I am still unable to actually do much painting and gaming at the moment as my stupid back is still giving me extreme grief. Hopefully my recent MRI scan will reveal what I know already, that it is f****d!
Moving on. This is a crackingly good book.
Armies, Allies and Enemies of the Khmer Empire (Volume 1: The Khmer Empire and its Army 802–1430 CE) by Mark G. Fry is one of the latest titles in Helion’s ‘A Time of Knights 400CE–1453CE’ series. As the title suggests, this volume turns the spotlight firmly on the Khmer Empire and, in particular, the army that helped sustain it.
For many readers, the Khmer Empire may immediately bring to mind the great towers and carvings of Angkor Wat. This book makes it clear that there was far more to the empire than monumental architecture. Fry presents the Khmer as a military power with a sophisticated, varied, and highly adaptable fighting force, and he does so in a way that is lively and easy to follow.
The book focuses on the empire’s great period of expansion and influence, from 802 to 1430 CE. Rather than simply moving through a list of rulers, battles, and dates, Fry explains how the Khmer army actually worked. One of the strongest parts of the book is the way it breaks down the different elements of the force, from elite palace guards to the peasant levies who formed such an important part of the army. The discussion of weapons is equally engaging, covering everything from composite bows to early black-powder weapons and elephant-mounted ballistae. Elephants receive plenty of attention too, with two chapters looking at Khmer war elephants and their practical uses, including their carrying capacity. Fry also gives a clear sense of the difficulties commanders faced when campaigning through the demanding, monsoon-shaped landscape of mainland Southeast Asia.
For me, the visual material is one of the book’s biggest strengths. The cover gives a good indication of what to expect inside, but the specially commissioned colour plates are even better: vivid, carefully researched, and full of character. They draw heavily on the bas-reliefs of Angkorian temples, which gives them a strong sense of authenticity. These are supported by a generous selection of black-and-white images, many showing temple details that help ground the reconstructions in real evidence.
Anyone interested in historical wargaming, miniature painting, or military reconstruction will find a great deal to enjoy here. The book includes useful detail on armour, clothing, weapons, and organisation, making it easy to imagine how these forces might look on the tabletop or in a modelling project. I can actually remember when a newly-available range of Khmer miniatures appeared perhaps in the 80's? For a time they were a super army, but I have no idea who made the figures.
Overall, Armies, Allies and Enemies of the Khmer Empire is an accessible and rewarding read. It manages to be informative without becoming heavy or overly academic, so it should appeal to casual history readers as well as dedicated wargamers and enthusiasts. If you are looking to move beyond the familiar world of medieval Europe and explore a very different military tradition, this is an excellent place to begin.
And yes, there are elephants — which certainly does not hurt.
ISBN:978-1-804519-95-0 243 pages Soft covers
