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Amanda Krause

AP Art History

Mrs. Quimby

March 7, 2019

“‘Angkor, the temple of Angkor Wat, the city of Angkor Thom, Cambodia’ (#199)”

The temple Angkor Wat was built out of stone from 1116-1150 C.E. in Siem Reap,

Cambodia. It required a total of 300,000 workers and even though it took over 30 years to build,

it was never completely finished. Almost every surface is carved with narrative or decorative

details. There are 1,200 square meters of carved bas reliefs, which represent eight different

Hindu stories. The temple itself is made up of an expansive enclosure wall, which separates the

sacred temple grounds from the moat that surrounds the entire complex. The central sanctuary is

marked by five stone towers, which represent the five mountain ranges of Mount Meru, the

mythical home of the gods. The empty spaces between the moat and temples are seen as the

mountain ranges and oceans that surround Mount Meru. The name “Angkor Wat” translates to

“City Temple” in Khmer, Cambodia’s official language. However, this was not the name

originally given to the temple when it was first built; there is no documentation of the original

name as the temple was so important and famous that there was no need to refer to it by its name.

There is documentation of the architect, King Suryavarman II, and events that took place at the

temple, but no mention of a name. Construction began before the king ascended the throne and

finished shortly after his death. These dates come from the architectural design and style of the

temple. This structure is the largest religious monument in the world. It is dedicated to Vishnu,

one of the three principal Hindu gods who is known as the “Protector”, and King Suryavarman

II, known as the “protector of the sun.” Many believe that the temple not only served as a
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dedication site, but also as a mausoleum for the king in death. The temple also functioned as a

statement for the king to claim his political power and to show that he had the protection and

power of the gods on his side. Since Mount Meru is considered an axis-mundi, it was also

intended to serve as the supreme abode for Vishnu and demonstrate the Angkor Kingdom’s and

the king’s central place in the world. The temple also functioned as a mandala (map of the

cosmos), with the temples being in harmony with the rising sun and moon and the central axis of

the temple aligning with the temples.