The highly anticipated Season 2 of “House of the Dragon” has reignited global interest in Westeros and the intricate history of House Targaryen. Premiering on June 16, 2024, the prequel series continues to captivate audiences with its tales of dragons, political intrigue, and the fiery Targaryens themselves. While viewership for the Season 2 premiere reached a substantial 7.8 million, it serves as a reminder of the immense popularity of the original “Game of Thrones,” which at its peak drew in 19.3 million viewers. Both series are deeply rooted in the lore created by George R.R. Martin, where the Targaryen family tree stands as a central pillar of Westeros’s history.
“House of the Dragon,” set nearly 200 years before “Game of Thrones,” plunges viewers into the Dance of Dragons, a brutal civil war that tore the Targaryen dynasty apart. This conflict arose from a disputed succession after the death of King Viserys Targaryen, dividing the family into two factions: the blacks, led by Rhaenyra Targaryen, and the greens, supporting Aegon II Targaryen. Understanding the relationships and lineage within this family is crucial for fully appreciating the nuances of both “House of the Dragon” and “Game of Thrones”.
The Targaryens, with their striking silver hair and ancient dragons, ruled Westeros for centuries after Aegon the Conqueror united the Seven Kingdoms. Known for their dragon-riding prowess and controversial practice of incest to maintain their bloodline’s purity, their reign shaped the world in which “Game of Thrones” unfolds. By the time of Robert Baratheon’s rebellion, the Targaryen dynasty was on the brink of extinction, with Daenerys Targaryen emerging as a key figure seeking to reclaim the Iron Throne. Even Jon Snow, initially presented as a Stark bastard, was revealed to be a Targaryen, adding another layer of complexity to the family’s enduring legacy.
This article delves into the Targaryen family tree as depicted in “Game of Thrones” and “House of the Dragon,” offering a comprehensive guide to the key figures and their connections. Prepare to navigate the intricate web of relationships that define this powerful and often volatile house.
Key Figures in the Targaryen Family Tree
Jaehaerys I Targaryen
Born: 34 AC
Died: 103 AC
Nickname: The Old King
Dragon: Vermithor
Family: Grandson of King Aegon the Conqueror; son of King Aenys; nephew of King Maegor; husband and brother of Queen Alysanne; grandfather of King Viserys
Played by: Michael Carter
Jaehaerys I Targaryen, the fourth Targaryen king, is a foundational figure in understanding the dynasty’s trajectory. His reign of 55 years was the longest and often considered the most prosperous in Targaryen history. Known as “The Wise” and “The Conciliator,” Jaehaerys brought peace and stability to the realm after the tumultuous reign of Maegor the Cruel. His decision to convene the Great Council to choose his heir, bypassing his eldest descendant Rhaenys in favor of his grandson Viserys, set the stage for the Dance of Dragons. This pivotal moment, depicted in the opening scenes of “House of the Dragon,” underscores how deeply rooted the seeds of conflict were within the Targaryen succession. Jaehaerys’s legacy is one of long rule and relative peace, but his succession choice ultimately sowed discord that would haunt his family for generations.
Viserys I Targaryen
House of the Dragon
Image Credit: HBO
Born: 77 AC
Died: 129 AC
Nickname: Viserys the Peaceful
Dragon: Balerion
Family: Cousin and husband to Queen Aemma; husband to Queen Alicent; brother to Daemon; cousin to Rhaenys; father to Rhaenyra, Aegon II, Aemond, Helaena and Daeron
Played by: Paddy Considine
Viserys I Targaryen, the fifth Targaryen king, inherited a kingdom at peace thanks to his grandfather Jaehaerys. Dubbed “Viserys the Peaceful,” his reign initially continued this era of prosperity. However, Viserys’s central conflict revolved around succession. Despite naming his daughter Rhaenyra as his heir, the realm was uneasy with the idea of a queen ruling. Driven by the desire for a male heir, and after the tragic death of his first wife Aemma Arryn, Viserys remarried Alicent Hightower, further complicating the line of succession with the birth of his sons, Aegon II and his brothers. His wavering and inconsistent decisions regarding his heir created deep divisions within his family and court, ultimately leading to the Dance of Dragons. On his deathbed, his cryptic words about “Aegon” and the “Prince That Was Promised,” misinterpreted by Alicent, served as the final catalyst for the civil war, showcasing how even a peaceful king could inadvertently ignite devastating conflict through familial strife.
Rhaenys Targaryen
Image Credit: HBO
Born: 74 AC
Died: 129 AC
Nickname: The Queen Who Never Was
Dragon: Meleys
Family: Cousin to King Viserys; wife of Lord Corlys Velaryon; mother of Laena and Laenor Velaryon; aunt of Rhaenyra
Played by: Eve Best
Rhaenys Targaryen, known as “The Queen Who Never Was,” represents the patriarchal norms of Westeros and the frustration of being overlooked due to gender. Despite being the elder descendant of Jaehaerys I, she was passed over twice for the Iron Throne, first in favor of her uncle Baelon and then her cousin Viserys. This rejection fueled a sense of resentment and ambition, though she remained a powerful figure through her marriage to Lord Corlys Velaryon. During the Dance of Dragons, Rhaenys firmly supported Rhaenyra’s claim, recognizing the injustice of her own exclusion and fighting for a female heir’s right to rule. Her dramatic death at Rook’s Rest, battling Aemond and Vhagar, underscored the high stakes and tragic losses of the civil war, solidifying her legacy as a formidable dragon rider and a symbol of thwarted ambition.
Daemon Targaryen
House of the Dragon
Image Credit: HBO
Born: 81 AC
Nickname: The Rogue Prince
Dragon: Caraxes
Family: Brother of King Viserys; husband of Laena Velaryon; father of Rhaena, Baela, Aegon III and Viserys II; uncle and husband to Rhaenyra
Played by: Matt Smith
Daemon Targaryen, the younger brother of Viserys I, is a complex and charismatic figure, embodying both heroism and ruthlessness. Known as “The Rogue Prince,” Daemon was a formidable warrior, skilled with his Valyrian steel sword Dark Sister, and fiercely ambitious. Passed over for the throne, he sought glory and power elsewhere, conquering the Stepstones and declaring himself king. His tumultuous relationship with Viserys, marked by both loyalty and rivalry, and his passionate, often volatile nature made him unpredictable and dangerous. His marriage to his niece Rhaenyra cemented his position as a key player in the Dance of Dragons, leading the blacks with his dragon Caraxes and his strategic cunning. Daemon’s actions, driven by ambition, love, and a thirst for power, are central to the unfolding drama of “House of the Dragon” and the Targaryen civil war.
Rhaenyra Targaryen
Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen in HBO
Image Credit: Ollie Upton / HBO
Born: 97 AC
Nickname: The Realm’s Delight; The Whore of Dragonstone; The Pretender; King Meagor With Teats
Dragon: Syrax
Family: Daughter of King Viserys and Queen Aemma; stepdaughter of Queen Alicent; wife of Laenor Velaryon; lover of Criston Cole and Harwin Strong; niece and wife to Daemon; half-sister to Aegon II, Aemond and Heleana; mother of Jacaerys, Lucerys, Joffrey, Aegon III and Viserys II
Played by: Emma D’Arcy and Milly Alcock (younger)
Rhaenyra Targaryen, Viserys I’s only living child at the start of his reign, was named heir to the Iron Throne, breaking precedent and challenging Westerosi tradition. Initially hailed as “The Realm’s Delight,” her claim was contested upon the birth of her half-brother Aegon II, creating a succession crisis that fractured the kingdom. Rhaenyra’s determination to defend her birthright and become the first queen regnant of Westeros drove her to lead the black faction in the Dance of Dragons. Her personal life, including the disputed paternity of her eldest sons and her marriage to Daemon, became political fodder used by her enemies to undermine her claim. Despite facing betrayals and hardships, Rhaenyra remained a central figure, embodying the struggle for female power in a patriarchal society, and her story is at the heart of “House of the Dragon.”
Aegon II Targaryen
Born: 107 AC
Nickname: Aegon the Elder; Aegon the Usurper
Dragon: Sunfyre
Family: Son of King Viserys and Queen Alicent; brother of Aemond, Helaena and Daeron; half-brother of Rhaenyra; uncle to Jacaerys and Lucerys; father of Jaehaerys, Jaehaera and Maelor
Played by: Tom Glynn-Carney and Ty Tennant (younger)
Aegon II Targaryen, Viserys I’s eldest son with Alicent Hightower, became the figurehead of the green faction and Rhaenyra’s primary rival. Crowned king after Viserys’s death in a swift move by the greens, Aegon II’s claim was based on traditional male primogeniture, directly challenging Rhaenyra’s previously established heirship. Often portrayed as less capable and less interested in ruling than Rhaenyra, Aegon II was nonetheless thrust into the role of king and leader of the greens during the Dance of Dragons. His reign was marked by war and brutality, and his personal flaws and insecurities contributed to the escalating conflict. Aegon II represents the traditionalist view of succession and the challenge to Rhaenyra’s progressive claim, making him a key antagonist in the Targaryen civil war.
Aemond Targaryen
Aemond Targaryen
Born: 110 AC
Nickname: Aemond One-Eye; Aemond the Kinslayer
Dragon: Vhagar
Family: Son of King Viserys and Queen Alicent; brother of King Aegon II, Helaena and Daeron; half-brother of Rhaenyra; uncle to Jacaerys and Lucerys
Played by: Ewan Mitchell and Leo Ashton (younger)
Aemond Targaryen, Aegon II’s younger brother, is a formidable and menacing figure, driven by ambition and resentment. Known as “Aemond One-Eye” after losing an eye in a childhood fight with Lucerys Velaryon, Aemond is a skilled warrior and dragon rider, claiming the massive dragon Vhagar. His rivalry with Rhaenyra’s sons, particularly Lucerys, is a central catalyst for the Dance of Dragons. Aemond’s pursuit and killing of Lucerys at Storm’s End ignited the civil war in full force. Ruthless and determined, Aemond becomes a key military commander for the greens, his dragon Vhagar a devastating force in battle. His character embodies the escalating violence and personal vendettas that define the Dance of Dragons.
Helaena Targaryen
Born: 109 AC
Dragon: Dreamfyre
Family: Daughter of King Viserys and Queen Alicent; sister and wife to Aegon II; sister to Aemond and Daeron; mother of Jaehaerys, Jaehaera and Maelor
Played by: Phia Saban and Evie Allen (younger)
Helaena Targaryen, the only daughter of Viserys and Alicent, is a more gentle and enigmatic figure within the green faction. Married to her brother Aegon II, she is the mother of Jaehaerys, Jaehaera, and Maelor. Helaena is characterized by her peculiar pronouncements, often interpreted as prophecies, adding a mystical element to the unfolding events. While not directly involved in the political machinations or battles, Helaena and her children become tragic victims of the war, particularly with the “Blood and Cheese” incident, highlighting the devastating human cost of the Targaryen conflict. Her prophetic nature and vulnerability make her a poignant figure amidst the brutality of the Dance of Dragons.
Jaehaerys, Jaehaera and Maelor Targaryen
Helaena kids
Born: 123 AC and 127 AC
Died: 129 AC (Jaehaerys)
Family: Children of Aegon and Helaena
Jaehaerys, Jaehaera, and Maelor Targaryen are the young children of Aegon II and Helaena. Their presence in “House of the Dragon” underscores the familial stakes of the civil war. Jaehaerys, the eldest son and heir to Aegon II, is brutally murdered in the “Blood and Cheese” incident, a retaliatory act orchestrated by Daemon Targaryen, showcasing the escalating cycle of violence and revenge. Jaehaera and Maelor, though surviving the initial stages of the war, are also caught in the crossfire, symbolizing the tragic impact of the Dance of Dragons on innocent lives and the future of House Targaryen.
Jacaerys Velaryon
Born: 114 AC
Nickname: Jace
Dragon: Vermax
Family: Son of Rhaenyra and Laenor Velaryon or Harwin Strong; brother of Lucerys and Joffrey; nephew to King Aegon II and Aemond
Played by: Harry Collett and Leo Hart (younger)
Jacaerys Velaryon, Rhaenyra’s eldest son, is presented as her heir and a key commander for the black faction. Despite rumors surrounding his paternity, Jacaerys is loyal to his mother and fights valiantly for her claim. Riding his dragon Vermax, he proves to be a capable leader, rallying support for Rhaenyra and engaging in strategic planning. His betrothal to Baela Targaryen strengthens the alliance between the Targaryens and House Velaryon. Jacaerys represents the next generation of Targaryen leadership on Rhaenyra’s side, carrying the burden of his mother’s ambitions and fighting to secure her claim to the Iron Throne.
Lucerys Velaryon
Luke
Born: 115 AC
Died: 129 AC
Nickname: Luke
Dragon: Arrax
Family: Son of Rhaenyra and Laenor Velaryon or Harwin Strong; brother of Jacaerys and Joffrey; nephew to King Aegon II and Aemond
Played by: Elliot Grihault and Harvey Sadler (younger)
Lucerys Velaryon, Rhaenyra’s second son, plays a pivotal role in triggering the full-scale Dance of Dragons. Sent as an envoy to Storm’s End, Lucerys is confronted by Aemond Targaryen, escalating a long-standing rivalry. Despite attempting to avoid conflict, Lucerys and his dragon Arrax are pursued and killed by Aemond and Vhagar. Lucerys’s death is a turning point, igniting Rhaenyra’s fury and solidifying the descent into open war. His tragic demise underscores the personal cost of the Targaryen conflict and the irreversible consequences of escalating family feuds.
Joffrey Velaryon
Born: 126 AC
Nickname: Joff
Family: Son of Rhaenyra and Laenor Velaryon or Harwin Strong; brother of Jacaerys and Lucerys; nephew to King Aegon II and Aemond
Joffrey Velaryon, Rhaenyra’s youngest son, is less prominent in the initial stages of the Dance of Dragons but represents the younger generation caught up in the conflict. Named after Joffrey Lonmouth, Laenor Velaryon’s slain lover, his name itself carries a layer of family history and potential scandal. Joffrey, along with his younger half-brothers Aegon III and Viserys II, is sent to Essos for safety during the war, highlighting the efforts to protect the future Targaryen lineage amidst the chaos of the Dance of Dragons.
Aegon III and Viserys II Targaryen
House of the Dragon
Image Credit: HBO
Born: 120 AC and 122 AC
Nicknames: Aegon the Younger
Family: Children of Rhaenyra and Daemon
Aegon III and Viserys II Targaryen, Rhaenyra’s sons with Daemon, represent the future of the Targaryen dynasty after the Dance of Dragons. Aegon III, known as Aegon the Younger, eventually becomes king after the civil war, inheriting a fractured and weakened realm. Viserys II, though younger, also plays a significant role in later Targaryen history, serving as Hand of the King and eventually becoming king himself. Their survival and subsequent reigns demonstrate the resilience of the Targaryen line even after the devastating Dance of Dragons, and their story extends beyond the events of “House of the Dragon”.
Rhaena and Baela Targaryen
Born: 116 AC
Dragon: Moondancer (Baela)
Nickname: Dragon Twins
Family: Daughters of Daemon and Laena; cousins of Jacaerys, Lucerys, Joffrey, Aegon II, Aemond, Helaena and Daeron
Played by: Phoebe Campbell and Eva Ossei-Gerning (younger); Bethany Antonia and Shani Smethurst (younger)
Rhaena and Baela Targaryen, Daemon’s twin daughters with Laena Velaryon, are strong female figures within the black faction. Known as the “Dragon Twins,” both are dragon riders and actively participate in the Dance of Dragons. Baela, riding Moondancer, is particularly involved in the fighting, while Rhaena’s role is less directly combative but still supportive of Rhaenyra’s cause. Their betrothals to Jacaerys and Lucerys Velaryon were intended to solidify the Targaryen-Velaryon alliance, and they represent the women who take up arms and fight for their family’s cause during the civil war.
Maester Aemon
Maester Aemon
Image Credit: HBO
Born: 198 AC
Died: 300 AC
Nickname: Aemon Targaryen
Family: Son of King Maekar I and Dyanna Dayne; brother of King Aegon V; great-great uncle of Daenerys; great-great-great uncle of Jon Snow
Played by: Peter Vaughan
Maester Aemon, a beloved character from “Game of Thrones,” represents a hidden branch of the Targaryen family tree. Secretly Aemon Targaryen, he renounced his claim to the Iron Throne to join the Night’s Watch, distancing himself from the political intrigues of King’s Landing. His wisdom and guidance to Jon Snow at the Wall are crucial in “Game of Thrones.” Aemon’s Targaryen heritage is largely forgotten by Westeros, but his presence serves as a reminder of the vast and sprawling nature of the Targaryen lineage, extending far beyond the main players in the Dance of Dragons.
Three-Eyed Raven
Born: Unknown
Died: 303 AC
Nickname: Brynden Rivers; Bloodraven
Family: Legitimized bastard son of King Aegon IV and Melissa Blackwood
Played by: Max van Sydow and Struan Rodger (previously)
The Three-Eyed Raven, a mystical figure in “Game of Thrones,” is revealed to be Brynden Rivers, also known as Bloodraven, another Targaryen descendant. As a legitimized bastard son of Aegon IV, Brynden was involved in the Blackfyre Rebellions before joining the Night’s Watch and eventually becoming the Three-Eyed Raven. His connection to the Targaryen family is through the bastard lines, showcasing how the Targaryen bloodline spread through various branches, some known and some hidden. The Three-Eyed Raven’s mystical role in “Game of Thrones” adds another dimension to the Targaryen legacy, linking them to ancient magic and the history of Westeros.
Aerys II Targaryen
Aerys Mad King
Image Credit: HBO
Born: 244 AC
Died: 283 AC
Nickname: The Mad King; King Scab
Family: Son of King Jaehaerys II and Queen Shaera; Father of Rhaegar, Viserys and Daenerys; husband and brother of Queen Rhaella; grandfather of Jon Snow
Played by: David Rintoul
Aerys II Targaryen, “The Mad King,” is the Targaryen ruler whose reign directly precedes the events of “Game of Thrones.” His descent into madness, fueled by incest and paranoia, led to tyranny and instability, culminating in Robert’s Rebellion. Aerys’s actions, including the execution of Lord Rickard Stark and Brandon Stark, sparked the rebellion that overthrew the Targaryen dynasty and brought Robert Baratheon to the throne. His madness serves as a cautionary tale of Targaryen inbreeding and the dangers of unchecked power, and his reign sets the stage for the political landscape of “Game of Thrones.”
Rhaegar Targaryen
Born: 259 AC
Died: 283 AC
Nickname: Silver Dragon; Dragon Prince; Last Dragon
Family: Son of King Aerys II and Queen Rhaella; brother of Daenerys and Viserys; husband of Elia Martell and Lyanna Stark; father of Jon Snow
Played by: Wilf Scolding
Rhaegar Targaryen, Aerys II’s eldest son, is a romanticized and tragic figure who indirectly sets the events of “Game of Thrones” in motion. Known as the “Silver Prince,” Rhaegar was admired for his chivalry and melancholy nature. His elopement with Lyanna Stark sparked Robert’s Rebellion, though later revelations suggest it was a love match rather than a kidnapping. Rhaegar’s death at the Battle of the Trident marked a turning point in the rebellion, and his secret marriage to Lyanna and the birth of Jon Snow (Aegon Targaryen) become a central plot point in “Game of Thrones,” making Rhaegar a pivotal figure despite his absence from most of the series.
Viserys III Targaryen
Viserys
Image Credit: HBO
Born: 276 AC
Died: 298 AC
Nickname: Beggar King
Family: Son of King Aerys II and Queen Rhaella; brother of Rhaegar and Daenerys; uncle of Jon Snow
Played by: Harry Lloyd
Viserys III Targaryen, often called the “Beggar King,” is the elder brother of Daenerys and the last Targaryen to style himself King of Westeros before Daenerys. Fleeing Westeros as a child after Robert’s Rebellion, Viserys spent years in exile, obsessed with reclaiming the Iron Throne. His arrogance, cruelty, and lack of understanding of Westeros ultimately led to his demise at the hands of Khal Drogo. Viserys represents the desperation and delusion of the exiled Targaryens, contrasting sharply with Daenerys’s growth and eventual leadership. His death marks a turning point for Daenerys, forcing her to forge her own path to power.
Daenerys Targaryen
Image Credit: HBO
Born: 282 AC
Died: 305 AC
Nicknames: Daenerys Stormborn of House Targaryen, the First of Her Name, Queen of the Andals and the First Men, Protector of the Seven Kingdoms, the Mother of Dragons, the Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, the Unburnt, the Breaker of Chains and Mother of Dragons; Dany
Dragons: Viserion, Rhaegal, Drogon
Family: Daughter of King Aerys II and Queen Rhaella; sister of Rhaegar and Daenerys; wife of Khal Drogo; aunt and lover of Jon Snow
Played by: Emilia Clarke
Daenerys Targaryen, “The Mother of Dragons,” is arguably the most iconic Targaryen character in “Game of Thrones.” Starting as a pawn in Viserys’s schemes, Daenerys undergoes a transformative journey, emerging as a powerful queen, dragon rider, and liberator. Her dragons, Drogon, Rhaegal, and Viserion, become symbols of her power and the Targaryen legacy. Daenerys’s quest for the Iron Throne, her victories and her eventual descent into fire and blood, are central to the narrative of “Game of Thrones.” Her complex character arc, from exiled princess to conquering queen to tragic figure, encapsulates the Targaryen story of both glory and destruction.
Jon Snow
Game of Thrones Kit Harington
Image Credit: Helen Sloan
Born: 283 AC
Nicknames: Aegon Targaryen; the White Wolf; the King in the North; the Prince That Was Promised
Family: Son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark; nephew and lover of Daenerys; bastard son of Eddard Stark; half-brother to Robb, Sansa, Arya, Bran and Rickon Stark
Played by: Kit Harington
Jon Snow, born Aegon Targaryen, is revealed to be the last known Targaryen heir at the conclusion of “Game of Thrones.” Raised as Eddard Stark’s bastard son, Jon’s true parentage remains a secret for much of the series. His journey from Night’s Watch recruit to Lord Commander to King in the North is marked by honor, duty, and difficult choices. Jon’s Targaryen heritage, revealed in the later seasons, positions him as a potential claimant to the Iron Throne, adding another layer of complexity to the succession issues that plague the Targaryen family. Ultimately, Jon’s arc concludes with him exiled beyond the Wall, a bittersweet ending for the last known Targaryen in Westeros.
Conclusion
The Targaryen family tree is a sprawling and complex tapestry woven through the history of Westeros. From Aegon the Conqueror to Jon Snow, their lineage is filled with tales of power, dragons, madness, and civil war. “House of the Dragon” and “Game of Thrones” offer different perspectives on this dynasty, exploring its rise, its internal conflicts, and its near extinction. Understanding the intricate connections within this family is essential for grasping the full scope of George R.R. Martin’s epic fantasy world. As “House of the Dragon” Season 2 unfolds, the Targaryen family tree will undoubtedly continue to branch and evolve, captivating audiences with its enduring saga of fire and blood.
