Overview
Liu Bei was a warlord and founding emperor of Shu Han.
PeriodQin and Han
IdentityHistorical · Male
Other names
| Type | English | Chinese | Pinyin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Courtesy name | Xuande | 玄德 | Xuándé |
| Temple name | Former Lord | 先主 | |
| Alternate name | Lord Liu | 劉翁 | Liú Wēng |
Life and dates
Attested activity
- AD 208 to AD 214 Jingzhou and Yizhou campaigns with Pang TongDated from the passage context · Records of the Three Kingdoms 37, passage 21
- AD 221 to AD 223 三國時期Directly stated · Book of Liang 20, passage 84
- AD 221 三國蜀漢Directly stated · Book of Liang 20, passage 84
- AD 209 to AD 211 主公之在公安也Dated from the passage context · Records of the Three Kingdoms 37, passages 199, 201
- AD 217 二十二年Dated from the passage context · Records of the Three Kingdoms 37, passages 206, 210
- AD 219 二十四年Dated from the passage context · Records of the Three Kingdoms 37, passages 211, 214
Show 32 more source-backed claims
- AD 214 俄而先主定益州Dated from the passage context · Records of the Three Kingdoms 39, passage 62
- AD 214 備攻成都Dated from the passage context · Records of the Three Kingdoms 39, passages 67-68, 81
- AD 214 先主定蜀
- AD 221 先主既即尊號Dated from the passage context · Records of the Three Kingdoms 37, passage 229
- AD 221 先主稱尊號Dated from the passage context · Records of the Three Kingdoms 39, passages 90, 112
- AD 221 先主立太子Dated from the passage context · Records of the Three Kingdoms 39, passages 173, 176
- AD 219 先主立為漢中王Dated from the passage context · Records of the Three Kingdoms 37, passage 222
- AD 223 先主臨薨Dated from the passage context · Records of the Three Kingdoms 39, passage 118
- AD 217 to AD 219 先主與曹公爭Strongly inferred · Records of the Three Kingdoms 37, passages 233-237
- AD 208 to AD 214 先主領荊州Dated from the passage context · Records of the Three Kingdoms 39, passage 98
- AD 221 to AD 222 劉備下白帝Dated from the passage context · Records of the Three Kingdoms 62, passage 150
- AD 221 劉備故事Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 136, passage 81
- AD 214 to AD 223 劉備時Directly stated · History of Song 256, passages 232-233
- AD 208 to AD 211 劉備領荊州Dated from the passage context · Records of the Three Kingdoms 61, passages 8-9
- AD 214 十九年Dated from the passage context · Records of the Three Kingdoms 31, passage 104; Records of the Three Kingdoms 37, passages 171, 173
- AD 212 壬辰歲Dated from the passage context · Records of the Three Kingdoms 63, passage 14
- AD 219 孫權殺關羽，并荊土Dated from the passage context · Records of the Three Kingdoms 61, passage 19
- AD 219 建安二十四年Dated from the passage context · Records of the Three Kingdoms 39, passage 85
- AD 211 建安十六年Directly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 31, passage 98
- AD 221 後劉備稱天子於蜀Derived from the source · Book of Later Han 93, passage 102
- AD 222 敗績於夷陵Dated from the passage context · Records of the Three Kingdoms 39, passage 114
- AD 208 曹公徵荊州Directly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 39, passage 41
- AD 208 to AD 209 會先主略有三郡Dated from the passage context · Records of the Three Kingdoms 39, passage 46
- AD 214 歲在甲午Directly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 63, passages 14, 17
- AD 211 to AD 214 溯江而西，與璋會涪Dated from the passage context · Records of the Three Kingdoms 37, passages 125, 133-134, 145
- AD 190 to AD 220 漢末Directly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 50, passage 20
- AD 211 to AD 214 璋遣法正迎劉備Dated from the passage context · Records of the Three Kingdoms 39, passages 63-64
- AD 208 赤壁Dated from the passage context · Records of the Three Kingdoms 31, passage 78
- AD 222 陸遜之破玄德Directly stated · Book of Southern Qi 24, passage 230
- AD 222 章武二年Directly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 34, passage 8
- AD 222 章武二年Dated from the passage context · Records of the Three Kingdoms 37, passage 230
- AD 221 章武元年Directly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 34, passage 76
Family
Immediate relationships attested in the translated histories.
- Spouse of Lady Gan (甘皇后)concubine 妾Directly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 34, passage 3
- Spouse of Mother of Liu Yong (劉永母)consort 妃 · ConcubinageStrongly inferred · Records of the Three Kingdoms 34, passage 90
- Spouse of Mother of Liu Li (劉理母)consort 妃 · ConcubinageStrongly inferred · Records of the Three Kingdoms 34, passage 33
- Parent of Liu Shan (劉禪)heir apparent 太子
father 父 · paternal lineSources vary in certainty · Records of the Three Kingdoms 39, passages 173-174; Records of the Three Kingdoms 34, passages 5, 90 - Spouse of Lady Sun (孫夫人)Lady Sun 孫夫人 · Marriage · EndedDirectly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 34, passage 67
- Spouse of Empress Mu (穆皇后)lady 夫人 · Primary marriageDirectly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 34, passages 70, 77
- Parent of Liu Li (劉理)son 子Directly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 34, passage 33
- Parent of Liu Yong (劉永)son 子Directly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 34, passage 90
- Spouse of Lady Sun (孫夫人)wife 妻Directly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 37, passage 201
- Kinship Role principal wives · Count 2 · Source says he repeatedly lost principal wives (plural, exact count unstated; recorded as at least two).Directly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 34, passage 4
Key source chapters
- Records of the Three Kingdoms, Chapter 37 Volume 37: Book of Shu 7: Biographies of Pang Tong and Fa Zheng 57 passages
- Records of the Three Kingdoms, Chapter 39 Volume 39: Book of Shu 9: Biographies of Dong, Liu, Ma, Chen, Dong, and Lü 37 passages
- Records of the Three Kingdoms, Chapter 34 Volume 34: Book of Shu 4: Biographies of Concubines and Sons of the Two Lords 20 passages
- Records of the Three Kingdoms, Chapter 31 Volume 31: Book of Shu 1: Biographies of the Two Governor Lius 13 passages
- Records of the Three Kingdoms, Chapter 63 Volume 63: Book of Wu 18: Biographies of Wu Fan, Liu Dun, and Zhao Da 5 passages
Career and standing
- Left General and Grand Marshal 左將軍大司馬AD 214 先主定蜀 · HeldStrongly inferred · Records of the Three Kingdoms 39, passage 10
- General of the Left 左將軍HeldDirectly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 37, passages 137, 150-151
- Left General 左將軍HeldDirectly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 39, passages 69, 106
- King of Hanzhong 漢中王AD 219 建安二十四年 · BecameDirectly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 39, passage 85
- King of Hanzhong 漢中王AD 219 先主立為漢中王 · HeldDirectly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 37, passage 222
- Did not blameDated from the passage context · Records of the Three Kingdoms 39, passage 62
Show 4 more source-backed claims
- executed Yong Mao 殺茂Directly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 39, passage 89
- Son of Heaven 天子AD 221 後劉備稱天子於蜀 · Declared himself · At Shu 蜀Directly stated · Book of Later Han 93, passage 102
- assumed the imperial title 即尊號AD 221 先主既即尊號Directly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 37, passage 229
- emperor 尊號AD 221 先主稱尊號Directly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 39, passage 90
Places and affiliations
- AD 221 先主稱尊號Polity Han 漢 · Relation Claimed restorationDirectly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 39, passage 90
- Polity Jing 荊州 · Relation OccupiedDirectly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 39, passage 50
- Polity Shu Han 蜀 · Relation RuledDirectly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 37, passages 175, 210
- Polity Shu Han 蜀漢 · Relation Affiliated withDirectly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 34, passage 76
- Polity Shu Han 蜀漢 · Relation RuledStrongly inferred · Old History of the Five Dynasties 136, passage 81; Book of Southern Qi 24, passage 230
- Polity Shu Han 蜀漢 · Relation RuledDirectly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 39, passage 173; History of Song 256, passage 232
Show 10 more source-backed claims
- Polity Shu Han · Relation ServedDirectly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 37, passage 40
- Polity Shu 蜀 · Relation LedDirectly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 37, passages 133-134
- Polity Shu 蜀 · Relation RuledDirectly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 63, passage 17
- Polity Yi Province / Shu 益州 · Relation ConqueredDirectly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 39, passage 62
- AD 219 二十四年At Dingjun and Xingshi 定軍、興勢 · Relation EncampedDated from the passage context · Records of the Three Kingdoms 37, passage 211
- AD 214 十九年At Chengdu 成都 · Relation BesiegedDated from the passage context · Records of the Three Kingdoms 37, passage 173
- AD 222 章武二年At Baidi 白帝 · Relation Withdrew toDirectly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 37, passage 230
- At Gong An 公安 · Relation ResidedDirectly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 37, passage 199
- At Shu 蜀 · Relation Based inDirectly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 39, passage 87
- At Yizhou 益州 · Relation ObtainedDirectly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 63, passages 14, 17
Works and attributed material
- AD 214 備攻成都Order · Speaker · Direct quotation · At Chengdu 成都 · Mode named-source-report Source Work Traditions of Former Worthies of Lingling 零陵先賢傳Directly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 39, passage 67
- AD 223 先主臨薨Directly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 39, passage 118
- Edict · AuthorDirectly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 34, passages 34-36, 76-77, 91-96
- Pact · Speaker · Direct quotation · Mode named-source-report Source Work Traditions of Former Worthies of Lingling 零陵先賢傳Directly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 39, passage 80
- Speech · Speaker · With Fa Zheng (法正) · Direct quotationDirectly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 37, passages 234, 236
- Speech · Speaker · With Pang Tong (龐統)Directly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 37, passages 54-58, 76, 78-79, 83
Show 1 more source-backed claim
- Speech · Speaker · Direct quotation · Mode named-source-report Source Work Traditions of Former Worthies of Lingling 零陵先賢傳Directly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 39, passages 75-77
Events and relationships
- Advanced on HanzhongAD 217 二十二年 · Military · CommanderDated from the passage context · Records of the Three Kingdoms 37, passage 210
- AppointedDirectly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 37, passage 222
- Assumed authorityAD 208 to AD 211 劉備領荊州 · Political · Ruler · At Jing Province 荊州Dated from the passage context · Records of the Three Kingdoms 61, passage 8
- Became King of HanzhongAD 219 建安二十四年 · Political · RulerDirectly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 39, passage 85
- BesiegedDirectly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 31, passage 104
- Campaigned east against WuAD 221 to AD 222 及東征吳 · Military · CommanderDirectly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 39, passage 113
Show 32 more source-backed claims
- Changed coinage because of scarcityAD 214 to AD 223 劉備時 · Monetary policy · Precedent ruler · At Western Shu 西川Directly stated · History of Song 256, passages 232-233
- Declared emperorAD 221 劉備故事 · Political · PrecedentDirectly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 136, passage 81
- Defeated at YilingAD 222 敗績於夷陵 · Military · Commander · At Yiling 夷陵Directly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 39, passage 114
- Defeated and withdrewAD 222 章武二年 · Military · Commander · At Baidi 白帝Directly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 37, passage 230
- Defeated by Lu XunDirectly stated · Book of Southern Qi 24, passage 230
- Entered ShuAD 208 to AD 211 劉備領荊州 · Military · Commander · At Shu 蜀Dated from the passage context · Records of the Three Kingdoms 61, passage 9
- Felt dread entering Lady Sun quartersDirectly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 37, passage 201
- Fled south of the YangziAD 208 曹公徵荊州 · Military · Fleeing commanderDirectly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 39, passage 41
- Followed advice and refilled treasuriesAD 214 數月之間 · Economic · Ruler · With Liu Ba (劉巴) · Mode named-source-report Source Work Traditions of Former Worthies of Lingling 零陵先賢傳Dated from the passage context · Records of the Three Kingdoms 39, passage 84
- HonoredDirectly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 37, passage 179
- Installed heir apparentDated from the passage context · Records of the Three Kingdoms 39, passage 173
- Keenly desired to assume the true throneAD 221 備銳意欲即真 · Political · Aspirant · Mode named-source-report Source Work Traditions of Former Worthies of Lingling 零陵先賢傳Directly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 39, passage 88
- Massed troops at XilingMilitary · Commander · At Xiling 西陵Directly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 63, passage 31
- Met Liu Zhang at FuDirectly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 37, passage 133
- Obtained and rejoicedPersonal · Captor · With Liu Ba (劉巴) · Mode named-source-report Source Work Traditions of Former Worthies of Lingling 零陵先賢傳Directly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 39, passage 68
- Occupying Jing discussedAD 208 曹公敗於烏林 · Political · Contested holder · At Jing Province 荊州Directly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 39, passage 44
- Pacified ShuAD 214 先主定蜀 · Military · Commander · At Shu 蜀Directly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 31, passage 115
- Planned eastern campaignDirectly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 37, passage 229
- ResentedDirectly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 39, passage 54
- SeizedAD 208 to AD 209 會先主略有三郡 · Military · Commander · At three commanderies 三郡Dated from the passage context · Records of the Three Kingdoms 39, passage 46
- Selected and left ministersDated from the passage context · Records of the Three Kingdoms 39, passage 176
- Settled ShuAD 214 先主定蜀 · Military · ConquerorDirectly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 39, passage 10
- Settled YizhouPolitical · RulerDirectly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 34, passage 67
- SettledAD 214 俄而先主定益州 · Military · Conqueror · At Yi Province 益州Dated from the passage context · Records of the Three Kingdoms 39, passage 62
- TookAD 214 備攻成都 · Military · Commander · At Chengdu 成都 · Mode named-source-report Source Work Traditions of Former Worthies of Lingling 零陵先賢傳Directly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 39, passage 81
- Turned against Liu ZhangDirectly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 37, passage 134
- Wept forDirectly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 37, passage 224
- Withdrew under fireDirectly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 37, passages 233-237
- Worried about empty storesAD 214 備攻成都 · Political · Ruler · Mode named-source-report Source Work Traditions of Former Worthies of Lingling 零陵先賢傳Directly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 39, passage 82
- Relation Defeated by · Person Lu Xun (陸遜)Directly stated · Book of Southern Qi 24, passage 230
- Relation Lord of · Person Fa Zheng (法正)Directly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 37, passages 222, 234-236
- Relation Patron of · Person Pan Jun (潘濬)Directly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 61, passage 8
Assessments and attributes
- Assessment Ma Su's words exceed the reality; he cannot be greatly employed · With Ma Su (馬謖) · Mode speech Speaker Liu Bei (劉備)Directly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 39, passage 118
- Assessment possesses heroic strategic vision · Mode named-person-judgment Speaker Fa Zheng (法正)Directly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 37, passage 128
- Assessment talent and wisdom surpass others; only a ruler like Liu Bei can employ him alone · With Liu Ba (劉巴) · Mode speech Speaker Liu Bei (劉備)Directly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 39, passage 77
- Assessment thought little of Xu Jing and would not employ him · With Xu Jing (許靖) · Mode historian-judgmentDirectly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 37, passage 175
- Assessment Zichu specially sows discord and may only be borrowing a road north rather than completing the enterprise · With Liu Ba (劉巴) · Mode speech Speaker Liu Bei (劉備)Directly stated · Records of the Three Kingdoms 39, passages 75-76
Source notes
- Historicity historical
- Value historicalDirectly stated · History of Song 256, passage 232
References in the histories
143 passages
No matching passages.