An Examination of the Epitaph of Kim Yeong, a Hostage Prince from Silla-Kingdom duringthe Tang Dynasty

The epitaph of Kim Yeong constitutes the first scientifically excavated tomb inscription of a Silla Kingdom royal family member who served as a hostage in Tang China. Kim Yeong was the grandson of Kim Uiyang, a paternal cousin of King Seongdeok (Kim Heungguang) of the Silla Kingdom. For three generations, his family remained in the Tang realm as imperial guard hostages, receiving official appointments. Kim Yeong himself was twice dispatched as a deputy envoy to the Silla Kingdom, participating in missions related to royal mourning and investiture ceremonies. By analyzing the content of this epitaph alongside other inscriptions and historical records, this study contributes significantly to our understanding of Tang－Silla diplomatic relations and offers important insights into the suzerain-vassal relationship and the political and cultural interactions during the Tang Dynasty.