Eunuchs and Castrated Men in Byzantine Law and Society, 527-1056

This book explores understudied aspects of eunuchs in Byzantium from the sixth through mid-eleventh centuries, with a particular emphasis on the imperial attitudes toward eunuchs and castration reflected in imperial legislation. Eunuchs were key figures in the empire, known especially for their close relationships with emperors as chamberlains of the imperial bedchamber, imperial administrators and military commanders of imperial troops. They attracted the interest of various contemporaries because they played an important role in the political, military or religious spheres. Furthermore, their infertility and physical characteristics set them apart from most people. This book revisits and enlarges the history of eunuchs in the Byzantine empire through comprehensive source analysis, focusing particularly on Byzantine legal sources codified and promulgated in the name of the emperors.

Yuki Kontani is Postdoctoral Fellow at Graduate School of Literature and Human Sciences, Osaka Metropolitan University, Osaka, Japan.

Chapter 1. Introduction: Byzantine Eunuchs and Law.- Chapter 2. The Law of Justinian I and the Law of Leo III.- Chapter 3. Penal Mutilation and Mutilation of the Penis.- Chapter 4. Legal Reform and Codification Projects of the Macedonian Dynasty.- Chapter 5. The Imperial Position on Castration: NL. 60.- Chaper 6. Eunuchs as Disabled People? Adoption by Eunuchs in NL. 26.- Chapter 7. Prohibition of Eunuchs’ Marriage in NL. 98.- Chapter 8. Two Decisions of Basil II concerning Property of Native Eunuchs.- Chapter 9. Conclusion: Rejection and Acceptance: Eunuchs in Roman and Byzantine Law.