Game of Thrones is a global phenomenon. Drawing in over 25 million viewers for its sixth season, the HBO series shows no sign of losing pace as it draws towards its epic conclusion next year, and the publication date of the next literary instalment is surrounded by speculation.

In advance of the seventh - and penultimate - season, Classics Professor Ayelet Haimson Lushkov here provides a rich and lively historical companion. Delving into the ancient history and mythology that inspired George RR Martin’s fantasy world, she shows how the battle for the Iron Throne is rooted in the blood-soaked politics of the Roman Empire. From the Wall and Wildings to Hadrian’s Wall in remote northern England, and the wanderings of Tyrion Lannister to the epic journeys of Odysseus and Aeneas, Lushkov’s fascinating findings are essential reading for anyone interested in the creation of this extraordinary universe.

AYELET HAIMSON LUSHKOV is Associate Professor of Classics at the University of Texas at Austin. She has wide interests in Roman history, literature and reception. She has written on Game of Thrones for the Guardian and Tweets @DR_AHL.