Not only in ancient China did eunuchs exist, but Western royal families also had their own eunuchs; however, it seems that eunuchs in the West faced less physical suffering from castration.
This is a topic that makes countless men break into a sweat. In ancient times, there was a special profession known as the eunuch. Before the Sui and Tang Dynasties, they were referred to as “yêm nhân,” and from the Sui and Tang Dynasties onward, they were called “thái giám.” The rulers of ancient feudal times sought to ensure the chastity of their consorts by prohibiting men from entering the inner palace, which led to the emergence of the profession of “thái giám.”
In addition to ancient China, empires such as Persia in the Middle East, Egypt in Africa, and the Eastern Roman Empire and Ottoman Empire in Europe also had large populations of eunuchs, with histories as long as that of China. The most significant similarity is that eunuchs in various countries played important roles in history, just like in China.
According to historical records, eunuchs first appeared around 2000 BC in the region of Mesopotamia, accompanying the entire development of human history. The ancient Egyptians used numerous eunuchs to serve the Pharaoh and the royal family. They believed that after a man was castrated, his male characteristics would diminish, reducing his temperament and ambitions, and significantly lowering his capacity to pose a threat.
In addition to ancient China, empires such as Persia in the Middle East, Egypt in Africa, and the Eastern Roman Empire and Ottoman Empire in Europe also had large populations of eunuchs.
Of course, the most important aspect was that they lost their reproductive abilities, which ensured that their masters would not be cuckolded, thus safeguarding the purity of royal bloodlines. However, there are significant differences between Chinese and foreign eunuchs; Chinese eunuchs had their entire genitalia removed, while eunuchs in countries like ancient Egypt or the Eastern Roman Empire only had their testicles removed. Why is that?
The answer lies in technical issues. In the early period of ancient Egyptian empire, eunuchs also underwent complete castration, but the mortality rate was extremely high, reaching as high as 60%, leading to an insufficient number of eunuchs to meet demand. Therefore, to ensure quantity, they adopted the method of only removing the testicles.
In China before the Western Han Dynasty, eunuchs also only had their testicles removed, but later, with advancements in medical technology and a reduced mortality rate from castration, complete removal gradually became common. By the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the mortality rate from castration had dropped significantly, and many poor laborers actively sent their sons to the palace to become eunuchs for survival.
Contrary to what the rulers believed, eunuchs did not lose their ambitions after losing their reproductive capabilities; instead, they often craved power and wealth even more. Additionally, many princes were cared for by eunuchs from a young age, which led to a high level of trust and reliance on them. Consequently, throughout history, many powerful eunuchs emerged, known as powerful eunuchs.
Eunuchs do not lose their ambitions after losing their reproductive abilities.
From Zhao Gao of the Qin Dynasty to Li Lianying of the Qing Dynasty, and also “Shập Thường Thị” of the Eastern Han, Qiu Shiliang of the Tang Dynasty, and Wei Zhongxian of the Ming Dynasty,… no one lacked ambition for power and wealth. Particularly in the latter half of the Tang Dynasty, emperors became mere puppets in the hands of eunuchs, with a total of seven emperors being established by eunuchs, and two were even assassinated by them.
In modern film works, the image of eunuchs has been “crafted” to become powerful antagonists with strong martial skills, committing all kinds of evil deeds. The emergence of eunuchs aligns with historical trends and has gradually faded away throughout history as society has evolved.
In life, we often use eunuchs as a joke, but if we consider the possibility of being born in a harsh ancient time and being sent to the palace by our parents to become a eunuch, most people would find it difficult to rise to the heights of power; they could only survive day by day in the treacherous inner palace.