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{{Hatnote|For the ruined pyramid in Old Ghis, see [[Great Pyramid of Ghis]]}}
[[File:Martina Pilcerova GreatPyr.jpg|The Great Pyramid. © FFG|thumb|300px|right]]
The '''Great Pyramid''' of [[Meereen]] is a massive structure that serves as the administrative center of Meereen. It is 800 feet tall (roughly 241 meters),{{Ref|aSoS|57}}<ref>The [[w:Great Pyramid of Giza|Great Pyramid of Giza]] was initially only 481 feet tall (146 meters) and erosion has diminished its height. No historic human structure reached or exceeded the height of 800 feet until the completion of the [[w:Eiffel Tower|Eiffel Tower]] in 1889.</ref> from its huge square base to the lofty apex.{{Ref|aDwD|2}}  A huge bronze harpy once stood at the apex.{{Ref|aSoS|57}}  

==About==
[[‎‎File:Marc Fishman SerBSelmy.jpg|Ser [[Barristan Selmy]] atop the Great Pyramid awaiting the return of Queen [[Daenerys Targaryen]] - by Marc Fishman © |thumb|300px|right]]
The Great Pyramid was built as an echo to the [[Great Pyramid of Ghis]]. Like its ancient predecessor, the Great Pyramid in Meereen has thirty-three levels, a number which is considered to be sacred to the gods of Ghis.{{Ref|aDwD|67}} Although [[Meereen]] has a score of lesser pyramids, none stand even half as tall.{{Ref|aSoS|71}}

The foundations of the pyramid are massive and thick, supporting the weight of the huge structure overhead. The interior walls are three times thicker than any castle's [[w:Curtain wall (fortification)|curtain walls]].{{Ref|adwd|68}} The servant's steps are the quickest way up and down the pyramid. These narrow, steep, and straight stairs are hidden within the thick brick walls.{{Ref|adwd|11}} The walls in the heart of the pyramid are eight feet thick.{{Ref|adwd|67}} The outer walls are thirty feet thick (9.14 meters); they muffle the tumult of the streets and keep the heat outside. Consequently, it is  cool and dim within.{{Ref|adwd|11}}{{Ref|aDwD|43}}

The pyramid's main doors are closed and barred at sunset, opening only at first light the next day.{{Ref|adwd|55}}{{Ref|adwd|68}}

==Layout==
[[File:pyramid_meereen.jpg|300px|thumb|right|The Great Pyramid from above in ''[[Game of Thrones]]'']]

The Great Pyramid boasts three-and-thirty levels, a number sacred to the Gods of [[Ghis]].{{Ref|aDwD|67}} On the ground level stables, stalls, and storerooms are located.{{ref|adwd|11}} The stables in the western walls hold horses, mules, and donkeys, while the stables in the eastern walls hold elephants.{{Ref|adwd|43}} On the second level, the armory is located,{{Ref|aDwD|67}} as are the chambers occupied by [[Reznak mo Reznak]] during the reign of Queen [[Daenerys Targaryen]].{{Ref|aDwD|55}} 
A training hall is located on the third level.{{ref|ADWD|55}} During Daenerys's absence following the events in [[Daznak's Pit]], her husband and consort, King [[Hizdahr zo Loraq]] takes chambers in the heart of the pyramid, on the sixteenth and seventeenth levels.{{ref|adwd|67}} During his stay in Meereen, Prince [[Quentyn Martell]] is given rooms on the thirtieth floor, two levels below the audience hall, which is located on the thirty-second level.{{Ref|adwd|59}} The private chambers of Queen Daenerys Targaryen are in the apex of the pyramid, on the thirty-third floor.{{Ref|Adwd|36}}{{Ref|asos|71}}

Underneath the pyramid are vaults with cisterns, dungeons, and torture chambers.{{Ref|Adwd|11}} 

===The Apex ===
:{{main|queen's apartments (Great Pyramid)}}
[[Daenerys Targaryen]]'s keeps her [[Queen's apartments (Great Pyramid)|private chambers]] (or queen's apartments) in the lofty apex of the pyramid on the highest step.  Her chambers are surrounded by greenery and fragrant pools.{{Ref|aDwD|36}}  There are low brick parapets.

=== The Hall ===
:{{main|audience chamber (Great Pyramid)}}
The queen’s splendorous audience chamber (or hall) is one level below her apartments, {{Ref|aSoS|71}} down a broad [[marble]] stair.{{Ref|aDwD|2}} It is an echoing, high-ceilinged room with tiles and walls of purple marble. Tall candles burn amongst the purple marble pillars{{Ref|aDwD|30}}, [[Unsullied]] stand with their backs to the pillars. {{Ref|aDwD|2}} [[Daenerys Targaryen]] sits upon a plain ebony bench that she has made her throne, having broken up the previous throne of gilded wood carved in the shape of a harpy.{{Ref|aSoS|71}}

===The Heart===
:{{main|heart (Great Pyramid)}}
Massive brick walls surround a suite of rooms buried in the very heart of the pyramid on the sixteenth and seventeenth levels. {{Ref|aDwD|55}} {{Ref|aDwD|67}} [[Hizdahr zo Loraq]] and the [[cupbearers of Daenerys Targaryen]] take up residence here during Daenerys' absence. {{Ref|aDwD|55}} The king’s chambers are dark and windowless, surrounded on all sides by brick walls 8 feet thick (2, 44 meters). Great beams of black [[oak]] support the high ceilings.{{Ref|aDwD|67}}

===The Base===
:{{main| base (Great Pyramid)}}
Located at ground level the base of the pyramid is a hushed place, full of dust and shadows.  Within the ground level walls, sounds echo off arches of many coloured brick, and amongst the stables, stalls, and storerooms.  {{Ref|aDwD|11}} [[Horse]]s - including Daenerys' mare [[the Silver]]) - mules and donkeys are stabled in the western walls, [[elephants]] in the eastern. Currently there are only 3 elephants stabled within the Pyramid. {{Ref|aDwD|43}} {{Ref|aDwD|55}} Daenerys’s wedding procession formed up inside the gates.

===The Pit (Dragon Pit)===
:{{main|Dragon pit (Great Pyramid)}}
The pit of the Great Pyramid is 40 feet deep (12.19 meters) and large enough to hold 500 men. {{Ref|aDwD|11}}  Until [[Daenerys Targaryen]]'s arrival the [[Great Masters]] used the pit in the Great Pyramid as a prison.  The pit becomes a makeshift dragon pit when the queen’s dragons [[Viserion]] and [[Rhaegal]] are enclosed and chained up inside.

===The Dungeons===
:{{main| Dungeons (Great Pyramid)}}
There are dungeons and torture chambers in proximity to the dragon pit. {{Ref|aDwD|68}} [[Archibald Yronwood]] and [[Gerris Drinkwater]] were confined there due to their role in the escape of the dragons. Other members of the [[Windblown]], feigned deserters, are also imprisoned in the dungeons.

==Recent Events==
[[‎‎File:Tom Garden Plaza of Pride IIIII.png|At the gates of Meereen, the enormous harpy is visible atop the Great Pyramid. © FFG|thumb|350px|right]]
===''A Storm of Swords''===
When [[Daenerys Targaryen]] arrives at [[Meereen]], she can see the top of the Great Pyramid from outside the city's walls. The [[sellsword]] [[Daario Naharis]], upon seeing the great bronze harpy on top, declares that the harpy is a craven thing.{{Ref|aSoS|57}}

After Meereen is [[Siege of Meereen|conquered]], Daenerys orders the huge bronze harpy atop the Great Pyramid to be taken down. She takes the pyramid as her own seat.{{Ref|asos|71}}

===''A Dance with Dragons''===
After the death of [[Hazzea]],{{Ref|Adwd|2}} Daenerys orders her three [[dragon]]s captured. [[Viserion]] and [[Rhaegal]] are succesfully caught, and locked within a pit underneath the pyramid.{{Ref|Adwd|11}}

As befits his status as Daenerys's only [[Queensguard]] [[knight]], Ser [[Barristan Selmy]] is given rooms near Daenerys's chambers at the apex of the pyramid. Subsequently, he makes the climb up and down the Great Pyramid five or six times a day on the queen's business, which leaves him with pain in his knees and back. Ser Barristan feels his age when he climbs and fears that one day climbing the stairs will prove beyond his powers.{{Ref|aDwD|55}}

Due to the thickness of the walls [[Viserion]] is able to carve a hole in the walls of the dragon pit, which serve as his own personal dragon's lair.{{Ref|aDwD|68}}

Ser [[Barristan Selmy]] constructs a beacon at the pyramid's apex, there where the harpy once stood. The beacon consists of dry wood, soaked with oil, and is covered to keep the rain off. He intends to light the beacon when the time to attack [[Second siege of Meereen|the besiegers arrives]]. The flames will be the signals for the forces of [[Meereen]] to pour out of the city gates and attack their besiegers.{{Ref|aDwD|70}}

==Quotes==
{{Quote| Up here in her garden Dany sometimes felt like a god, living atop the highest mountain in the world. Do all gods feel so lonely? {{Ref|aSoS|71}}|Queen [[Daenerys Targaryen]], in contemplation, atop the Great Pyramid}}

==References==
{{references}}

[[Category:Pyramids]]
[[Category:Places in Meereen]]
[[Category:Great Pyramid (Meereen)| ]]

[[fr:Grande Pyramide de Meereen]]
[[ru:Великая пирамида Миэрина]]