KHMER EMPIRE

R U L E R S A G R I C U LT U R E

T R A D EW E A LT H

REFRESH

• Where in the modern world is the Khmer Empire?

• What is the most well-known capital of the Khmer Empire?

• What are the ancient temples modelled on?

• Can you name the two prominent temples we looked at last lesson?

• Can you name some features of the temples?

• Why are the temples important historically?

MIND MAP

KINGS OF THE KHMER DYNASTY• Jayavarman II (Founder)

• Yasodharapura (First city of Angkor)

• Suryavarman II (Angkor Wat)

• Jayavarman VII (Angkor Thom)

• Jayavarman VIII (Last boom)

JAYAVARMAN II • Founded Angkor • Competed against other kings and conquered a small area to the north of Cambodia • Conducted a ritual to celebrate the Kambuja people from Javanese dominion (Indonesia) • Declared independence of his city from Java

GOLDEN AGE

•SURYAVARMAN II

• JAYAVARMAN VII

• JAYAVARMAN VIII

SURYAVARMAN II

• 11th century • Ruled from 1113 – 1150• The kingdom finally united as one • Built Angkor Wat and dedicated it to the Hindu God Vishnu (took 37 years) • 1177 the capital (Angkor) was raided by rival kings – Suryavarman lost a major naval battle and Angkor was looted

JAYAVARMAN VII• 1181-1219• Cambodia’s ‘greatst king’ • Built Angkor Thom – new capital• Gathered an army and retook the

capital of Angkor from the Cham people • Continued warring against

neighbouring kingdoms for 22 years • Led the Khmer people to a successful

territorial battle against Champa which they won (1203)

• Built the Bayon Temple in the centre of Angkor Thom

JAYAVARMAN VIII• Took over from Indravarman II (son of Jayavarman II) • 1243-1295• Devotee of Hinduism and the deity Shiva • Opponent of Buddhism • Destroyed Buddhist temples and shrines or converted

them to Hindu ones • Avoided war by paying debts to Mongol invader

Sogetu (also the Governor of Guangzhou, China) • Succeeded by his son-in-law Srindravarman (a devout

Buddhist)

WEALTH

With your partner list some dot point answers to these questions:

- How do you think the Angkor people gained power? - How did the Angkor people become wealthy?- What did the Angkor people trade? - Who did the Angkor people trade with?

AGRICULTURE• Rice farmers • Farmers:- Rice - Sugar palm trees- Fruit trees - Vegetables - Palm wine - Coconut • Planted rice fields next to the Mekong river • Other farms were connected to the river through a network of

canals/water reservoirs

MEKONG RIVERWITH YOUR PARTNER:

Can you:

- Locate the Mekong River?

- Shade over the line of the Mekong River in blue?

- List which countries the Mekong River travels through?

- List the advantages and disadvantages of the Mekong river for the Khmer Empire? (Aim to brainstorm at least 3 advantages and disadvantages)

KHMER EMPIREADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES