Three Kingdoms of Korea

Three Kingdoms of Korea refers to the three kingdoms of Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla, which dominated the Korean peninsula and parts of Manchuria from the 1st century BC to the 7th century AD. These kingdoms were significant in the region's history, each contributing to the development of Korean culture and identity.

Goguryeo

Goguryeo (37 BC – 668 AD) was the northernmost of the three kingdoms. It was a powerful empire and one of the great powers in East Asia, until it was defeated by a Silla-Tang alliance in 668. Goguryeo was known for its military prowess, and its cultural achievements include the Goguryeo tombs, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Baekje

Baekje (18 BC – 660 AD) was located in the southwestern region of the Korean peninsula. It was a maritime power and had strong ties with China and Japan. Baekje played a significant role in transmitting cultural developments, including Buddhism, to Japan. The Baekje Historic Areas are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Silla

Silla (57 BC – 935 AD) was the smallest and the last of the three kingdoms to be established, but it was the first to adopt Buddhism as a state religion. Silla eventually conquered the other two kingdoms and unified the Korean peninsula under the rule of the Unified Silla dynasty. The historic city of Gyeongju, the capital of Silla, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Legacy

The Three Kingdoms period is a significant era in Korean history. It saw the flowering of Korean culture, the growth of Buddhism, and the development of distinctive political institutions. The period also laid the groundwork for the later unification of the Korean peninsula.

See also

• History of Korea
• Unified Silla
• Goryeo
• Joseon