Eunuch
A eunuch is a castrated man who historically served in roles within royal courts across the Middle East and Asia. The practice dates back to at least 2000 BCE and involved the removal of male reproductive organs, typically before puberty, often against the individual's will. The term "eunuch" derives from the Greek word combining elements meaning "keeper of the bed," reflecting their roles in overseeing royal harems and families. Eunuchs were valued for their inability to procreate, which helped ensure the legitimacy of royal heirs and allowed them to rise to powerful positions in various empires, including in India and the Ottoman Empire.
While some became eunuchs for reasons of service, punishment, or religious dedication, they often displayed gender ambiguity due to their physical characteristics. Despite facing societal stigma, many eunuchs gained respect and wielded influence, accessing confidential information within aristocratic circles. In the 18th century, a unique form of eunuch, known as the castrato, emerged in Europe, where young boys were castrated to preserve their high singing voices for opera. The practice significantly declined by the early 20th century, but the concept of eunuchs has evolved, with contemporary interpretations allowing individuals to identify as eunuchs regardless of surgical alteration, reflecting broader discussions around gender identity today.
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Eunuch
In history, a eunuch is a castrated man who traditionally served in royal courts in the Middle East and Asia. Eunuchs were individuals whose reproductive organs—usually their testes, but sometimes also their penis—had been removed. The painful procedure was usually involuntary and was sometimes done to ready a man for a life of service or as a punishment.
Eunuchs have been documented since ancient times in Persia, Egypt, Greece, Rome, and China. For hundreds of years, they occupied key military and administrative roles in India and the Ottoman and Byzantine Empires.
Overview
The use of eunuchs stretches back to 2000 Before the Common Era (BCE). Eunuchs were created for several purposes, and most were castrated before puberty. The term originates from the Greek word eunoukhos, which combines eunē, "bed," and ekhein, "to hold" or "to keep." Therefore, eunuch means "keeper of the bed." As their name suggests, eunuchs were often used to watch over the royal bedchamber or harem, which included the king's wives, mistresses, and female relatives. Because eunuchs did not have genitals, they were sexually limited and could not procreate, which prevented the parentage of the king's children from being called into question. Families turned their sons into eunuchs to ready them for a life of service in the courts or military. Some eunuchs were adult men who had their sex organs removed as punishment for criminal behavior. In China, the practice replaced the death penalty.
Some adults willingly became eunuchs for religious reasons, such as to join priestly cults. In India, a group of castrated entertainers called hijras, who worship the goddess Kali, has existed since the second century BCE.
Eunuchs displayed certain physical characteristics that highlighted their gender ambiguity. Those who were castrated before the onset of puberty lacked beards, body hair, and deep voices, which are masculine traits. Therefore, eunuchs looked and sounded like women. Their inability to fit in as men or women subjected them to public scorn.
However, eunuchs could ascend to powerful positions within their societies. They often had access to the secrets of aristocratic families. Because they were unable to have families of their own, they could be trusted with critical information. As a result, some eunuchs gained respect, wielded significant influence, and accumulated personal fortunes.
During the eighteenth century, a different kind of eunuch emerged in Europe. As the opera grew wildly popular, many families castrated young boys to prevent their high singing voices from changing. These castrated opera singers were called the castrati. During the craze, about 4,000 boys were castrated each year in Italy.
The practice of eunuchs had dwindled by the early twentieth century, when China's last emperor, Pu Yi, abdicated. The country's last eunuch, Sun Yaoting, died in 1996.
Eunuchs live on in popular culture. In the acclaimed television series Game of Thrones, based on George R. R. Martin's series of fantasy novels, the eunuch Varys is often at the center of the realm's intrigue. The story features another eunuch, the Unsullied warrior Grey Worm, who has devoted his life to the military.
In the twenty-first century, the definition of a eunuch has expanded to include anyone who identifies as a “eunuch,” even if they have not undergone physical castration. Some view identifying as a eunuch as a distinct gender identity. Individuals may also choose to undergo orchiectomies, or removal of the testicles, as a means to eliminate masculine qualities or genital function. Individuals may undergo orchiectomies for various reasons, including gender dysphoria, body integrity dysphoria, religious or spiritual reasons, and due to medical conditions.
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