Biryu
Encyclopedia
Biryu was the second son of Jumong and So Seo-no
, and older brother of Onjo
, the traditionally recognized founder of Baekje
(18 BCE–660 CE), which was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea
. In an alternate legend, Biryu himself is described as the founder of Baekje.
presents two founding legends of Baekje, one crediting Onjo, and an alternate crediting Biryu. The Samguk Sagi relays only Onjo's descendents, not Biryu's, as the royal dynasty of Baekje. However, Biryu's descendents are thought to have maintained enough influence in Baekje for this legend to survive.
Biryu and Onjo were sons of Jumong
, the founder of the northernmost of the Three Kingdoms, Goguryeo
. Biryu was recognized as successor of the throne but when Jumong's first wife and Yuri, son of Jumong and his first wife, came and succeeded Jumong, Biryu and Onjo left Goguryeo.
According to the main account given in the Samguk Sagi, Biryu settled in Michuhol
, thought to be today's Incheon
, South Korea
.
Onjo first settled north of the Han River, but later moved his capital to Hanam (meaning "south of the river") Wiryeseong
in or near today's Seoul
.
When the Michuhol land proved to be inhospitable, Biryu and his people went to Onjo, demanding that he be the King of Shipje
. After Onjo refused, Biryu declared war and attacked Hanam, but failed to conquer it and committed suicide. Later, the two groups merged to become Baekje.
Biryu is also recorded in the Haedong goseungjeon ( / ). A river and a statelet absorbed into Goguryeo shared his name. The 11th king Biryu
and the 20th king Biyu
of Baekje also apparently took their names from him.
So Seo-no
Soseono was the wife of King Dongmyeong , and remembered as a key figure in the founding of both Goguryeo and Baekje...
, and older brother of Onjo
Onjo of Baekje
Onjo was the founding monarch of Baekje, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. According to the Samguk Sagi, he was the ancestor of all Baekje kings.- Background :...
, the traditionally recognized founder of Baekje
Baekje
Baekje or Paekche was a kingdom located in southwest Korea. It was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, together with Goguryeo and Silla....
(18 BCE–660 CE), which was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea
Three Kingdoms of Korea
The Three Kingdoms of Korea refer to the ancient Korean kingdoms of Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla, which dominated the Korean peninsula and parts of Manchuria for much of the 1st millennium...
. In an alternate legend, Biryu himself is described as the founder of Baekje.
The Record of Baekje Founding
The Korean history compilation Samguk SagiSamguk Sagi
Samguk Sagi is a historical record of the Three Kingdoms of Korea: Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla. The Samguk Sagi is written in Classical Chinese and its compilation was ordered by Goryeo's King Injong Samguk Sagi (History of the Three Kingdoms) is a historical record of the Three Kingdoms of...
presents two founding legends of Baekje, one crediting Onjo, and an alternate crediting Biryu. The Samguk Sagi relays only Onjo's descendents, not Biryu's, as the royal dynasty of Baekje. However, Biryu's descendents are thought to have maintained enough influence in Baekje for this legend to survive.
Biryu and Onjo were sons of Jumong
Dongmyeongseong of Goguryeo
King Dongmyeong of Goguryeo or Dongmyeongseongwang , which literally means "Holy King of the East". also known by his birth name Jumong, was the founding monarch of Goguryeo, the northernmost of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. In the Gwanggaeto Stele, he is called Chumo-wang ...
, the founder of the northernmost of the Three Kingdoms, Goguryeo
Goguryeo
Goguryeo or Koguryŏ was an ancient Korean kingdom located in present day northern and central parts of the Korean Peninsula, southern Manchuria, and southern Russian Maritime province....
. Biryu was recognized as successor of the throne but when Jumong's first wife and Yuri, son of Jumong and his first wife, came and succeeded Jumong, Biryu and Onjo left Goguryeo.
According to the main account given in the Samguk Sagi, Biryu settled in Michuhol
Incheon
The Incheon Metropolitan City is located in northwestern South Korea. The city was home to just 4,700 people when Jemulpo port was built in 1883. Today 2.76 million people live in the city, making it Korea’s third most populous city after Seoul and Busan Metropolitan City...
, thought to be today's Incheon
Incheon
The Incheon Metropolitan City is located in northwestern South Korea. The city was home to just 4,700 people when Jemulpo port was built in 1883. Today 2.76 million people live in the city, making it Korea’s third most populous city after Seoul and Busan Metropolitan City...
, South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
.
Onjo first settled north of the Han River, but later moved his capital to Hanam (meaning "south of the river") Wiryeseong
Wiryeseong
Wiryeseong was the name of two early capitals of Baekje, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. Both are believed to have been in the modern-day Seoul area...
in or near today's Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
.
When the Michuhol land proved to be inhospitable, Biryu and his people went to Onjo, demanding that he be the King of Shipje
Baekje
Baekje or Paekche was a kingdom located in southwest Korea. It was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, together with Goguryeo and Silla....
. After Onjo refused, Biryu declared war and attacked Hanam, but failed to conquer it and committed suicide. Later, the two groups merged to become Baekje.
Biryu is also recorded in the Haedong goseungjeon ( / ). A river and a statelet absorbed into Goguryeo shared his name. The 11th king Biryu
Biryu of Baekje
Biryu of Baekje was the 11th king of Baekje, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. According to the Samguk Sagi, he was second son of the 6th king Gusu and the younger brother of the 7th king Saban...
and the 20th king Biyu
Biyu of Baekje
Biyu of Baekje was the 20th king of Baekje, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea.According to the Samguk Sagi, he was the eldest son of the 19th king Guisin. The traditional dates of Biyu's rule are based on the Samguk Sagi...
of Baekje also apparently took their names from him.