Go Royal Family
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Go Royal Family (Reigned from 37 BC to 668 AD) was the dynasty that founded and ruled over the ancient Korean kingdom of Goguryeo. Its founder, Jumong Taewang, broke away from another ancient Korean kingdom called Buyeo to start his own kingdom. The Taewangs were all members of the Go Royal Family.
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[edit] The Founding
The Go Royal Family (고씨 황족) was founded and descended from one common ancestor, who was Jumong, also the first ruler of Goguryeo. Jumong was the son of Go Mosu and Yuhwa. Go Mosu was a descendant of Haemosu, the founder of Bukbuyeo, or North Buyeo, and was also said to have been a direct descendant or successor to the Emperors of Ancient Joseon (also known as Gojoseon). As a descendant of Haemosu, Jumong was driven by the goal of reuniting all of Gojoseon's ancient territory into one whole empire and one whole nation. With this goal in mind, he set off from Dongbuyeo and began building the foundations for his kingdom. After three years, he had already conquered several of the neighboring kingdoms and was ready to go into the final phase of constructing his kingdom. He completed this phase by holding hands with Jolbon and bringing it under his control. In 37 BC, Jumong finally established his kingdom and named it 'Goguryeo' (고구려). He also changed his last name from 'Hae' to 'Go,' which means 'high.' Goguryeo progressed and continued to grow stronger under Go Jumong's reign of 19 years. His first wife and their son, Yuri, soon to be Emperor Yuri Taewang, fled from Dongbuyeo and came to Goguryeo during the last year of Jumong's reign. Jumong proclaimed Yuri his successor and Crown Prince (태자) before dying five months later.
[edit] Complete Transition of the family name
Yuri Taewang rose to the throne in 19 BC and ruled until his death in 18 AD. During his reign, the royal family had absolute power and all power was in the hands of the reigning emperor. Under Yuri, the kingdom was able to grow powerful enough to fight the Han Dynasty. After Taewangs Yuri, Daemusin, Mobon, and Minjung, the young prince Gung took the surname "Go" for the first time in 3 generations. From Taejo Taewang to Bojang Taewang, the rulers of Goguryeo kept their ancestor's surname "Go."
[edit] Height of Imperial power
Goguryeo's height of power came in the reign of Gwanggaeto Taewang, who created and strengthened Goguryeo's cavalry and naval units to pacify the south and the north. Emperor Gwanggaeto the Great attacked and conquered Buyeo, Biryu-guk, the Later Yan, Malgal, and the Ainu tribes. Goguryeo's height of power finally came, but the bringer of glory died at the young age of 39.
[edit] Permanent Moving of the Capital city
In the year 427, Gwanggaeto Taewang's successor and son, Jangsu Taewang, moved the capital down to the city of Pyongyang for purposes of peace and also to establish a base of power closer to the southern kingdoms. Goguryeo's greatness was continued on by Jangsu Taewang, who paid more close attention to the southern Korean kingdoms and the Wa kingdom of Japan. When Emperor Jangsu died in the year 491, at the age of 97, Goguryeo had reached its golden age and pure height of power. He was succeeded by his grandson Go Naun, who became Munja Taewang.
[edit] Decline of Imperial power
Munja Taewang continued to expand Goguryeo's territories after receiving the full surrender of the ancient Korean state of Buyeo in 494. After the reign of Munja Taewang, his son Heung-An became Anjang Taewang. Anjang Taewang continued to attack the southern kingdoms and weaken their power, further establishing the empire's power over both the Korean peninsula and Manchuria. After Anjang Taewang, his son became Anwon Taewang.
[edit] Fall of Goguryeo
Goguryeo's 27th ruler, Yeongryu Taewang, submitted to the newly-risen Tang Dynasty, despite the overwhelming victories that Goguryeo had achieved over the Sui. Yeongryu Taewang was assassinated by Yeon Gaesomun, who was Dae Magniji of Goguryeo until 666 CE. Bojang Taewang, the nephew of Yeongryu Taewang, rose to the throne and ruled until 668 CE, when Goguryeo was destroyed forever.
[edit] See also
- Former monarchies of Asia
