Naemul of Silla

King Naemul
내물 이사금
奈勿尼師今
Isageum
Maripgan
Ruler of Silla
Reign356-402
Coronation356
PredecessorHeulhae of Silla
SuccessorSilseong of Silla
Born???
Died402
Silla
Posthumous name
King Naemul (내물 이사금, 奈勿尼師今)
FatherKim Mal-gu
MotherQueen Hyulye
Naemul of Silla
Tomb of King Namul in the Gyerim forest, Gyo-dong, Gyeongju, South Korea.[1]
Korean name
Hangul
내물 이사금 or 내물 마립간
Hanja
奈勿尼師今 or 奈勿麻立干
Revised RomanizationNaemul Isageum or Naemul Maripgan
McCune–ReischauerNaemul Isagŭm or Naemul Maripkan
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

Naemul of Silla (died 402) (r. 356–402) was the 17th ruler of the Korean kingdom of Silla. He was the nephew of King Michu. He married Michu's daughter, Lady Boban. He is given the title Isageum, the same one borne by earlier rulers, in the Samguk Sagi; he is given the title Maripgan, borne by later rulers, in the Samguk Yusa. He is the first to bear the title Maripgan in any record. The name can be read Namul or Namil (那密).

He is also the first king to appear by name in Chinese records. It appears that there was a great influx of Chinese culture into Silla in his period, and that the widespread use of Chinese characters began in his time. Naemul sent a tribute mission to the king of Early Jin in 381. This envoy, Widu (衛頭) visited Early Jin with the help of Goguryeo. In response to a question by Fu Jian, Widu stated that the name of country had changed (to Silla).

In this tribute, Goguryeo represents Silla as a subordinate to Goguryeo. However, Silla acknowledges this because Goguryeo is needed to guard against Gaya-Japan Alliance.

Naemul's later reign was troubled by recurrent invasions by Wa Japan and the northern Malgal tribes. This began with a massive Japanese incursion in 364, which was repulsed with great loss of life.

  • In 392, Silla formed an alliance with Goguryeo and became the vassal of Goguryeo.
  • In 393, Japan besieged the capital.
  • In 394, Silla achieved victory at Doksan (presumed present-day northern Pohang).
  • In 395, the Japanese army achieved victory after realizing that the left side of the Silla army was unguarded and attacked intensively until the Silla army was destroyed.[2]
  • 400-401, Imna-Japan Allied Forces Attacked Silla and war between Goguryeo-Silla Alliance and Imna-Japan Allied Forces. See also Gwanggaeto Stele.

His reign overlaps with Geunchogo of Baekje and Gwanggaeto the Great.[3]

  1. ^ (in Korean) 신라내물왕릉 新羅奈勿王陵 Archived 2011-06-10 at the Wayback Machine Nate / Encyclopedia of Korean Culture
  2. ^ 日本書紀(Nihon Shoki) 仁德天皇(Emperor Nintoku) 53year (AD 365) > 夏五月, 遣上毛野君祖竹葉瀨, 令問其闕貢. 是道路之間獲白鹿. 乃還之獻于天皇. 更改日而行. 俄且重遣竹葉瀨之弟田道. 則詔之曰, 若新羅距者, 擧兵擊之. 仍授精兵. 新羅起兵而距之. 爰新羅人, 日日挑戰. 田道固塞而不出. 時新羅軍卒一人, 有放于營外. 則掠俘之. 因問消息. 對曰, 有强力者. 曰百衝. 輕捷猛幹. 每爲軍右前鋒. 故伺之擊左則敗也. 時新羅空左備右. 於是, 田道連精騎擊其左. 新羅軍潰之. 因縱兵乘之, 殺數百人. 卽虜四邑之人民以歸焉.
  3. ^ 김, 경순 (January 23, 2020). "신라 : 17대 내물 마립간, 나도 시조". 수완뉴스. Retrieved 17 March 2024.