Jindeok of Silla

Queen Jindeok
진덕왕
眞德王
Tomb of Queen Jindeok [ko] in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea
Queen of Silla
Reign647–654
Coronation647
PredecessorQueen Seondeok of Silla
SuccessorMuyeol of Silla
Born600
Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Silla
Died654
Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Silla
Burial
Posthumous name
Queen Jindeok (眞德王, 진덕왕)
FatherGalmunwang Kim Gukban
MotherLady Wolmyeong of the Park clan
Jindeok of Silla
Hangul
진덕여왕
Hanja
眞德女王
Revised RomanizationJindeok Yeowang
McCune–ReischauerChindŏk Yŏwang
Birth name
Hangul
김승만
Hanja
眞勝曼
Revised RomanizationKim Seungman
McCune–ReischauerKim Sŭngman

Queen Jindeok of Silla (600–654), reigned as Queen of Silla, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, from 647 to 654. She was the kingdom's 28th ruler, and its second reigning queen following her predecessor Queen Seondeok.[1] During her reign, Silla jockeyed with Baekje for favor in the Chinese Tang court. She is also known for writing a poem of the Emperor Gaozong of Tang.[2] According to Samguk Sagi, she was voluptuous, beautiful and tall.[3][1]

Reign

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Queen Jindeok (r. 647–654) ascended the throne and became the Silla's second Queen regnant after Queen Seondeok.[4] The last monarch from the ranks of the Seonggol, the highest class in the Silla's unique caste system, her real name is Kim Seung-man. Her father was Kim Gukban, who was King Jinpyeong's youngest brother, and her mother was Lady Wolmyeong.[2]

During her seven-year reign Queen Jindeok's primary concern was foreign policy. With the help of General Kim Yushin she was able to strengthen Silla's defenses and greatly improve her kingdom's relations with Tang China. Those efforts laid the foundation for the unification of the three kingdoms, (Silla, Baekje, and Goguryeo). She also expanded the Pumju tax-collecting system.[5]

The Tomb of Queen Jindeok [ko] is located on the hill in Gyeongju city, although some historians question whether or not it is genuinely her tomb. According to the Samguk Sagi she was buried at Saryangbu, which is located in the opposite direction from the tomb.[6]

A statue of Queen Jindeok's lower body was found at Zhao Mausoleum (昭陵, Hangul: 소릉), the tomb of Emperor Taizong of Tang in Xi'an.[7]

Legacy

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When King Jeonggang was dying in 887, he appointed his sister Jinseong as his heir, justifying the choice of a female monarch by pointing to Seondeok's and Jindeok's successful reigns.

The poem written by Queen Jindeok is Chidangtaepyeongsong (치당태평송; 致唐太平頌).[8]

The name of an era

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Queen Jindeok used the era name, Inpyeong, from January to July in 647, when she was crowned, and changed the era name to Taehwa. From July 647 to June 650, she used the name Taehwa era, but later used Yeonghwi, the name that was used during the Tang dynasty. Taehwa is the last name that Silla used independently.[9]

Family

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Ancestry

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Neff, Robert (November 18, 2023). "Silla, when giants ruled the peninsula". Korea Times. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  2. ^ a b Kim (1145), volume 5
  3. ^ "진덕여왕". Doosan Encyclopedia (in Korean). Retrieved 2022-08-02.
  4. ^ "Queen Seondeok: the first Korean queen who proved that women rule". April Magazine. October 22, 2017. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  5. ^ Lee (2008), p. 141.
  6. ^ Cultural Properties Administration, Tomb of Queen Jindeok of Silla
  7. ^ "진덕여왕은 넥타이를 했다?". The Hankyoreh (in Korean). 2006-09-25. Retrieved 2023-05-03.
  8. ^ "치당태평송". Doosan Encyclopedia (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-02-09.
  9. ^ Dongguk Tonggam 7th Records of the Three Kingdoms(東國通鑑 卷7 三國紀)

Sources

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  • Kim Bu-sik (1145). 삼국사기 (三國史記) [History of the Three Kingdoms] (in Korean). OL 24982503M.
  • Lee, Bae-yong (2008). Women in Korean History. Ewha Womans University Press.
Jindeok of Silla
 Died: 654
Regnal titles
Preceded by Queen of Silla
647–654
Succeeded by