Video 4: The Lives of the Eunuchs
Video 4 Quiz
1. Eunuchs are people who
a. are forbidden to visit the palace
b. are castrated
c. were responsible for trivial matters
2. Emperors wanted eunuchs because
a. emperors forbade concubines to have sexual relationships with no one else
b. they have done something seriously bad
c. they were born castrated
3. Eunuchs formed a special bonding with the emperors because
a. they were politically strong
b. they were blind
c. they have raised the emperors
a. are forbidden to visit the palace
b. are castrated
c. were responsible for trivial matters
2. Emperors wanted eunuchs because
a. emperors forbade concubines to have sexual relationships with no one else
b. they have done something seriously bad
c. they were born castrated
3. Eunuchs formed a special bonding with the emperors because
a. they were politically strong
b. they were blind
c. they have raised the emperors
Video 4 Transcript
Eunuchs were in one of
the highest classes in Chinese political system throughout the ancient Chinese
dynasties. We can simply define eunuchs as government male officers who are
castrated, but there was more than just that for them. Basically, they were
castrated because the emperor thought that he is the one who owns all the women
we call concubines, and he didn’t wanted his concubines to have sexual
relationships with vassals.
Chinese government attempted to take babies usually from poor families to raise them as eunuchs and confined them from having social relationships outside the palace. Their work was involved with many different aspects of the society, for instance, taxation, military, and all the policies they had to have for their people. Eunuchs were especially powerful because they’re the ones who raised the emperor with them. Consequently, we see some historical facts that the group of eunuchs has abused their political power to rule the country.
Though they might look vicious, there were some good eunuchs too. For example, Zheng He, who has led the fleet of Yongle’s, is famous for his voyage all the way to the Africa. And also, Lin Cai is known for his invention of world’s first paper.
Chinese government attempted to take babies usually from poor families to raise them as eunuchs and confined them from having social relationships outside the palace. Their work was involved with many different aspects of the society, for instance, taxation, military, and all the policies they had to have for their people. Eunuchs were especially powerful because they’re the ones who raised the emperor with them. Consequently, we see some historical facts that the group of eunuchs has abused their political power to rule the country.
Though they might look vicious, there were some good eunuchs too. For example, Zheng He, who has led the fleet of Yongle’s, is famous for his voyage all the way to the Africa. And also, Lin Cai is known for his invention of world’s first paper.
Forbidden City Videos
Video 1: The Meridian Gate Video 2: The Golden River Video 3: The Outer Court Video 4: The Lives of the Eunuchs Video 5: Ming Power Structure
Video 6: Hall of Supreme Harmony Video 7: Palace of Heavenly Purity Video 8: Palace of Earthly Tranquility Video 9: The Imperial Garden
Video 10: Imperial Sight Pavilion Video 11: Palace Defenses Video 12: Daily Life of the Emperor Video 13: Lives of the Concubines
Ming Tombs Videos
Video 14: Death and the Ming Tombs Video 15: The Ming Dynasty Video 16: Admiral Zheng He