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The Leper King: Angkor's Strangest Statue and Its Secret
Who was the Leper King? For centuries, a mysterious statue at Angkor Thom has puzzled historians and visitors alike. This episode peels back the layers of myth, archaeology, and royal intrigue surrounding the Terrace of the Leper King. We explore the statue's possible identities—from the Khmer king Yasovarman I to the Hindu god Yama—and examine the 15th-century inscription that named it. Along the way, we uncover how the statue was moved, broken, and restored, and what its enigmatic smile tells us about Angkor's shifting religious landscape. Featuring insights from the National…
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