ANTH 320 Chapter 12: Anth 320 – Massive Construction Projects of Jayavarman VII
Document Summary
Laterite walled city 8m: to keep the cham out. Five entrances: n/e/s/w and the gate of the dead. Heavens: gates of angkor thom lined with asuras (demons) and devas (angels) holding coiled serpent. Done to appease the hindus: scholar arguments. Naga balustrade is symbol of rainbow bridge to buddhist heaven. Represents churning of the sea of milk. Coils churn around bayon, creating amrita or elixir of immortality. Positioned at the center of angkor thom. Famous for face tower and bar reliefs. Layout in form of a sacred mandala, cosmological plan: 52 face towers depict either avalokiteshvara (buddha of compassion) or the king looking out over his empire. Bar reliefs: depict historical scenes and daily life, evidence of chinese militia being used in jayavarman vii"s ca(cid:373)paig(cid:374) Contains elements of both buddhist, shivaite and vaishnavite components. Inscription records that ta prohm (cid:862)o(cid:449)(cid:374)ed(cid:863) o(cid:449)(cid:374)ed (cid:1007)(cid:1005)(cid:1008)(cid:1004) (cid:448)illages: 79365 people maintained the temple, 18 great priests, 2740 officials, 2202 assistants, 615 dancers.
