"Guardians of the Lodge": the eunuch is who?

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 these or other countries, this was part of the national culture. Today we will find out what the eunuch means, and what functions he performed in the harem of the sultan .

A bit of history ...

The social institution of eunuchs was formed in ancient times! They were Assyrians, Persians, Byzantines. Then it became widespread in China. It was there that these people were treated not as "yard rats", but gave them very powerful power. Since then, the eunuchs have taken high-ranking noblemen to the service ... Let's find out how it happened!

"Watchmen of the chambers"

As soon as a social community such as the harem arose, it immediately needed servants who could provide a certain order in it. The term "eunuch", translated from Greek, means "keeper of the bed", "guardian of the bed". It turns out that the eunuch is a "guard" of 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 doubt?

The fact is that all the eunuchs were subject to mandatory castration! In other words, these people underwent an operation to remove the sex glands. This occurred in childhood - before the beginning of the main hormonal changes in the body. Why were they neutered? It's simple! In ancient times, people firmly believed that the eunuch in the harem of the Sultan could provide a better order only when he becomes an "asexual being" (he will lose his male characteristics), but at the same time he will continue to be in the guise of a man. Such were the customs!

In addition, castration was a kind of guarantee for the disposal of royal dynasties from the risk of having children born out of wedlock. Since the eunuch is, as a rule, a representative of the lower class, the sultans and kings were categorically against the birth of children from him!

How did they become?

It was possible to become an eunuch in two ways: voluntarily or through coercion. For example, very many fathers of certain families who were in poverty, gave their sons to this service, if I may say so. At the same time, fathers had only good feelings for their offspring.

Career

It is worth noting that the "eunuch" is a highly paid "work". The person who took the first step on the way to this, immediately received a good reward. In the future, if he served in good faith, he attained very high positions, such as an official, military commander, financial adviser, tax inspector. After that, the sons were obliged to help their poor family.

A gross misconception about eunuchs

In the community, the opinion is widespread that a eunuch is a person who has lost his penis! Friends, this is far from true! They had everything in order with the genitourinary system: they did not experience problems with urination, they had a guaranteed erection, they could, like all normal people, have sex. Their only limitation is the impossibility of conceiving a child.