Qin and Han · Eunuch and Astrologer

Zhao Tong 趙同

Zhào Tóng

Attested BC 180 - BC 157

Passages: 7
Chapters: 3
Histories: 1

Overview

Zhao Tong was an eunuch and Astrologer.

Life and dates

Attested activity

BC 180 to BC 157 孝文時
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 100, passages 38, 48
BC 180 to BC 157 孝文時
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 125, passages 9, 11
BC 180 to BC 157 文帝時
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 101, passage 46

Key source chapters

Career and standing

imperial chariot companion 參乘
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 125, passage 11
Held
Imperial favorite
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 125, passages 9, 11

Learning and skills

Skill astrology and study of vapors 星氣 · Level favored
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 125, passage 11

Events and relationships

Relation Rival of · Person Yuan Ang (袁盎)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 101, passage 46

References in the histories

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 100Biographies of Ji Bu and Luan Bu · 1 passage

事貴人趙同等，與竇長君善。 He had attached himself to prominent figures such as Zhao Tong and was on friendly terms with Dou Changjun.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 101Biographies of Yuan Ang and Chao Cuo · 4 passages

宦者趙同以數幸，常害袁盎，袁盎患之。 The eunuch Zhao Tong, who had long enjoyed the Emperor's favor, constantly sought to undermine Yuan Ang, and Ang was troubled by this.

孝文帝出，趙同參乘，袁盎伏車前曰：「臣聞天子所與共六尺輿者，皆天下豪英。 When Emperor Wen went out, Zhao Tong rode as a companion in the imperial carriage. Yuan Ang threw himself before the carriage and said, 'I have heard that those who share the Son of Heaven's carriage should be the finest heroes of the realm.

於是上笑，下趙同。 The Emperor laughed and ordered Zhao Tong to get off.

趙同泣下車。 Zhao Tong climbed down from the carriage in tears.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 125Biographies of Flatterers · 2 passages

孝文時中寵臣，士人則鄧通，宦者則趙同、北宮伯子。 Among the favored intimates at Emperor Wen's court, the gentleman was Deng Tong, and the eunuchs were Zhao Tong and Beigong Bozi.

而趙同以星氣幸，常為文帝參乘； Zhao Tong found favor through his knowledge of astrology and divination by cloud formations, and he regularly rode beside Emperor Wen in the imperial chariot.