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The Khmer Angkor
Three periods can be discerned in Khmer history: the pre-Angkor period (before
802), the Angkor period (802-1431) and the post-Angkor period (after 1431). During the Angkor period the center of the kingdom was at Angkor (see map). The
ancient monuments are from this period. Jayavarman II founded the Angkor kingdom
in 802. Some temples on Mount Kulen are attributed to his reign. He was succeeded by his son Jayavarman III. The origins of the next king, Indravarman
I, are obscure. He founded Preah Ko (879) and the Bakong (881), both at the village of Roluos. Lolei, also at Roluos, was consacrated in 893 by Yasovarman
I, the son of Indravarman I who succeeded him. *Phnom Bakheng (end of the ninth century) was the state temple of this king. Harsavarman I, son and successor of
Yasovarman I, built Baksei Chamkrong (beginning of the tenth century). Prasat Kravan was built during the reign of his successor, his brother Isanavarman II,
in c. 925. Jayavarman IV, uncle of the two previous kings, was the next king. His capital was in Koh Ker. He was succeeded by his son Harsavarman II. In 944,
a ruler of a principality, seized supreme power and established himself as king Rajendravarman in Angkor. His state temple was Pre Rup. During his reign also
the beautiful temple Banteay Srei was built. Successive kings were Jayavarman V and Udayadityavarman I. In 1002 two kings, Jayaviravarman and Suryavarman I,
made claims to the supreme throne. After nine years of war Suryavarman I appeared more powerful. He reigned until 1049. During his long reign he
established a large number of temples, among which Phimeanakas. Udayadityavarman
II succeeded Suryavarman II in 1050. He founded the Baphuon. After his death in about 1066 his brother, Harsavarman III, ascended the throne. He was succeeded
by Jayavarman VI, who died in about 1107, and Dharanindravarman I, whose reign was only very brief. The latter was overruled by one of his nephews, Suryavarman
II, who was inaugurated in 1113. During his long reign Angkor Wat was built. From 1150 to 1165 Yasovarman II was the supreme king. He probably restaured some
of the temples of the Roluos group. An usurpator, who installed himself on the throne as
Tribhuvanadityavarman, made and end to his reign. He himself was killed by a Cham king, who was in his turn overpowered by Jayavarman VII. Only
four years after the Cham agression, in 1181, Jayavarman VII was consecrated
supreme king. Many monuments have survived from his reign among which Ta Prohm, Preah Khan, Banteay Kdei, the terrace of Sras Srang, and Angkor Thom with the
Bayon and the elephant terrace, for instance. Jayavarman VII died in about 1220.
From the thirteenth century onwards only few monuments have survived. In 1431 the Khmer kings moved their capital from Angkor to the region of Phnom Penh
because of pressure from the Thais. This date marks the end of the Angkor period.