| Goryeo Dynasty |
| In 918, Wang Geon
reunited the Three Latter Nations into the Goryeo Dynasty,
revolving around provincial magnates, by effectively handling
the social confusion. Founders of Goryeo introduced an effective
governing system from China, installed a civil service
examination system and fully established the centralized
governing system through Confucianism. During the Goryeo
Dynasty, innovative measures were taken in both social and
cultural aspects, strengthening the unity of the people. This
enabled Goryeo to resist three invasion attempts by the Khitan.
During the Goryeo Dynasty, where aristocrats dominated the
society, the cultural base was expanded far greater than in the
Silla era and regional magnates led the cultural development,
with harmonious co-existence of Buddhism and Confucianism. In
addition to the civil service examination, studies of Chinese
literature and history developed and many outstanding scholars
were produced. |
 |
| In terms of art, the Goryeo Dynasty enjoyed
a reputation for its celadon porcelains and Korea was first
known to the world through the celadon porcelains and gained its
English name from the Goryeo, the period when celadon porcelains
were first created. |
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