Jinheung of Silla

Kim Sammaekjong (534–576; reign 540–576) was the 24th monarch of Silla,[1] one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea.

Jinheung of Silla
Hangul
진흥왕
Hanja
眞興王
Revised RomanizationJinheung Wang
McCune–ReischauerChinhŭng Wang
Monarchs of Korea
Silla
(Pre-unification)
  1. Hyeokgeose 57 BCE – 4 CE
  2. Namhae 4–24
  3. Yuri 24–57
  4. Talhae 57–80
  5. Pasa 80–112
  6. Jima 112–134
  7. Ilseong 134–154
  8. Adalla 154–184
  9. Beolhyu 184–196
  10. Naehae 196–230
  11. Jobun 230–247
  12. Cheomhae 247–261
  13. Michu 262–284
  14. Yurye 284–298
  15. Girim 298–310
  16. Heulhae 310–356
  17. Naemul 356–402
  18. Silseong 402–417
  19. Nulji 417–458
  20. Jabi 458–479
  21. Soji 479–500
  22. Jijeung 500–514
  23. Beopheung 514–540
  24. Jinheung 540–576
  25. Jinji 576–579
  26. Jinpyeong 579–632
  27. Seondeok 632–647
  28. Jindeok 647–654
  29. Muyeol 654–661

He followed King Beopheung (r. 514–540) and was followed by King Jinji (r. 576–579). Jinheung was the nephew / grandson of King Beopheung. King Jinheung was one of the greatest kings of Silla, and was responsible for expanding Silla territory immensely. He and King Seong 26th king of Baekje, struggled with each other over the Han River valley. Jinheung won this struggle and expanded Silla's territory immensely.

Rise to the throne

King Jinheung of Silla rose to the throne at a young age when his predecessor and paternal uncle / maternal grandfather, Beopheung, died. Since he was too young to rule a kingdom at the time, his mother Queen Jiso acted as regent. When he became of age, he began to rule independently. One of his first acts as true king of Silla was to appoint a man named Kim Isabu as Head of Military Affairs, which occurred in 541. Jinheung adopted a policy of peace with the neighbouring kingdom of Baekje Kingdom. In 551, he allied with Baekje so that he could attack the northern Korean kingdom of Goguryeo. The result of this allied attack on Goguryeo was the conquest of the Han river estuary. The kingdoms of Baekje and Silla agreed on splitting the conquered territory equally between themselves.

Expansion
Stele built to honor the expedition of Silla King Jinheung in Seoul, 555 AD

During the reign of King Seong of Baekje, King Jinheung allied with Goguryeo and launched an attack on the Han River valley during the year 553. In a secret agreement between Silla and Goguryeo, Silla troops attacked the exhausted Baekje army in late 553. Feeling the betrayal from Silla, King Seong attacked during the year 554, but was caught in an ambush led by a Silla general and was assassinated along with those who were accompanying him. King Jinheung guarded the new territory with a firm hand for seven years before sending General Kim Isabu to conquer Daegaya in 561. King Jinheung constructed a monument in his newly conquered territory and established provinces in the area. He subdued all rebellions and continued to develop culture in his kingdom. In 576, the Hwarang was established, and they would later play a huge role in the unification of the Three Kingdoms of Korea.

Death and succession

King Jinheung died in 576 at the age of 51. His 37-year rule of Silla was characterised by conquest and advancement. King Jinheung was succeeded by his second son, Prince Geumryun, who became King Jinji of Silla.

Family
  • Father: Galmunwang Ipjong (입종 갈문왕)
    • Grandfather: King Jijeung of Silla (신라 지증왕) (437 – 514)
    • Grandmother: Queen Yeonje of the Miryang Park clan (연제태후 박씨)
  • Mother: Queen Jiso (지소태후) (? – 574)
    • Grandfather: King Beopheung of Silla (신라 법흥왕) (? - July 540)
    • Grandmother: Princess Bodo of Silla (보도부인)

Consorts and their Respective Issue(s)

  1. Queen Sado of the Park clan (사도왕후 박씨) (? – February 614)
    1. Crown Prince Dongryun (동륜태자) (? – 572)
    2. King Jinji of Silla (신라 진지왕) (? – 24 August 579)
    3. Kim Gu-ryun (김구륜)
    4. Princess Taeyang (태양공주)
    5. Princess Ayang (아양공주)
    6. Princess Eunryun (은륜공주)
    7. Princess Wolryun (월륜공주)
  2. Princess Sukmyeong (숙명궁주) (? – 603)[2]
    1. Crown Prince Jeongsuk (정숙태자)
  3. Princess Bomyeong (보명궁주)[3]
  4. Lady Mishil (미실궁주)
    1. Prince Sujong (수종전군)
    2. Princess Banya (반야공주)
    3. Princess Nanya (난야공주)
  5. Lady Sobi of Baekje (소비)[4]
  6. Princess Wolhwa (월화궁주)[5]
    1. Prince Cheonju (천주공)
    2. Princess Deokmyeong (덕명공주)
  7. Lady Geumjin (금진낭주 )
    1. Princess Nanseong (난성공주)

Legacy

King Jinheung's achievements for his kingdom established the basis for unification of Korea. He is remembered today by the Korean people as one of the greatest rulers of Silla.

See also

References
  1. Il-yeon: Samguk Yusa: Legends and History of the Three Kingdoms of Ancient Korea, translated by Tae-Hung Ha and Grafton K. Mintz. Book One, page 52. Silk Pagoda (2006). ISBN 1-59654-348-5
  2. Daughter of Queen Jiso and Kim Isabu.
  3. Daughter of Gu Jin and Queen Jiso.
  4. Daughter of King Seong of Baekje.
  5. Daughter of King Inoe of Daegaya and Princess Yanghwa of Silla.
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