Pyeongwon of Goguryeo

Pyeongwon of Goguryeo (ruled 559–590) the 25th ruler of Goguryeo, the northernmost of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. Pyeongwon was also known as 'Pyeonggangsanghowang'. His birth name was Yangseong[1] (though the Suishu and Tangshu have him as Tangseong).

Pyeongwon of Goguryeo
Hangul
평원왕, 평강(상호)왕
Hanja
平原王, 平岡(上好)王
Revised RomanizationPyeongwon-wang, Pyeonggang(sangho)-wang
McCune–ReischauerP'yǒngwǒn-wang, P'yǒnggang(sangho)-wang
Birth name
Hangul
양성 or 탕
Hanja
陽成 or 湯
Revised RomanizationYangseong or Tang
McCune–ReischauerYangsǒng or Tang
Monarchs of Korea
Goguryeo
  1. Chumo 37–19 BCE
  2. Yuri 19 BCE–18 CE
  3. Daemusin 18–44
  4. Minjung 44–48
  5. Mobon 48–53
  6. Taejodae 53–146
  7. Chadae 146–165
  8. Sindae 165–179
  9. Gogukcheon 179–197
  10. Sansang 197–227
  11. Dongcheon 227–248
  12. Jungcheon 248–270
  13. Seocheon 270–292
  14. Bongsang 292–300
  15. Micheon 300–331
  16. Gogugwon 331–371
  17. Sosurim 371–384
  18. Gogugyang 384–391
  19. Gwanggaeto the Great 391–413
  20. Jangsu 413–490
  21. Munja 491–519
  22. Anjang 519–531
  23. Anwon 531–545
  24. Yangwon 545–559
  25. Pyeongwon 559–590
  26. Yeongyang 590–618
  27. Yeongnyu 618–642
  28. Bojang 642–668

Reign

The years of Pyeongwon's rule are generally agreed upon by historians, but his year of birth has not been established with any degree of certainty. It is known that he was the eldest son of Yangwon of Goguryeo and became crown prince in 557, two years before assuming full power. He is said to have been courageous, and skilled in horseriding and archery.[1][2]

By this time, royal power had been significantly eroded by the aristocracy. Concerned for the people, he encouraged agricultural and sericultural developments and reduced the royal cuisine.[2]

He maintained tense but relatively peaceful relations with the Göktürks and the various Chinese dynasties, briefly battling the Northern Zhou at the Liaodong Peninsula in 577. He frequently sent tributes to the Chen Dynasty, Northern Qi, Northern Zhou and Sui Dynasty.[1][2] As the Sui Dynasty united China, King Pyeongwon prepared for the impending war.

The southern border with the other two Korean kingdoms was relatively peaceful as the Silla-Baekje alliance fell apart. In 586, he moved the capital to Jangan fortress.[2]

In 590, the king received news that the state of Chen had fallen and was greatly alarmed. For defense purposes he ordered troops into training and the augmentation of military provisions.

The rule of Pyeongwon came to an end in 590, which is the year of his death according to Samguk Sagi, but there is no specific documentation to confirm the circumstances.

He was given the posthumous royal title of King Pyeongwon.[1]

See also

References
  1. "평원왕" (in Korean). Doopedia. Retrieved 2016-09-28.
  2. "King Pyeongwon". KBS World. Retrieved 2016-09-28.
Pyeongwon of Goguryeo
 Died: 590
Regnal titles
Preceded by
Yangwon		 Monarch of Goguryeo
559–590		 Succeeded by
Yeongyang
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.