Jijeung of Silla

Jijeung of Silla
Hangul	지증왕
Hanja	智證王
Revised Romanization	Jijeung wang
McCune–Reischauer	Chijŭng wang
Birth name
Hangul	김지대로
Hanja	金智大路, also 金智度路
Revised Romanization	Gim Jidaero
McCune–Reischauer	Kim Chidaero

Monarchs of Korea Silla (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

Jijeung of Silla (437–514) (r.500-514) was the 22nd ruler of the Korean kingdom of Silla. He is remembered for strengthening royal authority and building Silla into a centralized kingdom.

Like many Silla kings, Jijeung was of royal blood on both sides. His father was the Galmunwang Kim Seup-bo, who was a grandson of Naemul Isageum. His mother was Lady Josaeng, the daughter of Nulji Isageum.

Jijeung began his program of legal reform in 502, when he outlawed the custom of burying servants with their masters. In 503, he formally established the country's name as "Silla," it having previously been represented by a variety of Chinese characters. At the same time, he took the title of wang, meaning "king"; he had previously borne the native Silla title of maripgan.

Jijeung continued this program in the following years, with a reform of ceremonial dress in 504 and of local administration in 505. In that reform, he incorporated the old territory of Siljik-guk into the Silla administrative system. He established a market in eastern Gyeongju in 509. In 512, he sent Kim Isabu to conquer the island nation of Usan-guk.

After his death, Jijeung received a temple name, the name by which he is now known. He was the first Silla king to receive a temple name.

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