Angkor, capital of the Khmer Empire

From the 9th to the 15th century Khmer kings ruled much of mainland Southeast Asia from Angkor, a sprawling city supported by huge reservoirs and canals. Suryavarman II built Angkor Wat as a Hindu temple and funerary monument; Jayavarman VII later built the Buddhist Bayon at Angkor Thom. The royal court moved south after a Siamese attack around 1431.