The Thatbyinnyu Temple, Bagan. (c. 1150 AD) Burma [Myanmar].

The two pagodas involve what turns out to be a somewhat typical story of royal patracide in ancient Burmese history: after waiting to assume power until his father was well past 100 years old, an impatient crown prince had him moved to the pagoda when he fell ill and then smothered him with a pillow. He then built a more magnificent stupa. Having killed the Sri Lankan princess he'd married after she'd insulted him for his lack of cleanliness, assassins sent by her father killed him -- after he'd ruled for only three years.. November 2000.

Photograph by George P. Landow: May be used without permission for any educational or scholarly purpose.

Last modified 17 April 2001