Tomb of King Talhae, Gyeongju

Basic information

Designation

Historic Site No.174

Category

유적지

Era

신라 탈해왕(서기 80년경)

Designated year

1969

Location

경주시, 경상북도— 경북 경주시 동천동 산17번지

Coordinates

35.852199, 129.232368

This tomb, surrounded by pinewoods, is said to be that of King Talhae (57-80). According to Samguk sagi (History of the Three Kingdoms), the queen of the Dynasty of Dapana, 1,000-ri northeast of Japan, gave birth to a huge egg. Fearing that the egg might bring misfortune, it was placed in a box, put into a ship, and then sent out to sea. The ship drifted to the shores of Geumgwanguk (today's Gimhae), but nobody paid any attention to it. When it reached the shore of Ajinpo Port of Jinhan, a village elder discovered the box and opened it, finding a boy inside. Since a large group of magpies were hovering and crying over the ship when it was first spotted by the elder, the boy was given the family name "Seok (昔)," which is part of the Chinese ideograph for magpie meaning bird. He was also given the name Talhae, which means to come out of a box after its cords are untied. King Talhae, the originator of the Seok Family, became the first king from the Seok clan during the Silla Period. This is a round mound-type tomb with height of 5.3m and diameter of 15m. There is no other facility around the tomb; based on its location, the inside is presumed to be a stone chamber with tunnel entrance.

Location