Three Kingdoms of Korea

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The Three Kingdoms of Korea refer to the ancient Korean kingdoms of Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla, which dominated the Korean peninsula and parts of Manchuria for much of the 1st millennium

The name "Three Kingdoms" was used in the titles of the histories Samguk Sagi (12th century) and Samguk Yusa (13th century), and should not be confused with the earlier Chinese Three Kingdoms Map of the Three Kingdoms of Korea,

at the end of the 5th century.

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Samguk Sagi: (History of the Three Kingdoms) is a historical record of the Three Kingdoms of Korea: Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla.

- written in Classical Chinese

- its compilation was ordered by Goryo's King Injong (r. 1122-1146)

- undertaken by the government official and historian Kim Busik and a team of junior scholars

It is well known in Korea as the oldest extant Korean history

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Samguk Yusa or Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms, is a collection of legends, folktales, and historical accounts relating to the Three Kingdoms of Korea

- written in Classical Chinese

- It was compiled, at least in part, by the Buddhist monk Iryeon (1206 -1289) at the end of the 13th century, a century after the Samguk Sagi.

- Samguk Yusa focuses on various folktales, legends, and biographies from early Korean history

Background

• The Three Kingdoms were founded after the fall of Gojoseon, and gradually conquered and absorbed various other small states and confederacies

• The three polities made the transition from walled-town state to full-fledged state-level societies between 1st - 3rd century AD.

Background

• All three kingdoms shared a similar culture and language

• Their original religions appear to have been shamanistic,

• But they were increasingly influenced by Chinese culture, particularly Confucianism and Taoism.

• In the 4th century, Buddhism was introduced to the peninsula and spread rapidly, briefly becoming the official religion of all three kingdoms.

Goguryeo (37 B.C. – A.D. 668)

• Goguryeo was the most advanced, and likely the first established, and eventually the largest of the three kingdoms

• The name Goguryeo was inherited by Goryeodynasty (918-1392), from which the English word "Korea" stemmed. AD 476

Goguryeo (37 B.C. – A.D. 668)

• Founded by Jumong, the first king and ancestor of Goguryeo

Goguryeo (37 B.C. – A.D. 668)

• The Empire was at its zenith in the 5thcentury during the rule of King Gwanggaeto the Great and his son King Jangsu in their campaign against China in Manchuria and was the dominant empire in the Korean peninsula.

• Goguryeo controlled not only Koreans but also Chinese and other Tungusictribes in Manchuria and North Korea.

• Gwanggaeto's accomplishments are recorded on the Gwanggaeto Stele

Goguryeo (37 B.C. – A.D. 668)

• Had several capitals in alternation: two capitals in the upper Yalu area, and later Nangrang which is now part of Pyongyang

• Population: 3,500,000 (at the time of its fall at 668 AD)

• After the establishment of the Sui Dynasty and later the Tang Dynasty in China, the empire continued to suffer from Chinese attacks until conquered by an allied Silla–Tang forces in 668.

Goguryeo (37 B.C. – A.D. 668)

• Culture: characterized by a valiant spirit acquired through its confrontations with the Chinese and became the dominant empire in Korean peninsula

Goguryeo King Crown

Goguryeo Tomb Mural

Goguryeo roof-tile

Baekje (18 B.C. – A.D. 660)

• Located in the southwestern region of Korean peninsula, situated in a fertile plain with many rivers and streams

• Population: 3,800,000 est.

Korea in 375, The greatest territory expansion of Baekje.

Baekje (18 B.C. – A.D. 660)

• According to the Samguk Sagi, Baekjewas founded in 18 BCE by King Onjo (the third son of Goguryeo'sfounder Jumong and So Seo-no), who led a group of people from Goguryeo south to the Han River basin

Baekje (18 B.C. – A.D. 660)

• During the reign of King Goi (234–286), Baekje became a full-fledged kingdom as it continued consolidating the Mahan confederacy

• King Geunchogo (346–375) expanded Baekje's territory to the north through war against Goguryeo, while annexing the remaining Mahan societies in the south

• the territories of Baekje included most of the western Korean Peninsula (except the two Pyeongan provinces), and in 371, Baekje defeated Goguryeoat Pyongyang

Baekje (18 B.C. – A.D. 660)

• Baekje also became a sea power and continued mutual goodwill relationships with the Japanese rulers of the Kofun period,transmitting continental cultural influences to Japan.

• Baekje played a fundamental role in transmitting cultural developments, including Chinese characters and Buddhism, into ancient Japan

Replica of the Seven-pronged Sword Baekjegave to Yamato.

Guze Kannon is a buddhist statue made

in the image of King Seong[19] in the

Korean style

Baekje (18 B.C. – A.D. 660)

• Culture: defined by an aristocratics, refined, and soft beauty• Baekje Kingdom relics demonstrate the subtle beauty of that

kingdom

Gilt-bronze Incense Burner of BaekjeBangasayusang. Mireuksa

Baekje (18 B.C. – A.D. 660)

• In 660, the coalition troops of Sillaand Tang of China attacked Baekje, which was then allied with Goguryeo. A heavily outmanned army led by General Gyebaek was defeated in the Battle of Hwangsanbeol near Nonsan. The capital Sabi fell almost immediately thereafter, resulting in the annexation of Baekjeby Silla. King Uija and his son Buyeo Yung were sent into exile in China while at least some of the ruling class fled to Japan.

Silla (57 B.C. – A.D. 668)

• Situated in the mountainous region in the southeast of the Korean peninsula

• Although Samguk Sagi records that Silla was the earliest-founded of the three kingdoms, other written and archaeological records indicate that Silla was likely the last of the three to establish a centralized government

• An etymological hypothesis (there are various other speculations) suggests that, the native name Seorabeol might have been the origin of the native word Seoulmeaning "capital city" Silla at its height in 576.

Silla (57 B.C. – A.D. 668)

• Founded by King Park Hyeokgeose in 57 BC, around present-day Gyeongju

• He is also known to be the originator of the Korean family name Park

Silla (57 B.C. – A.D. 668)

• The kingdom annexed the Gaya confederacy in the first half of the 6th Century. Goguryeo and Baekje responded by forming an alliance.

• To cope with invasions from Goguryeo and Baekje, Silladeepened its relations with the Tang Dynasty, with her newly gained access to the Yellow Sea making direct contact with the Tang possible.

• Gained strength in the 7th century and joined forces with Dang Dynasty of China to defeat Baekje (660) and Goguryeo Kingdom (668) unifying Three Kings

• After the conquest of Goguryeo and Baekje with her Tang allies, the Silla kingdom drove the Tang forces out of the peninsula and occupied the lands south of Pyongyang

Silla (57 B.C. – A.D. 668)

• Silla focussed its national resources on raising valiant men of talent

• Hwa rang do: teach talented youth martial arts and moral principles it was an honor to sacrifice one’s life for the country

Silla (57 B.C. – A.D. 668)

• Many relics indicate the advanced scientific technology and artistic prowess of Silla

A golden inner cap. 5-6th century Silla.

Gold ornament from early Silla.

A crown from late 5th or early 6th Silla.

Silla (57 B.C. – A.D. 668)

• Many relics indicate the advanced scientific technology and artistic prowess of Silla

Mojeon Stone Pagoda at Bunhwangsa Temple

Cheomsongdae (the oldest astronomical observatory in Asia)