Paekche

Quick Facts: Who was Paekche?

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Paekche

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Ancient Korean kingdom (18 BCE – 660 CE) that was one of the Three Kingdoms.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Paekche or Baekje (Korean: 백제; Hanja: 百濟) was a Korean kingdom located in southwestern Korea from 18 BCE to 660 CE. It was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, together with Goguryeo and Silla. While the three kingdoms existed separately, Paekche had the largest population, at approximately 3,800,000 (760,000 households), which was much larger than that of Silla (850,000 people) and comparable to that of Goguryeo (3,500,000 people). Paekche was founded by Onjo, the third son of Goguryeo's founder, Donmeyong and Soseono, at Wiryeseong (now southern Seoul). Paekche, like Goguryeo, claimed to succeed Buyeo, a state established in Manchuria around the time of Old Chosŏn's fall.

Career & Major Achievements

Paekche alternately battled and allied with Goguryeo and Silla as the three kingdoms expanded control over the peninsula. At its peak in the 4th century, Paekche controlled most of the western Korean Peninsula, as far north as Pyongyang, and may have even held territories in China, such as in the Liaoxi Commandery, though this view is controversial. It became a significant regional sea power, with political and trade relations with China and Japan. Paekche was a great maritime power; its nautical skills, which made it the Phoenicia of East Asia, was instrumental in the dissemination of Buddhism throughout East Asia and continental culture to Japan. In 660, it was defeated by Tang China and Silla, and ultimately submitted to Unified Silla.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The son of Uija, the last king of Paekche, Zenkō went to Japan and established the Kudara no Konikishi clan (百済王氏). The family served the emperor of Japan. The most common name used by most historians is Paekche (백제), meaning "hundred counties", but was originally founded by Onjo as 十濟, which figuratively means "tens of counties". Only during the reign of Geunchogo (肖古王) was it renamed as Paekche. It is also attested as 居陀羅 Kudara, meaning "great place", which could have been a possible endonym that was later on borrowed into Old Japanese.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Paekche

True or False: “Did Paekche's initial name, Shipje, mean 'Hundred Vassals'?”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The initial name, Shipje (십제), figuratively meant 'Ten Vassals'; the later renaming to Paekche was associated with 'Hundred Vassals'.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Paekche