WHI-Chap15-Silla Dynasty
Contents
Silla Dynasty (669-935CE)
Early Interaction with China
Chinese armies first campaigned in Korea during the Qin and Han dynasties. There were not any more large-scale invasions until the Tang Dynasty. China influenced Korea politically and culturally.
The Silla Dynasty
In the 600s, the Tang conquered parts of Korea. The native Korean Silla dynasty fought back against the Chinese although neither side wanted a long war. They agreed that the Tang armies would leave Korea and the Silla king would submit to the Tang emperor as a vassal. Korea kept its independence and never merged with China but still held respectful relations with China.
The Silla kings frequently gave gifts and performed the kowtow to the Chinese emperors. This tributary relationship allowed Korean merchants to now trade in China.
Chinese Influence in Korea
Korean envoys learned about the Chinese royal court and employed similar techniques. The Chinese influenced Korea in,
- Court and bureaucracy
- Capital Kumsong (modeled after Chang'an)
- Scholars studied Chinese thought and literature
- Educated aristocrats embraced Confucianism
- Commoners and peasants became Buddhist
This topic relates to What influence did China have upon Korea?
China and Korea were also different in many ways.
- Aristocrats were more prominent in Korean Society
- Korea never established a bureaucracy based on merit
- Political power remained in the ruling family
Go back to WHI-Second Semester
(ancient Korean warfare)
This page was made by Jackson Jhin (T+E p396)
