Dome

Western face of the Victory Gate (eastern gate on axis with palace), added lintel for conservation stability; The city of Angkor Thom ("Great Capital") in northern Cambodia, built by the Khmer rulers of Angkor between 1181 and ca. 1220, was the last and most magnificent of the royal cities at Angkor (also known as Yashodharapura). Surrounding the center of the city, which contained the state temple (the Bayon) and the king’s palace, were thick stone walls and a wide moat crossed by five causeways leading to five monumental gateways, each 23 m high. The gates have triple towers carved with four faces, thought to represent the Guardians of the Four Quarters. The city walls of Angkor Thom form an almost perfect square, with each side more than 3 km in length. The ramparts, built of laterite, are almost 8 m high. At each corner is a small temple called Prasat Chrung containing a stele recording the founding of the city. The 350 meter long Terrace of Elephants was used as a giant reviewing stand for public ceremonies; the middle section of the retaining wall of the terrace is decorated with human-size garuda and lions. Source: Grove Art Online; http://www.oxfordartonline.com/ (accessed 4/22/2014)