probably all heard about the girls, concubines, but few people know what is actually hidden by the word.What responsibilities were to carry the girl what rights they have and how different concubines around the world - and this will present a conversation.
Concubine - who is it?
So who is this concubine?This girl, who occupied a special place in the court of the ruler.Her status was lower than the official status of his wife, but she was a lot more benefits than other women.Although the content of harems and concubines in the various countries differed somewhat, most girls fall into the harem and become a concubine was a great success.So what is the difference between a concubine in the east and, for example, in Europe?
Concubine Sultan
When it comes to concubines, often reminded Turkey.Tradition hold harems and concubines start existed there for more than seven centuries.What was the sultan's concubine?
In contrast to the conventional wisdom, which has developed most likely due to the modern cinema, concubines are most often not a slave, prisoner or a girl from the street.In the harem existed a kind of limitation as to be girls of blondes and brunettes or redheads much.
Most often parents themselves sell their daughters into the harem.Thus, they wanted to give them a good future, how, according to generally accepted standards, considered to be life in the harem.Russian concubine, for that matter, any girl of Slavic origin, valued in the harem of the most.
What place took a concubine in the harem of the Sultan Sultan
could simultaneously contain 700-800 concubines.Among them there was a strict hierarchy.Naturally, all the 800 could not have "access to the body" ruler.Most often, the sultan had one or several wives and several concubines favorite.The rest of the girls could not see the years of their master.Favorite of the Sultan had more rights than the other girls.A child born of a favorite concubine, naturally, could not pretend to take the place of his father.However, the ruler of all his children happy in life.The exclusive right to succession had only children born status.But given the constant struggle for power, it is not known who was more fortunate: the child concubines, who were not threatened or small heir who every day risk of becoming a victim of someone else's plans.
In addition, the official position of the wife is not much different from the situation which took a concubine.This means that they were the property of his master, and even lived in the golden, but cell.
girls who were unable to join the ranks of the favorites, performed by a host of other duties.First of all, economic.Since the entrance to the harem was strictly forbidden to outsiders, all the work "at home" was fully placed on the shoulders unfortunate concubines.One can monitor the cleanliness, the other - for the routine, the third - the health of the entire "family", the fourth - the process of making coffee ... and so on to infinity.Duties, as well as labor, was enough.
Concubines in Europe
If someone thinks that the concubine - a phenomenon that is extended only in the East, it is very wrong.Almost all European monarchs had concubines, that's just called them favorites of.However, the name does not change the fact of who actually were these women.
Almost always the emperor chose his wife, guided solely by political considerations.Soon, however, the court appeared girl Emperor recognized his official favorite.Often a relationship with a girl Emperor supported long before entered into a formal marriage.Besides the favorites could be several.
fact of European emperors could be called polygamy.And his wife, mistress and lived in the same house, and the monarch was the biological father of their children.As in the east, the right of succession to the throne had children born of the legitimate wife, but history is replete with cases where it is bastards ranked their fathers.In addition, the concubine in Europe had far more rights than in the East, and it is often the imperial concubine influenced the destiny of the whole state.
Concubines Pharaoh
If you recall the history, the tradition of concubines have appeared in ancient Egypt.In addition, the pharaoh was not a harem, and a few that were scattered throughout the country.Therefore, going to the next journey, there was no need to bring their wives.Indeed, in every city he will have another favorite concubine.This position gave Pharaoh many advantages.The fact that Pharaoh had a large number of harems, it was another advantage.If a girl fell out of favor, or emerged from a young age, she went into a far harem.
girls lived in the harem are not themselves, and with their children and extended family members of Pharaoh.Thus, the number of its inhabitants could exceed a thousand.Many concubines had their own estates, production workshops, which brought them a good income.
also in the harem could live daughters of kings of other countries.They came to Pharaoh with rich gifts from their fathers.Between them and the ruler of the illusion of equality, but in fact these girls have no more rights than a concubine from humble families.
