Editing Meereen (section)

==City==
===Location===
Meereen, the northernmost of the [[slaver cities]] of [[Slaver's Bay]], is located on the northeast coast at the mouth of the [[Skahazadhan]].<ref>''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[Map of Valyria (A Dance with Dragons)|Map of Valyria]]</ref> The [[Dothraki sea]] lies to the north, beyond the river. To reach [[Lhazar]] from Meereen one must pass through the [[Khyzai Pass]].{{Ref|ADWD|2}} By the old Ghiscari coastal road, [[Yunkai]] is somewhat more than fifty leagues to the south, and Astapor another hundred more; in total, the distance between Meereen and [[Astapor]] is between a hundred-and-fifty and two hundred leagues.{{Ref|ADWD|25}}{{Ref|ADWD|30}}<ref group="N">According to Quentyn Martell, "It was a hundred leagues from Astapor to Yunkai by the old Ghiscari coast road, and another fifty from Yunkai to Meereen." (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 25|The Windblown]]). According to Daenerys Targaryen, however, "two hundred leagues divided Meereen from Astapor" (''[[A Dance with Dragons]]'', [[A Dance with Dragons-Chapter 30|Daenerys V]]), giving a count of fifty leagues more. There are at least a hundred and sixty-three miles between Yunkai and Meereen (''[[A Storm of Swords]]'', [[A Storm of Swords-Chapter 57|Daenerys VII]]), which results in ~54 leagues (one league being three miles ([[So Spake Martin]]: [http://www.westeros.org/Citadel/SSM/Entry/2787 The Size of Westeros (April 17, 2008)])).</ref>

Meereen’s hinterlands consist of all the land west of Lhazar, which includes hills and a range of rounded sandstone mountains,{{Ref|ADWD|2}} as far south as the Yunkish hills.{{Ref|ADWD|16}}

===Layout===
{{See also|:Category:Images of Meereen|l1=Images of Meereen}}
[[File:Tom Garden Plaza of Pride IIIII.png|thumb|350px|The city of Meereen, by Tom Garden © Fantasy Flight Games]]
Meereen is the largest{{Ref|ASOS|57}} and most formidable of the cities along [[Slaver's Bay]],{{Ref|TWOIAF|Ancient History: The Rise of Valyria}} being as large as [[Astapor]] and [[Yunkai]] combined. Like them, the city is made of brick, but unlike Astapor and Yunkai, Meereen's bricks are of many different colors.{{Ref|ASOS|57}} Within the city there are narrow twisty alleys and wide brick streets, temples, granaries, hovels, palaces, brothels, baths, gardens, fountains, and fighting pits.{{Ref|ASOS|71}}

====Defenses====
Meereen's walls are higher than Yunkai's and Astapor's,{{Ref|ASOS|57}}{{Ref|ADWD|30}} thicker than Astapor's{{Ref|ADWD|30}} and better maintained than Yunkai's{{Ref|ASOS|57}}, studded with bastions and anchored by great defensive towers at every angle.{{Ref|ASOS|57}} The city's north wall runs along the bank of the [[Skahazadhan]], its west along the bay shore.{{Ref|ASOS|57}} The river wall is a few feet higher than the others.{{Ref|ASOS|57}} Upon the walls, rows of [[bronze]] harpy heads with open mouths are positioned, from which the Meereenese can squirt boiling oil out upon any attacker below.{{Ref|ASOS|57}}

The city's wastes are carried into the Skahazadhan by great brick sewers. These sewers are closed off with iron gates, although some have rusted through.{{Ref|ASOS|57}} The Meereenese do not drink the water from the river, drinking instead water gathered from wells.{{ref|ASOS|57}}

====Pyramids====
The nobility of Meereen lives in the stepped [[pyramid]]s. The greatest of them all is the [[Great Pyramid]], located on Meereen's central [[plaza]],{{Ref|ADWD|68}} which stands eight hundred feet tall.{{ref|ASOS|57}} There are a score of lesser pyramids in the city, but none stand even half as high.{{Ref|ASOS|71}} The Great Pyramid has a great bronze harpy on top of its apex.{{Ref|ASOS|57}}{{ref|ASOS|71}}

The pyramids are built in the colors of the noble house occupying them: the [[pyramid of Pahl]] is pink-and-white, the [[pyramid of Naqqan]] is green-and-black,{{Ref|ADWD|52}} and the great [[pyramid of Rhazdar]] is yellow-and-green.{{Ref|ADWD|60}} The [[pyramid of Kandaq]] is said to be modest.{{Ref|ADWD|55}} Poorer districts are located between the pyramids.{{ref|ADWD|2}}

====Fighting pits====
Meereen has multiple [[fighting pits of Meereen|fighting pits]] scattered across the city.{{Ref|ADWD|52}} These include [[Daznak's Pit]], the [[Pit of Ghrazz]], and the [[Golden Pit]].{{Ref|ADWD|70}} Daznak's Pit, the largest of all,{{Ref|ADWD|52}} is located west from the Great Pyramid.{{Ref|ADWD|52}} 

====Markets====
Meereen has several markets,{{Ref|ADWD|55}} including a spice market where the [[Purple Lotus]] is located, near the pyramid of Rhazdar.{{Ref|ADWD|60}}

{{Warning/twow}}
A market square inside the great western gate houses Meereen's ancient Slave Exchange, the merchant's arcade that fronts on the southern side of the square, and the weathered bronze statue of the [[Chainmaker]]. Not far from the statue is the ghastly monument the Great Masters call the [[Spire of Skulls]].<ref name="Barristan">''[[The Winds of Winter]]'', [[Barristan I (The Winds of Winter)|Barristan I]]</ref>

====Other locations====
The [[Temple of the Graces]], home to the priestesses of the city, is located west of the Great Pyramid. It is a huge structure topped with golden domes.{{Ref|ADWD|2}}

A great bronze harpy can be found in the [[Plaza of Purification]].{{Ref|ADWD|2}}

Another location in Meereen is [[Mazdhan's Maze]].{{ref|ADWD|11}}

===Nature===
Olives grow along the shores of [[Slaver's Bay]].{{ref|ADWD|16}} Tall [[cedar]]s once grew along the coast, but were either cut down the [[Old Empire of Ghis]] or burned by [[dragonfire]] during the wars against the [[Valyrian Freehold]].{{Ref|ADWD|16}} On the terraces of Meereen's pyramids grow night-blooming flowers, [[lemon]] trees, and persimmon trees.{{Ref|ASOS|71}}{{Ref|ADWD|50}}

Multiple farmer's fields and wells can be found near the city. Numerous plants, including [[waspwillow]], dusky [[rose]]s, wild mint, lady's lace, [[daggerleaf]], broom, [[prickly ben]], and [[harpy's gold]] can be found beside the coastal road leading from Yunkai to Meereen.{{Ref|ASOS|57}}

===People===
Meereen's population is a fraction of what it was at the height of the power of the [[Old Empire of Ghis]].{{Ref|TWOIAF|Ancient History: The Rise of Valyria}} The Meereenese are a sly and stubborn people, and [[Meereenese language|their language]] is a bastard form of [[High Valyrian]] blended with [[Old Ghiscari]].{{Ref|ADWD|2}}{{Ref|ADWD|14}}{{Ref|ADWD|60}} They use the styles of "Your Worship",{{Ref|ASOS|71}}{{Ref|ADWD|11}}{{Ref|ADWD|16}} "Magnificence",{{Ref|ADWD|16}} and "His Radiance"{{Ref|ADWD|55}} to address their royalty.

====Nobility====
[[File:Martina PilcerovadaMeereenPyramids.jpg|thumb|350px|Pyramids of Meereen, by Martina Pilcerova © Fantasy Flight Games]]
Meereen is ruled by the [[Great Masters]], members of the old slaving families{{ref|ASOS|57}}{{Ref|ASOS|71}} who reside in formidable pyramids.{{ref|ADWD|23}} These families include the Houses of [[House of Dhazak|Dhazak]], [[House of Galare|Galare]], [[House of Ghazeen|Ghazeen]], [[House of Hazkar|Hazkar]], [[House of Kandaq|Kandaq]], [[House of Loraq|Loraq]], [[House of Merreq|Merreq]], [[House of Naqqan|Naqqan]], [[House of Pahl|Pahl]], [[House of Quazzar|Quazzar]], [[House of Reznak|Reznak]], [[House of Rhazdar|Rhazdar]], [[House of Uhlez|Uhlez]], [[House of Yherizan|Yherizan]], and [[House of Zhak|Zhak]].{{Ref|ADWD|2}}{{Ref|ADWD|36}}{{Ref|ADWD|52}}{{ref|ADWD|67}} The richest man of Meereen is from the House of Pahl, and another Pahl commands Meereen's city guard.{{Ref|ASOS|57}} Some nobles, like Zhak and Merreq, have estates in the hills.{{Ref|ADWD|11}}

Meereenese nobility wear the Ghiscari ''[[tokar]]'', a sign of wealth and power.{{Ref|ADWD|2}} Some old lines might prefer ''tokars'' of a specific color. For example, family members of the ancient line of Loraq favor ''tokars'' of purple, indigo, and lilac, and family members of the ancient line of [[House of Pahl|Pahl]] ''tokars'' of pink and white, the latter similar to the color of their pyramid.{{Ref|ADWD|52}} Women might [[Cosmetics|paint their nails]],{{Ref|ADWD|52}} while the men, like other Ghiscari men, tease their hair into horns, spikes, and wings using combs, [[wax]] and [[iron]]s.{{Ref|ADWD|2}}{{ref|ADWD|43}} Meereenese seldom ride within the city, preferring to use [[palanquin]]s, litters, and sedan chairs instead, carried by their slaves.{{ref|ADWD|43}} Ghiscari inter their honored dead in crypts below their manses.{{Ref|ASOS|71}} The bones of the deceased might otherwise be laid to rest in the Temple of the Graces, where men might light candles in their memory.{{Ref|ADWD|11}}

====Graces====
The priestesses of Meereen are known as [[Graces]]. The color of their robes indicates role they fulfill. There are green, white, pink, red, blue, gold, and purple graces.{{Ref|ADWD|43}} [[White Graces]] are girls of noble birth who are still too young to serve in the temple's pleasure gardens.{{Ref|ADWD|23}} The [[Red Graces]] serve in the gardens, where they wait every night until a man chooses them; should they not be chosen, they must remain until the sun comes up.{{Ref|ADWD|68}} The [[Blue Graces]] take care of the sick.{{Ref|ADWD|30}}{{Ref|ADWD|55}}

===Customs===
The Ghiscari love a course of [[dog]], and have multiple different ways to prepare it.{{ref|ADWD|36}}{{Ref|ADWD|50}}

====Fighting pits====
[[File:Meereenese Fighting Pit IL.png|thumb|350px|[[Fighting pits of Meereen]], by Ignacio Lazcano © Fantasy Flight Games]]
Combat which is profoundly religious in nature takes place in the [[fighting pits of Meereen]]. They are seen as a blood sacrifice to the gods of Ghis, as well as a display of courage, skill, and strength most pleasing to the gods. Victorious fighters are pampered and acclaimed, and the slain are honored and remembered, their names graven on the Gates of Fate amongst the other valiant fallen.{{Ref|ADWD|2}}{{Ref|ADWD|11}} Additionally, criminals can be condemned to die in the pits.{{Ref|ADWD|52}} For them, the pits represent a [[trial by battle|judgment by battle]], which gives them a last chance to prove their innocence.{{Ref|ADWD|2}}

Within the fighting pits, contests are held between men, women, children, and wild animals. These are alternated by follies. All animals killed during the contests and follies in the pits are made into a healthful stew for the hungry, and a bowl is given to every man who presents himself at the Gates of Fate.{{Ref|ADWD|52}}

====Weddings====
[[Ghiscari]] wedding [[custom]]s are still practiced in Meereen. The female relatives of the groom examine the bride's womb and female parts, to ensure her fertility. Three [[Graces]] witness this ancient ritual, reciting prayers. The bride is to be stripped completely naked for this purpose. After the examinations are done, the women eat a cake baked specially for betrothals, which men are forbidden to taste.{{Ref|ADWD|36}} Usually, the bride is to wash the groom's feet, signifying that she will be her husband's [[handmaid]].{{Ref|ADWD|36}} Under special circumstances, it might be the groom who washes the feet of the bride.{{Ref|ADWD|43}}

When [[Daenerys Targaryen]] marries [[Hizdahr zo Loraq]], she sits in an [[ivory]] chair whilst he washes her feet with water from a golden bowl, while fifty eunuchs sing to them.{{Ref|ADWD|43}} The bride traditionally wears a ''tokar'' of white silk, with dark red veils. The ''tokar'' is fringed with baby pearls, which symbolize fertility.{{Ref|ADWD|36}} Weddings of the highest nobility in Meereen takes place at the [[Temple of the Graces]]. The ceremony might last up to four hours, and when husband and wife emerge from the temple, they are bound together wrist and ankle with chains of yellow gold.{{Ref|ADWD|43}}

===Economy===
Meereen is a wealthy city,{{Ref|ASOS|71}} deeply involved in the [[slave]] trade.{{Ref|ADWD|16}} As in Yunkai, slave swordsmen in Meereen are cheaper than their swords.{{Ref|ASOS|23}} Warriors are bred and trained in the fighting pits,{{ref|ASOS|8}}{{Ref|ASOS|71}} and young boys and girls are trained in the brothels.{{ref|AGOT|61}} In Meereen, as in Yunkai, eunuchs are often made by removing only the testicles, leaving the penis.{{Ref|ASOS|23}}

The [[fighting pits of Meereen]] are far-famed across the world, drawing trade to the city.{{Ref|ADWD|2}}{{Ref|ADWD|50}} Meereen claims one-tenth of all the profits from the fighting pits, after expenses, as a tax, through which way the pits help to fill the city's coffers.{{Ref|ADWD|2}}

A Meereenese coin is called an "honor".{{Ref|ADWD|2}}

[[Copper]] is plentiful in the Ghiscari hills, and was valuable "when bronze ruled the world".{{Ref|ADWD|16}} The small pale yellow grapes native to the region produce a notably inferior [[wine]].{{Ref|ADWD|2}}{{Ref|ADWD|6}} Some nobles have estates in the Ghiscari hills, where slaves grow wheat and olives, herd sheep and goats, and mine salt and copper.{{Ref|ADWD|2}}