Silla (BC 57 - AD 935) - 53 kings and 3 queens

In the first century BC the many tribal states were consolidated through wars into three powerful kingdoms. Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla. Though established before Goguryeo or Baekje, Silla was last to develop as a dominant nation and was more aristocratic and less war-like than the other two countries. At first the Silla monarchy rotated among the Park, Seok and Kim clans. In the mid-fourth century the kingdom became permanently hereditary in the Kim clan. Gyeongju valley, the cradle of Silla culture, was the dynasty's capital until AD 935. During the first 400 years the Three Kingdoms were left free to develop without Chinese political interference. An uneasy balance of power existed among the Three Kingdoms until well into the seventh century and might have continued had not events in China intervened.

In 618 Tang dynasty replaced the Sui and the new rulers presided over one of the most brilliant eras in Chinese history which also reached the peak of influences over neighboring countries. Wishing to dominate the Korean peninsula, the Tang court decided to take advantage of the hostilities between the three Kingdoms and play on off against the other. Joining forces with Silla the Chinese Tang troops first attacked Baekje in 660. The Silla troops led by general Kim Yusin defeated Goguryeo in 668. Claiming Baekje and Goguryeo territory, Tang China intended to fully occupy Silla as well.

However, revolts within the territories were supported rather than suppressed by Silla leaders. When Tang armies were dispatched to suppress the revolts, the Silla defeated them in a conclusive battle. After bickering and face-saving, a treaty was made under which China recognized Silla as an independent state ruling all the area south of Daedong River near Pyeongyang. The Koran peninsula for the first time achieved unification. Silla accepted Buddhism in 527 after the martyrdom of the court official Lee Chadon. In 503 Confucianism was introduced and at the same time certain practices such as the live burial of attendants with deceased members of the royal families were discontinued by edict.

From 632 to 654 two queens inherited the throne in their own right which indicated a significant difference between ancient Silla practices and the male dominated hierarchy of China. Buddhism continued to spread and Korea's most remarkable temples were built in the 8th century. Political ties between Korea and China were strong and trade and travel stimulated the people to broader intellectual achievements. But, after 8th century Silla began a gradual decline, stemming partly from the contradictions involved in applying the Confucian Chinese system to an aristocratic society. The battle for power between many factional parties was one principal reason for Silla's decline. Weak and immoral rulers further caused rebellions to persist. Finally in 927 the capital was sacked and the king who was reveling unconcernedly at Poseok bower was killed. A few years later his successor abdicated and general Wanggon established the kingdom of Goryeo. Thus, Silla which lasted almost a full millennium came to an end in 935.

1) Park Hyeoggeose (BC57 ? AD4)
First monarch of Silla. Became the king at the age of 13. Named his kingdom Seorabol and constructed a palace in Gyeongju in B.C 32.

2) Namhae-wang (4-24)
First son of Park Hyeoggeose. Completed his father's tomb in AD 6 . He accepted Seok talhae as a court official in AD 10.

3) Yuri-wang (24-57)
Wrote an ancient song, Dosolga. Received Nakrang refugees. Established a government organization.

4) Talhae-wang (57-80)
He was from the Seok clan and a son-in-law of Namhae-wang. He was found in a box drifting off the shore by an old lady in B.C 18. Became the king at Yuri-wang's will. Expanded his territory from Baekje and Gaya.

5) Pasa-wang (80-112)
Second son of Yuri-wang. He was recommended by the people as the first son was not as clever as the second son. Defended Gaya in 94 and newly constructed a palace in the walled fortress in Gyeongju in 101. Expanded his territory by attacking Gaya.

6) Jima-wang (112-134)

7) Ilseong-wang (134-154)
First son of Yuri-wang. Encouraged agriculture and constructed banks.

8) Adalla-wang (154-184)
First son of Ilseong-wang. His subject rebelled and he t ook a political asylum in Baekje. The worsened relationship called in war in 167. Japanese queen Himiko sent an envoy in 174.

9) Beolhyu-wang (184-196)
Grandson of Talhae-wang. Became king as Adalla-wang had no son.

10) Naehae-wang (196-230)
Grandson of Beolhyu-wang. Military aid to Garak-guk state in 208. Warded off Baekje's attack in 214, 218 and 224.

11) Jobun-wang (230-247)
Grandson of Beolhyu- -wang, and son-in-law of Naehae-wang. Became king at father-in-law's will. Japanese invaded in 233, Baekje in 240 and Goguryeo in 245.

12) Cheomhae-wang (247-261)
Grandson of Beolhyu-wang. Became king as Jobun-wang had no son. Expanded territory. Baekje attacked in 255 and Japanese invaded in 259.

13) Michu-wang (261-284)
He is from Kim clan. Son-in-law of Jobun-wang. Warded off Baekje's attack in 297 and 283.

14) Yurye-wang ( 284-298)
Established diplomatic relationship with Baekje in 286. Japanese invasion continued.

15) Girim-wang (298-310)
Grandson of Jobun-wang. Established diplomatic relationship with Japan.

16) Hulhae-wang (310-356)
Grandson of Naehae-wang. Sent envoy to Japan.

17) Naemul-wang (356-402)
Court official's son. Son-in-law of Michu-wang. Strengthened the monarchal authority and power of the House Kim. Warded off Baekje's expansion in alliance with Gogugyeo. Japanese invaded in 364. Chinese culture gradually began to reach Silla from his reign. Famine swept the country.

18) Silseong-wang (402-417)
He was in Goguryeo as a hostage. Returned in 401 and became king as crown price was young. He sent two princes of Naemul-wang to Goguryeo and Japan as the hostages for peace. Japanese attacked in 408.

19) Nulji-wang (417-458)
Son of Naemul-wang. He eliminated Silseong-wang, who intended to kill him. He took his brother back home from Goguryeo . Also succeeded to bring back his brother from Japan with the aid of prime minister Park. Priest Mukhoja of from Goguryeo brought Buddhism into Silla. He allied with Baekje this time as Gogugyeo grew very powerful. Also established close ties with Japan and sent 88 musicians to Japan . Central government's authority was strengthened when the six Saro tribal communities were replaced.

20) Jabi-wang (458-479)
First son of Nulji-wang. Japanese troops surrounded the palace in Gyeongju to invad Silla in 459 and again in 463. Moved his palace to Myeognhwalsong fortress near Gyeongju. Japanese' invasion continued.

21) Soji-wang (479-500)
Son of Jabi -wang. Received a series of invasion from Goguryeo and Japan . Moved his palace to walled fortress of Wolsong in Gyeongju in 488. Market first opened in 490. Post stations were established to improve communication and transportation network.

22) Jijeung-wang (500-514)
Son of Galmun -wang, Seupbo. He adopted the title of King (Wang) discarding the previously used titles such as Maripkan. Subjugated the island of Ulleung. Silla officially adopted Geumseong (now Gyeongju) as its capital. Banned burial of the living.

23) Beophung-wang (514-540)
Son of Jijeung-wang. Accepted Buddhism in 527. Established the Ministry of Defense and adopted a new code of administrative laws along with the 17-grade official rank structure of the central government, including color of official robes, and instituted the Bone Rank ( Golpum ) system which was applied to aristocracy. He conquered Bon Gaya and expanded the territory in the fertile region.

24) Jinheung-wang (540-576)
Grandson of Jijeung -wang. Expanded territory in the battle against Baekje and killed the Baekje king, Seong-wang in 554. Constructed Hwangyongsa temple in 566. In 562, he overthrew Dae Gaya where huge amount of iron was produced. He pushed the northern frontier of Silla far into northeastern Korea , taking away the former territory of Goguryeo . In 562, he established the royal chancellery as the top organ of the government, overshadowing the council of Nobles, Hwarang literally meaning flowery youth. Silla's military power grew significantly.

25) Jinji-wang (576-579)
Second son of Jinheung-wang. Frequent fought against Baekje, but maintained peaceful ties with China. King converted Hwarang into elite military units and gave them a variety of military training.

26) Jinpyeong-wang (579-632)
Son of Galmun-wang, Kim Hyeonjong. Established diplomatic relationship with Sui dynasty. After the fall of Sui, paid tributary to Tang dynasty in 621. The marriage alliance with Baekje was broken and Silla took over the lower Han River region from Baekje. Royal guards were reorganized into six units of sworn banners, or Sodang.

27) Seondok-Yeowang (632-647)
First daughter of Jinpyeong-wang. She was recommended to ascend the throne as Jinpyeong-wang had no successor. Queen suffered a military defeat when Baekje launched a desperate final war, taking 40 fortresses from Silla. Queen dispatched the crown price Kim Chunchu, who later became King Muyol for assistant from Gogugyeo. But his mission failed and Gogugyeo demanded a large territorial concession of Silla. Constructed Bunhwangsa temple in Gyeongju in 634. Lost much of territory from Baekje king, Uija-wang. Built astronomical observatory.

28) Jindeok-Yeowang (647-654)
Daughter of Galmun-wang, Gukban. Silla asked assistant from Tang, and dispatched Kim Chunchu in 648. Tang government dispatched a peace-making envoy to Silla. Kim Inmun, the second son of Kim Chunchu, visited Tang to strengthen the diplomatic ties in 652.

29) Muyeol-wang (654-661)
Grandson of Jinji-wang. He was once imprisoned by Baekje general Yeongaesomun. He took over the throne after the reign of two queens, and strengthened the dynastic rule of the house of Kim by abolishing the stipulation that the king's mother had to be a member of the house of Park. A full scale war against Baekje began in 660 when China sent its forces against Baekje as the Silla forces under General Kim Yusin and Beobmin who later became King Munmu-wang launched their offense . Baekje ends in 660.

30) Munmu-wang (661-681)
The first son of Muyeol . Joint attack began in 667 and finally defeated Goguryeo with an aid of Tang forces in 668. Establish a unified kingdom in the Korean peninsula, But, Tang claimed the northern territory for China, and clash of interests between Silla and China took place. China created commanderies and protectorate-general in the former Goguryeo territory. Silla launched a war against the Tang forces and drove them out of Silla in 676. Buseoksa temple was built. His body was cremated and buried under the sea near Gyeongju at his will.

31) Sinmun-wang (681-692)
First son of Munmu-wang. Father-in-law rebelled, but soon he was banished. And queen was ousted. Government abolished the system of granting stipend land to local officials. Seolchong invented Idu, an ancient writing system.

32) Hyoso-wang (692-702)
First son of Shinmun-wang. Opened hospital in 693. Opened two markets in Gyeongju. He set November the first month of the year in 695, and then reset it January in 700.

33) Seongdeok-wang (702-737)
Brother of Hyoso-wang. Became king as his brother had no successor. Establish close ties with Tang and adopted Confucianism.

34) Hyoseong-wang (737-742)
Second son of Seongdeok-wang.

35) Gyeongdeok-wang (742-765)
Brother of Hyoseong-wang. Establish government organizations. Buddhism flourished at its peak. Bulguksa and Seok uram grotto including many temple bells, pagodas and Buddha images were built. Improved relation with Japan and the crown price visited Japan.

36) Hyegong-wang (765-780)
First son of Gyeongdeok-wang. Ascend the throne at the age of seven. Famine and natural disasters frequented during his reign. He did not care about national affairs and spent debauched days. Rebellions took place in 768, 770, 775 and 780. King and queen-consort were killed by the rebels.

37) Seondeok-wang (780-785)
Hyobang's son. Silla's decline began with controversy over succession. He subdued the rebels and ascended the throne after king's death.

38) Wonseong-wang (785-798)
He joined in subduing the rebels. Juwon was supposed to be the king, but flood prevented him crossing the river. The official contact with Japan ceased in 779 due to Silla's hostile foreign policy against Balhae, which had established trade relationship with Japan. Embankment work in Gimje in 790. Rebel in 798.

39) Soseong-wang (798-800)
Grandson of Wonseong-wang. He became the king as his father died before ascending the throne. He stayed in the throne only for 19 months before he died. Power struggle began in the court.

40) Aejang-wang (800-809)
Ascend the throne at the age of thirteen, and his uncle, Kim Eonseung, became the prince regent. Haeinsa temple was built. Establish close relationship with Japan. Enacted laws in 807. Assassinated by his regent Kim Eonseung,.

41) Heondeok-wang (809-826)
Brother of Soseong-wang. Rebelled in 809 and killed his nephew Aejang-wang and took power. Dispatched an envoy to Tang and sought close ties with China. Dispatched 30,000 forces to Tang in 819 on its request to subdue the rebel. A large scale unsuccessful rebel erupted in 822 and 825.

42) Heungdeok-wang (826-836)
Grandson of Wonseong-wang. Establish diplomatic relationship with Tang. Import tea from China. Jang Bogo drove out the Japanese marauders and pirates in the southern coastal region. The condition gradually deteriorated after 836, when a candidate foe the throne was assassinated.

43) Huigang-wang (836-838)
Grandson of Wonseong-wang and Kim Heonjeong's son. Rivaled the throne with his uncle Kim Gyunjeong. Ascend the throne by eliminating his uncle with help of Kim Myeong, who later became Minae-wang, and Lee Hong. He committed suicide in 838 when Kim Myeong and Lee Hong rebelled.

44) Minae-wang (838-839)
He succeeded the throne. His cousin Ujing, the son of Kim Gyunjeong, was staying with Jang Bogo when his father was assassinated. He used Jang's troop to overthrow the king. The number of bandits increased, and in 839 Silla witnessed eruption of a large-scale rebellion in the former Baekje area.

45) Sinmu-wang (839)
Brother of Huigang-wang and Minae-wang's cousin. Took power by eliminating Minae-wang.

46) Munseong-wang (839-857)
Son of Sinmu-wang . Had experienced number of rebellions during his reign. Rebellions led by Hong Chan in 841, by Jang Bogo in 846, by Yangsooun and Hungjong in 847, by Kim Sik in 849. But trade with China grew as safer water way was guaranteed.

47) Heonan-wang (857-861)
Stepbrother of Sinmu-wang. Famine swept the country in 859. Succeed the throne to his son-in-law as he had no son.

48) Gyeongmun-wang (861-875)
He built a nine-storied Hwangyongsa wooden pagoda. He spent most of his time in fighting the rebels. Natural disaster frequented.

49) Heongang-wang (875-886)
First son of Gyeongmun-wang. All the houses were roofed with tiles, charcoal for cooking, and Cheoyong dance widely spread. Luxury and entertainment were at its peak. Silla began to decline.

50) Jeonggang-wang (886-887)
Second son of Gyeongmun-wang. Became king as Heongang-wang had no son. Rebelled by Ichan. Succeeded the throne to his sister.

51) Jinseong-yeowang (887-897)
Daughter of Gyeongmun-wang. Ascend the throne as Jeonggang-wang had no son. Folk songs were written by Wihong. The queen made a scandal with her court official. Local military authorities sprouted from 891, and the country was divided in three states; one of which was occupied by Gungye, who became king of Later Goguryeo in 901, and another one by Gyeonhwon , who founded Later Baekje in 892. The queen abdicated the throne in 897.

52) Hyogong-wang (897-912)
Jeonggang-wang's illegitimate son. Succeeded the throne after Jinseong-yeowang. Lost 30 castles in the north to Gungye, and south western territory to Gyeonhwon in 898. More territory was taken by Gungye in 904 and 10 castles by Gyeonhwon in 907. But the king was happy with his entertainers. Thus, the era of Husamguk, Later Three Kingdoms, was born in the peninsula.

53) Sindeok-wang (912-917)
Son of a court official, Yegyom. Became king by the recommendation as Hyogong-wang had no son.

54) Gyeongmyeong-wang (917-924)
Son of Sindeok-wang. His request for Tang's help was refused and Gyeonhwon's press continued. He defended Gyeonhwon with an aid of Wanggeon, who later founded Goryeo dynasty, but failed to restore the declining kingdom. In 918 Wanggeon, a leading subordinate of Gungye, rebelled against his master, overthrowing the kingdom to Goryeo, and established his capital at Songak (present day of Gaeseong).

55) Gyongae-wang (924-927)
Son of Sindeok-wang. He killed himself at the party at Poseok bower in 927, when Gyeonhwon sacked Gyeongju. Warfare among Silla, Later Baekje, and Goryeo ensued.

56) Gyeongsun-wang (927-935)
The last ruler of the Silla. Court official Hyojong's son. Silla was in the state of beyond control with Gyeonhwon's continued attack, pillage and plundering. The king, after the court meeting, decided to surrender to Goryeo. Thus, Silla ended. Wanggeon overthrew the kingdom of Latter Baekje by force, thus uniting the Korean Peninsula, this time without foreign military assistance.