Ancient Korea & Three Kingdoms Timeline 4000 BCE-936 CE

Stone Age
It is believed that people had begun to farm the land in Ancient Korea by this date.

Legend states that Gojoseon was founded by the god-king Dangun.

Bronze Age
Korean people were using bronze.

Iron Age
People had begun to use iron to make tools and weapons.

Jin Founded
The state of Jin was founded in the southern peninsula when a number of smaller states became a confederacy.

Wiman Joseon Established
Wiman, from the Chinese state of Yan, seized the Gojoseon throne beginning a period known as Wiman Joseon. King Jun of Gojoseon fled to Jin.

End of Wiman Joseon
The Chinese Han dynasty conquered Wiman Joseon. The Chinese established four commanderies to rule their conquered territory – Zhenfan, Lintun, lelang and Xuantu.

Silla Founded
The kingdom of Silla was founded by Bak Hyeokgeose. The new kingdom occupied much of the former state of Jin – the south east and central regions of the peninsula.

Goguryeo Founded
Prince Jumong of the Buyeo kingdom fled his homeland after a disagreement with his brothers. He founded Goguryeo in the north of the peninsula.

Baekje Founded
Onjo, third son of Jumong, founder of Goguryeo, founded Baekje in the south-west of the peninsula.

Gaya Established
Gaya, in the south of the peninsula, was established an independent confederation of tribes. Gaya was not a kingdom.

Goguryeo Expansion
Under King Taejo, Goguryeo expanded its borders and also developed a system of centralised government.

Baekje Government
King Goi of Baekje established a system of centralised government. He also set up a military office to maintain hold on his territory.

Goguryeo took Lelang
The Lelang commandery established by the Chinese Han dynasty in 108 BCE, was taken by Goguryeo.

Silla Government
King Naemul established a centralised government in Silla.

Baekje invaded Goguryeo
King Geunchogo invaded Goguryeo and King Gogugwon of Goguryeo was killed.

Buddhism
Buddhism adopted by Goguryeo.

Buddhism
Buddhism adopted by Baekje.

King Gwanggaeto of Goguryeo
Gwanggaeto succeeded to the throne of Goguryeo following the death of his father. The new King set about expanding his country’s borders and took land from Manchuria, Mongolia and Baekje.

Baekje and Silla Alliance
The Kingdoms of Baekje and Silla formed an alliance against Goguryeo.

Goguryeo took Hanseong
Goguryeo invaded Baekje and took the capital Hanseong (Seoul).

Buddhism
Buddhism adopted by Silla.

Silla attacked Baekja
Silla attacked Baekja, breaking the alliance made in 433 CE.

Gaya Annexed
The kingdom of Silla annexed Gaya.

Goguryeo-Sui Wars began
The Sui dynasty of China attacked Goguryeo beginning a war between the two.

Goguryeo-Sui Wars ended
The Goguryeo-Sui wars ended in victory for Goguryeo.

Silla-Tang Alliance
Silla was under attack from Baejke and Goguryeo and asked for help from the Tang dynasty.

Goguryeo-Tang War
Emperor Taizong led a campaign against Goguryeo to protect Silla.

Fall of Baekje
Baekje fell to the combined Tang-Silla forces.

Fall of Goguryeo
Goguryeo fell to the combined Tang-Silla forces.

Chinese alliance ended
Silla successfully repelled Chinese forces from the Korean peninsula.

Balhae Founded
Former Goguryeo general, Dae Joyeong, founded Balhae. Largely comprised of refugees from the former Goguryeo the territory of the new state covered the north-east of the peninsula and Manchuria.

Seokgurum and Bulguksa
The Bulguksa temple complex was built. It includes the Seokguram Grotto.

Cheonghaejin
This military headquarters and trading centre was established on Wando island. Here, Korea traded with China and Japan.

National Unrest
There were protests against the rule of Queen Jinseong of Silla who was noted for being corrupt.

Hubaekje Founded
Disaffected Silla general Gyeon Hwon, founded Hubaekje (Later Baekje) in the south-west of the Korean peninsula.

Taebong Founded
Gung Ye, half-brother to Queen Jinseong of Silla, founded Taebong (Later Goguryeo) in the north of the peninsula.

Goryeo Founded
Wang Geon, a descendent of the Goguryeo nobility, overthrew Gung Ye of Taebong. He changed the name of Taebong to Goryeo and established himself as King Taejo of Goryeo.

Balhae Overthrown
Balhae was taken over by the Liao dynasty which had been founded by the Khitan chief Emperor Taizu. Many descendants of Goguryeo fled to Goryeo.

Silla Annexed
Goryeo annexed Silla.

Hubaekje Conquered
Goryeo invaded and conquered Hubaekje (Later Baekje). This action completed the reunification of the Three Kingdoms and marks the beginning of the Goryeo dynasty.