E82 God-Kings of Southeast Asia

Gladio Free Europe

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Put on your rubber boots, we're continuing our exploration of Southeast Asia as we excavate the deep jungle ruins of the Classical Age. From the Khmer Empire to Champa to Srivijaya and beyond, the early medieval period of Southeast Asian history is marked by the emergence of incredible states and empires whose histories, though tantalizingly obscure, hint at great narratives of conflict and cooperation.

This episode of Gladio Free Europe travels across the kingdoms and trade federations today comprising countries like Indonesia, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Of particular interest is the figure of the deva-raja, the god-king, who could command the ability to construct enormous monuments to Hindu gods and the principles of Buddhism beyond the scope of anything in Europe at this time. Join us to learn about the pirate-kings of Java, the Burmese King Arthur, Malay sea-cossacks, and how the far-reaching journeys of Austronesian merchants led to the introduction of Southeast Asia's most popular religion, Islam.

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