25 March, 2017 - 21:09 dhwty
20,000 Women and 100,000 Castrated Men to Serve the Emperor: The Imperial Harem of China
In Imperial China, one of the important tasks that the emperor needed to do was to ensure the continuation of the dynasty, which was achieved by the production of a male heir. For this purpose, the emperors of Imperial China kept an enormous harem of women. There was a hierarchy in the emperor’s harem, and whilst the exact classes changed over the millennia, it may be said that in general there were three ranks – the empress, consorts, and concubines. In addition, the eunuchs who served these imperial women may be considered to be a part of this harem as well.
http://www.ancient-origins.net/history-ancient-traditions/20000-women-and-100000-castrated-men-serve-emperor-imperial-harem-china-021296