Korea
Old Choson [1100]. A people the Chinese called the Eastern Barbarians [Tungi] entered Korea and established the kingdom of Choson. They spoke a Manchurian, a member of the Altaic family of languages that also includes Turkic and Mongolian. The people of Choson honored spirits and believed that certain mountains were sacred because they were homes for the spirits. Shamans, usually women, asked the spirits for favors and healed the sick. Korea's foundation story explains that a god [Hwanung] changed a bear into woman and married her. She gave birth to Korea's first king [Tan'gun, 2333 BCE].
Wiman Choson [194]. A Chinese military officer [Wiman] fled to Korea [222] and ruled as king of Choson [194].
Under China [108]. Han China [108] conquered Wiman Choson. The Koreans resisted the new rulers and China abandoned Korea except for the region near the city of Wangomsong [Pyongyang].
Three kingdoms [57 BCE]. Three large kingdoms [Shilla, Koguryo, Paekche] and several smaller states emerged.
China attacks [243]. China attacked Koguryo [243 and 259], but suffered such huge losses that the Chinese overthrew their king [end of Wei dynasty].
Wars of expansion [313]. Koguryo drove China out of Pyongyang [313], a northern city it had held for 400 years. The three largest Korean kingdoms fought with each other to gain territory.
Shilla aggressive [514]. The Shilla adopted a military culture that included a caste system [520, bone rank] and rigorous military training for young men [hwarang]. The Shilla began to expand.
Wars with China [589]. Koguryo attacked China [589]. China responded by sending large armies to conquer Koguryo. China's attacks failed [612, 614]. A second Chinese dynasty fell because of losses in Korea [618, Sui].
Koguryo weak [614]. The Koguryo built a wall to defend against Chinese attacks. The wall became so expensive that the people murdered their king [642]. Tang China attacked Koguryo several times [644, 648, 655]. The attacks were unsuccessful, but left Koguryo weak.
Shilla strong [660]. Tang China helped the Shilla conquer the Paekche [660]. The Shilla helped China defeat Koguryo [668]. China began building forts and the Shilla drove the Chinese away [676].
Parhae [698]. A Koguryo military officer escaped from a Chinese prison and formed Parhae, a new kingdom [698]. Parhae took part of Koguryo.
Shilla weak [779]. Succession problems, rebellions, and high taxes weakened the Shilla.
Paekche, Koguryo rebel [892]. Paekche [892] and Koguryo [901] broke away from the Shilla.
Koryo [935]. Koguryo defeated the Shilla [935] and Paekche [936], reunited the country, and changed its name to Koryo.
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