Volta
PersonAD 540

King Beopheung

Twenty-third king of Silla, who issued a law code, recognized Buddhism and annexed Geumgwan Gaya

He set up a Ministry of War in 517, and in 520 promulgated a law code and fixed official robes by the seventeen ranks. In 527, after Ichadon’s martyrdom, he officially recognised Buddhism. In 531 he created the post of sangdaedeung to lead the aristocratic council (hwabaek), and in 532 accepted the surrender of King Guhae of Geumgwan Gaya, reaching the lower Nakdong River. In 536 he adopted Silla’s first era name, Geonwon. The bone-rank system also took shape around this time, giving Silla the framework of a centralised state. His name appears on the Silla stele at Bongpyeong, Uljin (524).

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3 related events

  1. 1
    AD 520King Beopheung’s Law Codemonarch

    King Beopheung issued a law code and set official robes by rank; he also created a Ministry of War and a chief minister and used the era name Geonwon.

  2. 2
    AD 527Ichadon’s Martyrdom and Silla’s Adoption of Buddhismmonarch

    When the nobles resisted Buddhism, Ichadon gave his life for it, and King Beopheung recognized Buddhism as a result.

  3. 3
    AD 532Silla Annexes Geumgwan Gayamonarch

    King Guhae of Geumgwan Gaya surrendered his kingdom to Silla, which extended its reach over the lower Nakdong.

People who appear alongside

  • IchadonAD 527

    Courtier of King Beopheung whose martyrdom led to Silla's acceptance of Buddhism

Themes this person appears in

  • Central Government Through the AgesAD 250 – 1899

    From the noble councils of the Three Kingdoms to the State Council, the Border Defense Council and the Gabo cabinet — how central government shifted between aristocratic consensus and royal power

  • Gyeongju57 BC – 1860

    Silla’s capital for a thousand years — tombs, pagodas, temples and bells from every age of Silla, and the birthplace of Donghak

  • Gimhae150 BC – AD 685

    From Guya of Byeonhan to Geumgwan Gaya — centre of the early Gaya league, built on iron and sea routes