Goguryeo: Map & History
Goguryeo also later known as Goryeo, was a Korean kingdom which was located on the northern and central parts of the Korean Peninsula and the southern and central parts of modern-day Northeast China (Manchuria).
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Goguryeo also later known as Goryeo, was a Korean kingdom which was located on the northern and central parts of the Korean Peninsula and the southern and central parts of modern-day Northeast China (Manchuria). At its peak of power, Goguryeo encompassed most of the Korean Peninsula and large parts of Manchuria, along with parts of modern-day Russia. Archaeological evidence suggests it may have extended as far west as modern-day eastern Mongolia.
Modern Countries Once Part of Goguryeo
At its mapped extent, Goguryeo covered territory in 3 present-day countries. The period shown is when the mapped borders include that country, and the note says how much of it.
- North Korea36 BCE – 673 CE · nearly all
- South Korea392–554 CE · a large part
- China36 BCE – 673 CE · a small part
States and Provinces
Largest Present-Day Cities in Its Territory
Each opens on the live map inside Goguryeo's borders of that time.
Derived by testing mapped cities against this polity's dated territorial polygons, so the list is indicative and follows the borders in the source dataset.
Goguryeo in Depth
History
The earliest record of the name of Goguryeo can be traced to geographic monographs in the Book of Han and is first attested as the name of one of the subdivisions of the Xuantu Commandery, established along the trade routes within the Amnok river basin following the destruction of Gojoseon in 113 BC. The American historian Christopher Beckwith offers the alternative proposal that the Guguryeo people were first located in or around Liaoxi (western Liaoning and parts of Inner Mongolia) and later migrated eastward, pointing to another account in the Book of Han. The early Goguryeo tribes from whom the administrative name is derived were located close to or within the area of control of the Xuantu Commandery.
Government
Early Goguryeo was a federation of five tribes(called Obu in korean). The names of the five tribes were Yeonno, Jeolno, Soonno, Gwanno, and Gyeroo. The tribe that held kingship,which had the honorable title of Gochooka, was the Yeonno tribe, but the Gyeroo tribe later held the title. The five tribes later turned into five districts. As the autonomy of these five tribal collectives waned, regional officers were appointed with valley as a unit.As Goguryeo progressed into the 4th century, a regional administration unit arose that centred around fortresses that were built in the newly enlarged areas.
Military
Goguryeo was a highly militaristic state. Goguryeo has been described as an empire by Korean scholars. Initially, there were four partially autonomous districts based on the cardinal directions, and a central district led by the monarch; however, in the first century the cardinal districts became centralized and administered by the central district, and by the end of the 3rd century, they lost all political and military authority to the monarch. In the 4th century, after suffering defeats against the Xianbei and Paekche during the reign of Gogukwon, Sosurim instituted military reforms that paved the way for Gwanggaeto's conquests. During its height, Goguryeo was able to mobilize 300,000 troops. Goguryeo often enlisted semi-nomadic vassals, such as the Mohe people, as foot soldiers.
Culture
The culture of Goguryeo was shaped by its climate, religion, and the tense society that people dealt with due to the numerous wars Goguryeo waged.
The Book of Sui (Volume 81) recorded: "The customs, laws and clothes of Goguryeo, Paekche and Silla are generally identical."
Attributed with the earliest kimchi, the Goguryeo people were skilled at fermenting and widely consumed fermented food.
Singing and dancing played an important part in Goguryeo society, a legacy that, according to Kim Hunggyu, continues to this day in modern Korean society.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Goguryeo (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Goguryeo: Key Facts
| Capitals | Jolbon, Gungnae, Pyongyang |
|---|---|
| Official language | Goguryeo |
| Form of government | monarchy |
| Founded | 37 BCE |
| Dissolved | 22 October 668 CE |
Preceded by
- Buyeo
Succeeded by
Facts from Wikidata Q28370 (CC0).
Goguryeo Map Over Time
Dated world maps on which Goguryeo appears, with the other states of the time.
Goguryeo Timeline
Key historical inflections from foundation to peak territorial expansion
Expansion to peak recorded area of 408,926 km² in 538 CE.
Goguryeo: Frequently Asked Questions
When did Goguryeo exist?
Goguryeo is dated to 36 BCE – 681 CE, in the Classical Antiquity era.
What was the capital of Goguryeo?
The capital of Goguryeo was ubl.
How large was Goguryeo at its peak?
At its peak in 538 AD Goguryeo covered about 408,926 km².
How did the map of Goguryeo change over time?
Goguryeo appears on 7 dated world maps in the atlas, from 1 CE to 600 CE. Each shows its borders in that year next to the other states of the time.