Emperor at home, king abroad: Difference between revisions
== Korea ==
== Korea ==
{{See also|Korean imperial titles}}
{{See also|Korean imperial titles}}
The rulers of [[Balhae]] used imperial titles, such as ”Seongwang” ({{Korean|성왕|聖王|labels=no|lit=”Holy King”}}) and ”Hwangsang” ({{Korean|황상|皇上|labels=no|lit=”Emperor”}}), and had independent [[Korean era name|era names]].{{cite web |title=발해(渤海) |url=http://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Contents/Item/E0021626 |website=Encyclopedia of Korean Culture |publisher=Academy of Korean Studies |accessdate=19 February 2019}}{{cite book |last1=Kim |first1=Jinwung |title=A History of Korea: From “Land of the Morning Calm” to States in Conflict |date=2012 |publisher=Indiana University Press |isbn=9780253000248 |page=88 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=s2EVi-MpnUsC&pg=PA88 |accessdate=19 February 2019 |language=en}}
In 933, [[Taejo of Goryeo|King Taejo of Goryeo]] was conferred the title of ”King of Goryeo” (高麗國王) by the [[Li Siyuan|Emperor Mingzong of Later Tang]]. Prior to its capitulation to the [[Yuan dynasty]], imperial designations and terminology were widely used by the [[Goryeo|Goryeo dynasty]] domestically. Its rulers claimed to be the ”[[Son of Heaven]]”, as did [[Emperor of China|Chinese emperors]]. [[Gyeongsun of Silla|King Gyeongsun of Silla]] addressed King Taejo of Goryeo as the ”Son of Heaven” when he surrendered. Even though the [[Song dynasty]], the [[Liao dynasty]] and the [[Jin dynasty (1115–1234)|Jin dynasty]] were well-informed of Goryeo’s use of imperial titles, all three [[Dynasties in Chinese history|Chinese dynasties]] tolerated such practice.
In 933, [[Taejo of Goryeo|King Taejo of Goryeo]] was conferred the title of ”King of Goryeo” (高麗國王) by the [[Li Siyuan|Emperor Mingzong of Later Tang]]. Prior to its capitulation to the [[Yuan dynasty]], imperial designations and terminology were widely used by the [[Goryeo|Goryeo dynasty]] domestically. Its rulers claimed to be the ”[[Son of Heaven]]”, as did [[Emperor of China|Chinese emperors]]. [[Gyeongsun of Silla|King Gyeongsun of Silla]] addressed King Taejo of Goryeo as the ”Son of Heaven” when he surrendered. Even though the [[Song dynasty]], the [[Liao dynasty]] and the [[Jin dynasty (1115–1234)|Jin dynasty]] were well-informed of Goryeo’s use of imperial titles, all three [[Dynasties in Chinese history|Chinese dynasties]] tolerated such practice.
System of conducting relations between states
Emperor at home, king abroad was a system of conducting relations between states within the Chinese cultural sphere. Rulers of lesser regimes would adopt the title of emperor (皇帝; or other equivalents) and/or other imperial titles domestically, and adopt the title of king (王; or other equivalents) when dealing with the dominant Chinese regime. Instead of using the styles Imperial Majesty and Majesty (陛下), rulers of lesser realms were styled as Highness (殿下).[citation needed] This system was applicable to Japan, Korea and Vietnam, as well as less powerful Chinese states, among others.
As China was a hegemonic power in East Asia for a large part of history, surrounding states were compelled to pay tribute to Chinese emperors in exchange for peace and political legitimacy. In this system, lesser regimes accepted the suzerainty of the dominant Chinese power and acknowledged the Chinese emperor as their nominal overlord. Since Chinese emperors claimed to be the Son of Heaven and held supremacy over all under Heaven, rulers of lesser regimes were to use titles subordinate to emperor. The same doctrine also maintained that there could only be one emperor at any given time.
Historical Origin[edit]
When the Qin dynasty fell, general Zhao Tuo (赵佗; 趙佗), conquered the commanderies of Xiang and Guilin and proclaimed himself “Martial King of Nanyue” (南越武王; Nányuè Wǔ wáng) and in 196 BCE he was recognized “King of Nanyue” (南越王; Nányuè wáng) after Liu Bang became emperor and founded the Han dynasty. After Liu Bang’s death, his officials petitioned his widow Empress Lü to forbid trade in iron between Nanyue and China; upon hearing the news, Zhao proclaimed himself “Martial Emperor of Nanyue” (南越武帝; Nányuè wǔ dì), on par with the Han Emperors.[1][2]
Zhao’s troops raided the neighboring kingdom of Changsha, which belonged to the Han Empire, before returning home. In 181 BCE, Empress Lü dispatched general Zhou Zao to lead troops against Nanyue. However, Zhou’s troops fell ill because of the heat and dampness and thus failed to cross the mountains to enter Nanyue; later, they were recalled in 180 BCE after Empress Lü’s death. Zhao took the opportunity to menace and bribe the leaders of the Minyue, the Western Ouyue, and the Luoyue into submission.[a] Zhao then stopped sending envoys to the Han court.[1][5]
In response,…
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