The Three Kingdoms of Korea - Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla - dominated the Korean peninsula from the 1st to 7th centuries AD. Goguryeo was the largest and most advanced early kingdom located in northern Korea. Baekje occupied the southwest and had strong ties to Japan. Silla was based in the southeast and eventually allied with China to defeat the other two kingdoms by 668 AD, unifying the peninsula under Silla rule. These three kingdoms developed sophisticated cultures and advanced technologies while defending their territories from Chinese incursions.

1. 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

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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 Goryeo
dynasty (918-1392), from
which the English word
"Korea" stemmed. AD 476

8. Goguryeo (37 B.C. – A.D. 668)
• Founded by
Jumong, the first
king and ancestor
of Goguryeo

9. Goguryeo (37 B.C. – A.D. 668)
• The Empire was at its zenith in the 5th
century 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 Tungusic
tribes in Manchuria and North Korea.
• Gwanggaeto's accomplishments are
recorded on the Gwanggaeto Stele

10. 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.

11. 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

12. 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.

13. Baekje (18 B.C. – A.D. 660)
• According to the
Samguk Sagi, Baekje
was founded in 18 BCE
by King Onjo (the third
son of Goguryeo's
founder Jumong and So
Seo-no), who led a
group of people from
Goguryeo south to the
Han River basin

14. 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 Goguryeo
at Pyongyang

15. 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 Baekje
gave to Yamato.
Guze Kannon is a
buddhist statue made
in the image of King
Seong[19] in the
Korean style

16. 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

17. Baekje (18 B.C. – A.D. 660)
• In 660, the coalition troops of Silla
and 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 Baekje
by 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.

18. 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 Seoul
meaning "capital city" Silla at its height in 576.

19. 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

20. 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, Silla
deepened 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

21. 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

22. 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.

23. 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)