The Rabbis distinguished two kinds of eunuchs: (1) "seris adam," a eunuch made by man; (2) "seris ḥamma," a eunuch made by the sun; that is to say, one born incapable of reproduction, so that the sun never shone on him as on a man.
According to the Shulḥan 'Aruch, "seris ḥamma" means "castrated in consequence of fever.”
The Talmud gives various criteria by which the eunuch of the second kind may be recognized, and refers to various disabilities due to the state, especially as regards ḤaliẒah.
We explore the eunuchs of the ancient world from the near east to Persia and China and the role they played as administrators of royalty.