Angkor's Army: The Khmer Military That Fought a Hundred Wars

Long before Angkor fell to Ayutthaya in 1431, the Khmer Empire built one of Southeast Asia's most formidable military machines. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore how the Khmer army fought on elephants, in river fleets, and across mountain passes. They talk about Jayavarman VII's campaigns against Champa, the use of war elephants and composite bows, and the logistics of feeding a massive army. They also examine the empire's southern border with the Mekong Delta, the role of Tai mercenaries, and how chronic warfare drained Khmer resources. New research from the Greater Angkor Project suggests a standing army was smaller than once thought, but capable of rapid mobilization. The episode also considers the psychological weight of the devaraja cult: kings were expected to be victorious warriors. When defeats mounted and the throne lost its aura, the military system lost its point. That, too, was part of the collapse. #KhmerEmpire #Angkor #JayavarmanVII #Champa #WarElephants #Ayutthaya #SoutheastAsiaHistory #Devaraja #MilitaryHistory #GreaterAngkorProject #TonleSap #Mekong #TaiMercenaries #AngkorWat #PhnomKulen #History #FexingoHistory #FallOfAngkor Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo