Unified Shilla Kingdom
On the Korean Peninsula, the Shilla kingdom (57 BCE–935 CE), with the Tang dynasty (618–907 CE) of China as its ally, was able to overpower the Paekche kingdom (18 BCE–663 CE) and then the Koguryo kingdom (37 BCE–668 CE) in the 660s. It soon became apparent, though, that Tang China had it eyes on this conquered territory for itself and did not recognize the Shilla kingdom's claim to the territory south of the Taedong River, south of Pyongyang (in present-day North Korea), until 676. This excluded much of the former Koguryo territory, and it was to this territory that many Koguryo people migrated and set up the Parhae kingdom (698–926 CE). The Shilla kingdom was thus able to unify most of the Korean Peninsula under its rule but less than half of the land ruled during the Three Kingdoms period of China (220–265 CE).
The Unified Shilla kingdom (668—935 CE) reached its peak in the middle of the eighth century. With Buddhism already the state religion, the Unified Shilla kingdom attempted to establish the ideal Buddhist nation. To this end, splendid Buddhist temples and shrines were constructed. The most noted of these are the Pulguk Temple and Sokkuram Grotto, both located near the Shilla capital, present-day Kyongju. Extensive woodblock printing of Buddhist scriptures was also undertaken. These included the recently discovered imprint of the Dharani Sutra, probably printed in the first half of the eighth century. Overall, the arts and sciences flourished.
After unifying the peninsula, the Unified Shilla kingdom reorganized its administration after that of neighboring China and developed a complex bureaucracy. Most important, there was a growing authoritarianism in the power exercised by the king, which increased to the extent that opposition to the throne was virtually eliminated. The power of the throne was evidenced by changes in military organization. Members of the nation's ten garrisons and national army took oaths of loyalty to the throne and were under the king's direct authority. The Unified Shilla kingdom enjoyed an era of peace with Tang China. In return for being allowed to remain independent of the Tang in internal affairs, the Unified Shilla kingdom sent periodic tribute to the Tang emperor and recognized China's authority in Asian affairs.
As the nobility indulged in easy, luxurious lives, Buddhism as the state religion began to decline in the latter part of the eighth century. A new sect, Son (Zen), began to establish itself in remote mountainous areas. Corruption in the bureaucracy and factional strife in the government became rampant. Rulers became increasingly weak and immoral, and aristocrats abused their power. The situation deteriorated to one of near anarchy, leading to peasant revolts. Leaders of these revolts created rival states—the Later Paekche kingdom (892–936) and the Later Koguryo kingdom (901–918)— backed by strong armies. The Unified Shilla kingdom shrank to its preunification size. The Later Koguryo kingdom, renamed Koryo, gained control of the central part of the peninsula, and the Unified Shilla kingdom, being too weak to resist, handed over power to the Koryo kingdom. In 936, after fierce military resistance, the Koryo kingdom (918–1392) defeated the Later Paekche kingdom to reunify the Korean Peninsula.
Further Reading
Eckert, Carter J., Ki-baik Lee, Young Ick Lew, Michael
Robinson, and Edward W. Wagner. (1990) Korea Old and
New: A History. Cambridge, MA: Korean Institute, Harvard University.
Han, Woo-keun. (1970) The History of Korea. Trans. by Lee
Kyung-shik. Seoul: Eul-yoo Publishing. Henthorn, William E. (1971) A History of Korea. New York:
Free Press.
Koo, John H., and Andrew C. Nahm, eds. (1997) An Introduction to Korean Culture. Elizabeth, NJ: Hollym. Lee, Ki-baik. (1984) A New History of Korea. Trans. by Edward W. Wagner. Seoul: Ilchokak Publishers. Nahm, Andrew C. (1983). A Panorama of 5000 Years: Korean
History. Elizabeth, NJ: Hollym.
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