Pasa of Silla

Family

• Grandfather: King Namhae of Silla (남해)
• Grandmother: Lady Unje ()
• Father: Yuri Isageum (유리 이사금)
• Mother: Queen Kim, of the Kim clan ()
• Consort and issue(s):
  • Queen Saseong, of the Kim clan ()
    • Jima of Silla (지마 이사금, d.134), 1st son

Background

According to the Samguk sagi, Pasa Isageum(婆娑尼師今) became king. He is the second son of king Yuri(儒理王). He married Lady sasung(史省).

Pasa Isageum's Pasa(婆娑) is a Buddhist name, meaning 'truth appears' in Sanskrit. However, since it is long before Buddhism was introduced to Silla, it is likely that the Chinese character meaning was added later on. Pasa(婆娑) is rendering of a Chinese character for pronounce In Nihon Shoki's Empress Jingū part, characters are recorded as different pasa(波沙)(the same pronounce) because they are rendering of a Chinese character, which is more important than the meaning of Chinese characters. But, it is highly likely that the Japanese Historian's Pasa(波沙寐錦) was confused with Silseong Maripgan the Japanese historian who lacked an understanding of early Silla history.

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 and would continue to be used until the fall of Silla. 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

• The Academy of Korean Studies
• Korea Britannica

References

1. 三國史記 卷第一 新羅本紀 第一 婆娑 尼師今 元年 9月 婆娑尼師今立. 儒理王第二子也 妃金氏史省夫人, 許婁葛文王之女也. 初脫解薨, 臣僚欲立儒理太子逸聖, 或謂"逸聖雖嫡嗣, 而威明不及婆娑." 遂立之. 婆娑節儉省用而愛民, 國人嘉之.
2. Some revisionists(related to the North Korean academic community) claim that he was son of Talhae of Silla, and a woman from Persia. But The basis of this argument is weak.
3. (March 19, 2015). "Excavation sheds light on Silla's royal palaces".