Game of Thrones is undoubtedly one of the biggest shows to ever grace the television screens. The TV show was based on George R. R. Martin’s famous novel series A Song of Fire and Ice, which in turn was heavily inspired by medieval history. The prequel series House of the Dragon also shows evidence of being inspired by medieval history, and this time it is the Byzantine Empire.
A brief history of The Byzantine Empire
In Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, the Byzantine Empire, also known as the Eastern Roman Empire or Byzantium, was the continuation of the Roman Empire, particularly in its eastern regions. Its capital city was Constantinople.
It lasted through the division and fall of the Western Roman Empire in the fifth century AD and flourished for another thousand years until the Ottoman Empire conquered Constantinople in 1453. The empire maintained its dominance as the region’s most significant economic, cultural, and military force for the majority of its history.
Byzantine influences in House of the Dragon
A fan by the Reddit username denadon who also happens to be a history buff pointed out subtle clues as to where the show took its inspiration from. Some of them are listed below:
Young Rhaenyra’s costume is similar to Empress Theodora I’s robes
A triumphal column is visible in the throne room
The structure in the King’s Landing Godswood is inspired by a Byzantine chapel
The windows and columns in the council room are inspired by Byzantine architecture
Byzantine bas-relief decorations are seen in the Red Keep
Were you able to spot any other Byzantine influences in House of the Dragon? Tell us in the comments below!
