In the series, it is Essos which is based on classical antiquity, while Westeros is a feudal medieval civilization. Arguably, being born between worlds is exactly what gives Daenerys all her troubles, trying to impose Western norms while in Essos and then behaving as an eastern despot when she begins her reconquest.
You might be right! Essos is definitely “Oriental” coded to a western audience, and I mostly just got “exotic” from the imagery, but they do have sorta a Persian/greek city state vibe. And the “Old Valyria” is Rome-like, certainly their language was inspired by Latin (according to the creator of the High Valyrian language, who wrote a book on language creation). Sadly for me, I didn’t see anything obviously Assyrian.
In the series, it is Essos which is based on classical antiquity, while Westeros is a feudal medieval civilization. Arguably, being born between worlds is exactly what gives Daenerys all her troubles, trying to impose Western norms while in Essos and then behaving as an eastern despot when she begins her reconquest.
You might be right! Essos is definitely “Oriental” coded to a western audience, and I mostly just got “exotic” from the imagery, but they do have sorta a Persian/greek city state vibe. And the “Old Valyria” is Rome-like, certainly their language was inspired by Latin (according to the creator of the High Valyrian language, who wrote a book on language creation). Sadly for me, I didn’t see anything obviously Assyrian.
Thanks, excellent read