Three Kingdoms
A partial revival of the old three kingdoms in early medieval Korea.
The Later Three Kingdoms period (Korean: 후삼국시대; c. 890s – 936 AD) of early medieval Korea was a partial revival of the old three kingdoms from 1st century BC to the 7th century. The start and end dates of the era are loosely defined and differ across academic sources. Key events used as starting dates include the first major rebellions against Unified Silla (889), the capture of Gwangju by Kyŏn Hwŏn and subsequent establishment of the Later Baekje state at Jeonju (892), and the proclamation of Later Baekje as a kingdom by Kyŏn Hwŏn (900). Two events mark the end of the Later Three Kingdoms: the surrender of Gyeongsun, the last Silla monarch, to Goryeo in 935 and the conquest of Later Baekje by Goryeo in 936.
- Period
- 220–280 AD
- Preceded by
- Eastern Han dynasty
- Followed by
- Western Jin dynasty
- Major states
- Cao Wei, Shu Han, Eastern Wu
- Notable figures
- Zhuge Liang, Ma Jun
- Key event
- Conquest of Wu by Jin in 280 AD
Lore & Background
The Later Three Kingdoms period saw the rise of Kyŏn Hwŏn, who captured Gwangju and established the Later Baekje state at Jeonju in 892, later proclaiming it a kingdom in 900. The period ended with two key events: the surrender of Gyeongsun, the last Silla monarch, to Goryeo in 935, and the conquest of Later Baekje by Goryeo in 936. The era is known for its political fragmentation and eventual reunification under Goryeo.
Reader's Guide
When exploring the Later Three Kingdoms period, note that its dates are loosely defined. Some scholars mark the start with the first major rebellions against Unified Silla in 889, others with Kyŏn Hwŏn's capture of Gwangju and establishment of Later Baekje at Jeonju in 892, or his proclamation of Later Baekje as a kingdom in 900. The end is marked by the surrender of Gyeongsun, the last Silla monarch, to Goryeo in 935 and the conquest of Later Baekje by Goryeo in 936. The period is a partial revival of the old three kingdoms from the 1st century BC to the 7th century.
Did You Know?
- The Later Three Kingdoms period is dated from c. 890s to 936 AD.
- Kyŏn Hwŏn captured Gwangju and established the Later Baekje state at Jeonju in 892.
- Kyŏn Hwŏn proclaimed Later Baekje as a kingdom in 900.
- The last Silla monarch, Gyeongsun, surrendered to Goryeo in 935.
- Goryeo conquered Later Baekje in 936, ending the Later Three Kingdoms period.
More in Dynasties & Kingdoms 1-19
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