The Number of Soldiers in Game of Thrones: Westeros and Essos

The world of Game of Thrones is filled with political intrigue, feudal warfare, and military strategies. One of the most intriguing aspects of the series is the size and composition of the armies in the regions of Westeros and Essos. Let's explore the numbers and draw analogies to provide a clearer picture.

Understanding the Army Numbers in Westeros

Far from the walls of King's Landing, the standing armies in Westeros are a fraction of the total population of each region. Unlike a standing army with professional soldiers, these regions rely on conscripting smallfolk and feudal obligations.

For example, Jon Snow mentions that King's Landing has a population similar to the North, which is estimated to be around one million. However, the majority of these troops are conscripts or peasant levies, making them unsuitable for a sustained conflict. The comparison to contemporary nations can provide some insight. According to statistics, about 2% of a country's population might be in active military service at any given time, but this number can fluctuate.

The Feudal System in Westeros

Westeros' feudal system means that the number of soldiers a region can field depends on the resources of its lords and the willingness of their vassals to fight. Here are the estimated numbers of soldiers that each region can field:

The North: 40,000
The lands of the North can call upon a significant number of soldiers, thanks to the Starks' strong influence and allegiance of their regions.

The Vale: 40,000
Vulture and river men are known for their fierce fighting abilities, providing a substantial standing army.

The Riverlands: 25-30,000
This region, while ravaged by war, has a large population and strategically located along critical waterways, making a formidable force.

The Westerlands: 50,000
Robb Stark's famous adage, "Every man in the Seven Kingdoms is a Westerman at heart," underscores the wealth and resourcefulness of the Westerlands, providing a large, well-equipped army.

The Stormlands: 20-30,000
Despite the Stormlands' tumultuous history, their coastal locations and strategic positions allow them to amass a decent force.

The Reach: 100,000
The Reach, with its fertile fields and rich harvests, can quickly field a large number of troops, as seen during the Dance of the Dragons.

Dorne: 30-50,000
Lying in the south, Dorne's desert-like landscapes test the endurance of their fighters, making them a resilient and formidable force.

The Iron Islands: 20,000 plus 100 longships
The Ironborn, with their experience in ship-based warfare, have a small but highly skilled standing army and more longships for naval engagements.

Essos: A Vast Landscape with Uncertain Numbers

Compared to Westeros, the numbers and composition of armies in Essos are far more complex and variable. The continent stretches from Pentos and Braavos in the west to the Dothraki Sea and the Bone Mountains in the east, encompassing a vast array of cities, lands, and cultures.

Most of the Free Cities, such as Tyroshi and Braavosi, rely on hired mercenaries, which are numerous and diverse. The Golden Company, one of the largest and most powerful sellswords, has a reported strength of up to 10,000 men. Many other sellsword companies range from a few hundred to several thousand mercenaries as well.

Yi Ti and the city-states east of the Bone Mountains are equally challenging to gauge. These regions are less well-documented in the series, so the exact numbers of the armies here are unknown. However, it is reasonable to assume that these regions could contribute several million additional soldiers to the overall total of Essos.

The Impact of Historical Anecdotes and Modern Analyses

To give a sense of the sheer scale of these numbers, consider historical examples like Rome's use of slave conscription and modern Israel's militarization of its population. The latter provides a stark comparison, with about 80% of the population between the ages of 18 and 22 potentially being part of the military. Even with this high percentage, it's clear that such numbers are sustainable only for short campaigns, emphasizing the challenge of sustaining long-term, large-scale military operations.

Ultimately, the total number of soldiers in both Westeros and Essos is a matter of speculation based on the series and historical comparisons. However, the sheer size and diversity of these armies make them significant players in the ongoing power struggles and conflicts across the Seven Kingdoms and the old continents.