Jinheung of Silla

Jinheung of Silla
Hangul 진흥왕
Hanja 眞興王
Revised Romanization Jinheung wang
McCune–Reischauer Chinhŭng 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

King Jinheung (526 - 576, reign 540 - 576) was the 24th monarch of Silla,[1] one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea.

He followed King Beopheung (r.514–540) and was followed by King Jinji (r.576–579). Jinheung was the nephew 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 the young age of fifteen when his predecessor and uncle, Beopheung, died. Since he was too young to rule a kingdom at the time, his mother 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. The kingdoms of Baekje and Silla kingdom both had agreed on splitting the conquered territory equally amongst 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 after ruling for 37 years of conquest and advancement. King Jinheung was succeeded by his second son, Prince Geumryun, who became King Jinji of Silla. According to Lady Mishil, however, Prince Geumryun stole the throne from the true chosen successor, King Jinheung's grandson Prince Baekjong, who after a coup d'etats orchestrated by Mishil became Jinpyeong of Silla. Lady Mishil is generally believed to have been King Jinheung's (and later King Jinji's) mistress as well as a key government official in her own right.

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.

Popular Culture

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
Jinheung of Silla
Born: 526 Died: 576
Regnal titles
Preceded by
Beopheung		 King of Silla
540–576 		Succeeded by
Jinji
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