Ancient Korea

Definition

Korea, located on a large peninsula on the eastern coast of the Asian mainland, has been inhabited since Neolithic times. The first recognisable political state was Gojoseon in the second half of the first millennium BCE. From the 1st century BCE to the 7th century CE in the Three kingdoms period, the peninsula was dominated by the kingdoms of Baekje, Goguryeo and Silla, along with the Gaya confederacy.

More about: Ancient Korea

Timeline

  • 2333 BCE
    Traditional founding of Gojoseon by Dangun Wanggeom (Tangun).
  • c. 1200 BCE
    The thatched village of Hunam-ri near the Han River of Korea is built.
  • 1122 BCE
    Traditional date that Gija (Jizi) becomes king of Gojoseon.
  • 194 BCE - 180 BCE
    Wiman Joseon (Wiman Choson) takes control of Gojoseon, declaring himself king.
  • 57 BCE - 918 CE
    The Silla Kingdom rules in Korea, first as one of the Three Kingdoms and then alone from 668 CE.
  • 57 BCE - 4 CE
    Reign of traditional founder of Korea's Silla kingdom Hyeokgeose.
  • 57 BCE - 668 CE
    Three Kingdoms Period in Korea (Silla, Goguryeo, and Baekje).
  • 37 BCE
    Traditional founding date of the Goguryeo Kindom in northern Korea.
  • 37 BCE - 668 CE
    The Goguryeo kingdom rules in northern Korea.
  • 18 BCE
    Traditional founding date of the Baekje kingdom in Korea.
  • 18 BCE - 660 CE
    The Baekje Kingdom rules in western Korea.
  • 3 CE
    The Goguryeo capital is established at Gungnae.
  • 42 CE - 532 CE
    The Gaya (Kaya) Confederation rules in central Korea.
  • 342 CE
    Murong Huang invades Korea from China and sacks the Goguryeo capital of Gungnae, taking 50,000 inhabitants prisoner.
  • 371 CE
    Baekje conquers the Mahan federation and attacks Pyongyang, killing the Goguryeo king Gogugwon.
  • 372 CE
    A Confucian Academy is established in the Goguryeo kingdom of northern Korea and Buddism is adopted as the state religion.
  • 375 CE
    The Sogi, a history of the Baekje Kingdom in Korea, is written.
  • 375 CE - 384 CE
    Reign of Baekje king Geungusu in western Korea.
  • 384 CE
    Buddhism is adopted as the state religion by the Baekje kingdom of western Korea.
  • 384 CE - 385 CE
    Reign of Baekje king Chimnyu in western Korea.
  • 391 CE - 413 CE
    Reign of Goguryeo king Gwanggaeto the Great in northern Korea.
  • 427 CE
    Pyongyang replaces Gungnae as the Goguryeo capital.
  • 433 CE - 553 CE
    Baekje forms an alliance with the Silla kingdom in Korea.
  • 475 CE
    Goguryeo attacks the Baekje kingdom, killing the king Gaero and forcing the abandonment of Hansong, his capital.
  • 475 CE
    A new Baekje capital is established at Ungjin (modern Gongju/Kongju).
  • 479 CE - 501 CE
    Reign of Baekje king Dongseong in western Korea.
  • 520 CE
    Silla king Beopheung introduces the bone rank system (Golpum).
  • 525 CE
    The tomb of King Muryeong of Baekje is built near Gongju, Korea.
  • 532 CE
    Silla captures and destroys the Gaya city of Bon-Gaya in southern Korea.
  • 538 CE
    A new Baekje capital is established at Sabi (modern Buyeo/Puyo).
  • 554 CE
    The Silla kingdom attacks the Baekje kingdom and occupies the lower Han River valley.
  • 554 CE
    At the battle of Gwansan Fortress (modern Okcheon) the Baekje army is defeated by the Silla and King Seong is killed.
  • 562 CE
    Silla conquers the Gaya city of Daegaya in southern Korea.
  • 595 CE - 673 CE
    The life of famed Korean general Kim Yu-sin.
  • c. 600 CE
    Fine quality paper known as hanji is produced in ancient Korea.
  • 612 CE
    Goguryeo general Eulji Mundeok wins a great victory against the Chinese Sui at the battle of the Salsu River.
  • 617 CE - 686 CE
    Life of the Korean Buddhist philosopher Wonhyo.
  • 625 CE - 702 CE
    Life of the Korean scholar-monk Uisang.
  • 628 CE
    The Goguryeo kingdom of northern Korea builds a 480-km defensive wall as protection against attack from China.
  • 642 CE
    The Baekje and Goguryeo kingdoms join forces against the Silla and conquer Taeya-song (modern Hapchon).
  • 644 CE
    A Goguryeo army defeats a combined Silla and Tang army.
  • 660 CE
    The Baekje kingdom in Korea falls to a joint Silla and Chinese Tang Dynasty army and naval attack.
  • 661 CE
    A Tang Dynasty army unsuccessfully besieges the Goguryeo capital of Pyongyang.
  • 663 CE
    A rebel Baekje army is finally crushed by the Silla in Korea, ending the Baekje kingdom.
  • 667 CE
    A Tang Dynasty army besieges the Goguryeo capital of Pyongyang for a second time, this time successfully.
  • 668 CE
    The Goguryeo kingdom of northern Korea collapses following an attack by the Tang Dynasty of China.
  • 668 CE - 935 CE
    Unified Silla Kingdom in Korea.
  • 675 CE
    A Silla army defeats a Tang force at the battles of Maesosong.
  • 676 CE
    A Silla army defeats a Tang force at the battle of Kibolpo, thus gaining control of the whole Korean peninsula.
  • 682 CE
    A National Confucian Academy is established in the Unified Silla Kingdom.
  • 698 CE - 926 CE
    The Balhae kingdom rules in Manchuria and northern Korea.
  • 751 CE - 790 CE
    The Buddhist Bulguksa temple complex is built east of Gyeongju, Korea.
  • 751 CE - 774 CE
    The Buddhist cave temple at Seokguram (Sokkuram) east of Gyeongju, Korea is built.
  • 771 CE
    The large bronze bell at the Buddhist shrine at Bongdeoksa, Korea, also known as the Emille Bell, is cast.
  • 828 CE
    Jang Bogo establishes a garrison at Cheonghae, the Cheonghaejin fortress is constructed.
  • 857 CE - 915 CE
    Life of Korean poet and scholar Choe Chiwon.
  • 889 CE - 935 CE
    The Later Three Kingdoms period in Korea.
  • 918 CE - 943 CE
    Reign of Goryeo founder King Taejo (formerly Wang Geon).
  • 918 CE - 1392 CE
    The Goryeo Dynasty rules in Korea.
  • 927 CE
    Rebel leader Gyeon Hwon attacks Gyeongju, capital of the Unified Silla Kingdom.
  • 935 CE
    The last Silla king, Gyeongsun, surrenders to Wang Geon ruler of Goryeo.
  • 994 CE
    The Khitan Liao dynasty invades the Korean peninsula.
  • 1033 CE
    Goryeo wins a decisive battle against the northern Khitan tribes.
  • 1101 CE
    The unbyong (aka hwalgu) silver vases are first made and used as currency in Korea.
  • 1126 CE
    A rebellion led by the king's father-in-law I Jagyeom is quashed in Goryeo.
  • 1126 CE
    The Goryeo kingdom of Korea submits to vassal status towards the Jurchen Jin dynasty.
  • 1145 CE
    The 'Samguk sagi' ('History of the Three Kingdoms') is written by Gim Busik in Goryeo.
  • 1170 CE
    The military stages a coup in Goryeo. King Uijong is replaced by his brother Myeongjong as a puppet sovereign.
  • 1219 CE
    A Goryeo army allies with the Mongols to attack the Khitan in northern Korea.
  • 1231 CE - 1232 CE
    Ogedei Khan leads a Mongol invasion into Korea.
  • 1234 CE
    Movable metal type printing is invented in Goryeo, Korea.
  • 1258 CE
    An uprising restores the monarchy in Korea and makes peace with the Mongol Empire.
  • 1285 CE
    The Samguk yusa ('Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms') is written by Iryeon in Korea.
  • 8 Oct 1895 CE
    Empress Myeongseong, wife of Gojong, emperor of the Korean Empire, is assassinated for her stand against Japanese influence in overseas commerce, causing nationwide protests and international condemnation of the murder.
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