Eunuchs

From Ancient Assyria to the Byzantine Empire, from the Qing dynasty’s Forbidden City to 19th century operas; Eunuchs have been present across a huge range of the world’s history. Despite this, they are often mainly thought of in terms of their private parts.


So today, Betwixt the Sheets, Kate is joined by Shaun Tougher from Cardiff University to find out what the lives of Eunuchs were like, particularly in the Byzantine Empire. Why would people, or often their parents, make this choice? And how were they perceived in their societies?


*WARNING there are adult words and themes in this episode*


Produced by Charlotte Long and Sophie Gee. Mixed by Sophie Gee.


Betwixt the Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society. A podcast by History Hit.


For more History Hit content, subscribe to our newsletters here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Avsnitt(417)

How Wild Were The Last Days Of Rome?

How Wild Were The Last Days Of Rome?

As Rome fell, was it really non-stop orgies and parties?That's become a popular connotation, and in today's episode Kate is joined by historian and friend of the show Emma Southon (https://www.emmasou...

15 Aug 202540min

The Strangest Tudor & Stuart Aphrodisiacs

The Strangest Tudor & Stuart Aphrodisiacs

Forget oysters, have you tried eating sparrows with a side of phallic vegetables to stir your lust?!Getting in the mood isn’t just a modern preoccupation, but the reasons behind it have definitely cha...

12 Aug 202538min

Did Henry VI Have A Sex Coach?

Did Henry VI Have A Sex Coach?

Henry VI didn't fit the medieval image of masculinity, or that much of a king, either.Who gave sex education to someone of this stature? How did his controversial marriage to the French Margaret of An...

8 Aug 202548min

Who Were The Vestal Virgins?

Who Were The Vestal Virgins?

What happened if a Vestal Virgin broke their pledge of virginity? How would a woman be chosen for the role? And were there any benefits to taking it?Kate is finding out in this episode with Peta Green...

4 Aug 202546min

Royal Sex: Cleopatra

Royal Sex: Cleopatra

Did Cleopatra have a bee-powered vibrator? Why did she marry both of her brothers? And how serious were her relationships with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony?Kate is joined by Egyptologist Sarah Parcak...

1 Aug 202547min

How Incestuous Were The Habsburgs?

How Incestuous Were The Habsburgs?

People will do crazy things to keep hold of power.The Habsburgs - one of the most powerful families in European history - were a prime example of this. To keep hold of their power, they decided they w...

29 Juli 202537min

Royal Sex: Elizabeth I

Royal Sex: Elizabeth I

Was Elizabeth I really a virgin? When we talk about queens being remembered for their sex lives, we absolutely have to mention the woman so often remembered for her lack of one.Kate is joined by Profe...

25 Juli 202547min

Victorian Sex Work Scandal: The Prince And The Telegraph Boys

Victorian Sex Work Scandal: The Prince And The Telegraph Boys

In the summer of 1889, a London police officer stopped and searched a telegraph boy, suspecting him of stealing from the Post Office he worked for. What he uncovered was not theft, but instead a netwo...

22 Juli 202546min

Populärt inom Historia

kod-katastrof
massmordarpodden
historiska-brott
olosta-mord
p3-historia
motiv
historiepodden-se
rss-seriemordarpodden
historianu-med-urban-lindstedt
rss-historiska-brottslingar
rss-historien-om
rss-massmordarpodden
obskyr-historia
bedragare
harrisons-dramatiska-historia
mannen-utan-spar
rss-folkets-historia
palmemordet
krigshistoriepodden
rss-borgvattnets-hemligheter