Kzinti Patriarch
Encyclopedia
From Larry Niven
's Known Space
series of science fiction books, the Kzinti Patriarch is the leader of the Kzin
race.
wrote a number of science fiction books set in a mythical universe called Known Space
. One of the alien races that inhabit this universe are the Kzinti, a larger-than-human feline-based biped with large membrane ears, a cylindrical torso without a spine, and large fangs and claws.
There are in fact two Patriarchs as the smaller, lost colony of Kzinti on the Ringworld
also has a Patriarch, in addition to the main Kzinti empire.
Larry Niven
Laurence van Cott Niven / ˈlæri ˈnɪvən/ is an American science fiction author. His best-known work is Ringworld , which received Hugo, Locus, Ditmar, and Nebula awards. His work is primarily hard science fiction, using big science concepts and theoretical physics...
's Known Space
Known Space
Known Space is the fictional setting of some dozen science fiction novels and several collections of short stories written by author Larry Niven. It has also in part been used as a shared universe in the Man-Kzin Wars spin-off anthologies sub-series....
series of science fiction books, the Kzinti Patriarch is the leader of the Kzin
Kzin
The Kzinti are a fictional, very warlike and bloodthirsty race of cat-like aliens in Larry Niven's Known Space series....
race.
Background
Larry NivenLarry Niven
Laurence van Cott Niven / ˈlæri ˈnɪvən/ is an American science fiction author. His best-known work is Ringworld , which received Hugo, Locus, Ditmar, and Nebula awards. His work is primarily hard science fiction, using big science concepts and theoretical physics...
wrote a number of science fiction books set in a mythical universe called Known Space
Known Space
Known Space is the fictional setting of some dozen science fiction novels and several collections of short stories written by author Larry Niven. It has also in part been used as a shared universe in the Man-Kzin Wars spin-off anthologies sub-series....
. One of the alien races that inhabit this universe are the Kzinti, a larger-than-human feline-based biped with large membrane ears, a cylindrical torso without a spine, and large fangs and claws.
The Patriarch
The Kzinti Patriarch is the leader of the Kzinti Empire. As with other facets of the Kzinti culture, natural selection is used to choose the Patriarch through combat. Throughout the range of the Known Space books, the patriarchy is held by the Riit family. The patriarch has a range of privileges including a protected hunting reserve and the authority to assign full names to Kzin who have brought glory or honour to the Kzinti empire.There are in fact two Patriarchs as the smaller, lost colony of Kzinti on the Ringworld
Ringworld
Ringworld is a Hugo, Nebula, and Locus award-winning 1970 science fiction novel by Larry Niven, set in his Known Space universe and considered a classic of science fiction literature. It is followed by three sequels, and preceded by four prequels, and ties into numerous other books set in Known Space...
also has a Patriarch, in addition to the main Kzinti empire.