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This empire covered most of the land today known as Thailand, Cambodia, Southern Vietnan, and Laos. It lasted from about 802 to 1431. Their religions differed from animism to buddism althoug majority was hinduism. Te khmer people were obviously amazing builders as they built many temples and large resouviors which allowed them to farm and gain water easily. But no-one knows exactly how the empire fell.
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Jayavarman II established four capitals for his kingdom.
He used wars, alliances and marriages to expand the area under his control.
He built several hindu temples
Decades after Jayavarman V’s death were years of fierce power struggles among the Khmer ruling class -
Jayavarman II founds the Khmer Empire in Cambodia
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Yasovarman constructed a new capital called Yasodharapura
He also constructed a giant reservoir measuring 7.5 km by 1.8 km in the angkor area -
He Built a series of temples at angkor
During his reign the Khmers had their first war with Champa -
Made the khmer court a centre for scholars and artists
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Suryavarman II commences the construction of Angkor Wat which takes an estimated 32 years to build. Angkor Wat also helped us to gain an understanding of neigbouring societies like th emerging kingdoms in Thailand.
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Extended the Khmer empire by conquering Hariphunchai and south western thailand.
In the east and north to several provinces of Champa and expanded north to the present southern border of Laos.
He also commenced the construction of Angkor Wat
After Suryavarman II’s death the Cham invaded the Khmer empire -
Angkor Wat was built in an estimated 32 years and was dedicated to the God Vishnu. Inside the temple are inscription about the religions and rulers of the Khmer Empire.
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Was killed by the Cham when they invaded after Suryavarman II’s death
The cham also sacked the Khmer capital -
The Cham took control of Yasodharapura and executed the King.
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Angkor Thom is built under the reign of Jayavarman VII and it was completed in 1215. Inside on eo fthe temples inside Angkor Wat (Bayon Temple) has 11 000 carved figures which cover around 1.2 kilometers of walls. These include scenes of battles against the Chams and many are of everyday life.
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Waged war against Champa for twenty two years
Conquered much of the Champa’s land
Was a follower of Mahayana Buddhism and made it the state religion.
Under his reign the Khmers built Angkor Thom, including its Bayon Temple, along with many other temples, roads, hospitals and rest houses for travellers and traders
After his death no other temples were built and the Khmer lost much of it’s territory they had conquered in Champa to their east. -
Under Jayavarman VII, the Khmer Empire reaches its full extent.
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Wanted to return to hinduism
Converted buddhist temples to hindu temples and destroyed many thousands of Buddha images
During his reign the Khmer Empire was threatened by the Mongol Empire
Jayavarman VIII paid tribute to the Mongols to avoid war which made the Khmer Empire a vassal state of the Mongols
Four years later it proved to be a wise decision when the Mongols defeated and captured Bagan
He was overthrown by his son in law Srindravarman -
jayavarman pays tribute to Kublai Khan's Mongols to avoid war. Which later proved to be a wise decision.
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Introduced Theravada Buddhism to the Khmer Empire (Theravada Buddism dd not demand temples)
After the reign of his successor ended, it marked the ned of the classical period. -
After Srindravarman deposes of Jayavarman VIII he introduces Theravada Buddism which was already the more populur religion.
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The classical period ends with the last known inscription on a pillar.
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The Thais sack Angkor and it is abandoned by the Khmer rulers.