Angkor Thom: Jayavarman VII's City of Giants

Most people know Angkor Wat, but Angkor Thom is a whole other level — a fortified city larger than any medieval European capital, built by Jayavarman VII after the Cham invasion of 1177. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the creation of Angkor Thom: its massive walls, the enigmatic Bayon temple with its 216 smiling faces, and the practical innovations that made the city function — from its sophisticated water management to its hospitals and rest houses along the empire's highways. We dive into Jayavarman VII's personal story — a prince who became king after the disaster and rebuilt Angkor with Mahayana Buddhist ideals, only to have his legacy nearly erased by later Hindu revivalists. Along the way, we look at the famous Terrace of the Leper King, the puzzling identity of the figure it depicts, and the everyday life of the city's inhabitants. This is the story of Angkor's last great capital — a city of stone, water, and power that still holds secrets. #AngkorThom #JayavarmanVII #Bayon #KhmerEmpire #Angkor #Cambodia #AngkorWat #BayonTemple #TerraceOfTheLeperKing #MahayanaBuddhism #ChamInvasion #SoutheastAsianHistory #MedievalCity #Archaeology #WorldHeritage #FexingoHistory #History #Podcast Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo