View source for Silla

{{Short description|Korean kingdom (57 BCE – 935 CE)}}
{{For|the district in Fujian Province, China|Xinluo, Longyan}}
{{Other uses}}
{{More citations needed|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox country
| native_name            = {{lang|ko|新羅}} ([[Hanja]])<br />{{lang|ko|신라}} ([[Hangul]])
| conventional_long_name = Silla
| common_name            = Silla
| status                 = Kingdom
| status_text            = 
| government_type        = [[Monarchy]]
| year_start             = 57 BCE
| year_end               = 935 CE
| life_span              = 57 BCE – 935 CE
| event_start            = Establishment
| date_start             = 
| event_end              = Handover to the [[Goryeo]]
| date_end               = 
| event1                 = Introduction of [[Buddhism]]
| date_event1            = 530
| event2                 = Campaigns of [[Jinheung of Silla|King Jinheung]]
| date_event2            = 551–585
| event3                 = [[Silla-Tang War]]
| date_event3            = 670–676
| event4                 = [[Later Silla]]
| date_event4            = 668–935
| event_pre              = 
| date_pre               = 
| p1                     = Jinhan confederacy
| p2                     = Gojoseon
| s1                     = Unified Silla
| flag_s1                =
| s2                     = Goryeo
| flag_s2                = Royal flag of Goryeo (Bong-gi).svg
| flag_type              = 
| image_coat             = 
| coat_size              = 
| coat_alt               = 
| symbol                 = 
| symbol_type            = 
| other_symbol           = 
| image_map              = History of Korea-576.png
| image_map_caption      = Silla in the 6th century, during the reign of King Jinheung.
| capital                = [[History of Gyeongju#Silla period|Seorabeol]]{{efn|Other name(s): Geumseong ({{Korean|금성|金城|labels=no}}), Saro ({{Korean|사로|斯盧|labels=no}}), Sara ({{Korean|사라|斯羅|labels=no}}), Seonabeol ({{Korean|서나벌|徐那伐|labels=no}}), Seoyabeol ({{Korean|서야벌|徐耶伐|labels=no}}), Seobeol ({{Korean|서벌|徐伐|labels=no}}), Wanggyeong ({{Korean|왕경|王京|labels=no}})}}{{efn|With the multiple capitals system; a Supreme capital with one to four secondary capitals (514-c.900)}}
| common_languages       = [[Old Korean]],<br />[[Classical Chinese]], <small>(literary)</small>{{sfn|Lee|1984|pp=83–84}}
| ethnic_groups          = [[Yemaek]],<ref>이기동, 1988, 「신라의 성립과 변천」, 「韓國古代史論」, 한길사.</ref> [[Samhan]]
| religion               = * [[Korean Shamanism|Korean ethnic folk religion/Shamanism]] (Earlier state Religion: 57 BCE – 527 CE)
* [[Korean Buddhism|Buddhism]] (State and official religion 527 CE – 935 CE)<ref name=camb1>Lee Injae, Owen Miller, Park Jinhoon, Yi Hyun-Hae, 2014, Korean History in Maps, Cambridge University Press, pp. 44–49, 52–60.</ref>
* Other religions: [[Korean Confucianism|Confucianism]]<br>[[Korean Taoism|Taoism]]<br>[[Islam in Korea|Islam]]<ref name="Geographers">Lee (1991) reviews the writings of more than 15 Arabic geographers on Silla, which most refer to as ''al-sila'' or ''al-shila''.</ref><ref name="Alawi1">Lee (1991, p. 26) cites the 10th-century chronicler [[Abu al-Hasan 'Alī al-Mas'ūdī|Mas'udi]].</ref>
| population             = 
| stat_year1             = 200
| stat_pop1              = 250,000<ref name="KB">{{cite web|url=http://www.kbsm.net/news/view.php?idx=150863|newspaper=경북신문|script-title=ko:신라시대, 인구조사는 어떻게 하였을까?..|author=김호상|date=August 1, 2016|language=ko|quote=신라의 인구수를 살펴보면, 중국측 기록에 나타나는 3세기 중엽경 진한과 변한의 인구는 25만 명 정도로 추정된다. 신라의 인구수는 '삼국사기'를 보면 668년에 고구려를 정벌하는데 20만 명의 병력을 동원한 사실이 나타난다. 이 20만 명은 군역의 의무를 지닌 정남이 차지하는 비율이 '신라촌락문서'에는 21%에 해당하고 있다. 이를 감안한다면 5배를 곱한 숫자 100만이 인구였음을 추정해 볼 수 있다.}}</ref>
| stat_year2             = 660
| stat_pop2              = 1,000,000<ref name="KB" />
| stat_year3             = 700
| stat_pop3              = 6,000,000<ref name="고려시대 개경 연구">{{cite book |author = 박용운  |title = 고려시대 개경연구 147~156쪽|year = 1996}}</ref>
| currency               = 
| legislature            = [[Hwabaek]]
| title_leader           = [[List of monarchs of Korea#Silla|King]]
| leader1                = [[Hyeokgeose of Silla|Hyeokgeose]] (first)
| year_leader1           = 57 BCE–4 CE
| leader2                = [[Talhae of Silla|Talhae]]
| year_leader2           = 57–80
| leader3                = [[Naemul Maripgan|Naemul]]
| year_leader3           = 356–402
| leader4                = [[Jinheung of Silla|Jinheung]]
| year_leader4           = 540–576
| leader5                = [[Muyeol of Silla|Muyeol]]
| year_leader5           = 654–661
| leader6                = [[Munmu of Silla|Munmu]]
| year_leader6           = 661–681
| leader7                = [[Gyeongsun of Silla|Gyeongsun]] (last)
| year_leader7           = 927–935
| stat_area1             = 
| footnotes              = 
| today                  = [[North Korea]]<br>[[South Korea]]
}}

{{Infobox Korean name/auto
|hangul = ^신라
|hanja = 新羅
|ipa= [ɕiɭ.ɭa]
|othername1= Seorabeol
|hangul1=^서라벌
|hanja1=徐羅伐
|ipa1=[sʌɾabʌɭ]
}}

{{History of Korea}}
{{Silla monarchs 1}}
{{Silla monarchs 2}}

'''Silla''' (<!--{{Korean|hangul=신라}}; -->{{IPA|ko|ɕiɭ.ɭa|}}; [[Old Korean]]: [[wikt:徐羅伐#Old Korean|徐羅伐]], [[Yale romanization of Korean|Yale]]: Syerapel,<ref>{{cite book | url= https://books.google.com/books?id=U_V5DwAAQBAJ&dq=silla+siraki&pg=PA43 | title=Man'yōshū (Book 15): A New Translation Containing the Original Text, Kana Transliteration, Romanization, Glossing and Commentary | date=August 2009 | publisher=Global Oriental | isbn=978-900421299-2 }}</ref> [[Revised Romanization of Korean|RR]]: ''Seorabeol''; [[International Phonetic Alphabet|IPA]]: {{IPA|ko|sʌɾabʌɭ|}}) was a Korean kingdom that existed between 57 BCE<ref>57 BCE according to the ''[[Samguk sagi]]''; however Seth 2010 notes that "these dates are dutifully given in many textbooks and published materials in Korea today, but their basis is in myth; only Koguryeo may be traced back to a time period that is anywhere near its legendary founding."</ref> – 935 CE and was located on the southern and central parts of the [[Korea|Korean Peninsula]]. Silla, along with [[Paekje]] and [[Koguryeo]], formed the [[Three Kingdoms of Korea]]. Silla had the lowest population of the three, approximately 850,000 people (170,000 households), significantly smaller than those of [[Paekje]] (3,800,000 people) and [[Koguryeo]] (3,500,000 people).<ref name="Chosun Education)">{{cite web |url=https://edu.chosun.com/m/view.html?contid=2016121300780 |author =  Chosun Education  |title = [ 기획 ] 역사로 살펴본 한반도 인구 추이|year = 2016}}</ref>

Its foundation can be traced back to the semi-mythological figure of [[Hyeokgeose of Silla]] (Old Korean: *pulkunae, "light of the world"), of the [[Park (Korean surname)|Park clan]]. The country was first ruled intermittently by the [[Miryang Park clan]] for 232 years and the [[Seok (Korean surname)#Wolseong|Wolseong Seok]] clan for 172 years and beginning with the reign of [[Michu of Silla|Michu Isageum]] the [[Gyeongju Kim clan]] for 586 years. Park, Seok and Kim have no contemporary attestations and went by the Old Korean names of 居西干 ''Geoseogan'' (1st century BCE), 次次雄 ''Chachaung'' (1st century CE), 泥師今 ''Isageum'' (Old Korean: *nisokum)<ref>{{Citation |script-title=ko:임금 |date=2023-08-04 |url=https://en.wiktionary.org/w/index.php?title=%EC%9E%84%EA%B8%88&oldid=75541684 |work=Wiktionary, the free dictionary |access-date=2023-12-14 |language=en}}</ref> and 麻立干 ''Maripkan'' (5th-6th century)<ref>{{Citation |script-title=ko:마립간 |date=2023-10-08 |url=https://en.wiktionary.org/w/index.php?title=%EB%A7%88%EB%A6%BD%EA%B0%84&oldid=76293153 |work=Wiktionary, the free dictionary |access-date=2023-12-14 |language=en}}</ref> instead.

It began as a [[chiefdom]] in the [[Jinhan confederacy|Jinhan]] confederacy, part of the [[Samhan]], and after consolidating its power in the immediate area, conquered the Gaya confederacy. Eventually allying with [[Sui dynasty|Sui China]] and then [[Tang dynasty|Tang China]], it conquered the other two kingdoms, [[Baekje]] in 660 and [[Goguryeo]] in 668. Thereafter, [[Unified Silla]] occupied most of the [[Korea|Korean Peninsula]], while the northern part re-emerged as [[Balhae]], a successor-state of [[Goguryeo]]. After nearly 1,000 years of rule, Silla fragmented into the brief [[Later Three Kingdoms]] of Silla, [[Later Baekje]], and [[Taebong]], handing over power to [[Goryeo]] in 935.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.shilla.or.kr/shilla_culture/ |script-title=ko:사단법인 신라문화진흥원 – 신라의 역사와 문화 |access-date=2008-03-08 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080321070426/http://www.shilla.or.kr/shilla_culture/ |archive-date=2008-03-21 }} Retrieved on 2008-03-08</ref>

== Etymology ==
Until the official adoption of Hanja names for its administration, Silla was recorded using the Hundok reading of Hanja to phonetically approximate its native Korean name, including {{lang|ko|斯盧}} ({{Korean|hangul=사로|labels=no|rr=Saro}}), {{lang|ko|斯羅}} ({{Korean|hangul=사라|rr=Sara|labels=no}}), {{lang|ko|徐那 (伐)}} ({{Korean|hangul=서나[벌]|rr=Seona[beol]|labels=no}}), {{lang|ko|徐耶 (伐)}} ({{Korean|hangul=서야[벌]|rr=Seoya[beol]|labels=no}}), {{lang|ko|徐羅 (伐)}} ({{Korean|hangul=서라[벌]|rr=Seora[beol]|labels=no}}), and {{lang|ko|徐伐}} ({{Korean|hangul=서벌|rr=Seobeol|labels=no}}).<ref name="신라新羅 - 한국민족문화대백과사전">{{Cite web |script-title=ko:신라(新羅) |url=http://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Contents/SearchNavi?keyword=%EC%8B%A0%EB%9D%BC&ridx=0&tot=2266 |access-date=2023-02-04 |website=[[Encyclopedia of Korean Culture]]}}</ref>

In 504, [[Jijeung of Silla]] standardized the characters into {{lang|ko|新羅}} ({{Korean|hangul=신라|labels=no}}), which in Modern Korean is pronounced ''Silla''. According to the ''[[Samguk sagi]]'', the name of {{lang|ko|新羅}} (''Silla''), consisting of the components ''sin'' ({{Langx|ko|新|label=none}}), as in ''deokeopilsin'' ({{Langx|ko|德業日新|label=none}}) and ''ra'', as in ''mangrasabang '' ({{Langx|ko|網羅四方|label=none}}) is thought to be a later Confucian interpretation.<ref name="신라新羅 - 한국민족문화대백과사전"/>

The modern [[Seoul]] is a shortened form of Seorabeol, meaning "capital city", and was continuously used throughout the [[Goryeo]] and [[Joseon]] periods even in official documents, despite the formal name having been Hanyang or Hanseong. The name of the Silla capital changed into its Late Middle Korean form ''Syeobeul'' ({{Korean|hangul=셔블|labels=no}}), meaning "royal capital city," which changed to ''Syeoul'' ({{Korean|hangul=셔울|labels=no}}) soon after, and finally resulted in ''Seoul'' ({{Korean|hangul=서울|labels=no}}) in the Modern Korean language.{{Citation needed|date=August 2023}}

The name of either Silla or its capital Seorabeol was widely used throughout Northeast Asia as the ethnonym for the people of Silla, appearing as [[wikt:新羅#Japanese|''Shiragi'']] in [[Japanese language|Japanese]] and as ''Solgo'' or ''Solho'' in the language of the medieval [[Jurchens]] and their later descendants, the [[Manchus]], respectively. Koreans are still known as ''Солонгос'' (''Solongos'') in Mongolian, which is according to popular [[folk etymology]] is believed to be derived from the Mongolian word for "[[rainbow]]" (''солонго'' ''solongo''). In a paper published in 2023 regarding the etymology of the Mongolian word ''Solongos'' "Korea, Koreans," the following seven etymological hypotheses regarding the origin of ''Solongos'' have been enumerated: (1) It comes from the Mongolian word ''solongo'' meaning "rainbow"; (2) It comes from the Mongolian word ''solongo'' meaning "[[mountain weasel|weasel]]"; (3) It comes from the Mongolian/Manchurian ethnonym [[Solon people|Solon]]; (4) It comes from the name of the ancient kingdom of Silla; (5) It comes from [[Jurchen language|Jurchen]] *''Solgo(r)'' ~ ''Solho'' which in turn stems from Old Korean 수릿골 ''suɾiskol'' > 솔골 ''solkol'' "[[Goguryeo]]"; (later) Korea, Korean"; (6) It comes from the Mongolian word ''solgoi'' "left, east"; (7) It comes from the name of the medieval kingdom of [[Goryeo]] (via *''Hoɾyo'' > *''Solo(n)-''). The authors of this paper have ended up supporting the sixth hypothesis, ''i.e.'' that Mongolian ''Solongos'' "Korea, Koreans" ultimately should be cognate with Mongolian ''soluγai'' > ''solγoi'' "left, wrong side of the body, left-handed, enemy to the east (from the perspective of the Mongols)"."<ref name = "Kang2023">Kang Junyoung and Yoo Byungjae (Feb 2023), "A Study on the Origin of the Name of Korea (Solongos) in Mongolia." ''Mongol Studies'' (몽골학) No. 72, pp. 117~148. https://www.kci.go.kr/kciportal/mobile/ci/sereArticleSearch/ciSereArtiView.kci?sereArticleSearchBean.artiId=ART002937650</ref>

Silla was also referred to as [[Gyerim]] ({{Korean|hanja=鷄林|hangul=계림|labels=no}}), literally "rooster forest", a name that has its [[Kim Al-chi|origins]] in the forest near the Silla capital. Legend has it that the state's founder was born in the same forest, hatched from the egg of a [[cockatrice]] ({{Korean|hangul=계룡|hanja=雞龍|rr=gyeryong|labels=no|lit=rooster-dragon}}).<ref>三國史記 1-1 脫解(Talhae) 尼師今 :
九年 春三月 王夜聞 金城西始林樹間 有鷄鳴聲 遲明遣瓠公視之 有金色小櫝 掛樹枝 白雞鳴於其下 瓠公還告 王使人取櫝開之 有小男兒在其中 姿容奇偉 上喜謂左右曰 此豈非天遺我以令胤乎 乃收養之 及長聰明多智略 乃名閼智 以其出於金櫝 姓金氏 改始林名雞林 因以爲國號
In the spring of nine years, in March, the king heard a rooster crow in the forest of Sirim (始林) west of capital at night. sent Hogong to take a look, and a small golden chestnut was hanging on a branch, and a white rooster was crying underneath it. brought a box and opened it, and there was a small boy in it, and his figure and appearance were strange and big. The king was delighted and said "Heaven has given me a precious son" and raised. As he grew up, he was intelligent and resourceful. The family name was Kim (金) because it came from cashbox (金櫃), and the name was changed to Gyerim (鷄林) and it was named after changing the name of Sirim (始林).</ref>

== History ==
=== Founding ===
During the [[Proto–Three Kingdoms]] period, central and southern Korea consisted of three confederacies called the [[Samhan]]. Silla began as "Saro-guk", a statelet within the 12-member confederacy known as [[Jinhan]]. Saro-guk consisted of six clans later known as the Six Clans of Jinhan ({{Korean|hangul=진한 6부|hanja=辰韓六部|labels=no}}) from Gojoseon.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|script-title=ko:사로국(斯盧國) ─ The State of Saro|url=http://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Contents/Item/E0025526|url-status=live|access-date=2021-11-16|archive-date=2021-02-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210213214742/https://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Contents/Item/E0025526}}</ref><ref name=":1">Samguk-sagi Silla, Park Hyeokgeose Chapter 1 (三國史記 新羅本記 朴赫居世 1) :

"...新羅始祖元年 漢宣帝五鳳元年 夏四月丙辰始祖朴赫居世立先是朝鮮遺民分居東海濱山谷爲六村曰閼川楊山曰突山高墟曰觜山珎支曰茂山大樹曰金山加里曰明活山高耶是爲辰韓六部..."

'''Translation''': In the year of Byeongjin, the founder [[Hyeokgeose of Silla|Park Hyeokgeose]] has ascended to the throne. Preceding this, were the dispersed people of [[Gojoseon]] scattered upon six villages across the eastern shores and mountain ridges; the Alcheon-yangsan, Dolsan-goheo, Jasan-Jinji, Musan-Daesu, Geumsan-gari, and the Myeonghwalsan-Goya. These villages have come to become the Six Tribes of [[Jinhan confederacy|Jinhan]].</ref>

According to Korean records, Silla was founded by [[Bak Hyeokgeose of Silla]] in 57 BCE, around present-day [[Gyeongju]]. Hyeokgeose is said to have been hatched from an egg laid from a white horse, and when he turned 13, six clans submitted to him as king and established the kingdom of "Saro (pronounced [si.raʔ] at the time)" which later became the kingdom of Silla.

In various inscriptions on archaeological founding such as personal gravestones and monuments, it is recorded that Silla royals considered themselves having [[Xiongnu]] ancestry through the Xiongnu prince Kim Il-je, also known as [[Jin Midi]] in Chinese sources.<ref name="김운회" /><ref name="경주 사천왕사" /> According to several historians, it is possible that this unknown tribe was originally of [[Koreanic languages|Koreanic]] origin in the Korean peninsula and joined the Xiongnu confederation. Later the tribe's ruling family returned to Korea from Liaodong peninsula where they thrive, and after coming back to the peninsula they got married into the royal family of Silla. There are also some Korean researchers that point out that the grave goods of Silla and of the eastern Xiongnu are alike,<ref name="Cho Gab-je">{{Cite book|author=Cho Gab-je|date=5 March 2004|author-link=Cho Gab-je|language=ko-kr|script-title=ko:騎馬흉노국가 新羅 연구 趙甲濟(月刊朝鮮 편집장)의 심층취재 내 몸속을 흐르는 흉노의 피|publisher=[[Monthly Chosun]]|url=http://monthly.chosun.com/client/news/viw.asp?nNewsNumb=200403100027&ctcd=&cpage=1|access-date=2016-09-25|archive-date=2012-01-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119135423/http://monthly.chosun.com/client/news/viw.asp?nNewsNumb=200403100027&ctcd=&cpage=1|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="김운회" /><ref name="경주 사천왕사">{{Cite book|date=2009-02-27 |language=ko-kr |script-title=ko:경주 사천왕사(寺) 사천왕상(四天王像) 왜 4개가 아니라 3개일까|publisher=[[The Chosun Ilbo]]|url=http://news.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2009/02/26/2009022601873.html|access-date=2016-09-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141230090440/http://news.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2009/02/26/2009022601873.html|archive-date=2014-12-30}}</ref><ref>김창호, 〈문무왕릉비에 보이는 신라인의 조상인식 – 태조성한의 첨보 -〉, 《한국사연구》, 한국사연구회, 1986년</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nl.go.kr/nl/search/SearchDetail.nl?category_code=ct&service=KOLIS&vdkvgwkey=14167918&colltype=YON_ART&place_code_info=132&place_name_info=%EC%97%B0%EC%86%8D%EA%B0%84%ED%96%89%EB%AC%BC%EC%8B%A4(3%EC%B8%B5)&manage_code=MA&shape_code=B&refLoc=portal&category=storage&srchFlag=Y&h_kwd=%E6%96%B0%E7%BE%85%E5%BB%BA%E5%9C%8B%E8%A8%AD%E8%A9%B1%EC%9D%98+%E7%A1%8F%E7%A9%B6%7C4%E8%BC%AF(1972%EB%85%84+5%EC%9B%94),+p.+1-52|script-title=ko:자료검색>상세_기사|website=[[National Library of Korea]]|access-date=2019-04-15|archive-date=2018-10-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181002190914/http://www.nl.go.kr/nl/search/SearchDetail.nl?category_code=ct&service=KOLIS&vdkvgwkey=14167918&colltype=YON_ART&place_code_info=132&place_name_info=%EC%97%B0%EC%86%8D%EA%B0%84%ED%96%89%EB%AC%BC%EC%8B%A4%283%EC%B8%B5%29&manage_code=MA&shape_code=B&refLoc=portal&category=storage&srchFlag=Y&h_kwd=%E6%96%B0%E7%BE%85%E5%BB%BA%E5%9C%8B%E8%A8%AD%E8%A9%B1%EC%9D%98+%E7%A1%8F%E7%A9%B6%7C4%E8%BC%AF%281972%EB%85%84+5%EC%9B%94%29%2C+p.+1-52|url-status=dead}}</ref> and some researchers insist that the Silla king is descended from Xiongnu.<ref>「제목=고구려와 흉노의 친연성에 관한 연구|저널=백산학보」「백산학보 제67호」</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=김 |first=대성|script-title=ko:<이색보고> 金家 뿌리 탐사, 흉노왕의 후손 김일제 유적을 찾아서|publisher=신동아|url=http://www.donga.com/docs/magazine/new_donga/9908/nd99080420.html|access-date=2016-09-25|archive-date=2016-09-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160913165847/http://www.donga.com/docs/magazine/new_donga/9908/nd99080420.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Cho Gab-je" /><ref name="김운회">{{Cite book|last=김 |first=운회|date=2005-08-30|script-title=ko:김운회의 '대쥬신을 찾아서' <23> 금관의 나라, 신라|publisher=[[Pressian]]|url=http://www.pressian.com/article/article.asp?article_num=40050830181724&Section=04|access-date=2016-09-25|archive-date=2012-01-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120126013751/http://www.pressian.com/article/article.asp?article_num=40050830181724&Section=04|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>이종호「한국 7대 불가사의」、역사의아침、2007、p108</ref><ref name="경주 사천왕사" />{{Excessive citations inline|date=January 2023}} It's more likely that the ruling families were just native Koreanic speakers as the linguistic situation at that time suggests.

[[Nihon Shoki]] and [[Kojiki]] also mentions Silla as the place where the Japanese god, [[Susanoo]] first descended from the heavens after his banishment in a place called "Soshimori" ({{Langx|ko|曽尸茂梨|label=none}}).<ref>{{Citation |title=Nihon Shoki |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-58292-0_140217 |work=Encyclopedic Dictionary of Archaeology |year= 2021|pages=935–936 |place=Cham |publisher=Springer International Publishing |doi= 10.1007/978-3-030-58292-0_140217|isbn= 978-3-030-58291-3|access-date=   |url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/899002167 |title=The Kojiki : an account of ancient matters |date=2014 |others=Gustav Heldt, Yasumaro Ō, Lisa Hamm |isbn=978-0-231-53812-1 |location=New York |oclc=899002167}}</ref> Up until the [[liberation of Korea]] in 1945, [[Meiji era]] Japanese historians claimed that Susanoo had ruled over Silla and that the Koreans were the descendants of him,<ref name=":22">{{Cite book |last=Shigeno, Kume, Hoshino |title=Kōhon kokushi gan |publisher=Shigakkai |year= |location=Tokyo |language=Japanese}}</ref> thus finding justification and legitimizing the [[Japanese occupation of Korea]] through the use of [[Nissen dōsoron]].<ref name=":02">{{Cite book |last=Weiss |first=David |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1249629533 |title=The god Susanoo and Korea in Japan's cultural memory : ancient myths and modern empire |date=2022 |isbn=978-1-350-27118-0 |location=London, United Kingdom |oclc=1249629533}}</ref> According to the ''[[Shinsen Shōjiroku]]'', [[Inahi no Mikoto]] the brother of the mythological [[Emperor Jimmu]]<ref>Empire of Japan, Department of Education, ''History of the Empire of Japan'' (Tokyo, 1893) p. 38</ref> was the ancestor to the kings of Silla. Another source found in ''[[Samguk sagi]]'' claims that a Japanese man named, [[Hogong]] helped build the kingdom of Silla.

=== Early period ===
In its early days, Silla started off as a city-state by the name of Saro ({{Korean|hangul=사로국|hanja=斯盧國|labels=no}}), initially founded by [[Yemaek]] refugees<ref>{{Cite web|script-title=ko:고조선의 주민과 예맥 (The People of Gojoseon and Yemaek)|url=http://contents.history.go.kr/mobile/nh/view.do?levelId=nh_004_0030_0010_0030|url-status=live|access-date=2021-11-22|archive-date=2021-11-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211122132832/http://contents.history.go.kr/mobile/nh/view.do?levelId=nh_004_0030_0010_0030}}</ref><ref>「예맥(濊貊)의 형성과정과 고조선」(박준형, 「학림」 22, 2001)</ref> from [[Gojoseon]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> It has also accepted dispersed people fleeing from the Lelang Commandery after Goguryeo's invasion,<ref>{{Cite web|script-title=ko:신라 유리왕 14년, 고구려 대무신왕 20년, 백제 다루왕 10년, 정유년(丁酉年), 37년|url=https://terms.naver.com/entry.naver?cid=49614&docId=890018&categoryId=49614|access-date=2021-11-16|website=terms.naver.com|language=ko|archive-date=2021-11-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116035721/https://terms.naver.com/entry.naver?cid=49614&docId=890018&categoryId=49614|url-status=live}}</ref> while later on incorporating native Jin people in the vicinity and [[Eastern Ye|Ye]] people to the North.

[[Talhae of Silla]] (57 CE–80 CE) was the son-in-law of [[Namhae of Silla]] (4 CE–24 CE). According to the ''[[Samguk sagi]]'', Seoktalhae was the prince of ''Yongseongguk'' (龍成國) or ''Dapana'' (多婆那國), located 1,000-[[Li (measurement)|ri]] (里), northeast of Japan (?). Following the will of Namhae of Silla, he became the fourth king of Silla. One day, he found a low peak next to Mt. Toham (吐含山) and packed it with his own house, and he buried charcoal next to the house of a Japonic official named Hogong (瓠公), who lived there, and deceived him that his ancestors were blacksmiths, but the Hogong family took their home. Hogong was tricked into handing over his house and property to the Seoktalhae. During this period, [[Kim Al-chi]], the ancestor of [[Gyeongju Kim]], was adopted by Talhae of Silla.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://terms.naver.com/entry.naver?cid=40942&docId=1152300&categoryId=33375 | script-title=ko:탈해 이사금 | publisher=[[Naver|Naver Encyclopedia]] | access-date=2021-07-31 | archive-date=2022-04-17 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417122117/https://terms.naver.com/entry.naver?cid=40942&docId=1152300&categoryId=33375 | url-status=live }}</ref>

The territory outside the capital was greatly conquered during the period of [[Pasa of Silla]] (80–112). As soon as he ascended the throne, he ordered officials to encourage agriculture, silkworm farming and train soldiers. There was a territorial dispute between the [[Conquest of Jinhan by Silla|Eumjipbeol and Siljikgok]], and the two countries first asked Pasa of Silla to mediate, Pasa of Silla was handed over to [[Suro of Geumgwan Gaya|King Suro of Gimhae]], who was the local leader at the time. King Suro instead resolved the territorial issue and ruled in favor of Eumjipbeol. However, King Suro sent an assassin to kill the head of the six Silla divisions, who hid in the Eumjipbeol while the assassin was escaping, and King Tachugan (陀鄒干) protected the assassin. In response, Pasa of Silla invaded Eumjipbeol in 102 and Tachugan surrendered, and the Siljikgok and Apdok, which were frightened by Silla, also surrendered. Six years later, it entered the inland area and attacked and merged [[Daegu|Dabulguk]], Bijigukuk, and Chopalguk.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://terms.naver.com/entry.naver?cid=40942&docId=1156854&categoryId=33375 | script-title=ko:파사 이사금 | publisher=[[Naver|Naver Encyclopedia]] | access-date=2021-07-31 | archive-date=2022-04-17 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417122116/https://terms.naver.com/entry.naver?cid=40942&docId=1156854&categoryId=33375 | url-status=live }}</ref>

During the [[Naehae of Silla]] period (196–230), the Eight Port Kingdoms War (浦上八國 亂) broke out to determine hegemony in the southern part of the peninsula. In 209, when the "eight upper countries (of the estuary)" (浦上八國) in the [[Nakdong River]] basin attacked the Silla-friendly [[Ara Gaya|Aragaya]], the prince of Aragaya asked Silla for a rescue army, and the king ordered Crown Prince Seok Uro to gather his troops and attack the eight kingdoms. Crown Prince SeokUro saved Aragaya and rescued 6,000 of the pro-Silla Gaya people who had been captured and returned to their homeland. Three years later, three among the eight countries (浦上八國), Golpo-guk, Chilpo-guk, and Gosapo-guk, will launch counterattacks against Silla. A battle took place in [[Ulsan|Yeomhae]], the southeastern part of the capital, and the war ended when the Silla king came out to fight against it, and the soldiers of the three kingdoms were defeated.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://terms.naver.com/entry.naver?cid=40942&docId=1347057&categoryId=33375 | title=浦上八國 亂 | publisher=[[Naver|Naver Encyclopedia]] | access-date=2021-07-31 | archive-date=2022-04-17 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417122117/https://terms.naver.com/entry.naver?cid=40942&docId=1347057&categoryId=33375 | url-status=live }}</ref>
<ref>{{cite web | url=https://terms.naver.com/entry.naver?cid=40942&docId=1075963&categoryId=33375 | script-title=ko:내해 이사금 | publisher=[[Naver|Naver Encyclopedia]] | access-date=2021-07-31 | archive-date=2022-04-17 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417122117/https://terms.naver.com/entry.naver?cid=40942&docId=1075963&categoryId=33375 | url-status=live }}</ref>

By the 2nd century, Silla existed as its own distinct political entity in the southeastern area of the [[Korean peninsula]]. It expanded its influence over the neighboring Jinhan chiefdoms, but throughout the 3rd century was probably no more than the strongest constituent in the Jinhan confederacy.

To the west, [[Baekje]] had centralized into a kingdom by about 250 CE, overtaking the [[Mahan confederacy]]. To the southwest, [[Byeonhan confederacy|Byeonhan]] was being replaced by the [[Gaya confederacy]]. In northern Korea, [[Goguryeo]], founded around 50 CE, destroyed the last Chinese commandery in 313 CE and had grown into the largest regional power.

=== Emergence of a centralized monarchy ===
[[Naemul of Silla]] (356–402) of the Kim clan established a hereditary monarchy and took the royal title of ''Maripgan'' (麻立干; 마립간). However, in the ''Samguk sagi'', [[Naemul of Silla]] still appears as a title of ''Isageum'' (泥師今; 이사금). He is considered by many historians as the starting point of the [[Kim (Korean surname)#Gyeongju|Gyeongju Kim]] period, which lasted more than 550 years. However, even when the Kim monopolized the throne for more than 500 years, the veneration of the founder Bak Hyeokgeose continued.
[[File:Royal Crown of Silla. National Museum of Korea.jpg|thumb|Royal crown of Silla (second half of the fifth century)]]
In 377, Silla sent emissaries to China and established relations with [[Goguryeo]]. Facing pressure from [[Baekje]] in the west and Japan in the south,<ref>{{Cite journal|url = https://muse.jhu.edu/article/177176/pdf|doi = 10.1353/ks.2005.0002|title = Prince Misahun: Silla's Hostage to Wa from the Late Fourth Century|year = 2003|last = Allen|first = Chizuko T.|journal=[[Korean Studies (journal)|Korean Studies]]|volume = 27|pages = 1–15|s2cid = 162712215|access-date = 2022-04-17|archive-date = 2016-03-04|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304113753/http://muse.jhu.edu/login?auth=0&type=summary&url=%2Fjournals%2Fkorean_studies%2Fv027%2F27.1allen.pdf|url-status = live|url-access = subscription}}</ref> in the later part of the 4th century, Silla allied with [[Goguryeo]]. However, after King [[Gwanggaeto the Great|Gwanggaeto's unification campaign]], Silla lost its status as a sovereign country becoming a vassal of Goguryeo. When Goguryeo began to expand its territory southward, moving its capital to [[Pyongyang]] in 427, [[Nulji of Silla]] was forced to ally with Baekje.

By the time of [[Beopheung of Silla]] (514–540), Silla was a full-fledged kingdom, with Buddhism as state religion, and its own [[Korean era name]]. Silla absorbed the Gaya confederacy during the [[Gaya - Silla Wars|Gaya–Silla Wars]], annexing [[Geumgwan Gaya]] in 532 and conquering [[Daegaya]] in 562, thereby expanding its borders to the [[Nakdong River]] basin.

[[Jinheung of Silla]] (540–576) established a strong military force. Silla helped [[Baekje]] drive [[Goguryeo]] out of the [[Han River (Korea)|Han River]] ([[Seoul]]) area, and then wrested control of the entire central western Korea region from Baekje in 553, breaching the 120-year Baekje-Silla alliance. Also, King Jinheung established the [[Hwarang]].

The early period ended with the death of [[Jindeok of Silla]] and the demise of the "hallowed bone" ({{Korean|hangul=성골|labels=no}}; ''[[Bone rank system|seonggol]]'') rank system.

==== Etymology of title ====
The royal title ''Maripgan'' ({{Korean|hangul=마립간|labels=no}}) is analyzed into two elements in many popular explanations, with the first element alleged to be from the [[Korean language|Korean]] root
* ''mari'' (마리) from Middle Korean 마리〮 ''màlí'', "head"/ [[Countable and uncountable noun|countable]] of "head / per head" or "hair"
* ''mang-rip'' or ''mang-nip'' (網笠), "a [[gat (hat)|traditional-style hat]] made of horsehair"
* ''mo-rip'' (毛笠), "a kind of hat worn by servants in the old days"
* ''mi-rip'' or ''mi-reup'', meaning "a knack, a trick, the hang of something"
* ''madi'' (맏이) or ''maji'' (맏히), meaning "the firstborn, the eldest (child of a family); an elder, a senior, a person whose age is greater than someone else's age"
* ''mat-jip'' (맛집), meaning "the house in which the head of a household lives, the main house on an estate"
* ''mŏrŏ'' or ''maru'' (마루), meaning "ridge, peak, crest (of a roof, a mountain, a wave, ''etc.''); zenith, climax, prime; the first, the standard"
* ''maru'' (마루) or ''mallu'', meaning "floor"
or from a word related to Middle Korean ''marh'' meaning "stake, post, pile, picket, peg, pin (of a tent)".

The second element, ''gan'' ([[Hangul]]: 간), is a likely cognate to ''han'' ([[Hangul]]: 한) and the word for "big, great" ''keun,'' first attested as Late Old Korean 黑根 *hùkú-n. Both carry the meaning of "great, leader", which was previously used by the princes of southern Korea, and is sometimes also speculated to have an external relationship with the Mongolic/Turkic title of [[Khan (title)|Khan]].

=== Unified Silla ===
{{Main|Unified Silla}}
{{See also|North South States Period}}

In the 7th century, Silla allied itself with the [[China|Chinese]] [[Tang dynasty]]. In 660, under [[Muyeol of Silla]] (654–661), the Silla–Tang alliance subjugated Baekje after the [[Baekje–Tang War]]. In 668, under [[King Munmu of Silla]] (King Muyeol's successor) and General [[Kim Yu-sin]], the Silla–Tang alliance conquered Goguryeo to its north after the [[Goguryeo–Tang War]]. Silla then [[Silla–Tang War|fought against the Tang dynasty]] for nearly a decade to expel Chinese forces on the peninsula intent on creating Tang colonies there to finally establish a unified kingdom as far north as modern Pyongyang.<ref>''Encyclopedia of World History'', Vol II, P371 Silla Dynasty, Edited by Marsha E. Ackermann, Michael J. Schroeder, Janice J. Terry, Jiu-Hwa Lo Upshur, Mark F. Whitters, {{ISBN|978-0-8160-6386-4}}</ref> The northern region of the defunct Goguryeo state later reemerged as [[Balhae]].

Silla's middle period is characterized by the rising power of the monarchy at the expense of the ''[[Bone rank system|jingol]]'' nobility. This was made possible by the new wealth and prestige garnered as a result of Silla's unification of the peninsula, as well as the monarchy's successful suppression of several armed aristocratic revolts following early upon unification, which afforded the king the opportunity of purging the most powerful families and rivals to central authority. Further, for a brief period of about a century from the late 7th to late 8th centuries the monarchy made an attempt to divest aristocratic officialdom of their landed base by instituting a system of salary payments, or office land (''jikjeon'', 직전, 職田), in lieu of the former system whereby aristocratic officials were given grants of land to exploit as salary (the so–called tax villages, or ''nog-eup'', 녹읍, 祿邑).

By the late 8th century, however, these royal initiatives had failed to check the power of the entrenched aristocracy. The mid to late 8th century saw renewed revolts led by branches of the Kim clan which effectively limited royal authority. Most prominent of these was a revolt led by [[Kim Daegong]] that persisted for three years. One key evidence of the erosion of kingly authority was the rescinding of the office land system and the re-institution of the former tax village system as salary land for aristocratic officialdom in 757.

In Jinjin and Silla, the king was referred to as Gan, and during the Unified Silla Period, the title "Gan" was also used as Chungji Jagan and Agan.

The middle period of Silla came to an end with the assassination of [[Hyegong of Silla]] in 780, terminating the kingly line of succession of [[Muyeol of Silla]], the architect of Silla's unification of the peninsula. Hyegong's demise was a bloody one, the culmination of an extended civil war involving most of the kingdom's high–ranking noble families. With Hyegong's death, during the remaining years of Silla, the king was reduced to little more than a figurehead as powerful aristocratic families became increasingly independent of central control.

Thereafter the Silla kingship was fixed in the house of [[Wonseong of Silla]] (785–798), though the office itself was continually contested among various branches of the Kim lineage.

Nevertheless, the middle period of Silla witnessed the state at its zenith, the brief consolidation of royal power, and the attempt to institute a Chinese style bureaucratic system.

=== Decline and fall ===
The final century and a half of the Silla state was one of nearly constant upheaval and civil war as the king was reduced to little more than a figurehead and powerful aristocratic families rose to actual dominance outside the capital and royal court.

The tail end of this period, called the [[Later Three Kingdoms]] period, briefly saw the emergence of the kingdoms of [[Later Baekje]] and [[Taebong]], which were composed of rebels originating from their respective regions' historical backgrounds. Silla was defeated first by Later Baekje and the era ended with Silla's submission to [[Goryeo]].

=== Restoration Movements ===
{{Main|Silla restoration movement}}
Despite its destruction and annexation by Goryeo, for nearly three centuries loyalty to the old Silla kingdom and Silla traditions remained latent in the Kyŏngju area.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Schultz |first1=Edward |title=Generals and Scholars: Military Rule in Medieval Korea |date=June 1, 2000 |publisher=University of Hawaii Press |location=Honolulu, Hawaii |page=115 }}</ref> Silla restoration revolts include those led by [[Yi Ui-min]] in 1186 and by [[Kim Sa-mi]] in 1193 as well as later revolts in 1202.<ref>{{cite news |title=전인식 시인의 경주인문학산 책 |url=http://m.gjnews.com/view.php?idx=76252 |access-date=5 November 2024 |agency=경주신문 |date=April 20, 2023}}</ref>

== Society and politics ==
{{See also|Bone rank system}}
{| class="wikitable"
|+Bone Rank System
!True Bone
!Sixth Head
!Fifth Head
!Fourth Head
|-
|Ibeolchan
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|Ichan
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|Japchan
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|Pajinchan
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|Dae-achan
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|Achan
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|Ilgilchan
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|Sachan
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|Geupbeolchan
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|Dae-Nama
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|-
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|Nama
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|Daesa
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|Saji
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|Gilsa
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|Dae-oh
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|So-oh
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|Jowi
|}
From at least the 6th century, when Silla acquired a detailed system of law and governance, social status and official advancement were dictated by the [[bone rank system]]. This rigid lineage-based system also dictated clothing, house size, and the permitted range of marriage.

Since its emergence as a centralized polity Silla society had been characterized by its strict aristocratic makeup. Silla had two royal classes: "sacred bone" (''seonggol'', 성골, 聖骨) and "true bone" (''jingol'', 진골, 眞骨). Up until the reign of King Muyeol this aristocracy had been divided into "sacred bone" and "true bone" aristocrats, with the former differentiated by their eligibility to attain the kingship. This duality had ended when Queen Jindeok, the last ruler from the "sacred bone" class, died in 654.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://100.empas.com/dicsearch/pentry.html?i=156198|script-title=ko:성골 [聖骨]|access-date=2006-08-29|encyclopedia=Empas Encyclopedia|archive-date=2008-06-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080620035837/http://100.empas.com/dicsearch/pentry.html?i=156198|url-status=live}}</ref> The numbers of "sacred bone" aristocrats had been decreasing for generations, as the title was only conferred to those whose parents were both "sacred bones", whereas children of a "sacred" and a "true bone" parent were considered as "true bones". There were also many ways for a "sacred bone" to be demoted to a "true bone", thus making the entire system even more likely to collapse eventually.

The king (or queen) theoretically was an absolute monarch, but royal powers were somewhat constrained by a strong aristocracy. Notably, Silla was unique in having female monarchs. There were, for example, three reigning Sillan female "kings" (yeouang, 여왕), distinct from queens who were merely the consorts of male rulers.<ref name="Holcombe 2017">{{Cite book |last=Holcombe |first=Charles |title=A History of East Asia |date=2017 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-1-316-34035-6 |edition=2nd |location=West Nyack}}</ref> Descent also continued to be traced through both paternal and maternal lines throughout the Sillan era, suggesting women enjoyed a relatively high status compared to other contemporary East Asian states.<ref name="Holcombe 2017"/>

The "[[Hwabaek]]" (화백,和白) served as royal council with decision-making authorities on some vital issues like succession to the throne or declarations of war. The Hwabaek was headed by a person ([[Sangdaedeung]]) chosen from the "sacred bone" rank. One of the key decisions of this royal council was the adoption of [[Buddhism]] as state religion.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.teachenglishinasia.net/bone-ranks-and-hwabaek |title=The Bone Ranks and Hwabaek |access-date=2010-12-20 |archive-date=2017-06-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170619012027/http://www.teachenglishinasia.net/bone-ranks-and-hwabaek |url-status=live }}</ref>

Following unification Silla began to rely more upon Chinese models of bureaucracy to administer its greatly expanded territory. This was a marked change from pre-unification days when the Silla monarchy stressed Buddhism, and the Silla monarch's role as a "Buddha-king". Another salient factor in post-unification politics were the increasing tensions between the Korean monarchy and aristocracy.

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== Foreign relations ==
== Economy ==
=== Agriculture ===
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== Military ==
The early Silla military was built around a small number of Silla royal guards designed to protect royalty and nobility and in times of war served as the primary military force if needed. Due to the frequency of conflicts between [[Baekje]] and [[Goguryeo]] as well as [[Yamato period|Yamato]] Japan, Silla created six local garrisons one for each district. The royal guards eventually morphed into "sworn banner" or [[Sodang]] units. In 625 another group of Sodang was created. Garrison soldiers were responsible for local defense and also served as a police force.

A number of Silla's greatest generals and military leaders were [[Hwarang]] (equivalent to the Western knights or chevaliers). Originally a social group, due to the continuous military rivalry between the [[Three Kingdoms of Korea]], they eventually transformed from a group of elite male aristocratic youth into soldiers and military leaders. Hwarang were key in the fall of Goguryeo (which resulted in the unification of the [[Korean Peninsula]] under [[Unified Silla]]) and the [[Silla–Tang Wars]], which expelled Tang forces in the other two Korean kingdoms.

Silla is known to have operated crossbows called the Cheonbono ({{Korean|hangul=천보노|labels=no}}) that was said to have had a range of one thousand steps and a special pike unit called the Jangchang-Dang ({{Korean|hangul=장창당|labels=no}}) to counter enemy cavalry. In particular, Silla's crossbows were prized by Tang China due to its excellent functions and durability. Silla would later employ special crossbow units against its Korean counterparts such as [[Goguryeo]] and [[Baekje]], as well as the [[Tang dynasty]] during the [[Silla–Tang War]].<ref>{{Cite web|script-title=ko:구진천(仇珍川)|url=http://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Contents/SearchNavi?keyword=%EA%B5%AC%EC%A7%84%EC%B2%9C&ridx=0&tot=3|url-status=live|website=[[Encyclopedia of Korean Culture]]|access-date=2021-07-16|archive-date=2021-07-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210716082544/http://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Contents/SearchNavi?keyword=%EA%B5%AC%EC%A7%84%EC%B2%9C&ridx=0&tot=3}}</ref> The pike unit, called Changchangdang that would later be known as the Bigeum Legion ({{Korean|hangul=비금서당|labels=no}}) as part of the Nine Legions ({{Korean|hangul=구서당|labels=no}}) and which was consisted of Silla folks, had a special purpose to counter the [[Göktürks]] cavalries operated by the Tang army during the [[Silla–Tang War|Silla-Tang War]].<ref>{{Cite web|script-title=ko:비금서당(緋衿誓幢)|url=http://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Contents/SearchNavi?keyword=%EC%9E%A5%EC%B0%BD%EB%8B%B9&ridx=0&tot=3|url-status=live|website=[[Encyclopedia of Korean Culture]]|access-date=2021-07-16|archive-date=2022-04-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417122118/http://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Contents/SearchNavi?keyword=%EC%9E%A5%EC%B0%BD%EB%8B%B9&ridx=0&tot=3}}</ref>
[[File:Earthenware Funerary Objects in the Shape of a Warrior on Horseback 도기 기마인물형 명기 07.jpg|thumb|Earthenware Funerary Objects in the Shape of a Silla Warrior on Horseback]]

In addition, Silla's central army, the Nine Legions ({{Korean|hangul=구서당|labels=no}}), were consisted of Silla, [[Goguryeo]], [[Baekje]], and [[Mohe people|Mohe]] people. These nine legions aimed at defending the [[Gyeongju|capital]] became complete in formation and compilation after [[Later Silla|Silla unified the Three Kingdoms]]. Each Legions were known for their representative colors marked on their collars and were constituted by different groups. The Golden, Red, and Dark Blue Legion employed Goguryeoans while the Blue and White Legion accepted Baekje folks into their ranks. The Bigeum (also Red in color), Green, and Purple Legion were formed by Sillan people whilst the Black Legion took dispersed Mohe refugees into their fold that came along with Goguryeo refugees after the [[Goguryeo–Tang War|Fall of Goguryeo]].<ref>{{Cite web|script-title=ko:구서당 (九誓幢)|url=http://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Contents/Item/E0005839|url-status=live|website=[[Encyclopedia of Korean Culture]]|access-date=2021-07-16|archive-date=2021-12-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211207034444/http://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Contents/Item/E0005839}}</ref>

Silla is also known for its maritime prowess shown by the navy backed with master shipbuilding and seamanship. The boats employed were usually called ''Sillaseon'' ({{lang|ko|신라선}}), which had an international reputation for its solid durability and effective capabilities that were said to 'enable men surf across the biggest of waves' amongst the Chinese and Japanese according to the [[Shoku Nihon Kōki|Shoku Nihon Koki]]. During the Silla-Tang War, the Silla navy under the command of general Sideuk defeated the Tang Navy 22 times out of 23 engagements in Gibeolpo, today's [[Seocheon County]].<ref>{{Cite web|script-title=ko:시득 (施得)|url=http://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Contents/SearchNavi?keyword=%EC%8B%9C%EB%93%9D&ridx=0&tot=2|url-status=live|website=[[Encyclopedia of Korean Culture]]|access-date=2021-07-16|archive-date=2021-07-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210716082548/http://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Contents/SearchNavi?keyword=%EC%8B%9C%EB%93%9D&ridx=0&tot=2}}</ref> Jang Bogo, a prominent maritime figure of Silla, was also famous for his navy based on the [[Cheonghaejin]] Garrison.

== Culture ==
[[File:Cheomseongdae 첨성대.jpg|thumb|The astronomical observatory ''Cheomseongdae'']]
A significant number of Silla tombs can still be found in Gyeongju, the capital of Silla. Silla tombs consist of a stone chamber surrounded by a soil mound. The historic area around Gyeongju was added to the [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage]] list in 2000.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.imaeil.com/sub_news/sub_news_view.php?news_id=10211&yy=2008 |script-title=ko:매일신문<!-- Bot generated title --> |date=6 March 2008 |access-date=2008-03-08 |archive-date=2016-11-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161121234618/http://www.imaeil.com/sub_news/sub_news_view.php?news_id=10211&yy=2008 |url-status=live }}</ref> Much of it is also protected as part of [[Gyeongju National Park]]. Additionally, two villages near Gyeongju named [[Hahoe]] and [[Yangdong Folk Village]] were submitted for UNESCO heritages in 2008 or later by related cities and the South Korean government.<ref>''하회마을·양동마을 세계문화유산 추진''</ref> Since the tombs were harder to break into than those of Baekje, a larger number of objects has been preserved.<ref>Connor p. 268</ref> Notable amongst these are Silla's elaborate gold crowns and jewelry.

The massive [[Bell of King Seongdeok|Bronze Bell]] of [[King Seongdeok the Great of Silla]] is known to produce a distinctive sound. [[Cheomseongdae]] near Gyeongju is the oldest extant [[astronomical observatory]] in East Asia but some disagree on its exact functions. It was built during the reign of Queen [[Queen Seondeok of Silla|Seondeok]] (632–647).

It was from Silla that Korea's oldest extant genre of poems, known as ''[[hyangga]]'', developed and were recorded. Additionally, among the three kingdoms, Silla has the best preserved ancient Korean literature written in [[Classical Chinese]], which includes the [[Classical Chinese poetry|''hanshi'']] poetry of [[Ch'oe Ch'i-wŏn]], as well as the [[Travelogue (literature)|travelogue]] of Buddhist monk [[Hyecho]].

Muslim traders brought the name "Silla" to the world outside the traditional East Asian sphere through the [[Silk Road]]. Geographers of the Arab and Persian world, including [[ibn Khurdadhbih]], [[Masudi|al-Masudi]], [[Al-Dimashqi (geographer)|Dimashiki]], [[Al-Nuwayri]], and [[al-Maqrizi]], left records about Silla.<ref>{{cite thesis|author=Han, In-Sung Kim|year=2016|title=Islamic Material Culture in Medieval Korea and Its Legacy|degree=PhD|publisher=University of London|url=https://eprints.soas.ac.uk/26513/1/4404_Han.pdf}}</ref>

The current descendants to the Silla dynasty fall under the Park name. Family records since the last ruler have been provided, but these records have yet to be fully verified.

=== Native ethnic religion/Shamanism/Animism ===
The ancient indigenous native religion of Korea presented one of the most important aspects in early Korean society and involved the very lives of its people as well of its culture. One of the key features is the belief in the spirits of nature, that inhabit all the things in existence.<ref name=":2">Lee, Kidong. "The Indigenous Religions of Silla: Their Diversity and Durability." Korean Studies, vol. 28, 2004, pp. 49–74. {{JSTOR|23720182}}. Accessed 13 Jan. 2023.</ref> Its presence is seen in Korean culture itself and could be considered inseparable from it, from cultural and national festivals such as [[Korean New Year|Seollal]] and [[Chuseok]], to many practices within Korean Buddhism that originate from it.

The ethnic religion of Silla was a key element within the Silla state and constituted the State religion around which many of the national rites, festivals and ceremonies revolved around.<ref name=":2" /> The ruler of Silla was simultaneously its religious head and one of the most revered figures in the nation, having a near deity/saint like status due to their descendance from the spirits of the skies. The title of the second ruler of Silla, [[Yuri of Silla|Nurye "Yuri" Isageum]], called ''Chachaung'' was one of the high shamans of the state for example.

The ruler also performed the national ceremonies to support the nation in upcoming times together with his sister serving as a high ranking shamaness figure only second to the ruler himself.<ref name=":2" /> Silla's unique exceptionalist nationalism focused on the struggle for survival against the much more powerful neighbours of Goguryeo and Baekje.<ref name=":2" />

The [[Hwarang|Hwarang order]] had its origin in Silla's native religion as well, where the youth would strive to fight for their country and monarch. They would embark on nationalistic pilgrimages to seek out the spirits, who would grant them powers to vanquish their enemies.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Lee |first=Kidong |date=2004 |title=The Indigenous Religions of Silla: Their Diversity and Durability |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/23720182 |journal=[[Korean Studies (journal)|Korean Studies]] |publisher=[[University of Hawai'i Press]] |volume=28 |pages= 49–74|jstor=23720182 |issn=0145-840X }}</ref> The [[Hwarang Segi|Hwarang segi]] is one of the manuscripts that give insight into their lives and practices.

Springs and Mountains are some of the sources, where the spirits of life originate from, who sometimes take on the form of animals and girls.<ref name=":2" />

When Silla adopted Buddhism, the previous ethnic religion was syncretized with the new faith and largely became synonymous to it. Buddhist deities are often treated the same way deities from the native religion are. Buddhism subsequently also found its way into native folk beliefs.

Shamanism remained important well into the Goryeo period, with a nativist uprising nominally led by a Buddhist court monk named [[Myocheong]] occurring in the 12th century.

The national festivals of Goryeo, Palgwanhoe and Yeondeunghoe, while they were Buddhist festivals were originally native shamanistic ones.<ref>{{Cite web |script-title=ko:우리역사넷 |url=http://contents.history.go.kr/mobile/kh/view.do?tabId=02&category=english&levelId=kh_001_0040_0010_0040 |access-date=2023-01-13 |website=contents.history.go.kr}}</ref>

During Joseon shamans were still reached out to by the common folk, who for example often went to them to decide the names of their kids.

=== Buddhism ===
{{See also | Korean Buddhism | Buddhism in China | Silk Road transmission of Buddhism}}

Centuries after [[History of Buddhism in India|Buddhism emerged in India]], the strand called [[Mahayana|Mahayana Buddhism]] spread out of [[Central Asia]], modern-day [[Afghanistan]], and arrived in Silla the very last out of [[Goguryeo]] and [[Baekje]] due to its geographic isolation. In Korea, it was adopted as the state religion of 3 constituent polities of the Three Kingdoms Period, first by [[Goguryeo]] in 372 CE, by Silla in 528 CE, and by [[Baekje]] in 552 CE.<ref name=camb1>Lee Injae, Owen Miller, Park Jinhoon, Yi Hyun-Hae, 2014, Korean History in Maps, Cambridge University Press, pp. 44–49, 52–60.</ref> Buddhism was introduced much more reluctantly compared to the two others to Silla in 528.<ref name="park 449">Park, Jin Y. article "Buddhism in Korea" in Keown and Prebish 2010 : 449.</ref> Silla had been exposed to the religion for over a century during which the faith had certainly made inroads into the native populace and mixed with the native Shamanist and Animist folk religion to form the Korean specific form of Buddhism. The Buddhist monk [[Ado (monk)|Ado]] introduced Silla to Buddhism when he arrived to proselytize in the mid 5th century.<ref>Buddhism of Silla {{cite web |url=http://www.shilla.or.kr/shilla_culture/shilla_bulgeo.asp |script-title=ko:사단법인 신라문화진흥원 – 신라의 역사와 문화 |access-date=2008-03-08 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080321083129/http://www.shilla.or.kr/shilla_culture/shilla_bulgeo.asp |archive-date=2008-03-21 }}</ref> The [[Samguk yusa]] and [[Samguk sagi]] following 3 monks among the first to bring [[Buddhist]] teaching, or [[Dharma]], to [[Korea]]: [[Malananta]] (late 4th century) – an [[India]]n [[Buddhist]] monk who brought Buddhism to King [[Chimnyu of Baekje|Baekje]] of [[Baekje]] in the southern [[Korea|Korean peninsula]] in 384, [[Shandao|Sundo]] – a Chinese Buddhist monk who brought Buddhism to [[Goguryeo]] in northern Korea in 372, and [[Ado (monk)|Ado]] – a Buddhist monk who brought Buddhism to Silla in central Korea.<ref>"Malananta bring Buddhism to Baekje" in ''Samguk Yusa'' III, Ha & Mintz translation, pp. 178–179.</ref><ref name=autogenerated9>{{Citation
 | last=Kim
 | first=Won-yong
 | title=An Early Gilt-bronze Seated Buddha from Seoul
 | journal=Artibus Asiae
 | volume=23
 | issue=1
 | year=1960
 | pages=67–71
 | doi=10.2307/3248029
 | jstor=3248029
 }}, pg. 71</ref> However, according to legend, the Silla monarchy was convinced to adopt the faith only by the martyrdom of the Silla general [[Ichadon]], who was executed for his Buddhist faith by the Silla monarch in 527 only to have his blood flow the color of milk.

The importance of [[Buddhism]] in Silla society of the late early period is difficult to exaggerate. From King Beopheung and for the following six reigns Silla kings adopted Buddhist names and came to portray themselves as Buddhist–kings.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.koreandb.net/Buddhism/buddhist1-main2.htm |script-title=ko:삼국시대의 한국불교 – 한국의 불교 – 디지털한국학 |access-date=2008-03-08 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080430133616/http://www.koreandb.net/Buddhism/buddhist1-main2.htm |archive-date=2008-04-30 }}  Retrieved on 2008-03-08</ref>
[[File:Nine story pagoda of the Hwangryongsa.JPG|thumb|The Temple of the Golden Dragon, also known as [[Hwangnyongsa|Hwangryongsa]], was destroyed during the [[Mongol invasions of Korea|Mongol Invasions]].]]

By the time of the 7th century, Buddhism in Korea reached its golden age with the advent of prominent, elite scholar-monks such as [[Wonhyo]], [[Uisang]], and [[Jajang]] that influenced East Asian philosophy and played pivotal roles in laying key ideas within [[East Asian Buddhism]] like [[Essence-Function]]. With the support of the government, massive temples like the [[Hwangnyongsa|Temple of the Golden Dragon]], [[Bulguksa|Temple of the Buddhist Realms]] and [[Hermitage (religious retreat)|hermitages]] like [[Seokguram]] were built across the nation.<ref>{{Cite web|script-title=ko:경주 황룡사지 (慶州 皇龍寺址)|url=http://www.heritage.go.kr/heri/cul/culSelectDetail.do?ccbaCpno=1333700060000&pageNo=1_1_1_1|url-status=live|website=[[Cultural Heritage Administration National Heritage Portal]]|access-date=2021-07-16|archive-date=2021-07-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210716082546/http://www.heritage.go.kr/heri/cul/culSelectDetail.do?ccbaCpno=1333700060000&pageNo=1_1_1_1}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|script-title=ko:석굴암과 불국사|url=https://heritage.unesco.or.kr/%EC%84%9D%EA%B5%B4%EC%95%94%EA%B3%BC-%EB%B6%88%EA%B5%AD%EC%82%AC/|url-status=live|website=[[UNESCO Heritage Korea]]|access-date=2021-07-16|archive-date=2021-07-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210716082547/https://heritage.unesco.or.kr/%EC%84%9D%EA%B5%B4%EC%95%94%EA%B3%BC-%EB%B6%88%EA%B5%AD%EC%82%AC/}}</ref> Buddhist ideals and practices permeated the people's daily lives regardless of class and the court, as well as the government, actively promoted Buddhism as a symbol of patriotism in times of invasions.<ref>{{Cite web|script-title=ko:호국신앙 (護國信仰)|url=http://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Contents/Item/E0063680|url-status=live|website=[[Encyclopedia of Korean Culture]]|access-date=2021-07-16|archive-date=2021-07-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210716082544/http://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Contents/Item/E0063680}}</ref> The main assessment is that relics and temple ruins related to Silla found today were ahead of their time and surpassed those of Goryeo and Joseon in terms of size and extravagancy. Many Sillan monks who were part of the elite caste chose to expand their experience and knowledge by studying abroad in Tang China or travelling far west to India. [[Hyecho]], known for his travelogue "''[[Wang ocheonchukguk jeon|An Account of Travel to the Five Indian Kingdoms]]''", was one of the many Korean monks that ventured to territories west to China yet to be visited by Koreans at that time.

Silla's strong Buddhist nature is also reflected by the thousands of remnant Buddhist stone figures and carvings, mostly importantly on [[Namsan (Gyeongju)|Namsan]]. The international influence of the [[Tang dynasty]] on these figures and carvings can be witnessed in the hallmarks of a round full form, a stern expression of the face, and drapery that clings to the body, but stylistic elements of native Korean culture can still be identified.<ref name=BMA>{{cite book|last=Birmingham Museum of Art|author-link=Birmingham Museum of Art|title=Birmingham Museum of Art : guide to the collection|year=2010|publisher=Birmingham Museum of Art|location=[Birmingham, Ala]|isbn=978-1-904832-77-5|pages=34|url=http://artsbma.org|access-date=2022-04-17|archive-date=1998-05-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980514044647/http://www.artsbma.org/|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Foreign relations ==
[[File:阎立本王会图朝鲜三国使臣.png|thumb|(left to right) A Baekje, Goguryeo, and Silla envoy depicted in a 6th-century painting.]]
Korea's and [[Iran]]'s long-running relationship started with cultural exchanges dating back to the [[Three Kingdoms of Korea]] era, more than 1600 years ago by the way of the Silk Road. A dark blue glass was found in the Cheonmachong Tomb, one of Silla's royal tombs unearthed in Gyeongju. An exotic golden sword was found in Gyerim-ro, a street also located in Gyeongju. These are all relics that are presumed to be sent to Silla from ancient Iran or [[Persia]] through the Silk Road. Other items uncovered during the excavation{{which|date=February 2019}} include a silver bowl engraved with an image of the Persian goddess Anahita; a golden dagger from Persia; clay busts; and figurines portraying Middle Eastern merchants.

It was only during the Goryeo dynasty during Hyeonjeong's reign when trade with Persia was officially recorded in Korean history. But in academic circles, it is presumed that both countries had active cultural exchanges during the 7th century Silla era which means the relationship between Korea and Iran began more than 1,500 years ago. "In a history book written by the Persian scholar Khurdadbid, it states that Silla is located at the eastern end of China and reads 'In this beautiful country Silla, there is much gold, majestic cities and hardworking people. Their culture is comparable with Persia'. ''Samguk Sagi''— the official chronicle of the Three Kingdoms era, compiled in 1145—contains further descriptions of commercial items sold by Middle Eastern merchants and widely used in Silla society. The influence of [[Ancient Iranic peoples|Iranian]] culture was profoundly felt in other ways as well, most notably in the fields of music, visual arts, and literature. The popularity of Iranian designs in Korea can be seen in the widespread use of pearl-studded roundels and symmetrical, [[zoomorphic]] patterns.

An ancient Persian epic poem, the Kushnameh, contains detailed descriptions of Silla.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.mei.edu/content/1500-years-contact-between-korea-and-middle-east|title=1,500 Years of Contact between Korea and the Middle East|work=Middle East Institute|access-date=2017-04-13|language=en|archive-date=2017-03-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170319190534/http://www.mei.edu/content/1500-years-contact-between-korea-and-middle-east|url-status=live}}</ref> Former South Korean president [[Park Geun-hye]] said during a festival celebrating Iran and Korea's 1,500 years of shared cultural ties, "The Kushnameh, that tells of a Persian prince who went to Silla in the seventh century and got married with a Korean princess, thus forming a royal marriage."<ref name="Cultural ties put Iran, S Korea closer than ever for cooperation - Tehran Times">{{Cite news|url=http://www.tehrantimes.com/news/301161/Cultural-ties-put-Iran-S-Korea-closer-than-ever-for-cooperation|title=Cultural ties put Iran, S Korea closer than ever for cooperation|date=2016-05-05|work=Tehran Times|access-date=2017-04-13|language=en-US|archive-date=2017-04-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413071519/http://www.tehrantimes.com/news/301161/Cultural-ties-put-Iran-S-Korea-closer-than-ever-for-cooperation|url-status=live}}</ref>

Silla also traded indirectly with the [[Roman Empire]] through the [[Silk Road]]. Many Roman relics were excavated from the royal tombs of Silla, and it is presumed that Roman glass was a particularly popular luxury product among the high-ranking class.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Article/E0077589|script-title=ko:로마제국에서 제작되어 삼국시대 우리나라에 유입된 유리제품. 로마유리.|language=korean}}</ref> The Silla tombs where Roman glass has been proven to have been excavated include Geumnyeong Tomb, [[Cheonmachong|Cheonma Tomb]], Hwangnamdae Tomb, and Nambun Tomb No. 98.

Silla was also a place of interest by the Japanese as the [[Nihon Shoki]] and the [[Kojiki]] both claim that the Japanese god, [[Susanoo]] (brother of [[Amaterasu]]) first emerged from the kingdom of Silla after being banished from the heavens, but soon left the peninsula for the [[Japanese archipelago]] after being dissatisfied with the land. He was also used as a means of spreading propaganda through [[Nissen dōsoron]] that Susanoo once reigned over Silla and that the modern Koreans are his descendants (in turn the Japanese), ultimately using him to justify the [[Japanese occupation of Korea]].

== Gallery ==
{{Gallery
|align = center
|File:Gold Diadem Ornament from Geumgwanchong.jpg |Gold ornament from early Silla
|File:Korea-Silla Kingdom-Golden hat-01.jpg |A golden inner cap, 5–6th century Silla
|File:Korea-Gyeongju.National.Museum-14.jpg|An artifact from Silla
| |Tortoise shell comb
|File:감은사지 동삼층석탑 사리장엄구 02.jpg |Reliquary from 7th century Silla
|File:King Kyungsoon of Silla 2.jpg|The last king of Silla, [[Gyeongsun of Silla|King Gyeongsun]] (r. 927–935)
|File:Korean crown and belt from Silla-01.jpg|A crown from late 5th or early 6th Silla
|File:Korea south silla bell.jpg |The [[Bell of King Seongdeok]] was cast in 771 AD.
|File:Front view of Seokguram from front chamber.jpg|[[Seokguram]]
|File:Standing Gilt-bronze Bhaisajyaguru Buddha of Baengnyulsa Temple(백률사 금동약사여래입상).jpg|This standing statue of the Bhaisajyaguru Buddha is made of gilt bronze, made in the Silla period.
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== See also ==
* [[Crowns of Silla]]
* [[Gyeongju National Museum]]
* [[History of Korea]]
* [[List of Silla people]]
* [[Silla monarchs family tree]]

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}
{{Reflist | group = "lower-alpha"}}

== References ==
=== Citations ===
{{Reflist}}

=== Sources ===
* {{cite book | title=The Koreas | author= Connor, Mary E.| year=2009 | publisher=ABC-CLIO, LLC }}
* {{cite book |editor1-last=Keown |editor1-first=Damien |editor1-link=Damien Keown |editor2-last=Prebish |editor2-first=Charles S. |title=Encyclopedia of Buddhism |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=D1pcAgAAQBAJ&q=encyclopedia+of+buddhism |location=New York<!-- The title page lists an address that appears to be in Oxfordshire as well, but the Routledge logo says "London and New York". WTF? ~Hijiri88, May 2016. --> |publisher=[[Routledge]] |date=2010<!-- First edition 2007. ~Hijiri88, May 2016. --> |isbn=978-0-203-49875-0}}
* {{citation |last1=Lee |first1=Ki-baik |author-link1=Ki-baik Lee |translator-last1=Wagner |translator-first1=Edward W. |translator-link1=Edward Willett Wagner |translator-last2=Schultz |translator-first2=Edward J. |title=A New History of Korea |date=1984 |publisher=[[Harvard University Press]] |isbn=9780674615762 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=g2mdVwXpMzwC}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Silla Kingdom}}
* [https://www.worldhistory.org/Silla/ Silla – World History Encyclopedia]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100207134614/http://gyeongju.museum.go.kr/ Gyeongju National Museum]

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[[Category:Silla| ]]
[[Category:States and territories established in the 1st century BC]]
[[Category:50s BC establishments]]
[[Category:57 BC]]
[[Category:935 disestablishments]]
[[Category:Ancient peoples of Korea]]
[[Category:Former countries in East Asia]]
[[Category:Former countries in Korean history]]
[[Category:History of Korea]]
[[Category:Culture of Korea]]
[[Category:Three Kingdoms of Korea]]
[[Category:Former monarchies of East Asia]]
[[Category:Tributaries of Imperial China]]
[[Category:States and territories disestablished in the 930s]]