Ancient China · Ruler

Duke Mu of Qin 秦伯

Qín Bó

Attested BC 659 - BC 621

Passages: 6
Chapters: 4
Histories: 2

Overview

The translated histories identify Duke Mu of Qin as a ruler. This record brings together 6 passages from 4 chapters across 2 histories, with names, dates, relationships, offices, and events preserved as source-backed claims.

Names

Type	English	Chinese	Pinyin
Personal	Duke Mu of Qin	秦伯	Qín Bó
Title	Duke Mu
Title	Duke Mu	繆公	Mu Gong
Title	Duke Mu of Qin	秦伯
Regnal	Duke Mu of Qin	秦穆公	Qin Mu Gong
Posthumous	Mu	繆	Miu

Identity

Historicity: Historical
Identification: Named
Sex: Male

Sex: male
Explicit · shiji:088:s0067
Value: male
Explicit · shiji:068:s0017

Roles

Ruler

Life and dates

Attested activity

Source Date: Text: 秦穆公卒 · Western Year: BC 621
Explicit event contextual date · shiji:088:s0067
Source Date: Text: 繆公 · Western Interval: Start: BC 659 · End: BC 621
Explicit · shiji:083:s0189
Source Date: Text: 繆公之業 · Western Interval: Start: BC 659 · End: BC 621
Explicit event contextual date · shiji:068:s0017, shiji:068:s0146

Places and affiliations

Polity: Qin / 秦 · Relation: ruled
Explicit · shiji:068:s0017, shiji:088:s0067

Events and relationships

Relation: patron-of · Person Id: Five Ram Skin Grand Master (五羖大夫)
Explicit · shiji:068:s0146, shiji:068:s0147

References in the histories

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

Book of Han, Chapter 96Volume 85: Gu Yong and Du Ye · 1 passage

昔秦伯有千乘之國，而不能容其母弟，春秋亦書而譏焉。 Duke Mu of Qin had a state of a thousand chariots yet could not accommodate his younger brother; the Spring and Autumn recorded and mocked this.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 68Biography of Lord Shang · 3 passages

公叔既死，公孫鞅聞秦孝公下令國中求賢者，將修繆公之業，東復侵地，乃遂西入秦，因孝公寵臣景監以求見孝公。 After Gongshu's death, Gongsun Yang learned that Duke Xiao of Qin had issued an edict throughout his realm seeking talented men. The duke intended to revive Duke Mu's legacy and recover territories lost to the east. Yang traveled west to Qin and, through the duke's favored minister Jing Jian, sought an audience with Duke Xiao.

聞秦繆公之賢而願望見，行而無資，自粥於秦客，被褐食牛。 He heard of Duke Mu of Qin's worthiness and wished to see him. Traveling without resources, he sold himself to a Qin merchant, wore coarse clothing, and tended cattle.

期年，繆公知之，舉之牛口之下，而加之百姓之上，秦國莫敢望焉。 After one year, Duke Mu discovered him, raised him from tending cattle, and placed him above the common people. No one in Qin dared to rival him.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 83Biographies of Lu Zhonglian and Zou Yang · 1 passage

故百里奚乞食於路，繆公委之以政； Baili Xi once begged for food by the roadside, yet Duke Mu of Qin entrusted him with the government.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 88Biography of Meng Tian · 1 passage

昔者秦穆公殺三良而死，罪百里奚而非其罪也，故立號曰『繆』。 Long ago, Duke Mu of Qin had three worthy ministers buried alive to accompany him in death and unjustly accused Baili Xi of offenses not his own. For these acts he received the posthumous epithet 'Mu,' signifying a flawed reign.