Fou-Nan : 1st-VIth century The Khmer are the inhabitants of Cambodia. The ancient name for this country was Nokor Phnom, which means mountains country. The Chinese transformed this name into the appellation Foun-nan. The country was heavily influenced by Indian civilization, probably dating from the start of the CE (Common Era)

The Venerable Pang Khat Wrote, "The Kingdom of Nokor Phnom is situation on the sea. It is a large delta that stretches to the east to Lin-Yi or Champa (land of Chams) and the Indian ocean and Kingdom of 'Kin-Lin' (Glod Frontier) to the west." There are two legends associated with the name Nokor Phnom.

The tale of Houen-Tien or Kaundinya and Queen Liou-Yi

There once was Brahman named Houen-Tien who, after receiving a bow from a Devata (God), left India and made his way to Nokor Phnom on a junk. Liou-Yi, Queen of Cambodia, was as elegant as a man as she set off on a crusade against the Brahman but was vanquished and agreed to marry him.

The tale of Preah Thong Neang Neak

Preah Thong was married to a woman name Soma, adughter of the king of the Naga. In order to be able to offer  kingdom to his son, the king swallowed  the sea that covered Cambodia and name the exposed land Nokor Kok Thlok (Land of the Thlork tree) or Nokor Phnom.

Various Kings reigned over Nokor Phnom and Campital of the country was moved a number of time. Certain writers indicated that the capital of Fou-nan as a located at Ba Phnom (Prey Veng province) and was called Vyadhapura or city of the Hunters.

According to various studies, the last capital of Nokor Phnom was situated at Angkor Borie, in today's province of Takeo. In Angkor Borie there is a hill called Phnom Da. ON the side of the hill one of the most ancient temples of Cambodia can be found. The Temple is called Prasat (Prasad) Asram Maha Rsi.

Chen-la ( VIIth-VIIIth century

At the beginning of the VIIth century, Fou-nan was conquered by one of its vassal  states, the Kingdom of Chen-la.

One of the very powerful kings of Chen-la erected the city of Isanapura at Sombor Prei Kuk in current-day Kampong Thom Provnice. Here Today we can find many brick temples that have been classified into three groups, according to thier geographic situation (the north, centre and south site.

Many Isolated temples dating from the second half of the VIIth century ot the VIIIth century have also been found. The most remarkable ones are:

• prei khmeng (Siem Reap province)

• Prasat Andat (Kampong Thom Province

• Prasat Sri Krup Leak (Phnom Prasith) Kampong Speu province)

During the VIIIth century, Chen-la was divided into two part, Chen-la of the Earth ( to the north) and Chen-la of the water (to the south). The art of Fou-nan and Chen-la date to the pre-Angkorian era.

Angkorian Period (XIIth-XIIIth century)

Many prominent kings reigned during this period. The dynasty of 

Angkor is considered to start from the reigne of Jayavarman II. However, here we will only describe the kings whose feats influenced the khmer art of the Angkorian period.

Jayavarman II (802-850)

Jayavarman II was intellectual. His man goal was to reunify the two realms of Chen-la, whose capital Cites were relocated at the various times. The last capital was established at Mahendra-parvata ( Phnom Kulen) where he established the cult of devaraja or 'god-king'.

Most of the important temples of his reign are situate  at Phnom Kulen : Prasat Damrei Krap, Rup Arak, Neak Ta, Prasat Kraham, Khting Slap, O Phang, Ktous Aram Rong Chen and the C1 temple of the central group of Sombor Prei Kuk, Knows as the temple of Lions.

The art of this period  is distinguished by th kulen style, a transitional style between the pre Angkorian and the Angkorian eras.

Indravaraman (877-889)

This Monarch Completed the reunification of the country, whose capital was siutate at Hariharalaya (Roluos, Siem Reap).  One of his most important achievements was the construction the Baray Indratataka reservoir, which served both religious and agricultural purpose. To pay homage to his ancestor, he erected the monument of Preah Ko and Bakong which was the first temple constructed of stone. He erected a Siva Lingga on it.

The art of this period is in the Preah Ko style.

Yasovarman (889-900)

To the maintain the  political stability of the country, King Yasovarman founded a new capital on the Angkor site known as Yasogharapura (Phnom Bakheng). He constructed the Bakheng temple with its 109 towers, the temple of Lolei located at the centre of the Indratataka basin, and the temples of Phnom Bok and Phnom Krom.

The p art of this period is in the Bakheng style.