Qin and Han · General

Bo Zhao 薄昭

Bó Zhāo

Attested BC 176 - BC 170

Passages: 8
Chapters: 3
Histories: 3

Overview

The translated histories identify Bo Zhao as a courtier, general, official, and royal family member. This record brings together 8 passages from 3 chapters across 3 histories, with names, dates, relationships, offices, and events preserved as source-backed claims.

Names

Type	English	Chinese	Pinyin
Personal	Bo Zhao	薄昭	Bó Zhāo
Personal	Bo Zhao	薄昭	Bò Zhāo
Personal	Bo Zhao	薄昭
Title	Marquis of Zhi	軹侯	Zhǐ hóu
Personal	Zhao	昭	Zhāo

Identity

Historicity: Historical
Identification: Named
Sex: Male

Sex: male
Explicit · jinshi:045:s0131
Sex: male
Strongly inferred · shiji:057:s0104

Roles

Courtier
General
Official
Royal Family Member

Life and dates

Death

Manner: executed / 誅 · Authority Person Id: Emperor Wen of Han (漢文帝)
Explicit · jinshi:045:s0131
將軍薄昭死
Explicit · hanshu:005:s0161

Attested activity

Source Date: Text: 勃之益封受賜 · Western Year: BC 176
Explicit event contextual date · shiji:057:s0104
Source Date: Text: 漢文誅薄昭 · Western Year: BC 170
Explicit event contextual date · jinshi:045:s0131

Career and standing

Title En: Marquis of Zhi · Title Zh: 軹侯
Explicit · hanshu:005:s0063

Events and relationships

Type: younger-brother · Target: Lady Bo (薄姬)
Explicit · hanshu:005:s0024

References in the histories

Open any source group to read the Chinese and English passage in context.

Book of Han, Chapter 5Volume 4: Annals of Emperor Wen · 5 passages

於是代王乃遣太后弟薄昭見太尉勃，勃等具言所以迎立王者。 At this the King of Dai dispatched Bo Zhao, the Empress Dowager's younger brother, to meet with Grand Commandant Zhou Bo. Zhou Bo and his colleagues explained in detail the reasons for welcoming and enthroning the king.

昭還報曰：「信矣，無可疑者。」 Bo Zhao returned and reported: 'It is trustworthy indeed—nothing to doubt.'

遣車騎將軍薄昭迎皇太后于代。 He dispatched Chariot Cavalry General Bo Zhao to welcome the empress dowager from Dai.

封將軍薄昭為軹侯。 He enfeoffed General Bo Zhao as the Marquis of Zhi.

將軍薄昭死。 General Bo Zhao died.

History of Jin, Chapter 45Volume 45 Treatises 26: Punishment · 1 passage

昔漢文誅薄昭，有足取者。 When Emperor Wen of Han put Bo Zhao to death, he showed the right way forward.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 57House of Zhou Bo, Marquis of Jiang · 2 passages

勃之益封受賜，盡以予薄昭。 Bo had given all of his additional enfeoffments and rewards to Bo Zhao.

及系急，薄昭為言薄太后，太后亦以為無反事。 When Bo's imprisonment grew dire, Bo Zhao interceded with Empress Dowager Bo, who likewise believed there was no truth to the charge of rebellion.