Korean Ancient Origins

The origins of Korea in history see the people of this beautiful land fight hard to maintain their independence from their powerful neighbours, particularly from China and Japan. The myths, folk and fairy tales so popular today have grown from this unique sense of individuality and determined identity found throughout the history of Korea.

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Korea's myths and folklore are rooted in the ancient history of a land inhabited since Neolithic times. The earliest years are subject to myth with some references to the Gojoseon Kingdom being found in the northern region of Korea and Southern province of China in the 2300s BCE. Records become more reliable from the middle of the first millennium BCE before a 700-year stretch which is referred to as The Three Kingdom period before the ultimate domination of one of those Kingdoms, Silla, roughly at the time of the Viking Age in Europe and Scandinavia. Before long, though, the Mongol invasions of Korea in the 1200s overwhelmed the local rulers. Over 200 years later the Joseon Dynasty swept to power, heralding a golden era of independence, scientific and social development, and the creation of the Korean alphabet. This beautiful new book explores the ancient history of Korea through curated extracts form classic historical texts complemented by insightful new introductions from Stella Xu.


Flame Tree Collector's Editions present the foundations of speculative fiction, authors, myths and tales without which the imaginative literature of the twentieth century would not exist, bringing the best, most influential and most fascinating works into a striking and collectable library. Each book features a new introduction, and lists of Ancient Kings & Leaders or a Glossary of Terms.