Timeline: History Of The Khmer Empire

Sep 14, 1113

Angkor Wat Construction Starts

The builder of Angkor Wat was a king named Suryavarman II

Dec 31, 1145

Angkor Wat construction is finished!

It took roughly 30 years to build. It encompasses an area of about 500 acres (200 hectars)

Jun 16, 1177

Cham invades much of Khmer Empire's eastern territory, and loots city.

In 1170 the Cham attaked with no definitive success until 1177 when the Chams made a successful invasion by ships up the Mekong River and upstream to Tonle Sap Lake, south of Angkor and surprised the Khmer and defeated them at the then Capital of Yasodharapura. The Chams then looted and sacked the City and killed the Khmer King.

Period: Jan 1, 1181 to Dec 31, 1219

Reign of Jayavarman VII, greatest Khmer king.

Jayavarmen VII defeats the Chasm and expands the Empire to the furthest extent.

Nov 19, 1181

Start of the Reign of Jayavarman VII

He was the greatest Khmer King

Dec 31, 1219

End of the reign of Jayavarman VII

He made the biggest boundries for the Khmer Empire.

Period: Jan 1, 1243 to Dec 31, 1298

Rule of Jayavarman VIII

He renounced buddhism and orders buddhist temples and imgages be destroyed and Hinduism be the main religion. Because Buddhism didn't recognise that any ruler had 'divine right' to rule. Most likely this would have caused the Khmer god-kings authority be questioned

Period: Jan 1, 1300 to Dec 31, 1400

Buddhism grows in importance and again become the main religion of the Khmer

Nov 23, 1431

The last Khmer King to use Angkor as capital abondened it.

They had to abandon because they were afraid of getting attacked.

Dec 31, 1431

The End of the Khmer Empire

The reasons for the Khmer empire downfall are many. The expansion of such a big and growing population is very hard, throw in all the money spent on an army was gigantic. As they had to be armed, fed, housed, and transported. If you include the lavish lifestyle the Khmer kings wanted it's too much money for anybody!