Goryeo

It was compiled by Goryeo court historian Kim Busik after its commission by King Injong of Goryeo (r. 1122 - 1146).

After experiencing the invasion by the Jurchen, Korean general Yun Gwan realized that Goryeo lacked efficient cavalry units.

Another evolution, similar to that from courtly entertainment to common practice, was the transition from religious ritual to secular entertainment, such as happened during the Goryeo dynasty with the Narye festival.

Around the same time, Balhae collapsed and its last remaining crown prince fled south to Goryeo, where he was accepted into the imperial family.

During the 1380s, Goryeo turned its attention to the Wokou menace and used naval artillery created by Choe Museon to annihilate hundreds of pirate ships.

Goryeo had a bustling economy with a capital that was frequented by merchants from all over the known world.

Goryeo silk was highly regarded by Westerners and Korean pottery made with blue-green celadon was of the highest quality and sought after by even Arabian merchants.

He reorganized the Goryeo military into a professional army that would contain decent and well-trained cavalry units.

However, Unified Silla weakened under internal strife, and surrendered to Goryeo in 935. Balhae, Silla's neighbor to the north, was formed as a successor state to Goguryeo.

In Korea, the rulers of the Goryeo Kingdom were able to concentrate more central authority into their own hands than in that of the nobles, and were able to fend off two Khitan invasions with their armies.

The Buddhist ruling class of the Goryeo period forbade the consumption of beef.

The defeated Khitans who surrendered were settled in isolated communities throughout Goryeo to forestall rebellion.

The publication of the Tripitaka Koreana onto more than 80,000 wooden blocks and the invention of the world's first metal movable type in the 13th century attest to Goryeo's cultural achievements.

This lasted until the time of the Goryeo dynasty, when the city was revived as Sŏgyŏng ( 서경 main 西京 main; "Western Capital") although it was never actually a capital of the kingdom.