Michu of Silla

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.

Michu of Silla
Tomb of King Michu located in the neighborhood of Hwangnam-dong, Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang province, South Korea.[1]
Korean name
Hangul
미추 이사금
Hanja
味鄒尼師今
Revised RomanizationMichu Isageum
McCune–ReischauerMich'u Isagŭm
Monarchs of Korea
Silla
(Pre-unification)
  1. Hyeokgeose 57 BCE – 4 CE
  2. Namhae 4–24
  3. Yuri 24–57
  4. Talhae 57–80
  5. Pasa 80–112
  6. Jima 112–134
  7. Ilseong 134–154
  8. Adalla 154–184
  9. Beolhyu 184–196
  10. Naehae 196–230
  11. Jobun 230–247
  12. Cheomhae 247–261
  13. Michu 262–284
  14. Yurye 284–298
  15. Girim 298–310
  16. Heulhae 310–356
  17. Naemul 356–402
  18. Silseong 402–417
  19. Nulji 417–458
  20. Jabi 458–479
  21. Soji 479–500
  22. Jijeung 500–514
  23. Beopheung 514–540
  24. Jinheung 540–576
  25. Jinji 576–579
  26. Jinpyeong 579–632
  27. Seondeok 632–647
  28. Jindeok 647–654
  29. Muyeol 654–661

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. Various legends pertain to this burial mound, which is known as the Jukjangneung, or "Bamboo chief tomb."[2]

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) 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. So, the tomb of Michu was called Jukhyeongneung or Jukjangneung, meaning "the tomb of bamboo generals." [2]

See also

References
  1. (in Korean) 신라미추왕릉 新羅味鄒王陵 Archived 2011-06-10 at the Wayback Machine Nate / Encyclopedia of Korean Culture
  2. "미추왕죽엽군설화(未鄒王竹葉軍說話) - 한국민족문화대백과사전". encykorea.aks.ac.kr (in Korean). Retrieved 2018-05-13.
Michu of Silla
 Died: 284
Regnal titles
Preceded by
Cheomhae		 Ruler of Silla
262–284		 Succeeded by
Yurye
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