Changes in the Perception of the Location and Spatial Scope of Geumseong (金城) in Early Silla

Descriptions of the location of Geumseong(金城) during the early period of Silla are inconsistent not only within the Samguk Sagi’s Sillabongi(新羅本紀) but also when compared with its Jyriji(地理志) and the Samguk Yusa’ Kyea(紀異) section. Although the compilers of the Sillabongi attempted to describe changes in Geumseong consistently, they failed to reconcile contradictions among the various source materials and ultimately incorporated them without resolution. These discrepancies are the result of a failure to properly grasp the facts in accepting different source texts describing the position of Geumseong. The Sinjeung Dongguk Yeoji Seungnam(新增東國輿地勝覽, 1530) introduced that Geumseong had been located around Gyeongju-Eupseong(邑城), but this reflects a later perception that developed after that was constructed in the third year of King Hyeonjong of Goryeo(1012), becoming the symbolic center of Gyeongju. This perception influenced the description in the Samguk Sagi’s Jyriji that Geumseong had located northwest of Wolseong(月城). The substance of Geumseong mentioned as the capital of Saro-State referred to the state fortress located on the western foothills of Namsan(南山). In historical records, Geumseong during the reign of Talhae Isageum refers to Wolseong, while in the early years of Pasa Isageum’s reign the fortress mentioned above, and after the 22nd year of his reign, it refer to Wolseong. At the time, Geumseong denoted the royal fortress, which housed the royal palace. Afterwards, as urban areas were gradually added, the urban capital was formed. The term “Geumseong” is a Sino-transliteration of the fortress of Seobeol(徐伐), the fortress of Saro-State. From the early 7th century, with increasing interaction with Tang China, the term began to denote the capital castle in order to promote it to the outside world. Later, the term came to refer specifically to either Wolseong or Manwolsong(滿月城), or more broadly to the entire royal capital. Both the original fortress on Namsan’s western slope and Wolseong came to be called Geumseong, resulting in confusion between the two sites until the Unified Silla. After the construction of Gyeongju-Eupseong, this area was newly perceived as Geumseong, an idea that was incorporated into the Jyriji of the Samguk Sagi. The reference to Geumseong, the east of Gyeongju-Eupseong, in the Sinjeung Dongguk Yeoji Seungnam also stemmed from this revised perception.