Difference between revisions of "Eunuch"

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== 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 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 cut]] - and their manhoods burned at the altar of the [[Lady of Spears]].{{ref|Adwd|36}}
  
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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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}}
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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 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]].  
 
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]].  
 
==Known eunuchs==
 
==Known eunuchs==
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*[[Theon Greyjoy]] (unconfirmed) [[Ramsay Bolton]] may have removed his genitals, as both Ramsay and Theon consistently imply
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* The priests of the [[Blind God]]
 
* The [[Nine Eunuchs]] - (voluntarily emasculated)
 
* The [[Nine Eunuchs]] - (voluntarily emasculated)
 
*[[Varys]] - (emasculated)
 
*[[Varys]] - (emasculated)
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*[[Stalwart Shield]] - (emasculated)
 
*[[Stalwart Shield]] - (emasculated)
 
*Strong [[Belwas]]
 
*Strong [[Belwas]]
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* Almost all of the sons of the [[Great Fathers]]
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* [[Lysaro Rogare]] - gelded by all those he had wronged.
 
*Ser [[Lucamore Strong]] – (castrated) - gelded as punishment
 
*Ser [[Lucamore Strong]] – (castrated) - gelded as punishment
*{unconfirmed} [[Theon Greyjoy]] - [[Ramsay Bolton]] may have removed his genitals
 
 
*Ser [[Tyland Lannister]] – (castrated) - gelded when under torture
 
*Ser [[Tyland Lannister]] – (castrated) - gelded when under torture
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* 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}}
  
 
==Quotes==
 
==Quotes==
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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}}}}
 
{{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]]
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- [[Grey Worm]], to [[Daenerys Targaryen]]
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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 Loqar]]
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{{Quote|What does a eunuch know of a man's honor?{{Ref|aDwD|24}}}}  
 
{{Quote|What does a eunuch know of a man's honor?{{Ref|aDwD|24}}}}  
- [[Griff]], thinking of [[Varys]]
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- [[Jon Connington]], thinking of [[Varys]]
  
 
==References and Notes==
 
==References and Notes==

Revision as of 19:28, 25 August 2016

A eunuch is a man who has been castrated or 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 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 cut - 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.[9]

- Varys to Eddard Stark


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.[10]

- the Queen of Thorns


Even those who lack a man’s parts may still have a man’s heart, Your Grace.[11]

- Grey Worm, to Daenerys Targaryen


“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 Loqar


What does a eunuch know of a man's honor?[12]

- Jon Connington, thinking of Varys

References and Notes