Eunuchs, Caliphs and Sultans: A Study in Power Relationships

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 centers of Islam in the East (Umayyads, Abbsids, Seljuks, Zengids, Ayybids and Mamlks and to some extent, the Fimids 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 Mamlks. In all of these three areas, the dominant element had been slaves (Islamized and often enfranchised) who were imported beyond the lands of Islam. The eunuchs were usually the upbringers of the young Mamlks and quite often their commanders. The Mamlks themselves, in various and changing forms, constituted the mainstay of Islam to the harem, the eunuchs and the Mamlks. In all of these three areas, the dominant element had been slaves (Islamized and often enfranchised) who were imported beyond the lands of Islam. The eunuchs were usually the upbringers of the young Mamlks and quite often their commanders. The Mamlks 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.