The Goryeo Dynasty or Koryŏ is a Korean dynasty established in 918 by Emperor Taejo.
This kingdom later gives name to the modern state of Korea.
It unites the Later Three Kingdoms in 936 and rules most of the Korean peninsula until it is removed by the leader of the Joseon dynasty in 1392.
Goryeo expands its borders to present-day Wonsan in the northeast (936–943) and the Amnok River (993) and finally almost the whole of the Korean peninsula (1374).Two of this period's most notable products are Goryeo celadon pottery and the Tripitaka Koreana — the Buddhist scriptures (Tripitaka) carved onto roughly 80,000 woodblocks and stored, and still in, Haeinsa.
Goryeo also creates the world's first metal-based movable type in 1234 and the oldest surviving movable metal type book, the Jikji, is made in 1377.In 668, Silla conquers Baekje and Goguryeo in alliance with the Tang Dynasty, but by the late 9th century it is tottering, its monarchs being unimaginative and pressed by the power of powerful statesmen.
Many robbers and outlaws agitate and in 900 Gyeon Hwon revolts from Silla control in the Jeolla region as Hubaekje; the next year, Gung Ye revolts from the northern regions as Hugoguryeo (Taebong).
A son of a regional lord, Wang Geon goes into Hugoguryeo as a general.Hugoguryeo falls when Wang Geon revolts and kills Gung Ye in 918, and the tottering Silla is also overpowered by Goryeo and Hubaekje and surrenders to Goryeo in 935.
In 936, Hubaekje surrenders and Goryeo starts an unbroken dynasty that rules Korea for 474 years.By the 14th century, Goryeo is tottering under Yuan Dynasty influences.
Although King Gongmin manages to free his kingdom from the Mongol influence, the Goryeo general Yi Seonggye revolts and overthrows the last king of Goryeo, King Gongyang, in 1392.
Gongyang is killed in 1394.The name "Goryeo" is derived from "Goguryeo", one of the ancient Three Kingdoms of Korea, which changed its name to "Goryeo" during the reign of King Jangsu of Goguryeo (in the 5th century).
