Eunuch Dynasties

[JesusA (imported)]

During much of Chinese history, eunuchs were able to marry and adopt children, although children adopted by eunuchs were boys who were castrated either before or after being adopted. Also, in most periods, adopted eunuch boys were able to inherit their father’s position.

During the Tang Dynasty (618–907) especially, the powerful clans that dominated the country needed to have insiders within the palace bureaucracy to provide information and to help them to maintain their power. During this period, it became more common than before for powerful men to castrate one or more of their sons to send to the palace. Once a son rose within the palace bureaucracy, another boy from the family would be castrated to send as his adopted son. Some eunuch dynasties of this sort continued for many generations with court eunuchs adopting castrated younger relatives, such as an intact brother’s son.

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Hoeckelmann, Michael. 2020. Power Emasculated: Eunuchs, Great Clans and Political Reproduction under the Tang. Tang Studies 38:1-27.

[Arab Nights (imported)]

Did they have TV during the Tang dynasty? I am just imagining the reality shows.

[Valery_V (imported)]

Did they have TV during the Tang dynasty? I am just imagining the reality shows.

I tried to watch a modern Chinese TV show on a historical theme (translated of course). I had to refuse - all the artists are like two peas, the only difference is in their clothes. Very boring, not fascinating, whatever they do ...

[Arab Nights (imported)]

I did a short stint there. Watched a spot of TV. In the US back in the 50s I remember movies about WW II. Sullivan brothers sticks in my mind. What I did catch was son leaving for war, homecomings, that kind of thing.

[Cseriess (imported)]

That is absolutely fascinating Jesus. The strategic use of males in a family to maintain political power. Such an interesting glimpse at that culture. I don't know I could look at my male child as a political pawn that I would castrae at a future point in time for the futherment of " The Family".