Silla was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, along with Goguryeo and Baekje, which dominated the Korean Peninsula from the 1st century BC to the 7th century AD. Here are detailed aspects of Silla:
Silla was founded by Hyeokgeose of Silla in 57 BC, according to the traditional accounts, though historical evidence suggests its formation might have been later. Initially, Silla was a small state in the southeastern part of the peninsula, centered around the city of Gyeongju.
In 668 AD, Silla, with the help of the Tang Dynasty, defeated the other two kingdoms, leading to the formation of Unified Silla. This period, known as the North-South States Period, saw Silla in control of most of the peninsula, with Balhae in the north.
By the 9th century, internal strife, including the weakening of the central government and the rise of local warlords, led to the fragmentation of Silla's power. This ultimately resulted in the establishment of Goryeo in 935 AD by Taejo of Goryeo.
The legacy of Silla is evident in modern-day South Korea through its cultural heritage, including the preservation of historical sites like Gyeongju Historic Areas, which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.