Unified Silla
History
Unified Silla, also referred to as the Later Silla, was a period in the history of Korea that lasted from 668 to 935 AD. This era marked the unification of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, namely Silla, Baekje, and Goguryo under the rule of the Silla kingdom. The Unified Silla period is known for its significant contributions to the development of culture, arts, and sciences in Korea.
Unification
The process of unification began in the mid-7th century when the Silla kingdom, in alliance with the Tang Dynasty of China, waged wars against Baekje and Goguryo. The fall of Goguryo in 668 led to the establishment of Unified Silla. However, the northern regions of the former Goguryo kingdom were controlled by the Protectorate General to Pacify the East, a military government established by the Tang Dynasty. The Silla kingdom had to wage a series of wars, known as the Silla-Tang Wars, from 670 to 676 to gain control over these regions.
Governance
The Unified Silla kingdom was a centralized monarchy. The king, who was considered a sacred being, held absolute power. The kingdom was divided into provinces, which were further divided into prefectures and counties. The central government consisted of six ministries, each headed by a minister. The ministries were responsible for civil affairs, military affairs, rites, justice, works, and the royal household.
Culture and Society
The Unified Silla period saw a flourishing of culture and arts. Buddhism, which had been introduced during the Three Kingdoms period, became the state religion. Many Buddhist temples and sculptures were built during this period, including the famous Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto.
Society was divided into a strict hierarchy based on bone rank, a unique system of social order in ancient Korea. The bone rank system determined a person's social status, occupation, and even marriage prospects based on their lineage.
Economy
The economy of Unified Silla was largely agrarian, with rice being the main crop. The kingdom implemented a land system known as the Equal-field system, where land was allocated to individuals based on their social status and the number of family members. This system, however, led to social inequality and was a cause of frequent peasant revolts.
Trade also played a significant role in the economy. Unified Silla traded with countries such as China, Japan, and the Arab nations. The kingdom was known for its production of high-quality celadon pottery, which was a major export item.
Decline and Fall
The fall of Unified Silla began in the late 9th century. The kingdom faced numerous internal problems, including corruption, social inequality, and frequent peasant revolts. The weakening of royal authority led to the rise of powerful regional lords, who established their own autonomous states. These states, known as the Later Three Kingdoms, waged wars against each other for control over the Korean peninsula.
In 935, the Silla kingdom was overthrown by Goryeo, one of the Later Three Kingdoms, marking the end of the Unified Silla period and the beginning of the Goryeo Dynasty.