What Era Does Game of Thrones Cover
Game of Thrones primarily unfolds in the fictional years 298–300 AC (After Conquest), with flashbacks extending to 283 AC and earlier. The main narrative begins in spring 298 AC, roughly 15–17 years after Robert’s Rebellion, and concludes around early 300 AC. These dates anchor the series’ political conflicts, war preparations, and seasonal cycles. Understanding this timeline helps clarify character ages, succession claims, and the urgency of the White Walker threat.
Timeline Reference Table
| Date (AC) | Key Event | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 283 AC | Robert’s Rebellion begins | Foundational war that reshapes the realm |
| 298 AC | Season 1 begins (King’s Landing) | Main story starts; Eddard investigates Jon Arryn’s death |
| 299 AC | War of the Five Kings escalates | Territorial fractures; Robb’s campaign in the North |
| 300 AC | Season 7–8 events; White Walker advances | Great War and Daenerys’ final arc |
Year Zero: The Conquest and Maester Era
Time in Westeros is measured in years Before and After the Conquest (AC). 1 AC marks Aegon I’s coronation in Oldtown, establishing the calendar used by maesters and historians. Important dynasties, houses, and regional loyalties were shaped in this period. Many background histories, such as the fall of Dragonstone and early Targaryen reigns, are referenced through this framework, even though the main story occurs more than two centuries later.
The War of the Five Kings Arc
Season 1–2 (298–299 AC Early)
The television adaptation’s first two seasons largely compress the events of A Game of Thrones across 298 AC into a few months of story time. Stark and Lannister tensions in the North and King’s Landing drive the initial plot. Robb Stark’s march south and Renly Baratheon’s claim expand the conflict, setting the stage for broader war across the continent.
Season 3–4 (299 AC Late)
The War of the Five Kings becomes explicit in season 3, as claimants align: Robb Stark, Stannis Baratheon, Renly Baratheon, Balon Greyjoy, and later Joffrey and his allies. Key battles, such as the Battle of the Blackwater, demonstrate the limits of each faction and introduce external pressures from Essos.
Season 5–8 (300 AC)
By season 5, the timeline approaches year 300 AC. The Great War against the White Walkers and the fall of the Iron Throne dominate the final arcs. Political upheaval in King’s Landing, the collapse of old houses, and the rise of new rulers compress several years of intrigue into a condensed conclusion.
The Essos Counterpart
While Westeros follows 298–300 AC, events across the Narrow Sea run in parallel. Daenerys Targaryen’s campaigns in Slaver’s Bay, her march west, and the rise of the Sons of the Harpy unfold over a similar span. Her movements sync with major Westerosi moments, culminating in her eventual turn toward King’s Landing near the end of the timeline.
Books vs Show Timeline
In the books, the timeline extends past the TV conclusion and includes more detailed year-by-year maester reports. George R.R. Martin’s narrative may explore later events and perspectives not shown on screen. For now, the widely accepted active period of the main story remains 298–300 AC, with contextual events reaching back to 283 AC and forward into the uncertain post-war years.
How to Track Future Updates
Because the TV series has concluded and no new seasons are planned, the primary timeline is fixed. New information may emerge only through companion material, such as books, podcasts, or authorized essays. Readers can rely on the 298–300 AC framework to interpret character ages, battle sequences, and the broader consequences of the Great War.
Quick Recap
- Main story spans roughly 298–300 AC
- 283 AC marks the start of Robert’s Rebellion, a key flashback point
- Key arcs: War of the Five Kings, Great War, fall of the Iron Throne
- Books may extend timeline details beyond the show
- Post-300 AC events remain speculative without new canonical material