Jayavarman V.

Jayavarman V. (* 958 in Angkor , Cambodia , † 1001 ) was king of the Khmer empire of Angkor between 968 and 1001 .

Early years

Jayavarman V succeeded his father Rajendravarman II on the throne before Angkor when he was just 10 years old. In his early years, councilors of the throne were naturally responsible for official politics. The teacher who taught him in his early years was the well-read Yajnavaraha, a grandson of King Harshavarman I. He is considered an important researcher who mastered the Buddha's teachings , medicine, and astronomy . In 967 he had the temple Banteay Srei built, which is located 20 km northeast of Angkor and is regarded as a jewel of Khmer art. The independent Banteay Srei style (968 - 1001) includes, among other things, lavish, detailed and very plastic reliefs. The structure was badly hit during a thunderstorm, which was viewed as a bad omen . The priests performed a sacred ritual to drive away the evil spirits.

Leading elites

The aristocratic families dominated the court of Jayavarman V. Briggs writes:

"There was probably no government of the ancient Khmer that mentioned more excellent ministers, researchers and dignitaries in the inscriptions than that of Jayavarman V."

- Briggs : p. 134

The Saptadevakula clan dominated most of the daily business of the royal family. This family probably also helped Suryavarman I as successor to Jayavarman V on the throne.

Mahayana Buddhism

Even if Jayavarman adhered to Shaivism, he also tolerated Buddhism , which experienced an upswing under his government. Kirtipandita, his Buddhist minister, brought many texts from foreign countries to Cambodia, but none has been found to this day.

Buddha teaches tolerance towards other living beings. The rise of Buddhism also led to more women in important positions in the country. Yajnavaraha's younger sister, Jahavi, helped raise funds for Banteay Srei Temple , which was not founded by the king.

Posthumous name

Jayavarman ruled for more than 30 years (968-1001) and his reign was peaceful and prosperous. He died in 1001 and was given the name Paramashivaloka.

Individual evidence

1. ^ Briggs, The Ancient Khmer Empire , p. 134

literature

• Lawrence Palmer Briggs: The Ancient Khmer Empire . Transactions of the American Philosophical Society 1951.
• Charles Higham : The Civilization of Angkor . University of California Press 2001.

predecessor	Office	successor
Rajendravarman II	King of the Khmer 968 to 1001	Udayadityavarman I.