Description

Using extensive and previously unpublished photographic reference material, from three primary Khmer temple sources, Armies, Allies and Enemies of The Khmer Empire: Vol.1 is focused on the military equipment (weapons, dress, general equipment), structure and development of the armies of the Khmer Empire (802 CE to 1430 CE).

In two comprehensive volumes, aimed primarily at historians, military history enthusiasts and wargamers alike, it is focused on the Khmer armies, via a comprehensive and detailed analysis of the eleventh and twelfth century carved images, at the great Khmer temples at Angkor Wat, the Bayon and Banteay Chhmar in modern day Cambodia.

Known as the 'Land of Gold' to the contemporary Chinese and Indians, the Khmer Empire was centered around the great hydraulic mega-city of Angkor, that flourished between the eleventh and thirteenth centuries in what is now northern Cambodia. In its heyday Angkor covered c.10,000 sq.km, accommodating and feeding, via its advanced state sponsored irrigation systems, that provided four rice crops annularly, nearly 1million inhabitants (probably the largest human conurbation on the planet at that time).

At its peak the Khmer 'devaraja' or 'God-Kings' controlled and dominated the majority of the South-east Asian peninsular, using their armies to subjugate a landmass as big as that of its contemporary Byzantine counterpart in the west.

Armies, Allies and Enemies of The Khmer Empire explores the military might of the what is, to most, one of histories largely unknown great civilizations and the armies that helped to forged it.