Myeongnim Dap-bu
Encyclopedia
Myeongnim Dap-bu (명림답부, 明臨答夫) was the first Guksang (국좌상, Prime Minister) of Goguryeo
, and was known for his overthrowing of the tyrannical King Chadae
, and his victory against the Han Dynasty
at the Battle of Jwa-won
.
. He rose through the ranks during King Taejo's
reign, and was in the courts by the time of Taejo's death. When Chadae rose to the throne in 146, Myeongnim Dap-bu faced many challenges and suffered under the tyrant's reign.
Finally, in 165, during the 20th year of King Chadae
's reign, Myeongnim Dap-bu led an army and assassinated the king with the support of some of the nobles and court officials. At the age of 99, Myeongnim Dap-bu took control of the Goguryeo government.
He invited Prince Go Baek-go
, the younger brother of King Taejo, to become the next king. Go Baek-go was proclaimed the 8th King of Goguryeo during that year, and Myeongnim Dap-bu was given the position of Guksang (국상, 國相, Prime Minister), and became the first to receive the title in the history of Goguryeo
. Myeongnim Dap-bu served faithfully under the new king, and defeated Han Chinese forces at the Battle of Jwa-won.
was not a puppet ruler under influence of Myeongnim Dap-bu, like King Bojang
was with Generalissimo Yeon Gaesomun
. No historical texts suggest that Myeongnim Dap-bu abused his power or was particularly cruel or violent. From this, many historians and scholars infer that Myeongnim Dap-bu was a true patriot and a forgotten hero.
Goguryeo
Goguryeo or Koguryŏ was an ancient Korean kingdom located in present day northern and central parts of the Korean Peninsula, southern Manchuria, and southern Russian Maritime province....
, and was known for his overthrowing of the tyrannical King Chadae
Chadae of Goguryeo
King Chadae of Goguryeo was the seventh ruler of Goguryeo, the northernmost of the Three Kingdoms of Korea.-Background and rise to the throne:...
, and his victory against the Han Dynasty
Han Dynasty
The Han Dynasty was the second imperial dynasty of China, preceded by the Qin Dynasty and succeeded by the Three Kingdoms . It was founded by the rebel leader Liu Bang, known posthumously as Emperor Gaozu of Han. It was briefly interrupted by the Xin Dynasty of the former regent Wang Mang...
at the Battle of Jwa-won
Battle of Jwa-won
The Battle of Jwa-won was a tremendous Goguryeo victory under the command of Myeongnim Dap-bu during the 26th year of the reign of King Sindae, the 8th ruler of Goguryeo.- The Coup de'tat of 165 :...
.
Rise to Power
Myeongnim Dap-bu was a Joui Seonin (조의 선인) of the Yeonna province of GoguryeoGoguryeo
Goguryeo or Koguryŏ was an ancient Korean kingdom located in present day northern and central parts of the Korean Peninsula, southern Manchuria, and southern Russian Maritime province....
. He rose through the ranks during King Taejo's
Taejo of Goguryeo
King Taejo of Goguryeo was the sixth monarch of Goguryeo, the northernmost of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. He is sometimes called Taejo the Great. He rose to the throne following the assassination of King Mobon. Under his reign, the young state expanded its territory and developed into a...
reign, and was in the courts by the time of Taejo's death. When Chadae rose to the throne in 146, Myeongnim Dap-bu faced many challenges and suffered under the tyrant's reign.
Finally, in 165, during the 20th year of King Chadae
Chadae of Goguryeo
King Chadae of Goguryeo was the seventh ruler of Goguryeo, the northernmost of the Three Kingdoms of Korea.-Background and rise to the throne:...
's reign, Myeongnim Dap-bu led an army and assassinated the king with the support of some of the nobles and court officials. At the age of 99, Myeongnim Dap-bu took control of the Goguryeo government.
He invited Prince Go Baek-go
Sindae of Goguryeo
King Sindae of Goguryeo was the eighth ruler of Goguryeo, the northernmost of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. The Samguk Sagi records him as the half-brother of the sixth king Taejo and the seventh king Chadae. Other records indicate he may have been Taejo or Chaedae's son.He remained quiet under...
, the younger brother of King Taejo, to become the next king. Go Baek-go was proclaimed the 8th King of Goguryeo during that year, and Myeongnim Dap-bu was given the position of Guksang (국상, 國相, Prime Minister), and became the first to receive the title in the history of Goguryeo
Goguryeo
Goguryeo or Koguryŏ was an ancient Korean kingdom located in present day northern and central parts of the Korean Peninsula, southern Manchuria, and southern Russian Maritime province....
. Myeongnim Dap-bu served faithfully under the new king, and defeated Han Chinese forces at the Battle of Jwa-won.
Death and Accomplishments
Myeongnim Dap-bu died in 179, at the age of 113 (112 by Western convention), after leading Goguryeo forces to victory against a tremendous Han army. Myeongnim Dap-bu served Goguryeo and brought about many benefits during the 60 years at which he was active in the kingdom's affairs. He assassinated a tyrant, strengthened royal power, defeated invaders, and finally, he led a fully successful revolution against a corrupt government.Controversial views
Historians have shared many different views on the figure of Myeongnim Dap-bu. Goguryeo's first Prime Minister possessed tremendous political power and influence, almost enough to be considered dictatorial. However, King SindaeSindae of Goguryeo
King Sindae of Goguryeo was the eighth ruler of Goguryeo, the northernmost of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. The Samguk Sagi records him as the half-brother of the sixth king Taejo and the seventh king Chadae. Other records indicate he may have been Taejo or Chaedae's son.He remained quiet under...
was not a puppet ruler under influence of Myeongnim Dap-bu, like King Bojang
Bojang of Goguryeo
Bojang of Goguryeo was the 28th and last king of Goguryeo the northernmost of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. He was placed on the throne by the military leader Yeon Gaesomun...
was with Generalissimo Yeon Gaesomun
Yeon Gaesomun
Yeon Gaesomun was a powerful and controversial military dictator and Generalissimo in the waning days of Goguryeo, which was one of the Three Kingdoms of ancient Korea. Yeon is also remembered for a number of successful resistance in military conflicts with Tang Dynasty under Emperor Li Shimin and...
. No historical texts suggest that Myeongnim Dap-bu abused his power or was particularly cruel or violent. From this, many historians and scholars infer that Myeongnim Dap-bu was a true patriot and a forgotten hero.
Sources
- Samguk Sagi, Goguryeo Bon-Gi, Sindae-gi