Latest / The Khmer Empire: The Lost Civilization Behind Angkor Wat — Fexingo History
The Fall of Angkor: Climate, Neglect and the Abandonment of a City
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the final decline of the Khmer Empire after the 13th century. They discuss how the breakdown of the water management system, decades of drought, and the rise of Theravada Buddhism led to the abandonment of Angkor. The conversation covers the enigmatic figure of Ponhea Yat, the last Khmer king to rule from Angkor, the sack of the city by the Ayutthaya kingdom in 1431, and the slow shift of power to Phnom Penh. Lucas explains the role of the baray system, the stress of mega monsoons followed by prolonged aridity, and how the city was never truly lost—just…
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