Gaya in the Gaya Polities

Gaya was a confederacy of six territorial polities located along the southeast coast of the peninsula. Individual polities coexisted independently but dealt with critical issues together.

Geumgwan Gaya was a powerful trading nation and exported iron. Abundant iron ore and advanced iron making techniques made it possible to produce outstanding ironware. Moreover, it had an international trade port that enabled access to China and Japan. These advantageous conditions made it possible for Geumgwan Gaya to become the first ruling power of the confederacy.

Ara Gaya, which was located to the west of Geumgwan Gaya, was a rich state with broad swathes of arable land. It was geographically isolated from other regions and thus developed a unique, independent culture. However, Ara Gaya was influential enough to hold international assemblies with Baekje and Japan.

After the collapse of Geumgwan Gaya in the sixth century, Dae Gaya became the leading power of the confederacy. Dae Gaya was able to establish its authority thanks to an abundant supply of iron ore. Giant tombs provide evidence of wealth and indicate that powerful political leaders existed in Dae Gaya. Furthermore, Dae Gaya earthenware has been found in other regions, attesting to the broad influence of the polity.

There were also other Gaya states, each complete with its own culture. None of the states annexed any of the others, and each maintained its original ruling party and culture. However, because they did not unify into a single nation, the Gaya Confederacy ultimately fell to Silla, a much stronger military power.