Difference between revisions of "Eunuch"

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A '''eunuch''' is a man who has been [[w:castrated|castrated]] or [[w:Emasculation|emasculated]], either prior to puberty or afterwards. Most people would not volunteer their young sons to become eunuchs and most men would not choose to be castrated or emasculated.  Therefore, most eunuchs are [[slave]]s who have had no choice in the matter. The most famous eunuchs are the [[Unsullied]].
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A '''eunuch''' is a man who has been [[w:castrated|castrated]] or [[w:Emasculation|emasculated]], before or after puberty. Most people would not volunteer their young sons to become eunuchs, and most men would not choose to be castrated or emasculated.  Therefore, most eunuchs are [[slave]]s who have had no choice in the matter. The most famous eunuchs are the [[Unsullied]].
  
 
== Eunuchs in Essos==
 
== Eunuchs in Essos==
Eunuchs are far more common in [[Essos]] than [[Westeros]], where they make popular slaves.  In [[Yunkai]], slaves are made into eunuchs by cutting only the testicles off. {{Ref|aSoS|23}} The Yunkai'i also geld boys in order to produce [[w:castrati|castrati]] [[slave]]s.  [[Yurkhaz zo Yunzak]] owns a group of Yunkish castrati slaves who sing songs in the ancient tongues of the [[Ghiscari Empire|Old Empire]]. Their voices are high and sweet and impossibly pure.{{ref|Adwd|60}} The [[Dothraki]] ''[[dosh khaleen]]'' are served by eunuchs.{{Ref|aGoT|46}}
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Eunuchs are far more common in [[Essos]] than [[Westeros]], where they make popular slaves.  In [[Yunkai]], slaves are made into eunuchs by cutting only the testicles off. {{Ref|aSoS|23}} The Yunkai'i also geld boys in order to produce [[w:castrati|castrati]] [[slave]]s.  [[Yurkhaz zo Yunzak]] owns a group of Yunkish castrati slaves who sing songs in the ancient tongues of the [[Ghiscari Empire|Old Empire]]. Their voices are high and sweet and impossibly pure.{{ref|Adwd|60}} The [[Dothraki]] ''[[dosh khaleen]]'' are served by eunuchs.{{Ref|aGoT|46}} In the [[Seven Kingdoms]] [[poison]] is seen as a weapon of eunuchs.{{ref|AGOT|25}}
  
The [[Unsullied]] are eunuch slave soldiers, trained from a young age in [[Astapor]]. They are [[w:Emasculation|fully castrated - penis and testicles cut]] - and their manhoods burned at the altar of the [[Lady of Spears]].{{ref|Adwd|36}}
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The [[Unsullied]] are eunuch slave soldiers, trained from a young age in [[Astapor]]. They are [[w:Emasculation|fully castrated - penis and testicles removed]] - and their manhoods burned at the altar of the [[Lady of Spears]].{{ref|Adwd|36}}
  
 
In [[Bayasabhad]], [[Kayakayanaya]] and [[Shamyriana]] 99 of 100 boys, the sons of the [[Great Fathers]], are gelded when they reach the age of manhood and live out their lives as eunuchs, serving their cities as scribes, priests, scholars, servants, cooks, farmers, and craftsmen.  Only the most promising males, the largest, strongest, and most comely, are permitted to mature, breed, and become Great Fathers in their turn.{{ref|TWOIAF|The Grasslands}}  
 
In [[Bayasabhad]], [[Kayakayanaya]] and [[Shamyriana]] 99 of 100 boys, the sons of the [[Great Fathers]], are gelded when they reach the age of manhood and live out their lives as eunuchs, serving their cities as scribes, priests, scholars, servants, cooks, farmers, and craftsmen.  Only the most promising males, the largest, strongest, and most comely, are permitted to mature, breed, and become Great Fathers in their turn.{{ref|TWOIAF|The Grasslands}}  
  
The [[Nine Eunuchs]] were members of the dynasty of the [[pearl-white emperors|pearl-white]] [[God-Emperor|emperors]] who gave the [[Golden Empire of Yi Ti|Golden Empire]] of [[Yi Ti]] 130 years of peace and prosperity.
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The [[Nine Eunuchs]] were members of the dynasty of the [[pearl-white emperors]] who gave the [[Golden Empire of Yi Ti]] 130 years of peace and prosperity.
  
 
The priests of the [[Blind God]], a deity that was once worshiped in the [[Valyrian Freehold]], were eunuchs who wore eyeless hoods in honor of the god, for only in darkness, they believed, would their third eye open.
 
The priests of the [[Blind God]], a deity that was once worshiped in the [[Valyrian Freehold]], were eunuchs who wore eyeless hoods in honor of the god, for only in darkness, they believed, would their third eye open.
  
 
== Eunuchs in Westeros==
 
== Eunuchs in Westeros==
In Westeros castration appears to serve more as a severe punishment and deterrent. <ref>[[A Feast for Crows]], [[A Feast for Crows-Chapter 13|Chapter 13]], The Soiled Knight</ref>  [[Varys]] is a known eunuch who has risen to the influential and powerful position of [[Master of Whisperers]]. However, he was made a eunuch in [[Myr]], not [[Westeros]].  
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In Westeros castration appears to serve more as a severe punishment and deterrent.{{Ref|AFfC|13}} [[Varys]] is a known eunuch who has risen to the influential and powerful position of [[Master of Whisperers]]. However, he was made a eunuch in [[Myr]], not [[Westeros]].  
 +
 
 
==Known eunuchs==
 
==Known eunuchs==
*{unconfirmed} [[Theon Greyjoy]] - [[Ramsay Bolton]] may have removed his genitals, as both Ramsay and Theon consistently imply
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* Prince [[Theon Greyjoy]] (unconfirmed) [[Ramsay Bolton]] may have removed his genitals, as both Ramsay and Theon consistently imply.{{Ref|ADWD|37}}
* The priests of the [[Blind God]]
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* The priests of the [[Blind God]]{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Free Cities: Lorath}}
* The [[Nine Eunuchs]] - (voluntarily emasculated)
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* The [[Nine Eunuchs]] - (voluntarily emasculated){{Ref|TWOIAF|The Bones and Beyond: Yi Ti}}
*[[Varys]] - (emasculated)
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* Lord [[Varys]] - (emasculated){{Ref|ACOK|44}}
*[[Grey Worm]] - (emasculated)
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* The [[Unsullied]] of [[Astapor]] (emasculated){{Ref|ASOS|23}}
*[[Hero]] - (emasculated)
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** [[Black Fist]]
*[[Stalwart Shield]] - (emasculated)
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** [[Cetherys]]
*Strong [[Belwas]]
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** [[Dogkiller]]
* Almost all of the sons of the [[Great Fathers]]  
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** [[Duran]]
*Ser [[Lucamore Strong]] – (castrated) - gelded as punishment
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** [[Eladon Goldenhair]]
*Ser [[Tyland Lannister]] – (castrated) - gelded when under torture
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** [[Grey Worm]]
* One of Lord [[Dalton Greyjoy]]'s [[salt king|salt sons]] - taken to [[Casterly Rock]] as a captive where Lady [[Johanna Lannister]] had him gelded and made him her son's [[fool]].{{ref|TWOIAF| The Red Kraken}}
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** [[Hero]]
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** [[Loyal Spear]]
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** [[Marselen]]
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** [[Mossador]]
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** [[Red Flea]]
 +
** [[Stalwart Shield]]
 +
** [[Sure Spear]]
 +
* Strong [[Belwas]]{{Ref|ASOS|63}}
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* Almost all of the sons of the [[Great Fathers]]{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Bones and Beyond}}
 +
* Ser [[Lucamore Strong]] – (castrated) - gelded as punishment.{{Ref|FAB|The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progency, and Pain}}
 +
* Ser [[Tyland Lannister]] – (castrated) - gelded when under torture.{{Ref|TWOIAF|The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons}}
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* [[Rodrik Greyjoy (son of Dalton)|Rodrik Greyjoy]] - taken to [[Casterly Rock]] as a captive where Lady [[Johanna Lannister]] had him gelded and made him her son's [[fool]].{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Red Kraken}}{{Ref|FAB|The Lysene Spring and the End of Regency}}
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* [[Eunuch strangler]]{{Ref|ACOK|29}}
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* Septon [[Bernard]] - gelded as punishment.{{Ref|FAB|The Lysene Spring and the End of Regency}}
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* [[Meizo Mahr]]{{Ref|ASOS|10}}
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* Ser [[Jon Cafferen]]{{Ref|FAB|Reign of the Dragon - The Wars of King Aegon I}}
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* The "[[Surly lad]]" who impregnated [[Coryanne Wylde]].{{Ref|FAB|A Surfeit of Rulers}}
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* The rapists of [[King's Landing]] Prince [[Daemon Targaryen]] gelded when he was [[City Watch of King's Landing#Known Commanders of the City Watch|Commander of the City Watch]].{{Ref|FAB|Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession}}
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* Eight rapers were gelded during the [[Feast Day of Our Father Above]] in {{Date|133}}.{{Ref|FAB|Under the Regents - War and Peace and Cattle Shows}}
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* Lord [[Bartimos Celtigar]] - (castrated) - gelded by [[Wat the Tanner]] when under torture during the [[Dance of the Dragons]].{{Ref|FAB|The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown}}
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* Lord [[Gargon Qoherys]] - gelded by [[Harren the Red]] when under torture and bled to death.{{Ref|TWOIAF| The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I}}
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* Soldiers in [[Stannis Baratheon]]'s army gelded (castrated){{Ref|ADWD|31}} on his orders for raping three [[Free Folk|wildings]] women.{{Ref|ASOS|75}} These soldiers are later left behind at the [[Wall]] as part of [[Melisandre]]'s guards when the king rides south.{{Ref|ADWD|31}}
  
 
==Quotes==
 
==Quotes==
{{Quote|A eunuch has no honor, and a spider does not enjoy the luxury of scruples, my lord.{{ref|agot|58}}}} - [[Varys]] to [[Eddard Stark]]
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{{Quote|A eunuch has no honor, and a spider does not enjoy the luxury of scruples, my lord.{{ref|agot|58}}|[[Varys]] to [[Eddard Stark]]}}
 
 
 
 
{{Quote|I've never been quite sure what the '''point''' of a eunuch is, if truth be told. It seems to me they're only men with the useful bits cut off.{{ref|asos|6}}}} - the [[Queen of Thorns]]
 
 
 
 
 
{{Quote|Even those who lack a man’s parts may still have a man’s heart, Your Grace.{{Ref|aDwD|11}}}}
 
- [[Grey Worm]], to [[Daenerys]]
 
 
 
  
{{Quote|“Have you ever heard such singing , my love?” Hizdahr asked her. “They have the voices of gods, do they not?” “Yes,” she said, “though I wonder if they might not have preferred to have the fruits of men.}} - [[Daenerys]], discussing the Yunkish castrati with [[Hizdahr]]
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{{Quote|I've never been quite sure what the '''point''' of a eunuch is, if truth be told. It seems to me they're only men with the useful bits cut off.{{ref|asos|6}}|the [[Queen of Thorns]]}}
  
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{{Quote|Even those who lack a man’s parts may still have a man’s heart, Your Grace.{{Ref|aDwD|11}}|[[Grey Worm]], to [[Daenerys Targaryen]]}}
  
{{Quote|What does a eunuch know of a man's honor?{{Ref|aDwD|24}}}}
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{{Quote|“Have you ever heard such singing , my love?” Hizdahr asked her. “They have the voices of gods, do they not?” “Yes,” she said, “though I wonder if they might not have preferred to have the fruits of men.”|[[Daenerys Targaryen]], discussing the Yunkish castrati with [[Hizdahr zo Loraq]]}}
- [[Griff]], thinking of [[Varys]]
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{{Quote|What does a eunuch know of a man's honor?{{Ref|aDwD|24}}|[[Jon Connington]], thinking of [[Varys]]}}
  
 
==References and Notes==
 
==References and Notes==

Revision as of 21:03, 8 March 2020

A eunuch is a man who has been castrated or emasculated, before or after puberty. Most people would not volunteer their young sons to become eunuchs, and most men would not choose to be castrated or emasculated. Therefore, most eunuchs are slaves who have had no choice in the matter. The most famous eunuchs are the Unsullied.

Eunuchs in Essos

Eunuchs are far more common in Essos than Westeros, where they make popular slaves. In Yunkai, slaves are made into eunuchs by cutting only the testicles off. [1] The Yunkai'i also geld boys in order to produce castrati slaves. Yurkhaz zo Yunzak owns a group of Yunkish castrati slaves who sing songs in the ancient tongues of the Old Empire. Their voices are high and sweet and impossibly pure.[2] The Dothraki dosh khaleen are served by eunuchs.[3] In the Seven Kingdoms poison is seen as a weapon of eunuchs.[4]

The Unsullied are eunuch slave soldiers, trained from a young age in Astapor. They are fully castrated - penis and testicles removed - and their manhoods burned at the altar of the Lady of Spears.[5]

In Bayasabhad, Kayakayanaya and Shamyriana 99 of 100 boys, the sons of the Great Fathers, are gelded when they reach the age of manhood and live out their lives as eunuchs, serving their cities as scribes, priests, scholars, servants, cooks, farmers, and craftsmen. Only the most promising males, the largest, strongest, and most comely, are permitted to mature, breed, and become Great Fathers in their turn.[6]

The Nine Eunuchs were members of the dynasty of the pearl-white emperors who gave the Golden Empire of Yi Ti 130 years of peace and prosperity.

The priests of the Blind God, a deity that was once worshiped in the Valyrian Freehold, were eunuchs who wore eyeless hoods in honor of the god, for only in darkness, they believed, would their third eye open.

Eunuchs in Westeros

In Westeros castration appears to serve more as a severe punishment and deterrent.[7] Varys is a known eunuch who has risen to the influential and powerful position of Master of Whisperers. However, he was made a eunuch in Myr, not Westeros.

Known eunuchs

Quotes

A eunuch has no honor, and a spider does not enjoy the luxury of scruples, my lord.[28]

I've never been quite sure what the point of a eunuch is, if truth be told. It seems to me they're only men with the useful bits cut off.[29]

Even those who lack a man’s parts may still have a man’s heart, Your Grace.[30]

“Have you ever heard such singing , my love?” Hizdahr asked her. “They have the voices of gods, do they not?” “Yes,” she said, “though I wonder if they might not have preferred to have the fruits of men.”

Daenerys Targaryen, discussing the Yunkish castrati with Hizdahr zo Loraq

What does a eunuch know of a man's honor?[31]

Jon Connington, thinking of Varys

References and Notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 A Storm of Swords, Chapter 23, Daenerys II.
  2. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 60, The Spurned Suitor.
  3. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 46, Daenerys V.
  4. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 25, Eddard V.
  5. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 36, Daenerys VI.
  6. The World of Ice & Fire, The Grasslands.
  7. A Feast for Crows, Chapter 13, The Soiled Knight.
  8. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 37, The Prince of Winterfell.
  9. The World of Ice & Fire, The Free Cities: Lorath.
  10. The World of Ice & Fire, The Bones and Beyond: Yi Ti.
  11. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 44, Tyrion X.
  12. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 63, Davos VI.
  13. The World of Ice & Fire, The Bones and Beyond.
  14. Fire & Blood, The Long Reign - Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Policy, Progency, and Pain.
  15. The World of Ice & Fire, The Westerlands: House Lannister Under the Dragons.
  16. The World of Ice & Fire, The Red Kraken.
  17. 17.0 17.1 Fire & Blood, The Lysene Spring and the End of Regency.
  18. A Clash of Kings, Chapter 29, Tyrion VII.
  19. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 10, Davos II.
  20. Fire & Blood, Reign of the Dragon - The Wars of King Aegon I.
  21. Fire & Blood, A Surfeit of Rulers.
  22. Fire & Blood, Heirs of the Dragon - A Question of Succession.
  23. Fire & Blood, Under the Regents - War and Peace and Cattle Shows.
  24. Fire & Blood, The Dying of the Dragons - Rhaenyra Overthrown.
  25. The World of Ice & Fire, The Targaryen Kings: Aenys I.
  26. 26.0 26.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 31, Melisandre I.
  27. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 75, Samwell IV.
  28. A Game of Thrones, Chapter 58, Eddard XV.
  29. A Storm of Swords, Chapter 6, Sansa I.
  30. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 11, Daenerys II.
  31. A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 24, The Lost Lord.