Historical Context
This legend reflects developments in the city-state stage, the six chieftains representing a loose group of Gojoseon refugees. The story implies the ascendency of the Bak clan over the native peoples, and may indicate horse and sun worship.
During the Samhan period, the Mahan confederacy, later absorbed into the Baekje kingdom, occupied the central and southwestern part of the peninsula, while the Jinhan confederacy occupied the southeast. During Hyeokgeose's reign, Silla was probably limited to the present-day Gyeongju city region of Jinhan territory; Silla's expansion would later overtake the Jinhan.
The founding date is widely questioned today, as the Samguk Sagi was written from the viewpoint of Silla, claiming Silla's superiority and antiquity over the rival Goguryeo and Baekje kingdoms. Silla is thought to have been founded the earliest, followed by Goguryeo, and then Baekje.
Read more about this topic: Hyeokgeose Of Silla
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