Pasa of Silla

Infobox Korean name
rr=Pasa Isageum
mr=P'asa Isagŭm
hangul=파사 이사금
hanja=婆娑尼師今

Pasa Isageum (?-112, r. 80-112) was the fifth ruler of Silla, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. He is commonly called Pasa Isageum, "isageum" being the royal title in early Silla. As a descendent of Silla's founder Hyeokgeose, his surname was Bak.

Background

According to the "Samguk Sagi", he was either the second son of Silla's third king Yuri, or the son of Yuri's younger brother Naero. If he was Yuri's nephew, this may indicate the powerful support of the Seok clan.

Reign

In 87, he built Silla's first recorded castles outside of the Gyeongju region.

In 94, when the adjacent Gaya confederacy attacked, Pasa sent 1,000 cavalry to respond. When the Gaya attacked again two years later, he personally led a force of 5,000 to another victory. Pasa was subsequently appeased by an emissary from Gaya, but maintained superiority over the confederacy.

In 101, the Wolseong royal fortress was first constructed. Portions of this fortress are still preserved in central Gyeongju.

The next year, Silla gained control over the previously independent states of Siljikgok (present-day Samcheok), Eumjipbeol (present-day northern Gyeongju), and Apdok (present-day Gyeongsan). Six years later he took over the states of Biji (present-day Hapcheon), Dabeol (present-day Pohang), and Chopal (present-day Changwon) as well.

The rival Korean kingdom of Baekje had attacked in 85, but Pasa made peace with Giru of Baekje in 105.

References

* [http://kdaq.empas.com/koreandb/history/kpeople/person_view.html?n=13088 The Academy of Korean Studies]
* [http://enc.daum.net/dic100/viewContents.do?&m=all&articleID=b23p0759a Korea Britannica]

ee also

*Three Kingdoms of Korea
*Proto-Three Kingdoms of Korea
*History of Korea
*Rulers of Korea
*List of Korea-related topics
*Gaya - Silla Wars