Preface
When it comes to the ancient Chinese court, the role of eunuch is always unavoidable. However, if you look at the history of Europe, you will find an interesting phenomenon: there were no eunuchs in the European courts. Why is that? Let's unravel this mystery today and see what the phenomenon of indulgence and incest in the life of the European aristocracy is all about.
Event details
In the ancient Chinese court, eunuchs existed to maintain the purity of the harem and prevent the emperor's women from having affairs with other men. This is the extreme control of power and lineage in feudal society. In Europe, however, the situation is very different. First of all, European courts paid more attention to the inheritance of blood and the glory of the family. The European aristocracy believed that the blood of the family must be pure, and the glory of the family should be maintained by true blood relatives. Therefore, they did not need to go through eunuchs to guarantee the purity of the harem.
Christian culture's attitude towards castration is also a key factor. In Christian teaching, the body is sacred, and castration is seen as blasphemy against the gods. This notion was deeply ingrained in European society, resulting in the fact that the eunuch system had no soil for survival in Europe at all. The aristocracy and royal families of Europe, no matter how extravagant and indulgent, would not consider using eunuchs to manage court affairs.
When it comes to the indulgence and incest of aristocratic life, this is a major feature of European history. The aristocrats of Europe lived in luxury, pursued pleasure, and indulged uninhibitedly. Incest is not uncommon in some families. This goes hand in hand with their values and lifestyle. The European aristocracy's emphasis on individual freedom and sexual emancipation, believing that people should enjoy every moment of life, contrasted sharply with the strict discipline of the ancient Chinese court.
The indulgent life of the aristocracy was not only a pursuit of sensual pleasures, but also a symbol of power and status. In their view, indulgence and luxury are the embodiment of status, a symbol of power. And this way of life has also led to incest within the aristocratic family to a certain extent. Although this phenomenon is unacceptable in modern times, at the time, it was a way of life for them.
On the other hand, the indulgence and incest of the European aristocracy were also the product of social structures and institutions. In a hierarchical society, where the aristocracy wielded great power and wealth, their behavior was unfettered and their lifestyles were naturally more indulgent. In China, on the contrary, despite the supreme power of the emperor, his every move was governed by strict etiquette and rules and regulations, and the harem therefore needed to maintain order and purity through eunuchs.
It can be seen that there were no eunuchs in European courts, more because of cultural and religious differences. The indulgence and incest of the aristocracy, on the other hand, were the product of social structures and institutions. The aristocracy of Europe, who lived in luxury, pursued pleasures, and emphasized personal freedom, a way of life that was closely related to their values and social institutions.
In addition, although there were no eunuchs in European courts, there were other forms of court management to maintain order. For example, the roles of attendants and stewards in the court, who are responsible for managing the affairs of the court and ensuring the proper functioning of court life. Although these roles did not have the special status of eunuchs, they played an important role in court life.
Finally, the absence of eunuchs in European courts also reflects the differences between Eastern and Western cultures and social systems. In China, the eunuch system was the embodiment of the control of power in feudal society, while in Europe, the indulgent life and incest of the aristocracy were the product of their culture and social system. Although the paths of development in the history of the East and the West are different, they both show the diversity and complexity of human society.
epilogue
There were no eunuchs in European courts, more because of cultural and religious differences. The indulgence and incest of the European aristocracy reflected their way of life and values. Understanding these phenomena helps us better recognize and understand the differences between Eastern and Western cultures and the complexity of human society.