Qin and Han · Ruler and Consort

Lü Empress Dowager 呂太后

Lü Taihou

First attested BC 195; died BC 180

Passages: 7
Chapters: 1
Histories: 1

Overview

Lü Empress Dowager was a ruler and Consort.

Life and dates

Death

BC 180 呂太后崩
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 97, passage 190

Attested activity

BC 180 呂太后崩
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 97, passage 190
BC 195 to BC 188 得幸呂太后
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 97, passages 166, 176-177

Places and affiliations

Polity Han 漢 · Relation Ruled
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 97, passages 166, 190

Events and relationships

Ashamed and unable to speak
BC 195 to BC 188 孝惠帝 · Political · Consort ruler
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 97, passage 177
Relation Patron of · Person Marquis of Biyang (辟陽侯)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 97, passages 166, 176

Source notes

Historicity historical
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 97, passage 166

References in the histories

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 97Biographies of Li Yiji and Lu Jia · 7 passages

辟陽侯行不正，得幸呂太后。 The Marquis of Biyang conducted himself improperly but obtained the favor of the Lü Empress Dowager.

辟陽侯幸呂太后，人或毀辟陽侯於孝惠帝，孝惠帝大怒，下吏，欲誅之。 The Marquis of Biyang was favored by the Lü Empress Dowager. Someone slandered the Marquis of Biyang to the Xiaohui Emperor, who became greatly angered, sent officials, and desired to execute him.

呂太后慚，不可以言。 The Lü Empress Dowager was ashamed and could not speak.

今辟陽侯幸太后而下吏，道路皆言君讒，欲殺之。 The Marquis of Biyang is favored by the Empress Dowager, yet he has been handed over to the officials. Everyone on the streets says it was you who slandered him, and that you want him dead.

今日辟陽侯誅，旦日太后含怒，亦誅君。 If the Marquis of Biyang is executed today, tomorrow the Empress Dowager will turn her wrath upon you and have you executed as well.

帝聽君出辟陽侯，太后大驩。 If the Emperor heeds you and releases the Marquis of Biyang, the Empress Dowager will be overjoyed.

呂太后崩，大臣誅諸呂，辟陽侯於諸呂至深，而卒不誅。 When the Lü Empress Dowager died, the great ministers executed the Lü clansmen. The Marquis of Biyang was extremely close to them, yet in the end he was not executed.