In Silla and Koryo women exercised a degree of political power that they did not possess again between 1392 and 1945. The sources and manifestations of this political power are identified. Subsequently, women’s precipitous decline and exclusion after 1392 is briefly examined and causes are sought in the Silla and Koryo period. It will be demonstrated that women exercised considerably more influence in the earlier period than they did subsequent to 1392.