jjares reviewed Angkor Wat: The History and Legacy of the World?s Largest Hindu Temple on + 3275 more book reviews
Angkor Wat is a three-tiered pyramid with each level bounded by galleries and an ornamental entrance tower. A moat surrounds this colossal edifice. I'm glad I read this book instead (of listening) because of the fine photographs at the end. However, the descriptions could be difficult to follow; I googled for better images of some of the buildings mentioned.
The pre-Khmer culture was heavily influenced by Buddhist and Hindu religions. Jayavarman II initiated the Khmer dynasty. He created the cult that the King is God. Angkor Wat was finished by the end of the 12-th century. It changed from Hindu beliefs to Buddhist. The constant conversions between one faith or the other took a toll on the temples. The kingdom also was in constant conflict with invasions or other battles. With their attention so focused, the Khmer empire neglected international trade, and by the 14-th century, the Khmer empire was in decline.
By the 1400s, the king moved away from Angkor to Phnom Penh because the ruler felt Angkor was no longer defendable. Although the site was not abandoned, the jungle encroached on the temples and caused tremendous damage to the edifices. Acid rain also damaged the temples. In modern times, Angkor Wat has become a huge tourist attraction. Fortunately, the Cambodian government is preserving the monuments for future generations.
The pre-Khmer culture was heavily influenced by Buddhist and Hindu religions. Jayavarman II initiated the Khmer dynasty. He created the cult that the King is God. Angkor Wat was finished by the end of the 12-th century. It changed from Hindu beliefs to Buddhist. The constant conversions between one faith or the other took a toll on the temples. The kingdom also was in constant conflict with invasions or other battles. With their attention so focused, the Khmer empire neglected international trade, and by the 14-th century, the Khmer empire was in decline.
By the 1400s, the king moved away from Angkor to Phnom Penh because the ruler felt Angkor was no longer defendable. Although the site was not abandoned, the jungle encroached on the temples and caused tremendous damage to the edifices. Acid rain also damaged the temples. In modern times, Angkor Wat has become a huge tourist attraction. Fortunately, the Cambodian government is preserving the monuments for future generations.
