The Khmer Empire

A Captivating Guide to the Merged Kingdoms of Cambodia That Became the Angkor Empire That Ruled over Most of Mainland Southeast Asia and Parts of Southern China

De: Captivating History

Narrado por: Jason Zenobia

Did you know that at its peak, Angkor was the largest city in the world, almost the size of a modern metropolis, maybe even comparable to Los Angeles?

When we think of the great civilizations in the world, the first ones that come to mind are Egyptian, Inca, Greek, and Roman civilizations. Not many people think of the Khmer Empire or are aware of how great it was.

The Khmer Empire was the greatest player in the political and cultural world of medieval Southeast Asia. Its capital city and greatest legacy, Angkor, was built in such a way that one side was protected by the Tonle Sap Lake and the other three sides by the wild jungle. Its surroundings were hostile, but they offered protection. A series of well-built highways connected the city with other important settlements and port cities, which the Khmer used for trade.

The Khmer Empire embraced Hinduism, and it produced the monument temples that still stand today. They are often compared to the great temples of the Roman Empire, and the artists who worked on their decorations are referred to as “Khmer Michelangelo". The king was respected for his divine connection with the gods, and the unique ideology of kingship among the Khmer was probably what made the empire so great.

In this audiobook you will learn:

• Who were the Khmer people?
• Who was the devaraja that founded the Empire of Angkor?
• What is the symbolism behind some of the greatest temples in the world?
• Who built Angkor Wat, and with what purpose?
• How did a whole nation convert to Buddhism in under one century?
• Who was Jayavarman VII, and what made him the most powerful king of the Khmer?
• How did such a great empire fall into oblivion?
• How was it rediscovered and rebuilt?
• And much more!

Buy this audiobook now to learn more about the history of the Khmer Empire!

©2021 Captivating History (P)2021 Captivating History

Little-Known Khmer Empire Created Angkor Wat

Between the 9th and 15th-centuries, the Khmer Empire was powerful. The elites tended to be Hindu, while the common people tended to follow Buddha. Cambodian lands were midpoints between the trading countries of China and India, and they reaped benefits from trading. Little is known about the Khmer Empire; some of the kings are completely forgotten and some just left scores of temples, statues, inscriptions in stones, and public works.

Angkor, when discovered in the 19th-century, it wasn't recognized for what it was, Yasovarman's temple mountain. Every level, tower, stairway, and statue refers to a sacred symbol in Hinduism.  Phnom Bakheng built two hundred years before Angkor Wat was the astronomical calendar, built of brick and stone.

Angkor Wat covers some 402 acres.  Portuguese and Spanish explorers described Angkor in their visits. But it wasn't until the French rediscovered the magnificent site that money was spent to excavate and study the amazing temple. Fortunately, UNESCO named it a World Heritage Site in 1992 and it continues to draw scholars and visitors from around the world. Such a marvelous place couldn't have been created without a powerful kingdom, to provide the manpower and money for the magnificent edifices.

Jason Zenobia is a wonderful narrator; he has a clear and engaging speaking voice. He has a great command over the unique Cambodian city names and family names.

khmer republic

i found this book to be excellent as all of the books by captivating history are excellent. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I enjoyed learning about Cambodia and the khmer empire