CIVILIZATION DOSSIER
Yuan Tan袁谭
Eldest son of Yuan Shao, Governor of Qingzhou, contended with his younger brother for succession, later surrendered to Cao Cao, and was ultimately killed by Cao Hong.
- DIRECT FIGURES
- 11
- RELATION RECORDS
- 17
- SOURCE WORKS
- 2
RELATIONSHIP COMPASS
Yuan Tan, 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
4 figures · 5 records＋
Kinship
Blood, marriage and sworn bonds
Yuan ShaoisYuan Tan’s father
Cao Cao—Yuan Tanmarriage alliance
Yuan Tan—Yuan Shangbrothers
Yuan Tan—Yuan Xibrothers
02ALLEGIANCEAllegiance
Rulers, appointments and allegiance
4 figures · 5 records＋
Allegiance
Rulers, appointments and allegiance
Yuan Tan→Cao Caosurrender
Wang Xiu→Yuan Tancry for master
Yuan Tan—Xin Piruler-subject
Yuan Tan—Guo Turuler-subject
03CONFLICTConflict
Battles, captures and defeat
6 figures · 7 records＋
Conflict
Battles, captures and defeat
Yuan Tan—Cao Caobattle
Cao Hong→Yuan Tanslay
Yuan Shang→Yuan Tanmutual attack
Yuan Tan→Kong Rongattack
12 key relationships are shown here. The complete record remains below.
In history · Records of the Three Kingdoms
Son of Yuan Shao, contended with Cao Cao. Eldest son of Yuan Shao, fought with his younger brother Yuan Shang, and died in battle. Son of Yuan Shao, attacked Kong Rong.
In fiction · Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Yuan Tan was the eldest son of Yuan Shao, once served as Governor of Qingzhou, and received Liu Bei. In the Battle of Guandu, he fled with his father after defeat. After Yuan Shao's death, he contended with his younger brother Yuan Shang for succession, later surrendered to Cao Cao, and was executed by Cao Hong.
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.
- Literature / legend5 profile notes
Romance of the Three Kingdoms
12 relations14 verified quotations- Cao Cao→ marriage alliance →Yuan Tan
- Yuan Tan→ battle →Cao Cao
- Yuan Tan→ surrender →Cao Cao
- Yuan Shao→ father-son →Yuan Tan
Verified original text · 14
操大喜，以女许谭为妻
marriage alliance · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 32
谭引兵出城，与曹军相敌。
battle · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 33
12 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.
- Official history13 profile notes
Records of the Three Kingdoms
11 relations17 verified quotations- Cao Cao→ marriage alliance →Yuan Tan
- Cao Cao→ defeat →Yuan Tan
- Yuan Tan→ battle →Cao Cao
- Yuan Tan→ surrender →Cao Cao
Verified original text · 17
为子整与谭结婚。
marriage alliance · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·武帝纪
与之绝婚，女还
divorce · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·武帝纪
15 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.
History vs. fiction
Who killed Yuan Tan in the Battle of Nanpi
- novel inventionYuan Tan was killed by Cao Hong
In the novel 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms', Chapter 33, it is written that in the Battle of Nanpi, 'Cao Hong, displaying his might, charged into the enemy formation, and encountering Yuan Tan, he swung his blade wildly, and Tan was killed by Cao Hong in the midst of battle.' However, in the official history 'Records of the Three Kingdoms', the one who killed Yuan Tan was not Cao Hong but a subordinate of Cao Chun. The main text clearly records that when Cao Chun led the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry to besiege Nanpi, 'The太祖 (Cao Cao) approved his words, and thus attacked urgently, and Tan was defeated. A cavalryman under Chun's command beheaded Tan.' The novel made a substitution here.
Relationship network
- marriage alliance← Cao Cao → Yuan Tanhist × litRecords of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·武帝纪Records of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·董二袁刘传Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 32
Original text (4)
操大喜，以女许谭为妻
为子整与谭结婚。
与之绝婚，女还
Original relation: divorce · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·武帝纪
太祖知谭诈，与结婚以安之
Original text (2)
谭、尚数败退，固守。
攻谭，破之，斩谭
Original relation: slay · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·武帝纪
- battleYuan Tan → Cao Caohist × litRecords of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·董二袁刘传Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 33
Original text (2)
谭引兵出城，与曹军相敌。
斩谭及图等。
Original relation: beheaded · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·董二袁刘传
- surrenderYuan Tan → Cao Caohist × litRecords of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·董二袁刘传Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 32
Original text (2)
谭修书付毗，使三千军送毗出境。毗星夜赍书往见曹操。
谭遣辛毗诣太祖请救
Original relation: request aid · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·董二袁刘传
- father-son← Yuan Shao → Yuan Tanhist × litRecords of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·武帝纪Records of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·程郭董刘蒋刘传Records of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·董二袁刘传Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 31Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 32
Original text (6)
长子袁谭字显忠
曰：“我为长子，反不能承父业；尚乃继母所生，反承大爵；心实不甘。”
谓长子谭曰
出长子谭为青州
绍爱少子尚，皃美，欲以为后而未显
曰：“我为长子，反不能承父业
Original text (1)
谭竟被曹洪杀于阵中。
- brothersYuan Tan → Yuan ShanghistRecords of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·武帝纪Records of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·董二袁刘传
Original text (2)
谭、尚数败退
谭略取甘陵、安平、勃海、河间，攻尚于中山。
Original text (1)
Original text (1)
曰：“汝药死父亲，篡夺爵位，今又来杀兄耶！”
Original text (1)
Original text (1)
太祖破袁谭于南皮，霸等会贺
Original text (1)
谭即召辛毗。毗欣然而至。
Original text (1)
袁熙、高干皆领军到城外
Original text (1)
袁谭与郭图、辛评议曰
- cry for master← Wang Xiu → Yuan Tanhist × litRecords of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·袁张凉国田王邴管传Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 33
Original text (2)
哭于头下。
修率吏民往救谭。
Original relation: save master · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·袁张凉国田王邴管传
Original text (1)
- slayYuan Tan → Feng Jihist × litRecords of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·董二袁刘传Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 32
Original text (2)
谭大怒，立斩逢纪
谭怒，杀纪
Original relation: kill · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·董二袁刘传