Eunuchs, Caliphs and Sultans. A Study of Power Relationships

Abstract

The book covers a period from the beginning of Islam, up to the beginning of the sixteenth century, and deals mainly with the eunuchs in the major centres of Islam in the East (Umayyads, 'Abbasids, Seljuks, Zengids, Ayyubids and Mamluks and to some extent, the Fatimids of Egypt). It is not a history of the eunuchs in that wide area but rather is mainly concerned with the power accumulated by the eunuchs, military, socially and even economically (especially as trustees of financial affairs and property). The ultimate aim of the study is to being out the close ties connecting it to the harem, the eunuchs and the Mamlkus. In all of these three areas, the dominant element had been slaves (Islamised and often enfranchised) who were imported beyond the lands of Islam. The eunuchs were usually the upbringers of the young Mamlkus and quite often their commanders. The Mamlkus themselves, in various and changing forms, constituted the mainstay of Islam to the harem, the eunuchs and the Mamluks. In all of these three areas, the dominant element had been slaves (Islamised and often enfranchised) who were imported beyond the lands of Islam. The eunuchs were usually the upbringers of the young Mamluks and quite often their commanders. The Mamluks themselves, in various and changing forms, constituted the mainstay of Islams military might through the greatest part of its existence. Other subjects discusses are castrations, the eunuchs prices, and their so-called sexual life, romances as a well as their marriages.