Buyeo, Puyŏ or Fuyu, was an ancient Northeast Asia kingdom centred around the middle of Manchuria and existing as an independent polity from before the late 2nd century BC to the mid-4th century AD. The state entered into formal diplomatic relations with the Eastern Han dynasty by the mid-1st century AD as an important ally of that empire to check the Xianbei and Goguryeo threats. After an incapacitating Xianbei invasion in 285, Buyeo was restored with help from the Jin dynasty. This, however, marked the beginning of a period of decline. A second Xianbei invasion in 346 finally destroyed the state, except some remnants in its core region which survived as vassals of Goguryeo until their final annexation in 494. Both Goguryeo and Baekje, two of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, considered themselves Buyeo's successors.
Mythical Origins
The mythical founder of the Buyeo kingdom was Hae Mo-su, the Dongmyeong of Buyeo which literally means Holy King of Buyeo. After its foundation, brought the royal court to his new palace, and they proclaimed him King. Jumong is described as the son of Hae Mo-su and Lady Yuhwa, who was the daughter of Habaek, the god of the Amnok River or, according to an alternative interpretation, the sun god Haebak.
History
Archaeological Predecessors
The Buyeo state emerged from the Bronze Age polities of the Seodansan and Liangquan archaeological cultures in the context of trade with various Chinese polities. In particular was the state of Yan which introduced iron technology to Manchuria and the Korean peninsula after its conquest of Liaodong in the early third century BC.
Relations with China
Buyeo became a vassal of Eastern Han in 49 AD. This was advantageous to the Chinese as an ally in the northeast would curb the threats of the Xianbei in western Manchuria and eastern Mongolia and Goguryeo in the Liaodong region and the northern Korean peninsula. The Buyeo elites also sought this arrangement as it legitimized their rule and gave them better access to Chinese prestige trade goods. During a period of turmoil in China's northeast, Buyeo attacked the some of Eastern Han's holdings in 111, but relations were mended in 120 and a military alliance was arranged. Two years later Buyeo saved the Xuantu commandery from total destruction by Goguryeo when it sent reinforcement to break the siege of the commandery seat. In 167 Buyeo attacked the Xuantu commandery but was defeated. Relations were again restored in 174. In the early 3rd century, Gongsun Du, a Chinese warlord in Liaodong, supported Buyeo to counter Xianbei in the north and Goguryeo in the east. After destroying the Gongsun family, the northern Chinese state of Cao Wei sent Guanqiu Jian to attack Goguryeo. Part of the expeditionary force led by Wang Qi, the Grand Administrator of the Xuantu Commandery, pursued the Guguryeo court eastward through Okjeo and into the lands of the Yilou. On their return journey they were welcomed as they passed through the land of Buyeo. It brought detailed information of the kingdom to China. In 285 the Murong tribe of the Xianbei, led by Murong Hui, invaded Buyeo, pushing King Uiryeo to suicide, and forcing the relocation of the court to Okjeo. Considering its friendly relationship with the Jin Dynasty, Emperor Wu helped King Uira revive Buyeo. Goguryeo's attack sometime before 347 caused further decline. Having lost its stronghold on the Ashi River, Buyeo moved southwestward to Nong'an. Around 347, Buyeo was attacked by Murong Huang of the Former Yan, and King Hyeon was captured.
Fall
According to Samguk Sagi, in 504, the tribute emissary Yesilbu mentions that the gold of Buyeo could no longer be obtainable for tribute as Buyeo had been driven out by the Malgal and the Somna and absorbed into Baekje. It is also shown that the Emperor Xuanwu of Northern Wei wished that Buyeo would regain its former glory. A remnant of Buyeo seems to have lingered around modern Harbin area under the influence of Goguryeo. Buyeo paid tribute once to Northern Wei in 457–8, but otherwise seems to have been controlled by Goguryeo. In 494, Buyeo were under attack by the rising Wuji, and the Buyeo court moved and surrendered to Goguryeo.
Jolbon Buyeo
Many ancient historical records indicate the "Jolbon Buyeo", apparently referring to the incipient Goguryeo or its capital city. In 37 BC, Jumong became the first king of Goguryeo. Jumong went on to conquer Okjeo, Dongye, and Haengin, regaining some of Buyeo and former territory of Gojoseon.
Culture
According to the Sanguo Zhi the Buyeo were agricultural people who occupied the northeastern lands in Manchuria beyond the great walls. The aristocratic rulers subject to the king bore the title ka and were distinguished from each other by animal names, such as the dog ka and horse ka.
Language
Chinese dynastic records state that the languages of Buyeo, Goguryeo, and Okjeo were similar while being very different from the language of the Yilou to the east. The Koguryoic languages are a branch of the Koreanic language family including Buyeo/Goguryeo and Baekje, next to the Han languages.
Legacy
In the 1930s, Chinese historian Jin Yufu developed a linear model of descent for the people of Manchuria and northern Korea, from the kingdoms of Buyeo, Goguryeo, and Baekje, to the modern Korean nationality. Later historians of Northeast China built upon this influential model. Goguryeo and Baekje, two of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, considered themselves successors of Buyeo. King Onjo, the founder of Baekje, is said to have been a son of King Dongmyeongseong, founder of Goguryeo. Baekje officially changed its name to Nambuyeo in 538.
