PoliticsReigned 346–375

Golden Age of King Geunchogo

King Geunchogo absorbed Mahan and attacked Goguryeo’s Pyongyang, opening Baekje’s golden age and trading by sea with Eastern Jin and Wa.

Replica of the Seven-Branched Sword sent by Baekje to Wa under King Geunchogo (original at Isonokami Shrine, Japan)
Gary Todd · CC0 · Source

Geunchogo conquered the remnants of Mahan down to the south coast of Jeolla and extended his influence over Gaya. In the north he fought Goguryeo for Hwanghae, killing King Gogugwon in 371.

He opened relations with Eastern Jin and Wa; the Seven-Branched Sword kept at Isonokami Shrine in Japan is thought to have been sent by Baekje to the Wa king, though Korean and Japanese scholars differ on whether it was a royal gift or tribute. The scholar Go Heung compiled the history Seogi, and father-to-son succession took hold.

Show on the map

The map in AD 346

Open the full map

OpenFreeMap © OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap contributors

States and rulers at the time: Baekje — King Geunchogo
Places: Wiryeseong (Pungnap Earthen Fortress)

People

King GeunchogoAD 375
monarch · Thirteenth king of Baekje, who absorbed Mahan and attacked Pyongyang in its golden age
Go Heung
related figure · Baekje erudite under King Geunchogo who is said to have compiled the history Seogi

2 parts of this event

1
AD 369Baekje Absorbs Mahan
King Geunchogo marched south, conquering the remaining Mahan states down to the south coast of Jeolla.
2
AD 371Baekje Attacks Pyongyang
King Geunchogo and Crown Prince Geungusu struck Pyongyang with 30,000 men; King Gogugwon of Goguryeo was killed by an arrow defending it.

Before and after

Earlier: AD 313 King Micheon Expels the Lelang Commandery
Later: AD 350 Seokchon-dong Tombs, Seoul

Themes that include this event

Crafts and MetalworkAD 346 – 1392
From the Seven-Branched Sword to mother-of-pearl lacquer — Three Kingdoms crowns, censers and daggers, the great bell of Unified Silla, Goryeo silver inlay and najeon