Old Chosŏn

Old Chosŏn was an ancient Korean polity traditionally founded in 2333 BCE and conquered by the Han dynasty in 108 BCE. Its early history blends later legend with limited archaeological evidence.

Dangun: A legendary founder of Korea, said in later tradition to have established Gojoseon in 2333 BCE. The traditional foundation story makes Dangun the polity’s legendary first ruler.
Wiman: A ruler who seized power in Old Chosŏn around 194 BCE and founded its ruling dynasty. His accession began the kingdom’s late, more historically visible phase.
Joseon: A Korean name used for several historical states, including the ancient polity and the later Joseon dynasty. The shared name explains why Old Chosŏn is also called Gojoseon.
Lelang Commandery: A Han commandery established in the former Old Chosŏn region, with its center near present-day Pyongyang. It became the most durable Han administrative presence in the conquered territory.
Samguk Yusa: A 13th-century Korean collection of legends, histories, and Buddhist stories. It preserves the best-known account of Dangun’s founding of Old Chosŏn.
Han–Xiongnu War: A series of conflicts between Han China and the Xiongnu confederation from the second century BCE onward. Old Chosŏn’s position on the northeastern frontier mattered to Han strategy against the Xiongnu.
Gojoseon: The modern Korean name for the ancient polity commonly called Old Chosŏn in English. This is the standard Korean name distinguishing the ancient state from later Joseon.
Buyeo: An ancient Korean kingdom that flourished in Manchuria after Old Chosŏn’s fall. It emerged in the broader political landscape transformed by Old Chosŏn’s collapse.
Gojoseon bronze dagger culture: An archaeological culture of the Korean Peninsula and adjoining regions, associated with distinctive slender bronze daggers. Its artifacts offer material evidence often connected with Old Chosŏn.
Emperor Wu of Han: The Han emperor who ruled from 141 to 87 BCE and expanded the empire through military campaigns. His expansionist government launched the campaign that conquered Old Chosŏn.

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