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The Characteristics of Seowonsulseong Fortress and Seowonkyeongseong Fortress of the Silla

노병식 1

1충청북도문화재연구원

Accredited

ABSTRACT

According to Samguk Sagi(三國史記), it is after King Munmu when the Silla entirely dominated the central area of Cheongju and King Munmu constructed Seowonsulseong Fortress in 673. After the unification of three kingdoms, King Sinmun established Seowonsokyeong (minor capital unit) in the August of 685 and built Seowonkyeongseong Foretress in 689. Seowonsokyeong retained both political and military characteristics. Seowonsulseong Fortress is speculated to be the present Cheongju Sangdangsanseong Fortress. The construction of Seowonsulseong Fortress was achieved before the establishment of Seowonsokyeong. After the unification the expansion of territory, the increase of population, and the change of the aspect of battles demanded new defense system and it led the expansion of the Fortress. It was only after 16 years from the construction of Seowonsulseong Fortress when Seowonkyeongseong Fortress was built and it is assumed to be the Uamsanseong Fortress in the same region. Seowonkyeongseong Fortress was probably constructed to relieve the discomfort caused by the location of Seowonsulseong Fortress which was far from the urban area. Seowonsulseong and Seowonkyeongseong Fortresses are perhaps the evidence that the Silla early recognized the importance of Cheongju region as an important traffic hub and economically prosperous region and after the unification in considering the reorganization of the defense system constructed fortresses behind the city to strengthen the defense system outside and governance system inside. Seowonsulseong Fortress was built around the mid to late 7th century before and after the unification of the three kingdoms by King Munmu as the part of reorganization of defense system completing the outskirts defense line with the capital as the center and the large fortresses in the major cities considering the safety and govern of the provinces. Seowonkyeongseong Fortress is compared with the fortresses built in the late 7th century by King Sinmun after the unification of the three nations. It is an enhanced fortress built in the period of King Munmu and related to the completion of a ruling system after the unification.

Citation status

* References for papers published after 2023 are currently being built.