Anjang of Goguryeo | |
Hangul | 안장왕 |
---|---|
Hanja | 安藏王 |
Revised Romanization | Anjang-wang |
McCune–Reischauer | Anjang-wang |
Birth name | |
Hangul | 흥안 |
Hanja | 興安 |
Revised Romanization | Heung-an |
McCune–Reischauer | Hŭngan |
Monarchs of Korea |
Goguryeo |
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Anjang of Goguryeo (died 531, r. 519–531)[1] was the 22nd ruler of Goguryeo, the northernmost of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. With his original name of Heung-an, he was the eldest son of Munjamyeong. He was named Crown Prince in the seventh year of Munjamyeong's reign (498),[2] and assumed the throne when his father died in 519.[3] He was supposedly assassinated in 531 without heir, and was succeeded by his younger brother, Anwon.[2][1]
Under Anjang, Goguryeo continued to maintain close relations with the Chinese dynasties, notably Wei and Liang with constant 'tribute missions',[2][4] to counterbalance the volatile relationship with the southerly Korean kingdoms of Baekje and Silla. He attacked Baekje in 523[5] and 529,[6] slaying more than 2,000 Baekje soldiers.
Historical records during the reign of Anjang are rarely found throughout East Asia with some erroneous marks on his death: the Book of Liang completed in 635 says Anjang died in 526 although the actual date is believed to be about five or six years later;[7] The Japanese chronicle Nihon Shoki quoting Baekje Bongi says Anjang was killed amid bloody chaos,[8] which implies the final years of his reign were unstable.[9][10] Since chaos also marked the end of his brother Anwon’s reign, it is speculated that succession issues had already been entrenched among the Goguryeo aristocracy.[2][11]