| Abstract: |
Like many pre-modern societies, the armies of Angkor were instrumental in the expansion and consolidation of the state. A tantalising glimpse of Angkorian military culture is to be found in the decorative carvings and inscriptions which adorn the temples, which indicate the king’s prowess and military might were likened to the gods. Yet the poor preservation conditions of tropical Southeast Asia have left virtually no tangible evidence of their weaponry and paraphernalia. In contrast with the lack of artefacts, the built environment of the later Angkor Period is characterised by defensive infrastructure, such as the city walls of Angkor Thom. More recently, studies focused on the engineered landscape have identified additional features and modifications that suggest they were intended for the defence of the capital as regional power shifted and Angkor’s dominance faded.
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