The science of the Game of Thrones
1,743,490 Views
1,039 Questions Answered
Best of Web
Let’s Begin…
The popular television show, Game of Thrones, and the novel series it is based on, A Song of Fire and Ice, take place in another world. Joe Hanson explores possible scientific explanations of the phenomena exhibited on the show. Other phenomena are debunked, except if you believe in magic.
Additional Resources for you to Explore
Here are some interesting resources to look into when thinking about the fictional world of Game of Thrones:
Blog about the geology of the continent of Westeros in the Game of Thrones universe. Stanford researchers have used descriptions of the books and their own knowledge of Earth geology to theorize about how the geological formations of Westeros were created.
Greek Fire was an amazing fire weapon that could burn on water. This weapon helped the Byzantine Empire to defend its capital city Constantinople. Greek Fire was so important to the Byzantines that the recipe was closely guarded. In fact, it was so closely guarded that it has been lost.
Earth's seasons are caused by the tilt of its axis. Learn more about this phenomenon from the United States Naval Observatory.
TED-Ed already has great lesson about why the seasons change. View that lesson here.
Blog about the geology of the continent of Westeros in the Game of Thrones universe. Stanford researchers have used descriptions of the books and their own knowledge of Earth geology to theorize about how the geological formations of Westeros were created.
Greek Fire was an amazing fire weapon that could burn on water. This weapon helped the Byzantine Empire to defend its capital city Constantinople. Greek Fire was so important to the Byzantines that the recipe was closely guarded. In fact, it was so closely guarded that it has been lost.
Earth's seasons are caused by the tilt of its axis. Learn more about this phenomenon from the United States Naval Observatory.
TED-Ed already has great lesson about why the seasons change. View that lesson here.
About TED-Ed Best of Web
TED-Ed Best of Web are exceptional, user-created lessons that are carefully selected by volunteer teachers and TED-Ed staff.
Meet The Creators
- Video created by Be Smart
- Lesson Plan created by Andrew Katz