Empire · 918–1392 · East Asia
Goryeo
Goryeo was founded in 918 by Wang Geon, a general from Kaesong, who reunited Korea after the breakup of Unified Silla by 936; the modern name Korea comes from Goryeo. Its kings built a centralised state on the Chinese model with civil service examinations, while powerful aristocratic families dominated the court.
Buddhism was the state religion, and Goryeo is famous for its jade-green celadon pottery and for the Tripitaka Koreana, the Buddhist scriptures carved on more than 80,000 woodblocks. The kingdom repelled Khitan invasions, but from 1170 military officers seized power. After decades of resistance it made peace with the Mongols in 1259 and became a vassal of the Yuan, with its kings marrying Yuan princesses. Weakened by pirate raids and factional strife, it was overthrown by General Yi Seong-gye in 1392.
- Years
- 918–1392
- Capital
- Kaegyong (Kaesong)
- Greatest extent
- 1100, about 220,000 km²
- Region
- East Asia
Most of the Korean peninsula south of the Yalu (approximate)
Legacy
Goryeo gave Korea its name in the West and pioneered printing with movable metal type; the Jikji, printed in 1377, is the oldest surviving example.
Rulers
- Taejo (Wang Geon) 918 – 943
Founder; reunified Korea in 936
- Gwangjong 949 – 975
Introduced civil service examinations
- Hyeonjong 1009 – 1031
Defeated the Khitan invasions
- Gongmin 1351 – 1374
Threw off Mongol domination
- Gongyang 1389 – 1392
Last king, deposed by Yi Seong-gye
Realms on the map
- Goryeo 918–1391
- Allegiance of Goryeo to Great Jin 1126–1235