Jinhan

Jinhan was one of the three tribal confederations which dominated southern Korea during the Samhan period, around the beginning of the Common Era. According to the contemporary Chinese chronicle San Guo Zhi, Jinhan consisted of 12 small countries. Many modern-day scholars regard Jinhan as an alliance of "walled-town states."

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Jinhan, like the other Samhan confederacies, arose out of the confusion following the fall of Wiman Joseon and establishment of the Chinese commanderies in the northern part of the Korean peninsula. Its relation to the earlier state of Jin is not clear, although the San Guo Zhi alleges that Jinhan was identical with Jin.

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According to Korean records, the Silla Kingdom, also known as Saro or Seorabeol (around present-day Gyeongju), was founded by Bak Hyeokgeose in 57 BC, who united the leading clans of Jinhan under his rule. The records are sparse and conflicting regarding the relationship of the names Jinhan, Saro, Seorabeol, and the later Silla kingdom.

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We know little of the daily life of Jinhan people. The religion appears to have been shamanistic, and to have played an important role in politics as well. Agriculture was heavily dominated by rice, but also included substantial rearing of livestock including horses, cattle, and chickens.

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Tribal: Tribal refers to a culture or society based on tribes or clans. Tribalist as an attitude emphasizes ethnic identity or pride in a cultural sense, as opposed to folkish ideologies focused on race....

Confederation: A confederation is an association of sovereign states, usually created by treaty but often later adopting a common constitution. Confederations tend to be established for dealing with critical issues, such as defense, foreign affairs, foreign trade, and a common currency, with the central governmen...

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