Editing Xena: Warrior Princess (section)

===Series format===
[[File:Lucy Lawless by Gage Skidmore.jpg|thumb|right|180px|[[Lucy Lawless]] at the July 2010 [[San Diego Comic-Con]]]]
''Xena'' is a [[historical fantasy]] set primarily in [[ancient Greece]], although the setting is flexible in both time and location and occasionally features [[Ancient Egypt|Egyptian]],<ref name="Antony&Cleopatra">{{cite episode |title=Antony and Cleopatra |series=Xena: Warrior Princess |airdate=April 24, 2000}}</ref> [[India]]n, [[China|Chinese]], [[Central Asia]]n,<ref name="Purity">{{cite episode |title=Purity  |series=Xena: Warrior Princess |airdate=November 8, 1999}}</ref>  and [[Middle Ages|Medieval European]]<ref name="TheRheingold">{{cite episode |title=[[The Rheingold]]  |series=Xena: Warrior Princess |airdate=November 13, 2000}}</ref> elements. The flexible fantasy framework of the show accommodates a considerable range of theatrical styles, from high [[melodrama]] to [[slapstick]] comedy, from whimsical and musical<ref name="BitterSuite">{{cite episode |title=[[The Bitter Suite]]  |series=Xena: Warrior Princess |airdate=February 2, 1998}}</ref> to all-out [[Action television|action]] and [[Adventure film|adventure]]. While the show is typically set in ancient times, its themes are essentially modern and it investigates the ideas of taking responsibility for past misdeeds, the value of human life, personal liberty and sacrifice, and friendship. The show often addresses ethical dilemmas, such as the morality of [[pacifism]]; however, the storylines rarely seek to provide unequivocal solutions.{{fact|date=May 2025}}

''Xena'' freely borrows names and themes from various [[mythology|mythologies]] around the world, primarily the [[Greek mythology|Greek]], [[Anachronism|anachronistically]] adapting them to suit the demands of the storyline. Historical figures and events from a number of different historical eras and myths make numerous appearances, and the main characters are often credited with resolving important historical situations. These include an encounter with [[Homer]] before he was famous, in which Gabrielle encourages his storytelling aspirations;<ref name="AthensCityAcademyPerformingBards">{{cite episode |title=Athens City Academy of the Performing Bards  |series=Xena: Warrior Princess |airdate=January 2, 1996}}</ref> [[Trojan War|the fall of Troy]];<ref name="BewareGreeksBearingGifts">{{cite episode |title=Beware Greeks Bearing Gifts  |series=Xena: Warrior Princess |airdate=January 15, 1996}}</ref> and the capture of [[Caesar (Xena)|Caesar]] by pirates, with Xena cast as the pirate leader.

Competing religions are treated as compatible and co-existent in a [[Henotheism|henotheistic]] world, allowing the [[Religion in ancient Greece|Greek Pantheon]] to live side by side with the [[Norse paganism|Norse Gods]], [[Religion in India|Indian Deities]], the "God of Love" and others. Each god, or set of gods, controls a different part of the world, and (in the show) survives only while people believe in it. In seasons four and five, the Greek people gradually transfer their faith from the Greek Gods to the "God of Love" over an approximate 25-year period, and as their power fades, the Greek Gods are almost all killed off in a climactic battle.

This quirky mix of timelines and the amalgamation of historical and mythological elements fueled the rise of the show to cult status during the 1990s and early 2000s. It was one of the first shows to tap into its [[Internet]] following, allowing fans from all over the world to discuss and suggest things related to the show. The ''Xena'' fandom is still an active community today.