The Rise of Suryavarman II and the Building of Angkor Wat

In this episode, Lucas and Luna dive into the reign of Suryavarman II, the ambitious king who built Angkor Wat in the 12th century. They explore his military campaigns against Champa and Dai Viet, his construction of the world's largest religious monument as a state temple and mausoleum, his administrative reforms including the introduction of territorial administrations and tax systems, and his diplomatic mission to China. The episode also touches on the bas-reliefs that depict his navy and army, and the mystery of his disappearance. It covers the political and cultural context of the time, including the role of the devaraja cult and the transition from Hinduism to Buddhism in later centuries. #SuryavarmanII #AngkorWat #KhmerEmpire #AngkorThom #Champa #DaiViet #Devaraja #BasReliefs #ChurningOfTheOceanOfMilk #Vishnu #MountMeru #ZhouDaguan #12thCentury #SoutheastAsianHistory #AncientTemples #CambodianHistory #History #FexingoHistory #JayavarmanII #JayavarmanVII Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo