Eunuch

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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 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]

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.[4]

Eunuchs in Westeros

In Westeros castration appears to serve more as a severe punishment and deterrent. [5] 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.[6]

- 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.[7]

- the Queen of Thorns


Even those who lack a man’s parts may still have a man’s heart, Your Grace.[8]

- Grey Worm, to Daenerys


What does a eunuch know of a man's honor?[9]

- Griff, thinking of Varys

References and Notes