A eunuch is a castrated man who has had his testicles removed. Historically, some eunuchs gained positions of power and influence in royal courts and governments. Eunuchs often served as harem guards, advisers, government officials, military commanders, and more. While there have been many famous eunuchs throughout history, a few stand out for their great power, influence, and legacy. In this article, we will explore some of the most famous and impactful eunuchs in history.
Narses – Powerful General of the Byzantine Empire
Narses was a eunuch who served as a general and statesman in the Byzantine Empire during the 6th century AD. He was born in the late 5th century in Persia and served under the rule of Byzantine Emperor Justinian I. Narses was a highly skilled military leader who led Byzantine forces to victory against the Ostrogoths in Italy. He was responsible for reconquering much of Italy for the Byzantine Empire. As a eunuch, Narses was considered trustworthy and loyal by the emperors he served. His castration prevented him from starting a dynasty or having children who could threaten the throne. Narses was granted many titles for his military triumphs including supreme commander of the army and the highest honorific title of patrician. He was one of only three eunuchs in Roman history to be granted such a title. After his military career ended, Narses served as a political adviser and governor in Italy. He helped repair the damage caused by wars and re-established Byzantine control. Narses had a long and distinguished career serving the empire until his retirement in his mid-90s. His military skill, loyalty, and administrative abilities made him one of the most powerful eunuchs in Byzantine history.
Origen – Influential Theologian and Scholar
Origen was an influential Christian scholar and theologian born in Alexandria, Egypt in 184 AD. As a young man, Origen chose to castrate himself based on a literal interpretation of Matthew 19:12 in the Bible, which discusses eunuchs who choose castration for the kingdom of heaven. This act allowed Origen to teach and study without scandal in the early Christian church. Origen became one of the most prolific scholars of the early church, writing hundreds of works about theology, Scripture, and philosophy. He made significant contributions to the development of Christian theology and biblical studies. Origen founded a major catechetical school in Alexandria where he taught students Christian doctrine and trained important church leaders and thinkers. He successfully defended Christianity against pagan philosophies and promoted the allegorical interpretation of Scripture. Origen’s commentaries and writings were extremely influential, helping to shape later church teachings on the Trinity, salvation, and other theological ideas. Though some of his teachings were later declared heretical, Origen played a pivotal role in the development of Christian theology and biblical exegesis in the early church. His self-castration allowed him to devote himself fully to scholarship and teaching, making him one of the most famous early Christian eunuchs.
Pothinus – First Bishop of Lyons
Saint Pothinus was the first Bishop of Lyons in modern day France and an early Christian martyr. He was born in Asia Minor around 87 AD and traveled west as a missionary, eventually becoming bishop and establishing the Christian church in Gaul (modern day France). Little is known about his early life but he is thought to have been castrated at a young age before becoming a monk. As bishop, Pothinus helped spread Christianity in Western Europe along with other early missionary bishops like Irenaeus of Lyons. In 177 AD, a mob of angry pagans attacked the Christians in Lyons and Pothinus was dragged before the Roman authorities at the age of 90. He refused to renounce his faith and was subsequently imprisoned, beaten, and died awaiting trial two days later. Pothinus is considered one of the first martyrs of Gaul. His courage helped establish Lyons as an important early center of Western Christianity. Pothinus exemplified the commitment to spread Christianity in the face of persecution that many eunuch monks and priests of the early church displayed.
Eutropius – Influential Eunuch of the Eastern Roman Empire
Eutropius was a powerful Eastern Roman official who served as the chief eunuch under Emperor Arcadius in the late 4th-early 5th century AD. He rose from being a lowly slave to become essentially the head of the Eastern Roman government. Eutropius controlled access to the emperor and used his influence to build up an extensive network of clients and accumulate enormous wealth. At the height of his power, Eutropius held the consulship, the empire’s highest political honor. He convinced Arcadius to name him Patrician, making Eutropius the first and only eunuch ever to hold a title reserved for the Roman aristocracy. Eutropius used his sway over the emperor to exile his enemies and appoint his supporters to key posts. He helped negotiate a peace treaty with the Persians and balance the tensions between the Western and Eastern Roman empires. His power and extravagance eventually created many enemies within the Roman court. In 399 AD, Arcadius had him arrested and sentenced to execution. Eutropius had climbed higher in the imperial system than almost any eunuch before him, only to suffer a precipitous downfall. His career shows both the potential for eunuchs to gain political power and influence, and the precariousness of relying solely on the favor of the emperor.
Abdumonam Abol-Fotouh – Eunuch Officer of the Fatimid Caliphate
Abdumonam Abol-Fotouh was an Egyptian eunuch who became a general and regent over the Fatimid Caliphate during the 10th-11th centuries AD. The Fatimids were an Ismaili Shiite Muslim dynasty that ruled over North Africa and Egypt. Abdumonam was purchased as a slave and became a eunuch guard in the Fatimid palace before rising to high ranking military positions. His services helping the Caliph Al-Aziz billah expand Fatimid rule were rewarded with governorships over key cities like Damascus and Aleppo. When Al-Aziz died, Abdumonam was instrumental in installing the next Caliph Al-Hakim and served as his regent until the caliph came of age. Abdumonam helped Al-Hakim manage military campaigns and domestic disputes for years. Near the end of his life, Abdumonam was implicated in a dispute between palace eunuch factions and was executed by Al-Hakim as a result. Abdumonam Abol-Fotouh stands out for his incredible rise from eunuch slave to trusted adviser and governor in the Fatimid regime. His military skills and political acumen enabled him to help expand and manage the Fatimids at a critical time in their history.
Wei Zhongxian – Notorious Eunuch of the Ming Dynasty
Wei Zhongxian was the most powerful and notorious eunuch in Chinese history. He lived during the late Ming dynasty in the early 17th century and dominated the imperial court during the reign of the Tianqi Emperor. Wei Zhongxian started his career as an apprentice eunuch before being assigned to serve in the palace. He gained influence by helping the emperor’s wet nurse destroy a rival consort family. Wei wielded immense informal power and was elevated to the top eunuch position of Director of the Directorate of Ceremonies. He controlled access to the emperor, dominated state affairs, and built a far-reaching network of clients and spies. At the height of his power, Wei Zhongxian behaved like an absolute dictator. He corrupted the bureaucracy, murdered rivals, lived extravagantly, sold offices, and extorted money on a massive scale. The noted Chinese scholar Wen Zhenheng remarked that “everything is decided by Wei Zhongxian alone; the Emperor merely nods and says yes.” When the Tianqi Emperor died, Wei was blamed for the dynasty’s decline and committed suicide by poison to avoid execution. Wei Zhongxian’s excessive corruption symbolized the eunuch-led excesses that contributed to the Ming dynasty’s deterioration.
Malik Kafur – Legendary General of the Delhi Sultanate
Malik Kafur was an iconic eunuch slave-general who played an important military role during the Delhi Sultanate in northern India. He was originally an Indian Hindu boy enslaved at age 12 by forces from the Delhi Sultanate. After being castrated, he was taken to Delhi and eventually sold to the Sultan Alauddin Khalji. Under Khalji’s patronage, Kafur converted to Islam and became a successful military general. He led daring campaigns of looting and expansion into southern India on behalf of Khalji. Kafur conquered parts of what are now Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Karnataka. He became renowned for barging valuables back from his raids on Hindu temples and kingdoms, helping fund Khalji’s military ambitions. Kafur twice led large campaigns to the deep south beyond the Deccan Plateau – an unprecedented feat at the time. Legends grew around Kafur’s military prowess, cunning, and intimacy with the sultan. After Alauddin died, Kafur briefly became the de facto ruler of the Sultanate as a regent for 6 months before being murdered by a rival nobleman. Though a slave eunuch, Malik Kafur became one of the most feared generals and rulers of his era.
Conclusion
Eunuchs occupied unique roles in many pre-modern societies. Castrated men were often the only males allowed to serve in inner palace sanctums and advise royal women. This access enabled some eunuchs to gain considerable influence as counselors, military commanders, government officials, and more. Eunuchs could rise high but also faced precarious futures dependent on the whims of rulers. While recognizing their wide-ranging contributions, the practice of castrating boys raises complex ethical questions from a modern viewpoint. The most powerful eunuchs exploited opportunities but also endured slavery and abuse to carve out their legacies. They left indelible marks on great empires and faiths that still resonate to this day.