Terrace of Leper King
Terrace of Leper King. Date: late 12th century. King: Jayavarman VII. Cult: Buddhist
The terrace of the leper king lies just to the north of the Terrace of Elephants, aligned with it but standing separate. A mound of masonry about 25m across by 6 high, it is formed as a bastion with side that are lined in sandstone and entirely sculpted with figures in a high relief, juxtaposed and separated in seven registers – the uppermost of which has almost entirely disappeared. Although now standing isolated – joined only at its north and south by the start of some returning walls – it is probable that this motif was previously but one element in a vast composition, perhaps complemented with pools, that has evidently undergone alteration.
The Terrace of the Leper King is a platform 7m high. On top of the platform stand a nude, though sexless statue. Legend has it that at least two of the Angkor kings had leprosy, and the statue may represent one of them. A more likely explanation is that ... Read More...
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