In our ongoing series #WomenThatDid, ENTITY profiles inspirational and famous women in history whose impact on our world can still be felt today. If you have a suggestion for a historical powerhouse you would like to see featured, tweet us with the hashtag #WomenThatDid.
Name: Queen Seondeok of Silla
Lifetime: 606 AD – February 7, 647 AD
What she’s known for: Queen Seondeok was the first queen to rule Silla, which is one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. She introduced Seon (Zen) Buddhism to Korea and her keen interest in astronomy led to her to build the first observatory in the Far East.
Why we love her: Queen Seondeok was a passionate leader and helped popularize Buddhism in Korea. Seondeok was chosen to rule because King Jinpyeong had only had daughters and Seondeok was the smartest and most qualified of the ladies for the position.
There were only two queens that ruled Silla after her, and Seondeok, as the first queen, made her mark in Korea’s history. She sent intelligent children to study in China, which helped her build a positive relationship with the Tang dynasty in China. Because of her strong diplomatic ties, Seondeok eventually conquered the other two Kingdoms of Korea.
Seondeok’s astronomy tower and observatory, the Tower of the Moon and Stars or Cheomseongdae, was built in 634 AD in Gyeongju and is designated as the South Korea National Treasure #31.
Fun fact: There is a South Korean TV drama about Seondeok called “Queen Seondeok” (2009) which won numerous prizes and was very popular.
