Qin and Han · Eunuch and Astrologer

Zhao Tan 趙談

Attested BC 180 - BC 157

Passages: 8
Chapters: 3
Histories: 1

Overview

Zhao Tan was an eunuch and Astrologer.

Life and dates

Attested activity

BC 180 to BC 157 孝文時…趙談
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 46, passages 32, 40
BC 180 to BC 157 孝文時
Directly stated · Book of Han 105, passage 6

Key source chapters

Book of Han, Chapter 58 Volume 49: Yuan Ang and Chao Cuo 4 passages
Book of Han, Chapter 105 Volume 93: Flatterers 3 passages
Book of Han, Chapter 46 Volume 37: Ji Bu, Luan Bu and Tian Shu 1 passage

Career and standing

eunuch 宦者
Directly stated · Book of Han 105, passage 6
palace eunuch 宦者
Directly stated · Book of Han 58, passage 41
Held
BC 180 to BC 157 孝文時 · Imperial favorite
Directly stated · Book of Han 105, passages 6, 40

Places and affiliations

BC 180 to BC 157 孝文時
Polity Han 漢 · Relation Served
Directly stated · Book of Han 105, passage 6

Learning and skills

Skill astrology and vapors 星氣 · Level used-to-win-favor
Directly stated · Book of Han 105, passage 40

Assessments and attributes

Assessment did not compare with Deng Tong · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Book of Han 105, passage 40

Source notes

Historicity historical
Directly stated · Book of Han 105, passage 6

References in the histories

Search passages

History

8 passages

Book of Han, Chapter 46Volume 37: Ji Bu, Luan Bu and Tian Shu · 1 passage

辯士曹丘生數招權顧金錢，事貴人趙談等，與竇長君善。 The rhetorician Cao Qiusheng repeatedly cultivated influence and sought money, attached himself to prominent men such as Zhao Tan, and befriended Dou Changjun.

Book of Han, Chapter 58Volume 49: Yuan Ang and Chao Cuo · 4 passages

宦者趙談以數幸，常害盎，盎患之。 The palace eunuch Zhao Tan, often in the emperor's confidence, worked steadily against him, and Yuan Ang lived in dread of it.

於是上朝東宮，趙談驂乘，盎伏車前曰：「臣聞天子所與共六尺輿者，皆天下豪英。 At the next audience in the Eastern Palace Zhao Tan took the attendant's seat in the imperial car; Yuan Ang threw himself across the shafts and said, "They say whoever rides beside the ruler must be a champion of the empire.

於是上笑，下趙談。 The emperor laughed and ordered Zhao Tan down from the chariot.

談泣下車。 Zhao Tan climbed down in tears.

Book of Han, Chapter 105Volume 93: Flatterers · 3 passages

其後寵臣，孝文時士人則鄧通，宦者則趙談、北宮伯子； Later reigns had their own favorites: under Emperor Wen, the lay courtier was Deng Tong; the eunuchs were Zhao Tan and Beigong Bozi;

附：趙談、北宮伯子 Appendix: Zhao Tan and Beigong Bozi

趙談者，以星氣幸，北宮伯子長者愛人，故親近，然皆不比鄧通。 Zhao Tan rose on star-charts and portents; Beigong Bozi, a kindly elder, stayed close to the throne—but neither matched Deng Tong's hold.