Namhae

Namhae (?–24, r. 4–24 CE) was the second King of Silla, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. He is commonly called Namhae Chachaung, chachaung being an early Silla title.

Namhae is the only king who is called Chachaung. According to the Samguk sagi, Kim Taemun explained that the title "Chachaung" meant a shaman in Old Korean.

Background He was the eldest son of Park Hyeokgeose, Silla's founder, and Lady Aryeong. His surname was Park, and his wife was Lady Unje . Alternatively, the Book of Sui, a Chinese history book compiled during the reign of Taizong of Tang, suggests that Namhae actually originated from Baekje. Historians theorize that Namhae was a Baekje priest who either was expelled from Baekje and settled in Silla. the Samguk yusa records that Namhae violently usurped King Hyeokgeose by killing him, thus becoming the second king of Silla.

Reign His reign was characterized by a series of foreign invasions. In 4, the Lelang army surrounded Geumseong, the Sillan capital, but was repelled.

In 8, when the Namhae of Silla heard that Talhae was benevolent, he married his eldest daughter to him.

The Wa of Japan invaded Silla in 14, and while Silla stopped them, Lelang invaded again. A comet shower was said to have scared the Lelang soldiers, however, and they retreated.

The Bukmyeong(北溟) people plowed the fields and got Royal Seal of Ye , previously used by Buyeo's kings, and dedicated it to Silla in 19. It is not clear where Bukmyeong means.

He was buried in Sareung-won.

Family Parents Father: Hyeokgeose Grandmother: Lady Saso Mother: Lady Aryeong Grandmother: Lady Saso Younger sister: Lady Aro Consort and their respective issue: Lady Unje Ilji Galmulwang , 1st son Yuri Isageum (?–57, r. 24–57), 2nd son Third son Princess Ani, Queen Ahyo , 1st daughter married Seok Tal-hae of the Gyeongju Seok clan (경주 석씨)

Family tree

In popular culture Portrayed by Kwon Sung-duk in 2010 MBC TV series Kim Su-ro, The Iron King.