Terrace of Elephants
Terrace of Elephants. Date: late 12th century. King: Jayavarman VII. Cult: Buddhist
Clearing by de Mecquenem in 1911 and H.Marchal in 1916 The terrace of the Elephants in its present form extends in length for over 300m – from the Baphoun to the terrace of the Leper King – thought the two extremities remain imprecise in their layout and the
terrace itself shows evidence of additions and alterations.
The terrace faces on the Royal Square of the city of Angkor Thom. This area was the Royal Palace but the actual buildings were built of wood and havenot survived. The 350m long terrace which extend from Baphoun to the Terrace of Leper King, the Elephants Terrace was used as a giant reviewing stand for public ceremonies and served as a base for the king’s grand audience hall.
As you stand here, try to imagin the pomp and grandeur of the Khmer empire at its height with infantry, cavalry, horse-drawn chariots and elephants parading across the Central Square in a colorful procession, pennants and standards aloft. Looking on is the god-king, crowned with a gold diadem, shaded by multiplied parasols and attended by mandarins and handmaidens bearing gold and silver utensils.
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