Study says Generation X is balanced and happy

By Alene Dawson, Special to CNN

October 26, 2011 -- Updated 2125 GMT (0525 HKT)

According to a new report, most of the 84 million Americans ages 30 to 50 are "active, balanced and happy.

(CNN) -- A generation once labeled "slackers," detached and melancholic has grown up to find out that reality doesn't bite as much it seemed when they were younger.

To the contrary, most of the 84 million Americans ages 30 to 50 are "active, balanced and happy," according to the authors of "The Generation X Report," a research report from the University of Michigan's Longitudinal Study of American Youth.

The release is the first in a series of quarterly reports based on questionnaires, interviews and tests from 4,000 Gen X respondents who have participated in the study since 1987. The study defines Gen X as those born between 1961 and 1981, though others sources tag Gen X as those born starting in 1964.

"We hope that this series of reports will serve to correct some of the misunderstandings and misstatements about Generation X that have appeared in the media," The Longitudinal Study of American Youth says on its website. "Some commentators have characterized Generation X as being less successful than their parents and perhaps less ambitious than their parent's generation."

The study marks the latest focus on Gen X as the cultural spotlight gradually shifts away from retiring Baby Boomers. The analysis bolsters findings in a recent marketing study, "Gen X: Flirting With 40," which stated that Gen X has matured into a group of "technologically savvy, adventurous pragmatists." Recent media coverage of rants and reflections from Gen Xers in Gizmodo andThe Atlantic has also generated intense discussion, fueling debate over whether a passing of the torch from Boomers is under way.

The stated mission of the study, which is funded by the National Science Foundation, is to write the history and monitor the future of Generation X. Here's some data from the report that may surprise you:

Myth #1: Gen Xers are slackers.

Reality: Generation X devotes more hours to work than average and pursues continuing education.

-- Compared to a national sample of all U.S. adults, Gen Xers are more likely to be employed and are working significantly more hours above average, according to the study. In Generation X, 86% is employed and 70% devote 40 or more hours to work each week. For those holding a doctorate or professional degree, that number shoots up to 50 or more hours. Also, 79% Gen X women work.

-- Kids from "The Breakfast Club" era weren't so strung out on emotional issues that they passed up learning: Half of Gen Xers have completed a post-secondary degree and 9% are enrolled in continuing education.

Myth #2: Generation X is hopelessly single and pessimistic about marriage.

Reality: A higher percentage of Gen Xers stay married than Boomers, and most want to be married.

-- Having spent their formative years in the era of growing divorce rates (divorce peaked in 1980) might lead to speculation that Gen X would run away from marriage en masse. In reality, two-thirds of Generation X is married and 71% report having children in the home. Additionally, divorce has been declining since 1996, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

-- 83% of Gen Xers said finding the right person to marry and having a happy family life is very important.

Myth #3: Generation Xers are disengaged, existential isolationists.

Reality: Gen X is social.

--There's a reason Gen X is called the "Friends" generation. The report states that Gen X has extensive social, occupational and community networks outside of the immediate family. Two-thirds of respondents entertain friends for dinner or participate in group cooking at least once a month.

-- One in 3 Gen Xers is an active member of a church or religious organization, and 29% volunteer in their community.

-- 95% of Gen Xers report talking with friends or family on the telephone at least once a week, and 29% say they do so at least once a day.

Myth #4: As former latch-key kids, Gen Xers are wimpy, neglectful parents.

Reality: About 84% of Gen X parents expect their children to earn at least a baccalaureate, and 39% expect their child to earn a graduate or professional degree.

-- 72% of parents of preschool children read to them three or more hours a week, and 83% of parents of secondary school students help with homework.

Myth #5: Generation X is depressed.

Reality: Generation X is actually pretty happy.

-Two-thirds of Generation X are satisfied with their job; 24% of these workers rated their job at 9 or 10 on the satisfaction scale.

- On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 meaning very happy, the median happiness score was 8, with 29% of Gen Xers saying they we very happy scoring a 9 or 10.

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/10/26/living/gen-x-satisfied/index.html

HISTORY OF CAMBODIA

Mysteries, Legends And Anecdotes

For hundreds of years, the lost city of [Map] Angkor was itself a legend. Cambodian peasants living on the edge of the thick jungle around the Tonle Sap lake reported findings which puzzled the French colonialists who arrived in [Map] Indo-China in the 1860s. The peasants said they had found "temples built by gods or by giants." Their stories were casually dismissed as folktales by the pragmatic Europeans. Yet some did believe that there really was a lost city of a Cambodian empire which had once been powerful and wealthy, but had crumbled many years before.Henri Mahout's discovery of the Angkor temples in 1860 opened up this `lost city' to the world. The legend became fact and a stream of explorers, historians and archaeologists came to Angkor to explain the meaning of these vast buildings. The earliest of these scholars could not believe that Angkor had been built by the Cambodian people, believing the temples to have been built by another race who had conquered and occupied Cambodia maybe 2,000 years before. Gradually, some of the mysteries were explained, the Sanskrit inscriptions deciphered and the history of Angkor slowly pieced together, mainly by French scholars in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Legends still remain. This once great city which had slept for so long still posed many questions. The foundation of the original Kingdom of Cambodia, Funan, supposedly came about by the union of a fairy princess and an Indian brahmin.The kingdom went through many changes in the first 1,000 years of its existence. Funan was added to Chenla and eventually became the Kingdom of Kambuja under King Jayavarman II (A.D.800 to A.D.850). The way in which Jayavarman II became king is told in the legend of Zagab. It is about a wise Indonesian king who chose Jayavarman II as Kambuja's new ruler in order to replace his boastful predecessor.Some of the individual temples also have legends attached to them. The Phimeanakas Temple, built by Rajendravarman (A.D.944-A.D.968) was said to be visited every night by a snake princess, on whom the prosperity of the kingdom depended. Local guides and villagers will undoubtedly tell visitors more about the legends surrounding the once lost city of Angkor.

Before A.D. 100 ( Pre-Funan Times), People of Indo-China 

At the end of the ice age (c. 12,000BC) the Indo-Chinese region is firstly inhabited by Australoid peoples. The land bridges between Malaya, the Indonesian islands and Australia are submerged. Various population groups migrate through southeast Asia. The Mon-Khmer people gradually settle in the lands which later become the kingdoms of Funan and Chenla and they become the dominant tribes in the area.

The Indo-Chinese region today comprises the countries of Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand. It is made up of large fertile plains which lies around two rivers, the Mekong and the Tonle Sap. The land is settled by various tribes who develop the independent kingdoms of Tonkin, Annam, Cochin China, Cambodia, Laos and Siam. B.C.4000-A.D.100 Settlements are formed throughout the Indo-China region. The major cultural influences on the region are from China and India. The Dong-Son culture becomes established in the northern part of today's Vietnam

A.D.100-A.D.600 THE KINGDOM OF FUNAN

A.D.100 The Kingdom of Funan, part of the lands which will become the vast Khmer Empire or Cambodia, is established by the legendary Indian brahmin, Kambu. The peaceful settlement of Indian traders begins the process of Indianization of Cambodia. In A.D.245 Two Chinese ambassadors visit Funan and produce a report on all aspects of life in the kingdom. In A.D.357 King Chandan, who is probably of Indian origin, comes to the throne of Funan. He is succeeded by another brahmin ruler.

The area of present - day Cambodia was already inhabited in the 3rd millennium B.C but it was not documented historically until the beginning of the Christian era, where there rose up a kingdom that Chinese chronicles describe as Funan from the Khmer word Phnom means Mountain. The foundation of Funan may be ascribed to a certain Kaundinya or Hun Tien who , inspired by a dream, presumably went from the India to Kambuja or Cambodia, where he married Soma or Liu Yeh, a local princess who was one of the Nagas, mythical beings that were part dragon ( Neang Neak ).

The son of Soma and Kaundinya was supposedly the founder of the first Kaundinya dynasty of Funan Empire. In the 5th-century a second Kaundinya arrived from India to revive the Indianized customs that had gone by the wayside, and beginning with King Kaundinya Jayavarman ( c 478 - 514 ) the rulers of Funan became more defined in a historical sense. Vyadhapura, their capital, is considered by some scholars to have stood at the foot of Ba Phnom in Takeo province at present-day. In AD 514 Rudravarman ascended the throne and chose Angkor Borei as his capital, where he probably lived until after AD539. In the most distinguished artistic production in this period is sculpture,which was part of the so-called Phnom Da = Phnom Da Mountain at Takeo province in the present-day. c AD 540 - 600 , named after the sacred rise near Angkor Borei, south of Phnom Penh city at the present day. For the most part the sculpture works, in sandstone, consist of portraits of Vishnu and figures connected to him, since Vishnuism must have been the religion of the sovereigns however. One of the 8 arm Vishnu statues is a good preserved in Phnom Penh museum that took it from Phnom Da temple. Shivaism is documented by numerous Lingas or Lingams, and this period witnessed the first representations of Harihara , half Shiva god and half Vishnu god. However, the architecture and fillets that support the head and arms of the portraits betray the lack of confidence the sculptors had in the stability of their work. The first statues of Buddha make their appearance in this period.

End AD400-AD500 The Kingdom of Funan is a prosperous trading region, lying on the trade and pilgrimage route between India and China.

Indian culture still plays an important part in the developing Kingdom of Funan, although native influence over customs, art, architecture and religion is now also very strong. Both forms of Hinduism and Mahayana Buddhism, a type of Buddhist religion popular in India and China, exist in Funan. At that time (AD400-AD514)the king of China had given the king's name of Funan " The Southeast General Of Peace is Funan's King".

In the 6th century There is evidence from the texts of contemporary Chinese historians that the Funan Empire is strong and respected throughout Asia. Indian influence is still very much evident in all areas of life. Trade in Funan is centered in the prosperous port city of Oc-eo.

A.D.514-AD539: King Rudravarman is the last of the great kings of Funan. He cultivates the worship of the Hindu god Vishnu. Statues of the god dating from his reign still exist today, showing the influence of contemporary Indian art and religious iconography.

A.D.550 Prince Bhavavarman of the Funan royal family (and grandson of King Rudravarman) marries the female heir to the throne of Chenla, a fertile kingdom to the north of Funan occupying the territory which today is Laos. Chenla is inhabited by the Mon-Khmer people whose leaders are related to the Funan royal family before the time of Bhavavarman.On the Chenla king's death, Bhavavarman becomes King of Chenla, and when the Funan king dies, he siezes Funan as well. Within a few years, Funan becomes a vassal state to Chenla.

A.D.600-A.D.800 THE KINGDOM OF CHENLA

Chenla or Zhenla and The First Khmer Kingdoms

The Khmers, who were probably vasals of Funan or Nokor Phnom, came from the upper course of the Menam River and had reached the Mekong River via the Mun River Valley. Their first independent principality developed in the 5th-century, north of Tonle Sap lake: the Chinese accounts call this kingdom Zhenla and also mention the kings Shrutavarman and Shreshthavarman, whose capital Shreshthapura must have been in southern Laos. A major influence on the future history Cambodia was wrought by the Khmer kingdom of Bhavapura, in the area of present-day Kampong Thom province: its most important sovereign, Ishanavarman I, completed the conquest of Funan in AD 612 - 628 and chose Sambo Prei Kuk as his capital, renaming it Ishanapura in the center of Cambodia at the present-day. After some turmoil, Jayavarman I regained control of the kingdom in 657, but upon his death after the year 700 the kingdom broke up into numerous principalities, among which there emerged that of Shambhupura capital on the the Mekong River whose ruler King Pushkaraksha proclaimed himself king of all Kambuja in 716. 

A.D.600-A.D.611: Bhavavarman is succeeded by Mahendravarman and then by Isanavarman, both of whom are strong kings and complete the process of integrating Funan into Chenla.The capital of Chenla is initially at Sambor, some 40 miles southeast of Angkor. 

According to the Chinese chronicles,in the early 8th century there were two Chenlas, a land Zhenla or upper Chenla and a water Chenla or lower Chenla : the former was united and centered around the ancient territories of Chenla, while the latter consisted of several in the area that once constituted Funan. 

The son of king Pushkarakasha,Shambhuvarman, and his heir, Rajendravarman I, maintained control over most of lower Chenla up to the end of the 8th center, when the Malayans and Javanese gained dominion over many Khmer principalities. 

A.D.616-A.D.635: King Isanavarman rules the Kingdom of Chenla with his capital at Sambor Prei Kuk. Architecture develops in the kingdom using sandstone for building and beautiful carvings in stone for the temples. Artistic styles are ascribed to this period, the first of which , the Sambor Prei Kuk ( 600 - 650 ) , was named after the capital of Bhavapura, north of Kampong Thom province and ( 160 km ) southeast of Angkor Wat temple at the present-day. The foundation for future Khmer architecture in Angkor.

A.D.635-A.D.656: King Bhavavarman II rules Chenla. Mahayana Buddhism spreads in Chenla. Statues celebrating this religion are found.

In A.D.750, Jayavarman I becomes King of Chenla. His reputation is as a strong war-like king who expands the Chenla kingdom through his many conquests. Ruined temples from this time still stand in the land around the Angkor region. Wars of succession divide and weaken Kambuja. Contact with India is broken and trade ceases. As the Kingdom of Chenla declines, the Saliendra dynasty in Indonesia rises to power. It is possible that this Indonesian dynasty may have, in part, descended from the royal family of Funan.

In A.D.800, This is a period of weakness and eventual disintegration into individual states for the Kingdom of Chenla. There is an administrative breakdown which results in the separate states being powerless. Meanwhile the Saliendra dynasty, the ruling house of the Indonesian Empire, becomes increasingly powerful and starts expanding in southeast Asia. The Saliendra king of Java invades Chenla and claims the throne, possibly on the grounds that he is descended from the royal house of Funan. Cambodia becomes a vassal state of Java. 

THE KINGDOM OF KAMBUJA
AD802 - 1431 The Angkor Period or Khmer Empire

After the many wars, Lower Chenla and Upper Chenla, King Jayavarman II united the Kambuja by A.D.800-A.D.850: Jayavarman II, a young man connected to the Chenla royal family and educated at the Saliendra court in Java, returns to Chenla in AD790. He becomes king around AD800. Initially he extends his kingdom by seizing land to the north and east of Chenla. His 50-year reign is decisive in developing the Khmer Kingdom by establishing its constitution, religion and capital. His reign also sees important changes in Khmer architecture. He builds several capitals, but finally establishes his principal capital at Roluos, about 10 miles southeast of today's town of Siem Reap. He names this city Hariharalaya.

The 9th century witnessed the rise of Angkor art and architectures. The history of the capital - Nagara in Sanskrit, from which the Khmer word Nokor, Thai word Nakorn, France and English words Angkor derived - began with the grandiose consecration ritual of King Jayavarman II ( 790 - 850 ) in 802 on the holy Kulen Mountain to celebrate the independence of Kambuja or Cambodia from Javanese army occupation. That year marked the inauguration of the cult of Devaraja, the `God King` who was the terrestrial ruler with universal power.

A.D.850-A.D.877: Jayavarman III, son of Jayavarman II, succeeds the throne of Kambuja and continues to rule the empire from the city at Roluos.

A.D.877-A.D.889: Indravarman I, a nephew of Jayavarman II, rules Kambuja. He is learned and brings peace and unity to the Khmer Kingdom. He has a wide reputation for being a strong king throughout southeast Asia. His peaceful reign and the income from the expanding Khmer Empire enables King Indravarman I to embark on an ambitious building program.

In A.D.877, Indravarman builds a large reservoir north of the city.

A.D.889-A.D.900: Yasovarman I (son of Indravarman) is King of Kambuja. He supposedly descends from the Funan royal family through his mother. Many inscriptions found on temple walls describing the events of his rule date from his reign. It is believed that he was a strong but tyrannical ruler. He moves the city from Roluos to the present site of Angkor, a few miles from today's town of Siem Reap. Here he [Map] builds the city of Yasodharapura with the Bakheng as the central temple. At Roluos he builds the Lolei Temple in the center of the baray.

A.D.900-A.D.921: Harshavarman I, Yasovarman's brother, rules. He builds his temple-mountain, the Baksei Chamkrong, a stone pyramid with a single tower.

In A.D.921, Harshavarman's uncle, Jayavarman IV,divides the kingdom and sets up a rival capital about 60 miles to the north east of Angkor in the old Chen La Kingdom at Koh Ker. His son rules in this new capital.Prasat Kravan is built to honor Lakshmi, the wife of Vishnu. It is a brick temple with a rich beautiful shrine. This is one of the first temples not to be dedicated by a king, but rather by an individual or member of the hereditary aristocracy.

A.D.930-A.D.944: An usurper successor (whose name is unknown) rules, followed by his son. The capital remains far away from the Angkor site.

A.D.944-A.D.968: Rajendravarman II, a descendant of Yasovarman I, rules Kambuja and brings the court back to the old capital, Yasodharapura, at Angkor. He continues to expand the Khmer Empire further and manages an impressive building program during his relatively short reign. The Sanskrit inscriptions on the temples remaining from this reign tell us that this king was wise and tolerant. Several Mahayana Buddhist establishments are set up at Angkor during his reign.

In A.D.950, Rajendravarman II attacks the Cham Kingdom which lies to the east of Kambuja.

A.D.968-A.D.1001: Jayavarman V rules Kambuja. His reign is marked by peace, prosperity and cultural development. Jayavarman V's court is filled with scholars, poets, ministers, ecclesiastics and philosophers who discuss the mysteries of the world, paint its beauties, write music and songs, dance for the delight of the king and his courtiers and build wonderful temples, among them the exquisite temple of Banteai Srei. Jayavarman V also builds the temple of Ta Keo which is dedicated to Siva and is the first of the Angkor temples to be built completely of sandstone. 

A.D.980-A.D.1220 THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CITY OF ANGKOR

A.D.1001-A.D.1002: King Udayadityavarman I rules, followed by Jayaviravarman I, both descendants of the royal house of Kambuja.

The king Udayadityavarman I mounted the throne in A.D.1000-1002. He was a nephew of Jayavarman V. When Jayavaraman V died in the year 1001, one of his relatives named Udayadityavarman took the throne. A few months later he disappeared, no one known whether he had abdicated or died. After that there was a civil war; the country at that point had been divided into many parts by many kings. Each king believed that the country belonged to them. He married the local princess and become king of Bali under the name Udayana

A.D.1002 – A.D.1010: King Jayaviravarman I mounted the throne in A.D.1002-1010. Not much is known about Jayaviravarman; he is said to rule concurrently over different portions of Cambodia from A.D.1002 until Suryavarman I conquers the whole country and ruled exclusively in A.D.1010.

A.D.1010-A.D.1050: Suryavarman I (Narvanapalala) was king of the Khmer Empire from A.D.1010 to A.D.1050. After the reign of Udayadityavarman I, which ended around 1000, there was no clear successor. Two kings, Jayaviravarman and Suryavarman I, both claimed the throne. Suryavarman I was a Buddhist who was said in the Chronicles of Chieng Mai to be of Malaysian origin. After nine years of war, Suryavarman I won the throne. His reign lasted some 40 years and he spent much of that time defending it. Known as the "King of the Just Laws," he consolidated his political power by inviting some four thousand local officials to the royal palace and swear an oath of allegiance to him. Suryavarman I made Buddhism the state religion. However, he allowed the people to continue practising Hinduism if they wished.

His palace was situated in the vicinity of Angkor Thom, and he was the first of the Khmers rulers to protect his palace with a wall. In 1022 Suryavarman I expanded his territory to the west to Lopburi in Thailand and into Laos.

The major constructions built by this king were the Prasat Preah Vihear on Dangrek Mountain, and Prasat Phimeanakas. Suryavarman I also started the second Angkor reservoir, the West Baray, which is five miles (eight kilometers) long and one mile (1.6 kilometers) wide. It held more than 150 million gallons (567 million liters) of water. This is the largest Khmer reservoir that survives.

The king Suryavarman I died in 1050. He was succeeded by his sons, Udayadityavarman II, who died around 1066 and Hashavarman III (Sadasivapada). The latter continued the struggle against internal rebellions and fought back assaults from the Chams until his death in 1080.

A.D.1050–A.D.1066: King Udayadityavarman II ruled over the Angkor Kingdom from 1050-1066. He was not the son of Suryavarman I, but a descendant from the different lineage of Yasovarman I's spouse. The stone inscription during his reign praised one of his faithful general Sangrama who quell several major rebellions for the king. Udayadityavarman II built the renowned Baphoun Temple devoted to god Shiva, however, it appeared that some stone sculptures were also dedicated to Lord Buddha. This king completed the construction of the West Baray started since the time of his former king, and built the West Mebon, a raise-earthen island, in the center of it. A temple dedicated to god Vishnu was constructed on the island, but now had long been vanished. The West Baray is still in use today. During his reign, several attempted rebellions were crushed by his general Sangrama.

The Sdok Kak Thom temple, located near the present day Thai town of Aranyaprathet, was also constructed during his reign. The temple is perhaps most famous as the discovery site of a detailed inscription recounting the sequence of previous Khmer kings. The inscription stele is now part of the collection of the national museum in Bangkok.

A.D.1066-A.D.1080: King Harshavarman III mounted the throne in 1066-1080 after the death of Udayadityavarman II . The new king Harshavarman III who was the former king's older brother.

A.D.1080-A.D.1107: King Jayavarman VI, Ascending the throne in 1080, did not seem to have any direct connection with the royal family of the preceding kings. Probably he was from the different maternal sub-lineage, which was too far to entitle his right to the crown. The center of his ancestors' power was more or less to the West of the Angkor in the area of Phimai, now in Thailand. Jayavarman VI claimed to be the descendents of legendary Kambu and Mera, which was different from his immediate predecessors. This could imply that he succeeded the throne through violent conflict. During his reign, there was rarely any monument built, except the one at the center of his power - the Phimai temple.

A.D.1107-A.D.1113: Jayavarman VI's brothers rule. Rival claims to the throne and civil war continue and the kingdom is temporarily partitioned. Suryavarman, an ambitious nobleman who claimes he is related to the Cambodian royal family, takes advantage of the weakened kingdom and seizes power. He deposes both kings and takes the throne.

A.D.1113-A.D1150: Suryavarman II rules Kambuja. Initially, he concentrates on territorial expansion and conquers [Map]the neighboring kingdom of the Chams, extending the limits of the Khmer Empire more than ever before. He embarks on an ambitious building program, expanding the city of Angkor and building many temples including Preah Pithu, Chansay Tevoda and Thommanon, all in the Angkor region. Angkor Wat, a temple dedicated to the god Vishnu, and generally recognized as the highest achievement of Khmer temple architecture, is also built during his reign.

In A.D.1145, Suryavarman plans to seize control of all of Annam and asks the king of Champa to assist him. He refuses so Suryavarman deposes him and annexes his kingdom. The Cham regain independence in A.D.1149.

In A.D.1150, Suryavarman II tries to reconquer Annam. He leads his armies through jungle mountains where they die of fever. He dies in 1150, leaving the kingdom exhausted and weak. The last inscription, which mentions his name in connection with a planned invasion of Vietnam, is from the year 1145. He probably died during a military expedition between A.D.1145 and A.D.1150.

A.D.1150-A.D.1160: King Dharanindravarman II (Paramanishkalapada) was king of the Khmer Empire from 1150 to 1160. His son Jayavarman VII would become known as one of the most ambitious builders of Angkor, the empire's capital.

A.D.1160 -A.D.1165: King Yasovarman II was the ruler of the Khmer empire from 1160 to 11665. He succeeded Suryavarman II. His rule ended with his assassination by one of his subordinates.

A.D.1165-A.D.1177: King Tribhuvana-dityavarman Killed at the battle against the Cham.

A.D.1181-A.D.1215: King Jayavarman VII was a king of the Khmer Empire in present day Siem Reap. Cambodia. He was the son of King Dharanindravarman II (1150-1160) and Queen Sri Jayarajacudamani. He married Jayarajadevi and then, after her death, married her sister Indradevi. The two women are commonly thought to have been a great inspiration to him, particularly in his unusual devotion to Buddhism. Only one previous Khmer king had been a Buddhist.

Jayavarman VII probably spent his early years away from the Khmer capital. He may have spent time among the Cham of modern-day Vietnam. The Cham shared with the Khmer the Hindu and Buddhist religions, as well as the use of Sanskrit as a formal language.

In A.D.1177 and again in 1178, the Cham invaded Cambodia. In 1178, they launched a surprise attack on the Khmer capital by sailing a fleet up the Mekong River, across Lake Tonle Sap, and then up the Siem Reap River, a tributary of the Tonle Sap. The invaders pillaged the Khmer capital of Yasodharapura and put the king to death, as well as taking the Apsara dancers, the route of Thai classical dancing. Also in 1178, Jayavarman came into historical prominence by leading a Khmer army that ousted the invaders. At the time, he may already have been in his 60s. Returning to the capital, he found it in disorder. He put an end to the disputes between warring factions and in 1181 was crowned king himself. Early in his reign, he probably repelled another Cham attack, quelled a rebellion, and rebuilt the capital of Angkor. In 1191, he sacked the capital of Champa.

Over the 30 some years of his reign, Jayavarman embarked on a grand program of construction that included both public works and monuments. As a Mahayana Buddhist, his declared aim was to alleviate the suffering of his people. One inscription tells us, "He suffered from the illnesses of his subjects more than from his own; the pain that affected men's bodies was for him a spiritual pain, and thus more piercing." This declaration must be read in light of the undeniable fact that the numerous monuments erected by must have required the labor of thousands of workers, and that Jayavarman's reign was marked by the centralization of the state and the herding of people into ever greater population centers.

Historians have identified three stages in Jayavarman's building program. In the first stage, he focussed on useful constructions, such as hospitals, rest houses along the roads, and reservoirs. Thereafter, he built a pair of temples in honor of his parents: Ta Prohm in honor of his mother and Preah Khan in honor of his father. Finally, he constructed his own "temple-mountain" at Bayon and developed the city of Angkor Thom around it. He also built Neak Pean ("Coiled Serpent"), one of the smallest but most beautiful temples in the Angkor complex, a fountain with four surrounding ponds set on an island in that artificial lake.

In A.D.1186, the king Jayavarman VII dedicated Ta Prohm ("Ancestor Brahma") to his mother. An inscription indicates that this massive temple at one time had 80,000 people assigned to its upkeep, including 18 high priests and 615 female dancers. The first Lara Croft film was shot in Ta Prohm as well as a few scenes from the movie Troy.

The king Jayavarman VII also built the temple and administrative complex of Preah Khan ("Sacred Sword"), dedicating it to his father in 1191.

Angkor Thom ("Big Angkor") was a new city centre, called in its day Indrapattha. At the centre of the new city stands one of his most massive achievements, the temple now called the Bayon, a multi-faceted, multi-towered temple that mixes Buddhist and Hindu iconography. Its outer walls have startling bas reliefs not only of warfare but the everyday life of the Khmer army and its followers. These reliefs show camp followers on the move with animals and oxcarts, hunters, women cooking, female traders selling to Chinese merchants, and celebrations of common foot soldiers. The reliefs also depict a naval battle on the great lake, the Tonle Sap. The historical record is a mixture of the incredibly precise (we know the exact date that a temple was consecrated) and more ambiguous texts and archaeological evidence. Thus, many of the dates marking the life and reign of Jayavarman VII are a matter of conjecture and inference. What is known is that King Suryavarman (Sun Shield) II, builder of the great Angkor Wat, died some time in the early 1150s. He was succeeded by Yashovarman II who was himself overthrown by Tribhuvanadityavarman (Protegee of the Three Suns) assumed to be an usurper. There is a minority view that the current biography of Jayavarman is imaginary and that the evidence could just as easily support the view that he was the usurper. One date that has been generally accepted is 1177 when the Chams, who had themselves been subjected to numerous Khmer invasions, took the city of Yashodharapura. Nonetheless, this date, not to mention the event itself, has been questioned by Michael Vickery, who doubts the reliability of the Chinese sources for this period. A Cham king took the title of Jaya-Indravarman. In 1181 Jayavarman VII became King after leading the Khmer forces against the Chams.

The king Jayavarman VII died in about 1215, at an advanced age ranging from 85 to 90. He was succeeded by Indravarman about whom almost nothing was written. There is only one inscription about him, one that establishes he had died by 1243. This lack of praise and pomp led David P. Chandler, in an influential article, to speculate that Indravarman may have been the Leper King of Cambodian legend and later record. Indravarman was succeeded by Jayavarman VIII who it is thought supported a Hindu revolt. Certainly there is evidence of enormous and organised defacing of Jayavarman VII's works. The niches all along the top of the wall around the city contained images of the Buddha. Most of these were removed. A statue of Jayavarman VII was found by excavators having been thrown down a well. Buddha images in Preah Khan were re-worked to resemble Brahmins. When Cambodia finally did become a Buddhist country, it followed Theravada Buddhism, not the Mahayana Buddhism practised by Jayavarman VII.

A.D.1220-A.D.1400: Twelve kings of Kambuja rule a shrinking, weakening empire. Despite this, the royal court continues its extravagant lifestyle, but no new temples are built.

Special Thanks to:

http://supervillage.blogspot.com/2009/01/tourism-side-of-cambodia-cambodian.html

http://cambodianguide.com/?opt=6&hlineid=52&langid=18

http://www.backpacking-tips-asia.com/cambodia-history.html

http://www.visit-mekong.com/cambodia/tours/active-angkor.htm

http://www.mesacc.edu/dept/d10/asb/angkor/suryavarmanll.html