Silla · Historical figure
Queen Seondeok
Silla's first reigning queen, associated with Buddhist patronage and diplomacy.
Key events
She became Silla's ruler in 632. The nine-story pagoda at Hwangnyongsa was built during her reign; Bidam and Yeomjong rebelled near its end.
Legacy
Silla's first queen used Buddhist patronage amid external threats. Her political and diplomatic challenges matter alongside the symbolism of female rulership.