Tag: Silla

Tang, Silla, and Balhae

January 14, 2021 justin-david-hebert Nara, Season 4 Comments Off on Tang, Silla, and Balhae
Season 4, Episode 4: Tang, Silla, and Balhae
A painting of Empress Wu Zetian from the 1700s, creator unknown. Public domain
Some of the statues of Fengxian Cave, part of the Longmen Grottos which Empress Wu commissioned and supported. Source: G41rn8, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Dae Joyeong, also remembered as King Go of Balhae. Public domain
A Stele from Balhae. Source: pressapochista (a flickr user), CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Fall of Baekje

October 29, 2020 justin-david-hebert Asuka, Season 3, Yamato Comments Off on The Fall of Baekje
Season 3, Episode 12: The Fall of Baekje
Guze Kannon, a Buddhist statue made in the likeness of King Seong of Baekje. It currently resides at the Yumedono (Hall of Dreams) at Horyu-ji temple where it is occasionally displayed. Source: Public Domain
The entrance gate to Baekje Cultural Land, a historical theme park in present-day Seoul, South Korea. Much of Baekje is gone forever, but these kinds of historical investments ensure that it is remembered. Source: travel oriented from Seoul, South Korea / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)

The Rise of the Tang Dynasty

October 26, 2020 justin-david-hebert Asuka, Season 3, Yamato Comments Off on The Rise of the Tang Dynasty
Season 3, Episode 11: The Rise of the Tang Dynasty
Sui Dynasty Provinces circa 610 CE. Note that the Liaodong peninsula in the northeast is still under Koguryo’s control and that the Xiyu States in the west are still not under Chinese suzerainty. Source: Yug / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)
The Tang dynasty campaign to subjugate the Xiyu States in the mid 600s. This map is especially helpful because of its inclusion of the Silk road routes. Source: Yug / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)
A 1920 Illustration of an embassy from the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire) visiting the court of the Tang Dynasty in 643 CE. Source: Public Domain
Expand to see the Tang Dynasty in 700 CE – HISTORY SPOILER WARNING
The Tang Dynasty in 700. If you don’t want spoilers, don’t look too closely! Source: Ian Kiu / CC BY-SA (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)

Peninsular Entanglements

October 22, 2020 justin-david-hebert Asuka, Season 3, Yamato Comments Off on Peninsular Entanglements
Season 3, Episode 10: Peninsular Entanglements
A decorative roof tile from Koguryo, time period unknown. Source: Public Domain
A mural from a Koguryo tomb. Note that the bird at the center has three legs- this is a common spiritual symbol in Taoism which shows that Koguryo was adopting some aspects of Chinese culture. Source: Public Domain
A diagram from the First Koguryo-Sui War, which ended in a draw between the nations. Source: Qiushufang / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
A map of the second Koguryo-Sui War, which ended in a dramatic defeat for the Sui Dynasty but also a costly victory for Koguryo. Source: Qiushufang / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)

The Korean States

September 28, 2020 justin-david-hebert Kofun, Season 3, Yamato Comments Off on The Korean States
Season 3, Episode 3: The Korean States
Around 375 CE, the Korean Peninsula would have looked something like this. This would be the boundary of Baekje’s greatest expansion. Public Domain
One hundred years later, Koguryo (here labeled “Goguryeo”) would reach its greatest extent. Source: Myself / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)
A relief painting of Koguryo soldiers. Their armor appears to be a kind of llamellar. I was unable to find a date for this work. Public Domain.
Seated Buddhas and standing Bodhisattvas produced by artisans of Koguryo. Though their pigments have worn away, they would have originally been covered in bright, cheerful colors. Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/davidtrowbridge/ / CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)
A re-creation of a Gaya Confederation Soldier. Note the stylish collar and fashionable helmet flair. Source: dentarg / CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)
A recreation of Mireuksaji Stone Pagoda, the largest Buddhist temple in all of Baekje. Though this was built in 602, later than the present narrative, I think it nicely displays the capabilities of the Kingdom of Baekje and their culture. Source: Jjw / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
A replica of the infamous Shichichido, or seven-branched sword. The real thing lies in a shrine somewhere in Japan and is rarely viewed. Source: CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)

The Kingdoms of Korea

August 13, 2020 justin-david-hebert Season 2, Yayoi Comments Off on The Kingdoms of Korea
Season 2, Episode 6: The Kingdoms of Korea
Heaven Lake atop Baekdu Mountain, located in modern-day North Korea, where the mythical founder of Gojoseon was born. Source: Bdpmax / CC BY-SA (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)
The Korean Peninsula during the early Han Dynasty. Source: Historiographer at the English Wikipedia / CC BY-SA (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)
After the 108 BCE conquest of Gojoseon. The southernmost purple commandery is Lelang, which would later be divided and Daifung Commandery created. Source: Xakyntos / CC BY-SA (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)