Chronologie

The following is a brief overview of the periods that have been established to categorize historical events, art styles and other research objects:

PRE-ANGKORIAN PERIOD

Kingdom of Funan

Beginnings of the Khmer world - very little documentation, architecture or statuary remains from this period.

Kingdom of Chenla

Remarkable statuary, some masterpieces. Harmonious cohabitation of Buddhism and Hinduism. Influences from India. The fragmentation of power leads to troubled times, and the invasion of the Kingdom of Java.

early VIIth C

Bhavavarman I

Temples: Phnom Da
Style: Phnom Da

mid VIIth C

Isanavarman I

Temples: Sambor Prei Kuk
Style: Sambor Prei Kuk

late VIIth C

Jayavarman I

Temples: Prei Khmeng
Style: Prei Khmeng

early VIIth-early VIIIth C

VIIIth C

ANGKORIAN PERIOD

802-834(?)

Jayavarman II

Temples: Prasat Damrei Krap (Phnom Kulen)
Style: Phnom Kulen
Comments: Jayavarman II is the founder of the Khmer Empire, and the first king to be known as sacred cakravartin (universal monarch in the Indian tradition) instituting the God-King (devaraja) cult

Jayavarman III

Temples: Prasat Kok Po, Prasat Prei Monti
Style: Phnom Kulen

877-after 886

Indravarman I

Temples: First temples at Roluos, Development of Hariharalaya (hydraulic city), Bakong, Preah Ko, Lolei & Indratataka
Style: Preah Ko (875-893)
Comments: Hariharalaya is the first hydraulic city of classical Angkorian type. The baray of Lolei (Indratataka) is the first of its kind

889-after 910

Yasovarman I

Temples: Eastern Baray, Phnom Bok, Phnom Krom, Phnom Bakheng
Style: Bakheng (893-925)

Harshavarman I

Temples: Baksei Chamkrong, Prasat Kravan
Style: Bakheng (893-925)

928-944

Jayavarman IV

Temples: Koh Ker temples
Style: Koh Ker (921-945)
Comments: The capital is transferred to Koh Ker

944-967

Rajendravarman I

Temples: Eastern Mebon, Pre Rup, Prasat Bat Chum
Style: Pre Rup (944-967)
Comments: Angkor once more becomes the empire's capital after a victory against the Cham in 950

968-1000

Jayavarman V

Temples: Surroundings of the Royal Palace, North & South Khleang, Phimeanakas, Ta Keo (begun), Banteay Srei (begun)
Style: Banteay Srei (967-1000), Khleang (965-1010)

?-1010

Jayaviravarman

Temples: Completion of Ta Keo
Style: Banteay Srei (967-1000), Khleang (965-1010)
Comments: Period of trouble, rivalries for the throne

1010-?

Suryavarman I

Temples: Phimeanakas, Phnom Chiso, Vat Ek, Vat Baset, Western Baray
Style: Baphuon (1010-1080)
Comments: Suryavarman I ursurps the throne

1050-1066

Udayadityavarman II

Temples: Baphuon, Western Mebon
Style: Baphuon (1010-1080)

1066-1080

Harshavarman III

Temples:
Style: Baphuon (1010-1080)
Comments: War against Champa

1080-1107

Jayavarman VI

Temples: Pimai (present-day Thaïland)
Style: Angkor Vat (1100-1175)

1113-after 1145

Suryavarman II

Temples: Angkor Vat, Banteay Samre, Thommanon, Chau Say Thevoda
Style: Angkor Vat (1100-1175)
Comments: War against Champa and the Dai Viet, many conquests, beginning of the so-called "classical" age.

1150-1165

Yasovarman II

Temples: Preah Pithu, Beng Meala (XIIth C)
Style: Angkor Vat (1100-1175)
Comments: Period of trouble, Yasovarman II is assassinated

1165-1177

Thibhuvanadityavarman

Temples: Preah Pithu, Beng Meala (XIIth C)
Style: Angkor Vat (1100-1175)
Comments: Thibhuvanadityavarman takes the throne, 1177 is a black year, Angkor is destroyed and temporarily abandoned

1181-1218

Jayavarman VII

Temples: Angkor Thom (walls), Bayon, Preah Palilay, Banteay Kdei, Ta Prohm, Preah Khan, Ta Som, Neak Poan, Ta Nei, Royal Terraces, Prasat Suor Proat, Spean Thma, Banteay Chhmar, Krol Ko
Style: Bayon (1177-1230)
Comments: Jayavarman VII regained the lost territories and enlarged the borders of the empire (from Myanmar to the China Sea), Mahayana Buddhism is instituted as a state religion, some hundred hospitals are built, the communication network is improved, Angkor is at the height of its power and its influence.

POST-ANGKORIAN PERIOD

1218-1243

Indravarman II

Temples: Destruction of Buddhist images
Style: Bayon (1177-1230)
Comments: Brahmanic reaction, political weakening of the empire

1243-1295

Jayavarman VIII

Temples: Destruction of Buddhist images
Style: This style shows a different spirit from Angkorian art: humility follows brilliance and splendour. In architecture, wood replaces stone, and new types of structures appear: the chedi and the vihara. The influence of Siamese art from Ayutthaya is visible
Comments: Brahmanic reaction, political weakening of the empire

1295-1307

Srindravarman

Temples: Monument 487 (Mangalartha temple)
Style: Same as above
Comments: Progressive adoption of Theravada Buddhism on a national scale

1431-1432

Style: Same as above
Comments: Angkor is abandoned by the monarchy

1505 (1516)-1556

Ang Chan I

Temples: The western side of the Baphuon temple is transformed into a 60 metre-long reclining Buddha, transformation of the summit of the Bakheng
Style: Same as above
Comments: Angkor is reoccupied by the monarchy. Victory against the Siamese invasions

1556-1576

Ponhea Yat

Style: Same as above
Comments: The Siamese retake Angkor, the king flees to Srei Santhor, he is destitute and takes refugee in Laos

1576-1594

Satha

Style: Same as above
Comments: Contact with Portuguese and Spanish missionaries

late XVIth C