The relationship between power and sexuality is one of the deepest and most complex issues in human history. As Camille Paglia emphasizes, "Sexuality is power, and all power is structurally aggressive" (1996: 61). In this context, the phallus (penis) is not merely a biological organ but also the most potent symbol of masculine dominance. The presence of the penis has been seen as a prerequisite for sustaining power, yet it alone has never been considered sufficient. A male figure seeking to maintain dominance must not only possess a penis but also demonstrate its "strength."

The Loss of the Phallus and the Collapse of Power

The loss of phallic power is synonymous with the downfall of masculine authority. A man who loses his penis forfeits not only his sexual function but also his social and political dominance. This phenomenon parallels the Freudian "castration complex": when a man loses his phallic power, his position crumbles in the face of the feminine, and he suffers a loss of prestige among other men.
Historically, castration has been one of the most definitive methods of punishment in power struggles. For instance, after suppressing the Miletus revolt, the Persians castrated the rebellious men, rendering them powerless, while taking the women into their harems to control them. Similarly, in the Ottoman Empire, the harem—seen as the most vulnerable point of the sultan’s authority—was guarded by eunuchs (castrated slaves). The harem was both the most symbolic and the most tangible representation of sovereignty, where the link between sexual potency and power became concrete.

The Paradox of Feminine Power

Unlike phallic power, the female sexual organ (vagina) does not symbolize power but rather constitutes its greatest threat. As Paglia underscores, female sexuality is not passive in the face of masculine dominance; on the contrary, it possesses a dynamic and destructive force. Women do not suffer from the phallic "performance anxiety" that plagues men, nor do they fear sexual failure. Moreover, women’s reproductive capacity grants them indirect access to phallic power: the sons they bear can become phallic extensions of the mother in social and political spheres.

The symbiotic relationship between the phallus and power has manifested in various forms throughout history. While the penis is an indispensable symbol of masculine dominance, castration remains the most definitive way to terminate that dominance. In contrast, feminine sexuality plays a more indirect—yet no less effective—role in power struggles. This complex battle for dominance between genders has been a critical force in shaping human history.