Today, the social institution of eunuchs is considered some kind of barbarism and savagery. However, at a certain stage in the development of the history of certain countries, this was part of the national culture. Today we will find out what a eunuch means and what functions he performed in the Sultan's harem.
A bit of history…
The social institution of eunuchs was formed in ancient times! They were Assyrians, Persians, Byzantines. It then became widespread in China. It was there that these people began to be treated not as "yard rats", but they were endowed with very powerful power. Since then, eunuchs have been hired by high-ranking nobles … Let's find out how this happened!
Guardians of the Chambers
As soon as such a social community as a harem arose, servants were immediately needed who could ensure a certain order in it. The term "eunuch" in Greek means "guardian of the bed", "guardianbed". It turns out that the eunuch is a "guard" of the private chambers of noble persons, belonging to the category of servants. What distinguishes these people from ordinary men? Why does modern society treat this category of employees with some doubtfulness?
The fact is that all eunuchs were subjected to mandatory castration! In other words, these people underwent surgery to remove the gonads. This happened in childhood - before the start of the main hormonal changes in the body. Why were they castrated? Everything is simple! In ancient times, people firmly believed that a eunuch in the Sultan's harem could provide better order only when he became a "genderless being" (losing his male characteristics), but at the same time continued to be in the guise of a man. These were the customs!
In addition, castration was a kind of guarantee of deliverance of the royal dynasties from the risk of having illegitimate children. Since a eunuch is usually a representative of the lower class, the sultans and kings were categorically against the birth of children from him!
How did they become?
There were two ways to become a eunuch: voluntarily or under duress. For example, many fathers of certain families who were in extreme poverty gave their sons to this, so to speak, service. At the same time, the fathers had only good feelings for their offspring.
Career
It is worth noting that the "eunuch" is a highly paid"Job". The person who took the first step towards this, immediately received a good reward. In the future, if he served in good faith, he reached very high positions, such as an official, military leader, financial adviser, tax inspector. After that, the sons were obliged to help their impoverished family.
A gross misconception about eunuchs
It is widely believed in society that a eunuch is a man who has lost his penis! Friends, this is far from true! They were all right with the genitourinary system: they had no problems with urination, they had a guaranteed erection, they could, like all normal people, have sex. Their only limitation is the inability to conceive a child.
