angkor wat

Question 1

date

Answer 1

1116-1145

Question 2

site location and setting

Answer 2

-built on flat monsoon plaugues swap land in angkor- cambodia

-orientated west (associated with vishnu and death (setting sun)

sited so that from the outside western entrance the sun could be seen rising above the central spire on June 21st the beginning of the solar new year

city of Angkor where khmer kings ruled and was royal capital

Question 3

roientated west significance

Answer 3

(associated with vishnu and death (setting sun)

Question 4

scale

Answer 4

covered 500 achres and largest temple in khmer empire

Question 5

materials and techniques

Answer 5

laterite (local stone) used for outer walls

sandstone used for the most visable areas for finer appearance

Question 6

interior and ornamentation

Answer 6

-decoration was a homage to the gods

-1200 sq meters of bass reliefs carved in sandstone

-depicted historic and mythological scenes

Question 7

patron

Answer 7

King Suryavaman II, king of khmer empire

built to validate his claim to the knmer throne as he was a usurper of his uncle
also built to validate his identity as vishnu

Question 8

patron aims and function

Answer 8

commissioned as a tomb for himself

his ashes were placed under the central tower

dedication to vishnu

offerings to vishnu of gold and white sapphires that symbolised the sun and moon buried beneath sanctury tower with his ashes

Question 9

structure and form

Answer 9

-symmetrical, geometric

-orientated west (to the setting sun) association with vishnu and death

moat surrounds evokes the cosmic moat

towers resemble lotus buds/pinecones

balustrades carved to form the naga snake

statues of lions garding temple

ORGANISED IN AN MANDALA

Question 10

mandala organisation

Answer 10

-towers arranged in a quincrux
-quincrux represents mount menu, mythical centre of hindu world
-moat represents cosmic ocean
-stairways steep recalling steepness of mountain