9.1 Gojoseon and the Three Kingdoms period

Early Korean history kicks off with Gojoseon, the first known Korean kingdom. Founded in 2333 BCE, it ruled northern Korea and southern Manchuria until its fall in 108 BCE. This set the stage for the Three Kingdoms period.

The Three Kingdoms - Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla - emerged after Gojoseon's fall. They fought for control of the Korean Peninsula from 57 BCE to 668 CE, when Silla unified Korea with help from China's Tang dynasty.

Origins of Gojoseon

Founding and Early History

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• Gojoseon, also known as Ancient Joseon, was the first known Korean kingdom, believed to have been founded in 2333 BCE by the legendary figure Dangun Wanggeom
• The Gojoseon kingdom was centered in the basins of the Liao and Taedong Rivers, encompassing the northern part of the Korean Peninsula and southern Manchuria
• During the early period, Gojoseon was characterized by a bronze culture and a tribal federation system led by a king, with a capital near present-day Pyongyang

Political Structure and Foreign Relations

• Gojoseon's political structure evolved into a centralized aristocratic system, with the king ruling over a hierarchy of nobles and officials
• The kingdom engaged in trade and cultural exchanges with neighboring Chinese states, particularly the Han dynasty, which greatly influenced Gojoseon's political and cultural development
• Gojoseon's decline began in the 2nd century BCE due to internal strife and external pressures from the Han dynasty, ultimately leading to its fall in 108 BCE after the invasion by Emperor Wu of Han

Rise and Fall of the Three Kingdoms

Emergence and Competition

• The Three Kingdoms period (57 BCE - 668 CE) began with the emergence of Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla, which competed for control of the Korean Peninsula after the fall of Gojoseon
• Goguryeo (37 BCE - 668 CE) was the largest and most powerful of the three kingdoms, occupying the northern part of the Korean Peninsula and Manchuria
  • Goguryeo reached its peak under the reign of King Gwanggaeto the Great (391-413 CE) and his son, King Jangsu (413-491 CE), who expanded the kingdom's territory through military conquests
• Baekje (18 BCE - 660 CE) was located in the southwestern part of the Korean Peninsula and was known for its advanced culture and arts, heavily influenced by China
  • Baekje flourished during the 4th and 5th centuries CE, establishing close ties with the Japanese archipelago and serving as a conduit for the transmission of Chinese culture to Japan

Unification and Fall

• Silla (57 BCE - 935 CE) was situated in the southeastern part of the Korean Peninsula and initially the weakest of the three kingdoms
  • Silla formed an alliance with the Tang dynasty of China to conquer Baekje in 660 CE and Goguryeo in 668 CE, ultimately unifying the Korean Peninsula under its rule
• The fall of the Three Kingdoms period was marked by the unification of the peninsula under Silla in 668 CE, leading to the subsequent North-South States period

Characteristics of the Three Kingdoms

Goguryeo

• Goguryeo had a centralized monarchy with a strong military tradition, known for its cavalry and horse archery
• Society was divided into aristocrats, commoners, and slaves, with social mobility possible through military merit
• Goguryeo culture was influenced by Chinese Confucianism and Buddhism, as well as indigenous shamanism
• The kingdom is renowned for its tomb murals depicting daily life, warfare, and mythological scenes

Baekje

• Baekje had a hereditary monarchy and a highly stratified society, with a powerful aristocracy and a well-developed system of law and governance
• The kingdom was known for its advanced pottery, gold and silver craftsmanship, and jewelry making
• Buddhism flourished in Baekje, with many temples and monasteries built during this period
• Baekje played a significant role in transmitting Chinese culture, including Buddhism and Confucianism, to Japan

Silla

• Silla had a unique "bone-rank system" (golpum) that determined an individual's social status based on their lineage and birth
• The kingdom was known for its distinctive gold crowns, gold jewelry, and advanced metalworking techniques
• Silla embraced Buddhism as the state religion, with many temples and monasteries constructed, such as the famous Bulguksa Temple
• The Hwarang, an elite group of young male warriors, played a significant role in Silla's military and political affairs

Chinese Influence on the Three Kingdoms

Political and Social Impact

• The Three Kingdoms period saw significant Chinese influence on the political, social, and cultural development of the Korean Peninsula
• Confucianism, which emphasized social hierarchy, loyalty, and filial piety, was adopted by the ruling classes of the Three Kingdoms as a means of governing and maintaining social order
• The Three Kingdoms also adopted and modified Chinese political institutions, such as the bureaucratic system and the concept of the Mandate of Heaven, to legitimize their rule and govern their territories

Religion, Language, and Culture

• Buddhism, which was introduced to the Korean Peninsula from China during the 4th century CE, became a major religious and cultural force in all three kingdoms
  • Buddhist temples and monasteries served as centers of learning, art, and culture, and played a significant role in shaping the spiritual and intellectual life of the Three Kingdoms
• Chinese writing systems, including Hanja (Chinese characters), were adopted and adapted by the Three Kingdoms for use in administration, literature, and record-keeping
• Chinese art, architecture, and technology, such as silk weaving, pottery making, and metalworking, were introduced to the Three Kingdoms and further developed, leading to unique Korean styles and innovations
• The influence of Chinese culture on the Three Kingdoms period laid the foundation for the long-lasting impact of Chinese civilization on Korean society, even as the kingdoms developed their own distinct identities and traditions