Draft Silla

Title	Silla (57 BCE - 935 CE)
Author	Lyndsey Twining
Actor	Bak Hyeokgeose, Gyeongju Kim clan, Queen Seondeok
Place	Gyeongju, Bulguksa Temple, Seokguram Grotto, Silla tombs
Concept	bone-rank system, hwarang, Buddhism, Jinhan Confederacy, Baekje, Goguryeo, Gaya, Balhae, Goryeo, Tang China
Object	Silla gold crowns

Silla was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, together with Baekje and Goguryeo. It began as a small city-state/chiefdom within the Jinhan Confederacy around what is present-day Gyeongju, in the southeast of the Korean peninsula. It was founded by Bak Hyeokgeose but was ruled by the Gyeongju Kim clan for most of its history. As the city-state consolidated regional power, it grew into a kingdom, overtaking the Jinhan Confederacy by the 4th century CE. It began as the smallest and last developed of the three kingdoms, however it gained power and eventually overtook the other kingdoms. In 532, Silla overtook the neighboring Gaya Confederacy, gaining territory. And through an alliance with Tang China, it overtook Baekje and Goguryeo in 660 and 668, respectively. Silla after this point is referred to as Unified Silla, having unified three-fourths of the Korean peninsula, with Balhae in the north. Amidst civil war in the early 10th century, Silla fragmented and was eventually succeeded by Goryeo.

Located furthest from China among the Three Kingdoms, Silla developed unique systems of governance. Among these is the bone-rank system, in which only certain individuals could hold positions of power based on heredity. In this system, matrilineal lines were also of importance, with royal women exerting great influence on state affairs. Silla even had three queens, one of whom, Queen Seondeok (? – 647), is well known for her strong leadership. Another unique feature of Silla aristocracy was the hwarang, a group of elite young men who were trained in martial arts, culture, and Buddhism. Although Buddhism was introduced to Silla later than the other Three Kingdoms, it quickly became the official religion and the basis of governance, leading to the prolific production of many Buddhist heritages, including Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto. Many Silla heritages around Silla’s capital, Gyeongju, have been registered as UNESCO World Heritages. In addition, many Silla royal tombs were well preserved, and heritages from these tombs including gold crowns have been excavated.

Glossary

• People
  • Bak Hyeokgeose (founder)
  • Gyeongju Kim clan (royal family)
  • Queen Seondeok (accomplished female queen)

• Places
  • Gyeongju (capital city)
  • Bulguksa Temple (famous Buddhist temple)
  • Seokguram Grotto (famous Buddhist sculpture site)
  • Silla tombs (key heritage site)

• Concepts
  • bone-rank system (social class system)
  • hwarang (social class group)
  • Buddhism (official religion)

• Objects
  • Silla gold crowns (key royal heritage, artistic value)

• Events

• Related States
  • Jinhan Confederacy (state out of which Silla emerged)
  • Baekje (fellow Three Kingdom)
  • Goguryeo (fellow Three Kingdom)
  • Gaya (Silla neighbor, taken over by Silla)
  • Balhae (north of Unified Silla)
  • Goryeo (took over Silla)
  • Tang China (assisted Silla in uniting the peninsula)

Worksheet

Korean Culture and Information Service, Facts about Korea, Korean Culture and Information Service, 2009, p.27-28.

Silla (57 B.C.-A.D. 935) was located in the southeast corner of the peninsula and was initially the weakest and most underdeveloped of the three kingdoms. However, because it was geographically removed from Chinese influence, it was more open to non-Chinese practices and ideas. Its society was built on an advanced Buddhist order that was markedly class-oriented, including a military that featured a unique corps of young aristocratic warriors called Hwarang.

By the mid-sixth century, the Silla Kingdom had brought under its control all of the neighboring town-states within the Gaya Confederation.

Having forged an alliance with the Tang Dynasty of China, Silla was able to subjugate Baekje in 660 and Goguryeo in 668. The unification of the Korean Peninsula was officially completed with Silla's defeat of the Tang Dynasty in 676.

Silla reached its zenith in terms of power and prosperity during the mid-eighth century. It attempted to establish an ideal Buddhist country. It was during the Unified Silla period that the magnificent Bulguksa Temple was constructed.

• What Was the Silla Kingdom? - about.com
• What Was Korea's Bone-rank System? - about.com
• Queen Seondeok of Korea's Silla Kingdom - about.com
• Rise of the Silla Kingdom - The Korea Society