The Emmy Award-winning intro is even cooler than you thought.
You know that astrolabe that surrounds the Westerosi sun?
Pictured: that astrolabe that surrounds the Westerosi sun.
Via: artofthetitle.com
Those rotating bands depict major events from the history of the Seven Kingdoms
An early artist's conception of the astrolabe.
Via: artofthetitle.com
First, the Targaryen dragon attacks some cities and towns.
House Targaryen conquered Westeros three hundred years before the first episode of Game of Thrones takes place. The dragons they brought with them from their ancient homeland helped Aegon the Conqueror forge the Iron Throne from the swords of the lords they conquered. For three centuries, those dragons kept the Seven Kingdoms under Targaryen rule -- and then the dragons died out.
The Stark wolf, Lannister lion, and Baratheon stag then defeat the Targaryen dragon together during Robert's Rebellion.
Two decades before the first episode takes place, a Targaryen prince kidnaps Lyanna Stark, the fiancée of Robert Baratheon and sister of Eddard Stark. After Eddard's father and brother are murdered by the Mad King Aerys while petitioning for her release, the Starks and the Baratheons rise up in rebellion against the Iron Throne. House Lannister joins the rebels late in the war, sacking King's Landing and killing the last Targaryen king and his family.
