Heondeok of Silla

King Heondeok
헌덕왕
憲德王
King of Silla
Reign809-826
PredecessorAejang of Silla
SuccessorHeungdeok of Silla
Born???
Died826
Silla
HouseHouse of Kim
FatherPrince Hyechung
MotherQueen Seongmok
Heondeok of Silla
Hangul
헌덕왕
Hanja
憲德王
Revised RomanizationHeondeok wang
McCune–ReischauerHŏndŏk wang
Birth name
Hangul
김언승
Hanja
金彦昇
Revised RomanizationGim Eonseung
McCune–ReischauerKim Ŏnsŭng
Monarchs of Korea
Silla
(Post-unification)
  1. Munmu 661–681
  2. Sinmun 681–691
  3. Hyoso 692–702
  4. Seongdeok 702–737
  5. Hyoseong 737–742
  6. Gyeongdeok 742–765
  7. Hyegong 765–780
  8. Seondeok 780–785
  9. Wonseong 785–798
  10. Soseong 798–800
  11. Aejang 800–809
  12. Heondeok 809–826
  13. Heungdeok 826–836
  14. Huigang 836–838
  15. Minae 838–839
  16. Sinmu 839
  17. Munseong 839–857
  18. Heonan 857–861
  19. Gyeongmun 861–875
  20. Heongang 875–886
  21. Jeonggang 886–887
  22. Jinseong 887–897
  23. Hyogong 897–912
  24. Sindeok 912–917
  25. Gyeongmyeong 917–924
  26. Gyeongae 924–927
  27. Gyeongsun 927–935

Heondeok (died 826) (r. 809–826) was the 41st to rule the Korean kingdom of Silla. He was the younger brother of King Soseong, and served as regent during the reign of Aejang.

In 790, Heondeok traveled to Tang China where he distinguished himself and received a high position. He returned to Silla, becoming regent after the death of his brother. In 809, he slew the now-adult Aejang and took the throne for himself.[1]

In 810, Heondeok repaired the country's irrigation facilities. He also sent his son Kim Hŏnjang to Tang with gold and silver Buddhist images to pray for the emperor's eternal peace.

Tumb of king Heondeok of Silla, located in Gyeongju, South Korea

Heondeok's later reign saw the rebellion of Kim Hŏnch'ang in 822, and that of Kim Hŏnch'ang's son in the following year.[2] Both were suppressed. In 824, troubled by threats from the north, the king ordered a 300-ri-long wall built near the Taedong River, which was then the country's northern border.

  1. ^ 강, 시일 (June 19, 2023). 신라사람들 62 헌덕왕. Daegu News. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  2. ^ 강, 시일 (June 19, 2023). 신라사람들 62 헌덕왕. Daegu News. Retrieved 23 February 2024.