Daemusin of Goguryeo explained

Daemusin of Goguryeo
Succession:Crown Prince of Goguryeo
Reign:AD 14–18
Coronation:14 AD
Predecessor:Crown Prince Haemyeong
Successor:Crown Prince Haeu
Succession1:King of Goguryeo
Reign1:AD 18–44
Coronation1:18 AD
Predecessor1:King Yuri(myeong)
Successor1:King Minjung
Birth Name:Muhyul/Miryu[1]
Birth Date:4 AD
Death Date:44 AD
Burial Place:Daesuchonwon
(대수촌원, 大獸村原)
Spouse:Primary Consort
Secondary Consort
Issue:Hodong
Haeu
Regnal Name:King Daejuryu
(대주류왕, 大朱留王)
King Daehaejuryu
(대해주류왕, 大解朱留王[2])
King Sin of Northern State
(북국신왕, 北國神王[3])
Royal House:House of Go
Father:Yuri of Goguryeo
Mother:Queen Song
Hangul:대무신왕
Rr:Daemusin-wang
Mr:Ta'emusin-wang
Hangulborn:해무휼
Rrborn:Hae Muhyul
Mrborn:Hae Muhy'ul

King Daemusin (4–44, r. 18–44) was the third ruler of Goguryeo, the northernmost of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. He led early Goguryeo through a period of massive territorial expansion, conquering several smaller nations and the powerful kingdom of Eastern Buyeo.

Biography

He was born as Prince Muhyul, the third son of King Yuri. At 11 years old he became the crown prince, as the next in line to the throne had committed suicide, and became king upon his father's death four years later.

Daemusin strengthened central rule of Goguryeo and expanded its territory. He annexed Dongbuyeo and killed its king Daeso in 22 AD. In 26 AD he conquered Gaema-guk, along the Amnok River, and later conquered Guda-guk.

After fending off a China's attack in 28, he sent his son, Prince Hodong, who was about 16 at the time, to attack the Nangnang Commandery. He also defeated the Nakrang Kingdom in northwestern Korea in 32. He destroyed Nangnang in 37,[4] [5] but an Eastern Han army sent by Emperor Guangwu of Han, captured it in 44. He was buried in Daesuchonwon.

In the legend of Prince Hodong and the Princess of Nakrang Daemusin was said to have sent his son into deceiving the princess of Nakrang into destroying the drum that would have warned them for a coming invasion.[6]

Family

  1. Unknown lady ("Primary consort" (원비))
    1. Son: Prince Haeu (해우, 解憂; d. 53 AD)
  2. Lady Hae ("Secondary consort" (차비))
    1. Son: Prince Hodong (호동, 好童; d. 32 AD) – married Princess Nakrang (낙랑공주; d. 32 AD).

Modern depiction

Film and television

Others

In recent times, Daemusin served as a model for the famous Manhwa and video game .

Significance of title

King Muhyul was given the title Daemusin wang, which literally means "Great Holy Warrior King". As with most Goguryeo kings, little is known about Muhyul except for what is stated in some ancient Korean sources. Some historians have inferred that the giving of such an extreme title to this man must mean that he led Goguryeo through many outstanding military accomplishments, possibly more than he is given credit for in historical texts. Another school of thought declares that the destruction of East Buyeo in itself, was an almost unthinkable feat at the time, meaning East Buyeo was a powerful kingdom according to these select scholars.

Not all Goguryeo rulers were given special titles posthumously or in their lifetime. Most Goguryeo rulers were posthumously given titles based on the place of their burial. Only a select few, such as King Gwanggaeto the Great and King Dongmyeong, were given such "significant" posthumous names.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Samguk Yusa
  2. 〈광개토왕릉비〉
  3. Samguk Sagi
  4. New History of Korea. Written by Lee Hyun Hee, Park Sung Soo, Yoon Nae Hyung; published by Jimundang. Published in year 2005.
  5. Yong-ho Ch'oe, Reinterpreting Traditional History in North Korea. The Journal of Asian Studies, 40, 503-523.
  6. Samguk Sagi
  7. Web site: 유리왕(琉璃王). Encyclopedia of Korean Culture.
  8. Web site: 동명왕신화. Encyclopedia of Korean Culture.
  9. Web site: 고구려의 건국 시조, 동명왕 .