# Samguk sagi

> historical record of the Three Kingdoms of Korea: Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla

**Wikidata**: [Q485552](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q485552)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samguk_sagi)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/samguk-sagi

## Summary
The *Samguk sagi* (literally "History of the Three Kingdoms") is a foundational historical text compiled in 1145 by the Goryeo scholar-official Kim Busik. It is the oldest surviving chronicle of the Three Kingdoms of Korea—Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla—and serves as a critical primary source for understanding the history of the Korean Peninsula from the 1st century BCE to the 7th century CE. Commissioned by the Goryeo court, it was written in Classical Chinese and structured into 50 volumes.

## Key Facts
- **Inception Date**: 1145 (compiled during the Goryeo dynasty).  
- **Author**: Kim Busik (1075–1151), a Goryeo statesman and scholar.  
- **Country of Origin**: Goryeo (present-day South Korea).  
- **Structure**: 50 volumes divided into annals, biographies, and treatises.  
- **Languages**: Written in Classical Chinese.  
- **Subject**: Historical record of Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla.  
- **Related Entities**:  
  - **Literary Work**: Classified as a historical chronicle and literary text.  
  - **Goryeo Dynasty**: Compiled under King Injong.  
  - **Kim Pusik**: Primary compiler and editor.  
- **Identifiers**:  
  - VIAF: 132441370  
  - ISNI: 0000 0001 2308 8103  
  - P244: n85044744  
  - P349: 00651114  
  - P373: Samguk Sagi  
  - P1942: Samguk Sagi  
  - P2001: Samguk Sagi  
  - P2924: 3530449  
  - P3417: Samguk-Sagi  
  - P5034: KSH2002003074  
  - P5909: 9811114287503406  
  - P8189: 987007602048805171  
  - P9000: Samguk_Sagi  
  - P9475: E0026478  

## FAQs
**Who compiled the *Samguk sagi* and why?**  
The *Samguk sagi* was compiled by Kim Busik, a high-ranking official of the Goryeo dynasty, to create an authoritative historical record of the Three Kingdoms. It was commissioned to legitimize Goryeo's rule by tracing its lineage to the ancient kingdoms.  

**What historical period does it cover?**  
It documents the history of Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla from their legendary foundations (circa 1st century BCE) to the unification of the peninsula under Silla in 668 CE.  

**How is it structured?**  
The text is divided into 50 volumes: 28 annals (*gi*), 13 biographies (*seon*), and 9 treatises (*ji*). The annals chronicle royal lineages, while the biographies and treatises detail notable figures and governance.  

**What languages and scripts were used?**  
It was written in Classical Chinese, the literary language of East Asia at the time, using Chinese characters (*hanja*).  

**What is its relationship to the *Samguk yusa*?**  
While the *Samguk sagi* focuses on political and military history, the *Samguk yusa* (compiled later) emphasizes folklore, Buddhism, and cultural traditions, often supplementing or contrasting with the *sagi*.  

## Why It Matters
The *Samguk sagi* is indispensable to the study of early Korean history, providing detailed accounts of the Three Kingdoms' politics, diplomacy, and society. As the earliest extant chronicle of Korea, it shaped later historiography and reinforced Goryeo's ideological connection to the ancient kingdoms. Its compilation reflects the Goryeo court's efforts to assert cultural and political legitimacy, and it remains a cornerstone of Korean identity and scholarship. Without it, much of the Three Kingdoms' history would rely on fragmented archaeological evidence or foreign records like Chinese texts.

## Notable For
- **Oldest Surviving Chronicle**: The earliest comprehensive historical record of the Korean Peninsula.  
- **Political Legitimization**: Used to justify Goryeo's rule by linking it to the legacy of Silla.  
- **Classical Chinese Composition**: Reflects the linguistic and literary norms of East Asian scholarship.  
- **Interdisciplinary Significance**: Cited in fields ranging from archaeology to political science for its detailed accounts of governance and warfare.  
- **Cultural Preservation**: Documents rituals, laws, and administrative systems of the Three Kingdoms.  

## Body

### History and Compilation  
The *Samguk sagi* was commissioned by King Injong of Goryeo and compiled by Kim Busik between 1143 and 1145. Kim, a descendant of the Silla royal family, drew from earlier sources (now lost) such as the *Gogi gui* (古記葵) and *Silla gi* (新羅紀). The text was intended to serve both as a historical record and as a moral guide for rulers, emphasizing Confucian ideals.  

### Content and Structure  
- **Annals (28 volumes)**: Year-by-year accounts of kings' reigns, including Goguryeo (10 volumes), Baekje (10 volumes), and Silla (8 volumes).  
- **Biographies (13 volumes)**: Stories of notable figures, such as generals and scholars, often highlighting their loyalty or virtue.  
- **Treatises (9 volumes)**: Descriptions of geography, rituals, and bureaucratic systems, offering insights into daily life and governance.  

### Related Entities  
- **Goryeo Dynasty**: The text was produced under Goryeo's patronage, reflecting its political agenda.  
- **Kim Pusik**: A polymath who served as *Yeongpyeong* (chancellor) and led the compilation project.  
- **Three Kingdoms**:  
  - **Goguryeo** (37 BCE–668 CE): Noted for its military prowess and territorial expansion.  
  - **Baekje** (18 BCE–660 CE): Celebrated for its artistic and cultural achievements.  
  - **Silla** (57 BCE–935 CE): The first kingdom to unify the peninsula with Tang China's aid.  

### Cultural and Academic Significance  
The *Samguk sagi* has been critiqued for its Silla-centric bias, as Kim Busik emphasized Silla's role as Goryeo's predecessor while downplaying Goguryeo and Baekje. Modern scholars cross-reference it with archaeological findings (e.g., the *Samguk yusa*, Chinese records like the *Book of Wei*, and excavations at Goguryeo tombs) to balance its narrative. It remains a required text in Korean studies and has influenced literature, drama, and national identity discourse.  

### Technical Identifiers and Preservation  
The text is preserved in multiple manuscripts, including the *Seokbo sangji* (石譜箱志) edition. Its global identifiers (e.g., VIAF, ISNI) facilitate academic citation and digital archiving. Institutions like the National Library of Korea and international projects such as the *Samguk sagi* Translation Project ensure its accessibility to global audiences.  

### Legacy and Criticism  
While revered as a historical treasure, the *Samguk sagi* faces criticism for omitting folk traditions and exaggerating Silla's achievements. Nonetheless, its systematic chronology and institutional details make it an unparalleled resource for reconstructing the political and social structures of early Korea. Its influence extends beyond academia, inspiring adaptations in media like the *King Gwanggaeto the Great* TV series and informing UNESCO World Heritage designations (e.g., Goguryeo tombs).

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. Quora
3. Hong Kong Chinese Authority Name
4. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File