Shilla

For other uses, see Silla (disambiguation).
Silla
신라(新羅)
←
57 BC–935 →
Silla at its height in 576.
Capital Gyeongju
Language(s) Silla language
(Part of Old Korean)
Religion Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Korean shamanism
Government Monarchy
King
- 57 BCE – 4 Hyeokgeose (first)
- 540–576 Jinheung
- 654–661 Muyeol
- 661–681 Munmu
- 681–692 Sinmun
- 927–935 Gyeongsun (last)
Historical era Ancient
- Establishment 57 BC
- Introduction of Buddhism 527
- Campaigns of King Jinheung 551–576
- Unified Silla 676–935
- Handover to the Goryeo Dynasty 935
Silla
Hangul 신라
Hanja 新羅
Revised Romanization Silla
McCune–Reischauer Silla

Silla (57 BC – 935 AD) (Korean pronunciation: [ɕilːa]) was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, and one of the longest sustained dynasties in Asian history. Although it was founded by King Park Hyeokgeose, who is also known to be the originator of the Korean family name Park (박, 朴), the dynasty was to see the Gyeongju Kim (김, 金) clan hold rule for most of its 992-year history. What began as a chiefdom in the Samhan confederacies, once allied with China, Silla eventually conquered the other two kingdoms, Baekje in 660 and Goguryeo in 668. Thereafter, Unified Silla or Later Silla, as it is often referred to, occupied most of the Korean Peninsula, while the northern part re-emerged as Balhae, a successor-state of Goguryeo. After nearly 1000 years of rule, Silla fragmented into the brief Later Three Kingdoms, handing over power to its successor dynasty Goryeo in 935.[1]



One of the most famous stories eulogized by Hwarang literature is the martyrdom of the son of General P'umil, who died in the wars of unification. Kwan Chang was a Hwarang commander at the age of 16. He was captured during a battle with Paekche, one of the western kingdoms. Since his high ranking battle crest indicated he was the general's son, he was taken before the Paekche general. Lifting his war helmet, the Paekche general was taken aback at his youth. Thinking of his own young son, he decided against execution, which was the usual fate of the captured officers, and returned him to Silla lines. Kwan Chang went before his father and asked that he be sent back into battle at the head of his men. General P'umil agreed. He was captured after a day-long battle, but after he was disarmed, he broke loose from his guards, killing both of them by hand and attacked the Paekche general's second in command. A leaping, spin kick killed the commander as he sat on his horse, a full eight feet in the air. Finally subdued, he was taken before the Paekche general. Much distressed over the loss of his chief commander, he told Kwan Chang, "I gave you your life once because of your youth, but now you return to take the life of my best field commander." This time the Paekche general returned the boy's head attached to the saddle of his war horse. At the Silla line, General P'umil grasped his son's head and wiped off the blood with his sleeve. "My son's face is as when he was alive!" he shouted to his men. "He was able to die in the service of the king. There is nothing to regret." The General rode back into battle to complete the final defeat of Paekche. This was the famous Hwang San Bul battle and the story became legendary throughout Korean culture.

Heroic legends of the Hwarang warriors were preserved in many forms: dances, poetry and literature. They were told and retold from one generation to another and provided an example for the young of each generation to follow. The fighting spirit of the Silla warriors was so widely known that even the most powerful enemies hesitated to attack.

One of the most famous stories that illustrates the respect that the country of Tang (as China was known in this period) had for the people of Silla, is told about the young Hwarang general named Yoo Shin Kim. General Kim was 15 at the time he became a commander in the army. Some years later China and Silla were in an alliance in a war against Paekche. The Silla armies had engaged Paekche in a battle and defeated them. But the battle had taken several days and it caused the Silla commander, Moon Kyung Kim, to be late for a meeting with the Chinese general, who was the top commander in this temporary alliance.

The Hwarang commander and General Kim went before the Chinese General Jung Bang So to report the good news of their victory. But General So wanted to punish the Silla Commander for his disobedience and late arrival, so he ordered his execution! Suspecting treachery, that China's real intentions were to first take Paekche and then turn on Silla, General Kim spoke out angrily, "Are we your allies or your slaves?" Then in a burst of fury he exploded, "I will first fight with your army and then we will defeat Paekche." Kuksun Yoo Shin Kim's sword rose from its scabbard by itself into his hand and he was about to take the life of the Chinese general. It was thought in those times that the sword was the soul of the warrior and that it followed the mind of its master. Seeing this, General So was taken with fright. He quickly apologized to General Kim and rescinded the order of execution.

Paekche was defeated and Silla prepared for a war with China. However General So was afraid to attack Silla and returned home to China. Asked by the Emperor why he had not taken Silla also, General So said, "It is true that Silla is a small country, but their King is very wise and the generals are fierce and loyal. All the people are united in a strong camaraderie." He repeated the incident with the Hwarang commander and said, "they are small, but we cannot defeat them."

Another story which revealed the depth of familial bonds of the Silla period concerned the death of the Hwarang General Bi Yeng Ja. Asked by General Kim to lead a suicide attack against a large Chinese force. Hwarang Bi Yeng Ja replied, "You have given me a great honor to show loyalty to my king and country." He then requested that the general watch over his son and prevent him from following him into battle. Since Hwarang Bi Yeng Ja had only one son, he was concerned that his family name live another generation. General Kim assured him that he would watch over his son. Hwarang Bi Yeng Ja entered battle and was killed. Upon witnessing the death of his father, the son mounted his horse and followed his father into battle and was killed too. Then followed the house manager and servant who were also killed. The whole Silla army witnessed this act of loyalty and, swept with a wave of sympathy for this act of sacrifice, charged into battle to avenge the death of the Bi family. They defeated the Chinese armies and saved Silla from almost certain conquest.




THE HWARANG CODE:

-BE LOYAL , TO YOUR COUNTRY
-BE OBEDIENT TO YOUR PARENTS
-BE LOVING BETWEEN HUSBAND AND WIFE
-BE COOPERATIVE BETWEEN BROTHERS
-BE FAITHFUL BETWEEN FRIENDS
-BE RESPECTFUL TO YOUR ELDERS
-KNOW THE DIFERENCE BETWEEN GOOD AND EVIL
-NEVER RETREAT IN BATTLE
-ALWAYS FINISH WHAT YOU START
-BE TRUSTWORTHY TO YOUR FRIENDS
-NEVER MAKE AN UN JUST KILL .