While we're at it, why were the Byzantine eunuchs cut? If it was just to make them incomplete, wouldn't chopping of a finger (or a nose) done as well? Surely there was a sexual motive?
The Byzantines castrated them so that they could be given powerful positions and not get thoughts of dynastic succession. Thus the eunuch could be a powerful general (such as Narses), but he could not be Emperor, nor could he father a son whom he could instal as Emperor.
Regards,
Edward McDonald
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