Beonjoseon

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Beonjoseon (번조선) (2333 BC - 194 BC) was the westernmost of Gojoseon's three confederate states. It was ruled by the Chi family until 6857 BC, when Suhan, the last Chi Vice-dangun died and was succeeded by Gihu of the Gi family.

1 Location
2 History
- 2.1 Establishment and separation from Jinjoseon
3 Downfall of Beonjoseon and usurption of Wiman
4 Rulers of Beonjoseon
- 4.1 Vice-danguns of Beonjoseon
- 4.2 Rulers of Gija Joseon
5 See also
6 Sources

[edit] Location

Beonjoseon extended from western Manchuria to the whole of the Shandong region. It had several capitals at Humdok, and Joyang. After wars with the Yan and Jinjoseon, the territory of Beonjoseon gradually shrank.

Beonjoseon consisted of 12 states that were each ruled by a king under the direct control and influence of the vice-dangun.

[edit] History

[edit] Establishment and separation from Jinjoseon

When Dangun Wanggeom established Gojoseon in 2333 BC, he organized the governmental structure by splitting the entire empire into three: Jinjoseon, Beonjoseon, and Majoseon. He assigned a vice-dangun for Beonjoseon and Majoseon, but Jinjoseon was to be the central authority and ruling seat of the Danguns. Wanggeom assigned Beonjoseon to Chidunam, a descendant of the Baedal Emperors. Chidunam put the capital of his state in the city of Humdok. From there, Chidunam and his descendants ruled until the death of Suhan Vice-dangun in 6857 BC. Soon, the Gi family, descendants of Gija, came to power in Beonjoseon with Gihu as their head. Gihu declared independence from Jinjoseon and ruled Beonjoseon as a king and not as a vice-dangun.

[edit] Downfall of Beonjoseon and usurption of Wiman

Beonjoseon fell under its 74th ruler, King King Jun. King Jun waged war against the Yan kingdom but faced a heavy defeat, which began the fall of Beonjoseon. Then, with the fall of the Qin Dynasty and the rise of the Han Dynasty, several people from the west migrated into Beonjoseon. The leader of these refugees was Wiman, whom King Jun accepted generously. King Jun assigned Wiman to "Commander of the Western border," but Wiman was not satisfied and plan a revolt against the king. Wiman led this revolt in 194 BC, and overthrew King Jun. Jun fled with his subjects to the Korean peninsula by boat, and took over Majoseon to establish Mahan. Wiman established Wiman Joseon and made his capital at Wanggeomseong. After three generations, Wiman Joseon fell to Han Wudi's invasion.