Iron Age & Early States
약 1세기 전후제도
Separation of Politics and Religion in the Samhan, and the Sodo Sanctuary
In the Samhan — Mahan, Jinhan, and Byeonhan — political rulers (chiefs) and priests (Cheon'gun) were separate figures. If a criminal fled into the Sodo, the sacred precinct governed by the Cheon'gun, the chief's authority could not reach inside and the fugitive could not be seized.
Key developments
- 삼한 구성Mahan, Jinhan, and Byeonhan
The Three Han confederacies — Mahan, Jinhan, and Byeonhan — each consisted of numerous small states.
- 정치 지배자Political Leaders (Sinji, Eupcha)
Political leaders of each small state were called Sinji or Eupcha and exercised secular authority.
- 제사장Role of the Cheon'gun (Shaman Priest)
The Cheon'gun, a religious leader in charge of rituals, held independent authority separate from political power.
- 소도Sacred Sanctuary Sodo
The Sodo, governed by the Cheon'gun, was a sacred sanctuary where even criminals could not be seized once inside.