--- title: Three Kingdoms Period in Korea author: Mark Cartwright source: https://www.worldhistory.org/Three_Kingdoms_Period_in_Korea/ format: machine-readable-alternate license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/) updated: 1970-01-01 --- # Three Kingdoms Period in Korea _Authored by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/)_ The [Three Kingdoms Period](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Three_Kingdoms_Period/) of ancient [Korea](https://www.worldhistory.org/Korea/) (57 BCE – 668 CE) is so-called because it was dominated by the three kingdoms of [Baekje](https://www.worldhistory.org/Baekje/) ([Paekche](https://www.worldhistory.org/Baekje/)), [Goguryeo](https://www.worldhistory.org/Goguryeo/) ([Koguryo](https://www.worldhistory.org/Goguryeo/)), and [Silla](https://www.worldhistory.org/Silla/). There was also, though, a fourth entity, the [Gaya](https://www.worldhistory.org/Gaya/) ([Kaya](https://www.worldhistory.org/Gaya/)) confederation at the southern tip of the Korean peninsula. These four states were in constant rivalry, and so they formed ever-changing alliances one with another and with the two dominant regional powers of [China](https://www.worldhistory.org/china/) and [Japan](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Japan/). Eventually, the Silla kingdom, with significant [Tang Dynasty](https://www.worldhistory.org/Tang_Dynasty/) aid, would come to dominate and in the late 7th century CE form a single state, the [Unified Silla Kingdom](https://www.worldhistory.org/Unified_Silla_Kingdom/). ### Historical Overview All of the kingdoms began from local tribes who settled and built fortified towns. These then grouped together to form single political entities. According to a tradition based on the 12th-century CE *Samguk sag*i ('Historical Records of the Three States'), this happened from the 1st century BCE, but modern historians prefer the 2nd or 3rd century CE (or even later) as a more accurate date for when the states could be described as having more centralised governments. In the 2nd to 3rd century CE Goguryeo began to expand its territory by conquering the northern Chinese commanderies but suffered two serious setbacks in the mid-4th century CE when Murong Huang invaded from China and sacked Gungnae, taking 50,000 inhabitants prisoner (342 CE). Then the Baekje king Guenchogo, having already conquered the Mahan federation, attacked [Pyongyang](https://www.worldhistory.org/Pyongyang/) and killed king Gogugwon (371 CE). The Baekje were prospering due to their fertile agricultural lands and strong [trade](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/trade/) links with both China and Japan via the Yellow Sea and South Sea. The defeat to Baekje in 371 CE had driven Goguryeo to form an alliance with Silla which set the foundations for a prosperous 5th century CE under the reign of Gwanggaeto (391-413), who lived up to his title of 'broad expander of domain' and permitted Goguryeo to dominate northern Korea, most of Manchuria, and a portion of Inner Mongolia. A new capital was made at Pyongyang in 427 CE while military success continued when Hansong (modern Gwangju), the Baekje capital, was sacked in 475 CE, and king Gaero executed. Baekje formed an alliance with the Silla kingdom between 433 and 553 CE. Silla, during the reign of king Beopheung (r. 514-540 CE), achieved a much greater degree of centralisation. It had a splendid capital at Geumseong ([Gyeongju](https://www.worldhistory.org/Gyeongju/)) and was prospering on the eastern coast due to agricultural innovations such as oxen-drawn ploughs and irrigation systems, as well as an abundance of natural resources, especially [gold](https://www.worldhistory.org/gold/) and iron. The Baekje-Silla alliance, however, did not prevent Goguryeo gaining control of 90% of ancient Korea. [ ![Silla Ceramic Warrior](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/500x600/5820.jpg?v=1768272552) Silla Ceramic Warrior 대한민국 ì •ë¶€ (CC BY) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5820/silla-ceramic-warrior/ "Silla Ceramic Warrior")The Cinderella of the Three Kingdoms period was the Gaya confederation deep in the south of the peninsula. Unlike the other states, it never developed into a fully centralised kingdom partly because it was squeezed by its two more dominant neighbours Baekje and Silla. It did benefit from rich iron ore deposits, but in the mid-4th century CE Gaya was attacked by Baekje and then Silla flexed its muscles and captured the chief [city-state](https://www.worldhistory.org/Polis/) Geumgwan Gaya (Bon-Gaya) in 532 CE. Other Gaya [cities](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) soon fell and by 562 CE the state was no more. Meanwhile, Baekje's alliance with Silla came to a dramatic end when the latter occupied the lower [Han](https://www.worldhistory.org/Han_Dynasty/) River valley. In 554 CE, at the [battle](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/battle/) at Gwansan Fortress (modern Okcheon) Baekje tried to reclaim its lost territory, but their 30,000-strong army was defeated and King Seong killed. This move gave Silla access to the western coast and the Yellow Sea, providing the possibility to forge greater links with China. Things were still going well in the 7th century CE for Goguryeo when their general Eulji Mundeok won a great victory at the battle of the Salsu River in 612 CE, defeating a massive invading Chinese [Sui](https://www.worldhistory.org/Sui_Dynasty/) army. Two more attacks were defeated, and a 480-km (300 miles) long defensive [wall](https://www.worldhistory.org/wall/) was built in 628 CE so as to deter any further Chinese ambitions. This did not stop the [Tang](https://www.worldhistory.org/Tang_Dynasty/) Dynasty – ambitious to play off these troublesome southern kingdoms against themselves – forming an army and naval force and attacking Goguryeo in 644 CE, but the great general [Yang](https://www.worldhistory.org/Yin_and_Yang/) Manchun once again brought victory to the Koreans. Goguryeo joined forces with Baekje against the Silla in 642 CE and conquered Daeya-song (modern Hapchon) and around 40 border fortresses. The Tangs had not given up in the north, though, and more attacks followed which eventually Goguryeo, weakened by the constant necessity for defence and by its own internal divisions, was unable to resist. Pyongyang was besieged in 661 and 667 CE by a Tang army, and this time, the [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) fell and with it the state of Goguryeo. In 668 CE the Goguryeo king Bojang (r. 642-668 CE) was removed to China along with 200,000 of his subjects in a forced resettlement programme. [ ![Gaya Iron Helmet](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/750x750/5743.jpg?v=1767109628) Gaya Iron Helmet Pressapochista (CC BY-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5743/gaya-iron-helmet/ "Gaya Iron Helmet")Baekje was not faring any better than Goguryeo. The kingdom failed to tempt aid from Japan and could not prevent the fall of their capital Sabi when attacked by a joint Tang and Silla force on land and sea in 660 CE. A Silla army of 50,000 led by the general [Kim Yu-sin](https://www.worldhistory.org/Kim_Yu-sin/) and a naval force of 130,000 men sent by the Tang emperor Gaozong proved more than enough to crush the Baekje army. Uija, the last Baekje king, was taken prisoner to China, and the kingdom followed the way of Gaya and Goguryeo. By 668 CE Silla, after dealing with the Tang army left to govern the Chinese provinces which Goguryeo and Baekje had become, was in control of all of Korea, establishing what became known as the Unified Silla Kingdom. ### Government & Social Classes All of the states in this period had a similar system of government and social organisation. A monarch ruled with the aid of senior administrative officials drawn from a landed aristocracy. Government appointed officials administered the provinces with the aid of local tribal leaders. The majority of the population were landed peasantry and the state extracted a tax from them, which was usually payable in kind. The state could also oblige citizens to fight in the army or work on government projects such as building fortifications. At the very bottom of the social ladder were slaves (typically prisoners of [war](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/War/) or those in serious debt) and criminals, who were forced to work on the estates of the aristocracy. Society was rigidly divided into social ranks, epitomised by the Silla sacred [bone rank system](https://www.worldhistory.org/Bone_Rank_System/), which was based on birth and dictated one's work possibilities, tax obligations, and even the clothes one could wear or the utensils one could use. ### Relations with China & Japan Despite the conflicts between China and the various Korean states over the centuries, the two nations were frequent trading partners. Iron, gold, and horses went to China, and [silk](https://www.worldhistory.org/Silk/), tea, and [writing](https://www.worldhistory.org/writing/) materials came in the other direction. There were close cultural ties too, with the Koreans adopting the [Chinese writing](https://www.worldhistory.org/Chinese_Writing/) system, the Chinese kingly title of *wang*, Chinese [coinage](https://www.worldhistory.org/coinage/), [literature](https://www.worldhistory.org/literature/), [burial](https://www.worldhistory.org/burial/) practices, and elements of art. The Korean states, traditionally practitioners of shamanism, adopted first [Confucianism](https://www.worldhistory.org/Confucianism/), then [Taoism](https://www.worldhistory.org/Taoism/) and [Buddhism](https://www.worldhistory.org/buddhism/) from China, making the latter the official state [religion](https://www.worldhistory.org/religion/). [ ![Gilt-bronze Maitreya](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/750x750/5821.jpg?v=1743136688) Gilt-bronze Maitreya Benjamin Shaw (CC BY-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5821/gilt-bronze-maitreya/ "Gilt-bronze Maitreya")Relations with the Wa (Wae) of Japan were particularly strong in the Gaya confederation. The latter was the more advanced [culture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/culture/) and exported large quantities of iron, but just how much one state influenced or even controlled the other is still debated by scholars and clouded by national bias. Baekje culture was exported to Japan, especially via teachers, scholars, and artists, who also spread there Chinese culture such as the classic texts of [Confucius](https://www.worldhistory.org/Confucius/). ### Three Kingdoms Art The art of the Baekje kingdom is generally considered the finest of the Three Kingdoms, but unfortunately for posterity, this kingdom provides the fewest artefacts having suffered the greatest destruction thanks to [warfare](https://www.worldhistory.org/warfare/) and looting. Gaya and Goguryeo have suffered a similar fate, especially as their tombs had easily accessible entrances. The more enclosed tombs of Silla have been a better source of art objects from the Three Kingdoms period. High-fired grey stoneware was produced by the Baekje, Gaya, and Silla kingdoms (little Goguryeo [pottery](https://www.worldhistory.org/pottery/) survives). Typical forms are the stemmed cup, bowls with wide stands (*kobae*), horned cups, tall bulbous vases, and figure-vessels representing animals, boats, temples, and warriors. Ceramics were decorated with incisions, applied additional clay pieces, and by cutting away the clay to create a latticework effect. [Tomb](https://www.worldhistory.org/tomb/)-painting is best seen in the [tombs of Goguryeo](https://www.worldhistory.org/article/966/the-tombs-of-goguryeo/). Over 80 of them have chambers decorated with brightly painted scenes of everyday life, portraits of the occupants, and mythical creatures. The paintings were made by applying the paint either directly onto the stone wall or onto a lime plaster base. [ ![Silla Horse Painting](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/500x600/5803.jpg?v=1618583418) Silla Horse Painting Unknown (Public Domain) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5803/silla-horse-painting/ "Silla Horse Painting")Gilt-[bronze](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/bronze/) work was a typical medium of the region, perhaps best seen in the Baekje incense burner from near Sabi which represents a celestial mountain supported by a dragon and topped by a phoenix. [Buddhist](https://www.worldhistory.org/buddhism/) art was popular throughout the peninsula, and gilt-bronze was used to produce expressive statuettes of [Buddha](https://www.worldhistory.org/Siddhartha_Gautama/), Maitreya (the coming Buddha), and bodhisattvas. Baekje artists also sculpted cliff faces to represent the Buddha such as at Seosan. Another use of gilt-bronze was in royal crowns, which were also made in sheet-gold, most famously by the Silla kingdom. These have trees and stag-like branches, which represent a link with shamanism. Gold crowns and jewellery of all kinds were made using goldwork techniques such as wiring and granulation. Jade, often carved into crescent moon shapes, was a popular form of embellishment for these glittering adornments. ### Three Kingdoms [Architecture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/architecture/) Unfortunately, there are few surviving buildings from the Three Kingdoms period. However, [archaeology](https://www.worldhistory.org/Archaeology/) and surviving tombs and their wall-paintings have permitted historians to identify the principal characteristics of [palace](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/palace/) and [temple](https://www.worldhistory.org/temple/) architecture throughout our period. These characteristics include tiled roofs which slope out and upwards at the corners, wooden and stone columns, interior paper-wall partitions, inner courtyards and gardens, and the whole placed on a raised platform. Harmoniously blending the structure into the immediate natural environment was another important consideration for Korean architects. The 7th-century CE Miruk temple at Iksan (now lost) is worth special mention. Built by the Baekje king Mu, it was the largest Buddhist temple in East Asia and had two stone pagodas and one in wood. One stone pagoda survives, albeit with only six of its original 7-9 storeys. There are remains of Goguryeo fortification walls which had gates and towers from Tonggou, Fushun, and Pyongyang. Excavations have revealed that the latter also had very large buildings measuring up to 80 x 30 m and palaces with gardens which had artificial hills and lakes. Buildings were decorated with impressed roof tiles carrying lotus flower and demon mask designs. [ ![Tomb of Gwanggaeto the Great](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/750x750/5761.jpg?v=1637410502) Tomb of Gwanggaeto the Great Bart0278 (CC BY-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5761/tomb-of-gwanggaeto-the-great/ "Tomb of Gwanggaeto the Great")An unusual structure is the mid-7th century CE [Cheomseongdae](https://www.worldhistory.org/Cheomseongdae/) observatory at the Silla capital of Gyeongju. Nine metres tall, it acted like a sundial but also has a south-facing window which captures the sun's rays on the interior floor on each equinox. It is the oldest surviving observatory in East Asia. Tombs abound, with more than 10,000 from Goguryeo alone. These first took the form of cairns built using stone river cobbles (Goguryeo) or pits set into natural mounds (Gaya and Silla), then cut-block [pyramids](https://www.worldhistory.org/pyramid/), and finally earth mounds within which were built stone chambers (or brick in the case of Baekje), which all had a horizontal entrance except those of the Silla which had no entrance. The tombs show various architectural features like corbelled roofing, octagonal pillars, and pivoted stone doors. One of the largest such mound tombs, actually composed of two mounds and containing a Silla king and queen, is the Great Tomb of Hwangnam. Dating to the 5-7th century CE, it measures 80 x 120 m, and its mounds are 22 and 23 m high. Another famous example is at Gungnae (modern Tonggou) and thought to be that of the Goguryeo king [Gwanggaeto the Great](https://www.worldhistory.org/Gwanggaeto_the_Great/) (r. 391–412 CE). 75 metres long and using blocks measuring 3 x 5 metres, it also has four smaller [dolmen](https://www.worldhistory.org/dolmen/)-like structures at each corner. Finally, the tomb of Baekje king Muryeong-Wang is worth a mention as within its huge earth mound there is a semicircular vault lined with hundreds of moulded bricks, many decorated with lotus flower and geometric designs. The structure, located near Gongju, dates to 525 CE, as indicated by an inscription plaque within the tomb. This content was made possible with generous support from the [British Korean Society](http://www.britishkoreansociety.org.uk/?utm_source=ancient.eu&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=ancient.eu). #### Editorial Review This human-authored definition has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/). ## Bibliography - [Jackson, B. *Korean Architecture.* Seoul Selection USA, Inc., 2013.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/8997639234/) - [Jinwung Kim. *A History of Korea"Land of the Morning Calm" to States in Conflict.* Indiana University Press, 2012.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0253000246/) - [Keith Pratt. *Korea: A Cultural & Historical Dictionary.* Routledge, 1999.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0700704639/) - [Ki-baik Lee. *A New History of Korea.* Harvard University Asia Center, 1984.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/067461576X/) - Kim, C. *The Arts of Korea.* Thames & Hudson, 1966 - [Kyung Hwang. *A History of Korea.* Palgrave Macmillan, 2010.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0230205461/) - [Portal, J. *Korea: Art & Archaeology.* Thames & Hudson, 2000.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0500282021/) ## About the Author Mark is WHE’s Publishing Director and has an MA in Political Philosophy (University of York). He is a full-time researcher, writer, historian and editor. Special interests include art, architecture and discovering the ideas that all civilizations share. ## Timeline - **57 BCE - 4 CE**: Reign of traditional founder of [Korea](https://www.worldhistory.org/Korea/)'s [Silla](https://www.worldhistory.org/Silla/) kingdom Hyeokgeose. - **57 BCE - 668 CE**: [Three Kingdoms Period in Korea](https://www.worldhistory.org/Three_Kingdoms_Period_in_Korea/) ([Silla](https://www.worldhistory.org/Silla/), [Goguryeo](https://www.worldhistory.org/Goguryeo/), and [Baekje](https://www.worldhistory.org/Baekje/)). - **57 BCE - 918 CE**: The [Silla](https://www.worldhistory.org/Silla/) Kingdom rules in [Korea](https://www.worldhistory.org/Korea/), first as one of the Three Kingdoms and then alone from 668 CE. - **37 BCE**: Traditional founding date of the [Goguryeo](https://www.worldhistory.org/Goguryeo/) Kindom in northern [Korea](https://www.worldhistory.org/Korea/). - **37 BCE - 668 CE**: The [Goguryeo](https://www.worldhistory.org/Goguryeo/) kingdom rules in northern [Korea](https://www.worldhistory.org/Korea/). - **18 BCE**: Traditional founding date of the [Baekje](https://www.worldhistory.org/Baekje/) kingdom in [Korea](https://www.worldhistory.org/Korea/). - **18 BCE - 660 CE**: The [Baekje](https://www.worldhistory.org/Baekje/) Kingdom rules in western [Korea](https://www.worldhistory.org/Korea/). - **3 CE**: The [Goguryeo](https://www.worldhistory.org/Goguryeo/) capital is established at Gungnae. - **42 CE - 532 CE**: The [Gaya](https://www.worldhistory.org/Gaya/) ([Kaya](https://www.worldhistory.org/Gaya/)) Confederation rules in central [Korea](https://www.worldhistory.org/Korea/). - **53 CE - 146 CE**: Reign of [Goguryeo](https://www.worldhistory.org/Goguryeo/) king Taejo in northern [Korea](https://www.worldhistory.org/Korea/). - **179 CE - 196 CE**: Reign of [Goguryeo](https://www.worldhistory.org/Goguryeo/) king Gogukcheon in northern [Korea](https://www.worldhistory.org/Korea/). - **234 CE - 286 CE**: Reign of [Baekje](https://www.worldhistory.org/Baekje/) king Goi in western [Korea](https://www.worldhistory.org/Korea/). - **313 CE**: The [Goguryeo](https://www.worldhistory.org/Goguryeo/) kingdom conquers the last Chinese commandery at Lelang. - **314 CE**: [Baekje](https://www.worldhistory.org/Baekje/) conquers the Taebang commando in [Korea](https://www.worldhistory.org/Korea/). - **331 CE - 371 CE**: Reign of [Goguryeo](https://www.worldhistory.org/Goguryeo/) king Gogugwon in northern [Korea](https://www.worldhistory.org/Korea/). - **342 CE**: Murong Huang invades [Korea](https://www.worldhistory.org/Korea/) from [China](https://www.worldhistory.org/china/) and sacks the [Goguryeo](https://www.worldhistory.org/Goguryeo/) capital of Gungnae, taking 50,000 inhabitants prisoner. - **346 CE - 375 CE**: Reign of the [Baekje](https://www.worldhistory.org/Baekje/) king Guenchogo in western [Korea](https://www.worldhistory.org/Korea/). - **371 CE**: [Baekje](https://www.worldhistory.org/Baekje/) conquers the Mahan federation and attacks [Pyongyang](https://www.worldhistory.org/Pyongyang/), killing the [Goguryeo](https://www.worldhistory.org/Goguryeo/) king Gogugwon. - **372 CE**: A Confucian Academy is established in the [Goguryeo](https://www.worldhistory.org/Goguryeo/) kingdom of northern [Korea](https://www.worldhistory.org/Korea/) and Buddism is adopted as the state [religion](https://www.worldhistory.org/religion/). - **375 CE**: The Sogi, a history of the [Baekje](https://www.worldhistory.org/Baekje/) Kingdom in [Korea](https://www.worldhistory.org/Korea/), is written. - **375 CE - 384 CE**: Reign of [Baekje](https://www.worldhistory.org/Baekje/) king Geungusu in western [Korea](https://www.worldhistory.org/Korea/). - **384 CE**: [Buddhism](https://www.worldhistory.org/buddhism/) is adopted as the state [religion](https://www.worldhistory.org/religion/) by the [Baekje](https://www.worldhistory.org/Baekje/) kingdom of western [Korea](https://www.worldhistory.org/Korea/). - **384 CE - 385 CE**: Reign of [Baekje](https://www.worldhistory.org/Baekje/) king Chimnyu in western [Korea](https://www.worldhistory.org/Korea/). - **391 CE - 413 CE**: Reign of [Goguryeo](https://www.worldhistory.org/Goguryeo/) king [Gwanggaeto the Great](https://www.worldhistory.org/Gwanggaeto_the_Great/) in northern [Korea](https://www.worldhistory.org/Korea/). - **413 CE - 491 CE**: Reign of [Goguryeo](https://www.worldhistory.org/Goguryeo/) king Jangsu in northern [Korea](https://www.worldhistory.org/Korea/). - **417 CE - 458 CE**: Reign of [Silla](https://www.worldhistory.org/Silla/) king Nulji in south-eastern [Korea](https://www.worldhistory.org/Korea/). - **427 CE**: [Pyongyang](https://www.worldhistory.org/Pyongyang/) replaces Gungnae as the [Goguryeo](https://www.worldhistory.org/Goguryeo/) capital. - **433 CE - 553 CE**: [Baekje](https://www.worldhistory.org/Baekje/) forms an alliance with the [Silla](https://www.worldhistory.org/Silla/) kingdom in [Korea](https://www.worldhistory.org/Korea/). - **458 CE - 500 CE**: Reign of [Silla](https://www.worldhistory.org/Silla/) king Soji in south-eastern [Korea](https://www.worldhistory.org/Korea/). - **475 CE**: [Goguryeo](https://www.worldhistory.org/Goguryeo/) attacks the [Baekje](https://www.worldhistory.org/Baekje/) kingdom, killing the king Gaero and forcing the abandonment of Hansong, his capital. - **475 CE**: A new [Baekje](https://www.worldhistory.org/Baekje/) capital is established at Ungjin (modern Gongju/Kongju). - **479 CE - 501 CE**: Reign of [Baekje](https://www.worldhistory.org/Baekje/) king Dongseong in western [Korea](https://www.worldhistory.org/Korea/). - **500 CE - 514 CE**: Reign of [Silla](https://www.worldhistory.org/Silla/) king Jijeung in south-eastern [Korea](https://www.worldhistory.org/Korea/). - **501 CE - 523 CE**: The [Baekje](https://www.worldhistory.org/Baekje/) king Muryeong reigns in western [Korea](https://www.worldhistory.org/Korea/). - **514 CE - 540 CE**: Reign of [Silla](https://www.worldhistory.org/Silla/) king Beopheung in south-eastern [Korea](https://www.worldhistory.org/Korea/). - **520 CE**: [Silla](https://www.worldhistory.org/Silla/) king Beopheung introduces the [bone rank system](https://www.worldhistory.org/Bone_Rank_System/) (Golpum). - **523 CE - 554 CE**: Reign of [Baekje](https://www.worldhistory.org/Baekje/) king Seong in western Korean. - **525 CE**: The [tomb of King Muryeong](https://www.worldhistory.org/article/963/the-tomb-of-king-muryeong/) of [Baekje](https://www.worldhistory.org/Baekje/) is built near Gongju, [Korea](https://www.worldhistory.org/Korea/). - **532 CE**: [Silla](https://www.worldhistory.org/Silla/) captures and destroys the [Gaya](https://www.worldhistory.org/Gaya/) [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) of Bon-Gaya in southern [Korea](https://www.worldhistory.org/Korea/). - **538 CE**: A new [Baekje](https://www.worldhistory.org/Baekje/) capital is established at Sabi (modern Buyeo/Puyo). - **554 CE**: The [Silla](https://www.worldhistory.org/Silla/) kingdom attacks the [Baekje](https://www.worldhistory.org/Baekje/) kingdom and occupies the lower [Han](https://www.worldhistory.org/Han_Dynasty/) River valley. - **554 CE**: At the [battle](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/battle/) of Gwansan Fortress (modern Okcheon) the [Baekje](https://www.worldhistory.org/Baekje/) army is defeated by the [Silla](https://www.worldhistory.org/Silla/) and King Seong is killed. - **562 CE**: [Silla](https://www.worldhistory.org/Silla/) conquers the [Gaya](https://www.worldhistory.org/Gaya/) [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) of Daegaya in southern [Korea](https://www.worldhistory.org/Korea/). - **600 CE - 641 CE**: The [Baekje](https://www.worldhistory.org/Baekje/) king Mu reigns in western [Korea](https://www.worldhistory.org/Korea/). - **612 CE**: [Goguryeo](https://www.worldhistory.org/Goguryeo/) general Eulji Mundeok wins a great victory against the Chinese [Sui](https://www.worldhistory.org/Sui_Dynasty/) at the [battle](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/battle/) of the Salsu River. - **628 CE**: The [Goguryeo](https://www.worldhistory.org/Goguryeo/) kingdom of northern [Korea](https://www.worldhistory.org/Korea/) builds a 480-km defensive [wall](https://www.worldhistory.org/wall/) as protection against attack from [China](https://www.worldhistory.org/china/). - **632 CE - 647 CE**: Reign of [Silla](https://www.worldhistory.org/Silla/) [queen Seondeok](https://www.worldhistory.org/Queen_Seondeok/) in south-eastern [Korea](https://www.worldhistory.org/Korea/). - **642 CE**: The [Baekje](https://www.worldhistory.org/Baekje/) and [Goguryeo](https://www.worldhistory.org/Goguryeo/) kingdoms join forces against the [Silla](https://www.worldhistory.org/Silla/) and [conquer](https://www.worldhistory.org/warfare/) Taeya-song (modern Hapchon). - **642 CE - 668 CE**: Reign of [Goguryeo](https://www.worldhistory.org/Goguryeo/) king Bojang in northern [Korea](https://www.worldhistory.org/Korea/). - **644 CE**: A [Goguryeo](https://www.worldhistory.org/Goguryeo/) army defeats a combined [Silla](https://www.worldhistory.org/Silla/) and [Tang](https://www.worldhistory.org/Tang_Dynasty/) army. - **647 CE - 654 CE**: Reign of [Silla](https://www.worldhistory.org/Silla/) queen Jindeok in south-eastern [Korea](https://www.worldhistory.org/Korea/). - **660 CE**: The [Baekje](https://www.worldhistory.org/Baekje/) kingdom in [Korea](https://www.worldhistory.org/Korea/) falls to a joint [Silla](https://www.worldhistory.org/Silla/) and Chinese [Tang Dynasty](https://www.worldhistory.org/Tang_Dynasty/) army and naval attack. - **661 CE**: A [Tang Dynasty](https://www.worldhistory.org/Tang_Dynasty/) army unsuccessfully besieges the [Goguryeo](https://www.worldhistory.org/Goguryeo/) capital of [Pyongyang](https://www.worldhistory.org/Pyongyang/). - **663 CE**: A rebel [Baekje](https://www.worldhistory.org/Baekje/) army is finally crushed by the [Silla](https://www.worldhistory.org/Silla/) in [Korea](https://www.worldhistory.org/Korea/), ending the Baekje kingdom. - **667 CE**: A [Tang Dynasty](https://www.worldhistory.org/Tang_Dynasty/) army besieges the [Goguryeo](https://www.worldhistory.org/Goguryeo/) capital of [Pyongyang](https://www.worldhistory.org/Pyongyang/) for a second time, this time successfully. - **668 CE**: The [Goguryeo](https://www.worldhistory.org/Goguryeo/) kingdom of northern [Korea](https://www.worldhistory.org/Korea/) collapses following an attack by the [Tang Dynasty](https://www.worldhistory.org/Tang_Dynasty/) of [China](https://www.worldhistory.org/china/). - **675 CE**: A [Silla](https://www.worldhistory.org/Silla/) army defeats a [Tang](https://www.worldhistory.org/Tang_Dynasty/) force at the battles of Maesosong. - **676 CE**: A [Silla](https://www.worldhistory.org/Silla/) army defeats a [Tang](https://www.worldhistory.org/Tang_Dynasty/) force at the [battle](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/battle/) of Kibolpo, thus gaining control of the whole Korean peninsula. ## External Links - [List of Rulers of Korea | Lists of Rulers | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History | The Metropolitan Museum of Art](https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/koru/hd_koru.htm) ## Cite This Work ### APA Cartwright, M. (2016, October 05). Three Kingdoms Period in Korea. *World History Encyclopedia*. [https://www.worldhistory.org/Three\_Kingdoms\_Period\_in\_Korea/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Three_Kingdoms_Period_in_Korea/) ### Chicago Cartwright, Mark. "Three Kingdoms Period in Korea." *World History Encyclopedia*, October 05, 2016. [https://www.worldhistory.org/Three\_Kingdoms\_Period\_in\_Korea/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Three_Kingdoms_Period_in_Korea/). ### MLA Cartwright, Mark. "Three Kingdoms Period in Korea." *World History Encyclopedia*, 05 Oct 2016, [https://www.worldhistory.org/Three\_Kingdoms\_Period\_in\_Korea/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Three_Kingdoms_Period_in_Korea/). ## License & Copyright Submitted by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/ "User Page: Mark Cartwright"), published on 05 October 2016. 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