Later Three Kingdoms of Korea
| Later Three Kingdoms | |
 |
|
| Korean name | |
|---|---|
| Hangul | 후삼국시대 or 후삼국 시대 |
| Hanja | 後三國時代 |
| Revised Romanization | Husamguk Sidae |
| McCune–Reischauer | Husamguk Sidae |
The Later Three Kingdoms of Korea (892–936) consisted of Silla, Hubaekje ("Later Baekje") and Hugoguryeo ("Later Goguryeo", it was replaced by Goryeo). The later two claimed heirs to the earlier Three Kingdoms of Korea, which had been united by Silla, even though Hugoguryeo has little to do with Goguryeo. This period arose out of national unrest during the reign of Queen Jinseong of Silla, and usually refers to the era between the founding of Hubaekje by Gyeon Hwon to the time Goryeo unified the peninsula.
In the 9th and 10th century, Silla was shaken by problems arising from its reliance on the "bone rank system", a rigid class system under which only those from an aristocratic background could be appointed to high office. The system was being abused as a means for the ruling royal family to dominate politically and this caused much unrest in the latter days of Silla. The local gentry called hojok (hangul:호족, hanja: 豪族), i.e. mid-level nobility or village chiefs, strengthened their power during this chaotic period by assembling armies of their own and independently centralizing their forces. Dissention deepened within the nobility after the death of King Hyegong as contention over the royal succession intensified and power struggles were constant among the hojok. Not only was the political atmosphere in a shambles, the financial state of Silla was dire. Taxation was difficult without the nobles' cooperation. As a result, the tax burden fell heavily on the peasants and farmers, who consequently revolted in 889, the third year of Queen Jinseong's reign. Numerous revolts and uprisings occurred during the following 100 years, breaking Silla down.
As Silla started to crumble, Gyeon Hwon, a former general of Silla, led rebel troops to seize the provincial capital of Mujinju (hangul:무진주, hanja:武珍州), today's Gwangju in 892. He then conquered the southwest regions and in 900, Gyeon Hwon declared himself king of Hubaekje ("later Baekje"), a country to revive Baekje's glory. He established his capital at Wansanju (hangul:완산주, hanja:完山州), today's Jeonju, and continued to expand the kingdom.
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