Sun Yaoting, the last eunuch of imperial China died as recently as 1996. A fascinating story:
http://www.nytimes.com/1996/12/20/world/...unuch.html
Snippet:
Like the thousands who preceded him through Chinese history, Mr. Sun was emasculated as a young boy, in a crude and risky operation that was arranged by his family, who were looking for a way out of poverty and into the private domain of China's highest rulers.
Aside from the emperor, eunuchs were generally the only men trusted to enter the inner courtyards of the palace, where the women of the imperial family and harem lived. Other men, including officials, military guards and even the emperor's male relatives, were often required to leave the palace grounds at night.
http://www.nytimes.com/1996/12/20/world/...unuch.html
Snippet:
Like the thousands who preceded him through Chinese history, Mr. Sun was emasculated as a young boy, in a crude and risky operation that was arranged by his family, who were looking for a way out of poverty and into the private domain of China's highest rulers.
Aside from the emperor, eunuchs were generally the only men trusted to enter the inner courtyards of the palace, where the women of the imperial family and harem lived. Other men, including officials, military guards and even the emperor's male relatives, were often required to leave the palace grounds at night.
“The world is what it is; men who are nothing, who allow themselves to become nothing, have no place in it.”
- V.S Naipaul 'A Bend in the river'