Origins & Early Life

King Taejo (claimed 47 – 165) was the sixth monarch of Goguryeo, the northernmost of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, from AD 53 to 146. Under his reign, the young state expanded its territory and developed into a centrally ruled kingdom. His 93-year reign is thought to be the third longest of any monarch in the world, although his claim was disputed. Taejo's father was the youngest son of Goguryeo's second king, Yuri, Go Jaesa (재사; 再思), the head of the Go house of the Gyeru lineage, one of the five powerful houses of the royal court.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

His mother was from Buyeo (Queen Mother Buyeo). Although the unpopular Mobon had named his son Ik as the crown prince, after Mobon's death in 53, the Goguryeo court nominated Jaesa to be the next king. Citing his advanced age, Jaesa declined and his seven-year-old son, Gung(taejo) became king. His mother then acted as regent for the young king. During the first year of his reign, he centralized the kingdom by turning the five clans into five provinces ruled by a governor from that clan, who were under the direct control of the king.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

He thereby firmly established royal control of the military, economy, and...

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