Early life

Pang Tong was from Xiangyang Commandery, Jing Province. In his youth, he looked plain and simple, so aside from his uncle, Pang Degong (龐德公) who valued him. He was not highly regarded by others. When he reached adulthood (around 19 years old), he visited the hermit scholar Sima Hui, who was famous for spotting and recommending men of talent. They came to a mulberry tree, where Sima Hui climbed up to get the fruit while Pang Tong sat below, and they chatted for a whole day until nightfall. Sima Hui felt that Pang Tong was an extraordinary person and called Pang the "Crown of Scholars in Jing Province" (南州士之冠冕). Furthermore, he remarked, "Pang Degong really knows how to judge people. This is truly a boy of majestic moral character." Subsequently, Pang Tong started gaining more recognition among the scholar-gentry. Like Zhuge Liang and Sima Hui who were respectively nicknamed 「Crouching Dragon」 and 「Water Mirror」 by the scholar-gentry, Pang Tong was nicknamed "Fledgling Phoenix" (鳳雛; also translated as "Young Phoenix") by his uncle Pang Degong (龐德公).

Service as appraiser

Pang Tong later served as an Officer of Merit (功曹) in Nan Commandery (南郡; around present-day Jiangling County, Hubei). By nature, Pang Tong was sociable with people and diligent in fostering and mentoring others. Hence, he was nominated to be an appraiser. When he reviewed people, he focused more on their personal virtues rather than their abilities. He was fond of ethical lessons and consistently strove to maintain high moral standards. He usually overpraised when he was asked to assess a person.

At times, people were puzzled so they questioned him on why he did that, to which he replied:

Service under Zhou Yu

In 209, Zhou Yu, a general under the warlord Sun Quan, occupied Nan Commandery after the Battle of Jiangling. After Zhou Yu was appointed as the Administrator (太守) of Nan Commandery, Pang Tong served as an Officer of Merit (功曹) under him. When Zhou Yu died in 210, Pang Tong escorted his coffin back to Jiangdong and attended his funeral. Many of the officials in Jiangdong heard of his reputation. When he returned to Jing province, they all accompanied him as he left the city. Among them, Pang Tong met and befriended Lu Ji, Gu Shao and Quan Cong. He also appraised each of them separately and described Lu Ji as "a horse that cannot run fast but has strong willpower", and Gu Shao as "an ox that is physically weak but capable of bearing burdens over great distances". He also compared Quan Cong to Fan Zizhao (樊子昭) of Runan describing him as someone generous who admire respectable men.

Someone then asked Pang Tong: "Does that mean Lu Ji is better than Gu Shao?" Pang Tong replied: "Although a horse can run fast, it can only bear the weight of one person. An ox can travel 300 li a day; it can certainly bear more than just the weight of one person!" Gu Shao later asked Pang Tong: "You are also known for being a good judge of character. Between us, who do you think is the better one?" Pang Tong replied: "I am not as good as you in associating with people and assessing their characters. However, when it comes to politics and strategy, it seems that I am one day ahead of you." Gu Shao agreed with Pang Tong and developed a closer bond with him. Before Pang Tong left, Lu Ji and Gu Shao told him: "When peace is restored in the Empire, we want to have a good discussion with you about famous people." Both of them became close friends with Pang Tong.

Serving Liu Bei in Jing Province

Pang Tong became a subject of Liu Bei after the latter became the Governor of Jingzhou in 210. He initially served as an Assistant Officer (從事) and as the county magistrate (縣令) of Leiyang, but was later dismissed from office due to poor performance. Sun Quan's general Lu Su wrote to Liu Bei, recommending Pang Tong as a great talent that should be employed to important tasks and not managing a small territory. Liu Bei's strategist Zhuge Liang also recommended Pang Tong, so Liu Bei met with him, was greatly impressed and entrusted him with important matters. He recruited Pang to be an Assistant Officer in the Headquarters Office (治中從事). Liu Bei's treatment towards Pang Tong was second to that of Zhuge Liang. He later appointed both Pang Tong and Zhuge Liang as Military Adviser Generals of the Household (軍師中郎將).

While making merry during a feast, Liu Bei asked Pang Tong: "You once worked as Zhou Gongjin』s Officer of Merit. Before when I went to Wu, I heard that he secretly pressed Zhongmou to detain me. Is it true? When a man is with his lord, he must be utterly honest with him." Pang Tong admitted that it was true. Liu Bei then sighed and said: "At this moment, I was in danger and they rescued me hence I could not refuse their invitation and almost failed to escape Zhou Yu's grasp! In this world, men of talent and wisdom can see through each other's plan. Before I left, Kongming protested against this with all his will. He has seen through this. However I didn't listen because I was thinking that I was Zhongmou's defense against the north and that he would need my help. I had no doubts about him. This was truly entering into the tiger's den and a very risky plan."

Assisting Liu Bei in the conquest of Yi Province

Around 210s, Pang Tong convinced Liu Bei to seize Yi Province (covering present-day Sichuan and Chongqing) and use its resources to compete with his rival Cao Cao for supremacy over China. Pang Tong said : Liu Bei answered : Pang Tong replied : Liu Bei heeded Pang Tong's suggestion.

In 211, Liu Bei led an army from Jing Province into Yi Province on the pretext of helping Yi Province's governor, Liu Zhang, counter an invasion from the warlord Zhang Lu in Hanzhong Commandery. Zhuge Liang remained behind to guard Jing Province while Pang Tong followed Liu Bei to Yi Province. Liu Zhang received Liu Bei at Fu County (涪縣; present-day Mianyang, Sichuan). Pang Tong urged Liu Bei to use the opportunity to capture Liu Zhang and force him to hand over Yi Province, but Liu Bei refused because he was new to Yi Province and had not established a strong foundation there yet. Liu Zhang later returned to Yi Province's capital, Chengdu.

Advising Liu Bei against Liu Zhang

Pang Tong outlined three plans for Liu Bei to choose from:

• The upper plan: Select the best soldiers to form an elite force and advance quickly towards Chengdu, and force Liu Zhang to surrender and hand over Yi Province. Pang Tong also believed that Liu Zhang was not competent in military affairs and was unprepared, so the chances of success were high. Pang Tong considered this to be the best plan.

• The middle plan: Yang Huai (楊懷) and Gao Pei (高沛) were famous generals who led strong troops defending Baishui Pass (白水關), and that in the past they had advised Liu Zhang to send Liu Bei back to Jing Province. Before advancing, spread false news that Liu Bei was returning to Jing Province by claiming that the region was in danger and needed rescue. With Liu Bei's reputation and wanting to see him leave, Yang and Gao would certainly come see him off with light cavalry, away from the fortified mountain passes they were defending. Then seize the opportunity to kill them and take control of their positions and troops, and finally advance towards Chengdu.

• The lower plan: Retreat to Baidicheng and wait for another opportunity to attack. Pang Tong considered this to be the worst plan.

Pang Tong told Liu Bei that if he took too much time and didn't go then he would be in great danger and couldn't last. Liu Bei chose the middle plan and executed it – he killed Yang Huai and Gao Pei, led his forces towards Chengdu and conquered several of Liu Zhang's territories along the way.

Disagreement over Liu Beis behavior during the campaign

When Liu Bei expressed joy during a banquet in Fu County to celebrate his success saying that today should be a merry day, Pang Tong chided him, saying that "celebrating the invasion of others' territory isn't what a man of ren (benevolence) should do". The drunk Liu Bei retorted angrily, "King Wu of Zhou also rejoiced after his victory over King Zhou of Shang. Is he not an example of a man of ren? You're wrong, so get out now!" After Pang Tong left, Liu Bei regretted what he said so he invited Pang back. Pang Tong returned to his seat and did not say anything, acting as usual, so Liu Bei asked, "When that quarrel happened just now, whose fault do you think it was?" Pang Tong replied, "It was both yours and mine." Liu Bei laughed and the banquet continued.

Xi Zuochi commented on this event and said :

Pei Songzhi added :

Death

Pang Tong later participated in a battle against Liu Zhang's forces at Luo County (雒縣; north of present-day Guanghan, Sichuan). He died after being hit by a stray arrow in the midst of battle. He was 36 years old (by East Asian age reckoning) at the time of his death. Liu Bei was deeply saddened by Pang Tong's death and he would weep whenever Pang Tong was mentioned. Pang Tong was posthumously made a Second Class Marquess (關內侯) after Liu Bei became emperor and established the state of Shu Han in 221. In October or November 260, Liu Bei's son and successor, Liu Shan, honoured Pang Tong with the posthumous title "Marquess Jing" (靖侯), and bestowed upon his heir the title of Marquess Jingxi (靖西侯).

Liu Bei had a shrine and tomb constructed for Pang Tong near Luo County. The shrine and tomb is located in present-day Baimaguan Town (白馬關鎮), Luojiang County, Sichuan. On 25 May 2006, it became a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level.

Tang Geng about Pang Tongs death

Tang Geng (唐庚), a scholar from the Song dynasty, in his work called the "Three Kingdoms Miscellaneous Cases" (三國雜事), lamented over the young age at which Pang Tong died, recalling that while Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong were classmates, by the time Zhuge Liang died at a relatively young age of 53, Pang Tong himself was already dead since 20 years. He then commented on the fact that the year 219 when Liu Bei took the title of "King of Hanzhong" was also the year Guan Yu died. Next year, in 220 Huang Zhong and Fa Zheng died. Next year, in 221 Zhang Fei died. Next year, in 222 Ma Chao and Ma Liang died.

Before the foundation has been complete, each of those heroes were lost one following the other as if they were being stolen away. Next year, in 223 when Liu Shan took the imperial throne. Among the veterans, only Zhuge Liang and Zhao Yun were left. Seven years later and Zhao Yun was dead in 229 while Zhuge Liang died five years later in 234. At this time, all of those who achieved past glory were gone. Fa Zheng barely reached 44 years old, Ma Chao 46 years old and Ma Liang 34 years old. Zhang Fei was said to be younger than both Liu Bei and Guan Yu; since Guan Yu was several years older than him, he must have been around fifty or so when he died. Huo Jun died when he was just 39 years old.

All of these outstanding individuals are born with great talents yet live a short life; all while Qiao Zhou lived to be more than seventy years old. With this, it should be clear to anyone that Heaven no longer favour the Han.

Family

After Pang Tong's death, Liu Bei appointed Pang's father – whose name was not recorded in history – as a Consultant (議郎) and later promoted him to a Counsellor Remonstrant (諫議大夫). Zhuge Liang treated him with great respect.

Pang Tong had a younger brother, Pang Lin (龐林). His wife was the sister of Xi Zhen, In 208, they were separated when Cao Cao invaded Jing Province and occupied Xiangyang. And reunited after the Battle of Xiaoting. During more than a decade of separation, she remained faithful to her husband and raised their daughter on her own. The Wei emperor Cao Pi praised her for her virtues and awarded her gifts. He served as an Assistant Officer in Jing Province's Headquarters Office (荊州治中從事). He participated in the Battle of Xiaoting in 221–222 alongside the general Huang Quan and was in charge of defending the northern flank from possible attacks by Shu's rival state, Wei. After Liu Bei lost to Sun Quan's general Lu Xun at the Battle of Xiaoting, Pang Lin and Huang Quan were separated from Liu Bei's remaining forces and could not return to Shu, so they brought along their troops and surrendered to Wei. Pang Lin served as the Administrator (太守) of Julu Commandery (鉅鹿郡) in Wei and received a marquis title. Fei Guan

Pang Tong had a son, Pang Hong (龐宏), whose courtesy name was Jushi (巨師). Pang Hong, who served in the Shu government, was known for being frugal, upright and outspoken. He offended Chen Di (陳袛), the Prefect of the Masters of Writing (尚書令). Chen Di found fault with Pang Hong and blocked him from getting promoted. He died in office while serving as the Administrator (太守) of Fuling Commandery (涪陵郡).

The previously mentioned Pang Degong, was also from Xiangyang. He was an acquaintance of Zhuge Liang, who showed him great respect by always bowing deeply before him when he visited his house. One day, when Pang Degong was away to pay his respects at his ancestor's tomb across the Mian River, Sima Hui visited his house and instructed his family to prepare a meal, telling them that "Xu Shu said that an important guest is coming to meet him and Pang Degong." Pang Degong's family respectfully followed Sima Hui's instructions. When Pang Degong returned, he did not seem surprised by Sima Hui's visit and behaved normally; it was as though he saw Sima Hui as a regular member of his household. Sima Hui, being ten years younger than Pang Degong, treated the latter as an older brother and called him affectionately "Lord Pang" (龐公) – to the point where people thought that "Lord Pang" was Pang Degong's courtesy name.

Pang Degong's son, Pang Shanmin (龐山民) also enjoyed a good reputation and married one of Zhuge Liang's sisters. He later served a Gentleman of the Yellow Gate (黃門吏) but died at a young age. His son, Pang Huan (龐渙), whose courtesy name was Shiwen (世文), served as the Administrator of Zangke Commandery (牂牁太守) during the Jin dynasty between 280 and 289.

Appraisal

Chen Shou, who wrote Pang Tong's biography in the Sanguozhi, appraised Pang as follows: "Pang Tong was good when associating with others. He diligently studied the classics, from this pondered his planning. During his time, people from Jing and Chu thought he was an exceptional talent. In comparison with officials from (Cao) Wei, Pang Tong would be similar to Xun Yu like a brother while Fa Zheng would be of the same nefarious kind as Cheng and Guo.

Yang Xi, who wrote the Ji Han Fuchen Zan (季漢輔臣贊; pub. 241), a collection of praises of notable persons who served in the Shu Han state, appraised him as follows: "Military Adviser General of the Household (軍師中郎將; Pang Tong) showed brightly, both extreme elegance and virtue. He devoted his life to clear his Master's path, loyal to his feelings and always delivered his opinion. But for all those righteousness actions, in response to virtue he received death."

In Romance of the Three Kingdoms

Pang Tong appears as a character in the 14th-century historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, which romanticises the historical events before and during the Three Kingdoms period. In the novel, Pang Tong is portrayed as a brilliant military strategist who equals Zhuge Liang. Sima Hui recommends Pang Tong and Zhuge Liang as talents to aid Liu Bei by saying, "Hidden Dragon and Young Phoenix. If you can get either of them, you'll be able to pacify the empire."

In Chapter 47, before the Battle of Red Cliffs, Jiang Gan recommends Pang Tong to Cao Cao. Pang Tong presents a "chain links strategy" (連環計) to Cao. The plan involves linking Cao Cao's battleships together with strong iron chains to make the ships more stable when they were sailing, as well as to reduce the chances of Cao's soldiers falling seasick due to excessive rocking. This leads to Cao Cao's defeat as his battleships are unable to separate from each other during the fire attack, and when one ship is set aflame, the other ships linked to it catch fire as well.

Pang Tong's death during the war between Liu Bei and Liu Zhang is highly dramatised in Chapter 63. At the outset of the battle at Luo County, before Liu Bei and Pang Tong split forces for a two-pronged attack, Pang Tong's horse rears and throws him off its back. This is seen as a bad omen. Liu Bei then let Pang Tong borrow his famous steed, Dilu (的盧). However, Dilu is believed to bring bad luck to its rider despite having saved Liu Bei's life earlier. Liu Zhang's general Zhang Ren, who plans an ambush near Luo County, recognises Dilu and mistakes its rider to be Liu Bei, so he orders his archers to fire at the rider. Pang Tong is hit by several arrows which pierce through his body and he dies on the spot. His place of death is called "Valley of the Fallen Phoenix".

In popular culture

Pang Tong is featured as a playable character in Koei's Dynasty Warriors, Warriors Orochi and Dynasty Tactics video game series.

Pang Tong is the sixth of the eight genius students of Master Water Mirror in The Ravages of Time manhua.

經歷

南州冠冕

龐統出身荊州名門，年少時質樸魯鈍，未有人識。叔父龐德公看重他。潁州人司馬徽清高雅正，有知人之鑒。龐統弱冠之年（二十歲）去見司馬徽。當時司馬徽在樹上採桑，龐統坐在樹下，二人由早談到夜。司馬徽甚奇異，稱龐統為荊南士人之冠，評他為「盛德」，更讚歎龐德公知人的才能，龐統名望漸漸傳開。

雅好人流

建安十四年（209年）周瑜在南郡爭奪戰，戰勝曹仁後，佔領南郡領太守。龐統在周瑜南郡太守任下，擔任功曹。後周瑜在巴丘病逝，龐統將周瑜的遺體靈柩護送回江東弔喪，遇到聞名而來的陸績、顧邵、全琮等。龐統認為全琮：「你好施予、慕賢明，有點像汝南人樊子昭。雖然智力不多，但仍是一時的佳話。」又認為：「陸績有馱馬的腳力，而顧邵則有馱牛能負重走遠路的能力。」有人便問：「如你所見，陸勣較優勝？」龐統解釋：「馱馬雖厲害，但只能負起一人。但馱牛一日能走三百里，所負又豈止一人！」於是顧邵招待龐統留宿，並問道：「你評價過如此多名人，我與你如何？」龐統說：「陶冶世俗，甄綜人物，吾不及卿；論帝王之秘策，攬倚伏之要最，吾似有一日之長。（教化世俗，薦舉人物，我不及你；但論帝王的秘策，攬、倚、伏的精要，我則較有利。）」

眾人受到龐統點評後都十分滿意，更與他結為朋友，說道：「當天下太平時，一定與您談盡四海之士。」

大才小用

劉備從孫權手中借走了南郡之後便督管荊州，任用龐統為耒陽令，但在任內無法將職務做好，被免官。魯肅寄書信給劉備為龐統引薦並加以勸告：「龐士元不是管理百里小縣的人才，命他為治中、別駕的職任，才能彰顯展現出他的才華。」諸葛亮亦加以推薦，於是劉備召見龐統一番談論，開始逐漸十分器重龐統，任命他為治中從事。其待遇僅次於諸葛亮，後升任為軍師中郎將。

有一次，劉備與龐統閒談，問他：「你曾經擔任周瑜的功曹。聽說那次我到京口去求見孫權，周瑜呂範曾上秘信給孫權，讓孫權扣留我，不知是否真有此事？在誰的麾下，就該效忠誰，各為其主，你不必隱瞞。」龐統回答：「確有此事。」劉備慨然嘆息：「當時我正在危急之中，有求於孫權，所以不能不去京口見他。去了，竟差一點落入周瑜手中！」劉備還說：「天下智謀之士，所見略同。諸葛亮那時也勸我不要去，而且一再堅持，想來也是怕孫權扣留我。我當時卻認為孫權所要提防的是北面的曹操，應該希望有我做他的援手，所以才堅持去見他，一點也沒有疑慮。現在想來，這確實是一步險棋，並非萬全之計。」

歷史小說《三國演義》第五十七回描述龐統任耒陽縣令，張飛去監視期間，龐統就將百餘日所累積的公務全按部處理。這事件的藍本就是在《三國志·蜀志十一·楊洪傳》裴注引陳壽另一著作《益部耆舊傳雜記》裡的何祗。

經學思謀

建安十六年（211年）張松舉薦法正，法正奉益州牧劉璋之命到荊州，迎接劉備進入川蜀共拒漢中張魯，暗中卻請劉備藉機謀取川蜀。劉備猶豫再三，不能決斷。龐統進諫，他說：「荊州荒蕪殘敗，人才物資流失殆盡。而且東有孫權，北有曹操，為鼎足而計，難以有大的發展。益州國富民殷，戶口百萬，沃野千里，土地肥沃，物產豐饒，四部兵馬，要調用都一定能齊集，珠寶財貨都無求於境外。我們可以以此來成就自己的大業。」劉備仍然擔心：「如今與我水火不容者，是曹操，曹操峻急，我便寬厚，曹操暴虐，我便仁慈，曹操詭譎，我便忠誠。凡事與他相反，事業才有今天的成就。如今若為得益州，而失信於天下，我不能這麼做。」龐統說：「當今乃腐亂之世，凡事不能拘執常理墨守成規，要宜從權變才行。況且吞併弱小，兼弱攻昧，逆取順守，報之以義，正是古人所重視的。只要事定之後，善待劉璋，厚加封贈，還有誰能你說失於義呢?不趁現在攻取益州，到時會被他人攻佔，追悔莫及。」劉備認為龐統說得有理，決定留諸葛亮、關羽、張飛、趙雲等鎮守荊州，而自己則帶領法正、龐統、黃忠、魏延、霍峻等人，率領數萬兵士進入益州。益州牧劉璋和劉備在涪城相會，龐統勸劉備於宴席上殺了劉璋，這樣將軍不需勞師動眾即可坐得益州，張松法正紛紛贊同，但劉備以自己初來蜀中恩信未立為由而拒絕。劉璋隆重地款待劉備及其部下，增撥給劉備不少兵馬糧草和軍用物資，連戰略關卡白水關也交給他督管，命他率兵去抵禦張魯。劉璋交代完畢，隨即返還成都，然而劉備到葭萌關便止步不前，並未貫徹北上攻打張魯的請求，而是廣樹恩德、收買人心。

征蜀三策

建安十七年（212年）張松因事跡敗露被斬，劉備與劉璋正式決裂後，龐統提出上、中、下三策取蜀：

• 上策：「立即秘密挑選精兵強將，晝夜兼程急行軍，襲擊攻取成都；劉璋沒有軍事才幹，又素來沒有預防戒備，突然大軍壓境，便可一舉攻下成都，這就是上策。」

• 中策：「楊懷、高沛乃是劉璋手下的名將，他們倚仗手中的強兵，據守白水關，聽說他們曾幾次上書勸諫劉璋，要劉璋把主公打發回荊州。主公未到達白水關時，可派人去告知他們，就說荊州有緊急軍務，準備回軍救援，同時下令我軍將士整理行裝，佯裝即將撤還的樣子。楊、高二人既欽佩主公的英名，又高興主公撤離益州，料想他們一定會輕裝前來拜送主公，主公可乘機下令將他們捉拿，進而奪佔白水關收編他們的部眾，揮軍攻打成都，這就是中策。」

• 下策：「立即退還白帝城，聯絡荊州兵馬入蜀，與荊州軍隊合兵一處，徐圖進取，慢慢蠶食益州，這就是下策。」

更認為：「如果猶豫不決而滯留此地，大軍必然陷入嚴重的困境，不可拖延下去了。」劉備認為上策過急，下策又太緩，故依採取中策而行。先斬楊懷、高沛，奪取二人的部眾，南下進軍佔領涪城，確保暢通回荊州之路，再攻成都，所向披靡。

君臣皆失

當大軍經過涪城時，劉備設宴款待眾人，飲酒作樂，並對龐統說：「今日的宴會，真是樂事。」但龐統責備：「攻打別人的領土，還在飲酒作樂，此非仁義之師所為。」道破劉備的野心，當時酒醉的劉備憤怒地說：「當年周朝武王伐紂，前歌後舞，難道他不是仁義之師嗎？你說話不當，請你趕快離開！」於是龐統離席引退。

後來，劉備稍微酒醒後，對龐統感到悔意，派人請龐統還席，龐統便回到坐位。不過，龐統沒有多謝劉備請他回來，卻自己在飲食，神色自若。劉備問他說：「你認為剛才是何人的過失？」龐統答道：「是君臣皆錯。」劉備大笑，繼續宴樂。

鳳雛落坡

劉備調遣荊州援軍諸葛亮、張飛、趙雲、劉封逆江而上率軍攻克白帝、江州、江陽。劉備進攻雒城時，龐統率軍攻城，不幸被城防守軍劉循指揮之下流矢射中而身亡，年僅36歲。劉備為之痛惜、流淚，諸葛亮也親自前往拜祭，龐統死後，葬於落鳳坡，更升其父為諫議大夫。後追賜關內侯，260年九月，追諡為靖侯。

逸聞

• 龐統年少時顯得比較純樸魯鈍。愛結交朋友，朋友眾多。他也認定仁的重要，有急才，於涪城上諫時可見到。

• 甚有修養，評價他人時會誇大讚美別人的優點，有人對此好奇便問他，龐統回答道：「當今天下大亂，雅道陵遲，善人少而惡人多。方欲興風俗，長道業，不美其譚即聲名不足慕企，不足慕企而為善者少矣。今拔十失五，猶得其半，而可以崇邁世教，使有志者自勵，不亦可乎？（方今天下大亂，正義之道逐漸衰退，善人少而惡人多，我想興起這樣的風俗以達到助長正道的目的，所以要宣揚好的榜樣，改善世風，如果不這樣做，善人會越來越少。十個人當中如果可以改善五個人，就可以將此事完成一半，進而達到教育世人的目的，使有志向的人可以自己勉勵自己，這樣難道不行嗎？）」大意是想通過讚美人去鼓勵、指導世人向善。

• 劉備另一位屬下張存極不服龐統，龐統中箭陣亡後，張存在劉備面前詆毀龐統，劉備震怒黜免了張存。

家庭

父輩

• 其名不詳。在龐統去世後被拜為議郎，後來又遷為諫議大夫。

• 龐德公，龐統的從父，漢末襄陽一帶的名士，善於品評人物。

同輩

• 龐林，龐統弟，以荊州治中從事加入黃權征吳，後夷陵之戰大敗，隨黃權降魏，封列侯，官至鉅鹿太守。其妻習氏因賢淑聞名。

• 龐山民，龐德公兒子，龐統堂兄弟，有令名，娶諸葛亮二姊為妻，為魏國黃門吏部郎，早卒。

子

• 龐宏，字巨師，為人剛直簡樸，傲視尚書令陳袛，為陳袛所抑，卒時任涪陵太守。

評價

• 陳壽評曰：「龐統雅好人流，經學思謀，于時荊、楚謂之高俊。」又曰：「擬之魏臣，統其荀彧之仲叔」（將龐統比擬為魏臣中的荀彧。）（《三國志·蜀書·龐統法正傳第七》）

• 龐統自評：「論王霸之餘策，覽倚仗之要害，吾似有一日之長。」

• 司馬徽：「南州士之冠冕。（龐）德公誠知人，此實盛德也。」「識時務者在乎俊傑。此間自有伏龍、鳳雛。」

• 傅巽曾經將龐統評價為「半英雄」。

• 諸葛亮：「龐統、廖立，楚之良才，當贊興世業者也。」

• 魯肅書與劉備：「龐士元非百里才也，使處治中、別駕之任，始當展其驥足耳。」

• 楊戲的《季漢輔臣贊》中贊龐士元：「軍師美至，雅氣曄曄。致命明主，忠情發臆。惟此義宗，亡身報德。」

• 習鑿齒曰：「夫霸王者，必體仁義以為本，仗信順以為宗，一物不具，則其道乖矣。今劉備襲奪璋土，權以濟業，負信違情，德義俱愆，雖功由是隆，宜大傷其敗，譬斷手全軀，何樂之有？龐統懼斯言之洩宣，知其君之必悟，故眾中匡其失，而不脩常謙之道，矯然太當，盡其蹇諤之風。夫上失而能正，是有臣也，納勝而無執，是從理也；有臣則陛隆堂高，從理則群策畢舉；一言而三善兼明，暫諫而義彰百代，可謂達乎大體矣。若惜其小失而廢其大益，矜此過言，自絕遠讜，能成業濟務者，未之有也。臣松之以為謀襲劉璋，計雖出於統，然違義成功，本由詭道，心既內疚，則歡情自戢，故聞備稱樂之言，不覺率爾而對也。備宴酣失時，事同樂禍，自比武王，曾無愧色，此備有非而統無失，其雲『君臣俱失』，蓋分謗之言耳。習氏所論，雖大旨無乖，然推演之辭，近為流宕也。」

• 袁宏《三國名臣頌》：「士元弘長，雅性內融。崇善愛物，觀始知終。喪亂備矣，勝塗未隆。先生標之，振起清風。綢繆哲後，無妄惟時。夙夜匪懈，義在緝熙。三略既陳，霸業已基。」

• 裴松之：「謀襲劉璋，計雖出于統，然違義成功，本由詭道，心既內疚，則歡情自戢，故聞備稱樂之言，不覺率爾而對也。備酣宴失時，事同樂禍，自比武王，曾無愧色，此備有非而統無失。其言『君臣皆失』，蓋分謗之言耳。」

• 程公許：「蜀將如關、張、龐統，吳將如周瑜、魯肅，志長命短，天下重惜之。而馬超、黃忠、趙雲、費禕、呂蒙、程普、步騭、甘寧輩皆智勇絕倫，足以當一面。」

• 劉祁：「已而諸豪割據，士大夫各欲擇主立功名，如荀攸、賈詡、程昱、郭嘉、諸葛亮、龐統、魯肅、周瑜之徒，爭以智能自效。」

• 方孝孺：「然徽以孔明、龐統並稱，吾竊有疑焉。論者惜統早死，故功業不及孔明；余謂使統不死，終非孔明比也。孔明之學，庶乎王道；而統之言，皆矯詐功利之習。劉璋之迎昭烈，或說昭烈就取益州，昭烈恐失信于天下，統則請就其來迎而襲殺之；昭烈之不即從，所以堅益州之民服從之志，猶有王者之用心也；統獨切切焉欲奪璋之位，其器量何淺哉？王者患孚德不弘、道不洽，不患土狹民微也。」（《孔明之學庶乎王道》）

• 李光地：「龐士元論人才，不肯求全責備，這個心胸，便可以稱『鳳雛』。」（《榕村語錄》）

藝術形象

三國演義

《三國演義》中龐統的形象與史書上的龐統有所不同。《演義》中描寫龐統容貌醜陋，在赤壁之戰時受周瑜之託而向曹操獻連環計，曹操因此將戰船用鐵索連接起來。劉備入蜀後，在龐統的輔佐下奪取涪城，斬了泠苞之後，與龐統分兵進取雒城；出發前，龐統馬失前蹄，請求換乘劉備座騎白馬--的盧，並自告奮勇擔任前軍，行至一地勢逼窄之山谷處，聽說此地名叫「落鳳坡」，心知此乃不利之兆，遂遭埋伏於此的張任軍認作劉備，亂箭射死。

歇後語

• 龐統當知縣——大材小用。

影視形象

• 中國大陸湖北電視台電視劇《諸葛亮》（1985年）：由劉明凱飾演龐統。

• 香港亞洲電視電視劇《諸葛亮》（1985年）：由曾偉權飾演龐統。

• 中國大陸中央電視台電視劇《三國演義》（1994年）：分別由祝士彬、金書貴飾演龐統。

• 台灣華視電視劇《關公》（1996年）：由鄧安寧飾演龐統。

• 電影《諸葛孔明》（1996年）：由石玉昆飾演龐統。

• 電影《一代梟雄曹操》（1999年）：由石玉昆飾演龐統。

• 中國大陸電視劇《臥龍小諸葛》（2001年）：由劉曉虎飾演龐統。

• 中國大陸電視劇《三國》（2010年）：由杜旭東飾演龐統。

• 香港無線電視台電視劇《回到三國》（2012年）：由章志文飾演龐統。

動漫遊戲

• 真三國無雙系列 / 無雙OROCHI系列（光榮公司開發，河內孝博配音）

• 三國志

• 三國演義

• 《蒼天航路》（王欣太）中的龐統是一個足智多謀的美男子。

• 《火鳳燎原》（陳某）中的龐統臉上有刺青，右眼眼白全黑。擅長算計布局，被三奇賈詡稱為「怪物」，是司馬徽的弟子，更是名聞天下的軍師集團「水鏡八奇」中的「六奇」，在關東軍平陽兵營中在短時間破解董卓軍中計謀而得「鳳雛」之名，在宛城之戰中出山，並使曹操走上絕路及司馬家因反曹而滅門，實為劉寵起義而鋪路，因劉寵死於司馬家暗殺而失敗，在徐州遇上劉備後，對劉備作重新評估並有投劉備之意，官渡之戰曾助孫策平于吉及進犯曹操(實為袁方舉薦，以分化周瑜和孫策)，赤壁之戰前曾遊說甘寧投降孫權，在諸葛亮下江東時曾遊說其投劉備，赤壁之戰後正式投劉備。

• 《王者榮耀》中的龐統被設定為一位刺客和傀儡師，能夠操作傀儡，釋放暗器進行戰鬥。但正因為該形象與歷史上的同名謀士形象嚴重不合，迫于各方壓力，《王者榮耀》製作組將旗下設計英雄「龐統」改名「元歌」。

註解

注釋