Gyeongju (Kyongju), formerly known as Seorabeol or Saro, was the capital of the Silla kingdom of ancient Korea from the 1st century BCE to the 10th century CE. Located in the south-east of the Korean peninsula, at its peak in the 9th century CE Gyeongju boasted 1 million inhabitants and 180,000 homes. The city today still has significant archaeological remains including the Cheomseongdae observatory, Bulguksa temple, Seokguram Grotto, pagodas, and many huge earth-mound royal tombs within which spectacular gold crowns and jewellery pieces have been excavated, fully justifying the capital's other name of Geumseong or 'City of Gold.' Gyeongju is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
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Definition
Timeline
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57 BCE - 918 CEThe Silla Kingdom rules in Korea, first as one of the Three Kingdoms and then alone from 668 CE.
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57 BCE - 4 CEReign of traditional founder of Korea's Silla kingdom Hyeokgeose.
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751 CEThe Seokgatap stone pagoda is built at the Bulguksa temple, Gyeongju, Korea.
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751 CEThe Dabotap stone pagoda is built at the Bulguksa temple, Gyeongju, Korea.
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751 CE - 774 CEThe Buddhist cave temple at Seokguram (Sokkuram) east of Gyeongju, Korea is built.
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927 CERebel leader Gyeon Hwon attacks Gyeongju, capital of the Unified Silla Kingdom.
