The single most famous case of self-emasculation is that of Origen who severed his own genitals in a fit of religious devotion. Whole sects grew up to practise self-castration and the emasculation of all men and boys who fell into their clutches. In one of the "Dialogues" of Lucian there is a famous tale of self castration. A young Syrian nobleman named Cambobus, ordered to accompany the queen on an extended journey, decided to castrate himself so that he would not betray the king en route. He had his testicles placed in an ornate casket, which he secured with a royal seal, and then presented to the king. The queen tried to seduce Cambobus on the journey. Various rumours got back to the king, and the young nobleman was arrested and charged with adultery. But then - of course - Cambobus played his trump card and the king, opening the casket, saw that he was innocent. Whether everyone, including Cambobus, lived happily ever after, we do not know.