Unified Silla

Quick Facts: Who was Unified Silla?

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Unified Silla

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A Korean kingdom period (668–935) marking the unification of the peninsula.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Unified Silla (Korean: 통일신라; Hanja: 統一新羅), Late Silla (후기신라; 後期新羅), or Greater Silla is the name often applied to the historical period of the Korean kingdom of Silla after its conquest of Goguryeo in 668 AD, which marked the end of the Three Kingdoms period. In the 7th century, a Silla–Tang alliance conquered Baekje in the Baekje–Tang War. Following the Goguryeo–Tang War and Silla–Tang War in the 7th century, Silla annexed the southern part of Goguryeo, unifying the central and southern regions of the Korean Peninsula. Unified Silla existed during the Northern and Southern States period at a time when Balhae controlled the north of the peninsula. Unified Silla lasted for 267 years until it fell to Goryeo in 935 during the reign of King Gyeongsun.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

The people of the Unified Silla period considered themselves to be of a kingdom of unified Koreans, which they called 三韓一統 (Modern Hangul: 삼한일통, Samhan-iltong), meaning the unity of three kingdoms (the three kingdoms being Silla, Goguryeo, and Baekje). The term was used by general Kim Yu-sin, credited with leading many of the military campaigns to unify the Korean Peninsula under Silla, in a letter he wrote to King Munmu as he lay dying. King Munmu is considered to have been the first ruler of the Unified Silla period, and subsequent kings continued to hold the perception of a unified Silla, as evidenced by King Sinmun's installment of "nine counties" (九州) and "nine legions" (九書堂). In the ancient Sinosphere, the number nine connoted great things, and ancient China was composed of nine counties as well, so the term 九州 was used as a synonym for the entirety of China, as well as for "all under heaven" (天下). In addition, Silla gave noble ranks to the nobles of Goguryeo and Baekje as a token of unification.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

North Korean historians criticize the idea of "Unified Silla" as from their perspective, Goryeo was the first state to unify the Korean people as Silla failed to conquer parts of Goguryeo and Balhae in the northeast of the Korean peninsula. Because of this, North Korean historians use the term "Late Silla" (후기신라) where South Korean historians would use "Unified Silla" or "Greater Silla". In 660, King Munmu ordered his armies to attack Baekje. General Kim Yu-sin, aided by Tang forces, defeated General Gyebaek and conquered Baekje. In 661, he moved on Goguryeo but was repelled.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Unified Silla

True or False: “Did Unified Silla conquer all parts of the Korean Peninsula, including the northeast regions controlled by Balhae?”

Answer (FALSE ❌): North Korean historians criticize this claim, noting that Silla failed to conquer parts of Goguryeo and Balhae in the northeast.

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