1. Ancient Korea:
- Dangun: Legendary founder of Gojoseon, the first Korean kingdom, in 2333 BC.
- Gija: A Chinese prince who is said to have founded Gija Joseon in 1122 BC.
2. Three Kingdoms Period (57 BCE – 668 CE):
- Goguryeo:
- Gwanggaeto the Great (391-412 CE): Expanded Goguryeo's territory and established its hegemony in the region.
- Baekje:
- King Mu (600-641 CE): Known for promoting Buddhism and expanding Baekje's territory.
- Silla:
- King Sejong of Silla (632-647 CE): Unified the Three Kingdoms by conquering Baekje and Goguryeo.
3. Unified Silla (668-935 CE):
- King Munmu (661-681 CE): Completed the unification of Korea and expanded the kingdom's territory.
- Queen Seondeok (632-647 CE): One of the most famous female rulers in Korean history, known for her patronage of Buddhism and culture.
4. Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392 CE):
- Wang Geon (877-943 CE): Founder of Goryeo and one of Korea's most respected monarchs.
- King Sukjong (1095-1105 CE): Introduced civil service examinations based on Confucian principles.
- King Sejong the Great (1418-1450 CE): Known for his intellectual achievements and invention of the Hangul alphabet.
5. Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910 CE):
- Yi Seong-gye (1335-1408 CE): Founder of Joseon and its first ruler, posthumously known as King Taejo.
- King Sejong the Great (1418-1450 CE): Also known as Sejong the Great of Joseon, as mentioned earlier.
- King Jeongjo (1752-1800 CE): Implemented progressive policies and reforms during his reign.
- Gojong (1852-1919 CE): Reigned during a tumultuous period of Korean history, including the Japanese occupation.
These are just a few examples of notable rulers who played significant roles in shaping Korea's history and culture.