Pasa Isageum (파사 이사금) (婆娑尼師今) (?-112, r. 80-112) was the fifth ruler of Shilla, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. He is commonly called Pasa Isageum, isageum being the royal title in early Silla. As a descendent of Shilla's founder Hyeokgeose, his surname was Pak.
[edit] Background
According to the Samguk Sagi, he was either the second son of Shilla's third king Yuri, or the son of Yuri's younger brother Naero. If he was Yuri's nephew, this may indicate the powerful support of the Seok clan.
In 87, he built Silla's first recorded castles outside of the Gyeongju region.
In 94, when the adjacent Gaya confederacy attacked, Pasa sent 1,000 cavalry to respond. When the Gaya attacked again two years later, he personally led a force of 5,000 to another victory. Pasa was subsequently appeased by an emissary from Gaya, but maintained superiority over the confederacy.
In 101, the Wolseong royal fortress was first constructed. Portions of this fortress are still preserved in central Gyeongju.
The next year, Shilla gained control over the previously independent states of Siljikgok (present-day Samcheok), Eumjipbeol (present-day northern Gyeongju), and Apdok (present-day Gyeongsan). Six years later he took over the states of Biji (present-day Hapcheon), Dabeol (present-day Pohang), and Chopal (present-day Changwon) as well.
The rival Korean kingdom of Baekje had attacked in 85, but Pasa made peace with Giru of Baekje in 105.
[edit] References
