28th monarch of Silla Korea (r. 647–654)
Queen Jindeok of Silla (?–654), reigned as Queen of Silla, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, from 647 to 654. She was the kingdom's 28th ruler, and its second reigning queen following her predecessor Queen Seondeok.[1] During her reign, Silla jockeyed with Baekje for favor in the Chinese Tang court. She is also known for writing a poem of the Emperor Gaozong of Tang.[2] According to Samguk Sagi, she was voluptuous, beautiful and tall.[3][1]
Reign
Queen Jindeok (r. 647–654) ascended the throne and became the Silla's second Queen regnant after Queen Seondeok.[4] The last monarch from the ranks of the Seonggol, the highest class in the Silla's unique caste system, her real name is Seungman. Her father was Kim Gukban, who was King Jinpyeong's youngest brother, and her mother was Lady Wolmyeong.[2] During her seven-year reign Queen Jindeok's primary concern was foreign policy. With the help of General Kim Yushin she was able to strengthen Silla's defenses and greatly improve her kingdom's relations with Tang China. Those efforts laid the foundation for the unification of the three kingdoms, (Silla, Baekje, and Goguryeo). She also expanded the Pumju tax-collecting system.
The Tomb of Queen Jindeok [ko] is located on the hill in Gyeongju city, although some historians question whether or not it is genuinely her tomb. According to the Samguk Sagi she was buried at Saryangbu, which is located in the opposite direction from the tomb.[6]
A statue of Queen Jindeok's lower body was found at Zhao Mausoleum (昭陵, Hangul: 소릉), the tomb of Emperor Taizong of Tang in Xi'an.[7]
Legacy
When King Jeonggang was dying in 887, he appointed his sister Jinseong as his heir, justifying the choice of a female monarch by pointing to Seondeok's and Jindeok's successful reigns.
The poem written by Queen Jindeok is Chidangtaepyeongsong (치당태평송; 致唐太平頌).[8]
The name of an era
Queen Jindeok used the era name, Inpyeong, from January to July in 647, when she was crowned, and changed the era name to Taehwa. From July 647 to June 650, she used the name Taehwa era, but later used Yeonghwi, the name that was used during the Tang dynasty. Taehwa is the last name that Silla used independently.[9]
