Cheolli Jangseong

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Cheolli Jangseong
Hangul:
천리장성
Hanja:
千里長城
Revised Romanization: Cheolli Jangseong
McCune-Reischauer: Ch'ŏlli Changsŏng

There were two separate structures called Cheolli Jangseong (lit. "Thousand Li Long Wall") in Korean history. The name usually refers to the 11th century northern defense structure built during the Goryeo dynasty in present-day North Korea, but it may also refer to the 7th century earthen wall built in present-day eastern China, by Goguryeo, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea.

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[edit] Goguryeo period

After Goguryeo's victory in the Goguryeo-Sui Wars, it began construction of the wall in 631, when the Tang Dynasty, the successor to the Sui in China, began incursions from the northwest. Its construction was supervised by Yeon Gaesomun during King Yeongryu's reign. It was completed in 647, after which Yeon Gaesomun took control of the Goguryeo court in a coup.

The wall ran for approximately 1000 li in what is now called Manchuria, from Buyeoseong (부여성, 扶餘城) (present-day 農安) to the Bohai Bay passing through the following forts located in Liaoning and Jilin :

  • Bisa fortress (Hangul :비사성 Hanja :卑沙城) present-day Jinzhou County in Dalian 大連市 金州區)
  • Geonan fortress (Hangul :건안성 Hanja :建安城) present-day Gaixian 盖縣)
  • Anshi/Ansi Castle (Goguryeo:안촌홀(安寸忽) Hangul :안시성 Hanja :安市城) present-day Haicheng 海城)
  • Baekam fortress (Hangul :백암성 Hanja :白巖城) present-day Dengta Prefecture in Liaoyang 遼陽市 燈塔縣)
  • Liaodong/Yodong fortress (Hangul :요동성 Hanja :遼東城) present-day Liaoyang 遼陽)
  • Gaemo fortress (Hangul :개모성 Hanja :蓋牟城) present-day Shenyang 瀋陽/沈陽)
  • Hyeondo fortress (Hangul :현도성)
  • Shin fortress (Hangul :신성 Hanja :新城) present-day Fushun 撫順)
  • Fuyu/Buyeo fortress (Hangul :부여성 Hanja :扶餘城) present-day Nongan Prefecture in Changchun 長春市 農安縣)

[edit] Goryeo period

Cheolli Janseong also refers to the stone wall built from 1033 to 1044, during the Goryeo dynasty, in northern Korean peninsula. Sometimes called Goryeo Jangseong ("Great Wall of Goryeo"), it is roughly 1000 li in length, and about 24 feet each in height and width. It connected the fortresses built during King Hyeonjong's reign.

King Deokjong ordered Yuso to build the defenses in response to incursions by the Khitan of the northwest and the Jurchen of the northeast. It was completed during King Jeongjong's reign.

It ran from the mouth of the Yalu River to around Hamheung of present-day North Korea. Remnants are still extant, including in Uiju and Jeongpyong.

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