Silla (57 BCE – 935 CE) is one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, and one of the longest sustained dynasties in Asian history.
Although it is founded by King Park Hyeokgeose, who is also known to be the originator of the Korean family name Park, the dynasty is to see the Gyeongju Kim clan hold rule for most of its 992-year history.
Beginning as a chiefdom in the Samhan confederacies, once allied with China, Silla eventually conquers the other two kingdoms, Baekje in 660 and Goguryeo in 668.
Thereafter, Unified Silla or Later Silla, as it is often referred to, occupies most of the Korean Peninsula, while the northern part re-emerges as Balhae, a successor-state of Goguryeo.
After nearly 1000 years of rule, Silla fragments into the brief Later Three Kingdoms, handing over power to its successor dynasty Goryeo in 935.
