It was the most prosperous period in Khmer history, to which the city of ngkor city is proof. The throne shifted between many kings for 600 years. Sometimes, it was invaded by the neighboring country of Cham. The King was powerful and strong in protecting the country, and built many temples (made of brick, sand stone or laterite), bridges, and Baray lake (water reservoir).

In the year 802 began of the Angkor era, after some parts of the country were invaded by JAVA and divided into the principle cities. In the year 790, JAYAVARMAN II returned, who many believed was arrested and forced to stay in the royal court of JAVA, which was unaware of his strength as a warrior king. When he came to power, he denounced JAVA'S control over Cambodia. He subdued the rebellious states and declared a sovereign and reunified the Cambodia under a single ruler.
He made the declaration in his ceremony on the KULEN mountain (north of Siem Reap) in the year 802, where he established himself as a God-king that solidified his universal kingship through building of a royal linga (penis statue) worshiping cult. The linga cult would remain central to Angkorian kingship, religion, arts, and architecture.

Before moving the capital city to the Kulen mountain, he created many cities such as Hariharalaya (now Rolous, 16km,   east of Siem Reap). The reason he moved the capital to Kulen mountain was probably for military strategy, as it is difficult to capture a city on top of a mountain. Later, he arose and struggled against the JAVA until he succeeded. He reunified the small states to enlarge his kingdom, built many temples on the KULEN mountain, and the linga under the river as well.
After he established the kingship, he moved the capital city back to Rolous again named HARIHARALAYA, which means the combination of Shiva and Vishnu. He lived in the capital city of Rolous until his death in the year 850.

INDRAVARMAN I, his successor, a relative of the previous king, was the first king to establish the master projects such as the BARAY lake named INDRATAKA, which served as a water reservoir for using in the city and as an irrigation system in agriculture that led the country into prosperity and strength. The monuments were built during his reign, including the Preah ko temple, which is dedicated to the ancestors, and the Bakong temple, in the shape of a mountain with five levels, originally installing the linga at the central tower. It was the first mountain temple built in the Angkor area using sand stone. He created a new carving style called "Preah ko style."� All these projects later became a part of kingly tradition. YASOVARMAN, his son continued the throne, after his death in the year 889.

He carried on the tradition of his father, and built the temple of LOLEI in the middle of  Baray lake, dedicated to the ancestors, then he established a new city in what is the present-day Angkor area named YASODHARAPURA and built the temple on the Phnom Bakeng mountain to celebrate the God-king cult. He moved the direction of the Siem reap river so the city would be surrounded by water. A road was built to connect between the Phnom bakeng and Rolous. For the reason of argriculture, he constructed a major project known as "East Baray lake" (7km x 1.8k) to store water for use in the city and irrigation system. Also, he built the temples on the mountain such as Phnom Krom temple and Phnom Bok temple.

Therefore, he was the king who originally established the Angkor city. Under his reign, the country was peaceful and had a strong economy. After his death in the year 900, his two sons took in throne. There was disruption in the succession in the year 921, when JAYAVARMAN IV, their uncle, usurped the throne and moved the capital city to KOH KER (100km north of Angkor), and constructed temples and a Baray lake as well. After 20 years, the capital city was returned to Angkor by king RAJENDRAVARMAN II, believed to be a relative of the previous king who built  the Phnom bakeng temple. He became successor to the throne in the year 944 and began to subdue the smaller states to extend his power, creating central power in Angkor, and arranged the administration from the city to the provinces. He then went to war with the country of Champa. The Khmer army was strong, successfully invading the country, and seizing the statues of Champa which they returned to Angkor.

During his reign, Cambodia dominated over a large area, and the economy grew, leading to peace. He constructed temples such as Phimeanakas temple located in the Royal palace, East mebon in the middle of Baray lake, and Prerup temple, which was the state temple. When the capital city returned to Angkor, the city center was not on the Phnom bakeng mountain any more. Instead, he situated it at the Prerup temple, which became his state temple. Also, the Banteay Srey temple was constructed at the end of his reign by the Brahman, his great teacher in the year 967.
JAYAVARMAN V, his son and successor, built the Takeo temple, but the construction of the temple was finished after his death. The battle for the throne began throughout the whole country, leading again to unrest. Finally, king SORYAVARMAN I, gained victory over the competitors and declared his reign from the beginning of the year 1000.
He brought the peace to the country, and extended the power to the west states in the lowland of Menam river (today in Thailand). The inscriptions found in Lobery (north of Bangkok, Thailand) spoke about him. The politics and religion of the central power were increasingly strong. He constructed the temples at the west part of Angkor, Phnom Banonn, Wat Ek Phnom, and Phnom chiso and rebuilt Phimeanakas, Takeo, and a part of Preahvihear temple. The next king, UDAYADITYAVARMAN II, his son and successor, built Baphoun and west Baray lake. After his death, his brother, HASAVARMAN III, took the throne. During his reign, he protected the country from the invasion of the east enemy, Cham and again sent the military to fight Vietnam to support China.

In the year 1080, the in north of Cambodia, JAYAVARMAN VI, declared himself as the king of the universe, but he did not return to Angkor city. He constructed the monuments of Watphou and Phimai temple (in present-day Laos). At the end of his reign was unrest. Later, in the beginning of the 12th century, SORYAVARMAN II, gained control over his competitors, took the throne, and returned the capital city to Angkor.

During his reign, the Khmer empire encompassed a large area, extending from the Chinese border to the distant sea in the south of Cambodia, and from the Mayanma border to the Champa border. In this time, Thailand and Laos did not exist.
The king led several successful campaigns against the eastern enemies of Cham and Vietnam. While in the west, there was a battle against Mayanma, in which he pushed them back away from Cambodia. He established a good relationship, and exchanged ambassadors with China as a symbol of friendship. The main achievement under the reign of SORYAVARMAN II was the production of Angkor's most spectacular architectural creation, Angkor wat, which was one of the greatest architectural and technological accomplishments in the world, as well as other monuments such as Thommanon, chaosay tevda, Banteay samre, and Bengmelea. Angkor wat was built as a state temple and served as a stupa when SORYAVARMAN II died.

The bas relief (carving) on the wall of Angkor wat depicts his military campaign against Cham and Vietnam. After his death in the year 1150, the Khmer empire was again in unrest, King THORANINDRAVARMAN II, believed to be his relative, succeeded the throne. He was a Buddhist, and taught his son (JAYAVARMAN VII) to embrace MAHAYANA Buddhism. His son, JAYAVARMAN VII led the army to the battle against Cham.

When his father died, he was busy in battle, so his uncle YASOVARMAN II replaced him on the throne. In the year 1165, the officer named TREIPHUVENIRDITYAVARMAN battled for the throne, JAYAVARMAN VII returned to rescue the king, but

it was too late; the king was killed by the usurper, so he escaped to the jungle with his army. When the Khmer empire was in unrest, Cham sent military to invade Cambodia by boat and overland. From the south, Cham soldiers were sent

by boat through the Mekong river and Tonle Sap lake, and then surrounded the Angkor city. The Khmer soldiers were defeated by Cham and escaped to the mountain. Finally, Cham killed the usurper king in the battle field and conquered the capital city of Angkor, burning the Royal palace and houses in the city, and killing and robbing the Khmer people. JAYAVARMAN VII struggled for four years to liberate the country by recruiting soldiers in the fight against Cham.

After overthrowing Cham from the country, he was celebrated and declared as king of the universe. JAYAVARMAN VII made Mahayana buddhism the state religion, and began Angkor's most prolific monument building. He built nearly one hundred monuments which were constructed in less than 40 years, including Bayon, Taprom, and Preah Khan. He built the roads to Phimai (now in present-day Thailand), Champa, and many roads within his country. He also constructed bridges, schools, the university, and resting houses on the high way that peoples can cook or stay in at night. For healthcare, he built hospitals for the public.
He remodeled the plan of the city after its destruction at the hands of Cham. He rebuilt the monuments that were constructed by the previous king, and surrounded them with walls 8m high and 3 km long. Five gates with four faces were built for entering the center of the city. The entrance was decorated by the row of figures of demons and the Gods relating to the legends in Hindu religion. The Bayon temple was a main state temple dedicated to Mahayana Buddhism.
The 54 towers decorated by 4 faces and on the walls depicted the battles between Khmer and Cham, the king's involvement in the military, and daily life.
JAYAVARMAN VII was a great warrior and constructed many things. He created a lot of achievements for the country that unforgettable and remain today.
And what's happened after his death?
Why were the Buddha statues were destroyed?
Why was Angkor Thom covered by the jungle?

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