Jayavarman vii angkor thom

The Khmer Empire Assessment

  • 550

    Chenla becomes the dominant Kingdom.

    Chenla becomes the dominant Kingdom.
    The state of Chenla replaces Funan as the dominant kingdom.
  • Jan 1, 770

    Jayarvarman II strengthens the monarchy.

    Jayarvarman II strengthens the monarchy.
    King Jayarvarman II reunifies the Old Kingdom of Chenla, being the first to do so. By Uniting the states states he formed an empire, The Khmer Empire.
  • Jan 1, 802

    King Jayarvarman II ascends to power

    King Jayarvarman II ascends to power
    After asserting independence of the Javanese, Jayarvarman II came to power in 802 BC after forming the Khmer Empire. He declares himself devaraja giving him almighty authority.
  • Jan 1, 834

    Angkor Wat is built

    Angkor Wat is built
    The Khmer Empire expands and Angkor Wat is built , purely devoted to the Hindu God, Vishnu. Though Buddhism has become more popular and the main religion.
  • Jan 1, 1181

    King Jayarvarman VIII defeats the Chams.

    King Jayarvarman VIII defeats the Chams.
    After the invasion of the Cham Kingdom in much of the Khmer Empire's eastern territory, King Jayarvarman VIII defeats them and begins claiming more territory to expand the Empire to its limits, incorporating most of Laos, Thailand and Burma.
  • Jan 1, 1243

    Hinduism replaces Buddhism

    Hinduism replaces Buddhism
    King Jayarvarman VIII comes to power and renounces Buddhism. He orders that Buddhist temples and images be destroyed so that Hinduism becomes the main religion.
  • Jan 1, 1432

    Angkor is abandoned

    Angkor is abandoned
    In the process of the Empire going broke and having no army, they abandon Angkor when the Thai army invades as they can no longer hold it. With no resources, money or wealth from expanding too fast, the Khmer Empire starts to decline.
  • Jan 1, 1440

    Capital relocates to Phnom Penh

    Capital relocates to Phnom Penh
    After deserting Angkor, the Khmers make Phnom Penh their new capital in which it still is today.
  • The Khmer king is defeated.

    The Khmer king is defeated.
    In a battle between the Siamese army and what is left of the Khmer army, the Khmer king is defeated and the battle is lost.
  • The Fall of the Khmer Empire

    The Fall of the Khmer Empire
    With the king gone, the Empire goes broke. They had wasted all their resources and money on expanding, now they had no wealth to pay an army. After repeated attacks by the Vietnamese army, the Khmer Empire is finally defeated at the Mekong River. The attackers ravage through the cities ransacking the temples and stealing what they could.