The events of Game of Thrones begin in 298 A.C. and are completed in 305 A.C. The series Game of Thrones' dating scheme is based on Aegon's conquest and is thus denoted by AC (After Conquest) or BC (Before Conquest).
Game of Thrones, or any of its prequels or sequels, does not take place on Earth; instead, it has its own world and a distinct past filled with conquests, children of the forest, early men, andals, etc. Author George R.R. Martin acknowledged that the proverbial "history tends to be written by the victors" is a significant problem. The people who lived in Westeros during the time period of the television series don't have a reliable record of history, just like in real life.
The Andal invaders, who created the earliest written histories in Westeros, portrayed themselves favorably as they killed or subjugated the First Men of the South. The Northerners, who are descendants of the First Men and were never subjugated by the Andals, have a decidedly unfavorable opinion of the Andal invasions.
Tradition holds that Westeros has a recorded history that dates back more than 12,000 years, though many people, including the maesters of the Citadel, openly doubt the veracity of the legends and myths that recount much of this history. Even the written histories of other continuous civilizations date back five to six thousand years, yet the Dothraki believe that the first man only existed for a thousand years.
What is the Game of Thrones?
The HBO television series "Game of Thrones" was created by David Benioff and D.B. Weiss. It is an adaptation of George R. R. Martin's fantasy book series A Song of Ice and Fire, the first of which is A Game of Thrones. The show was filmed in the UK, Canada, Croatia, Iceland, Malta, Morocco, and Spain. With 73 episodes broadcast over eight seasons, it had its American HBO debut on April 17, 2011, and it ended on May 19, 2019.
Game of Thrones features a sizable ensemble cast, several story arcs, and is set on the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos. The first major plot line centers on the Iron Throne of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, which is the subject of a complex web of political disputes between the noble families that are either vying for the throne or fighting for independence from whoever occupies it.
In the second, the last member of the realm's overthrown ruling dynasty, who has been exiled to Essos, plots to return and reclaim the throne. The third focuses on the Night's Watch, a military organization that protects the realm from dangers that originate beyond Westeros' northern border.
A reasonably large, engaged, and global fan base has flocked to Game of Thrones, which brought in a record number of viewers for HBO. The series has received praise from critics for its acting, nuanced characters, plot, scope, and production values, though some have criticized it for its frequent use of violence and nudity. Many people thought the final season was a letdown because of how short it was and the creative choices that were made.
The drama series won the most Primetime Emmys ever with 59, including Outstanding Drama Series in 2015, 2016, 2018, and 2019. There are also five nominations for the Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series—Drama, three Hugo Awards for Best Dramatic Presentation, a Peabody Award, and other honors and recognitions.
What is the inspiration behind the Game of Thrones?
Even though the first novel's events were closely followed in the first season of the series, significant changes were made in the later seasons. "About adapting the series as a whole and following George's map and hitting the major milestones, but not necessarily each of the stops along the way," Benioff says of the TV adaptation.
The settings, characters, and events from European history serve as the inspiration for various plot points in the novels and their adaptations. From its geography and castles to its cultures—the feudal system, palace intrigues, and knights' tournaments—the majority of Westeros is reminiscent of high medieval Europe. The majority of the houses in the series employ a patriarchal system of power, much like medieval Europe.
The English Wars of the Roses (1455–1485) between the houses of Lancaster and York, which are reflected in Martin's houses of Lannister and Stark, served as a major source of inspiration for the books. Cersei Lannister's cunning reminds of Isabella, the "She-Wolf of France" (1295–1358). She and her family served as the primary inspiration for the characters in Maurice Druon's historical novel series, The Accursed Kings.
The Roman Empire, the legend of Atlantis (ancient Valyria), Byzantine Greek fire ("wildfire"), Icelandic sagas of the Viking Age (the Ironborn), the Mongol hordes (the Dothraki), and the Hundred Years' War (the Italian Renaissance) are some other historical precedents for series elements. The success of the series has been credited in part to Martin's ability to seamlessly and convincingly combine these elements into an alternate history.
Is there a prequel to Game of Thrones?
George R. R. Martin and Ryan Condal are the creators of the HBO fantasy drama series House of the Dragon. It is the second TV series in the A Song of Ice and Fire series and a prequel to Game of Thrones (2011–2019). For the first season, Condal and Miguel Sapochnik directed the show.
The series, which is based on Martin's 2018 book Fire & Blood, takes place roughly 100 years after the Targaryen Conquest unites the Seven Kingdoms, almost 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones, and 172 years before Daenerys Targaryen is born. The series, which has an ensemble cast, depicts the occasions leading up to the beginning of House Targaryen's decline, a devastating war of succession known as the "Dance of the Dragons."
In October 2019, House of the Dragon was ordered straight to series, with casting beginning in July 2020 and principal photography beginning in April 2021 in the United Kingdom. The first season of the show, which had ten episodes, debuted on August 21, 2022. The show received a second-season renewal five days after its debut.
Reviews for the first season were overwhelmingly favorable, praising the actors' performances—especially those of Considine, Smith, D'Arcy, Alcock, and Cooke—as well as the writing, score, and character development. However, some viewers took issue with the pacing, particularly the time jumps, and the dim lighting in a few scenes.
Over 10 million viewers, the most in HBO's history, watched the series premiere on the first day across the linear channels and HBO Max.
FAQs
Q. When does the Game of Thrones take place?
A. Game of Thrones takes place in the year 298 AC (After Conquest).
Q. Is there a prequel to Game of Thrones?
A. Yes, since the events of The House of the Dragon take place 200 years before those of Game of Thrones, it can be considered a prequel to that series.
Q. When did the Game of Thrones series begin?
A. Beginning in 2011, Game of Thrones ran for eight seasons, ending in 2019.
