The Khmer Empire of Cambodia which flourished from the 9th to the 15th century, gave birth to some of the world's richest works of art and architecture. At its peak in the 12th century, during the reigns of Suryavarman II and the Buddhist King Jayavarman VII, Kmer civilization extended throughout continental Southeast Asia and culminated in the construction of the magnificent temple of Angkor Wat, the city of Angkor Thom and the temple of the Bayon. This is an account of that empire, which gave birth to some of the world's richest works of art and architecture.