东汉宦者侯略论

Discussion on Eunuch Marquis in the Eastern Han Dynasty

史籍所载宦者侯数量为66人,册封69次。宦官封侯前都是皇帝身边的近臣,封侯的原因大多是在与外戚的斗争中立功。所以,其册封多分批进行,到顺帝时,宦者侯的封地、封户与爵级与一般列侯无二。到灵帝时有泛滥之势。宦官封侯之后或保持原职,或加官晋爵,被罢官之人也能回京奉朝请,且多能终身享受爵位之利,甚至传于子孙。这既是对宦者侯功劳的奖励,也是牵制外戚、大臣的需要。东汉宦者大规模封侯是政治和体制的必然结果。

The number of eunuch marquis in the historical records is 66, sealed 69 times. Theeunuchs were all close to the emperors before they were sealed up. Most of them were conferred the titlebecause of meritorious service in the struggle against relatives of emperor on the side of his mother orwife. Therefore, compared with other Marquis, there were no differences between the fief, number ofhouseholds and total population and rank. There was a spread unchecked during Emperor Ling of Han.Eunuches maintained his original post or promoted to office after being marquis, even if one was dismissed, he could returned to capital city for worship. Most of them could enjoy the benefits brought by the titleduring lifetime and even pass on to their descendants. This is not only a reward for meritorious service,but also a need for containing relatives of the emperor on the side of his mother or wife and ministers. Itis the inevitable result of politics and system that eunuch create feudal lords on a large scale in EasternHan Dynasty.