As Westeros beckons once more with Season 2 of “House of the Dragon,” fans are plunged back into the intricate world of Targaryens, dragons, and political machinations. The prequel series, set two centuries before “Game of Thrones,” explores the fiery Dance of the Dragons, a Targaryen civil war that decimated the dragon-riding dynasty. Understanding the sprawling game of thrones family tree, particularly the Targaryen lineage, is crucial to navigating both series.
Season 2 of “House of the Dragon” premiered on June 16, 2024, drawing in 7.8 million viewers, a solid number yet slightly below the Season 1 premiere and significantly less than the “Game of Thrones” finale peak. However, for those captivated by dragon lore, political intrigue, and the complex Targaryen family dynamics, “House of the Dragon” delivers in spades. Season 1 culminated as the Dance of the Dragons ignited, and Season 2 promises escalating battles and rising casualties. True to the spirit of “Game of Thrones,” no character’s fate is assured in “House of the Dragon.”
For aficionados of George R.R. Martin’s universe, the Targaryens reigned over Westeros for centuries, dragon riders who forged the Seven Kingdoms and occupied the Iron Throne. Identifiable by their silver-gold hair and volatile tempers, they maintained their bloodline through incestuous unions. Aegon the Conqueror, the dynasty’s founder, unified Westeros under Targaryen rule, marking the beginning of the “AC” era – After Conquest.
“House of the Dragon” delves into the Dance of the Dragons, triggered by the ambiguous succession after King Viserys I Targaryen’s death. The realm fractured into two factions: the blacks, led by Rhaenyra Targaryen and Daemon Targaryen, and the greens, backing Aegon II Targaryen, guided by Queen Alicent Hightower.
The Dance of Dragons significantly weakened House Targaryen. By the “Game of Thrones” era, their numbers had dwindled, nearly extinguished during Robert’s Rebellion. Daenerys Targaryen spent much of “Game of Thrones” striving to reclaim the Iron Throne, building her power in Essos. Ultimately, Jon Snow, revealed as a Targaryen himself, ended Daenerys’ reign in a dramatic twist. Currently, Jon Snow is the last known Targaryen in Westeros.
To help fans untangle this complex web, we present a comprehensive Targaryen family tree featuring characters from both “Game of Thrones” and “House of the Dragon.” This guide avoids future spoilers for “House of the Dragon,” but those eager for more can explore George R.R. Martin’s “Fire & Blood,” the source material for the series.
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, reigned for an unprecedented 55 years, the longest in Targaryen history. He is the earliest Targaryen monarch depicted in both “Game of Thrones” and “House of the Dragon.” The opening scene of “House of the Dragon” portrays Jaehaerys choosing his grandson Viserys as heir over his granddaughter Rhaenys, a decision that inadvertently set the stage for the Dance of the Dragons. His long and prosperous reign, however, is remembered as a golden age for Westeros, a stark contrast to the turmoil that followed.
Viserys I Targaryen
Viserys I Targaryen in 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 is central to “House of the Dragon” Season 1, ruling as the fifth Targaryen king during a period of relative peace. His reign, however, was overshadowed by the succession crisis that erupted after his death. Desperate for a male heir, Viserys remarried Alicent Hightower following the tragic death of his first wife, Aemma Arryn. Despite naming his daughter Rhaenyra as his heir, the birth of his sons with Alicent complicated matters, ultimately leading to the Dance of Dragons. Viserys died from illness, and the green faction swiftly crowned his eldest son, Aegon II, challenging Rhaenyra’s claim. On his deathbed, Viserys’s cryptic words about “Aegon” and the Song of Ice and Fire, intended for Rhaenyra, were misinterpreted by Alicent, further fueling the conflict and solidifying her resolve to place her son on the Iron Throne. His well-intentioned but ultimately flawed decisions plunged Westeros into civil war, highlighting the fragility of peace and the devastating consequences of succession disputes within the game of thrones family tree.
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,” was twice denied the Iron Throne. First, her grandfather Jaehaerys I chose her uncle Baelon, and then her cousin Viserys. Despite being the elder heir, Westerosi tradition favored male succession. She married Lord Corlys Velaryon, amassing significant influence through his wealth and naval power, but harbored resentment towards Viserys. During the Dance of Dragons, Rhaenys staunchly supported Rhaenyra’s claim. In Season 2 of “House of the Dragon,” she and her dragon Meleys tragically fall in battle against Aemond Targaryen and Vhagar at Rook’s Rest, marking a significant loss for the blacks and demonstrating the brutal realities of the Targaryen civil war. Her story underscores the gender biases prevalent in Westeros and the personal sacrifices made amidst the game of thrones family tree‘s internal conflicts.
Daemon Targaryen
Daemon Targaryen, The Rogue Prince
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 “Rogue Prince,” was a formidable warrior, renowned for his swordsmanship with Dark Sister and his unpredictable nature. As Viserys’s younger brother, he was bypassed in the line of succession. He led a conquest of the Stepstones, demonstrating his ambition and military prowess. Upon his return, he married his niece Rhaenyra, becoming a key figure in the black council. Prior to Rhaenyra, Daemon’s marriages included Rhea Royce, whose death was shrouded in mystery, and Laena Velaryon, with whom he had twin daughters, Rhaena and Baela. He also held command of King’s Landing’s City Watch and maintained a relationship with Mysaria, his mistress of whispers. In Season 2 of “House of the Dragon,” Daemon strategically seizes Harrenhal for Rhaenyra’s cause, showcasing his tactical brilliance and unwavering loyalty to his wife and queen. His complex character – a blend of ruthlessness, charisma, and familial devotion – makes him a pivotal figure in the unfolding drama of the game of thrones family tree.
Rhaenyra Targaryen
Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, The Realm's Delight
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, initially hailed as “The Realm’s Delight,” was King Viserys’s firstborn and chosen heir. However, the king’s longing for a male heir and the subsequent birth of Aegon II complicated the succession. Rhaenyra led the black council against Aegon II’s greens after he was crowned king, igniting the Dance of Dragons. The paternity of her eldest sons, Jacaerys, Lucerys, and Joffrey, was questioned, with rumors linking them to Ser Harwin Strong due to their dark hair. She married Laenor Velaryon, a union of political convenience, and later married her uncle Daemon, with whom she had Aegon III and Viserys II. Rhaenyra commands the black faction from Dragonstone, fighting to uphold her birthright and secure her place in the game of thrones family tree. Her journey is marked by resilience, political maneuvering, and personal sacrifices in the face of patriarchal norms and familial betrayal.
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, the sixth Targaryen king, ascended the Iron Throne after his father Viserys’s death, defying Rhaenyra’s claim. Named after Aegon the Conqueror, he was initially depicted as indolent and entitled. His ascension, orchestrated by the green council, directly triggered the Dance of Dragons. Married to his sister Helaena, he fathered Jaehaerys, Jaehaera, and Maelor. Aegon II and Rhaenyra became bitter rivals, their conflict tearing apart the game of thrones family tree. He was severely wounded by Aemond and Vhagar during the Battle of Rook’s Rest, highlighting the internecine violence that characterized the civil war. His reign was defined by war and instability, a stark contrast to the peace of his father’s rule.
Aemond Targaryen
Aemond Targaryen, One-Eye
Image Credit: HBO
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, known as “Aemond One-Eye” and “Aemond the Kinslayer,” was the younger, more ruthless son of Viserys and Alicent. He famously claimed Vhagar, the largest dragon in Westeros, after Laena Velaryon’s death, losing an eye in a fight with his nephews Jacaerys and Lucerys in the process. He replaced his lost eye with a sapphire, becoming a visually striking and formidable figure. Aemond sought revenge on Lucerys, leading to Lucerys’s and Arrax’s deaths above Storm’s End, a pivotal moment that escalated the Dance of Dragons. He also killed Rhaenys and Meleys at Rook’s Rest and severely injured Aegon II, briefly becoming Prince Regent. Aemond’s ambition and aggression make him a central antagonist in the Dance of Dragons, deeply impacting the game of thrones family tree‘s trajectory.
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, Viserys and Alicent’s only daughter, possessed a prophetic nature, often speaking in cryptic pronouncements that foretold future events. She predicted Aemond’s eye loss and alluded to Rhaenys’s dramatic entrance at Aegon’s coronation. Married to her brother Aegon II, she was Queen consort and mother to Jaehaerys, Jaehaera, and Maelor. Helaena’s gentle and somewhat detached demeanor contrasts sharply with the brutal conflict surrounding her, making her a tragic figure within the game of thrones family tree. The murder of her son Jaehaerys, known as Blood and Cheese, deeply traumatized her and became a symbol of the war’s escalating cruelty.
Jaehaerys, Jaehaera and Maelor Targaryen
Helaena Targaryen's Children
Image Credit: HBO
Born: 123 AC and 127 AC
Died: 129 AC (Jaehaerys)
Family: Children of Aegon and Helaena
Jaehaerys and Jaehaera were twins, and Maelor was their younger brother, children of Aegon II and Helaena. Jaehaerys’s gruesome murder in Season 2, orchestrated by Blood and Cheese as revenge for Lucerys’s death, marked a shocking escalation of the Dance of Dragons. These young Targaryens became victims of the brutal civil war, highlighting the devastating consequences of the conflict on the game of thrones family tree and its future generations.
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, or “Jace,” was Rhaenyra’s eldest son. His paternity was questioned, with many suspecting Ser Harwin Strong as his father due to his dark hair and features. He was betrothed to his cousin Baela Targaryen, solidifying the alliance between the Targaryens and Velaryons. Jacaerys fought for his mother’s black faction in the Dance of Dragons, proving himself a capable leader and dragonrider. He played a crucial role in securing allies for Rhaenyra, demonstrating his commitment to his mother’s claim and his place in the game of thrones family tree.
Lucerys Velaryon
Lucerys Velaryon, Luke
Image Credit: HBO
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, or “Luke,” was Rhaenyra’s second son. He was dispatched to Storm’s End to seek Lord Borros Baratheon’s support for Rhaenyra. Tragically, he encountered Aemond there, and the ensuing dragon fight resulted in Lucerys and his dragon Arrax being killed by Aemond and Vhagar. Lucerys’s death is a pivotal moment in “House of the Dragon,” serving as the catalyst for the full-scale Dance of Dragons and highlighting the personal tragedies within the game of thrones family tree.
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 (at the start of the Dance), shares a name with the infamous Joffrey Baratheon from “Game of Thrones,” though they are unrelated. He is sent to Essos for safety during the Dance of Dragons, removed from the immediate dangers of the Targaryen civil war, ensuring at least one of Rhaenyra’s Velaryon sons survives the conflict engulfing the game of thrones family tree.
Aegon III and Viserys II Targaryen
Young Aegon and Viserys Targaryen
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 and Daemon’s sons, are young in Season 1 of “House of the Dragon” but are destined for significant roles. They were named in honor of Aegon the Conqueror and King Viserys I, respectively. They also had a stillborn sister, Visenya. Sent to Essos for protection during the Dance of Dragons, their survival represents a continuation of Rhaenyra’s line within the game of thrones family tree. Aegon III would eventually become king after the Dance, inheriting a fractured realm.
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 betrothed to Jacaerys and Lucerys, further strengthening the Targaryen-Velaryon alliance. Rhaenyra sends Rhaena to Essos for safety, while Baela remains in Westeros to participate in the war effort. These “Dragon Twins” contribute to the black cause, demonstrating the widespread involvement of the game of thrones family tree in the Dance of Dragons.
Maester Aemon
Maester Aemon of the Night's Watch
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 Targaryen, a key figure in “Game of Thrones,” concealed his Targaryen heritage upon joining the Night’s Watch. He was considered for the Iron Throne but declined, allowing his younger brother Aegon V to rule. At Castle Black, Aemon mentored Jon Snow, unknowingly guiding his own distant nephew. His long life and wisdom provided a link to the past glories and tragedies of the game of thrones family tree, even as its influence waned in Westeros.
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, also known as Brynden Rivers or Bloodraven, was a legitimized bastard son of Aegon IV. He was sent to the Night’s Watch and became lost beyond the Wall, eventually transforming into the mystical Three-Eyed Raven. He trained Bran Stark in greensight, connecting him to the ancient magic and hidden history intertwined with the game of thrones family tree and the wider world of Westeros.
Aerys II Targaryen
Aerys II Targaryen, The 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,” reigned chaotically over Westeros in the lead-up to “Game of Thrones.” His reign was marked by paranoia, madness, and a fascination with wildfire. He appointed Tywin Lannister as Hand, but their relationship deteriorated. Aerys’s actions triggered Robert’s Rebellion, which ended Targaryen rule. Jaime Lannister, of his own Kingsguard, killed Aerys to prevent the wildfire destruction of King’s Landing. Aerys represents the tragic descent of the game of thrones family tree, highlighting the dangers of incestuous breeding and unchecked power.
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, the “Dragon Prince,” was born towards the end of Targaryen rule. Married to Elia Martell, he later became infatuated with Lyanna Stark, triggering Robert’s Rebellion. Initially perceived as a kidnapper, “Game of Thrones” revealed Rhaegar and Lyanna were secretly married and Jon Snow was their son, Aegon Targaryen, making him the rightful heir to the Iron Throne. Rhaegar’s actions, though romanticized, ultimately led to the downfall of the Targaryen dynasty and reshaped the game of thrones family tree in profound ways.
Viserys III Targaryen
Viserys Targaryen, The Beggar King
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, the “Beggar King,” and Daenerys were the last Targaryen siblings after Robert’s Rebellion. Fleeing to Essos, Viserys was obsessed with reclaiming the Iron Throne. He arranged Daenerys’s marriage to Khal Drogo, hoping to use the Dothraki army. His arrogance and cruelty led to his demise at Drogo’s hands, leaving Daenerys as the last Targaryen of her generation to actively pursue the Iron Throne and impacting the future of the game of thrones family tree.
Daenerys Targaryen
Daenerys Targaryen, Mother of Dragons
Image Credit: Helen Sloan
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, “Daenerys Stormborn,” emerged as a central figure in “Game of Thrones.” From a frightened young woman, she transformed into a powerful queen, “Mother of Dragons,” and a claimant to the Iron Throne. She amassed armies, liberated slaves, and ultimately returned to Westeros. However, her descent into madness and destruction of King’s Landing led to her tragic assassination by Jon Snow. Daenerys’s journey embodies both the potential for greatness and the inherent dangers within the game of thrones family tree, showcasing the Targaryen capacity for both heroism and tyranny.
Jon Snow
Daenerys Targaryen, Mother of Dragons
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, secretly Aegon Targaryen, was raised as Eddard Stark’s bastard son. His true parentage as the son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark made him the rightful heir to the Iron Throne. Jon rose through the ranks of the Night’s Watch, became King in the North, and played a crucial role in defeating the Night King. His relationship with Daenerys was complex and ultimately tragic, culminating in him killing her to prevent further destruction. At the end of “Game of Thrones,” Jon was exiled to the Night’s Watch, leading the free folk beyond the Wall. Jon represents the hidden legacy and unexpected twists within the game of thrones family tree, highlighting the themes of duty, heritage, and difficult choices.
