Byzantine Eunuchs

From: Nick Brooke <Nick_Brooke_at_...>
Date: Thu, 11 Jan 2001 10:18:20 -0000


Andrew writes:

> Byzantines had eunuchs in court positions because they could never
> succeed to the throne themselves, being physically blemished.

And because they would have no dynastic ambitions themselves, which is probably more important. There's a good article comparing Byzantine court eunuchs to German court jews in "Conquerors & Slaves" by Keith Hopkins (also a v. good piece on Emperor Worship).

> By a similar principle dynastic rivals could be removed from conten-
> tion by blinding them, which was more humane than killing them.

Not more "humane" - more Christian. Thou Shalt Not Kill, but you can blind your rival, slice off his nose, tonsure him and lock him away in a remote or isolated monastery: you're not being naughty, and he has a chance to repent and save his immortal soul. Being humane didn't enter into it.

:::: Email: <mailto:Nick_Brooke_at_...> Nick
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