Ottoman Lives

The Harem Eunuch


Listen Later

A eunuch who served in the Ottoman Imperial Harem in was typically born in Ethiopia, captured by a slave trader, castrated, and sold in Egyptian slave markets, then shipped to Istanbul's imperial palace. As such, eunuchs occupied positions of considerable power. At their peak there may have been as many as 800 court eunuchs organized in a hierarchical, well-defined structure. Eunuchs who served the sultan favorably, plus those who learned Turkish and who converted to Islam, could progress in the system. A few would procure appointment to administrative posts within the empire. This was the paradox in place: African eunuchs in the Ottoman Empire were slaves and could often be the objects of contempt and ridicule, but some could amass amazing influence.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Ottoman LivesBy Ottoman Lives

  • 4.5
  • 4.5
  • 4.5
  • 4.5
  • 4.5

4.5

90 ratings


More shows like Ottoman Lives

View all
Global News Podcast by BBC World Service

Global News Podcast

7,657 Listeners

History Unplugged Podcast by History Unplugged

History Unplugged Podcast

4,000 Listeners

The Rules of Investing by Livewire Markets

The Rules of Investing

10 Listeners

Presidential Fight Club by Presidential Fight Club

Presidential Fight Club

79 Listeners

Key Battles of the Civil War by Key Battles of the Civil War

Key Battles of the Civil War

705 Listeners

Last Night on the Titanic by Last Night on the Titanic

Last Night on the Titanic

147 Listeners

Strict Scrutiny by Crooked Media

Strict Scrutiny

5,676 Listeners

Key Battles of the Revolutionary War by Key Battles of the Revolutionary War

Key Battles of the Revolutionary War

337 Listeners

The Ancients by History Hit

The Ancients

3,091 Listeners

The Underworld Podcast by The Underworld Podcast

The Underworld Podcast

797 Listeners

Key Battles of World War One by Key Battles of World War One

Key Battles of World War One

270 Listeners

The Rest Is History by Goalhanger

The Rest Is History

12,964 Listeners

The Ezra Klein Show by New York Times Opinion

The Ezra Klein Show

15,371 Listeners

Key Battles of American History by Key Battles of American History

Key Battles of American History

903 Listeners

The Money Café with Alan Kohler by Intelligent Investor

The Money Café with Alan Kohler

39 Listeners

Eyewitness History by Eyewitness History

Eyewitness History

62 Listeners

Hot Money: Agent of Chaos by Pushkin Industries & Financial Times

Hot Money: Agent of Chaos

478 Listeners

Empire by Goalhanger

Empire

2,119 Listeners

Historical Jesus by Historical Jesus

Historical Jesus

55 Listeners

Stop the World by Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI)

Stop the World

1 Listeners

The Rest Is Politics: US by Goalhanger

The Rest Is Politics: US

2,145 Listeners

The Economics Show by Financial Times

The Economics Show

122 Listeners