발해의 역참제와 교통로

Abstract

This study was conceived to examine the actual state of domestic traffic routes in Balhae. In ancient centralized states, the arrangement of road networks was a common phenomenon around the world. The Roman Empire built straight roads in a radial form over massive areas. Qin Shi Huang, who unified China around the same period, arranged Chido(馳道) whose breadth was 50Bo(步, approximately 70m) for domestic patrol purposes and Jikdo(直道) for military purposes to prepare for the invasion of the Huns. Sagi records that they shaved off mountains and filled up valleys to build straight roads, and some of their remnants have been confirmed. Ancient states with a centralized regime arranged straight road networks to form close connections between the center and the local regions and move the military force fast in case of emergency. It is estimated that Balhae ran the backbone road networks represented by five Dos(五道) through Yeokcham(驛站), which was mainly divided into Macham(馬 站), Sucham(水站), and Gucham(狗站). The existence of Macham is recognized by the records of Samguksagi and the troops records. Yeokgwan(驛館) seems to have been a small fortress site whose circumference was approximately 500m along the major traffic routes. As for Sucham and Gucham, the routes along the Heilong Jiang must have been used as Sucham when the river was not frozen and as Gucham as it was frozen, considering the natural environments around the river. The sections of Sucham and Gucham were known through Haeseodongsuryukseongcham(海西東水陸 城站). The Yeokchamro(驛站路) of Balhae served a couple of purposes: the first one was to deliver military orders. One example happened in 732 when a war broke out between Balhae and Tang Dynasty. The second one was to reinforce the ruling power of the state through the delivery of official documents and to transport taxes and trade goods. Finally, it must have played a critical role in transporting government officials and envoys.