Gim Inpyeong on the Battlefield

After defeating their rival Baekje at the Battle of Gwansanseong in 554, Silla was preoccupied with conquering the Gaya confederacy in the south. Small Gaya states fell down like dominoes in the face of the rising power of Silla. In September 562, Banpaguk (modern Goryeong), the last stronghold of Gaya, rebelled against Silla. King Jinheug (re. 540~576) of Silla ordered to subdue the region. Along with the seasoned general Isabu and the young elite warrior Sadaham, the king appointed the twenty-one-year-old Gim Inpyeong as commanders of the army. At the time, he was a young and talented noble who was eager for fame and glory. When this news reached the southern confederacy, the people of Gaya joined forces with Baekje and Japan to confront Silla, as they did at Gwansanseong. Gim Inpyeong and Sadaham stormed the gates of Banpaguk with 5000 horsemen, and while the Gayans were stunned by the sudden attack, Sadaham raised a white flag over the gates. The Gaya army panicked because of this and eventually surrendered when Isabu charged the remaining army to them. Finally, eight years after the victory at Gwansanseong, the entire vast province of Gaya was subjugated. Gim Inpyeong rose to power after the conquest of Gaya. Four years later, he is now favored by the king and has gained immense wealth and honor.

===========

Gim Inpyeong is riding an armored horse and armed with a crossbow. Primary weapons of Silla were the crossbow and the long pike. There was even a specialized unit for crossbows named ‘Nodang (弩幢)’. Chinese chronicles such as ‘New Book of Tang (新唐書)’ also mention it as a characteristic weapon of Silla.

Cataphracts were widely used in ancient China and Korea. The complete set of iron lamellar armor for the horse and its rider were excavated from Jjoksaemjigu Tomb C10 in Gyeonju, the capital of Silla. Gim Inpyeong’s armor and horse armor are based on these. The feathers and tassels on the helmets are inspired by murals from Goguryeo tombs. The golden saddle, stirrups, sword, belt, horse bits, and ornaments are based on excavations from Cheonmachong, the royal tomb of Silla. The pikemen in the background are based on Silla armor from Imdang-dong Tomb G5 and Goguryeo murals.

=====

Sources

• Murals of Anak Tomb No. 3(安岳 三號墳), 357
• Silla armor, Imdang-dong Tomb G5(林堂洞 G5 古墳), Gyeongsan, early 5th century
• Murals of Deokeungni Tomb(德興里 古墳), 408
• Silla armor and horse-armor, Jjoksaemjigu Tomb C10, Gyeongju, early 5th century
• Golden horse ornaments, stirrup, horse bit, saddle, belt, and sword, Cheonmachong Tomb(天馬塚), Gyeongju, early 6th century
• “Nihon Shoki(日本書紀)”, 720
• “New Book of Tang(新唐書)”, 1060
• “Samguk Sagi(三國史記)”, 1145
• “Samguk Yusa(三國遺事)”, 1281
• "갑주, 전사의 상징", 국립김해박물관, 2015
• "신라복식고증: 신라인의 옷, 신라의 미", 한복문화학회, 2017
• "말, 갑옷을 입다", 국립경주박물관, 2020