Pyongyang (aka Pyeongyang) was the capital of several successive ancient Korean kingdoms. Located on the Daedong River in the north of the peninsula, the site was chosen by the legendary Dangun (Tangun), founder of the first Korean state Gojoseon, to be his capital city on earth. Pyongyang remained an important city throughout the following centuries and served as the capital of Wiman Joseon and the Goguryeo (Koguryo) kingdoms, and was the western capital of the Goryeo (Koryo) kingdom. The modern city, located on the same site, is today the capital of North Korea.
More about: Ancient PyongyangDefinition
Timeline
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2333 BCETraditional founding of Gojoseon by Dangun Wanggeom (Tangun).
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c. 300 BCEGojoseon is attacked by the Yan state.
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194 BCE - 180 BCEWiman Joseon (Wiman Choson) takes control of Gojoseon, declaring himself king.
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108 BCEWiman Joseon is conquered by the Han dynasty.
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37 BCETraditional founding date of the Goguryeo Kindom in northern Korea.
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37 BCE - 668 CEThe Goguryeo kingdom rules in northern Korea.
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371 CEBaekje conquers the Mahan federation and attacks Pyongyang, killing the Goguryeo king Gogugwon.
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427 CEPyongyang replaces Gungnae as the Goguryeo capital.
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612 CEGoguryeo general Eulji Mundeok wins a great victory against the Chinese Sui at the battle of the Salsu River.
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661 CEA Tang Dynasty army unsuccessfully besieges the Goguryeo capital of Pyongyang.
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667 CEA Tang Dynasty army besieges the Goguryeo capital of Pyongyang for a second time, this time successfully.
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668 CEThe Goguryeo kingdom of northern Korea collapses following an attack by the Tang Dynasty of China.
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918 CE - 1392 CEThe Goryeo Dynasty rules in Korea.
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1135 CEA rebellion led by the monk Myocheong is quashed in Goryeo.
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1231 CE - 1232 CEOgedei Khan leads a Mongol invasion into Korea.
