How did they rise to power?
The first king, Jayavarman II adopted a successful monarchy system that was a replica of the Indian civilisation. There was a king called a ‘god-king’ that would rule over the whole empire with power and would motivate his or her people to work for and guard the empire and king. The kings would be surrounded by many Brahmins which were wise men tht were known to obtain immense knowledge obtained from their family. These Brahmins helped the kings to run the country which resulted in a stronger empire.
Jayavarman III, Jayavarman II’s son began the construction of an irrigation network that was designed to improve their rice production.
The Angkor Empire was in a very strategic area. The position of the empire was in the North of Tonle Sap Lake. The only way armies with large enough capacity would be able to invade the empire was to sail from the Mekong River. The empire was also protected by thick and rough forests from all sides. There weren’t any properly constructed roads which would be difficult and exhausting to go through. If troops travelled along this road they would have to travel in one long line and they can be easily ambushed from both sides. The Angkor only lost one large naval battle on Tonle Sap Lake to Chapa in 1171.