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Sŏngdŏk
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bell of King Sŏngdŏk
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Sŏngdŏk

Silla king
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bell of King Sŏngdŏk
bell of King Sŏngdŏk Bell of King Sŏngdŏk, bronze, 771 ce, Unified Silla period; in the Kyŏngju National Museum, Kyŏngju, South Korea. Height 3.33 meters.

King S\u014fngd\u014fk was a ruler of the Silla kingdom, one of three ancient Korean kingdoms. Silla is traditionally believed to have been founded in 57 BCE and eventually unified Korea in 668 CE under the Unified Silla dynasty.1

During King S\u014fngd\u014fk's reign (540\u2013576), Silla developed a unique military corps called the Hwa Rang Do and reorganized its military system. This powerful military later allied with the Chinese Tang dynasty to conquer the kingdoms of Baekje and Goguryeo, leading to the establishment of a unified Korean kingdom.1

King S\u014fngd\u014fk is also noted for a colossal bronze bell cast in 771 CE for the Pongd\u014fk Temple. This bell, now housed in the Ky\u014fngju National Museum, features a relief of two flying angels and an inscription praising the king's achievements. It is renowned for its unique, far-carrying tone.2

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2 Britannica Sources
  1. Silla
  2. Korean art - Decorative arts

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