Michu of Silla was the thirteenth ruler of the

Korea Korea ( ko, 한국, or , ) is a peninsular region in East Asia. Since 1945, it has been divided at or near the 38th parallel, with North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) comprising its northern half and South Korea (Republic o ...

n state of

Silla Silla or Shilla (57 BCE – 935 CE) ( , Old Korean: Syera, Old Japanese: Siraki2) was a Korean kingdom located on the southern and central parts of the Korean Peninsula. Silla, along with Baekje and Goguryeo, formed the Three Kingdoms of K ...

(r. 262–284). He was the first king of the

Kim Kim or KIM may refer to: Names * Kim (given name) * Kim (surname) ** Kim (Korean surname) *** Kim family (disambiguation), several dynasties **** Kim family (North Korea), the rulers of North Korea since Kim Il-sung in 1948 ** Kim, Vietnamese f ...

clan to sit on the Silla throne; this clan would hold the throne for most of Silla's later history. He was the son of Gudo, a leading Silla general, and the sixth-generation descendant of the clan founder

Kim Alji Gim Alji(Kim Alti) (, 金閼智; 65–?) was a historical figure in Korean history. His descendants formed the Gim royal clan of Silla, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. His legendary birth is said to have occurred during the reign of Silla's f ...

. During Michu's reign, the ''

Samguk Sagi ''Samguk Sagi'' (, ''History of the Three Kingdoms'') is a historical record of the Three Kingdoms of Korea: Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla. The ''Samguk Sagi'' is written in Classical Chinese, the written language of the literati of ancient Korea, ...

'' reports numerous attacks from Baekje, and does not mention any contact with the other neighboring states. Michu's tomb is preserved in central

Gyeongju Gyeongju ( ko, 경주, ), historically known as ''Seorabeol'' ( ko, 서라벌, ), is a coastal city in the far southeastern corner of North Gyeongsang Province in South Korea. It is the second largest city by area in the province after Andong, ...

today. Various legends pertain to this burial mound, which is known as the '' Jukjangneung'', or "Bamboo chief tomb."

Family

*Father: Gudo ''

Galmunwang {{Short description, Noble title Galmunwang (갈문왕, 葛文王; wang=king) was a title used in the early period of the Korean kingdom of Silla. Its precise meaning and function are not known. From Korean sources, namely the Samguk Sagi ''Samg ...

'' (구도 갈문왕) *Mother: Queen Sullye (술례부인 박씨), of the

Park A park is an area of natural, semi-natural or planted space set aside for human enjoyment and recreation or for the protection of wildlife or natural habitats. Urban parks are urban green space, green spaces set aside for recreation inside t ...

clan, daughter of Ichil ''

'' (이칠 갈문왕) *Wife: **Queen Gwangmyeong (광명부인 석씨), of the Seok Clan, daughter of

Jobun of Silla Jobun of Silla (r. 230–247, died 247), also known by his title Jobun Isageum, was the eleventh king of the Korean state of Silla. He was the grandson of Beolhyu Isageum, and a member of the Seok clan. He was the son of Goljeong with Lady O ...

***Daughter: Lady Boban (보반부인), wife of King Naemul of Silla ***Daughter: Queen Aryu, of the Kim clan (아류부인 김씨), wife of King Silseong of Silla

Achievement

Although records of his era are not abundant, he seemed to have large interests on agriculture. In 264, he visited the peasant people to encourage them during a severe famine. In 268, subjects were dispatched by Michu to hear concerns of people. Additionally, he was quite compassionate in that he turned down the requirement of rebuilding palaces for the reason that the people shouldn't labor too much.

Legend

It is a legend that the spirit of King Michu helped Silla and protected the country by appeasing the spirit of Kim Yu-sin, who unified the Three Kingdoms. During the reign of King Yurye of Silla, people from Iseoguk(伊西國)(present-day

Cheongdo County Cheongdo County (''Cheongdo-gun'') is a county in North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. It is connected to the national transportation grid by the Gyeongbu Line railroad and the Daegu-Busan Expressway. The seat of government is located in the ...

) attacked Gyeongju, and Silla was powerless. Then, soldiers with bamboo leaves in their ears appeared and turned the state of war around. After the enemy's retreat, a pile of bamboo leaves piled up in front of the tombs of the King Michu.It is based on the strengthening of northern influence in the southern peninsular of the late 3rd century. So, the tomb of Michu was called Jukhyeongneung or Jukjangneung, meaning "the tomb of bamboo generals.

References

Silla rulers 284 deaths Gim clan of Gyeongju 3rd-century monarchs in Asia Year of birth unknown 3rd-century Korean people {{Korea-hist-stub

Family

Achievement

Legend

See also

References