The Khmer Dark Age After Angkor's Fall

When Angkor fell in the 15th century, the Khmer Empire didn't vanish overnight — it fragmented. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the so-called 'Dark Age' of Cambodia (1431–1863), a period of political collapse, foreign domination, and cultural survival. They examine the Thai invasions led by King Borommarachathirat II of Ayutthaya, the relocation of the capital to Phnom Penh under King Ponhea Yat, and the erosion of Khmer territory. The conversation also covers the arrival of Portuguese and Spanish missionaries in the 16th century, the brief Cambodian rebellion against Siamese control in the 1590s, and the influence of the Vietnamese Nguyễn lords. Lucas highlights key sources like the Cambodian Royal Chronicles and European accounts from the era. The episode ends with the arrival of French explorer Henri Mouhot in 1860, whose travelogue would spark European fascination with Angkor — and ultimately lead to French colonial rule. #KhmerEmpire #Angkor #Cambodia #DarkAge #Ayutthaya #PhnomPenh #PonheaYat #HenriMouhot #Siam #Vietnam #NguyenLords #PortugueseMissionaries #SpanishMissionaries #RoyalChronicles #FexingoHistory #History #SoutheastAsia #PostAngkor Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo