The Small Gaya in the Gaya Confederacy, So Gaya

This plain, simple pottery was made in So Gaya. Although the name ‘So Gaya’ means ‘Small Gaya’, it managed to develop a splendid culture lasting from the 1st to the 4th century. Unfortunately, the polity suffered after being caught up in the wars of its powerful neighboring kingdoms and collapsed after 300 years.

This earthenware reflects the history of So Gaya. In the 5th century, when Dae Gaya emerged nearby as the new leader of the Gaya Confederacy, So Gaya naturally came under its influence. Thus the pottery we see here was also influenced by Dae Gaya’s style. Moreover, the pottery of So Gaya lost its unique characteristics completely when the powerful neighboring kingdom of Silla became more influential during the 6th century.

The tragedy of So Gaya was largely the result of the confederate system of Gaya. As demonstrated earlier, the advantage of a confederacy was that it allowed the development of independent cultures, but politically speaking, there was frequent tension. The confederacy suffered from endless conflicts and in the end was absorbed by a more powerful kingdom. Just as civilized Athens could not resist the Macedonian troops of Alexander the Great, the Gaya Confederacy collapsed under the strain of internal fighting and succumbed to the stronger leadership of the neighboring kingdoms.