Founding minister of Baekje, traditionally the seat-acquiring ancestor of the Jangheung Ma clan
| Era | 백제 건국기 |
| Clan | 장흥 마씨 |
Ma Ryeo (馬黎) was a founding minister of Baekje, known as ancestor of the Jangheung Ma and Mokcheon Ma clans. His dates, birthplace and place of death are all unknown. The Samguk Sagi names Ma Ryeo and Ogan among the ten founding ministers, and Wikipedia says the other names are recorded in genealogies.
According to Wikipedia, Ma Ryeo led Onjo, described as the third son of Dongmyeong of Goguryeo, south to escape Jolbon Buyeo. When Onjo founded his state at Hanam Wiryeseong in 18 BCE he played a role and urged the site for its geographical advantages. Biryu did not follow and went to Michuhol, but found the environment poor and returned to Wiryeseong with his people.
After the founding King Onjo gave Ma Ryeo, a leading founder, the post of Jwabo, and he assisted Onjo. The Jangheung Ma clan takes Ma Ryeo as seat-acquiring ancestor and explains that the early Goryeo seat Hoeryeong became Jangheung when it was incorporated into Jangheung under Injong. However, sources for Baekje's founding era are scarce and mix in legend, so interpretation varies; the lineage from Ma Ryeo to the Jangheung Ma follows genealogical tradition and was not confirmed. See also the Jangheung Ma page centered on his descendant Ma Cheon-mok.
Wikipedia explains that Ma Ryeo and Ogan are the only founding ministers named in the Samguk Sagi.
The descendants' seat is said to have changed from Hoeryeong to Jangheung. See the Jangheung Ma page.
His tomb is not known.