역병으로 본 한국고대사 (The Ancient History of Korea Through Epidemics)

서지정보

· 발행기관 : 신라사학회
· 수록지 정보 : 신라사학보 / 28호 / 261 ~ 299페이지
· 저자명 : 이현숙

초록

본고는 역병이라는 키워드를 가지고 한국 고대사를 살펴볼 때 드러나는 새로운 양상을 살펴본 것이다. ≪삼국사기≫에 남아있는 역병 자료를 고찰한 결과, 백제의 온조왕처럼 새로운 장소로 이주하였거나 정치 또는 종교적 이유로 외부에서 새로운 이주민이 대거 유입되었을 경우, 역병이 발생하였다는 것을 알 수 있었다. 또한 전쟁이나 대규모 토목공사로 군대나 부역부대가 이동하는 경우도 역병이 발생하였다. 이처럼 역병이 발생하면 수많은 인원이 한꺼번에 희생되어 인구격감은 한 사회가 무너지는 원인이 되기도 하였다. 신라의 선덕왕처럼 국왕이 갑작스레 사망한 경우, 정치적 변화를 초래하기도 하였다.

영어초록

This research aims to explore the ancient history of Korea through epidemics, specifically as recorded in Samguk-saki (三國史記). Since 2002, I have conducted a good deal of research concerning the epidemics and pandemics which occurred in Korea and other parts of East Asia during the time of the Three Kingdoms and Unified Silla. My research has brought to light several new pieces of information that historians have thus far overlooked Korea’s ancient history.
First, I submit that many epidemics which occurred in ancient Korea broke out largely as a result of mass immigration and war. Second, in the 4th century, the new religion of Goguryeo, Buddhism, derived from the Northern and the Southern dynasties (南北朝) of China, brought new epidemics as well, which resulted in the Goguryeo people accepting Buddhism more rapidly. The same scenario played out in Japan, where the Buddhism was introduced by Baekje in the 6th century. Third, most of the pandemics in ancient Korea originated in China, and they sometimes spread from Korea to Japan. Fourth, some epidemics had political impact, as when an epidemic would take the life of a high-ranking or important figure, such as a king or political leader. For example, King Sunduck (宣德王:rg.780-785) died as the result of an epidemic, presumably smallpox. It was not only the king. Many aristocrats and members of the court were also killed at that time. There is no record of it, but that doesn’t mean it never happened. In ancient times, many people thought that epidemics were a punishment of Gods. Punishment from heaven would imply fault on the part of political leaders, who would in turn not want to record their shortcomings. As a result, Kim Kyungshin, King Wonsung (元聖王:rg.785-798), ascended the throne, even though another successor, Kim Jouwon(金周元), had already been chosen by the people of the court, including Qeen Jungui (貞懿太后), the daughter of King Sungduck (聖德王:rg.702-737) and the mother of King Sunduck. It appears that Kim Jouwon had fled from the smallpox, which was widespread in the court in 785. Kim Kyung-shin, however, was presumably more brave, waiting in the palace to inherit the throne as soon as King Sunduck died.

참고자료

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