Koguryo

Koguryo

Largest of the three kingdoms into which ancient Korea was divided until 668. Tradition sets its founding at 37 BC, but modern historians believe the tribal state was formed in the 2nd century BC. Eventually the northern half of the Korean peninsula, the Liaodong Peninsula, and much of Manchuria were under Koguryo's rule. Buddhism, Confucianism, and Daoism all influenced the kingdom, which fell to the allied forces of China's Tang dynasty and the southern Korean kingdom of Silla in 668. Numerous surviving tomb paintings give a good picture of the life, ideology, and character of Koguryo's forceful, horse-riding northern people. See also Parhae.

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Koguryo 

a Korean tribe; later, the name of one of three early feudal states (Koguryo, Paekche, and Silla).

By the first century A.D., the Koguryo (or Guryo) tribe occupied the territory along the middle course of the Amnok (Yalu) River. The first detailed description of the tribe was given in a Chinese dynastic history (San kuo chih, third century A.D.). During the period of the decay of primitive communal relations and the emergence of classes, iron implements were widespread among the Koguryo. Feudal relations based on royal ownership of the land gradually developed. The Koguryo capital was located in the city of Hwangdo (modern Chi-an, in northeastern China); at the beginning of the fifth century, it was moved to Pyongyang. Koguryo attained its greatest power at the end of the fourth century. In 612, Koguryo repelled an assault by the Sui dynasty. In 668, Koguryo was defeated by the T’ang dynasty, which mounted an attack together with Silla. The T’ang dynasty seized the lands north of the Taedong River, while the southern territory was taken over by Silla.

Archaeological remains and examples of the fine arts bear witness to the highly developed and unique culture of the Koguryo.

REFERENCES

Dzharylgasinova, R. Sh. Drevnie kogurestsy. Moscow, 1972.
Istoriia Korei, vol. 1. Moscow, 1960. (Translated from Korean.)