Game Of Thrones: 12 Easter Eggs You Probably Missed In Season 5

The historical parallels in Game Of Thrones aren't limited to the exploits of American football teams either, as character's endure turmoil drawn straight from the pages of the annals. That includes biblical figures too, as season 5's more eclesiastically-leaning fans would have noticed.

Having established himself as the people's king, Stannis Baratheon went through a season from hell, compelled by Melisandre's visions down a road that eventually lead to the large scale deaths of his men, the desertion of most of the rest, the evaporation of his kingly claim, the death of his family (by his own decisions) and Melisandre's desertion. Long and short, he was doomed.

And while a lot of fans have jumped on him as a new villain, it's more appropriate to think of him as a man blinded and constricted by faith. He's the Westerosi version of the Bible's Job, and his suffering is not only a test, but also an arrogant flexing of his God's muscles.

There's also a lot in Shireen's death that seems drawn from the biblical story of Jephthah’s daughter, who is offered as sacrifice to God in return for military strength and victory in battle, even down to the method of killing.