some unofficial sources. The Klingon lifespan is at least 150 years. Interbreeding is possible with Humans (B'Elanna Torres) and Romulans (Ba'el).
According to legend, Kortar, the first Klingon, along with his mate, destroyed the gods who created them and turned the heavens into ashes. This event is recounted in marriage ceremonies.
Klingon values center around honor. Those who die honorably are said to join the spirit of Kahless in Sto-Vo-Kor. Dishonorable deaths hold the destiny of the underworld of Gre'thor, guarded by Fek'lhr. Gre'thor is reached by passage on the Barge of the Dead, eternally piloted by Kortar, over the River of Blood. The dead are not mourned, but celebrated, and the body is viewed as an empty shell to be disposed of.
The Klingon Empire was founded around 500 C.E on the Klingon homeworld of Qo'noS by Kahless the Unforgettable.
The Empire went through several dynasties of rulers, experiencing a period between the 2nd and 3rd known as the "Dark Time," a 10-year experiment in democracy.
Around the 14th century, Qo'noS was invaded by the Hur'q, who pillaged many treasures, including the sword of Kahless.
By 2069 a High Council was formed, eliminating the position of Emperor until 2369.
Around the early part of the 22nd Century, the warrior class begins exerting a greater influence throughout Klingon society, corrupting, notably, the justice system.
In 2151, a faction in the Temporal Cold War from the 28th Century attempted to alter the timeline by using the Suliban Cabal to incite unrest within the Klingon Empire. This resulted in the first contact between Klingons and Humans.
Around 2223, relations between the Empire and the Federation degenerated substantially, with intense hostility lasting until 2293.
In 2267 the Klingons and the Romulans forged a military alliance and the Klingons traded several D7 battlecruisers (Birds of Prey) in exchange for some cloaking devices.
In 2293 the atmosphere of Qo'noS was contaminated when Praxis, one of its moons, exploded. This event was a turning point in relations between the Klingons and the United Federation of Planets, as the
Klingon Empire couldn't afford to maintain their excessive military activities and deal with this new problem (parallels with the breakdown of the Cold War and the relationship between the United States and the cash-strapped former Soviet Union were obvious). Thus the two entered into an alliance which lasted about eighty years, ending in 2372 when the Klingons attacked the Cardassians.
In 2342 the Klingons and Romulans began a violent war after the Romulans attacked the Klingon outpost Narendra III.
In 2357, Worf, Son of Mogh (played by Michael Dorn) became the first Klingon to enter the Starfleet Academy and in 2364 he was assigned to the NCC-1701-D as relief conn and tactical officer. (Rank: Lieutenant j.g)
In 2367 the Klingon Civil War began after Chancellor K'mpec was murdered. Prior to his murder, K'mpec had named Captain Jean-Luc Picard his Arbiter of Succession. Gowron was selected, but the House of Duras opposed this decision and the war began. It was later revealed that the Romulans were backing Duras and Duras quickly lost all support, ending the war and leaving Gowron as undisputed leader of the empire.
Around 2374, the Klingons once again joined in an alliance with the Federation, against the Dominion.
Shortly before the end of the Dominion War, Worf killed Gowron for using bad tactics in the war simply to hurt General Martok's political position. Worf then granted the role of Chancellor to Martok rather than taking it himself.
In 2375 the Federation-Romulan-Klingon fleet defeated the Dominion with the assistance of the Cardassian fleet during a final assault on Cardassia Prime.
To all Klingons, battle is sacred, and treated with much ceremony. Therefore, many advances have been made by Klingons in the field of weaponry.
Planets and moons currently considered to be, or to have been, under Klingon jurisdiction include Elas, Khitomer, Morska, Narendra III, Neural, Nimbus III (jointly held with the Romulan empire and the Federation), Praxis, Qo'noS, Rura Penthe, and Troyius. Little is known about much of the Empire's holdings, but it is believed to extend almost as far as that of the Federation.
There is also a programming language based on Klingon called Var'aq.
Klingon and Klingonsmith are also last names. Usually seen in Utah.
See also:
Klingon religion
History of the Klingon Empire
Klingon leadership
Klingon hand weapons
[large image]Extent of the Klingon Empire
Trivia
Klingon (tlhIngan Hol) is also the language spoken by the Klingons, created by Marc Okrand. See Klingon language.External Links
