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Map of East Asia AD 915 |
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In Korea, Later Silla's throne never seemed to be entirely secure, and the succession never entirely certain. The accession of Queen Jinseong in 887 saw a collapse of public order, with military conscription failing and taxes not being collected. Rebellions broke out across the kingdom. Yang Gil headed up one such rebel force. His leading general was Gung Ye, who increased his own power to the level that he was able to break away and found his own state in the central Korean peninsula after 898. He proclaimed himself king of his territories in 901, thereby founding Goryeo. By 915 he had already renamed it twice - to Majin and Taebong - but when he was overthrown in 918 its original name was restored. In 892 Gyeon Hwon seized control of the south-western section of the Korean peninsula, most of the territory having previously been part of the kingdom of Baekje. Gyeon's newly-founded state was named Hubakje ('Later Baekje'), with Silla being permanently weakened by the loss of territory and resources. Balhae in the north had been founded in 698 out of the northern sections of the former kingdom of Koguryo. It soon expanded to capture Chinese-dominated portions of the rest of the former kingdom, while later extending far to the north of the original Korean cultural homeland. The coming of Goryeo would soon mean the end for all other Korean kingdoms, with unification following by 936. A clickable version of this map is available for desktop displays. To select a kingdom, state, or tribe for further information, click on its name.
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Original text and map copyright © P L Kessler and the History Files. An original feature for the History Files. Go back or return home. |
