Published in 1707, Charles Ancillon's Treatise on Eunuchs is not a novel, but it tells some of the most compelling stories you'll read from that century. Written as a legal and social argument, it aims to prove that eunuchs should be barred from high office and trusted positions. Ancillon, drawing from history, religion, and rumor, builds his case point by point.

The Story

There isn't a traditional plot. Instead, think of it as a lawyer's brief filled with historical evidence. Ancillon marches through ancient empires—Persia, Rome, Byzantium—citing tales of eunuch advisors who caused chaos through treachery or ambition. He mixes these grand historical examples with more personal, almost gossipy accounts of eunuchs in his own time, describing their supposed character flaws, physical suffering, and the roles they played in European and Ottoman courts. The narrative drive comes from following his relentless effort to build an airtight, if deeply biased, social case.

Why You Should Read It

You read this for the unsettling glimpse into a vanished world. The legal argument is a product of its time, but the human details are timeless and haunting. Ancillon inadvertently preserves voices and experiences that mainstream history ignored. When he describes the methods of castration or the complex social standing of these men, you're not just reading an opinion; you're seeing the raw mechanics of power, prejudice, and survival in the pre-modern world. It challenges you to separate the author's judgment from the lives he documents.

Final Verdict

This is a niche but fascinating read. It's perfect for history buffs who want to go beyond kings and battles into the gritty details of social history, or for anyone interested in the history of gender, the body, and power. It's not an easy read—the language is archaic and the subject matter heavy—but it's incredibly rewarding. If you liked the strange, personal depths of The Cheese and the Worms or are curious about the realities behind the scheming eunuchs of fantasy novels, this is the real, raw, and profound source material.