Baekje

Baekje (written with characters used for their sounds and not their meanings) was a kingdom that existed in southwestern Korea from 18 BCE to 660 CE. In Korea, together with Goguryeo and Silla, it is known as one of the Three Kingdoms. It was destroyed by an alliance of Silla and the Tang Empire in 660 CE.

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Hanseong period (18 BCE–475 CE)

Baekje, as a kingdom, does not appear until 345 CE in Chinese records, although this may be explained by the presence of the expansive and antagonistic Goguryeo kingdom located between the two. However, according to the San Guo Zhi, one of the Mahan chiefdoms in the Han River basin was called Baekje (??) much earlier. The early history of Baekje is thus attested only through Korean chronicles compiled much later, in the Goryeo dynasty.

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There are two different accounts of the founding of Baekje. According to the Samguk Sagi, Baekje was founded in 18 BCE by King Onjo, who led a group of people from Buyeo in Manchuria to the Han River region of Korea. However, according to Samguk Yusa, King Onjo was the son of Jumong (King Dongmyeongseong), the founder of Goguryeo. Jumong escaped from Buyeo, where he was facing persecution, to the Jolbon area, where he married the daughter of a local leader and founded the kingdom of Goguryeo. After discovering his true origins, Yuri, Jumong's son from his original marriage in Buyeo, arrived at the palace of Goguryeo and became the crown prince. The sons of Jumong from his new marriage, (Onjo and Biryu) became aware that they would not be welcome in Goguryeo when Yuri succeeded Jumong. The two brothers, therefore, decided to leave Goguryeo and head south with their followers.

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On the advice of their followers, Onjo built a town in Wiryeseong (current-day Seoul, South Korea), and called his country Sipje (meaning "Ten Vassals"); but Biryu chose to live by the sea, building a town in Michuhol (current-day Incheon, South Korea). But the salty water and marshes in Michuhol made life unbearable for many, while the people of Wiryeseong lived prosperously. In shame for ignoring the advice, Biryu killed himself. The people of Michuhol then moved to Wiryeseong, whereupon King Onjo accepted them happily and renamed the country Baekje.

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Throughout this early period of Baekje, the capital was frequently moved from one place to another for strategic reasons. King Onjo moved the capital from the south to the north of the river, and then south again, under the pressure of attacks from other Mahan states. The northern and southern locations came to be known as Habuk (north-of-the-river) Wiryeseong and Hanam (south-of-the-river) Wiryeseong. King Gaeru is believed to have moved the capital to the Bukhan Mountain Fortress in 132 CE.

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During the reign of King Goi (234 CE – 286 CE), the state systems of the kingdom were consolidated. King Geunchogo (346 CE – 375 CE) expanded its territory to the north through war against Goguryeo, whilst annexing the Mahan societies in the south. During this period, Chinese culture and technology were actively adopted.

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At this time also, Baekje reached its greatest geographic extent. During King Geunchogo's reign, the territories of Baekje included most of current-day western Korea (except the two Pyeongan provinces). Baekje also became a sea power and continued mutual goodwill relationships with the Japanese rulers of the Yamato period. For more information, see Relations with Japan.

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Ungjin period (475–538)

In the 5th century, Baekje retreated under the southward military threat of Goguryeo, and in 475 CE, the capital, Hanseong (present day Seoul), was overrun by the invading troops of Goguryeo. After this invasion, the capital of Baekje was moved to Ungjin (present-day Gongju), and Najedongmaeng, a military solidarity treaty, was made with Silla against Goguryeo.

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Sabi period (538–660)

In 538 CE, King Seong moved his capital to Sabi (in modern-day Buyeo County), and rebuilt his kingdom into a strong state. From this time, the official name of the country was Nambuyeo (meaning South Buyeo), a reference to the country of Buyeo from which Baekje is supposed to have originated. The Sabi Period witnessed the flowering of Baekje culture, alongside the development of Buddhism, which Baekje transmitted to Japan.

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In the 7th century, with the growing influence of Silla in the southern and central Korean peninsula, Baekje began to lose influence, in spite of military aid from Japan. Finally, in 660 CE, the coalition troops of Silla and Tang of China launched an attack on Baekje. The capital Sabi eventually fell to Silla and Tang, resulting in the annexation of Baekje by Silla. King Uija and his son were sent into exile in China while some of the royals probably fled to Japan, where Baekje nobility had long since established cordial ties with the local elite.

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Korea: — For other places called Korea, see: Korea (disambiguation)...

18 BCE: REDIRECT18 BC...

660: Events...