Korean history is a complex telling of smaller confederacies, states, and kingdoms all trying to control the land. At the end of the Gojoseon period, the country began to divide into three kingdoms. The three rival kingdoms of Ancient Korea were Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla, along with a smaller, fourth confederation Kaya (Gaya). The three kingdoms dominated the Korean peninsula and much of Manchuria from 57 BCE to 668 BCE. During this period, these kingdoms were in a constant state of rivalry and shaped the modern-day culture of Korea today.
A Brief Background of The Three Kingdoms
The kingdoms began due to the fall of Gojoseon as tribes made their way across the land and began conquering small towns and confederacies. Baekje and Silla expanded within the Samhan confederacies in the south, while Goguryeo expanded into Buyeo, Okjeo, Dongye, and other smaller states in Northern Korea. Over time, the Silla dynasty would eventually dominate over the three with the help of the Tang dynasty to form the Unified Silla Kingdom.
Goguryeo
Goguryeo conquered the north and was likely the first of the three kingdoms to be established and the largest. Goguryeo bordered China and expanded into Manchuria, conquering the Chinese Lelang command in 313 BCE. The Chinese culture influenced the people, and they eventually adopted Buddhism as their official religion in 372 BCE.
At the height of the Goguryeo rule, they occupied Manchuria. They controlled Chinese and Tungusic tribes until the pressure from Chinese attacks in the north during the Sui dynasty eventually caused the fall of Goguryeo to Silla in the south in 668 BCE. Goguryeo had focused much of the defense on protecting the land from Chinese invaders. It is believed to have been the sole reason Silla and Baekje did not fall to the Chinese.
Baekje
Baekje occupied the southwestern tip of the Korean peninsula and was founded in 18 BCE by two sons of the Goguryeo’s founder due to a conflict during the succession. Baekje conquered Mahan confederacies and controlled most of the western peninsula. It colonized Jeju island and is said to have conquered the southern part of Japan. Baekje's cultural influence and development on Buddhism, Chinese characters, and more spread throughout Goguryeo, Silla, and even parts of Japan. Baekje eventually fell to Silla in 660 BCE.
Silla
Silla was believed to be established by Hyŏkkŏse in 57 BCE in the Southeastern part of the Korean peninsula and was the last of the three kingdoms to create a centralized government. The Silla kingdom took over the Kaya confederation. In response, tension grew, drawing Goguryeo and Baekje to form an alliance.
Invasions began into the Silla territory by the newly alliance kingdoms putting pressure on the Silla kingdom. Silla began to deepen relationships with the Tang dynasty allowing access to the Yellow Sea and providing more resources that allowed Silla to defeat Goguryeo and Baekje. After the conquest, the Silla dynasty drove the Tang out of the Korean peninsula to lands south of Pyongyang.
Silla united the Korean land, the Unified Silla Kingdom, and the capital in Seorabeol, now Gyeongju. While the cultures of the three kingdoms were relatively similar, archaeologists found that unique art and tools differentiated it from Goguryeo and Baekje, where Chinese influence had been prominent. The Unified Silla Kingdom was the first kingdom that ruled over the entire Korean peninsula.