
CIVILIZATION DOSSIER
Dong Zhuo董卓
A powerful minister of the Eastern Han Dynasty, who deposed the emperor and installed Emperor Xian, monopolized power and disrupted governance, and was eventually killed by Lü Bu.
- DIRECT FIGURES
- 47
- RELATION RECORDS
- 74
- SOURCE WORKS
- 8
RELATIONSHIP COMPASS
Dong Zhuo, and the people around them.
Open one chapter at a time. Each chapter gives the relationship first, then the source text behind it.
01KINSHIPKinship
Blood, marriage and sworn bonds
1 figure · 2 records+
Kinship
Blood, marriage and sworn bonds
Dong Zhuo—Lu Buadoptive father-son
02ALLEGIANCEAllegiance
Rulers, appointments and allegiance
12 figures · 15 records+
Allegiance
Rulers, appointments and allegiance
He Jin→Dong Zhuosummoned
Dong Zhuo→Lu Budispatch
Dong Zhuo—Zhang Huansubordinate
Dong Zhuo→Emperor Xian of Hanmemorialize for destruction
03CONFLICTConflict
Battles, captures and defeat
12 figures · 16 records+
Conflict
Battles, captures and defeat
Lu Bu→Dong Zhuoslay
Yuan Shao→Dong Zhuoconfront
Cao Cao→Dong Zhuoattack
Sun Jian→Dong Zhuoattack
Read the original source
孙坚北讨董卓
04THE UNSEENMythic acts
Transformation, aid and divine punishment
7 figures · 7 records+
Mythic acts
Transformation, aid and divine punishment
Liu Bei→Dong Zhuorescue
Dong Zhuo→Lu Bugrant horse
Cai Yong→Dong Zhuograteful
12 key relationships are shown here. The complete record remains below.
In history · Records of the Three Kingdoms · Old Book of Tang
He often led barbarian troops and plundered the palace. He was Grand Tutor and was killed by Lü Bu. He was a powerful minister at the end of the Eastern Han, arrogant and cruel, ultimately leading to the extermination of his clan.
In fiction · Romance of the Three Kingdoms · Book of the Later Han · Extensive Records of the Taiping Era · Researches into Lost Records · In Search of the Supernatural · New Book of Tang
Dong Zhuo was originally a General of the Household, replacing Lu Zhi to campaign against Zhang Jiao, but was defeated and rescued by Liu, Guan, and Zhang. Later he served as Grand Administrator of Hedong and treated Liu Bei and others with disdain. After entering the capital, he monopolized power, deposed the Young Emperor and installed the Prince of Chenliu, appointing himself as Chancellor, and was cruel and unkind. He moved the capital to Chang'an, driving the people away. Later, due to Diao Chan, he turned against Lü Bu and was killed by him, and his remains were destroyed by thunder and fire.
Across source works
How this figure changes across texts
Works are shown side by side, not as a chronology. No influence between texts is inferred.
- Official history53 profile notes
Book of the Later Han
27 relations33 verified quotations- Yuan Shao→ confront →Dong Zhuo
- Lu Bu→ slay →Dong Zhuo
- Dong Zhuo→ adoptive father-son →Lu Bu
- Dong Zhuo→ dispatch →Lu Bu
Verified original text · 33
会董卓乘虚,所图不轨
confront · Book of the Later Han, 袁绍刘表列传上
使中郎将吕布杀太师董卓
slay · Book of the Later Han, 五行一貌不恭淫雨服妖鸡祸青眚屋自坏讹言旱谣狼食人
31 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.
- Official history1 profile notes
Old Book of Tang
0 relations0 verified quotations - Literature / legend11 profile notes
Romance of the Three Kingdoms
12 relations16 verified quotations- Cao Cao→ attack →Dong Zhuo
- Liu Bei→ rescue →Dong Zhuo
- Yuan Shao→ confront →Dong Zhuo
- Dong Zhuo→ appoint official →Yuan Shao
Verified original text · 16
急掣宝刀在手。恰待要刺
assassinate · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 4
三人救了董卓回寨
rescue · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 1
14 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.
- Official history24 profile notes
Records of the Three Kingdoms
12 relations15 verified quotations- Cao Cao→ attack →Dong Zhuo
- Yuan Shao→ confront →Dong Zhuo
- Dong Zhuo→ appoint official →Yuan Shao
- Lu Bu→ slay →Dong Zhuo
Verified original text · 15
将以诛卓
attack · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·武帝纪
昔者董卓初兴国难
attack · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·武帝纪
13 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.
- Literature / legend1 profile notes
Researches into Lost Records
0 relations0 verified quotations - Literature / legend1 profile notes
In Search of the Supernatural
1 relations1 verified quotations- Dong Zhuo→ memorialize for destruction →Emperor Xian of Han
Verified original text · 1
放废天子
depose or install · In Search of the Supernatural, ch. 6
- Literature / legend4 profile notes
Extensive Records of the Taiping Era
1 relations1 verified quotations- Dong Zhuo→ rebel →Cao Cao
Verified original text · 1
董卓乱,魏武挟令迁帝
rebel · Extensive Records of the Taiping Era, 草木五
- Official history1 profile notes
New Book of Tang
0 relations0 verified quotations
History vs. fiction
Dong Zhuo: Whether his remains were struck and destroyed by thunder after death
Both the official history and the novel record that after Dong Zhuo's death, his body was exposed in the market and his navel was used as a lamp wick. For example, Records of the Three Kingdoms, Book of Wei, Biographies of Dong, Er, Yuan, and Liu records: 'They placed a wick in Zhuo's navel to serve as a lamp, shining brightly until dawn.' Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Chapter 9, also describes: 'They put fire in his navel to serve as a lamp.' However, the novel adds a supernatural element of heavenly punishment. In Chapter 10, it fabricates a mystical scene where, when Li Jue collects his remains for reburial, 'a thunderbolt split open his coffin, and the corpse was thrown out... all the scattered flesh and bones were reduced to ashes by the thunder fire.' This is not recorded in the official history.
Relationship network
To keep this page fast, the 40 most important records are shown here.View all 74 relationships in the atlas →
- attack← Cao Cao → Dong Zhuohist × litRecords of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·武帝纪Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 4
Original text (3)
急掣宝刀在手。恰待要刺
Original relation: assassinate · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 4
将以诛卓
昔者董卓初兴国难
Original text (1)
Original text (1)
- confront← Yuan Shao → Dong Zhuohist × litRecords of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·董二袁刘传Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 3Book of the Later Han, 袁绍刘表列传上
Original text (3)
会董卓乘虚,所图不轨
两个在筵上对敌
Original relation: face enemy · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 3
绍遂以勃海起兵,将以诛卓
- appoint officialDong Zhuo → Yuan Shaohist × litRecords of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·董二袁刘传Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 4
Original text (2)
拜绍为渤海太守
何进与司隶校尉袁绍谋诛诸阉官
Original relation: conspire · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·董二袁刘传
Original text (1)
- slay← Lu Bu → Dong Zhuohist × litRecords of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·吕布张邈臧洪传Records of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·吕布臧洪传Records of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·武帝纪Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 8Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 9Book of the Later Han, 五行一貌不恭淫雨服妖鸡祸青眚屋自坏讹言旱谣狼食人Book of the Later Han, 刘焉袁术吕布列传Book of the Later Han, 天文下桓三十八灵二十献九陨石Book of the Later Han, 董卓列传Book of the Later Han, 陈王列传
Original text (8)
使中郎将吕布杀太师董卓
乃于门刺杀卓
Original relation: assassinate · Book of the Later Han, 刘焉袁术吕布列传
将军诛卓,为术报耻,功一也。
Original relation: kill · Book of the Later Han, 刘焉袁术吕布列传
司徒王允与将军吕布诛卓
Original relation: kill · Book of the Later Han, 天文下桓三十八灵二十献九陨石
布应声持矛刺卓
Original relation: assassinate · Book of the Later Han, 董卓列传
吕布因刺杀之
Original relation: assassinate · Book of the Later Han, 陈王列传
吕布怒恨而归
Original relation: resent · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 8
一戟直刺咽喉
- adoptive father-sonDong Zhuo → Lu BulitRomance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 5Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 6Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 8Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 9Book of the Later Han, 刘焉袁术吕布列传
Original text (5)
誓为父子
Original relation: adopt as son · Book of the Later Han, 刘焉袁术吕布列传
温侯吕布挺身出曰
卓大喜曰:“非汝言,吾实不悟。”遂引吕布星夜回洛阳
董卓有一义儿,姓吕,名布
布与我有父子之分
- father-son← Lu Bu → Dong Zhuohist × litRecords of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·吕布张邈臧洪传Records of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·吕布臧洪传Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 3
Original text (3)
布请拜为义父
Original relation: adoptive father-son · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 3
誓为父子
誓为父子
- dispatchDong Zhuo → Lu Buhist × litRecords of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·董二袁刘传Book of the Later Han, 礼仪下大丧诸侯王列侯始封贵人公主薨Book of the Later Han, 董卓列传
Original text (3)
卓使吕布发诸帝陵
卓又使吕布杀执金吾丁原而并其众
Original relation: instigate · Book of the Later Han, 董卓列传
卓又使吕布杀执金吾丁原
Original relation: subordinate general · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·董二袁刘传
Original text (1)
赤兔马亦董公所赠也
Original text (1)
Original text (1)
董卓为司空,闻邕名高,辟之
Original text (1)
怀董谓邕怀董卓之恩也。
- memorialize for destructionDong Zhuo → Emperor Xian of HanlitRomance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 4Book of the Later Han, 祭祀下宗庙社稷灵星先农迎春In Search of the Supernatural, ch. 6
Original text (3)
相国董卓、左中郎将蔡邕等以和帝以下
请奉陈留王为皇帝
Original relation: support enthronement · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 4
放废天子
Original relation: depose or install · In Search of the Supernatural, ch. 6
Original text (1)
- attack← Sun Jian → Dong Zhuohist × litRecords of the Three Kingdoms, 吴书·孙破虏讨逆传Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 6Book of the Later Han, 冕冠长冠委貌冠皮弁冠爵弁冠通天冠远游冠高山冠进贤冠法冠武冠建华冠方山冠巧士冠却非冠却敌冠樊哙冠术氏冠鹖冠帻佩刀印黄赤绶赤绶绿绶紫绶青绶黑绶黄绶青绀纶后夫人服
Original text (3)
孙坚北讨董卓
董卓逆天无道,荡覆王室,吾欲夷其九族
Original relation: hostile · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 6
岂将与乃和亲邪?
Original relation: 拒和 · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 吴书·孙破虏讨逆传
Original text (1)
卓自出与坚战于诸陵墓闲,卓败走
Original text (1)
Original text (1)
追理陈蕃、窦武及诸党人
Original text (1)
追理陈蕃、窦武及诸党人
Original text (1)
Original text (1)
卓遣将李傕诣坚求和
Original text (2)
大将军何进谋诛中官,乃召并州牧董卓
遂西召前将军董卓屯关中上林苑
Original relation: conscript · Book of the Later Han, 窦何列传
Original text (1)
乃私呼卓将兵入朝
Original text (1)
Original text (1)
奂恶卓为人,绝而不受。
Original text (1)
奂遣司马尹端、董卓并击
Original text (1)
从中郎将张奂为军司马
Original text (1)
公卿举玄为赵相
Original text (1)
卓大笾恨,由是忌嵩
Original text (1)
复拜嵩为左将军,督前将军董卓
Original text (1)
攸与议郎郑泰、何颙、侍中种辑、越骑校尉伍琼等谋曰:“董卓无道,甚於桀纣,天下皆怨之,虽资彊兵,实一匹夫耳。今直刺杀之以谢百姓
Original text (1)
诏以卓为中郎将,副左车骑将军皇甫嵩征之
Original text (2)
卓怒罢会,将诛植
卓大怒,罢坐
Original relation: rebuke · Book of the Later Han, 董卓列传
Original text (1)
Original text (1)
李傕,郭汜,尽驱洛阳之民数百万口
Original text (1)
- kill← Wang Yun → Dong ZhuohistRecords of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·武帝纪Records of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·王毌丘诸葛邓锺传Records of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·董二袁刘传
Original text (3)
司徒王允与吕布共杀卓
诛董卓
Original relation: kill · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·王毌丘诸葛邓锺传
司徒王允、尚书仆射士孙瑞、卓将吕布共谋诛卓
Original relation: murder · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·董二袁刘传