The Eunuchs in the Ming Dynasty of China

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses how the shortcomings of the Ming Dynasty cannot be blamed on the slave system of eunuchs, but rather on the dynasty itself. It explains how the eunuchs were the slaves of the emperor who carried out his designs and thus were victims in themselves. Though some rose to high power and wealth, most did not. It further discusses how more attention should be paid to the important role eunuchs played in keeping the dynasty alive for nearly three centuries, rather than why they brought the dynasty down.

From the Paper:

"Throughout ancient Greece, Rome, North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia eunuchs have served a wide range of functions, from palace menials to imperial spies. The dynasties in China, in particular, have used eunuchs to perform various duties throughout their more than one thousand years of rule. The use of these castrati was so ingrained in their cultural system that even after disloyal and ambitious eunuchs brought ends to the Han and Tang dynasties, the Chinese never abolished the practice. The Chinese emperors preferred eunuchs for several reasons. Men, especially after the dawn of Confucianism on Chinese society, expected from women their utmost purity and devotion. To adhere to these Confucian principles, Emperors originally employed eunuchs to oversee and manage the hundreds of imperial concubines, making certain no other men, even relatives, come in contact with them, assuring a pure lineage. Emperors also favored eunuchs because they, unable to have children, supposedly would not covet political power or wealth, which in turn they would pass on to their sons. Having no motive for wealth and no ambition for position, eunuchs would have no desire selling palace secrets or conniving with potential usurpers. Ideally the castrati would thus demonstrate absolute loyalty to his employer, the emperor."

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