During the period of "Khmer, Cambodia's flourishing civilization", more than 100 temples are thought to have been built in Cambodia (Herberholz, Barbara). Unfortunately, most of these temples no longer remain because of the jealousy that went on between the king and his predecessors (Herberholz, Barbara). The newer king would always try his best to show a greater level of power and perfectionism in art. He would refuse to yeild by looking at another's beautiful architectural product, and therefore destroyed the prior kings' masterpieces until his piece is the only one standing.
Considering the time of its construction, Angkor Wat temple has become one of the few temples that survived and stood through the test of time. It is the largest temple ever built on the face of the Earth, earning it the name "Angkor Wat", meaning "a city that is a temple" (Schwartz, Douglas). The temple itself "was built as a funeral temple for one of Jayavarman's descendants" and as a symbol of dedication "to the Hindu lord, Vishnu" (Wong, Grace).The Angkor Wat complex contains several tall, erected monuments. The walls of the Angkor Wat temple are ornamented with detailed carvings of the "scenes of war battles, heaven, hell, and celestial dancers filled with inexhaustible desire" and other things related to the Hindu religion (Schwartz, Douglas).
