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The Fall of Angkor: Climate, War and the End of an Empire
Season 1
Episode 4
Published 3 months, 2 weeks ago
Description
Lucas and Luna delve into the final century of the Khmer Empire, exploring how a perfect storm of climate change, military pressure, and infrastructure decay brought down one of history's great civilizations. They discuss the megadroughts that destabilized Angkor's water system, the rise of Ayutthaya as a regional power, and the controversial role of Theravada Buddhism in undermining the devaraja cult. Specifics include the siege of Angkor in 1431, the reign of Ponhea Yat, and the archaeological evidence from tree rings and LiDAR scans. The episode challenges the idea of a 'sudden' collapse, revealing a slow unraveling over decades.