Ancient Southeast Asia
By: Liz, Sam, and Reagan
Map
Religion
Southeast Asia people
Society:
Pagan Empire:
Located in present day Myanmar the Pagan Empire was ruled and United by King Anawrahta. He filled the city with great dome shaped shrines called stupas. The king also helped make Buddhism the major religion there. Their decline came along with Anawrahtas death.
Khmer Empire:
Shaped by Indian influences the Khmer empire had rulers that ruled over much of what today is Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, and southern Vietnam, and Malaysia. The rulers were Hindus, however most of the common people preferred to be buddhists. King Suryavarman the 2nd built a great temple complex with many carved figures that tell Hindu stories to glorify him. Much of the ruins still survive today.
Srivijaya Empire:
It was an island empire located in Indonesia. They had success trading and shipping from their location. They had Buddhist and Hindu beliefs. Later on Islam also spread to some of the islands making this a very religiously diverse region. It also boosted their trade with Muslim trading centers.
Interesting/Unique Civilization
The Southeast Asia civilization is very unique and interesting. For example, Southeast Asia had developed their own culture before Indian and Chinese did. Also, they had many ethnic groups including the famous group Khmer. Finally, women had the higher equality then men.
Leading off of Southeast Asia having many ethnic groups including the famous group Khmer. The ethnic group Khmer was around for a long time, 802 CE to 1431CE. Also, Khmer inherited many territories along the Mekong river. At Khmer's peak it covered what is now modern day Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Southern Vietnam.
Another unique fact is that the women in Southeast Asia had the higher equality. Since, the women in Southeast Asia had a higher equality then men they had the eligibility to become a ruler. Also women were higher in politics too.
Overall, Southeast Asia is a very unique/interesting civilization. We learned that their culture developed before Indian and Chinese culture. Also, that women had a higher equality then men. Finally, they had many ethnic groups including a famous group Khmer.
Geography
Srivijaya and Pagan. (n.d.). Retrieved December 21, 2015, from http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Srivijaya
Khmer Empire. (n.d.). Retrieved December 21, 2015, from http://www.ancient.eu/Khmer_Empire/
"Southeast Asia." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2015, "Southeast Asia." World Encyclopedia. 2005, & "Southeast Asia." Encyclopedia of Food;Culture. 2003. (2015). Southeast Asia. Retrieved December 21, 2015, from http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Southeast_Asia.aspx
Women in Southeast Asia. (n.d.). Retrieved December 21, 2015, from http://asiasociety.org/women-southeast-asia
Map of Southeast Asia Region. (n.d.). Retrieved December 21, 2015, from http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/map_of_southeast_asia.htm