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Understanding Eunuchs in History and Culture

This quiz explores the historical and cultural significance of eunuchs, their roles in various societies, and notable figures associated with them.

#Eunuchs #History #Culture #Ancient Civilizations #Gender Studies

1 Archaeological finds at Çatalhöyük in Anatolia indicate worship of a 'Magna Mater' figure, a forerunner of the Cybele goddess found in later ________ and other parts of the near East.

2 The sole existing recording of a castrato singer documents the voice of ________, the last eunuch in the Sistine Chapel choir, who died in 1922.

3 Zhang Rang Head of the infamous "10 Changshi" (Ten attendants) of Eastern ________

4 Following the Byzantine tradition, eunuchs had important tasks at the ________ court of kingdom of Sicily during the middle XII century.

5 [17] The early theologian ________ found scriptural justification for the practice in Matthew 19:12,[18].

6 Similar instances are reflected in the humble origins and etymology of many high offices (e.g., ________ began as a servant guarding the entrance to an official's study).

7 Yishiha Admiral in charge of expeditions down the ________ under the Yongle and Xuande Emperors

8 The Ancient Indian ________ refers to people of a "third sex" (triteeyaprakrti), who can be dressed either in men's or in women's clothes and perform fellatio on men.

9 ________ The Tang eunuch who began another era of eunuch rule

10 In some translations of ancient texts, individuals identified as eunuchs sometimes historically included men who were impotent with women, as well as those who were ________.

💡 Interesting Facts

  • at one point, the powerful Tang Dynasty eunuch Yu Chao'en was believed to be responsible for instigating the grave robbing of the general Guo Ziyi's father.
  • although as a eunuch the powerful Byzantine official Staurakios was barred from the imperial throne, he nevertheless plotted to become Byzantine Emperor.
  • in an annual festival in Koovagam, India, eunuchs and transvestites ritually marry the Hindu god Aravan (statue pictured).
  • the Tang Dynasty eunuch Li Fuguo, whose assassin had cut off his head and one of his arms, was buried with a wooden head and a wooden arm.
  • the powerful Byzantine eunuch official Aetios plotted to have his brother placed as emperor, but was thwarted when Nikephoros I seized the throne.
  • Le Van Duyet, the last viceroy of the Nguyen Dynasty's Cochinchina, was a eunuch.
  • Tang Dynasty official Zheng Yin opposed issuance of commissions for eunuch commandants on hemp paper, saying it was reserved for commissions of imperial princes and chancellors.
  • Emperor Xuanzong of Tang had the eunuch Gao Lishi strangle Consort Yang Yuhuan to prevent a rebellion by the imperial guards angry at her.
  • eunuch admiral Yishiha is credited with constructing the only two Ming Buddhist temples ever built in modern-day Russia.
  • Tang Dynasty eunuch Cheng Yuanzhen, after his fall from power, entered the capital Chang'an disguised as a woman to plot his return to power.
  • Tang Dynasty eunuch Tutu Chengcui was killed after Emperor Xianzong's death over his refusal to support the crown prince Li Heng as the emperor's successor.
  • Byzantine general Peter Phokas was originally born a slave and made a eunuch, but rose to become one of the senior-most commanders of the Byzantine Empire in the 960s and 970s.
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