Angkor Thom, Gate of Victory (east gate), SE causeway, naga balustrade, section from deva side

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Information about the creation of the object depicted in the image: End of 12th to early 13th century

Information about the restoration of the object depicted in the image: 1944, 1955, 1960

Angkor Thom was the planned capital of Jayavarman VII, at the center of which was the state temple of Bayon. The walls of the city are 1.86 miles on each side, and enclose an area of 2225 acres, bordered by a 328 feet wide moat. Temples within the city contain steles with inscriptions likening Angkor Thom to Indra’s capital, the cosmic mountain and home of the thirty-three gods. The causeways crossing the moats at each of Angkor Thom’s five gates are lined with 54 gods on one side and 54 demons on the other side bearing a naga’s body, symbolizing the myth of the Churning of the Sea of Milk.

Source for information about the object depicted in the image: Jessup, Helen Ibbitson. Art and Architecture of Cambodia. London: Thames & Hudson, 2004.

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