Cheolli Jangseong

Cheolli Jangseong

Map showing the location of the two Cheolli Jangseong.
Korean name
Hangul 천리장성
Hanja 千里長城
Revised Romanization Cheolli Jangseong
McCune–Reischauer Ch'ŏlli Changsŏng

Cheolli Jangseong (lit. "Thousand Li Wall") in Korean history usually refers to the 11th century northern defense structure built during the Goryeo dynasty in present-day North Korea, though it also refers to a 7th century network of military garrisons in present-day northeastern China, built by Goguryeo, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea.

Contents

Goguryeo period

After Goguryeo's victory in the Goguryeo–Sui Wars, in 631 Goguryeo began the fortification of numerous military garrisons after the Tang Dynasty, the successor to the Sui in China, began incursions from the northwest.[1] Its construction was supervised by Yeon Gaesomun during the reign of King Yeongnyu. The preparation and coordination was completed in 647, after which Yeon Gaesomun took control of the Goguryeo court in a coup.

The network of fortresses 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.

The most important of the garrisons were as follows:

Goryeo period

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

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 the reign of Emperor Jeongjong.

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

See also

References

  1. ^ 《三国史记·高句丽本记八》:“荣留王十四年春二月,王动众筑长城,东北自扶余城,西南至海千余里,凡十六年毕功”