In ancient times, were eunuchs used as guards?

[Lovey (imported)]

I thought I read somewhere that in ancient Egypt or China or Arabia or Turkey (I don't remember which one) kings or sultans or emperors would enlist eunuchs as guards because eunuchs were notorious for having a mean disposition and nobody would want to mess with them.

However, I was under the assumption that being a eunuch would make you submissive and sensitive and easy to control. If anything, it would make you less aggressive.

[Charlieje (imported)]

I suspect the answer to your question depends a lot on how one became a eunuch in the first place.

I have heard most of my life (Puelo, you might want to comment on this) that the Romans used eunuchs as harem guards only to discover that not all eunuchs were incapable of sex. I am living proof that indeed eunuchs CAN get the job done, long as you don't want offspring.

As for aggression, I cannot honestly say I have noticed any difference personally. I think I tend to more calm and slower to get riled, but I DO still get riled and when I do, it often ain't pretty.

I can only speculate on what I would be like if I had been castrated against my will before I was ready. I suspect I would be very very angry!

the "eunuch calm" is a very nice feeling, but it doesn't turn us into flubber.

[madscientist (imported)]

I agree with you about "eunuch calm". One tends to re-act, but not stupidly over-re-act when one is a eunuch, either chemical or surgical.

[Paolo]

Puelos?

Who's that? Is that a hybrid Paolo/Pueros clone?! Gods, what a story that'd be!!

In fact, historically, eunuchs were used as guards because of disposition and additional heighth. Some were said to look intimidating. Eunuchs were also used by various cultures for lots of jobs in said societies. I read one passage that said, "and he employed only eunuchs, in fact, from the doorkeepers on up." -Tannahill, R., Sex in History.

I have to think that the foul-tempered ones were post-puberty castrates, or perhaps penectomized only. The taller ones, in most cases, were likely prepubescent castrates. It's also possible that large burly men who were tall to begin with were crabby over being castrated at whatever time ... different authors cite different things, but they seldom expand on the issue of hormones vs. time of life vs. type of eunuch.

Almost every book I've read on eunuchism, however, cites heighth with pre-pub. castration, yet also mentions foul temper, but also loyalty to the Master as well. Now, having quite a few boys in my life, who are pre-pub. at this time, I also can't discount the temper issue only due to hormones/maturity with puberty. Leee (sic) is 9, no signs of puberty, and he's an aggressive little asshole. I still love him though.

It is interesting though, and prompts a re-read of several sources.

[Charlieje (imported)]

Humble apologies to Pueros. I guess my mind was elsewhere.

[tadpole (imported)]

Tadpole here.

Back to my view of harem as family. As a eunuch castrated after puberty, I am more pensive now than I was as a male. However I am perfectly capable and willing to kill anyone who threatens my harem.

[Pueros]

Please forgive me for belatedly picking up this thread.

In respect of the topic, you might wish to refer to my tale 'Princes' where I describe, factually, that the black eunuchs were the guards to the Sultan's family & concubines whereas the white (Christian) eunuchs formed his personal bodyguard and some of his main advisers and officials.

PUEROS