Later Three Kingdoms
Encyclopedia
The Later Three Kingdoms of Korea (892–936) consisted of Silla
, Hubaekje
("Later Baekje
"), and Hugoguryeo
("Later Goguryeo
"). The latter two were viewed as heirs to the earlier Three Kingdoms of Korea
, which had been united by Silla, even though Hugoguryeo has little to do with Goguryeo. This period arose out of national unrest during the reign of Queen Jinseong of Silla
, and usually refers to the era between the founding of Hubaekje
by Gyeon Hwon
to the time Goryeo
unified the peninsula.
was shook by problems arising from its reliance on the "bone rank system
", a rigid class system under which only those from an aristocratic background could be appointed in high office. The system was being abused as means for the ruling royal family to dominate politically and this caused much unrest in the latter days of Silla. The local gentry called hojok (hangul:호족, hanja: 豪族), i.e. mid-level nobility or village chiefs, strengthened their power during this chaotic period by assembling armies of their own and independently centralizing their forces. Dissention deepened within the nobility after the death of King Hyegong as contention over royal succession intensified and power struggles were constant among the hojok. Not only was the political atmosphere in shambles, the financial state of Silla was dire. Taxation was difficult without the nobles' cooperation. As a result, the tax burden fell heavily on the peasants and farmers, who consequently revolted in 889, the third year of Queen Jinseong
's reign. Numerous revolts and uprisings occurred during the following 100 years, breaking Silla down.
, a former general of Silla, led rebel troops to seize the provincial capital of Mujinju
(hangul:무진주, hanja:武珍州) in 892. He then conquered the southwest regions and in 900, Gyeon Hwon declared himself king of Hubaekje
("later Baekje"), a country to revive Baekje
's glory. He established his capital at Wansanju (hangul:완산주, hanja:完山州), today's Jeonju
, and continued to expand the kingdom.
Gung Ye
from Silla is believed to come from a royal or noble background. He was a Buddhist monk but soon joined in the political uprisings, and became leader of many troops. He conquered much land and set up base in Myeongju (hangul:명주, hanja:溟州), today's Gangneung
in 895 with the support of many regional leaders, including general Wanggeon
. In 901, Gung Ye founded Hugoguryeo
but changed the name to Majin
in 904, and moved the capital to Cheorwon. He changed the name to Taebong
in 911.
and the general Wanggeon
. As time passed however, Gung Ye started to call himself the Maitreya Buddha and resort to despotism, causing him to be overthrown by Wanggeon in 918. Wanggeon established a new dynasty called Goryeo
and moved the capital to Songak (hangul:송악, hanja:松嶽) the following year, creating the new troika of Goryeo, Baekje and Silla.
The three kingdoms were in a constant power struggle, although by this time Silla had weakened to a despondent state and did not pose a big threat to the other two nations. Hubaekje led with an offensive approach but Wanggeon of Goryeo placed more importance on diplomatic ties, which endeared themselves to Silla. The conflict between Hubaekje and Goryeo was constant near the Silla territory, as both countries wanted to wield their power over the region. Hubaekje led by attacking Gyeongju
, the capital of Silla, in 927 and crushing the Goryeo army. Goryeo retaliated by winning the battle at Gochang in 930 and reclaiming the territory of Woongjin
in 934.
In 935, King Gyeongsun
of a very weakened Silla surrenders to Goryeo. During this time, inner power struggles within Hubaekje weaken the country already fatigued from warfare. Gyeon Hwon names his youngest son Geumgang as heir, but his other sons (by a previous wife) join forces and rebel, placing Gyeon Hwon's eldest son Singeom
on the throne and confining Gyeon Hwon to Geumsan Temple
. Gyeon Hwon later escapes to Goryeo and joins forces with Wanggeon's army to attack his own founded country. Hubaekje falls to Goryeo in 936 and the peninsula is reunified.
Silla
Silla was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, and one of the longest sustained dynasties in...
, Hubaekje
Hubaekje
Hubaekje, or Later Baekje, was one of the Later Three Kingdoms of Korea, along with Hugoguryeo and Silla. It was officially founded by the disaffected Silla general Gyeon Hwon in 900, and fell to Wanggeon's Goryeo army in 936. Its capital was at Jeonju, in present-day North Jeolla province...
("Later Baekje
Baekje
Baekje or Paekche was a kingdom located in southwest Korea. It was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, together with Goguryeo and Silla....
"), and Hugoguryeo
Taebong
Taebong or Later Goguryeo was a state established by Gung Ye on the Korean peninsula in 901, during the Later Three Kingdoms period.-History:...
("Later Goguryeo
Goguryeo
Goguryeo or Koguryŏ was an ancient Korean kingdom located in present day northern and central parts of the Korean Peninsula, southern Manchuria, and southern Russian Maritime province....
"). The latter two were viewed as heirs to the earlier Three Kingdoms of Korea
Three Kingdoms of Korea
The Three Kingdoms of Korea refer to the ancient Korean kingdoms of Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla, which dominated the Korean peninsula and parts of Manchuria for much of the 1st millennium...
, which had been united by Silla, even though Hugoguryeo has little to do with Goguryeo. This period arose out of national unrest during the reign of Queen Jinseong of Silla
Jinseong of Silla
Queen Jinseong of Silla was the fifty-first to ruler of the Korean kingdom, Silla. She was also Silla's third and final reigning queen . Her reign saw the end of Unified Silla and the beginning of the Later Three Kingdoms period.Jinseong was the daughter of King Gyeongmun...
, and usually refers to the era between the founding of Hubaekje
Hubaekje
Hubaekje, or Later Baekje, was one of the Later Three Kingdoms of Korea, along with Hugoguryeo and Silla. It was officially founded by the disaffected Silla general Gyeon Hwon in 900, and fell to Wanggeon's Goryeo army in 936. Its capital was at Jeonju, in present-day North Jeolla province...
by Gyeon Hwon
Gyeon Hwon
Gyeon Hwon was the king and founder of Hubaekje, one of the Later Three Kingdoms of Korea. Some records render his name as "Jin Hwon" . He was also the progenitor of the Hwanggan Gyeon clan...
to the time Goryeo
Goryeo
The Goryeo Dynasty or Koryŏ was a Korean dynasty established in 918 by Emperor Taejo. Korea gets its name from this kingdom which came to be pronounced Korea. It united the Later Three Kingdoms in 936 and ruled most of the Korean peninsula until it was removed by the Joseon dynasty in 1392...
unified the peninsula.
Background
In the 9th and 10th century, SillaSilla
Silla was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, and one of the longest sustained dynasties in...
was shook by problems arising from its reliance on the "bone rank system
Bone rank system
The bone rank system was the system of aristocratic rank used in the ancient Korean kingdom of Silla. It was used to segregate society, and particularly the layers of the aristocracy, on the basis of their hereditary proximity to the throne and the level of authority they were permitted to wield...
", a rigid class system under which only those from an aristocratic background could be appointed in high office. The system was being abused as means for the ruling royal family to dominate politically and this caused much unrest in the latter days of Silla. The local gentry called hojok (hangul:호족, hanja: 豪族), i.e. mid-level nobility or village chiefs, strengthened their power during this chaotic period by assembling armies of their own and independently centralizing their forces. Dissention deepened within the nobility after the death of King Hyegong as contention over royal succession intensified and power struggles were constant among the hojok. Not only was the political atmosphere in shambles, the financial state of Silla was dire. Taxation was difficult without the nobles' cooperation. As a result, the tax burden fell heavily on the peasants and farmers, who consequently revolted in 889, the third year of Queen Jinseong
Jinseong of Silla
Queen Jinseong of Silla was the fifty-first to ruler of the Korean kingdom, Silla. She was also Silla's third and final reigning queen . Her reign saw the end of Unified Silla and the beginning of the Later Three Kingdoms period.Jinseong was the daughter of King Gyeongmun...
's reign. Numerous revolts and uprisings occurred during the following 100 years, breaking Silla down.
Hubaekje and Hugoguryeo
As Silla started to crumble, Gyeon HwonGyeon Hwon
Gyeon Hwon was the king and founder of Hubaekje, one of the Later Three Kingdoms of Korea. Some records render his name as "Jin Hwon" . He was also the progenitor of the Hwanggan Gyeon clan...
, a former general of Silla, led rebel troops to seize the provincial capital of Mujinju
Gwangju
Gwangju is the sixth largest city in South Korea. It is a designated metropolitan city under the direct control of the central government's Home Minister...
(hangul:무진주, hanja:武珍州) in 892. He then conquered the southwest regions and in 900, Gyeon Hwon declared himself king of Hubaekje
Hubaekje
Hubaekje, or Later Baekje, was one of the Later Three Kingdoms of Korea, along with Hugoguryeo and Silla. It was officially founded by the disaffected Silla general Gyeon Hwon in 900, and fell to Wanggeon's Goryeo army in 936. Its capital was at Jeonju, in present-day North Jeolla province...
("later Baekje"), a country to revive Baekje
Baekje
Baekje or Paekche was a kingdom located in southwest Korea. It was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, together with Goguryeo and Silla....
's glory. He established his capital at Wansanju (hangul:완산주, hanja:完山州), today's Jeonju
Jeonju
Jeonju is a city in South Korea, and the capital of Jeollabuk-do, or North Jeolla Province. It is an important tourist center famous for Korean food, historic buildings, sports activities and innovative festivals.- History :...
, and continued to expand the kingdom.
Gung Ye
Gung Ye
Gung Ye was the king of the short-lived Hugoguryeo on the Korean peninsula. Although he was a member of the Silla royal family, he became a victim of the power struggle among the royal family members during the late 9th century...
from Silla is believed to come from a royal or noble background. He was a Buddhist monk but soon joined in the political uprisings, and became leader of many troops. He conquered much land and set up base in Myeongju (hangul:명주, hanja:溟州), today's Gangneung
Gangneung
Gangneung is a city in Gangwon-do, on the east coast of South Korea. It has a population of 229,869 . Gangneung is the economic centre of the Yeongdong region of eastern Gangwon Province. Gangneung has many tourist attractions, like Jeongdongjin, one of the most famous towns in Korea...
in 895 with the support of many regional leaders, including general Wanggeon
Taejo of Goryeo
Taejo of Goryeo was the founder of the Goryeo Dynasty, which ruled Korea from the 10th to the 14th century. Taejo ruled from 918 to 943.-Background:...
. In 901, Gung Ye founded Hugoguryeo
Taebong
Taebong or Later Goguryeo was a state established by Gung Ye on the Korean peninsula in 901, during the Later Three Kingdoms period.-History:...
but changed the name to Majin
Taebong
Taebong or Later Goguryeo was a state established by Gung Ye on the Korean peninsula in 901, during the Later Three Kingdoms period.-History:...
in 904, and moved the capital to Cheorwon. He changed the name to Taebong
Taebong
Taebong or Later Goguryeo was a state established by Gung Ye on the Korean peninsula in 901, during the Later Three Kingdoms period.-History:...
in 911.
Unification of the later three kingdoms
Although Hubaekje started out as the frontrunner in national strength thanks to its fertile plains and diplomatic ties with China, Hugoguryeo soon became the largest force in the new three kingdom era as it quickly expanded its territory to almost three quarters of the peninsula under Gung YeGung Ye
Gung Ye was the king of the short-lived Hugoguryeo on the Korean peninsula. Although he was a member of the Silla royal family, he became a victim of the power struggle among the royal family members during the late 9th century...
and the general Wanggeon
Taejo of Goryeo
Taejo of Goryeo was the founder of the Goryeo Dynasty, which ruled Korea from the 10th to the 14th century. Taejo ruled from 918 to 943.-Background:...
. As time passed however, Gung Ye started to call himself the Maitreya Buddha and resort to despotism, causing him to be overthrown by Wanggeon in 918. Wanggeon established a new dynasty called Goryeo
Goryeo
The Goryeo Dynasty or Koryŏ was a Korean dynasty established in 918 by Emperor Taejo. Korea gets its name from this kingdom which came to be pronounced Korea. It united the Later Three Kingdoms in 936 and ruled most of the Korean peninsula until it was removed by the Joseon dynasty in 1392...
and moved the capital to Songak (hangul:송악, hanja:松嶽) the following year, creating the new troika of Goryeo, Baekje and Silla.
The three kingdoms were in a constant power struggle, although by this time Silla had weakened to a despondent state and did not pose a big threat to the other two nations. Hubaekje led with an offensive approach but Wanggeon of Goryeo placed more importance on diplomatic ties, which endeared themselves to Silla. The conflict between Hubaekje and Goryeo was constant near the Silla territory, as both countries wanted to wield their power over the region. Hubaekje led by attacking Gyeongju
Gyeongju
Gyeongju is a coastal city in the far southeastern corner of North Gyeongsang province in South Korea. It is the second largest city by area in the province after Andong, covering with a population of 269,343 people according to the 2008 census. Gyeongju is southeast of Seoul, and east of the...
, the capital of Silla, in 927 and crushing the Goryeo army. Goryeo retaliated by winning the battle at Gochang in 930 and reclaiming the territory of Woongjin
Gongju
Gongju , also spelt Kongju, is a city in South Chungcheong province, South Korea. It is located at .- History :Gongju was formerly named Ungjin and was the capital of Baekje from AD 475 to 538. In this period, Baekje was under threat from Goguryeo...
in 934.
In 935, King Gyeongsun
Gyeongsun of Silla
Gyeongsun of Silla was the 56th and final ruler of the Korean kingdom of Silla. A sixth-generation descendant of King Munseong, he was the son of Hyojong by Princess Gyea, who was the daughter of King Heongang...
of a very weakened Silla surrenders to Goryeo. During this time, inner power struggles within Hubaekje weaken the country already fatigued from warfare. Gyeon Hwon names his youngest son Geumgang as heir, but his other sons (by a previous wife) join forces and rebel, placing Gyeon Hwon's eldest son Singeom
Singeom
Singeom was the second and final king of Hubaekje, one of the Later Three Kingdoms of Korea. He came to the throne after conspiring with his two brothers, Yanggeom and Yonggeom, to overthrow their father Gyeon Hwon and kill the anointed heir, their younger half-brother Geumgang.The brothers...
on the throne and confining Gyeon Hwon to Geumsan Temple
Geumsansa
Geumsansa is a head temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. It stands on the slopes of Moaksan in Gimje City, Jeollabuk-do, South Korea.-History:...
. Gyeon Hwon later escapes to Goryeo and joins forces with Wanggeon's army to attack his own founded country. Hubaekje falls to Goryeo in 936 and the peninsula is reunified.
See also
- List of Korea-related topics
- SillaSillaSilla was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, and one of the longest sustained dynasties in...
- BaekjeBaekjeBaekje or Paekche was a kingdom located in southwest Korea. It was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, together with Goguryeo and Silla....
- TaebongTaebongTaebong or Later Goguryeo was a state established by Gung Ye on the Korean peninsula in 901, during the Later Three Kingdoms period.-History:...
- HubaekjeHubaekjeHubaekje, or Later Baekje, was one of the Later Three Kingdoms of Korea, along with Hugoguryeo and Silla. It was officially founded by the disaffected Silla general Gyeon Hwon in 900, and fell to Wanggeon's Goryeo army in 936. Its capital was at Jeonju, in present-day North Jeolla province...
- Gyeon HwonGyeon HwonGyeon Hwon was the king and founder of Hubaekje, one of the Later Three Kingdoms of Korea. Some records render his name as "Jin Hwon" . He was also the progenitor of the Hwanggan Gyeon clan...
/ Gung YeGung YeGung Ye was the king of the short-lived Hugoguryeo on the Korean peninsula. Although he was a member of the Silla royal family, he became a victim of the power struggle among the royal family members during the late 9th century...
/ WanggeonTaejo of GoryeoTaejo of Goryeo was the founder of the Goryeo Dynasty, which ruled Korea from the 10th to the 14th century. Taejo ruled from 918 to 943.-Background:...