This book focuses on the characters that populate the Game of Thrones universe and on one of the most salient features of their interaction: violence and warfare. It analyses these questions from a multidisciplinary perspective that is chiefly based on Classical Studies. The book is divided into two sections. The first section explores Martins characters as the mainstay of both the novels and the TV series, since the author has peopled his universe with three-dimensional intriguing characters that resonate with the reader/audience. The second section is devoted to violence and warfare, both pervasive in the Game of Thrones universe. In particular, the TV series depiction of violence is explicit, going beyond the limits that have seldom been traversed in primetime television i.e. the execution of Ned Stark, the Red Wedding and Battle of the Bastards. In the Game of Thrones universe, violence is not only restricted to warfare but is an everyday occurrence, a result of the social and gender inequalities characterising the world created by Martin.

Alfonso Álvarez-Ossoriois Professor of Ancient History at the University of Seville, Spain. Both his PhD thesis and most of his research has been devoted to the socioeconomic and cultural study of piracy during the late Roman Republic and the early Empire. He is editor ofThe Present of Antiquity. Reception, Recovery, Reinvention of the Ancient World in Current Popular Culture (2019).

Fernando Lozanois Professor of Ancient History at the University of Seville, Spain. His research focuses on the study of Roman religion during the Empire and, specifically, on the imperial cult, as well as Reception studies. He has authored and edited several monographs on these topics.

Rosario Moreno Soldevilais Professor of Latin Philology at the Pablo de Olavide University, Seville, Spain. Her main lines of research include theEpigramsof Martial, the oeuvre of Pliny the Younger and amatory motifs in classical and late Latin literature. She has authored or co-authored 10 monographs, including  A Prosopography to Martials Epigrams(2019).

Cristina Rosillo-Lópezis Professor of Ancient History at the Pablo de Olavide University, Seville, Spain. Her lines of research include the political history and political culture of the late Roman Republic. She has authored and edited several monographs, including  Political Conversations in Late Republican Rome(2022).

1 Heroes, Villains, War and Violence in Game of Thrones.Part I The Things I do for Love: Heroes, Villains and None of the Above.2 Scheming in the Shadow of Tyrants: The Littlefinger Type in Roman Historiography.3 Parallel Lives: Connections Between the Lannisters and Historical Dynasties.4 The Tragedy of Eddard Stark: Greek Tragedy in A Song of Ice and Fire.5 Was it a God, a Demon, a Sorcerous Trick?. Magic, Performative Rituals, and Moral Standards in A Song of Ice and Fire and Game of Thrones.Part II Some Allies are More Dangerous than Enemies: Warfare and Violence.6 Juggling a Hundred Balls in the Air: Reflections of the Year of the Four Emperors in the War of the Five Kings.7 The Punic Wars in the World of A Song of Ice and Fire.8 The Battle of the Bastards: A Tactical Iconic Narrative.9 Some Heads Are Gonna Roll: Punishments and Executions in G. R. R. Martins A Song of Ice and Fire and in HBOs TV Series.10 From Greek Tragic Drama to Fantastic Terror: Tragic Echoes in A Storm of Swords Red Wedding.