Angkor Thom demonstrates an urban layout with a religious/spiritual component fundamental to its creation. The centrally located Bayon/temple signifies Mount Meru–the home of the gods–and stands higher and grander than everything else, which is in accordance to their cosmic belief in the gods inhabiting the universe. The city was surrounded by walls and moat with axial gates at the four cardinal directions, with common people living in dense villages outside of the temple complex, and coming into the complex to pay tribute.