(1) The Rise of the Three Kingdoms
and Ancient Kingdoms |
The patriarchal states which
arose in various areas of the Korean peninsula and
surrounding areas were gradually unified into the Three
Kingdoms and continued to develop. Koguryo developed in
Manchuria and the northern part of the Korean peninsula,
and Paekche and Shilla arose along the Han River basin
and the plains of Kyongju. According to the records
of the Samguk sagi (History of the Three Kingdoms),
Koguryo was established by King Chumong (Tongmyong
Songwang), Paekche by King Onjo, and Shilla by King Pak
Hyokkose respectively. The Three Kingdoms
strengthened their monarchies, united patriarchal
powers, expanded their territories and centralized their
power. Thus, with the particular features of strong
royal authority and a centralized governing structure
they developed as ancient kingdoms. |
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(2) Development of Koguryo
and Paekche |
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Koguryo was the first nation
to develop as an ancient kingdom. After the downfall of
Kojoson, Chinese influences permeated inward for a time,
but Koguryo grew independently while fighting against
Chinese domination. In the latter half of the 1st
century under King T'aejo's reign, Koguryo strengthened
its base as an ancient kingdom and in the early 4th
century during the reign of King Mich'on, it occupied
Nangnang county and recovered almost all of the former
territory of Kojoson. On the other hand, along the
Han River basins, many immigrants settled from the north
at the time of Kojoson's downfall. These were chiefly
the people of Puyo and Koguryo. The kingdom of Paekche
was established with the immigrants as its center.
Paekche, which first began as the small nation of Mahan,
gradually gained power. In the mid-3rd century during
the reign of King Koi, Paekche concentrated its strength
in the greater part of the Han River basin in order to
solidify its base as an ancient kingdom, and in the
mid-4th century during the reign of Kunch'ogo, it
progressed into its Golden Age. King Kunch'ogo conquered
the remaining land of Mahan to the south, completely
unified the Honam district (now Cholla-do) and by rising
victorious over battles with Koguryo, ruled over the
Hwanghae Province to the north. During this period,
Paekche also made inroads into Japan and parts of China
including Shandong and Liaoxi. In the mid-4th
century, Koguryo suffered a great loss as a result of
invasions by Former Yan and Paekche but in the latter
half of the 4th century, during the reign of King
Sosurim, Koguryo accepted Buddhism, established a school
called T'aehak, and through the promulgation of various
laws, readjusted its national structure. During the
consecutive reigns of King Kwanggaet'o and King Changsu,
Koguryo greatly expanded its territory and held hegemony
in north-eastern Asia. |
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A 627
cm stele to King Kwanggaet'o in
Tonggou, Jianxian, China, constructed in A.D.
414.
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Under the reign of King
Kwanggaet'o, Koguryo occupied Manchurian territory to
the east of Liaohe, attacked Paekche to occupy the north
of the Han River and expelled foreign foes who were
trying to invade Shilla. In the 5th century during the
reign of King Changsu, Koguryo moved its capital from
Kungnae-song to P'yong'yang and became a powerful
country which ruled over the middle section of the south
Han River basin by attacking Paekche. Paekche, in the
5th century, confronted the southward advancement of
Koguryo, lost the territory along the Han River basin
and moved its capital to Ungjin (Kongju). With its power
weakened, Paekche, in the 6th century under the reign of
King Song, again moved its capital, this time to
Sabisong (Puyo), and began readjusting its institutions
in order to revive itself. King Song actively promoted
cultural exchanges with the Southern Dynasties of China
and introduced Buddhism to Japan. During this period,
Paekche joined Shilla to help control the Han River,
only to lose it again to Shilla. |
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(3) Development of Shilla and
Changes in Kaya |
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A
monument erected in honor of King Chinhung's
expansion of Shilla's territory. Located on Mt.
Pukhan.
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Saroguk, which arose in the
area of Kyongju, developed into the kingdom of Shilla.
From the 1st century, Shilla, under King Naemul,
developed by combining the entities around it and by the
latter 4th century, built the base for the ancient
kingdom. Ever since King Naemul's era, successors to the
throne were all members of the Kim family. The power of
the king was further strengthened as he was referred to
as "Maripkan", the Great Chief, instead of "Isagum",
meaning successor. At that time, Shilla, with the aid
of King Kwanggaet'o of Koguryo, drove out Japanese
invaders from its land. Afterwards, Shilla was under the
influence of Koguryo for a time, but by concluding a
treaty of alliance with Paekche, overcame the influence
of Koguryo. On the other hand, in the lower delta of the
Naktong River, a confederation of six Kaya states
appeared with Kumgwan Kaya in Kimhae and Tae Kaya in
Koryong as the centers. The power of Kaya was so strong
that at one time it threatened Shilla and advanced
toward Japan, but it was annexed by Shilla without
having developed into an ancient kingdom. .. Shilla, which developed slowest
among the Three Kingdoms, had made great progress by the
6th century. King Chijung changed the name of his
country to Shilla and adopted the title of King instead
of Maripkan. Under the reign of King Pophung, Shilla
officially recognized Buddhism and promulgated laws and
regulations. King Chinhung occupied the Han and Naktong
River basins and even made inroads into the Hamhung
Plains. | |