''Samguk sagi'' () is a historical record of the

Three Kingdoms of Korea The Three Kingdoms of Korea or Samhan (Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla) competed for hegemony over the Korea, Korean Peninsula during the ancient period of History of Korea, Korean history. During the Three Kingdoms period (), many states and statele ...

Goguryeo Goguryeo (37 BC – 668 AD) (; ; Old Korean: Guryeo) also later known as Goryeo (; ; Middle Korean: 고ᇢ롕〮, ''kwòwlyéy''), was a Korean kingdom which was located on the northern and central parts of the Korea, Korean Peninsula an ...

Baekje Baekje or Paekche (; ) was a Korean kingdom located in southwestern Korea from 18 BCE to 660 CE. It was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, together with Goguryeo and Silla. While the three kingdoms were in separate existence, Baekje had the h ...

, and

Silla Silla (; Old Korean: wikt:徐羅伐#Old Korean, 徐羅伐, Yale romanization of Korean, Yale: Syerapel, Revised Romanization of Korean, RR: ''Seorabeol''; International Phonetic Alphabet, IPA: ) was a Korean kingdom that existed between ...

. Completed in 1145, it is well-known in Korea as the oldest surviving chronicle of Korean history. The ''Samguk sagi'' is written in

Classical Chinese Classical Chinese is the language in which the classics of Chinese literature were written, from . For millennia thereafter, the written Chinese used in these works was imitated and iterated upon by scholars in a form now called Literary ...

, the written language of the literati of ancient Korea. Its compilation was ordered by King

Injong of Goryeo Injong (29 October 1109 – 10 April 1146), personal name Wang Hae, was the 17th monarch of the Korean Goryeo dynasty. He was the eldest son of King Yejong and Queen Sundeok, the daughter of Yi Cha-gyŏm. His reign saw two major internal crises ...

(r. 1122–1146) and undertaken by a government official and historian named Kim Bu-sik with his team of junior scholars. The document has been digitized by the

National Institute of Korean History The National Institute of Korean History (NIKH; ) is a South Korean government organization in charge of researching, collecting, compiling, and promoting materials related to Korean history. It was established as the Office of National History ...

and is available online with Modern Korean translation in

Hangul The Korean alphabet is the modern writing system for the Korean language. In North Korea, the alphabet is known as (), and in South Korea, it is known as (). The letters for the five basic consonants reflect the shape of the speech organs ...

Description

''Samguk sagi'' is critical to the study of Korean history during the Three Kingdoms and Unified Silla periods. Not only because this work, and its Buddhist counterpart ''

Samguk yusa ''Samguk yusa'' (; ) or ''Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms'' is a collection of legends, folktales, and historical accounts relating to the Three Kingdoms of Korea (Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla), as well as to other periods and states before, d ...

'', are the only remaining Korean sources for the period, but also because the ''Samguk sagi'' contains a large amount of information and details. For example, the translation tables given in Books 35 and 36 have been used for a tentative reconstruction of the former

Goguryeo language The Goguryeo language, or Koguryoan, was the language of the ancient kingdom of Goguryeo (37 BCE – 668 CE), one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. Early Chinese histories state that the language was similar to those of Buyeo, Okjeo and Ye. Lee K ...

Background

There were various motivating factors behind the compilation of the ''Samguk sagi'' in the 12th century. These may roughly be categorized as ideological and political. The ideological factors are made manifest in the work's preface, written by Kim Busik, where the civil historian states,

"Of today's scholars and high-ranking officials, there are those who are well-versed and can discuss in detail the
Five Classics The Four Books and Five Classics are authoritative and important books associated with Confucianism, written before 300 BC. They are traditionally believed to have been either written, edited or commented by Confucius or one of his disciples. S ...
and the other philosophical treatises... as well as the histories of Qin and Han, but as to the events of our country, they are utterly ignorant from beginning to end. This is truly lamentable."

Sources for the text

The ''Samguk sagi'' was written on the basis of the '' Gu Samguksa'' (舊三國史, Old History of the Three Kingdoms), and other earlier historical records such as the ''

Hwarang Segi Hwarang segi (lit. ''Annals of Hwarang'' or ''Generations of the Hwarang'') was a historical record of the Hwarang (lit. flower boys but referring to an elite warrior group of male youth) of the Silla kingdom in ancient Korea. It is said to have ...

'' (花郞世記, Annals of Hwarang), most of which are no longer extant. Concerning external sources, no references are made to the Japanese chronicles, like the ''

Kojiki The , also sometimes read as or , is an early Japanese chronicle of myths, legends, hymns, genealogies, oral traditions, and semi-historical accounts down to 641 concerning the origin of the Japanese archipelago, the , and the Japanese imperia ...

'' or the ''

Nihon Shoki The or , sometimes translated as ''The Chronicles of Japan'', is the second-oldest book of classical Japanese history. It is more elaborate and detailed than the , the oldest, and has proven to be an important tool for historians and archaeol ...

'', chronicles of Japan that were respectively released in 712 and 720. It is possible Kim Busik was ignorant of them or scorned to quote a Japanese source. In contrast, he lifts generously from the Chinese dynastic chronicles and even unofficial Chinese records, most prominently the ''

Book of Wei The ''Book of Wei'', also known by its Chinese name as the ''Wei Shu'', is a classic Chinese historical text compiled by Wei Shou from 551 to 554, and is an important text describing the history of the Northern Wei and Eastern Wei from 386 to 5 ...

'', '' Sanguo Zhi'', ''

Jin Shu The ''Book of Jin'' is an official Chinese historical text covering the history of the Jin dynasty from 266 to 420. It was compiled in 648 by a number of officials commissioned by the imperial court of the Tang dynasty, with chancellor Fang X ...

'', '' Jiu Tangshu'', '' Xin Tangshu'', and the ''

Zizhi Tongjian The ''Zizhi Tongjian'' (1084) is a chronicle published during the Northern Song dynasty (960–1127) that provides a record of Chinese history from 403 BC to 959 AD, covering 16 dynasties and spanning almost 1400 years. The main text is ...

''.

The ''Samguk sagi'' is divided into 50 books. Originally, each of them was written on a scroll (). They are listed as follows:

Silla's Records

12 scrolls, Nagi/Silla bongi, 나기/신라 본기, 羅紀/新羅本紀. : Book 01. Geoseogan Hyeokgeose, Chachaung Namhae, Isageum Yuri, Talhae, Pasa, Jima, Ilseong : Book 02. Isageum Adalla, Beolhyu, Naehae, Jobun, Cheomhae,

Michu Miguel Pérez Cuesta (born 21 March 1986), known as Michu (), is a Spanish former professional Association football, footballer who played as a Forward (association football)#Forward, forward or Midfielder#Attacking midfielder, attacking midfie ...

, Yurye, Girim, Heulhae : Book 03. Isageum Naemul, Silseong, Maripgan Nulji, Jabi, Soji : Book 04. Maripgan Jijeung, King Beopheung, Jinheung, Jinji, Jinpyeong : Book 05. Queen Seondeok, Jindeok, King Taejong Muyeol : Book 06. King Munmu - Part One : Book 07. King Munmu - Part Two : Book 08. King Sinmun, Hyoso, Seongdeok : Book 09. King Hyoseong, Gyeongdeok, Hyegong, Seondeok : Book 10. King Wonseong, Soseong, Aejang, Heondeok, Heungdeok, Huigang, Minae, Sinmu : Book 11. King Munseong, Heonan, Gyeongmun, Heongang, Jeonggang, Queen Jinseong : Book 12. King Hyogong, Sindeok, Gyeongmyeong, Gyeongae, Gyeongsun

Goguryeo's Records

10 scrolls, Yeogi/Goguryeo bongi, 여기/고구려 본기, 麗紀/高句麗本紀. : Book 13. Sage King Dongmyeong, Bright King Yuri, : Book 14. King Daemusin, Minjung, Mobon, : Book 15. Great King Taejo, King Chadae : Book 16. King Sindae, Gogukcheon, Sansang : Book 17. King Dongcheon, Jungcheon, Seocheon, Bongsang, Micheon : Book 18. King Gogukwon, Sosurim, Gogugyang, Gwanggaeto, Jangsu, : Book 19. Illustrious King Munja, King Anjang, Anwon, Yangwon, Pyeongwon, : Book 20. King Yeongyang, Yeongnyu : Book 21. King Bojang - Part One : Book 22. King Bojang - Part Two

Baekje's Records

6 scrolls, Jegi/Baekje bongi, 제기/백제 본기, 濟紀/百濟本紀. : Book 23. King Onjo (Dynastic Founder),

Daru Daru is the capital of the Western Province of Papua New Guinea and a former Catholic bishopric. Daru town falls under the jurisdiction of Daru Urban LLG. The township is entirely located on an island that goes by the same name, which is lo ...

, Giru, Gaeru, Chogo : Book 24. King Gusu,

Saban Saban or Šaban may refer to: People * Saban (name), for people with the name * Sabans, a small indigenous ethnic group of Sarawak, Malaysia Other uses *Saban Capital Group, a private investment firm investing in music and entertainment *Saban C ...

, Goi, Chaekgye, Bunseo, Biryu, Gye, Geunchogo, Geungusu, Chimnyu : Book 25. King Jinsa,

Asin Asin Thottumkal (born 26 October 1985), known mononyomusly as Asin, is an Indian former actress who appeared predominantly in Tamil cinema, Tamil, Hindi and Telugu language, Telugu films. Asin is a recipient of List of awards and nominations ...

, Jeonji, Guisin, Biyu, Gaero : Book 26. King Munju, Samgeun, Dongseong, Muryeong,

Seong Seong (), also spelled Song or Sung, is an uncommon Korean family name. Overview The family name Seong is written with only one hanja character, meaning "succeed" or "accomplish" (). The 2000 South Korean Census found 167,903 people with this f ...

: Book 27. King Wideok, Hye, Beop, Mu :

Book 28 A book is a structured presentation of recorded information, primarily verbal and graphical, through a medium. Originally physical, electronic books and audiobooks are now existent. Physical books are objects that contain printed material, mo ...

. King Uija

Chronological Tables

3 scrolls, Yeonpyo, 연표, 年表. : Book 29. : Book 30. : Book 31.

Monographs

9 scrolls, Ji, 지, 志. : Book 32. Rites and music : Book 33. Vehicles, clothing, and dwellings : Book 34. Geography of Silla (1) : Book 35. Geography of Silla (2): Former territory of Goguryeo : Book 36. Geography of Silla (3): Former territory of Baekje : Book 37. Geography of Goguryeo and Baekje : Book 38. Silla government offices. : Book 39. Silla government offices. : Book 40. Silla government offices.

Biographies

10 scrolls, Yeoljeon, 열전, 列傳. : Book 41. Kim Yusin (1) : Book 42. Kim Yusin (2) : Book 43. Kim Yusin (3) : Book 44.

Ŭlchi Mundŏk Ŭlchi Mundŏk () was a military leader of early 7th century Goguryeo, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, who successfully defended Goguryeo against Sui China. He is famous for his victory at Salsu, and is often numbered among the greatest her ...

을지문덕, Geochilbu 김거칠부, Geodo 거도, Yi Sabu 이사부, Kim Immun 김인문,

Kim Yang Kim Yang (; 808–857) was part of the Silla royal family and its retainers. Said to be a descendant of the second son of Kim Chunchu. In service of Silla Born in 808, he was the son of Kim Chŏng-yŏ, a descendant of Kim Chu-wŏn. In 822, his gr ...

김양, Heukchi Sangji 흑치상지,

Jang Bogo Jang Bo-go (787–841), whose childhood name was Gungbok or Gungpa (), was a Sillan who rose to prominence in the Later Silla period of Korea as a powerful maritime figure who effectively controlled the Yellow Sea (West Sea), and dominated the ...

장보고, Jeong Nyeon 정년, Prince Sadaham 사다함공 : Book 45. Ŭl P'aso 을파소, Kim Hujik 김후직,

og zhēn Og ( ; ; ) was, according to the Hebrew Bible and other sources, an Amorite king of Bashan who was slain along with his army by Moses and his men at the battle of Edrei. In Arabic literature he is referred to as ʿŪj ibn ʿAnāq (, "Og son of ...

祿真, Milu 밀우, Nyuyu 유유 纽由, Myeongnim Dap-bu 명림답부, Seok Uro 석우로, Park Jesang 박제상, Gwisan 귀산, Ondal 온달 : Book 46. Scholars. Kangsu 강수, Ch'oe Ch'i-wŏn, Seol Chong : Book 47. Hwarangs. Haenon 해론, Sona 소나, Chwido 취도(驟徒), Nulchoi 눌최, Seol Gyedu 설계두, Kim Ryeong-yun 김영윤(金令胤), Gwanchang 관창, Kim Heum-un 김흠운, Yeolgi 열기(裂起), Binyeongja 비령자(丕寧子), Jukjuk 죽죽, Pilbu 필부(匹夫), Gyebaek 계백 : Book 48. Meritorious. Hyangdeok (son), Seonggak (son), Silhye 실혜 (實兮) (poet), Mulgyeja 물계자 (soldier), Teacher Baekgyeol 백결 선생 (music), Prince Kim 검군, Kim Saeng 김생 (calligrapher) and Yo Gukil, Solgeo 솔거 (painter), Chiun (daughter), Seolssi (daughter), Domi (wife). : Book 49. Overthrows. Chang Jori 창조리,

Yeon Gaesomun Yeon GaesomunSome Chinese and Korean sources stated that his surname was Yeongae () and personal name was Somun (), but the majority of sources suggest a one-syllable surname and a three-syllable personal name. (; 594–666) was a powerful mili ...

연개소문 : Book 50. Later Kings. Kung Ye 궁예,

Kyŏn Hwŏn Kyŏn Hwŏn (; 867 – 27 September 936, ruled from 892 – March 935) was the king and founder of Later Baekje, one of the Later Three Kingdoms of Korea, and reigned from 892 to 935. Some records render his name as Chin Hwŏn (). He was also t ...

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Translations in Western languages

Portions of the work have appeared in various English language books and articles, notably: Translation of the whole Silla bongi * Translation of the whole Goguryeo bongi * Translation of the whole Baekje bongji * Isolated translations * * Gardiner, Kenneth H.J. 1982. "Legends of Koguryŏ (I-II): Samguk Sagi, Annals of Koguryŏ." ''Korea Journal'', 22(1): 60-69 and 22(2): 31-48. ranslation of book one of the Goguryeo bongi * Jamieson, John Charles. 1969. "The Samguk Sagi and the Unification Wars." Ph.D. dissertation, University of California, Berkeley. ranslation of books 6 and 7 of the Silla bongi and eleven of the biographies, mostly of men of Silla * Lee, Soyun, and Shin Jeongsoo. 2018. "Chapters 44 and 45 of the 'Samguk Sagi': An Annotated Translation of Biography icof Eulji Mundeok and Others." ''The Review of Korean Studies'', 21(2): 165-145. ranslations of books 44 and 45 of the biographies section * Na, Sanghoon, You Jinsook, and Shin Jeongsoo. 2018. "Chapter 41, 42 and 43 of the ''Samguk Sagi'': An Annotated Translation of icBiography of Kim Yusin." ''The Review of Korean Studies'', 21(1): 191-262.

References

Sources

Books

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Papers

* * . * * *

External links

The official website showing the original text as well as the translation in Korean Hangul
(

) * * * {{Korean language 12th-century history books History books about Korea Works by Goryeo people