Qin and Han · Qin eunuch and minister

Zhao Gao 趙高

Zhào Gāo

Attested BC 210 - BC 207

Passages: 2
Chapters: 1
Histories: 1

Overview

Zhao Gao was a Qin eunuch and minister.

Life and dates

Attested activity

BC 210 to BC 207 趙高指鹿為馬
Strongly inferred · New History of the Five Dynasties 68, passage 80

Places and affiliations

Polity Qin 秦 · Relation Served
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 68, passage 80

Events and relationships

Pointed to deer as horse
Political · Minister · With Second Emperor of Qin (秦二世)
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 68, passage 80

References in the histories

New History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 68Volume 68: Hereditary House of Min · 2 passages

王仁達為鏻殺延稟有功，而典親兵，鏻心忌之，嘗問仁達曰：「趙高指鹿為馬，以愚二世，果有之邪？」 Wang Renda had distinguished himself by killing Yanbin and now commanded the imperial guard. Lin grew jealous and once asked him, "Did Zhao Gao really point to a deer and call it a horse to deceive the Second Emperor?"

仁達曰：「秦二世愚，故高指鹿為馬，非高能愚二世也。 Renda replied, "The Second Emperor of Qin was a fool, which is why Gao could call a deer a horse. Gao did not make the emperor foolish—the emperor was already foolish.