The realm of Westeros is once again captivating audiences with the arrival of Season 2 of “House of the Dragon,” the acclaimed prequel to HBO’s monumental series, “Game of Thrones.” Premiering on June 16, 2024, “House of the Dragon” Season 2 drew in 7.8 million viewers, marking a strong return to the intricate world of dragons, political intrigue, and the formidable Targaryen lineage. While slightly below the Season 1 premiere figures and the staggering heights of “Game of Thrones” viewership, the series continues to ignite the passion of fans worldwide.
“House of the Dragon” plunges viewers into a tumultuous period nearly 200 years before the events of “Game of Thrones,” during the reign of the Targaryen dynasty. This era, rich in history and fraught with conflict, centers on the Dance of the Dragons, a brutal civil war that tears the Targaryen family apart. As Season 2 unfolds, the battles intensify, and the stakes rise dramatically, echoing the perilous landscape where no character, regardless of stature, is assured safety, a hallmark that “Game of Thrones” established so powerfully.
To truly grasp the complexities of “House of the Dragon” and its connection to “Game of Thrones,” understanding the Targaryen family tree is crucial. For centuries, the Targaryens, dragon-riding monarchs with distinctive silver-gold hair and an infamous history of both greatness and madness, held dominion over Westeros. From Aegon the Conqueror, who forged the Seven Kingdoms under Targaryen rule, to the tragic fall of the Mad King Aerys II, their legacy is woven into the very fabric of Westeros.
This article serves as your comprehensive guide to the Targaryen family chart, detailing the key figures who have shaped the history of Westeros, from the era of “House of the Dragon” to the familiar faces of “Game of Thrones.” Dive in to explore the intricate web of relationships, rivalries, and legacies that define this iconic fantasy lineage.
Key Targaryen Figures: From Jaehaerys I to Jon Snow
To navigate the sprawling Targaryen family tree, let’s delve into the profiles of its most influential members, starting from the era of Jaehaerys I Targaryen and extending to the characters familiar from “Game of Thrones.”
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, the fourth Targaryen king, reigned for an unprecedented 55 years, the longest in Targaryen history. Revered as “The Old King,” his reign was marked by peace and prosperity. The opening scene of “House of the Dragon” features Jaehaerys choosing his grandson Viserys as his heir over his granddaughter Rhaenys, a decision that, while intended to maintain stability, inadvertently set the stage for the Dance of the Dragons.
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 (formerly)
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 ruled as the fifth Targaryen king during a time of relative tranquility. However, his struggle to secure a clear heir fractured his family and ignited the Dance of the Dragons. Initially naming his daughter Rhaenyra as heir, Viserys later faced pressure to name a male successor after his marriage to Alicent Hightower and the birth of his sons. His death and the ensuing dispute over succession plunged Westeros into civil war. On his deathbed, his ambiguous words about “Aegon” and the “Prince That Was Promised,” intended for Rhaenyra, were misinterpreted by Alicent, further fueling the conflict.
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, passed over by her grandfather Jaehaerys in favor of her uncle Baelon, and then again in favor of her cousin Viserys. Despite her claim being arguably stronger than Viserys’, the preference for male heirs prevailed. Married to the powerful Lord Corlys Velaryon, she remained a figure of influence and a dragon rider of formidable skill. During the Dance of the Dragons, she staunchly supported Rhaenyra’s claim. In Season 2, Rhaenys and her dragon Meleys meet a tragic end at the Battle of Rook’s Rest, falling to Aemond Targaryen and Vhagar.
Daemon Targaryen
Daemon Targaryen in 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 volatile figure, earning the moniker “The Rogue Prince.” A formidable warrior and dragon rider, Daemon is ambitious, impulsive, and fiercely loyal to those he cares for. Passed over for the throne, he carved out his own kingdom in the Stepstones before returning to Westeros and becoming a key player in the Dance of the Dragons, siding with his niece and wife, Rhaenyra. His relationships are as turbulent as his personality, marked by strategic marriages and passionate alliances. In Season 2, Daemon’s strategic mind and ruthlessness are further displayed as he takes Harrenhal for Rhaenyra’s cause.
Rhaenyra Targaryen
Rhaenyra Targaryen in House of the Dragon
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 Helaena, mother of Jacaerys, Lucerys, Joffrey, Aegon III, and Viserys II
Played by: Emma D’Arcy and Milly Alcock (younger)
Rhaenyra Targaryen, Viserys I’s firstborn child, was initially named heir to the Iron Throne, breaking with traditional succession norms. Intelligent, strong-willed, and a dragon rider, Rhaenyra faced constant challenges to her claim, particularly after the birth of her half-brother Aegon II. The legitimacy of her elder sons, rumored to be fathered by Harwin Strong, was a constant source of political contention. Upon Viserys’ death, she was denied the throne, igniting the Dance of the Dragons, with Rhaenyra leading the “black” faction from Dragonstone.
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 eldest son of Viserys I and Alicent Hightower, became the figurehead of the “green” faction and Rhaenyra’s primary rival for the Iron Throne. Crowned king after Viserys’ death, Aegon II’s reign was immediately contested, plunging Westeros into civil war. Though initially reluctant to rule, Aegon became embroiled in the Dance of the Dragons, marked by brutality and personal tragedies, including the death of his son Jaehaerys.
Aemond Targaryen
Aemond Targaryen in House of the Dragon
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, Viserys and Alicent’s younger son, is a fierce and formidable warrior, characterized by his ruthlessness and ambition. Claiming the dragon Vhagar, the largest and oldest in Westeros, solidified his power. The loss of his eye in a childhood fight with his nephews Lucerys and Jacaerys fueled his animosity towards Rhaenyra’s line. Aemond played a pivotal role in the Dance of the Dragons, responsible for the deaths of Lucerys Velaryon and Rhaenys Targaryen, earning him the grim moniker “Kinslayer.”
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 portrayed as gentle and somewhat eccentric, possessing a prophetic gift. Her cryptic pronouncements often foreshadowed future events, adding an air of mystique to her character. Married to her brother Aegon II, she became queen consort and mother to his children, though her life was marked by tragedy and the horrors of the Dance of the Dragons.
Jaehaerys, Jaehaera and Maelor Targaryen
Helaena's children in House of the Dragon
Born: 123 AC and 127 AC
Died: 129 AC (Jaehaerys)
Family: Children of Aegon II and Helaena
Jaehaerys and Jaehaera are twins, and Maelor is their younger brother, the children of Aegon II and Helaena. Their lives were tragically intertwined with the Dance of the Dragons. Jaehaerys was brutally murdered in a horrific act of revenge known as “Blood and Cheese,” orchestrated by Daemon Targaryen in retaliation for Lucerys’ death. This event highlights the escalating brutality of the civil war and its devastating impact on the Targaryen family.
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 a key figure in the “black” faction. His parentage is questioned by some, with rumors suggesting Harwin Strong as his true father. Despite this, Jacaerys is recognized as Rhaenyra’s heir and a dragon rider. He is betrothed to Baela Targaryen, solidifying alliances within the Targaryen-Velaryon ranks. During the Dance of the Dragons, Jacaerys serves as a commander and diplomat, rallying support for his mother’s cause.
Lucerys Velaryon
Lucerys Velaryon in House of the Dragon
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, becomes a tragic victim of the Dance of the Dragons. Sent as an envoy to Storm’s End, he is confronted by Aemond Targaryen, leading to a fatal dragon fight above the skies. The death of Lucerys and his dragon Arrax at the hands of Aemond and Vhagar escalates the conflict and fuels the cycle of revenge that defines the civil war.
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 with Laenor (or Harwin Strong), is less prominent in the initial stages of the Dance of the Dragons. Named after Joffrey Lonmouth, Laenor’s deceased lover, he is sent to Essos for safety during the war, ensuring the continuation of Rhaenyra’s lineage.
Aegon III and Viserys II Targaryen
Young Aegon III and Viserys II in 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 are the sons of Rhaenyra and Daemon Targaryen, born amidst the brewing tensions that would erupt into the Dance of the Dragons. Named strategically – Aegon to evoke Aegon the Conqueror and subtly challenge Aegon II, and Viserys after Rhaenyra’s father – they represent the union of Rhaenyra and Daemon’s ambitions. Like Joffrey, they are sent to Essos for protection, but their future roles become significant in the aftermath of the Dance.
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-willed dragon riders who become involved in the Dance of the Dragons. Betrothed to Jacaerys and Lucerys respectively, these alliances further solidify the bond between the Targaryens and House Velaryon. Baela remains in Westeros to participate in the war, while Rhaena is sent to Essos with Rhaenyra’s younger sons.
Maester Aemon
Maester Aemon in Game of Thrones
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 character familiar from “Game of Thrones,” represents a hidden branch of the Targaryen family. Taking vows as a Maester and joining the Night’s Watch, he concealed his Targaryen heritage. His wisdom and counsel, particularly to Jon Snow, highlight the enduring Targaryen traits of duty and honor, even in exile. His lineage connects “House of the Dragon” to the later Targaryens of “Game of Thrones.”
Three-Eyed Raven (Brynden Rivers)
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 from “Game of Thrones,” has a shrouded Targaryen connection through his identity as Brynden Rivers, a bastard son of Aegon IV Targaryen. His journey from a royal bastard to a mystical greenseer north of the Wall exemplifies the diverse paths Targaryens could take. His mentorship of Bran Stark underscores the hidden Targaryen influence shaping events even centuries after the Dance of the Dragons.
Aerys II Targaryen
Aerys II Targaryen in Game of Thrones
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 monarch whose reign ended in rebellion and bloodshed, setting the stage for “Game of Thrones.” His descent into madness, fueled by inbreeding and paranoia, led to tyranny and ultimately his downfall at the hands of Jaime Lannister during Robert’s Rebellion. Aerys II’s legacy is a cautionary tale of Targaryen madness and the fragility of 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 Crown Prince and son of Aerys II, is a figure of legend and pivotal to the events of “Game of Thrones.” His actions, particularly his elopement with Lyanna Stark, sparked Robert’s Rebellion, though the series later reveals a more nuanced story of love and secret marriage. Rhaegar’s death at the Trident marked the end of Targaryen rule and the beginning of a new era in Westeros. His secret son, Jon Snow, carries the Targaryen bloodline into the next generation.
Viserys III Targaryen
Viserys Targaryen in Game of Thrones
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 elder brother of Daenerys, is portrayed as arrogant, desperate, and clinging to the faded glory of his lineage. Exiled and impoverished, he schemes to reclaim the Iron Throne, ultimately selling his sister Daenerys into marriage to Khal Drogo. His greed and lack of understanding of Targaryen strength lead to his demise, famously killed by Drogo with molten gold.
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, Dany
Dragons: Drogon, Rhaegal, Viserion
Family: Daughter of King Aerys II and Queen Rhaella, sister of Rhaegar and Viserys, 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 figure in “Game of Thrones.” Her journey from a frightened young girl to a powerful queen seeking to reclaim her birthright is central to the series. Emerging from exile with dragons and an army, Daenerys embodies both the Targaryen potential for greatness and the inherited risk of madness. Her complex arc culminates in tragedy, highlighting the destructive nature of power and the Targaryen legacy of fire and blood.
Jon Snow
Jon Snow in Game of Thrones
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, represents the last known Targaryen in Westeros at the conclusion of “Game of Thrones.” Raised as Ned Stark’s bastard son, Jon’s true parentage is revealed as the series progresses, making him the rightful heir to the Iron Throne. His journey is marked by duty, honor, and a struggle with his identity. Ultimately, Jon chooses duty over ambition, killing Daenerys to prevent further tyranny and accepting exile, a bittersweet end for the Targaryen lineage in Westeros.
The Targaryen Legacy: Fire and Blood
The Targaryen family chart is more than just names and dates; it’s a tapestry of power, ambition, love, madness, and dragons. From the conquering Aegon to the exiled Jon Snow, their story is interwoven with the history of Westeros. “House of the Dragon” enriches this narrative, offering deeper insight into the dynasty’s golden age and the self-destructive conflict that foreshadows their eventual downfall. As Season 2 unfolds, the Targaryen saga continues, promising more intrigue, dragon battles, and the enduring question of who will ultimately claim the Iron Throne, or if the throne itself will survive.
