Gaero of Baekje

Gaero of Baekje (?–475, 455–475) was the 21st king of Baekje, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. He was the eldest son of the 20th king Biyu. He died in battle as Baekje's capital in the present-day Seoul region fell to the northern rival kingdom Goguryeo.

Gaero of Baekje
Hangul
Hanja
Revised RomanizationGaero-wang, Geungaeru-wang
McCune–ReischauerKaero-wang, Kŭn'gaeru-wang
Birth name
Hangul
Hanja
Revised RomanizationGyeongsa, Gyeong
McCune–ReischauerKyŏngsa, Kyŏng
Monarchs of Korea
Baekje
  1. Onjo 18 BCE–28 CE
  2. Daru 28–77
  3. Giru 77–128
  4. Gaeru 128–166
  5. Chogo 166–214
  6. Gusu 214–234
  7. Saban 234
  8. Goi 234–286
  9. Chaekgye 286–298
  10. Bunseo 298–304
  11. Biryu 304–344
  12. Gye 344–346
  13. Geunchogo 346–375
  14. Geungusu 375–384
  15. Chimnyu 384–385
  16. Jinsa 385–392
  17. Asin 392–405
  18. Jeonji 405–420
  19. Guisin 420–427
  20. Biyu 427–455
  21. Gaero 455–475
  22. Munju 475–477
  23. Samgeun 477–479
  24. Dongseong 479–501
  25. Muryeong 501–523
  26. Seong 523–554
  27. Wideok 554–598
  28. Hye 598–599
  29. Beop 599–600
  30. Mu 600–641
  31. Uija 641–660

Reign

He attempted to strengthen royal control of the aristocracy, by selecting officials from his own Buyeo clan, at the expense of the powerful Hae and Jin clans.

In 469, he ordered a surprise attack in which the city of Cheongmongnyeon (청목령, 靑木嶺 ; near modern Kaesong) was retaken from Goguryeo. In 472, he sent an embassy bearing tribute to Northern Wei requesting support against Goguryeo’s attacks. However, these advances were rebuffed by the Wei court, which tried to avoid war with Goguryeo which had greater military power at the time, while fighting against Southern Dynasties.

In the early 470s, according to the Samguk Sagi, King Jangsu of Goguryeo sent a Buddhist monk named Dorim, who was actually a Goguryeo agent. Dorim used Gaero’s passion for the game of baduk to ingratiate himself, and persuade the king to neglect the country’s defense in favor of public works.

Fall of the capital

In 475, Jangsu launched an attack with 30,000 men and overran Baekje’s defenses in seven days, taking the Han River valley including the capital. Gaero was taken to Acha Mountain Fortress and slain by two men who had defected to Goguryeo from Baekje. Baekje's ally Silla sent an army of 10,000, but arrived too late.

He was the last to rule Baekje from its historic heartland in the Han River valley. After his death, Hae Gu, of the suppressed Hae clan, led a bloody revolt.

Family
  • Father: Biyu of Baekje
  • Mother: unknown
    • Queen: unknown
      • Buyeo Modo (扶餘牟都, ?–477) – 22nd King of Baekje, Munju of Baekje.
      • Buyeo Gonji (餘餘昆支, ?–477) – military commander and father of 24th King of Baekje, Dongseong of Baekje. He was sent to Japan in 461 where he had a son with a Japanese woman.

See also

References
    Gaero of Baekje
    Cadet branch of the House of Go
     Died: 475
    Regnal titles
    Preceded by
    Biyu    		 King of Baekje
    455–475    		 Succeeded by
    Munju
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