Volta
Conflict400

Goguryeo Rescues Silla

Gwanggaeto sent 50,000 troops to drive the Wa invaders out of Silla, pursuing them to the lower Nakdong; Geumgwan Gaya was badly hit.

Gaya iron armor and helmet — Geumgwan Gaya was badly hit by Goguryeo’s southern expedition of 400, National Museum of Korea
Gaya iron armor and helmet — Geumgwan Gaya was badly hit by Goguryeo’s southern expedition of 400, National Museum of Korea

Gary Lee Todd, Ph.D. · CC0 · Source

When Wa and Gaya attacked Silla, Naemul Maripgan asked Goguryeo for help. Goguryeo troops then stayed on and meddled in Silla politics; a bronze bowl from the Houchong tomb in Gyeongju inscribed with Gwanggaeto’s name reflects the relationship.

The fall of Geumgwan Gaya, leader of the early confederacy, shifted the centre of Gaya to Daegaya at Goryeong.

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States and rulers at the time
Goguryeo · reinforcements — King Gwanggaeto the Great
Silla · requested aid — Naemul Maripgan
Wa · defeated
Gaya · defeated
Places
Daeseong-dong Tombs, Gimhae, Seorabeol (Gyeongju)

People

  • King Gwanggaeto the GreatAD 374 – AD 413

    monarch · Nineteenth king of Goguryeo, who used the era name Yeongnak, defeated Baekje, saved Silla from Wa and took Liaodong

  • Naemul MaripganAD 402

    monarch · Seventeenth ruler of Silla, who made the throne hereditary in the Kim clan and, according to the Samguk yusa, was the first to use the title maripgan

Before and after

Earlier
AD 396 Gwanggaeto Attacks Baekje
Later
AD 402 Gwanggaeto Secures Liaodong

Themes that include this event

  • Gimhae150 BC – AD 685

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