CIVILIZATION DOSSIER
Ma Chao马超
Son of Ma Teng, brave and invincible, killed Wang Fang and captured Li Meng.
- DIRECT FIGURES
- 21
- RELATION RECORDS
- 30
- SOURCE WORKS
- 3
RELATIONSHIP COMPASS
Ma Chao, 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
3 figures · 4 records＋
Kinship
Blood, marriage and sworn bonds
Ma Chao—Ma Daibrothers
Ma TengisMa Chao’s father
Han SuiisMa Chao’s uncle
02ALLEGIANCEAllegiance
Rulers, appointments and allegiance
5 figures · 7 records＋
Allegiance
Rulers, appointments and allegiance
Liu Bei—Ma Chaoruler-subject
Zhang Lu→Ma Chaoaccept
Zhuge Liang→Ma Chaodispatch
Pang De—Ma Chaosubordinate general
03CONFLICTConflict
Battles, captures and defeat
14 figures · 17 records＋
Conflict
Battles, captures and defeat
Cao Cao—Ma Chaobattle
Liu Bei→Ma Chaounite
Ma Chao—Yang Fubattle
04THE UNSEENMythic acts
Transformation, aid and divine punishment
2 figures · 2 records＋
Mythic acts
Transformation, aid and divine punishment
Zhuge Liang→Ma Chaopay respects
Li Hui→Ma Chaorecruit surrender
12 key relationships are shown here. The complete record remains below.
In history · Records of the Three Kingdoms
Warlord of Guanzhong, contained Cao Cao.
In fiction · Romance of the Three Kingdoms · Book of the Later Han
Son of Ma Teng, brave and invincible, killed Wang Fang and captured Li Meng. Eldest son of Ma Teng, stayed in Xiliang, advised his father to enter the capital. General of Xiliang, rebelled against Cao Cao to avenge his father.
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 history3 profile notes
Book of the Later Han
2 relations3 verified quotations- Cao Cao→ battle →Ma Chao
- Ma Chao→ surrender →Liu Bei
Verified original text · 3
曹操与韩遂、马超战于渭南
battle · Book of the Later Han, 孝献帝纪
操击破之
defeat · Book of the Later Han, 董卓列传
1 more verified quotation in the relationship records below.
- Literature / legend16 profile notes
Romance of the Three Kingdoms
23 relations30 verified quotations- Cao Cao→ battle →Ma Chao
- Ma Chao→ battle →Cao Cao
- Liu Bei→ ruler-subject →Ma Chao
- Ma Chao→ surrender →Liu Bei
Verified original text · 30
务要赶到马儿
pursue and attack · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 59
超咬牙切齿，大骂：“操贼欺君罔上，罪不容诛！害我父弟，不共戴天之仇！
hatred · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 58
28 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.
- Official history31 profile notes
Records of the Three Kingdoms
18 relations22 verified quotations- Cao Cao→ battle →Ma Chao
- Ma Chao→ battle →Cao Cao
- Liu Bei→ ruler-subject →Ma Chao
- Ma Chao→ surrender →Liu Bei
Verified original text · 22
与超等夹关而军
battle · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·武帝纪
使夏侯渊讨之
attack · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·武帝纪
20 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.
History vs. fiction
In official history, he was a formidable warlord who dominated the Guanzhong region and surpassed all other tribal leaders in valor; in the novel, he is a loyal and filial general of Shu Han, driven by a deep blood feud.
The Records of the Three Kingdoms, Book of Wei, Biography of Emperor Wu records that Ma Chao first raised troops against Cao Cao, and only afterward did Cao Cao execute Ma Teng's entire family, who were residing in Ye City; the novel reverses the causality. The original text first states: "马超遂与韩遂、杨秋、李堪、成宜等叛。" It then says Cao Cao subsequently fought against them, "大破之，斩成宜、李堪等。遂、超等走凉州" (Records of the Three Kingdoms, Book of Wei, Biography of Emperor Wu).
- novel inventionAt the Battle of Tong Pass, he forced Cao Cao to flee, cutting his beard and abandoning his robe.
The Records of the Three Kingdoms contains no account of 'cutting beard and abandoning robe.' The Unofficial Biography of Cao Cao only records that Cao Cao narrowly escaped death at the hands of Ma Chao while crossing the Yellow River at Tong Pass, saved by Xu Chu's protection.
Relationship network
- battle← Cao Cao → Ma Chaohist × litRecords of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·武帝纪Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 59Book of the Later Han, 孝献帝纪Book of the Later Han, 董卓列传
Original text (5)
曹操与韩遂、马超战于渭南
操击破之
Original relation: defeat · Book of the Later Han, 董卓列传
务要赶到马儿
Original relation: pursue and attack · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 59
与超等夹关而军
使夏侯渊讨之
Original relation: attack · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·武帝纪
- battleMa Chao → Cao Caohist × litRecords of the Three Kingdoms, 蜀书·关张马黄赵传Records of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·董二袁刘传Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 58Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 59
Original text (4)
超咬牙切齿，大骂：“操贼欺君罔上，罪不容诛！害我父弟，不共戴天之仇！
Original relation: hatred · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 58
马超挺枪接战
曹公与遂、超单马会语
超与关中诸将及遂等反，太祖征破之
Original relation: rebel · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·董二袁刘传
- ruler-subject← Liu Bei → Ma Chaohist × litRecords of the Three Kingdoms, 蜀书·邓张宗杨传Records of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·辛毗杨阜高堂隆传Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 65Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 73Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 81
Original text (5)
马超为平西将军
Original relation: appoint · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 65
为五虎大将
骠骑将军马超并弟马岱
赞马孟起
会刘备遣张飞、马超等从沮道趣下辩
- surrenderMa Chao → Liu Beihist × litRecords of the Three Kingdoms, 蜀书·关张马黄赵传Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 65Book of the Later Han, 董卓列传
Original text (3)
超奔汉中，降刘备
马超大喜，即唤杨柏入，一剑斩之，将首级共恢一同上关来降玄德。
Original relation: surrender · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 65
先主遣人迎超，超将兵径到城下
Original relation: submit · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 蜀书·关张马黄赵传
Original text (1)
主公可作一书，往结马超，使超兴兵入关
Original text (1)
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父亲知马超武艺过人，要入川来与之比试高低
Original text (1)
两马齐出，二枪并举。约战百馀合，不分胜负。
Original text (1)
至腾子超复与璋相闻，有连蜀之意
Original text (1)
夏侯渊大军至，马超弃城杀出
- battle← Xu Chu → Ma Chaohist × litRecords of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·李臧文吕许典二庞阎传Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 59
Original text (2)
许褚拍马舞刀而出
褚瞋目盼之。超不敢动
Original relation: confront · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·李臧文吕许典二庞阎传
- accept← Zhang Lu → Ma ChaolitRomance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 64Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 65
Original text (2)
迳往汉中投张鲁。张鲁大喜
张鲁大喜，先遣黄权从小路而回，随即点兵二万与马超。
Original relation: dispatch · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 65
- subordinateMa Chao → Zhang Luhist × litRecords of the Three Kingdoms, 蜀书·关张马黄赵传Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 65
Original text (2)
超感主公之恩，无可上报。愿领一军攻取葭萌关
乃奔汉中依张鲁
Original relation: depend · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 蜀书·关张马黄赵传
- brothersMa Chao → Ma Daihist × litRecords of the Three Kingdoms, 蜀书·关张马黄赵传Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 65
Original text (2)
- cousin← Ma Dai → Ma ChaolitRomance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 58Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 92
Original text (2)
超视之，乃马岱也。
令其弟马岱挂孝
Original relation: brothers · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 92
- father-son← Ma Teng → Ma Chaohist × litRecords of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·董二袁刘传Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 57Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 58
Original text (2)
后腾入为卫尉，子超领其部曲
今操杀马腾，其子马超，现统西凉之众
- uncle-nephew← Han Sui → Ma ChaolitRomance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 58Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 59
Original text (2)
韩遂扶起曰：“吾与汝父结为兄弟，安忍害汝？
超与叔父轮流调兵
- assassinateMa Chao → Han Suihist × litRecords of the Three Kingdoms, 蜀书·关张马黄赵传Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 59
Original text (2)
超一剑望韩遂面门剁去
超既统众，遂与韩遂合从
Original relation: unite · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 蜀书·关张马黄赵传
- subordinate general← Pang De → Ma Chaohist × litRecords of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·李臧文吕许典二庞阎传Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 58Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 74
Original text (3)
帐下一人应声曰：“此梦乃不祥之兆也。”众视其人，乃帐前心腹校尉，姓庞，名德
庞德原系马超手下副将
Original relation: former lord · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 74
德随腾子超拒援、干于平阳
Original relation: follow · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·李臧文吕许典二庞阎传
Original text (1)
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数合之中，一枪刺李通于马下
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阜兄弟七人，皆被马超杀死
Original text (1)
遣恢至汉中交好马超，超遂从命
Original text (1)
韩遂、马超之叛也，弘农、冯翊多举县邑以应之。河东虽与贼接，民无异心
- reportMa Chao → Peng Yanghist × litRecords of the Three Kingdoms, 蜀书·刘彭廖李刘魏杨传Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 79
Original text (2)
超审知此事，即往见彭羕
羕退，具表羕辞，于是收羕付有司。
Original text (1)
卿为其外，我为其内，天下不足定也
Original text (1)
汝不得吾令，何故轻敌致败？
Original text (1)