Angkor Wat - Elephant Terrace

© Photographer: Rfoxphoto | Agency: Dreamstime.com

By Georgi Dagnall

This terrace leads into what is considered the Royal Court. Much like the Egyptian Pharaohs, the Khmer Kings were deified royalty. In fact, many ancient civilizations had god-kings. Incan Emperors of Peru, early Japanese Emperors, kings of Mayan city-states, and some Javanese Kings were all god-kings. Even some Roman rulers were deified posthumously by the Roman senate. But it is still a strange thing to imagine today. In practice, the position meant both isolation and exaltation. Much like the stone temples from which commoners were barred, the Royal Court was a realm reserved only for the king and his attendants. The idea of the god-king was an integral element in the establishment of the Khmer Empire, and both traditions trace their roots to the Javanese god-kings.

The Khmer Empire officially began in 802. Before this, this area was just a conquered portion of a vast empire ruled by a Javanese god-king centered in what is now modern-day Indonesia. It was from this empire that the concept of the god-king began in the Khmer Empire. This empire placed a man named Jayavarman II in charge of this area. Jayavarman II declared the Khmer Empire independent and himself the devaraja, or god-king, of the new empire. The first capital was established where the Roluos Group now stands, almost 15km (or 9 miles) away. In the beginning of the 10th century, King Yasovarman moved the state capital to this site. The area remained the center of the Khmer Empire until the Khmers faded from power. With the exceptions of the state capital at the Roluos Group, the temple of Angkor Wat to the south and the state temple of Ta Keo to the west, the rest of Khmer history is distilled inside the walls of Angkor Thom. Each successive king left his mark, which Jayavarman VII successfully incorporated into his grand city. The harmony of the combination of a new structure like the Elephant Terrace with pre-existing elements like Phimeanakas and the Royal Enclosure attest to his success.

It is almost certain that this terrace was a gathering spot for the Khmer army, and one can imagine the army returning victorious to reconvene for a celebration on the terrace. Before ascending the throne, Jayavarman VII was one of the Khmer Empire's greatest generals. Jayavarman VII's predecessor was killed when the neighboring Chams invaded and took over the area. Jayavarman VII led the successful campaign against the Chams to recapture the capital of the Empire, and he quickly and successfully set about reorganizing and restoring the city. He also continued to be a successful general, defeating the Chams on numerous other occasions, eventually sacking their capital in 1191. He enlarged the Khmer Empire to its greatest extent, winning land in what is now present day Thailand, in addition to that gained from the Chams. Another of his impressive feats was to unify the Khmer Empire under Mahayana Buddhism. Jayavarman VII is best remembered for the impressive buildings he left behind. These impressive buildings, which were only possible by his battlefield victories, simultaneously represent his military skills, which was perhaps his greater strength. So it makes sense that this terrace, which served as a focal point for the Khmer military, was a centerpiece of Jayavarman VII's capital.

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This content was written and provided by Georgi Dagnall. For further information, please visit http://Geogad.com