Terrace of the
Elephants
is the modern name given to a 350 meter longroyal platform at
Angkor Thom
(fig.)
that was used by the
Khmer King
Jayavarman VII (fig.)
as a tribune for the King to view
and salute his triumphant army returning from the battlefield.
The high
base of the
elongated platform is carved with intricate
bas-reliefs
depicting a parade of elephants, while at either end of
this carvings of
war elephants,
chariots, life-sized
Garudas
and mythological
lions.
Terrace of the Elephants
Terrace of the Elephants
The terrace is
named for the stone carvings of elephants and is located
to the east of the celestial temple
Prasat
Vimean Akas,
adjacent to the
Terrace of the Leper
King (fig.).