This paper investigates a war between Gungye and Yanggil. They were powerful clans at the end of the Unified Silla period.
When Gungye was born into a royal family but due to the power struggle, he almost died. He spent his childhood in the Temple. When he grew up, he went to Gihwon who was one of the powerful clans at the Jukju area. Although Gungye joined with his supporters to Gihwon, he didn’t treated them well. Gungye let down and a year later he left Gihwon and went a powerful Yanggil clan in Wonju. From this point, Gungye marched on carrying everything before them. Yanggil became a strong supporter.
In 895, Gungye entered Myoungju with 600 soldiers. A year later he left Myoungju with 3,500 soldiers. In Myoungju he called himself a general. From this time,Gungye and Yanggil got into trouble.
After Gungye left Myoungju, his group became bigger. At last Yanggil began to attack Gungye from 898. Finally, in 890 Gungye and Yanggil armies were ready to fight a decisive battle. This battle was fought at the Benae fortress.
Until recently there have been many opinions about the location of the Benae fortress. Recent research shows that the Benae fortress is Jukju mountain fortress.
This paper proves the specific location of the Benae fortress battle field. According to the historical record, the Benae fortress battle was fought out side of the Benae fortress. This paper explains that the battelfield is Gisolri that is 8km west of the Benae fortress.
This paper also finds that the natives strongly supported the Gungye army. The natives of Jukju had strong relationship with Gungye army. This paper shows that some of the Gungye army Grandfather’s hometown was Jukju. This kind of blood relationship really worked when Goungye army fought with Yanggil army.
Not only these kind of reason but also cultural assets show that Gisolri was the Benae fortress battle field. In Gisolri there is a stone Buddha statue. This stone Buddha statue is related to a folktale about Gungye. Many scholars agree that the folktales about Gungye reflect the historical facts.
This paper presumes that Gisolri stone Buddha statue was built in commemoration of Gungye’s victory in the Benae fortress battle. After the Benae fortress battle, Gungye could control the central part of the Korean peninsula.