Kajam Fortress is one of the most troubled area between Paekche and Silla in the early 7th century. However, since its location is not clearly known, it is presumed to be various places such as Juksan Mountain in Gyeonggi Province, Goesan in North Chu ...
Kajam Fortress is one of the most troubled area between Paekche and Silla in the early 7th century. However, since its location is not clearly known, it is presumed to be various places such as Juksan Mountain in Gyeonggi Province, Goesan in North Chungcheong Province, Boeun, Cheongju, Yeongdong, and Muju in North Jeolla Province. This paper intends to newly estimate the location of Kajam Fortress by comprehensively reviewing the historical records on the location of Kajam Fortress and by analyzing the location where the rebel forces of Podŏk Fortress camped in 684. Considering that relief forces were mobilized from the Sangju, Haju and Sinju, three provinces of Shilla during the Battle of Kajam Fortress in 611, Kajam Fortress can be presumed to belong to Sangju, a mid-region of the three provinces. Also, considering the route of the Silla troops to Iksan during the 684 uprising, it is inevitably obtained that the approximate location of Kajam Fortress would be the area under the jurisdiction of Sangju, the west of Sobaek Mountains. The important record analyzed in this study to determine the more specific location of Kajam Fortress is that the rebel army of Podŏk Fortress camped 2.8km south of Kajam Fortress in 684. At that time, the place where the rebels camped is in the north-south direction of Kajam Fortress considering the traffic route, and it is identified as a place with a topographical advantage. Therefore, the location of Kajam Fortress was finally estimated to be near present-day Ch'ubu myŏn, Kŭmsan-kun in Ch'ungch'ŏngnam-do by examining the transportation routes and geographical factors around Iksan, and by synthesizing archaeological materials such as the ancient tombs in Jangdae-ri, Geumsan. Judging from the geographical location of Chubu, Kajam Fortress of Shilla could be a potential threat to Paekche, as it could serve as a forward base to attack major areas in Paekche, such as Iksan and Eunjin in Nonsan. Thus, the objective of Paekche’s attack on the Kajam Fortress was to eliminate the threat of Silla's advance into Nonsan and Iksan, and secure a bridgehead to advance to Silla's Sangju.