Jindeok of Silla

Jindeok of Silla
Royal tomb of Queen Jindeok of Silla located in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea
Hangul	진덕여왕
Hanja	眞德女王
Revised Romanization	Jindeok Yeowang
McCune–Reischauer	Chindŏk Yŏwang

Monarchs of Korea Silla (Pre-unification)

Hyeokgeose 57 BCE – 4 CE Namhae 4–24 Yuri 24–57 Talhae 57–80 Pasa 80–112 Jima 112–134 Ilseong 134–154 Adalla 154–184 Beolhyu 184–196 Naehae 196–230 Jobun 230–247 Cheomhae 247–261 Michu 262–284 Yurye 284–298 Girim 298–310 Heulhae 310–356 Naemul 356–402 Silseong 402–417 Nulji 417–458 Jabi 458–479 Soji 479–500 Jijeung 500–514 Beopheung 514–540 Jinheung 540–576 Jinji 576–579 Jinpyeong 579–632 Seondeok 632–647 Jindeok 647–654 Muyeol 654–661

Queen Jindeok of Silla 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. 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.^[1]

Reign

Queen Jindeok (r.647-654) ascended the throne and became the Silla's second Queen regnant after Queen Seondeok. The last monarch from the ranks of the Seonggol, the highest class in the Silla's unique caste system, her real name is Seungman. 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.^[3]

Her tomb is located on the hill in Gyeongju city. Although some historians have doubt that if it is really the tomb of Queen Jindeok. According to the Samguk Sagi she was buried at Saryangbu, which is located in the opposite direction from the tomb.^[4]

Legacy

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

See also

• History of Korea
• List of Korea-related topics
• List of Koreans
• Three Kingdoms of Korea

Notes

1. The Academy of Korean Studies: Samguk Sagi, volume 5(404 error - Page not found)
2. The Academy of Korean Studies: Samguk Sagi, volume 5(404 error - Page not found)
3. Lee. p. 141. Missing or empty |title= (help)
4. Cultural Properties Administration, Tomb of Queen Jindeok of Silla

Sources

• Lee, Bae-yong (2008). Women in Korean History. Ewha Womans University Press.