Accession of Naemul Maripgan

Naemul took the throne with the title maripgan ("chief of chiefs"), and the Kim clan held the throne from then on.

Until then the Bak, Seok and Kim clans had taken turns on the throne, and the ruler was called isageum. From Naemul on, the Kim clan held the throne by inheritance and royal power grew. Maripgan is read as "chief of chiefs"; the Samguk yusa dates the title from Naemul, the Samguk sagi from Nulji.

Naemul brought most of Jinhan under Silla and, with Goguryeo’s help, sent envoys to Former Qin in northern China in 377 and 382. When Wa invaded in 400, Gwanggaeto sent 50,000 troops to drive them out. Goguryeo troops then stayed and meddled in Silla politics, as the Houchong bronze bowl from Gyeongju shows.