Onjo of Baekje
Onjo (reigned 18 BCE–28 CE) is the legendary founder and first king of the ancient Korean kingdom of Baekje, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea.
Background
He is known as the second son of King Dongmyeong, the founder of Goguryeo, and Soseuno, a princess of Gaeru. He was the brother to Emperor Yuri of Goguryeo, and Biryu. He is also the founder of the Buyeo dynasty(부여 황족), and common ancestor of all Baekje rulers.
Founding and Expansion of Baekje
King Dongmyeong had three sons; Yuri, Biryu, and Onjo. Afer Yuri, born from Dongmyeong's first wife in Buyeo, came to Goguryeo and became the heir of throne, Biryu and Onjo left Goguryeo and moved south to found their own kingdoms. According to the Samguk Yusa, Biryu (비류/沸流) founded his kingdom in Michuhol (미추홀/彌鄒忽), but his didn't last long. The modern-day location of Michuhol is in debate—it was identified as Incheon (a city near Seoul) for a long time, but recently it was suggested as Incheon County, City of Asan, South Chungcheong. Onjo found his kingdom in Wirye, in or near modern-day Seoul, and named it Sipje (십제/十濟). Biryu's people joined Sipje after Biryu's death and King Onjo renamed it to Baekje. In 3 BC and 8 BC, the Malgal tribes attacked from the north, and in both times, Emperor Onjo directly led his armies and won landslide victories over the invaders. In 5 BC, the Emperor moved the capital city to Ung-Chun(웅천) and sent a messenger to Mahan telling him of the recent action. At this time, Onjo already had plans of conquering Mahan and Jinhan. By 7 AD, he was already preparing his armies for war and finally attacked during 8 AD. In 8 AD, he secretly took his armies across the border, laying the deceit that he was going to hunt in the forests. Soon, all of Mahan except for two fortresses were conquered. The citizens of the last two Mahan fortresses surrendered to Onjo and were given mercy. The Mahan King, however, committed suicide and left a letter for Onjo, asking him to take in Mahan's people with kindness and mercy. Onjo respected the Mahan King's last request and took his people in.
Baekje had expanded greatly, and several fortresses were being built every year. Peace lasted for 8 years untill 16 AD, when a former Mahan general caused a rebellion. The Emperor directly led an army of 5,000 and successfully destroyed the rebellion. Soon after this, the Malgal tribes invaded again during 22 AD, but were once again humiliatingly defeated by Emperor Onjo and his army.
Death and succession
Emperor Onjo died of natural cause in 28 AD, during the 46th year of his reign. He was succeeded by his eldest son, Daru. Onjo successfully laid the foundations for a powerful dynasty and empire that would last for 678 years and ruled by 31 emperors.
See also
- List of Korea-related topics
- History of Korea
- List of Korean monarchs