Jump to content

Gojoseon

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Bbad5446 (talk | contribs) at 01:49, 12 June 2015. The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Gojoseon
고조선 (古朝鮮)
2333 BC (?)–108 BC
Gojoseon at its decline in 108 BC
Gojoseon at its decline in 108 BC
CapitalWanggeom
Common languagesProto-Korean
Religion
Korean shamanism
GovernmentMonarchy
King 
• 2333 BC - ?
Dangun Wanggeom
• ? - 194 BC
King Jun
• 194 BC - ?
Wi Man
• ? - 108 BC
King Ugeo
Historical eraAncient, legendary
• legendarily established
2333 BC (?)
• Gojoseon-Han War
109 BC
• Fall of Wanggeom
108 BC
Area
500 BCE133,924 km2 (51,708 sq mi)
108 BCE25,838 km2 (9,976 sq mi)
 Succeeded by
Buyeo kingdom
Samhan
Four Commanderies of Han
Today part of North Korea
 South Korea
 China
Part of a series on the
History of Korea
thum
Prehistoric period
Jeulmun 8000 BC–1500 BC
Mumun 1500 BC–300 BC
Liaoning bronze dagger culture
Ancient period
Gojoseon 2333 BC–108 BC
* Dangun
* Gija
* Wiman
Jin 4th–2nd century BC
Yemaek
Proto–Three Kingdoms period
Three Kingdoms period
Goguryeo 37 BC–668 AD
Baekje 18 BC–660 AD
Silla 57 BC–935 AD
Gaya confederacy 42–562
Tamna (Tributary of Baekje) 498–660
Usan 512–930
Northern and Southern period
United Silla (Unified Silla) 668–892
Balhae 698–926
Little Goguryeo 699–820
Tamna (Tributary of Silla) 662–925
Later Three Kingdoms period
Later Baekje 892–936
Taebong (Later Goguryeo) 901–918
Unified Silla (Later Silla) 892–935
Later Sabeol 919–927
Dongdan Kingdom 926–936
Later Balhae 927–935
Jeongan 938–986
Dynastic period
Goryeo 918–1392
Tamna (Vassal of Goryeo) 938–1105
Heungyo 1029–1030
Joseon 1392–1897
Korean Empire 1897–1910
Colonial period
Japanese rule 1910–1945
Provisional Government 1919–1948
Modern period
Military governments 1945–1948
North-South division 1945–present
* North 1948–present
* South 1948–present
By topic
Timeline
map Korea portal
Part of a series on the
History of Manchuria
Prehistoric period
Ancient to Classical period
Medieval to Early Modern period
Modern period

Gojoseon (Korean pronunciation: [kodʑosʰʌn]) was an ancient Korean kingdom. The addition of Go (고, 古), meaning "ancient", distinguishes it from one of the various names of Joseon.

During its early phase, the capital of Gojoseon was located in Liaoning; around 400 BC, and was moved to Pyongyang, while in the south of the peninsula, the Jin state arose by the 3rd century BC.[1][2]

The territory of Gojoseon was invaded by the Han dynasty of China during the Gojoseon–Han War in 108 BC, which is said to have led to the collapse of the kingdom into many small states, until the Proto–Three Kingdoms emerged and marked their own period in Korean history.

Their language was probably a predecessor of the equally prehistoric Buyeo languages, and perhaps a form of Proto-Korean.[3]

Founding legend

Main article: Korean founding myth

Dangun Myth

Main article: Dangun Joseon
Heaven Lake of Baekdu Mountain, where Dangun's father is said to have descended from heaven

Dangun Wanggeom is the legendary founder of Korea. While there are variations among different texts and oral traditions, the most popular account is from the written record of the founding myth in Samguk Yusa, a 13th-century collection of legends and stories. A similar account is found in Jewang Ungi. According to the legend, the Lord of Heaven, Hwanin (환인), had a son Hwanung (환웅) who descended to Mountain Taebaek and founded the city Sinsi. Hwanung later married a bear turned into a woman, Ungnyeo (웅녀), and Ungnyeo gave birth to Dangun.

While the Dangun story is considered to be a myth,[4] it is believed it is a mythical synthesis of a series of historical events relating to the founding of Gojoseon.[1] There are various theories on the origin of this myth.[5] Seo and Kang (2002) believe the Dangun myth is based on integration of two different tribes, an invasive sky-worshipping Bronze Age tribe and a native bear-worshipping neolithic tribe, that lead to the foundation of Gojoseon.[6] Lee K. B. (1984) believes 'Dangun-wanggeom' was a title borne by successive leaders of Gojoseon.[7]

Dangun is said to have founded Gojoseon around 2333 BC, based on the descriptions of Samguk Yusa, Jewang Ungi, Dongguk Tonggam and the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty.[8] The date differs among historical sources, although all of them put it during the mythical Yao's reign (traditional dates: 2357 BC? – 2256 BC?). Samguk Yusa says Dangun ascended to the throne in the 50th year of the legendary Yao's reign, Sejong Sillok says the first year, and Dongguk Tonggam says the 25th year.[9]

Gija Myth and its controversy

Main article: Gija Joseon

Gija, who was a man from Shang China allegedly fled to the Korean peninsula in 1122 BC during the fall of the Shang to the Zhou dynasty and founded Gija Joseon.[10] In South Korea, United Kingdom and the United States, most scholars believe Gija's relation to Gojoseon is a Chinese fabrication and Gija has nothing to do with Gojoseon.[5] In the past, the earliest survived Korean record, Chronicle of the Three Kingdoms admitted Gija Joseon. The Korean historical record "Tongsa Kangmok" (東史綱目) in 1778 described Gija's activities and contributions in Gojoseon. The records of Gija refer to eight laws (Beomgeum Paljo, 범금팔조, 犯禁八條), that are recorded by Book of Han and evidence a hierarchical society and legal protection of private property.[11]

In the pre-modern Korea, Gija represented the authenticating presence of Chinese civilization, and until the 12th century Koreans commonly believed that Danjun bestowed upon Korea its people and basic culture, while Gija gave Korea its high culture—and presumably, standing as a legitimate civilization.[12]

However, in the modern era has diminished Gija's place today to the point of near extinction.[12] Many Korean scholars deny its existence for various reasons, mainly due to contradicting archaeological evidence.[13] They also point to the Bamboo Annals and the Analects of Confucius, which were among the first works to mention Gija, but do not mention his migration to Gojoseon.[14]

State formation

See also: Gojoseon–Yan War
Gojoseon at its height in around 500 BCE. Territory in purple and significant populations in blue.[15]

Gojoseon is first found in contemporaneous historical records of early 7th century BC, as located around Bohai Bay and trading with Qi (齊) of China.[16] The first time Gojoseon is mentioned in historical text is in Guanzi in the 7th century BCE, where Gojoseon is referred to as a region or people called "Bal Joseon".

By the 4th century BC, other states with defined political structures developed in the areas of the earlier Bronze Age "walled-town states"; Gojoseon was the most advanced of them in the peninsular region.[2] The city-state expanded by incorporating other neighboring city-states by alliance or military conquest. Thus, a vast confederation of political entities between the Taedong and Liao rivers was formed. Gojoseon's sphere of influence may have extended as far south as below the Han River.

Gojoseon's confederacy was formed mostly from the Maek tribes populating areas around the Liao, Yalu and Taedong Rivers, and the Ye tribes populating areas around the Songhua and Tumen Rivers. The Maek tribes would eventually form into Goguryeo and Baekje, while the Buyeo Kingdom, Okjeo and Dongye would spring from the Ye tribes.

As Gojoseon evolved, so did the title and function of the leader, who came to be designated as "king" (Han), in the tradition of the Zhou Dynasty, around the same time as the Yan (燕) leader.[17] Records of that time mention the hostility between the feudal state in Northern China and the "confederated" kingdom of Gojoseon, and notably, a plan to attack the Yan beyond the Liao River frontier. The confrontation led to the decline and eventual downfall of Gojoseon, described in Yan records as "arrogant" and "cruel". But the ancient kingdom also appears as a prosperous Bronze Age civilization, with a complex social structure, including a class of horse-riding warriors who contributed to the development of Gojoseon, particularly the northern expansion[18] into most of the Liaodong basin.

Around 300 BC, Gojoseon lost significant western territory after a war with the Yan state, but this indicates Gojoseon was already a large enough state that could wage war against Yan and survive the loss of 2000 li (800 kilometers) of territory.[11] Gojoseon is thought to have relocated its capital to the Pyongyang region around this time.[17]

Wiman Joseon and fall

See also: Wiman Joseon, Gojoseon-Han War, and Four Commanderies of Han

In 195 BC, King Jun appointed a refugee from Yan, Wiman.[19] Wiman later rebelled in 194 BC, and Jun fled to southern Korean Peninsula.[20]

In 109 BC, Emperor Wu of Han invaded near the Liao River.[20] A conflict would erupt in 109 BC, when Wiman's grandson King Ugeo (右渠, 우거) refused to permit Jin's ambassadors to reach China through his territories. When Emperor Wei sent an ambassador She He (涉何) to Wanggeom to negotiate right of passage with King Ugeo, King Ugeo refused and had a general escort She back to Han territory — but when they got close to Han borders, She assassinated the general and claimed to Emperor Wu that he had defeated Joseon in battle, and Emperor Wu, unaware of his deception, made him the military commander of the Commandery of Liaodong. King Ugeo, offended, made a raid on Liaodong and killed She He.

In response, Emperor Wu commissioned a two-pronged attack, one by land and one by sea, against Joseon.[20] The two forces attacking Joseon were unable to coordinate well with each other and eventually suffered large losses. Eventually the commands were merged, and Wanggeom fell in 108 BC. Han took over the Joseon lands and established Four Commanderies of Han in the western part of former Gojoseon area.[21]

The Gojoseon disintegrated by 1st century BC as it gradually lost the control of its former fiefs. As Gojoseon lost control of its confederacy, many successor states sprang from its former territory, such as Buyeo, Okjeo, Dongye. Goguryeo and Baekje evolved from Buyeo. Although the Four Commanderies of Han were installed, the indigenous Gojoseon people generally retained autonomy. However, the Four Commanderies of Han brought a new Chinese sphere of influence into the Korean Peninsula, accelerating the development of iron cultures.

Culture

Around 2000 BC, a new pottery culture of painted and chiseled design is found. These people practiced agriculture in a settled communal life, probably organized into familial clans. Rectangular huts and increasingly larger dolmen burial sites are found throughout the peninsula. Bronze daggers and mirrors have been excavated, and there is archaeological evidence of small walled-town states in this period.[18][22] Dolmens and bronze daggers found in the area are uniquely Korean and can't be found in China.

Mumun pottery

In the Mumun Pottery Period (1500–300 BC), plain coarse pottery replaced earlier comb-pattern wares, possibly as a result of the influence of new populations migrating to Korea from Manchuria and Siberia. This type of pottery typically has thicker walls and displays a wider variety of shapes, indicating improvements in kiln technology.[2] This period is sometimes called the "Korean bronze age", but bronze artifacts are relatively rare and regionalized until the 7th century BC.

Rice cultivation

Sometime around 1200 to 900 BC, rice cultivation spread to Korea from China and Manchuria. The people also farmed native grains such as millet and barley, and domesticated livestock.[23]

Bronze tools

Main article: Liaoning bronze dagger culture

The beginning of the Bronze Age on the Korean Peninsula is usually said to be 1000 BC, but estimates range from the 13th to 8th centuries BC.[24]

Gojoseon led the Liaoning bronze dagger culture, actively producing bronze daggers from the tenth century BCE to about the 4th century BCE. Gojoseon's production of bronze daggers declined after its loss of Liaoning to the Yan state.

By the 7th century BC, a Bronze Age material culture, with influences from Gojoseon itself, eastern Mongolia as well as Siberia and Scythian bronze styles, spread down to the southern Korean peninsula. Southern Korean bronzes contain a higher percentage of zinc than those of the Gojoseon bronze cultures. Bronze artifacts, found most frequently in burial sites, consist mainly of swords, spears, daggers, small bells, and mirrors decorated with geometric patterns.[2][25]

Gojoseon's development seems linked to the adoption of bronze technology. Its singularity finds its most notable expression in the idiosyncratic type of bronze swords, or "mandolin-shaped daggers" (비파형동검, 琵琶形銅劍). The mandolin-shape dagger is found in the regions of Liaoning, Hebei, and Manchuria down to the Korean peninsula. It suggests the existence of Gojoseon dominions, at least in the area shown on the map. Remarkably, the shape of the "mandolin" dagger of Gojoseon differs significantly from the sword artifacts found in China.

Dolmen tombs

Megalithic dolmens appears in Korean peninsula and Manchuria around 2000 BC to 400 BC.[26][27] Around 900 BC, burial practices become more elaborate, a reflection of increasing social stratification. Goindol, the Dolmen tombs in Korea and Manchuria, formed of upright stones supporting a horizontal slab, are more numerous in Korea than in other parts of East Asia. Other new forms of burial are stone cists (underground burial chambers lined with stone) and earthenware jar coffins. The bronze objects, pottery, and jade ornaments recovered from dolmens and stone cists indicate that such tombs were reserved for the elite class.[2][28]

Around the 6th century BC, burnished red wares, made of a fine iron-rich clay and characterized by a smooth, lustrous surface, appear in dolmen tombs, as well as in domestic bowls and cups.[2]

Iron culture

Around this time, Jin state occupied the southern part of the Korean peninsula. Very little is known about this state, except it was the apparent predecessor to the Samhan confederacies.

Around 300 BC, iron technology was introduced into Korea from Yan state. Iron was produced locally in the southern part of the peninsula by the 2nd century BC. According to Chinese accounts, iron from the lower Nakdong River valley in the southeast, was valued throughout the peninsula and Japan.[2]

Proto–Three Kingdoms

Main article: Proto–Three Kingdoms of Korea

Numerous small states and confederations arose from the remnants of Gojoseon, including Goguryeo, Buyeo, JeonJoseon, Okjeo, and Dongye. Three of the Chinese commanderies fell to local resistance within a few decades, but the last, Nakrang, remained an important commercial and cultural outpost until it was destroyed by the expanding Goguryeo in 313.

King Jun of Gojoseon is said to have fled to the state of Jin in southern Korean peninsula. Jin developed into the Samhan confederacies, the beginnings of Baekje and Silla, continuing to absorb migration from the north. The Samhan confederacies were Mahan, Jinhan, and Byeonhan. King Jun ruled Mahan, which was eventually annexed by Baekje. Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla gradually grew into the Three Kingdoms of Korea that dominated the entire peninsula by around the 4th century.

See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b 고조선(古朝鮮). Encylopaedia Britannica(Korean) (in Korean).
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "Timeline of Art and History, Korea, 1000 BC – 1 AD". Metropolitan Museum of Art.
  3. ^ Jaehoon Lee (2004). "The Relatedness Between The Origin of Japanese and Korean Ethnicity" (PDF). The Florida State University. p. 31. Retrieved 2007-04-11.
  4. ^ Seth, Michael J. (2010) History of Korea: From Antiquity to the Present, Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. ISBN 978-0-7425-6717-7.
  5. ^ a b Barnes 2001, pp. 9–14.
  6. ^ 서 2002.
  7. ^ Lee 1984.
  8. ^ 국학원 제24회 학술회의 - 단기 연호 어떻게 볼 것인가 - 단기가 최초로 산정된 것은 《동국통감》으로 요임금 즉위 25년 무진년을 기준으로 삼았다. 《동국통감》〈외기〉 의 주석에는 다음과 같은 해석이 실려있다. - 古記云, 檀君與堯竝立於戊辰, 虞夏至商武丁八年乙未, 入阿斯達山爲神, 享壽千四百十八年. 此說可疑今按, 堯之立在上元甲子甲辰之歲, 而檀君之立在後二十五年戊辰, 則曰與堯竝立者非也. 이에 대한 한글 해석은 네이버 지식백과 국역 동국통감(국역:세종대왕기념사업회) 에서 확인할 수 있다.
  9. ^ Yoon, N.-H. (윤내현), The Location and Transfer of Go-Chosun's Capital (고조선의 도읍 위치와 그 이동), 단군학연구, 7, 207–38 (2002)
  10. ^ Barnes 2001, pp. 9–10.
  11. ^ a b Template:Ko icon Daum 백과사전 : 고조선
  12. ^ a b Kyung Moon hwang, "A History of Korea, An Episodic Narrative", 2010, pp. 4
  13. ^ http://www.dbpia.co.kr/view/ar_view.asp?pid=694&isid=30674&arid=657709&topMenu=&topMenu1=
  14. ^ 네이버 백과사전
  15. ^ chrome-extension://bpmcpldpdmajfigpchkicefoigmkfalc/views/app.html
  16. ^ 고조선 (in Korean). Naver/Doosan Encyclopedia.
  17. ^ a b Template:Ko icon http://100.naver.com/100.php?id=14543
  18. ^ a b "Korea's Place in the Sun". The New York Times.
  19. ^ Academy of Korean Studies, 〈The Review of Korean Studies〉, vol. 10권,3-4, 2007, p.222
  20. ^ a b c Lee Injae, Owen Miller, Park Jinhoon, Yi Hyun-Hae, 《Korean History in Maps》, Cambridge University Press, 2014, p.20
  21. ^ Jae-eun Kang, 《The Land of Scholars: Two Thousand Years of Korean Confucianism》, Homa & Sekey Books, 2006, p.28-31
  22. ^ North Korea - The Origins Of The Korean Nation
  23. ^ "Timeline of Art and History". Metropolitan Museum of Art.
  24. ^ Template:Ko icon 청동기문화 靑銅器文化 (고고학사전, 2001.12, 국립문화재연구소)
  25. ^ The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Arts of Korea, Bronze Age Objects
  26. ^ http://www.wontackhong.com/homepage1/data/1061.pdf
  27. ^ https://books.google.com/books?id=rHeb7wQu0xIC&pg=PA79&dq=dolmen+in+korea+2000+BCE&hl=en&sa=X&ei=zfVAVbf-BIq8sAWEy4DABw&ved=0CB0Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=dolmen%20in%20korea%202000%20BCE&f=false
  28. ^ Unesco.

Bibliography

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gojoseon&oldid=666565580"