# The Spider King Who Built Angkor Thom

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-khmer-empire-s-sudden-collapse-explained-fexingo-history-7829682/the-spider-king-who-built-angkor-thom
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-khmer-empire-s-sudden-collapse-explained-fexingo-history-7829682/the-spider-king-who-built-angkor-thom.md
Podcast: [The Khmer Empire's Sudden Collapse Explained — Fexingo History](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-khmer-empire-s-sudden-collapse-explained-fexingo-history-7829682)
Published: 2026-06-21T12:58:14+00:00
Episode link: https://audio.fexingo.com/history/the-khmer-empires-sudden-collapse-explained/episode-0113.mp3
Audio file: https://audio.fexingo.com/history/the-khmer-empires-sudden-collapse-explained/episode-0113.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-khmer-empire-s-sudden-collapse-explained-fexingo-history-7829682/episodes/the-spider-king-who-built-angkor-thom
Duration seconds: 451

## Resource

In this episode, Lucas and Luna delve into the reign of Jayavarman VII, the Khmer king who transformed Angkor after a devastating Cham invasion in 1177. They explore his dramatic rise, his ambitious building projects—including the walled city of Angkor Thom and the temple of Bayon with its enigmatic stone faces—and his controversial shift from Hinduism to Mahayana Buddhism. The episode also examines the impact of his massive public works, such as hospitals and rest houses, and the long-term economic strain they may have placed on the empire. Listeners will learn about key figures like Tribhuvanadityavarman, Jaya Indravarman IV, and the Cham prince; battles on the Tonle Sap; and the legacy of Jayavarman VII's Buddhist revolution, which set the stage for the later Theravada transformation. #JayavarmanVII #AngkorThom #Bayon #KhmerEmpire #Cambodia #ChamInvasion #Buddhism #Mahayana #Hinduism #Tribhuvanadityavarman #JayaIndravarmanIV #TonleSap #TaProhm #PreahKhan #devaraja #SoutheastAsia #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

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