DORNE: HISTORY, CHARACTERS AND PLACE WHERE IT WAS FILMED - DUDAS - 2025

Dorne is a fictional region belonging to George RR Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire, which also serves as the setting in the HBO adapted series Game of Thrones. Dorne is understood to be a peninsula that belongs to one of the southernmost regions of Westeros, at the same time that it is part of the Seven Kingdoms.

Likewise, the capital of this area is called Lanza del Sol, and is commanded by the almost extinct Casa Nymerios Martell. The Dornish people are ethnically different from the rest of the inhabitants of the Seven Kingdoms, because they have a variety of races.

This mixture of races was the product of the union of the Rhoynar refugees, the Andals and the First Men, which also implies a melting pot of customs and beliefs. In addition, thanks to the tradition of Dorne the settlers and princes have good relations with Essos, as well as with several of the so-called Free Cities.

Geography

For the most part, the region is surrounded by water thanks to the Dorne Sea, which is located to the north. It is also bordered by the Stone Steps to the east, the Summer Sea to the south, and the Marks of Dorne to the west, which are a long chain of mountains that serve to separate the area from the rest of the Seven Kingdoms.

It is estimated that Dorne has the only desert in all of Westeros, so it is usual to find an arid and desert climate. That is why it has a small proportion of inhabitants compared to other places.

It has a series of rivers that allow the fertility and richness of the land and, despite having a warm climate, there is presence of rains in the summer in the interior of the peninsula. Furthermore, water is seen as a precious commodity almost as valuable as gold.

According to legend, Dorne was part of the so-called Arm of Dorne, which linked Westeros with the rest of the continent of Essos. Before the arrival of the First Men, who crossed this bridge, they came into conflict with the Children of the Forest, beings who used their magical powers to destroy this fraction of land.

Later, this area was called the Broken Arm of Dorne, which ended up being located in the middle of the sea.

Despite the intentions of the Children of the Forest to slow down the passage of the First Men, they continued their passage to Westeros.

History

As previously noted, the First Men were able to settle in Westeros by crossing the Narrow Sea through the Arm of Dorne. The Children of the Forest decided to break this arm in order to stop their arrival.

However, despite the efforts, the settlements continued and lasted for more than 12 thousand years.

The rise of Dorne was due to the alliance that was formed between the Andals and the lesser kingdoms that were there. However, the unification process took place thanks to the arrival of Queen Nymeria, who allied herself with Lord Mors Martell. This produced the conquest of this peninsula.

Seven centuries later, during the invasion of King Aegon I Targaryen, the Dornes declined to fight openly against the monarch's forces. However, Aegon had to face a series of rebel groups or guerrillas that decimated the army thanks to their night and clandestine attacks.

A century after this invasion, Daeron I Targaryen returned to Dorne to conquer it, but failed in his endeavor, which left more than 40,000 soldiers and also resulted in the death of this conqueror.

The heir to the throne and descendant of Daeron I, King Baerlor, ended the conflicts by making a peace offering.

50 years later King Daeron II strengthened the alliance between the Martell and Targaryen houses by marrying Princess Mariah Martell, at the same time that his sister Daenerys was marrying the prince, Maron Martell. Thanks to these alliances, Dorne would be part of the Seven Kingdoms.

Recent events

During the reign of Robert Baratheon relations between the Martells and the king's family (including the Lannisters) became cold and a bit strained.

Later, after the death of Oberyn Martell, the bastard daughters of this (the Sand Serpents) along with Ellaria Sand are the leaders of Dorne. However, the latter is taken prisoner in King's Landing thanks to Euron Greyjoy's attack.

Although this is a measure of pressure for Dorne to show support to Queen Cersei Lannister, it is believed that this will not be enough, since several illegitimate daughters of Oberyn still remain as potential leaders of the peninsula and House Martell.

Main characters

Ancestors

-Princess Nymeria.

-Prince Mors Martell.

-Princess Meria Martell.

-Prince Nymor Martell.

-Prince Maron Martell.

-Princess Daenerys Martell.

-Queen Myriah Martell.

Current characters

-Ellaria Arena.

-Sarella Arena.

-Elia Arena.

-Obella Arena.

-Dorea Arena.

-Loreza Arena.

Deceased members

-Prince Lewyn Martell.

-Princess Elia Martell.

-Prince Obery Martell.

-Prince Doran Martell.

-Prince Trystane Martell.

-Obara Arena.

-Nymeria Arena.

-Tyene Arena.

Place where it was filmed

According to the descriptions of the Dorne Water Gardens, George RR Martin was based on the Alcázar of Seville, which would later become one of the locations where the series would be filmed.

In fact, this place is considered one of the most beautiful and closest to books, since it only needed a few digital touch-ups.

There are other places that also lent themselves to the recordings, such as the Grutesco pond, the Ladies' Garden, the Labyrinth Garden, the Alcoba Cenador Gardens and the Doña María baths.

Even in the Hall of the Ambassadors -whose architecture of the 15th century resembles Arab constructions- the scene where Jamie Lannister is presented before the King of Dorne due to his intentions to take Myrcella Baratheon to take her back to the King's Landing.

Another construction that served as the setting was La Alcazaba (Almería, Spain), the place where Varis, Ellaria Arena and Olenna Tyrell meet at the end of the sixth season.

This citadel is considered one of the largest in the Iberian Peninsula, whose construction dates back a little more than a millennium.

References

1. Avila, Alejandro. From Dorne to Vaes Dothrak: all the settings of Game of Thrones in Andalusia. (2016). In the diary. Retrieved: May 2, 2018. In El Diario de eldiario.es.
2. Martell House. (sf). On a Wiki of Ice and Fire. Retrieved: May 02, 2018. In Hielo y Fuego de iceyfuego.wikia.com.
3. Martell House. (sf). On Wikipedia. Retrieved: May 02, 2018. In Wikipedia at es.wikipedia.org.
4. Dorne. (sf). On Game of Thrones Wiki. Retrieved: May 2, 2018. On Game of Thrones Wiki at gameofthrones.wikia.com.
5. Dorne. (sf). On a Wiki of Ice and Fire. Retrieved: May 2, 2018. On Ice and Fire Wiki by ice and fire.wikia.com.
6. Rhoynar. (sf). On a Wiki of Ice and Fire. Retrieved: May 2, 2018. On Ice and Fire Wiki by ice and fire.wikia.com.