Gyeongae of Silla


Gyeongae, personal name Pak Wiŭng, was the 55th ruler of the Koreanic kingdom Silla.

Biography

He was the son of King Sindeok by Queen Uiseong, and was the younger brother of King Gyeongmyeong, who preceded him to the throne.
Gyeongae ascended the Silla throne in the midst of the Later Three Kingdoms period, and thus ruled over only a small portion of what had once been Unified Silla. He attempted to make common cause with Taejo of Goryeo, against Later Baekje such as sending troops to jointly fight against them, but this only provoked retaliation from Later Baekje. In the end, even that last remnant of Silla was overwhelmed by Later Baekje forces under Kyŏn Hwŏn.
When Kyŏn Hwŏn's army sacked Gyeongju in 927, they found Gyeongae partying at the Poseokjeong pavilion. The king was captured by the army of Later Baekje, but killed himself rather than surrender. Kyŏn Hwŏn set Gyeongsun on the throne in his stead, and returned to the west.
King Gyeongae was buried on Namsan. His tomb is called "Haemongnyeong."

Family

Parents
Consorts and their respective issue:
  1. Unnamed wife
  2. #Pak Kyosun, Grand Prince Geumseong, 1st son
  3. #Pak Sunhyŏn, Grand Prince Pak Kyerim, 2nd son

In popular culture