Whether you’re a long-time fan of “Game of Thrones” or just dipping your toes into the icy waters of Westeros, the saga’s rich and convoluted history can both enthrall and perplex. As we await the return of “House of the Dragon” and the elusive next installment from George R.R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire,” it’s time to dust off the history books and journey through the labyrinthine timeline that underpins this epic tale.
The “Game of Thrones” universe, with its blend of drama, patricide, incest, betrayal, nudity, and dragons, spans a staggering 12,000 years. In this fantastical realm, where time is a nebulous concept, let’s keep things simple by dividing it into two eras: BC (Before Conquest) and AC (After Conquest), with Aegon’s Conquest serving as the fulcrum.
1 AC: Aegon’s Conquest Marks the Beginning
In this pivotal year, the Targaryens, progenitors of Daenerys, Jon Snow, and a host of others, launch their conquest of Westeros. They establish dominance and found King’s Landing, which becomes the epicenter of power for much of the “Game of Thrones” series.
112 AC: “House of the Dragon,” Season 1
During this period, the Targaryens maintain their dominion, continuing their penchant for familial unions. King Viserys names his daughter Rhaenyra as his heir and weds Alicent, her childhood friend. These choices set in motion a chain of events that reverberate across Westeros’ history
132 AC: The Dance of the Dragons
“House of the Dragon” Season 1 concludes with this watershed moment. The Dance of the Dragons erupts as House Targaryen plunges into civil war over the rightful heir. Spoiler alert: it’s a bloodbath.
261 AC: The Reign of Aerys II, the Mad King
More than a century after the Dance of the Dragons, Targaryens still rule, and pivotal characters in “Game of Thrones” make their debut. Aerys II, infamously known as the “Mad King,” marks the end of an uninterrupted Targaryen reign.
281 AC: Robert’s Rebellion
This turning point witnesses Robert Baratheon wresting power from the Targaryens. It’s also when Rhaegar Targaryen secretly marries Lyanna Stark, setting the stage for Jon Snow’s complicated parentage.
298 AC: “Game of Thrones” Season 1
Finally, after 186 years since “House of the Dragon” Season 1, we plunge headlong into the core narrative. Robert Baratheon meets a gruesome end, the Lannisters vie for supremacy, and the Starks face heartbreak and dispersal.
From here, each year more or less aligns with a season of the show, simplifying our timeline.
299 AC: “Game of Thrones” Season 2
The War of the Five Kings rages, pitching various claimants against each other in a vortex of dark magic and treachery.
300 AC: “Game of Thrones” Season 3
This season mirrors events in the third book, “A Storm of Swords.” It’s marked by the infamous Red Wedding, where major characters meet their doom, and Daenerys continues her odyssey in Essos.
301 AC: “Game of Thrones” Season 4
Here, the show’s timeline starts to diverge notably from the books. Key events include the Purple Wedding, Tyrion’s trial, and the ascent of the White Walkers.
302 AC: “Game of Thrones” Season 5
Arya trains as an assassin, Sansa’s marriage to Ramsay Bolton plunges to new depths of horror, and Stannis Baratheon makes a grim sacrifice in a losing war.
303 AC: “Game of Thrones” Season 6
Supposedly aligned with the unreleased sixth book, “The Winds of Winter,” this season features Cersei’s meteoric rise and Daenerys’ voyage to Westeros.
304 AC: “Game of Thrones” Season 7
Daenerys and Jon Snow cross paths, forming an uneasy alliance. Major power shifts and confrontations occur while the White Walker menace looms large.
305 AC: “Game of Thrones” Season 8
The final season crescendos with a grand convergence of characters, monumental battles, and a jaw-dropping resolution to the Iron Throne’s fate.
Traversing the sprawling realm of “Game of Thrones” and its prequels can be an arduous quest, but armed with this chronicle, you’re better equipped to decipher the intricate tapestry of plots, betrayals, and dragonflame that defines this epic saga.
