国王SuryavaramanII在1113年登上王位后不久就开始建造吴哥窟。在红色高棉帝国的皇家继承通常是一场暴力事件，Suryavaraman的上升并不例外。他在战斗中杀死了他的伟大叔叔，夺取了王位。然而，详述Suryavaraman崛起的铭文描述了他团结了两个以前对立的派别，导致了一个相对统一和稳定的时期。[3]他还继承了前国王的传统，建筑吴哥窟，一座新的皇家庙情结，有别于他的前任。[4]虽然任何建筑师或设计师的名字都没有历史，但Suryavaraman的首席牧师和精神顾问Divakarapandita很可能对寺庙的建设有高度的影响。[5]

King Suryavarman II began construction on Angkor Wat shortly after ascending to the throne in 1113. Royal succession in the Khmer empire was typically a violent affair, and Suryavarman's ascent was no exception. He killed his great-uncle in battle to seize the throne. However, inscriptions detailing Suryavarman’s rise to power describe him uniting two previously opposing factions, leading to a period of relative unity and stability.[3] He also continued the tradition of the previous kings, building Angkor Wat, a new royal temple complex, distinct from those of his predecessors.[4] Although the names of any architects or designers are lost to history, it is likely that Suryavarman’s chief priest and spiritual advisor Divakarapandita was highly influential in the temple’s construction.[5]

King Suryavarman II began construction on Angkor Wat shortly after ascending to the throne in 1113. Royal succession in the Khmer empire was typically a violent affair, and Suryavarman's ascent was no exception. He killed his great-uncle in battle to seize the throne. However, inscriptions detailing Suryavarman’s rise to power describe him uniting two previously opposing factions, leading to a period of relative unity and stability.[3] He also continued the tradition of the previous kings, building Angkor Wat, a new royal temple complex, distinct from those of his predecessors.[4] Although the names of any architects or designers are lost to history, it is likely that Suryavarman’s chief priest and spiritual advisor Divakarapandita was highly influential in the temple’s construction.[5]

 Aerial view of Angkor Wat. Image © Wikipedia user: Steve Jurvetson, licensed under CC BY 2.0

吴哥窟的鸟瞰。图片c维基百科用户：Steve Jurvetson，在CC by 2.0的许可下

与吴哥窟的许多其他寺庙相比，吴哥窟面对着西方，反映了它对维什努的敬业精神，他统治着指南针的西部象限。[6]宽阔的矩形护城河包围着综合体，在护城河的内部，外墙划定了大约1,500米的东向西，1,300米的北到南，是吴哥窟中最大的寺庙地区。一些考古学家建议，这个地区的90%最初被一个包围着正式寺庙区的城市所占据，包括皇家宫殿，都是木头建造的。[7]今天，所有遗骸都是由砂岩和红土构成的寺庙建筑，一种在暴露于空气和阳光时迅速硬化的局部粘土，主要用于地基和内部结构。[8]

In contrast with many of the other temples at Angkor, Angkor Wat faces west, a reflection of its dedication to Vishnu, who rules over the western quadrant of the compass.[6] A wide rectangular moat surrounds the complex, and just inside the moat an outer wall defines an area approximately 1,500 meters east to west, and 1,300 meters north to south–the largest temple area in Angkor. Some archaeologists suggest that 90% of this area was originally occupied by a city surrounding the formal temple precinct, including the royal palace, all built of wood.[7] Today, all that remains are the temple buildings, constructed of sandstone and laterite, a type of local clay that hardens quickly when exposed to air and sun, used primarily for foundations and internal structures.[8]

In contrast with many of the other temples at Angkor, Angkor Wat faces west, a reflection of its dedication to Vishnu, who rules over the western quadrant of the compass.[6] A wide rectangular moat surrounds the complex, and just inside the moat an outer wall defines an area approximately 1,500 meters east to west, and 1,300 meters north to south–the largest temple area in Angkor. Some archaeologists suggest that 90% of this area was originally occupied by a city surrounding the formal temple precinct, including the royal palace, all built of wood.[7] Today, all that remains are the temple buildings, constructed of sandstone and laterite, a type of local clay that hardens quickly when exposed to air and sun, used primarily for foundations and internal structures.[8]

从外墙的西门，一条长长的堤道通向主庙区。两座被称为“图书馆”的小石头建筑，位于中点附近的堤道两侧。尽管他们的名字，这些建筑物应该是某种类型的神社，而不是保存手稿。

From the western gateway of the outer wall, a long causeway leads to the main temple precinct. Two small stone buildings, known as “libraries,” flank the causeway near the midpoint. Despite their name, these buildings would have been shrines of some kind, not storage for manuscripts.[9]

From the western gateway of the outer wall, a long causeway leads to the main temple precinct. Two small stone buildings, known as “libraries,” flank the causeway near the midpoint. Despite their name, these buildings would have been shrines of some kind, not storage for manuscripts.[9]

 © Wikipedia user Hzh, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0

(C)维基百科用户Hzh，由-SA3.0认证

庙宇本身由高棉建筑的两个主要元素组成：金字塔和同心圆的画廊。[10]金字塔的形式是三个阶梯阶地，每一步都被有盖的画廊环绕着。在每一层的通道上，画廊的入口指示着通往中央神殿的通道，而塔楼则点缀着角落。金字塔的顶峰是五座塔-这表明了神庙的中心神殿。

The temple itself consists of two of the primary elements of Khmer architecture: the pyramid, and concentric galleries.[10] The pyramid takes the form of three stepped terraces, with each step bordered on all sides by covered galleries. At each level gateways in the galleries indicate the pathway to the central shrine, and towers punctuate the corners. The pyramid culminates in five towers–an indication of the temple's central shrine.

The temple itself consists of two of the primary elements of Khmer architecture: the pyramid, and concentric galleries.[10] The pyramid takes the form of three stepped terraces, with each step bordered on all sides by covered galleries. At each level gateways in the galleries indicate the pathway to the central shrine, and towers punctuate the corners. The pyramid culminates in five towers–an indication of the temple's central shrine.

 © Wikipedia user: Bjørn Christian Tørrissen, licensed under GFDL

(C)维基百科用户：Bj rn Christian T rrissen，GFDL授权

整个建筑群象征着内在的印度教信仰。正如弗里曼和雅克所描述的，“它首先是印度教宇宙的缩影。护城河代表着围绕着地球的神秘海洋，而一连串的同心圆画廊则代表着围绕着诸神之家默鲁山的山脉。这些塔楼代表着山峰，登上中央神社的经历或许是有意的，是对真正登山的相当令人信服的模仿。[11]历史学家埃莉诺·曼尼卡(Eleanor Mannikka)的研究也表明，吴哥窟的规模和建筑元素与“具有日历和宇宙意义的总和”相对应。

The entire complex symbolizes the Hindu beliefs enshrined within. As Freeman and Jacques describe, “It is, above all else, a microcosm of the Hindu universe. The moat represents the mythical oceans surrounding the earth and the succession of concentric galleries represent the mountain ranges that surround Mount Meru, the home of the gods. The towers represent the mountain’s peaks, and the experience of the ascent to the central shrine is, maybe intentionally, a fairly convincing imitation of climbing a real mountain.”[11] Historian Eleanor Mannikka’s research has also indicated that dimensions and building elements at Angkor Wat correspond to “calendrically and cosmologically significant totals.”[12]

The entire complex symbolizes the Hindu beliefs enshrined within. As Freeman and Jacques describe, “It is, above all else, a microcosm of the Hindu universe. The moat represents the mythical oceans surrounding the earth and the succession of concentric galleries represent the mountain ranges that surround Mount Meru, the home of the gods. The towers represent the mountain’s peaks, and the experience of the ascent to the central shrine is, maybe intentionally, a fairly convincing imitation of climbing a real mountain.”[11] Historian Eleanor Mannikka’s research has also indicated that dimensions and building elements at Angkor Wat correspond to “calendrically and cosmologically significant totals.”[12]

 © flickr user: christophrooms, licensed under CC BY 2.0

(C)Flickr用户：晶闸管机房，在CC 2.0的许可下使用

为了进一步强调印度教的象征意义，画廊的两旁都是雕刻在砂岩上的浮雕。吴哥窟总共有近2，000平方米(20，000平方英尺)的浮雕，此外还有广泛雕刻的木雕、木雕和木雕，在整个建筑群中，雕刻着近2，000人(娱乐众神的天体舞者)。[13]大部分雕塑描绘的是印度教史诗“罗摩衍那”和“摩哈婆罗多”。吴哥窟的浮雕还包括关于苏里亚瓦曼二世的系列作品，这是第一部已知的关于吴哥大国王及其宫廷的作品。[14]除了复杂的雕刻、油漆的残存，甚至金叶也显示出更耀眼的外观(虽然不知道这些元素是原始的还是后来添加的)。[15][16]

To further emphasize the Hindu symbolism, the galleries are lined with bas-relief sculpture carved into the sandstone. In total, Angkor Wat contains nearly 2,000 square meters (20,000 square feet) of bas-relief, in addition to the extensively carved lintels, friezes, and pediments, and the nearly 2,000 apsaras (celestial dancers who entertain the gods) carved throughout the complex.[13] The majority of the sculptures depict the Hindu epics Ramayana and Mahabharata. The bas-reliefs at Angkor Wat also include a series on Suryavarman II, the first known depiction of a Angkorian king and his court.[14] In addition to the intricate carvings, remnants of paint, and even gold leaf indicate an even more dazzling appearance (although it is not known if these elements were original or added later).[15][16]

To further emphasize the Hindu symbolism, the galleries are lined with bas-relief sculpture carved into the sandstone. In total, Angkor Wat contains nearly 2,000 square meters (20,000 square feet) of bas-relief, in addition to the extensively carved lintels, friezes, and pediments, and the nearly 2,000 apsaras (celestial dancers who entertain the gods) carved throughout the complex.[13] The majority of the sculptures depict the Hindu epics Ramayana and Mahabharata. The bas-reliefs at Angkor Wat also include a series on Suryavarman II, the first known depiction of a Angkorian king and his court.[14] In addition to the intricate carvings, remnants of paint, and even gold leaf indicate an even more dazzling appearance (although it is not known if these elements were original or added later).[15][16]

 Bas-relief of Suryavarman II. Image © flickr user: soham_pablo, licensed under CC BY 2.0

SuryavaramanII的BAS-缓解。图像）Flickr用户：Soham_Pablo，在CC下授权2.0

在苏里亚瓦曼二世死后的几十年里，贾亚瓦曼七世将佛教带到吴哥，并将包括吴哥窟在内的许多寺庙改为佛教用途。吴哥窟的寺庙常常被描绘成一个失败社会的废墟，但实际上，小乘佛教的兴起导致了木寺的建造，而正如弗里曼和雅克所说，“高棉人从未忘记过他们的纪念碑的存在，即使他们忽视了他们的大部分寺庙，吴哥窟总是被占领，是一个礼拜的地方。“

In the decades following Suryavarman II’s death, King Jayavarman VII brought Buddhism to Angkor, and converted many of the temples, including Angkor Wat, to Buddhist use. The temples at Angkor are often depicted as the ruins of a failed society, but in reality the rise of Theravada Buddhism led to the construction of wooden temples that have not survived, and as Freeman and Jacques put it, “The Khmers never forgot the existence of their monuments, and even if they neglected the majority of their temples, Angkor Wat always remained occupied and a place of worship.”[17]

In the decades following Suryavarman II’s death, King Jayavarman VII brought Buddhism to Angkor, and converted many of the temples, including Angkor Wat, to Buddhist use. The temples at Angkor are often depicted as the ruins of a failed society, but in reality the rise of Theravada Buddhism led to the construction of wooden temples that have not survived, and as Freeman and Jacques put it, “The Khmers never forgot the existence of their monuments, and even if they neglected the majority of their temples, Angkor Wat always remained occupied and a place of worship.”[17]

 Henri Mouhot's drawing of Angkor Wat. Image via Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons

亨利·穆特的吴哥窟画。通过公共领域的图像，维基媒体共享

1863年出版的法国自然学家亨利·穆热(HenriMouhot)的笔记引起了对吴哥的西方兴趣，“极端东方”的生态文明在20世纪初开始了保护工作。[18]尽管柬埔寨内战和红色高棉统治停止了二十年的养护工作，但吴哥窟于1992年成为联合国教科文组织世界遗产网站，而来自世界各地的今天的团队正在努力稳定和维护古迹。

The notes of French naturalist Henri Mouhot, published in 1863, aroused Western interest in Angkor, and the Ecole Francaise d’Extreme-Orient began leading conservation efforts in the early 20th century.[18] Although the Cambodian Civil War and the reign of the Khmer Rouge halted conservation efforts for two decades, Angkor became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992, and today teams from around the world are working to stabilize and preserve the monuments.

The notes of French naturalist Henri Mouhot, published in 1863, aroused Western interest in Angkor, and the Ecole Francaise d’Extreme-Orient began leading conservation efforts in the early 20th century.[18] Although the Cambodian Civil War and the reign of the Khmer Rouge halted conservation efforts for two decades, Angkor became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992, and today teams from around the world are working to stabilize and preserve the monuments.

 Floor Plan of Temple Precinct. Image © Wikipedia user: Baldiri, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0

寺庙分局平面图。图片c维基百科用户：Baldiri，由CC认证-SA3.0

[1]Higham，Charles。吴哥文明。伯克利：加州大学出版社，2001年。115.

[1] Higham, Charles. The Civilization of Angkor. Berkeley: The University of California Press, 2001. 115.

[1] Higham, Charles. The Civilization of Angkor. Berkeley: The University of California Press, 2001. 115.

[2]艾博年，玛丽娅。吴哥的宝藏。Vercelli，意大利：白星出版社，2006年。148.

[2] Albanese, Marilia. The Treasures of Angkor. Vercelli, Italy: White Star Publishers, 2006. 148.

[2] Albanese, Marilia. The Treasures of Angkor. Vercelli, Italy: White Star Publishers, 2006. 148.

[3]Manikka,Eleanor.吴哥窟：时间、空间和金船。檀香山：哈韦大学，1996年出版社。22.

[3] Mannikka, Eleanor. Angkor Wat: Time, Space, and Kingship. Honolulu: University of Hawai’i Press, 1996. 22.

[3] Mannikka, Eleanor. Angkor Wat: Time, Space, and Kingship. Honolulu: University of Hawai’i Press, 1996. 22.

[4] Mannikka, 9.

[4] Mannikka, 9.

[4] Mannikka, 9.

[5] Mannikka, 24.

[5] Mannikka, 24.

[5] Mannikka, 24.

[6] Mannikka, 9.

[6] Mannikka, 9.

[6] Mannikka, 9.

[7]Freeman，Michael和Claude Jacques。古吴哥。Trumbull，CT：WeatherHill，1999年。47.

[7] Freeman, Michael and Claude Jacques. Ancient Angkor. Trumbull, CT: Weatherhill, 1999. 47.

[7] Freeman, Michael and Claude Jacques. Ancient Angkor. Trumbull, CT: Weatherhill, 1999. 47.

[8]Freeman和Jacques，24。

[8] Freeman and Jacques, 24.

[8] Freeman and Jacques, 24.

[9]Freeman和Jacques，50岁。

[9] Freeman and Jacques, 50.

[9] Freeman and Jacques, 50.

[10]Freeman和Jacques，47。

[10] Freeman and Jacques, 47.

[10] Freeman and Jacques, 47.

[11]Freeman和Jacques，48。

[11] Freeman and Jacques, 48.

[11] Freeman and Jacques, 48.

[12] Mannikka, 3.

[12] Mannikka, 3.

[12] Mannikka, 3.

[13]Freeman和Jacques，28。

[13] Freeman and Jacques, 28.

[13] Freeman and Jacques, 28.

[14] [人名] [英格兰人姓氏] 海厄姆住所名称，来源于古英语，含义是“高+宅地”(high+homestead), 114.

[14] Higham, 114.

[14] Higham, 114.

[15]Freeman和Jacques，29。

[15] Freeman and Jacques, 29.

[15] Freeman and Jacques, 29.

[16] [人名] [英格兰人姓氏] 海厄姆住所名称，来源于古英语，含义是“高+宅地”(high+homestead), 115.

[16] Higham, 115.

[16] Higham, 115.

17 Freeman和Jacques，40岁。

[17] Freeman and Jacques, 40.

[17] Freeman and Jacques, 40.

18 Freeman和Jacques，40岁。

[18] Freeman and Jacques, 40.

[18] Freeman and Jacques, 40.

地点吴哥窟，Krong Siem Reap，柬埔寨项目1150照片Flickr用户：chrisjunker，在CC下由-NC-ND 2.0授权，flickr用户：christophRoom，在CC by 2.0许可下，Wikipedia用户：Steve Jurvetson，在CC by 2.0下许可，Wikipedia用户：Baldiri，由CC-SA 3.0授权，Wikipedia用户Hzh，Flickr用户：Soham_Pablo，CC by 2.0许可，Wikipedia用户：Bj rn Christian T rrissen，GFDL类别遗产许可

Location Angkor Wat, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia Project Year 1150 Photographs flickr user: chrisjunker, licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0, flickr user: christophrooms, licensed under CC BY 2.0, Wikipedia user: Steve Jurvetson, licensed under CC BY 2.0, Wikipedia user: Baldiri, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikipedia user Hzh, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0, flickr user: soham_pablo, licensed under CC BY 2.0, Wikipedia user: Bjørn Christian Tørrissen, licensed under GFDL Category Heritage

Location Angkor Wat, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia Project Year 1150 Photographs flickr user: chrisjunker, licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0, flickr user: christophrooms, licensed under CC BY 2.0, Wikipedia user: Steve Jurvetson, licensed under CC BY 2.0, Wikipedia user: Baldiri, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikipedia user Hzh, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0, flickr user: soham_pablo, licensed under CC BY 2.0, Wikipedia user: Bjørn Christian Tørrissen, licensed under GFDL Category Heritage