The Fall of Angkor: Climate, War, and Collapse

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the decline and fall of the Khmer Empire, focusing on the 14th and 15th centuries. They discuss the role of climate change—prolonged droughts followed by intense monsoons—that destabilized Angkor's water management system. The rise of the Ayutthaya Kingdom is examined, including the siege of Angkor in 1431. The episode also covers the gradual shift of power to Phnom Penh and the abandonment of Angkor, as well as the legacy of Jayavarman VII's massive building projects, which may have strained resources. Listeners will learn about the sacking of Angkor Wat, the burning of sacred texts, and the mysterious disappearance of the Khmer script for a time. The conversation ends with a reflection on how environmental factors and political pressures intertwined to end one of Southeast Asia's greatest empires. #KhmerEmpire #Angkor #Ayutthaya #ClimateChange #Collapse #JayavarmanVII #AngkorWat #PhnomPenh #SoutheastAsianHistory #Drought #Monsoon #HistoricalCollapse #WaterManagement #Siege #1431 #FexingoHistory #History #LostCivilizations #JayavarmanII #SuryavarmanII Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo