Of the Three Kingdoms, Koguryǒ had the greatest military skill and bore the brunt of repelling Chinese attempts to conquer the Korean peninsula. It seemed most likely to unify the peninsula. Paekche, known for its design and construction of pagodas and temples and for its friendly ties to Japan, resisted Koguryǒ and, for a time, allied itself with Silla.
Eventually, Silla united the Three Kingdoms to form the Unified Silla Kingdom (668 CE–935 CE). Silla destroyed Paekche in 660 with military support from Tang China and then unified the whole peninsula in 668 by overpowering Koguryǒ.
The Silla Kingdom in Korea is considered to be a golden age by many. It is one of the longest lasting dynasties in history. Silla was founded in 57 BCE by King Park Hyeokgeose, and lasted through 935 CE.
The political and cultural efflorescence of Silla was rather slow compared to that of the other two Korean kingdoms, Koguryǒ and Paekche, in part because Silla's ruling elite was conservative and cautious compared to those of its two neighbors.
This kingdom had a detailed system of law and government. It had a rigid social class system and hierarchy..
Silla did not embrace Buddhism until 535, about one and a half centuries after Koguryǒ and Paekche had done so. The Silk Road and Buddhism both played a role in the development of this kingdom and its’ culture. In the long run, however, Silla managed to surpass its neighbors thanks to a variety of institutional strengths inherent in its body politic.
Silla Kingdom of Korea
