Michu of Silla

King of Silla Korea from 262 to 284

King Michu
미추 이사금
味鄒尼師今

King of Silla

Reign

262-284

Coronation

262

Predecessor

Cheomhae of Silla

Successor

Yurye of Silla

Died

284
Silla

Posthumous name
King Michu (미추 이사금, 味鄒尼師今)

Father

Gudo Galmunwang

Mother

Queen Sullye

Korean name
Michu of Silla
Tomb of King Michu located in the neighborhood of Hwangnam-dong, Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang province, South Korea.^[1]
Hangul	미추 이사금
Hanja	味鄒尼師今
Revised Romanization	Michu Isageum
McCune–Reischauer	Mich'u Isagŭm

Silla
Monarchs of Korea
(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
v t e

Michu of Silla was the thirteenth ruler of the Korean state of Silla (r. 262–284). He was the first king of the Kim 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.

During Michu's reign, the Samguk Sagi reports numerous attacks from Baekje, and does not mention any contact with the other neighboring states.

Michu's tomb is preserved in central Gyeongju today.^[2] Various legends pertain to this burial mound, which is known as the Jukjangneung, or "Bamboo chief tomb."^[3]

Family

Father: Gudo Galmunwang (구도 갈문왕)
Mother: Queen Sullye (술례부인 박씨), of the Park clan, daughter of Ichil Galmunwang (이칠 갈문왕)
Wife:
- Queen Gwangmyeong (광명부인 석씨), of the Seok Clan, daughter of Jobun of Silla
  - 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) 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.^[4]^[5]^[6] So, the tomb of Michu was called Jukhyeongneung or Jukjangneung, meaning "the tomb of bamboo generals.

References

^ (in Korean) 신라미추왕릉 新羅味鄒王陵 Archived 2011-06-10 at the Wayback Machine Nate / Encyclopedia of Korean Culture
^ "Gyeongju reveals life under Silla Dynasty". The Jakarta Post. December 22, 2023. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
^ "미추왕죽엽군설화(未鄒王竹葉軍說話)". Encyclopedia of Korean Culture (in Korean). Retrieved 2018-05-13.
^ Theory 1, this is considered an intervention by Baekje soldiers concerned about the fall of Silla.
^ Theory 2, based on Kim Gudo(구도(俱道)) has formed a marriage alliance with the Somun-guk(present-day Uiseong), a Ye-Jinhan cultural sphere, since the time of Adalla Isageum. In this context, it is presumed that the power of the Michu Isageum's family, who grew and had power within Silla, saved Yurye Isageum.
^ It is based on the strengthening of northern influence in the southern peninsular of the late 3rd century.