Daemusin of Goguryeo

Daemusin of Goguryeo
Hangul 대무신왕, 대해주류왕
Hanja 大武神王, 大解朱留王
Revised Romanization Daemusin-wang, Daehaejuryu-wang
McCune–Reischauer Taemusin-wang, Taehaejuryu-wang
Birth name
Hangul 해무휼
Hanja 解無恤
Revised Romanization Hae Muhyul
McCune–Reischauer Hae Muhyul
Monarchs of Korea
Goguryeo
  1. King Chumo 37-19 BCE
  2. King Yuri 19 BCE-18 CE
  3. King Daemusin 18-44
  4. King Minjung 44-48
  5. King Mobon 48-53
  6. King Taejodae 53-146
  7. King Chadae 146-165
  8. King Sindae 165-179
  9. King Gogukcheon 179-197
  10. King Sansang 197-227
  11. King Dongcheon 227-248
  12. King Jungcheon 248-270
  13. King Seocheon 270-292
  14. King Bongsang 292-300
  15. King Micheon 300-331
  16. King Gogug-won 331-371
  17. King Sosurim 371-384
  18. King Gogug-yang 384-391
  19. King Gwanggaeto 391-413
  20. King Jangsu 413-490
  21. King Munja 491-519
  22. King Anjang 519-531
  23. King An-won 531-545
  24. King Yang-won 545-559
  25. King Pyeong-won 559-590
  26. King Yeong-yang 590-618
  27. King Yeong-nyu 618-642
  28. King Bojang 642-668

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

Background

He was born as Prince Muhyul, the third son of King Yuri, and was thus a grandson of Jumong. He was made crown prince in the year 14, at the age of 11, and became king upon his father's death four years later. He was buried in Daesuchonwon.

Daemusin was the father of the fifth King of Goguryeo, Mobon.

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

After fending off China's attack in 28, he sent his son, Prince Hodong, who was about 16 at the time, to attack the Nangnang Commandery in northwestern Korea in 32. He destroyed Nangnang in 37,[1][2][3] but an Eastern Han army sent by Emperor Guangwu of Han, captured it in 44. The legendary love story of Prince Hodong and the princess of Naklang[4] is well known in Korea to this day. The princess is said to have torn the war drums of her castle, so that Goguryeo could attack without warning.

Modern depiction

In recent times, Daemusin served as a model for the famous Manhwa and video game Nexus: The Kingdom of the Winds. The Korean historical drama, The Kingdom of The Winds, began airing on September 10, 2008, with Song Il-gook portraying the role of Daemusin. The drama depicts Muhyul, a prince of Goguryeo, who is born with a prophecy stating that he would destroy Goguryeo.

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 Dongmyeongseong, were given such "significant" posthumous names.

References

  1. ↑ New History of Korea. Written by Lee Hyun Hee, Park Sung Soo, Yoon Nae Hyung; published by Jimundang. Published in year 2005.
  2. ↑ 김부식편찬, 삼국사기
  3. ↑ Yong-ho Ch'oe, Reinterpreting Traditional History in North Korea. The Journal of Asian Studies, 40, 503-523.
  4. ↑ Samguk Sagi

The Kingdom of The Winds(drama)