历史小径·世界史英语30篇（5）
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Angkor Wat: Temple, Calendar, and Kingdom
吴哥窟：神庙、历法与王国
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Built in the early 12th century in present-day Cambodia, Angkor Wat was originally a Hindu temple honoring Vishnu.
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Its five lotus-shaped towers represent Mount Meru—the sacred center of the universe in Hindu belief.
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Carved bas-reliefs cover over a kilometer of walls, showing gods, kings, and epic battles from Indian epics.
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Astronomers aligned its western entrance so the sun rises directly over its central tower at spring equinox.
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Later, as Khmer rulers turned to Buddhism, the site evolved into a Buddhist pilgrimage center.
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Rainforest trees grew over its stones for centuries after the capital moved and trade routes shifted.
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French archaeologists began careful restoration in the 1860s, revealing its scale and artistry.
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Angkor Wat remains a national symbol—and a reminder that great monuments reflect both faith and statecraft.