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By now, most people have heard of Game of Thrones. Whether you're a fan or not, the characters and stories have become iconic, some feeling incredibly real while others seem almost too fantastical to be believable.
But here’s the twist: many of these seemingly outlandish tales are rooted in truth.
Are you one of the few who says, “What’s Game of Thrones?” We suggest you tap into your sense of wonder and experience a world filled with noble rulers, daring quests, and the kind of endings that fairy tales are made of.
10. Perkeo and Tyrion Lannister
One of the most beloved characters from Game of Thrones (GoT), Tyrion Lannister, is known for his sharp wit, which pairs perfectly with his fondness for wine. As Tyrion himself put it, “I drink and I know things. That’s what I do.” This simple line captures his essence perfectly.
In real life, the inspiration for Tyrion's character, Perkeo, was fortunate enough to live in a time of peace. Instead of battling royal enemies, Perkeo's role was to entertain the king as the court jester of Heidelberg. While this may not seem like Tyrion’s life, Perkeo’s next job was far more fitting: He became the master of the Tun, which meant overseeing all the wine in the court.
Perkeo found his true calling in this position, as he was rumored to drink nothing but wine, with the exception of a single glass of water that ultimately led to his death. Beyond these legendary stories that could easily be mistaken for Tyrion fan fiction, Perkeo also shared a significant connection with Tyrion’s name: he hailed from South Tyrol, a region in Italy.
9. Queen Isabeau and Cersei Lannister
Queen Isabeau and Cersei Lannister had much in common. Both ascended to the role of queens regent when their husbands were unable to govern. Neither was particularly loved by their subjects, and most notably, both women were involved in extramarital affairs.
Everyone’s familiar with the rather 'endearing' Cersei Lannister in GoT… well, at least to her brother Jaime Lannister. Some might argue their relationship crosses a line, and let's face it, they would have a point.
While Cersei’s secret remained concealed until the events of GoT unfolded, Queen Isabeau didn’t manage to keep her actions quite so hidden. She gained a reputation for her promiscuity, especially in relation to her brother-in-law. While it wasn’t quite the same incestuous issue as the Lannisters faced, it did lead to similar complications for Isabeau and Louis d'Orleans.
8. Louis d’Orleans and Jaime Lannister
Louis d’Orleans plays a key role in the real-world inspiration behind GoT. Not only was he infamous for his affair with the queen, but he also suffered the dramatic fate of having his hand severed. While he wasn’t the queen’s twin brother, their relationship still stirred considerable scandal.
This scandal even became the basis for a challenge to the throne by someone outside the royal family. It was rumored that Charles VII was the illegitimate son of d’Orleans and Isabeau, and therefore not the rightful heir to Charles VI. This would have invalidated his claim to the throne.
7. Sigurd the Mighty and Khal Drogo
Khal Drogo has a lot going for him—he's the epitome of masculinity, a battlefield legend, a lover of horses, and, of course, has that legendary mane of hair. He leads a warrior tribe, and his iconic hair symbolizes his undefeated record in battle.
Some might say Drogo’s real-life counterpart is either Genghis Khan or Miyamoto Musashi, who famously won his first duel at the age of 12 using only a stick against a fully trained, armed soldier. However, the most notable aspect of Drogo’s life is his untimely death.
For those who haven’t seen GoT, Drogo’s mighty end comes from a tiny wound. A small cut from an enemy he defeats gets infected, leading to his demise. Enter Sigurd the Mighty, a historical figure whose death mirrors this bizarre fate. While Drogo succumbed to a minor chest scrape, Sigurd's death may have been even stranger.
After slaying his enemy and severing his head, Sigurd decided to bring the trophy back with him. While riding, his leg scraped against the dead man’s tooth, and that was his undoing. The infection spread and claimed the life of the mighty warrior—well, not exactly Drogo, but still quite tragic for Sigurd.
6. Joan of Arc and Brienne of Tarth
At first glance, it’s easy to spot the similarities between Joan of Arc and Brienne of Tarth. The most obvious difference is their size—while Brienne is notably tall, Joan of Arc was only about 157 centimeters (5'2″). However, they share strikingly similar attire.
Joan of Arc was known for wearing men’s clothing and armor, and she also kept her hair short. Both women also had a strong distaste for drunkenness, womanizing, and swearing, much like Brienne. Whether by choice or circumstance, both were virgins, earning them the title of 'The Maid.'
With the conclusion of the High Sparrow storyline, it seems unlikely that Brienne will face a fate inspired by religious forces, as Joan did.
5. Caligula and Aerys II Targaryen (‘The Mad King’)
The lives of these two rulers shared striking similarities. Both ascended to the throne by hereditary right, initially showing promise. However, both eventually earned the notorious title of 'The Mad King.'
Caligula's descent into madness was both sudden and tragic. After falling seriously ill with a fever that nearly claimed his life, he emerged, as one historian described, 'insane.' His reign became infamous for cruel and arbitrary executions, excessive indulgence, and perverse displays of power, such as bragging about having affairs with other men's wives, perhaps to provoke the husbands and set the stage for their deaths.
Like many Targaryens, Caligula was infamous for his obsession with incest and other forms of sexual debauchery. Eventually, both he and Aerys met violent ends, slain by the hands of their own guardsmen due to their unmanageable tyranny.
4. Roman Emperor Julian and the High Sparrow
The High Sparrow is a character many are familiar with. For a time, we were captivated by his ability to outmaneuver even the most shrewd figures in GoT. He championed a popular movement against the ruling powers, yet he was, in truth, already in a position of significant authority. He also sought to revive faith in the 'Seven,' responding to the people's diminishing belief in them, as well as the worship of the Lord of Light.
Emperor Julian, on the other hand, was more lenient in his approach to punishment, granting a certain degree of religious freedom. He, however, actively participated in various religious sects and aimed to reestablish the prominence of the old Roman gods in the political landscape.
Julian earned the support of his people by taking steps to restore the ancient Roman deities. Despite the shift in imperial ideology, a large portion of the population remained loyal to paganism. Like the High Sparrow, Julian likely adapted traditional religious practices slightly to fit his own needs, using them as the cornerstone of his nation's identity.
The idea that both the Faith and the State should operate as a unified force is reflected in these viewpoints. While 'The Seven' certainly resembles the church of the Middle Ages, the notion of abandoning 'the one true god' in GoT in favor of reinstating a pantheon of gods feels almost too familiar.
3. Vlad Dracula and Ramsay Bolton
Vlad Dracula shares numerous traits with characters from GoT. He was born to exiled nobles like Jon Snow, inherited a family dragon title like the Targaryens, and was forced to live with his father's enemies, much like Theon Greyjoy. However, there is no one who more closely mirrors Dracula than Ramsay Bolton.
While Dracula wasn't illegitimate in the same way Ramsay was, both shared a disturbing affinity for the horrifying torture of their foes. Vlad Dracula’s infamous nickname, Vlad the Impaler, makes it all too clear why.
Dracula was notorious for impaling his victims and, to some degree, possibly consuming them. On the other hand, Ramsay was known for flaying his victims. Both impalement and flaying were methods of execution during the Middle Ages, designed to bring about slow, excruciating deaths. These brutal tactics were also a form of psychological warfare.
A lesser-known similarity between Dracula and Ramsay lies in their strategic use of battlefield tactics. Both leaders, when confronted with a massive enemy force, avoided direct confrontation that would result in defeat. Instead, they both launched successful surprise night raids on their foes' camps.
While Ramsay's strategy successfully disrupted the Baratheon supply lines, Vlad's assault instilled chaos and terror in the Ottoman camp. Disguised in Ottoman attire, Vlad and his men attacked a small portion of the Ottoman encampment. As the enemy soldiers awoke, they mistakenly believed they were under attack by their own forces, leading them to fight each other in a panic until dawn.
2. The Janissaries and The Unsullied
The Unsullied are a formidable, elite force, composed of young slaves who are both unyielding and highly skilled. Their past identities are erased as they are molded by their new masters, who give them new lives. These warriors are rigorously trained in hand-to-hand combat and other military techniques. Uncommon for their time, they represent a standing army in the thousands, a group well-known to fans of GoT.
Yet, to a historian, another powerful force comes to mind: the Ottoman Janissaries.
Although many draw parallels between the Unsullied's shields and spears and those used by Roman legions or Spartans, neither of these armies had a 100% slave conscription rate. The Janissaries, however, had such a system in place.
The Ottoman Empire’s method of shaping these soldiers was through the practice of taking young Christian boys as tribute. Raised as Muslims, these boys swore undying loyalty to the sultan, and the Janissaries became a close-knit, loyal brotherhood.
The Janissaries were pioneers in the use of firearms on a large scale. However, in terms of sheer firepower, the Unsullied’s dragon outshines the Janissaries’ muskets.
1. Wei Zhongxian and Varys the Eunuch
Varys, the eunuch, is one of the most skilled manipulators in GoT. Unlike many other characters, he doesn’t seek to rule directly, but instead achieves significant power through his web of connections and expansive spy networks.
Despite his impressive abilities, Varys is primarily known in the GoT world as 'the eunuch.' This characteristic defines him, and while he holds considerable influence, he falls short in comparison to Wei Zhongxian, his real-world counterpart.
The life stories of Wei and Varys share many similarities. Both were born into poverty and became eunuchs for financial reasons. Following this, they both worked in the palace and amassed considerable influence. Though their reasons for becoming eunuchs were different—Wei was in debt to gamblers, while Varys was sold—both made the most of their circumstances.
Wei leveraged his influence over a young emperor to seize more control, becoming a de facto ruler. Additionally, he was the head of a covert police force that rivaled the one Varys orchestrated.
In contrast, Varys's fate was far more favorable. He managed to escape the palace after the king's demise. Wei, however, saw his power fade when his emperor passed away unexpectedly at a young age. In the end, Wei took his own life.
