The story's setting is based on the 6th century Mediterranean world, and the looming conflict between the Eastern Roman Empire and the Ostrogothic kingdom of Italy that had replaced the Western Roman Empire. Varena, the capital of Batiara, alludes to Ravenna, the Ostrogothic capital, while Sarantium, the capital of Bataria, is inspired by Byzantium or Constantinople. The novels "The Lions of Al-Rassan", "The Last Light of the Sun", and "A Brightness Long Ago" also take place in that unnamed world, although in different settings. In the series the audience is also briefly acquainted with the character Ashar ibn Ashar, who is the creator of the Asharite religion seen in "The Lions of Al-Rassan". The seeds of change for the great empire based in Sarantium are thus already being sown even at the height of its power and prestige.