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(1) The Founding of the Nation by
Tan'gun and the Development of
Kojoson |
| Kojoson was the first
country formed in Korea and was based on the Bronze
culture. Kojoson's patriarch was referred to as Tan'gun
Wanggom. In Samguk yusa, he is described as the son born
between the son of God, Hwanung, and a woman incarnated
from a bear. He established the kingdom of Kojoson in
2333 B.C. It is thought that this myth alludes to the
formation of a patriarchal state through the union of
separate tribes with different clans. Kojoson first
developed with the Liaoning district as its center.
Thus, Kojoson gradually rose as a center of the East.
Then, around the 4th century B.C., as it faced the Yan
nation of China across its borders, it began to struggle
for supremacy. |
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| (2) Introduction of the
Iron Culture and Changes in Kojoson |
| The Iron culture was
introduced around 4 B.C. By that time, China was in the
confusion of the Warring States Period and some of the
Korean ancestors in the Shandong peninsula and in the
northeast moved back to Kojoson. They used iron tools
and weapons. Wiman, the leader of these immigrants,
drove out King Chun of Kojoson in the early 2nd century
B.C. and became king. Later, Kojoson's influence spread
to occupy many of its surrounding territories. However,
the nation was confronted with aggression from Han
China, which ensued into a year-long battle, and its
capital Wanggom-song fell to the enemy. Kojoson's long
history thus came to an end. |
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A
bronze sculpture portraying farmers in the
field
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