The Palace Women of Angkor: Power and Intrigue Behind the Walls

Beyond the famous god-kings and temple builders, the Khmer Empire was shaped by the women of the royal palace — queens, concubines, and princesses who wielded real influence, sometimes from the shadows. This episode explores the lives of palace women in Angkor, drawing on the detailed observations of Chinese diplomat Zhou Daguan, who visited in the late 13th century. We examine the harem system, ritual roles, economic control, and the rare women who rose to power, like Queen Indradevi, a scholar and advisor to Jayavarman VII. We also look at the mysterious 'leper king' legend and its possible connection to a queen's revenge. Lucas and Luna untangle fact from folklore, revealing a complex world of ceremony, intrigue, and agency that challenges the image of passive royal women. #KhmerEmpire #AngkorWat #ZhouDaguan #QueenIndradevi #JayavarmanVII #PalaceWomen #Harem #CambodiaHistory #SoutheastAsia #MedievalHistory #WomenInHistory #LeperKing #AngkorThom #Bayon #HistoricalIntrigue #FexingoHistory #History #Podcast Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo