Byzantine Targaryens & Cultural Observations / House of the Dragon Trailer

I love what @StreamOnMax's House of the Dragon is showing us about their appreciation for culture - both real world culture and Westerosi & Valyrian culture. Targaryens dressing like Byzantine royalty, Velaryon funerary rites and Valyrian weddings rites - I'll discuss these, plus a theory that we (sort of) already saw MUSHROOM in the trailer!
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[@sgauden02]

The Targaryans being like Byzantines is very fitting as they are the successors to Valyria which is based on Rome.

[@dimitrescucrncevic9746]

Who gives a crap…

[@derpphil5400]

@@dimitrescucrncevic9746 Most book fans.

[@MALIK-sx2qq]

Valyria is based on Rome ?

[@michaelhenry3234]

@@MALIK-sx2qq Yeah, duh. Ancient empire with a non-monarchical system they are proud of that has advanced technology and institutions that rapidly conquered its neighbors and used slave labor to fuel its ambitions, named after the city state that became the capital, leaving behind structures such as roads that are still used in the present day and a language used across their former territory that is slowly beginning to diversify into many distinct languages with a shared heritage. Very obvious Roman influence among other influences. It isn't a one-to-one parallel, of course, but you can see where he got some of his ideas.

[@derpphil5400]

@@MALIK-sx2qq Yes, at least somewhat. Valyria was a huge empire spanning over western Essos ruled by maybe several dozen families that had a slave based economy. High Valyrian is like the Latin of their world, and free cities, the 'daughters' of Valyria are kind of like Italian Kingdoms and states of medieval Europe. There's lots of similarities here with Rome.

[@galactictunnel]

The necklace Princess Rhaenyra is wearing, displaying the sigils of the Seven Kingdoms, is technically called a carcanet of office, or livery collar.

[@DavidLightbringer]

THANK YOU I knew there was a bloody official name.

[@galactictunnel]

@@DavidLightbringer Je vous en prie.

[@cherylbaxter8986]

WOW I didn't know that but it looks beautiful an sounds important I wonder how long they used this Necklace for an for what occasion or did it stop after the Targaryans were not in power anymore

[@seanmcdonald4686]

And shouldn’t House Baratheon be represented?

[@cherylbaxter8986]

@@galactictunnel ??

[@bensonfang1868]

Weird comparison: Rhaenyra’s necklace having the Dornish sun/spear despite the iron throne not ruling Dorne is much like the English kings quartering the French fleur De lis on their coat of arms alongside the 3 Norman lions. They claimed the throne of france despite not ruling it just like targaryens claimed Dorne

[@DavidLightbringer]

I think that’s how it’s intended yeah

[@piotrx6833]

That is actually a good and cool explanation

[@mkmc94]

@Dyl It was more the Plantagenet and Aliénor d'Aquitaine

[@bensonfang1868]

@Dyl no but even later kings edward III and later Henry V claimed to be the king of all of france, not just Duke of Normandy and Aquitaine, due to descent from the French king

[@popkhorne5372]

After all, they already call themselves kings of the seven kingdoms, not six.

[@keveyson]

Byzantine history is a fascinating and much overlooked part of world history, and George is of course a true history buff of the highest order. I'm guessing we might be seeing his influence coming in here.

[@roddo1955]

Read 'Blood and Gold' by Anne Rice; it is like a mini-history class on the fall of the Western Empire and the continuation of the Byzantine empire. But with vampires 😉

[@dj_f1nga_blasta891]

My favorite thing about the Byzantine Empire is that the Byzantine Empire didn't exist until after the fall of the Byzantine Empire.

[@roddo1955]

@@dj_f1nga_blasta891 why you call yourself F1NGA BLASTA? Are you a dangerous piece of firework?😉

[@dj_f1nga_blasta891]

@@roddo1955 Dang, I totally forgot that this was still my username... haha

[@roddo1955]

@@dj_f1nga_blasta891 keep it! It's a good name!

[@matthewthenarniafan8074]

Hope they release an art book giving all the insights into the different designs. You often find the artists will sprinkle little bits of flavour lore in for certain things.

[@0hMyLife]

I'm sure they will!! They did for GoT!!! And there is a new book set to release on October 25th; The Rise of the Dragon, an illustrated history of the Targaryen dynasty. Another Elio Garcia Jr and Linda Antonsson collab like The World of Ice and Fire book!!! I pre-ordered through Amazon and I cannot friggin wait!!!!! Also, just noticed it says "Volume 1" at the bottom of the book!!!! So apparently we're gonna get another one of these amazing books with stunning illustrations!!! I'm hoping they'll kinda coincidence with the Fire & Blood books!!! That'd be super cool!!!

[@morganburt2565]

“i hope they release an art book” is something i thought i’d never hear come from an asoiaf fan… not mad at all tho. very happy to see people excited again!

[@thalmoragent9344]

@@0hMyLife Isn't the book good?!

[@nicholasricardo8443]

Poryphyrogenita means "born in the purple" and it refers to the birthing room of byzantine princes and princesses which had slabs of porphyry stone lining it

[@mariaan914]

Τhat's correct being born in that room was very important it meant that the child has been born under it father's reign

[@stavrosts2867]

Porfyro, πορφυρό, means red in greek

[@goal8612]

byzantines also have ships with dragon heads that spit greek fire. one of the crusaders who witnessed it said it had a thunderous sound and set everything ablaze even water.

[@nomineterrameareligionis4021]

Could you send m a source to that because I highly doubt that they had ships with Dragon heads on them.

[@Diogolindir]

I also heard or read that the brightness of greek fire was almost capable of iluminating an entire plaza at night like it was daytime

[@nunyabiznes33]

Wildfire-spittin dragons

[@MrDude826]

Greek fire is basically GoT's wildfire.

[@elfhchan]

@@nomineterrameareligionis4021 One small hint for anything dragon-related from the Byzantines was the clothes the Norse Varangian Guard (an elite unite of the Byzantine army) was wearing that had ornamented dragons sewn on their chainmail shirts, I don't know about ships though. Now, the Byzantines had indeed something similar to wildfire. It was called Ygro Pyr (Ignis Graecus or Greek Fire) a wet type of fire that couldn't be put out in the water. It was one of their most effective and destructive weapons.

[@schwaben4120]

YESS I've been raving about this ever since the trailer dropped, Rhaenyra's gown in the throne room makes her look like the most majestic byzantine princess and I'm so here for it

[@k-majik]

If anyone is interested in some more Byzantine inspired fantasy, I highly recommend K. J. Parker, in particular the Siege trilogy. He takes George's fascination with history up to the nth degree, they're quite technical but very darkly funny in the way history often is. Ah, I take every change to spruik these books. Thanks LmL, very well said, love Mythic Concepts and the Indian inspirations too!

[@thomasdaywalt7735]

It's true visiting history is very fascinating despite the fact in the long run it declined and that's interesting that the targaryens have inspiration from the same historical period after all when the Roman empire fell the Eastern has survived

[@joek600]

Αnd there is also ''The Dragon waiting'' by John M. Ford

[@thalmoragent9344]

@@thomasdaywalt7735 Yep. Valyria (Rome) fell and now the Targaryens in Westeros (the Byzantines) take up the mantle of the remnants of the once great Valyrian Empire.

[@alicedeligny9240]

The necklace is gorgeous and well thought out.

[@kristi4113]

Rhaenyra’s gold ornaments: featuring all the Houses. Dorne be like: NOT ON MY WATCH!! 🖕🏻

[@melissablackwood]

The representation of the king caught between a lion / dragon and a boar... giving me Robert Baratheon vibes.

[@anastasiyabksi1281]

I am putting it out there! HBO NEEDS TO GIVE LML,GRAY AREA, QUINN'S IDEAS AND ALTSHIFT AN AFTER SHOW!!!! Universe- do your thing!!!!

[@mamasam5180]

I’ll sign this petition!

[@signeaarejrgensen61]

With 'In Deep Geek'👍

[@TheMeatSlapper]

An interesting connection between Targaryens and The Eastern Romans is the fact that they created the first flamethrower (Greek Fire), and used it in naval combat extensively (Obviously Targaryens use Dragons instead). Greek Fire was so potent that it kept burning ships even with water being splashed on them. The recipe was strictly known only by two people at a time, the recipe was lost in time.

[@Ulyssestnt]

The Byzantine analogy is sound..the Valyrians were the Roman empire analog in the ASOIF world. The Targaryans were the Valyrian rump state as the Byzantines were the Roman Rump State. I'm so happy to hear I was not the only one to draw the Blues and the greens parallel.(inspired of teams in a tourney as the Byzantines was of horse racing in the hippodrome) I enjoy how well read you and a large portion of the ASOIF fandom is:) !

[@traindude80]

So does that make Robert Baratheon, Mehmed the Conqueror? lol

[@snufkinhollow318]

As I've said in another reply, I think George RR Martin's historical inspirations range far and wide so I don't think you can pin any particular period or dynasty directly on to his writing. In terms of his own direct linking of the Starks/Lannisters to the York/Lancaster factions of what became known as the Wars of the Roses in England, I think Rhaenyra is somewhat based on Empress Matilda, whose claim to the thrown led to the civil war known as The Anarchy. However, I really like the suggestion of Byzantine influences too and there are definitely some strong parallels. I was going to disagree with you regarding the idea that the Byzantines were the Roman 'rump state' because there was also the Roman Catholic Church/Holy Roman Empire but then I re-read your comment and remembered that the Targaryens, being from Essos, i.e. the East, would indeed be more akin to the Byzantines. Anyway, this is all fascinating stuff and anything that gets people digging deeper into history has to be good.

[@newkingscontent8533]

Valyrians are a combination of Greeks and Romans

[@LordVelari]

One more point - Prince Daemon of House Targaryen is clearly a parallel of Andronikos of the Komnenos Dynasty. Ambitious, brutal, and famously handsome, Andronikos was set onto an exile overseas by his cousin Emperor Manuel, much like Daemon was exiled by his elder brother. Neither of them laid quiet during the exile. Andronikos seduced women left and right, including the queen of Jerusalem who also happened to be his niece - an obvious resemblance of Daemon’s love affairs with Rhaenyra. And in the end, both returned to the realm in their 50s, with much hope from the people, only to bring the country down in further ruins. (On a side note, Andronikos was the ancestor of a nobel Georgian dynasty - Andronikashvilli)

[@DavidLightbringer]

Oh that sounds promising! I’ll look into that :) thank you

[@waltonsmith7210]

I think Rhaenyra's story is most heavily inspired by Empress Matilda from England's 12 century civil war, the Anarchy

[@snufkinhollow318]

I agree with you - especially as that would fit with the subsequent Angevin/Plantagenet dynasty - notorious for their fractious family factions and the later correlation between the Lannisters/Starks and the Lancaster/York factions in what are now known as the Wars of the Roses. I don't think this necessarily rules out other influences as the Byzantine links alluded to are compelling, and George RR Martin clearly likes to range far and wide for his historical inspirations, but Rhaenyra's similarities with Matilda are very striking.

[@MrDude826]

Fun Fact, King's Landing (KL) is based on Constantinople. The Walls of KL are exactly the same walls as Constantinople and the Sept of Baelor is a renaissance style Hagia Sophia. KL is also a peninsula the same way Constantinople is a peninsula.

[@MegaKnight2012]

It feels like fan theories and insights wind up more interesting than what these shows actually do

[@rcrawford42]

The Nika Riots were much more complex than between the two sports factions. It started when two star chariot racers -- one from Blue and one from Green -- were caught in some crime that merited the death penalty. Justinian didn't excuse their crimes, which passed off the sports factions. The nobles were already angry over his legal reforms, and the merchants were angry over his tax reforms. So, given the opportunity, the rich and poor ganged up to try to remove the Emperor...

[@murmeltier6967]

Great video! Your lines about the beggar king and Byzantyne made me remember some real history and now I have my own theory on what inspired Dany and Viseris (at least partially). Andrey and Sophia from Palaiologos dynasty, niece and nephew of the last Byzantyne Emperor! Btw, the guy who participated in Sophia's political marriage arrangement was called Vissarion (Bessarion in western tradition) . Quite a coincidence here, heh?

[@DavidLightbringer]

hey now! I'll run that by my history major friend and he will spend an hour telling me about Andrey and Sophia most likely, heh. He helped me on this video :) Thanks for the input!!

[@vanmars5718]

Byzantine history has an immense lore of itself. I like particularly the old legend that still survives among the Greeks that the last emperor never really died during the fall of the City but instead it was taken away by angels, turned him into marble and one day he will come back to reclaim his city and his empire, entering the famous Golden Gate. This legend may sound silly and logical to existed among the defeated greek orthodoxs but it was actually so "feared" and draw influence to the Turks that the Golden Gate is still sealed off. *All Byzantine princes or princesses who were born in the royal purple room were taken the epithet "Porphyro-gennitos/I" which literally means in Greek "born into purple". The specific Royal purple produced in the Byzantine empire for centuries. **Of course the Greek Fire is another point to make similarities. I like especially the impression that those fire ships left to the Arabs " Dragons guard Constantinople - evils" ***Byzantine history unfortunately is full of civil wars - red weddings stuff - Kings and Queens being so nasty and murderous in order to keep power.

[@sinthoras1917]

Porphyrogenita means she was born in the porphyra, which was the part of the byzantine imperial palace where the sons and daughters of the emperors were born. Translates to Purpur born

[@RomaInvicta1]

"Born in the Purple" meaning born whilst the father was an emperor.

[@jelena7440]

Thank you I has no idea. Serbia being a part of Byzantine empire has one red monastery, purpur actually Monastery Žiča, and at that time it was the only monastery where kings could be crowned. The connection is amazing.

[@saviourly3186]

I hope your channel takes off when HOTD launches, you are so underrated society at large should be shamed!

[@DavidLightbringer]

hahah thank you! The channel has been taking off nicely as of late. Appreciate the encouragement!

[@cosmohella8879]

Lol, my ad was the trailer this video is about. I let it play

[@DavidLightbringer]

synergy!

[@blackeyedlily]

Mushroom cam!!!😂 Love the Byzantine and Indian connections. I agree that your Vedic Origins of Danaerys video is a great watch. I recently rewatched it.

[@DavidLightbringer]

thanks you! That was really the beginning of the new Mythic Concepts channel tbh

[@autje1970]

To be fair, a lot of shots in this trailer are shot with MushroomCam (TM). It's a stylistic choice to make the characters (and the throne room) more imposing. But I like the thought process (and this video)!

[@DavidLightbringer]

I thinks it’s stylistic too but I couldn’t resist the delight of the theory

[@yateepurohit8006]

@@punchforpound2808 same question:)

[@Hana9916]

@@punchforpound2808 Watch the video

[@moiraferreira]

So glad you cover this.

[@DietEllie]

I absolutely love how in depth this is. There's so much substance in this teaser that I didn't even notice before watching this video. Thanks!

[@lizardbreathh]

So many amazing details I never would've noticed. Thank you LML for another great video!

[@0hMyLife]

Omfg I love you for the Princess Bride reference!!!!!

[@DavidLightbringer]

As you wish

[@0hMyLife]

@@DavidLightbringer AHHHHHH!!!!! YEESSSSS!!! Aaaaaaaand I love you even more now!!!!!! lolololol

[@morganburt2565]

CALLING OWNERS OF 3D PRINTERS!!! y’all we gotta make that neck piece it’s iconic

[@karentargaryen7959]

thanks for all the details on the trailer, excellent!

[@squisherking]

Trailer looked awesome. Thanks for the breakdown👊🏾

[@gfdt1515]

Her headpiece looks like a kokoshnik, a Russian folkloric headpiece used by the ladies of the Romanov court. Very regal!!!

[@Ciara1594]

It's really amazing seeing all the effort and artistry that the wardrobe people put into the clothing and headgear. When I saw the trailers I noticed the Byzantine influence as well. ☺️

[@thegravelwalker]

Mushroom cam

[@lordfleabottom278]

david i think you and i will be good friends till the end of HotD...Thankyou for your information and knowledge regarding ASOIF...

[@Kyle-qd2sy]

Love the amount of detail you went through breaking this down. I’ve been looking for a channel like this for a long time. Great work

[@DavidLightbringer]

Oh well hell yeah glad you’ve found us! I try to collect as many uber nerds as possible, they catch the things I miss and make the program better. I’m always looking to learn :)

[@susanbishop5349]

Wow, this is very cool. Thanks for doing it🥰

[@Rhaenyssupporter]

I like to believe ASOIAF isn’t based of the war of the roses and is actually based off the fall of Constantinople in 1204 because theres just more similarities

[@DavidLightbringer]

Oooh check out the Battle of the Blackwater stream I covered the bridge of ships! I had maps of Constantinople up on the screen and everything

[@Rhaenyssupporter]

@@DavidLightbringer i watched a couple minutes of your stream and its amazing, im so impressed at how George RR Martin was able to take small pieces of human history and mythology from all over the world, bring them together than create the world of ASOIAF

[@bensonfang1868]

I mean the dance of the dragons is pretty much wars of the roses down to the letter: an old king with lots of sons creates several branches that end up fighting in the end for the throne

[@signeaarejrgensen61]

Well a good blend of stuff. "The queen that never was" is pretty close to Mathilda of England. Her father Henry 1 made the nobels take oaths to make her queen when he died...but they chose to support her cousin Stephen instead. That led to civil war. In the end, she was never queen, but her son Henry II became a great king(until his sons and wife betrayed him...).

[@Rhaenyssupporter]

@@bensonfang1868 Targaryen - Komnenos, Wild fire - greek fire, war of 5 kings- the war of the roman successor states of Epirus, Trebizond, Nicea, and Bulgarians/ Latins claiming to be Emperor of Rome and many more similarities these are just a few

[@mellowenglishgal]

I was disappointed with the first glimpses of the ladies’ headware, thinking they’d gone the predictable route of Tudor/French hoods, so I am delighted they’ve gone by way of Byzantium. What looks like Rhaenyra’s formal court gown - perhaps more accurately an ensemble put together exclusively for her investiture as heir, just as Sansa’s outfit was specifically curated for her coronation - gives the Targaryens a distinctive, exotic and foreign style all their own. I do love the idea that the Lannisters we knew and loved adopted so much of the Targaryen style that it then became their own once Aerys etc. were all dead - the asymmetry, flowing sleeves of Cersei’s gown vs the tight sleeves and square necks of her companion’s dress for example. I’m definitely excited to see more of Velaryon culture on Driftmark!

[@isaacgraham5727]

Pretty absurd if the Martell sun-spear really is on Rhaenyra’s neckpiece given that, uh, Dorne was definitely *not* a part of the Seven Kingdoms until like a hundred years later…

[@mateussalema9330]

Well the Targaryens did lay claim to Dorne, as they styled themselves "Kings of the Rhoynar" and "Lords of the Seven Kingdoms" since Aegon the Conqueror.

[@isaacgraham5727]

@@mateussalema9330 Um, even so they were desperate blood-enemies with House Martell and would *never* have shown any honor to that House until the reign of Daeron the Good, whose wife of course was part of House Martell, and every Targ after that point would have some Martell blood. This is pretty hugely significant because anti-Dornish sentiment was a big part of why the Blackfyre craziness started in the first place during Daeron’s reign and that of his subsequent heirs - even then, there was enough widespread hatred of Dorne and House Martell that it nearly tore the realm apart because many didn’t want a king who was “half a Dornishman”. I don’t buy for a second that Rhaenyra - or any Targ prior to Daeron II - would have ever worn House Martell’s sigil. That’s just a straight-up costume/design error if it’s on there.

[@amydownes1626]

I mean the Kings of England also called themselves the kings of France at certain points in history as well as kings of Ireland etc even when they didn’t own it - it’s the Targaryen’s way of saying “maybe someday” I guess

[@alicedeligny9240]

@@isaacgraham5727 Well that was under Daeron. Apparently in Fire and Blood Viserys thought about marrying Rheanyra to a Martell prince. So we don't exactly know what were the precise sentiments about Dorne during Viserys' reign, and what Rhaenyra's feelings were. Like, she's the one wearing that necklace. And for all we know in the show there might be stuff about the necklace, since it happened in front of all the court and it sends a certain message.

[@roddo1955]

Kings rise and fall, just like the sun. But it keeps going

[@MGWorldwide]

An angle i wasn't expecting but definitely love to see

[@debarshichoudhury9749]

Congratulations on 45k subscribers. The amount of hard work and research that you put into your videos are totally astonishing and magnificent. I'm sooo happy for you. Keep growing.

[@DavidLightbringer]

Thank you so much!

[@zenguru79]

Fantastic breakdown of some of the trailer scenes.

[@Rhaena]

Woah where’d you find that emoji?

[@zenguru79]

@@Rhaena I believe you have to be a member of this channel to use that emoji.

[@krakentacos]

Awesome & informative as ever!!!

[@c.michellebaldwin1989]

I luv this and appreciate your coverage

[@IMayOrMayHaveNot]

I think the mushroom theory is, well, what the namesake is. In cinematography camera shot angles have metaphorical/representative meanings and are used to give the audience a certain feeling about the scene in question. High angles often represent the perspective of something holy, superior and/or stronger, putting the character on screen in a position of vulnerability, dread and/or inferiority. The low angle does the exact opposite, meant to put the character under a light of power, intimidation and/or superiority. The trailer is crammed with waist-high angles because it intends to convey the characters as powerful figures. I highly recommend StudioBinder's video on the subject if this has elicited curiosity about camera shots!

[@stephenbyrneireland]

So pumped for this show. Zero fear of it being a flop. With TWOT, Shadow and Bone, and even The Witcher second season a mess, they have a massive opportunity to give some dark, brutal,, beautiful and addicting.

[@DavidLightbringer]

Aww I liked shadow and bone

[@stephenbyrneireland]

@@DavidLightbringer I'll bite my tongue so haha

[@lukelim5094]

@@stephenbyrneireland if they do this well i will think why didnt they do better for season 8. If they flop i will think it is busniess as usual

[@dante2037]

@@lukelim5094 It's really a simple answer for why they didn't do better for season 8. David and Dan. HBO wanted more episodes and more seasons and the production was at the best its ever been. The writing was literally the only weakness of the end of the show

[@roddo1955]

The Byzantine style reminds me of the fictional vampire queen "Eudoxia" of Anne Rice's vampire Chronicles.

[@silviamoneva]

Amazing as always!

[@keveyson]

OMG the blood orgy thing made me laugh my ass off.

[@katryzza1171]

Great content bro! Man, you're a genius.

[@beaver6d9]

Honestly looking at that exquisite necklace collar thingy alone somehow increased my hype level at least +2. Enhypening aside, excellent video!

[@amandaofhouserobinson6707]

45K !!! Well done ! You totally deserve this and so much more!!! You bring such enjoyment to my life! Thankyou dear sir LML, thankyou !! 💖💖🖤🖤

[@DavidLightbringer]

Thanks Amanda! You’ve been a myth head for a long time huh?

[@amandaofhouserobinson6707]

@@DavidLightbringer I've been around since way before the unspoken ridiculous drama that went on. So happy you came back better than ever! Myth head for life! Am hoping to be in a position to join the squishers soon!!

[@swaggerdagger5168]

Holy cow man, I really, really loved this video. This extreme inclusion of these sorts of details gives me even more reassurance that this show is going to be great, and that they’re going the extra mile in every single aspect. Also, HUGE congratulations on 45,000 subs man! You absolutely deserve it! And I hope this momentum continues as we get closer and closer to House of Flying D’s!!

[@DavidLightbringer]

Hell yeah you know it SwaggerD

[@downtown_clownybrown]

well what a pleasant surprise to wake up to. are we still getting a livestream later today too? or are you taking the day off for mother's day?

[@DavidLightbringer]

yeah day off. Letting the new videos rip

[@downtown_clownybrown]

@@DavidLightbringer thanks man have a great off day!

[@KaritKtana]

Wow, Thank you, LmL! I don't know much about Byzantine history, but going absolutely gaga over the costumes 🤩 Fascinating stuff. Btw, I believe "Porphyrios" means purple in Greek, as in the royal color, used as a symbol or Metonymy for the dignity and authority of royalty as a whole. Makes sense in an Empress' name! I was lucky enough to visit the GoT exhibit of show costumes and props in 2015... Once HotD concludes, I hope they do another exhibit. I'd be first in line to steal - uhh, I mean, _see_ - Rhaenyra's dresses.

[@stancalung5186]

Porphyrogenita means " born into the purple", it was a therm utilised for the female offspring born in the capital to a reigning emperor - the males were named "porphyrogenitus". Btw, that´s the latinized form, I cannot spell the greek one correclty :)))))

[@chadwickst.clair-smythe4217]

There was a room in the Great Palace in Constantinople that was clad from top to bottom in porphyry, the purple granite that was for the use only by the Imperial Family. Empresses gave birth in this room to signify that their children were the legitimate heirs to the ruling Emperor and occasional Empress Regnant.

[@cherylbaxter8986]

After watching this Trailer on Friday morning one word is what I said to my husband EPIC

[@buffysummers7887]

this! was! such! a! fun! video! to watch! shoot dang, historical references that make ya wanna go on historical re-reads for hours and hours

[@Smoug]

I think King's Landing has always had a Constantinople/Byzantine vibe going on, with its enormous towers next to the sea, mediterranean climate, rioty citizens, and the court itself even in the main series seems also very byzantine to me, with all the gossip and plots around the royal family, btw scheming powerful eunuchs were also very much a part of the byzantine court. Also Cersei's story at least in the GOT show starts to become very much like empress Irene after season 5, when she was widowed of the emperor she was the first woman to take the title of empress for herself, without a consort, she also disaproved of the original plans for marrying her son to the daughter of Charlemagne, and put him in a de facto domicilary arrest inside the palace. When he attempted to escape and failed she had him blinded so he could not rule and she kept power. Then Irene also ruthlessly exterminated the Iconoclastic rebels, a conflict that had been raging in which some fanatical monks and religious people were fighting against the use of icons and sacred images as idolatry.

[@DavidLightbringer]

Yes sir there’s a lot more there, I only scratched the surface.

[@cityslacker6221]

btw, Mad Men made the low camera angle a big feature of their cinematography.

[@vrananikola]

Was waiting for this one 😌👌🏼 all the love from Serbia 🖤

[@a.a677]

Amazing video, keep it up

[@anakinthemannequin69]

I love this. I always thought King's Landing reminded me of Constantinople. Its also fitting seeing as the Valyrian civilization was based on Rome.

[@DavidLightbringer]

Check out the Bridge of Ships Blackwater stream! We talked about the Battle of Constantinople parallels

[@andysawyer647]

@@DavidLightbringer I think Valira is Eygpt and Summeria.

[@MrDude826]

@@andysawyer647 Nope, Valyria is Rome/Byzantium. Egypt is Slaver's bay. Meereen.

[@eduardobaptistaolimon2296]

this is the best video yet

[@wynterashara5160]

Great Video!!! Love it

[@Aenarion_Godslayer]

I'm making an RPG of Game of Thrones which is obviously a fiction after season 5 and mixing everything I can from the books from S1 to S5 (so adding Victarion and stuff) and then only books. For this I must study magic, politic, geography, feudal economy and so much stuff. I've read a fuckton of pages and theories may it be on Awoiaf or reddit or quora that can take hours to read and figure, and watch youtube channels. But yours, your youtube channel is like debating with myself on figuring most of stuff, you're asking/trying to answer the very same questions i'm asking myself, and it's such a relief. Thank you for existing and making such dedicated content, the House of the Dragon stuff will definitely help on some stuff, more visually than story telling since we already got the Fire and Blood book, but glad it's existing. Keep up the good work !

[@krakenastral7683]

Excellent breakdown. Anyone else seeing an ouroboros due to the way her hair is braided and styled from the back?

[@MegaKnight2012]

Has anyone made a comparison between the Targaryens and Vlad Dracula, specifically, the historical Vlad? The Targaryens keep calling themselves, Blood of the Dragon, and 'Dracula' means, 'Son of the Dragon'. Then there's Vlad and his dad who seem to have been members of the Order of the Dragon, a group of nobles stated to be defending their land from the Ottoman Empire's threat, being, 'Protectors of the Realm'. Vlad learned how to be violent from his time in the east with the Ottomans, like how the Targaryens learned Valyrian violence in the east. Vlad the Impaler is still considered a national hero in Romania because despite his violent acts, he did protect Romania, ensuring its survival. The Targaryens committed great violence but there are some in Westeros who are still loyal to them, and the Blackfyres, despite that Targaryen households attacks on Westeros, and many followed Bloodraven, one of the best examples of a tyrannical Targaryen overlord who committed brutality in the name of peace, even leaving heads on spikes. Then, bleeding into the Dracula vampire mythos, Shiera Seastar, a Great Targaryen Bastard, is reported to have bathed in blood like Elizabeth Bathory, a heavy inspiration on Stoker's Dracula. Then there's the Romanian zburator, a Romanian dragon which is honestly a combination of dragon, werwolf, and vampire. The zburator looks like a dragon combined with a wolf, but can look like a man and come in the night to take one's life force. Jon Snow is a combination of dragon and wolf, Targaryen and Stark, by all appearances is human, has an affinity with wolves like Stoker's Dracula, and is part of the Night's Watch, a night hunter, who could very possibly become embued with Ice Other powers, being a true supernatural night hunter. It's interesting to look at some Romanian historical and fantasy influences on A Song of Ice and Fire, or maybe Martin utilized certain universal tropes that they happened to echo aspects of Romanian lore.

[@DavidLightbringer]

Oh wow that’s all delightful. I mean ghastly. I mean delightful. Very cool, makes perfect sense to me as a parallel!

[@vevegsilva]

I never noticed the other references to the Romanian history/lore, but I always thought that there were similarities between the Mad King's history and Vlad Tepes's, in the sense that both of them had been through traumatic experiences who turned them into the monsters they would've been know for, both were imprisioned and endured years of captivity (and psychological and physical torture), which played a huge impact in their psyche. Aerys wasn't exactly a good person and definitely not a good ruler before the imprisonment, but will he still become the Mad King if none of that happened?

[@MegaKnight2012]

@@vevegsilva Aerys became madder after his imprisonment. He was already emotionally and mentally unstable before. Some people just go mad. He's actually not too bad a comparison to Vlad Tepes. When Aerys was prince, he helped defend against the invading Ninepenny Kings, led by a Blackfyre. Vlad Tepes is probably remembered better by Romanians because he was defeated by nobles allied with an outside force, whereas King Aerys died whislt mostly just fighting against his own with little outside influence, though there was Verys advising him as Master of Whispers. Actually, Verys' being an outsider and influencer of Aerys, and also likely a Blackfyre sowing seeds for his family to take over, kind of flips the image of Aerys defending his homeland from foreign-Blackfyre-led forces.

[@nidohime6233]

Well ASoIaF did have at least a Báthory expy of sorts, you know that countess who acordding to legend she killed and bathed with the blood of maidens.

[@MegaKnight2012]

@@nidohime6233 Yeah, I was comparing Shiera Seastar, a Targaryen high-bastard, to Elizabeth Bathory

[@CrimsonTemplar2]

Fantastic Easter egg breakdown.

[@dj_f1nga_blasta891]

Kings and Generals has an amazing history series over the Byzantine Empire and Kyivan Rus

[@DavidLightbringer]

Oh yeah I bet they do. Makes sense

[@santsi7306]

I was so sad mads mikkelson didn't play euron, until I saw the dialogue they gave showron. But now seeing Matt play daemon. Oh yes.... It's all good now.

[@almotorolas7973]

Brother David Lightbringer you bring so much good into our hearts and these connections are cherished, we shall praise Garth with you with every video 🤘🥳🤘 had a question about a topic that feel like you spoke about in a video not long ago about how it was possible that there was talks about blood magic being used to bring about Aegon the conqueror's children or if it was directly connected with only "Maegor the cruel" and the reason why he could not have children, not sure if it was direct cannon or if mentioned within some theories that perhaps people were talking about with you through the chats but feel like it was one of your more recent videos, tried looking for it and subscribed and put the bell on all notifications and listening to Targaryen history but can't seem to find it and wondering if you could help me with the link your grace 🙏🌅🌅🌅🌅🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 all the good light your way

[@DavidLightbringer]

So the theory here is that Aegon was infertile. Aenys wasn’t his - Rhaenys was rumored to have slept around - and Visenya only gave him a son through sorcery, with the result being Maegor, who was cursed or something, perhaps

[@2009worstyearever]

linking the Targaryians to the Byzantines, and the accidental fact that Baratheons look kind of like Western European knights is a cute and subtle way to connect the sack of King's Landing to the 4th Crusade.

[@smpk9667]

I think you forgot the Baratheon sigil on the necklace. Also i love these more fun type video once in a while.

[@DavidLightbringer]

Oh yeah huh. Stormlands. Maybe there’s no kraken, they aren’t always counted.

[@cherylbaxter8986]

Well said David

[@lolsous]

Pretty bold move asking us to look at a 1.5 h long video to be prepared for this one. In the case of me, also a succesful move, but still bold. Love the videos!

[@DavidLightbringer]

lol I thought this was a serious complaint at first, i was like WHAT THE Haha glad you enjoyed it

[@deathdeathington]

My man out here earning likes and subs by putting the fucking work in.

[@shadowboxplayers420]

Great analysis! Rhaenyra's headpiece also calls to mind certain styles of Tudor headpieces, except without the veil that would usually accompany it.

[@DavidLightbringer]

Thank you!

[@shadowboxplayers420]

@@DavidLightbringer I did some Google-Fu because I was curious, and her headdress seems specifically inspired by a 16th century French hood (lacking the veil), perhaps with some more Byzantine touches in the design and embellishments.

[@shadowboxplayers420]

@@DavidLightbringer It definitely could also be compared to a Russian kokoshnik as you suggested in your video!

[@rampant54]

The reference to the Blues and greens is in relation to the factions in chariot races in the Hippidromes. Even in Rome the support for such factions was so strong violence could and regularly did break out between them.

[@erintaylor4297]

Her necklace that has more than a necklace would probably be called something like the chain of State meeting the her role in the government in this case as the heir to the throne

[@coach_stick]

Byzantine Targaryens sounds so badass

[@okdude8215]

Eastern Roman Empire, byzantine is a revisionist term.

[@giorgoskatsarakis9652]

My brother in Christ, all of game of thrones is based on the byzantines. Wild fire->greek fire ,kings landing-> constantinople, war of the five kings->byzantine wars after the conquest of 1204, red wedding->komnenos doukas did red wedding of his own😈. Even the civil wars are a byzantine reference (they were a part of the daily routine in the empire)

[@DavidLightbringer]

I did a livestream on the Battle of the Blackwater and how it mirrors the Battle of Constantinople, if you want to check that out. It was just a couple months ago

[@giorgoskatsarakis9652]

@@DavidLightbringer most definitely will

[@edwardthompson7343]

Seems to mirror english history more in my opinion. War of the roses- the glencoe massacre- the saxon invasion ( the andal invasion ) - the jacobite rising/williamite war

[@edwardthompson7343]

@Dimitris Tsakalos George Martin has said he based it partly on the Black Dinner where a Lord invited his enemies to a feast and killed them

[@HierophanticRose]

Oh an one more thing I thought of while rewatching some parts, and lends credence to Byzantine connection, is that High Septon seems to be under the King, harkening the Patriarch of Constantinople and the Emperor

[@nicholsonfile]

Positivity in the GOT fandom? Thank you

[@Constantinople-uh9zg]

When Procopius wrote that the Empress Theodora said "royal purple is the noblest shroud" when rejecting the idea of fleeing the city during the Nika riots, he was alluding to the tyrant Dioysius I of Syracuse. Once, when besieged in his palace by his subjects, he said "Tyranny is a good burial shroud". So Procopius was calling Theodora a tyrant, and by extension, Justinian too.

[@DavidLightbringer]

Oh interesting

[@Ashley_e]

Great video! Thanks! Love history! Her gold is so regal we never got that majesty in Thrones. I am wondering since Daemon (if bias whispers decades later can be believed) lost his job at City Watch after a comment about Viserys child that died. He fled to Pentos, until coming to get the egg. Are they going to forego that? Since he has gold cloaks there? Maybe he gets White Worm pregnant while being with Gold Cloaks and is fired for taking the egg. Because not sure since there is a 8 year-ish timeline change. Moving Rhaenyra’s fealty from 8 years old to at least 15. If Aemma dies in ep 1, then maybe it all stays the same. But possible they have other narrative plot points to move the story forward.

[@Pentagathusosaurus]

NOICE. I should watch this trailer.

[@DavidLightbringer]

Haha you already did.

[@DavidLightbringer]

Pretty much

[@mitchellhayward6492]

I believe King's Landing itself was inspired by Constantinople, if I am remembering correctly. (Also: I'm really digging that music track that you have playing in the background. I *must* know what it is.)

[@reeeyou]

Rhaenyra’s crown shape looks a little chinese Qing Dynasty court ladies cap, except that it’s opened up at the back. But only the shape, i totally agree with u on design wise.

[@cityslacker6221]

you know it’s the dang squishers!

[@The88Cheat]

King’s Landing reminds me a bit of a mashup of Rome and Constantinople. Rome had its hills where important buildings were place and Constantinople had a great chain that blocked water access from invaders (like Tyrion and the Black Water).

[@jlworrad8555]

I think another borrowing Martin has made from the reign of Justinian and Theodora in Fire & Blood is more stylistic: the wildly differing historical witness accounts. With J & T's reign we have the dry and noble 'History Of The Wars' and the deeply salacious 'Secret History'. George actually doesn't go as far however, the accounts of the dance of dragons are written by three people, whereas the History Of The Wars and the Secret History were written by the same damn guy! I suspect George thought no reader would buy that, fact being stranger than fiction and all...

[@Madstsone]

That's what I was thinking. Mushroom is Procopius.

[@shortbuspimp]

White dreds lookin dope.

[@Djynni]

I like the Mushroom theory!

[@KaritKtana]

I wonder how much of Driftmark we'll get to see on the show... Might be some squisher sightings over yonder! Well, at least squiser inspired set dressing..?

[@Aliexei]

I always felt that Stannis felt kinda similar to Basil II. One true king!

[@lukelim5094]

I remember playing medieval total war and Byzantine absolutely crushes the map in early game and slowly become obsolete when Teutonic Knights and Heavy Cavarly comes into play. How apt for GOT story. It is kinda similar to how it played out in real history too