The Dothraki and Their Role in the Power Struggles of Ghiscari and Valyrian Empires

The Dothraki, nomadic horse-riders from the vast grasslands known as the Dothraki Sea, have often been overlooked in discussions about the power struggles involving the Ghiscari Empire and the Valyrian Freehold. Despite their formidable reputation, the Dothraki were not prominent threats to these empires for several strategic reasons including geographical barriers, cultural differences, and historical context.

Geographical Separation and Barriers

One of the primary reasons the Dothraki were not mentioned as a significant threat is the vast geographical separation between their territories and those of the Ghiscari and Valyria. The Dothraki Sea, located to the east of the Ghiscari Empire and south of Valyria, was largely separated from established urban centers by natural barriers such as mountains and deserts. These geographical barriers limited direct interaction and conflict between the Dothraki and these more established powers, thereby reducing their perceived threat.

Cultural Differences and Military Capabilities

The cultural differences between the Dothraki and the Ghiscari and Valyrians further contributed to the lack of significant threat posed by the Dothraki. The Dothraki society is fundamentally nomadic and nomadic horse-riding, centered around a warrior culture and a lifestyle built on herding and raiding. In contrast, the Ghiscari and Valyrians were more urbanized, focused on trade, slavery, and organized military forces through conquest. The Ghiscari and Valyrian cities and fortifications were designed to withstand and defeat the types of attacks the Dothraki could launch. Thus, the Dothraki's military tactics and approach to conflict did not align with the established methods and strengths of these powerful empires.

Historical Context and Timing

The historical context also played a crucial role in the Dothraki's lack of prominence as a threat. By the time the Dothraki began to exert more influence, the Ghiscari Empire was already in decline due to internal issues and the declining power of the Valyrian Freehold after the Doom of Valyria. The Doom, an event that occurred around 400 years before the events described in the books and TV series, marked the fall of Valyria, paving the way for the Dothraki to expand their influence without immediate challenges from those powers.

Valyrian Capabilities and Dragons

Furthermore, the presence of dragons in the Valyrian Freehold significantly constrained the Dothraki as a threat. The Valyrians' mastery over dragons would have made them formidable adversaries. If the Valyrians had spread their influence too widely, they could have potentially faced internal political fragmentation and multiple challenges from competing factions, including the Dothraki. However, with the dragons, these threats could be managed or neutralized, thus making the Dothraki less of a perceived threat than if they faced an empire without such formidable magical powers.

Conclusion

Combining the geographical separation, cultural differences, historical context, and the presence of dragons in the Valyrian Freehold, it becomes clear why the Dothraki were not mentioned as a significant threat in the power struggles involving the Ghiscari Empire and the Valyrian Freehold. These strategic factors collectively contributed to the Dothraki playing a more peripheral role in the broader historical narrative.