Game of Thrones World Map EXPLAINED

Key Concepts:

• Westeros and Essos geography and history
• First Men, Children of the Forest, Giants, and Others
• The Wall and the Night's Watch
• Kingdoms of Westeros: North, Riverlands, Vale, Westerlands, Reach, Stormlands, Dorne, Iron Islands
• Andal invasion and the Faith of the Seven
• Valyrian Freehold and the Doom of Valyria
• Targaryen conquest of Westeros
• Free Cities of Essos: Braavos, Lorath, Norvos, Qohor, Myr, Volantis, Tyrosh, Pentos, Lys
• Dothraki Sea and the Dothraki culture
• Slaver's Bay: Astapor, Yunkai, Meereen
• Qarth, Valyrian Peninsula, Shadowlands, Asshai, Yi Ti, Jogos Nhai

Westeros: Early Inhabitants and the First Men

• Before human settlement, Westeros was inhabited by the Children of the Forest and Giants, who occasionally fought. The Children were more advanced. Giants also existed in Essos.
• 12,000 years before the main story, the First Men migrated from Essos via the Arm of Dorne, led by Garth Greenhand. Their origins are unclear due to the lack of written records.
• The First Men brought horses and bronze weapons. Initially peaceful, conflict arose when they began cutting down weirwood trees, which the Children used for magical surveillance.
• The Children destroyed the Arm of Dorne with magic, creating the Stepstones. Despite their magic, they were outnumbered.
• The war ended in a pact, with the First Men occupying open lands and the Children retreating to the forests.

The Others and the Wall

• 8,000 years before the main story, the Others emerged from the Lands of Always Winter in northern Westeros.
• After the Others were defeated, the Wall was constructed to prevent future invasions. Brandon the Builder is credited with building the Wall, Winterfell, and other landmarks.
• The First Men north of the Wall became the Free Folk (Wildlings), living in harsh conditions with high infant mortality. Hardhome was their only significant settlement but was destroyed 600 years before the series.
• Kings Beyond the Wall attempted to unite the Free Folk and invade Westeros but failed. The Night's Watch was established to guard the Wall.

Establishment of Kingdoms in Westeros

• Brandon the Builder founded House Stark, which became Kings in the North.
• Lancel the Clever seized Casterly Rock, establishing House Lannister as Kings of the Rock.
• Garth Greenhand's descendants, particularly Garth the Gardener, became Kings of the Reach. The Tyrells later received Highgarden from the Targaryens.
• Duran, the Storm King, founded House Durrandon in the Stormlands. After six failed attempts, Storm's End was built with Brandon the Builder's help. Orys Baratheon later received Storm's End from Aegon the Conqueror.
• The Grey King ruled the Iron Islands, with current houses claiming descent from him. The Ironborn developed their own religion, distinct from the Old Gods due to the absence of weirwood trees.
• The Iron Islands were ruled by rock kings and salt kings, who elected a High King. They were known for raiding Westeros.
• In the Riverlands, Houses Bracken and Blackwood were notable rivals claiming kingship.
• In Dorne, Houses Dayne and Ironwood (High Kings of Dorne) ruled before the Martells. The Dornish frequently clashed with the Stormlands and the Reach.

The Andal Invasion

• Hugor of the Hill in Andalos (Essos) founded the Faith of the Seven and led the Andals to invade Westeros, landing in the Vale.
• The Andals conquered the Vale, with House Arryn becoming Kings of the Mountain and Vale. First Men who resisted became the Vale Mountain Clans.
• The Andals moved to the Riverlands, with House Justman becoming Kings of the Trident.
• The Andals failed to conquer the Stormlands due to Storm's End. The Durrandons intermarried with the Andals and converted to the Faith. The Lannisters and Gardeners also adopted this strategy.
• The Starks repelled the initial Andal invasion of the North. The crannogmen of the Neck prevented further advancement. The Andals burned weirwood trees and killed Children of the Forest.

Oldtown

• Oldtown, located on Whispering Sound in the Reach, was built around the Hightower (seat of House Hightower).
• It houses the Citadel (home to maesters) and the Starry Sept (former seat of the High Septon).
• Oldtown is now the largest and richest city in the Seven Kingdoms, though King's Landing is more populous.

The Targaryen Conquest

• 5,000 years before Game of Thrones, Valyria was founded in Essos.
• Aenar Targaryen settled on Dragonstone with his family and five dragons in 114 BC.
• The Doom of Valyria occurred 12 years later, destroying the Valyrian Freehold.
• Aegon I Targaryen began his conquest of Westeros in 1 AC with his sister-wives, Visenya and Rhaenys.
• Aegon defeated most major powers, establishing Targaryen rule over the Seven Kingdoms.
• Dorne was the last to fall, remaining unconquered due to its guerilla warfare tactics. House Martell joined the Targaryens through marriage in 187 AC.
• The Targaryens ruled until Robert's Rebellion in 283 AC, which led to House Baratheon taking the throne.

The Seven Kingdoms

• The Seven Kingdoms are the North, the Riverlands, the Vale, the Westerlands, the Reach, the Stormlands, and Dorne. Each has unique cultures, histories, and major houses.

Essos: The Free Cities

• The Free Cities are nine powerful city-states on the western coast of Essos, founded by the Valyrian Freehold.
• Braavos: Founded by escaped slaves, known for canals, the Iron Bank, and the Faceless Men. The Titan statue guards the city.
• Lorath: Secluded city on islands in the Shivering Sea, known for labyrinth tunnels and the Order of monks.
• Norvos: Inland city known for bearded priests and strict religious adherence.
• Qohor: Known for blacksmiths who reforge Valyrian steel and the Unsullied warriors.
• Myr: Coastal city famous for craftsmen, lensmakers, and embroiderers.
• Volantis: Oldest Free City, divided by the Rhoyne River, ruled by the Old Blood (Valyrian descendants).
• Tyrosh: Trading hub known for dyed textiles and mercenaries.
• Pentos: Ruled by a prince elected by merchant families, with a history of human sacrifices.
• Lys: City of pleasure, famous for courtesans and beautiful people.

Essos: Dothraki Sea, Slaver's Bay, and Beyond

• The Dothraki Sea is a vast grassland inhabited by nomadic Dothraki horsemen, living in khals led by khals. Their culture is based on strength and conquest.
• Slaver's Bay includes Astapor, Yunkai, and Meereen, known for their slave trade.
  • Astapor: Known for training the Unsullied, ruled by the Good Masters.
  • Yunkai: Known for training bed slaves, ruled by the Wise Masters.
  • Meereen: Largest city, known for pyramids and the Great Pyramid.
• Qarth: Located past the Red Waste, known as the Gateway to the East, ruled by the Pureborn.
• Valyrian Peninsula: Desolate region, formerly the Valyrian Freehold, destroyed by the Doom of Valyria.
• Shadowlands and Asshai: Mysterious region known for magic and dark arts.
• Yi Ti: The Golden Empire, known for opulence and ancient history, ruled by God Emperors.
• Jogos Nhai: Nomadic people north of Yi Ti, known for their unique culture and matriarchal society.

Conclusion:

The video provides a detailed overview of the history and geography of Westeros and Essos, covering the early inhabitants, the establishment of kingdoms, the Targaryen conquest, and the diverse cultures and cities of Essos. It highlights key events, figures, and locations that shape the world of A Song of Ice and Fire.