历史小径·世界史英语30篇（5）

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吴哥窟：神庙、历法与王国

Built in the early 12th century in present-day Cambodia, Angkor Wat was originally a Hindu temple honoring Vishnu.
Its five lotus-shaped towers represent Mount Meru—the sacred center of the universe in Hindu belief.
Carved bas-reliefs cover over a kilometer of walls, showing gods, kings, and epic battles from Indian epics.
Astronomers aligned its western entrance so the sun rises directly over its central tower at spring equinox.
Later, as Khmer rulers turned to Buddhism, the site evolved into a Buddhist pilgrimage center.
Rainforest trees grew over its stones for centuries after the capital moved and trade routes shifted.
French archaeologists began careful restoration in the 1860s, revealing its scale and artistry.
Angkor Wat remains a national symbol—and a reminder that great monuments reflect both faith and statecraft.