Goguryeo

Quick Facts: Who was Goguryeo?

Subject:

Goguryeo

Known for:

A powerful ancient Korean kingdom that dominated Northeast Asia for centuries.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Goguryeo (37 BC – 668 AD) (Korean: 고구려; Hanja: 高句麗; RR: Goguryeo; lit. 'high castle'; Korean pronunciation: [ko̞.ɡu.ɾjʌ̹]; Old Korean: Guryeo) also later known as Goryeo (Korean: 고려; Hanja: 高麗; RR: Goryeo; lit. 'high and beautiful'; Korean pronunciation: [ko.ɾjʌ]; Middle Korean: 고ᇢ롕〮, kwòwlyéy), 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.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Along with Paekche and Silla, Goguryeo was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. It was an active participant in the power struggle for control of the Korean Peninsula and was also associated with the foreign affairs of neighboring polities in China and Japan. Goguryeo was one of the great powers in East Asia until its defeat by a Silla–Tang alliance in 668 after prolonged exhaustion and internal strife following the death of Yŏn Kaesomun. After its fall, its territory was divided between the Tang dynasty, Later Silla and Parhae. The name "Goryeo" (alternatively spelled "Koryŏ"), a shortened form of Goguryeo (Koguryŏ), was adopted as the official name in the 5th century, and is the origin of the English name "Korea".

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The kingdom was originally called Guryeo (Old Korean: 句麗, Yale: Kwulye, [ku.ɾjʌ̹]) or something similar to kaukuri), Both words were derived from "忽" (*kuru or *kolo) which meant castle or fortress. The word was possibly a Wanderwort like the Middle Mongolian qoto-n. Several possible cognates for 忽 exist as well, which was used at a later stage as an administrative subdivision with the spelling of hwol [hʌ̹ɭ], as in 買忽 mwoyhwol/michwuhwol [mit͡ɕʰuhʌ̹ɭ], alongside the likely cognate of 骨 kwol [ko̞ɭ]. Nam Pung-hyun presents it also as a Paekche term, probably a cognate with the Goguryeo word with the same meaning and spelling. The iteration of 徐羅伐 Syerapel as 徐羅城 *SyeraKUY equated the Old Korean word for village, 伐 pel with the Old Japanese one for castle 城 ki, considered a borrowing from Paekche 己 *kuy, in turn a borrowing from Goguryeo 忽 *kolo.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Goguryeo

True or False: “The Samguk Sagi is considered a primary source detailing the history of the Three Kingdoms period.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The Samguk Sagi was written by Kim Pusik in the 12th century and is therefore classified as a secondary historical source.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Goguryeo–Sui War — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: A series of failed Chinese invasions against Goguryeo (598–614 AD).
• Goguryeo–Tang War — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: The protracted conflict (645-668) that ended the Three Kingdoms period in Korea.
• Goguryeo–Wei War — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: A series of devastating invasions by Cao Wei into Goguryeo between 244 and 245.
• Goh Chok Tong — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Singaporean politician who served as Prime Minister from 1990 to 2004.
• Goh Poh Seng — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Pioneering Singaporean dramatist, novelist, and cultural architect.
• Gojong of Korea — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: The last monarch of Joseon and first Emperor of the Korean Empire.

Frequently Asked Questions about Goguryeo