The beauty of Korea is often summed up like this:
"It is frugal but not shabby, elegant but not extravagant."
from the book Samguk Sagi the words of the historian Kim Bu Sik
The "Samguk Sagi" is one of Korea's oldest and most important historical texts. This book was compiled by Kim Bu Sik and 11 other scholars during the Goryeo Dynasty period, around 1145.
Kim Bu Sik was born in 1075 and died in 1151, he was the scion of the nobility of the Silla kingdom and a member of the Gyeongju Kim clan. He was a skilled general, a scholar and man of letters who was commissioned by King Injong to write and collect all the historical information of the Three Kingdoms.
The "Samguk Sagi" documents the history of the three kingdoms of Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla, which existed on the Korean Peninsula and parts of Manchuria from the 1st century BC. until the 7th century AD. The text is divided into various sections, including annals, biographies and genealogies, offering a detailed view of the ruling dynasties, political events, wars, and the cultural and social life of those times. The title can be translated as "History of the Three Kingdoms".
This book is particularly valuable because it offers one of the most complete historical narratives of the three kingdoms, drawing on earlier sources that are largely lost today. Thanks to the "Samguk Sagi", we have a much clearer understanding of Korea's ancient history, its political and social structures, and the interactions between various kingdoms.
In addition to its historical value, the "Samguk Sagi" is also an important literary work, written in classical Chinese, which was the literary and administrative language of the time. This makes it not only a historical source, but also a work of great cultural relevance.
In summary, the "Samguk Sagi" is a key pillar for anyone interested in Korean history, offering an invaluable window into a crucial period in East Asian history.
I
The treatise is divided into various volumes and sections covering the histories of the three kingdoms from their foundation to their unification under Sulla. Major volumes include:
- Annals (본기, Bongi): They narrate the main events of the kingdoms of Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla, with a particular focus on the kings and the key events of their kingdoms.
- Chronicles (열전, Yeoljeon): Contain biographies of important figures, such as generals, ministers and scholars, offering a detailed picture of the influential personalities of the time.
- Treatises (지, Ji): Cover various aspects of society, such as law, economics, religion and culture, providing an in-depth analysis of daily life in the Three Kingdoms.
- Chronological Tables (연표, Yeonpyo): They offer an overview of historical events, facilitating the understanding of the temporal sequence of events.
In ancient times the first kingdom of Korea was Gojoseon founded in 2333 BC by the legendary King Dangun who was said to have descended from the “Lord of Heaven”.
The inhabitants of Gojoseon were the descendants of migrant tribes who settled in Manchuria, in far-eastern China north of the Yangtze River on the Korean Peninsula. They are the first direct Korean ancestral line of which there is written testimony.
Goguryeo (37 BC – 668 AD)
Goguryeo was the northernmost of the three kingdoms and one of the most powerful. Founded by King Jumong, this kingdom was known for its military strength and its ability to resist attacks from neighbors, including China's Tang Dynasty. Goguryeo is also remembered for its advanced culture and impressive artistic and architectural works, such as royal tombs decorated with murals.
Baekje (18 BC – 660 AD)
Baekje, located in the southwestern part of the Korean Peninsula, was known for its diplomacy and cultural exchanges with China and Japan. This kingdom played a crucial role in the spread of Buddhism in Japan, bringing with it a rich artistic and religious tradition. Baekje was eventually conquered by a coalition of Silla and the Tang dynasty.
Silla (57 BC – 935 AD)
Silla, the southernmost of the three kingdoms, is famous for unifying Korea. At first, Sulla was considered the weakest, but through a series of strategic alliances and internal reforms, he managed to emerge as the dominant power. Queen Seondeok and King Munmu are among Silla's best-known historical figures, remembered for their wisdom and leadership. Silla succeeded in unifying the Korean Peninsula in 668 AD, beginning an era of prosperity known as the Unified Silla period.
Furthermore, the Samguk Sagi is not only a historical work, but also a significant literary document, written in a refined style that reflects the authors' erudition and literary skill. Its existence has allowed posterity to have a deeper understanding of Korea's historical and cultural roots.
Furthermore, the historical and costume kDramas, which we love to watch so much, take as an example and reproduce the scenes of life, the stories and events of each era mentioned in the pages of this memorial, remaining faithful to the reproductions of their own time based on the facts and stories of this precious volume which contains precious and detailed information about life in Korea in ancient times.
Paola Pelissa