History

The Angkor era reflects the most glorious period of Cambodian history, during which the Khmer empire was consolidated and reached its peak in terms of cultural and artistic achievements. The Angkor Wat complex covering and area of about 200 square kilometers was constructed during this period. This temple was dedicated to Vishnu and built by King Suryavarman II between AD 1113 and 1150 AD. The first dynasty of Angkor was founded by Suryavarman II (AD802-850) and the inscriptions give names of twenty-eight kings who succeeded him during the Angkor period. It was believed that the king had a divine role, and an appropriate temple had to be constructed by each king to consecrate the symbolic relationship between ruler and divinity. When the king died, his successor would initiate construction of a new state temple, which would be bigger and grander than the one built by his predecessor, dedicating it to the religion of his choice.