The realm of Westeros is once again captivated by the intricate saga of House Targaryen with the return of “House of the Dragon” for its second season. While the premiere viewership may have dipped slightly from Season 1, the appetite for dragon lore, political intrigue, and the fiery Targaryen dynasty remains strong. Season 2 promises to escalate the Dance of Dragons, the brutal Targaryen civil war, ensuring that no character, regardless of lineage or dragon-riding prowess, is safe.
For newcomers and seasoned fans alike, understanding the vast and often convoluted Targaryen family tree is crucial to navigating the complex narratives of both “House of the Dragon” and “Game of Thrones.” House Targaryen, with their silver hair, volatile tempers, and centuries-long reign over Westeros, are central to the history of the Seven Kingdoms. Their legacy, marked by both glory and madness, continues to shape the destinies of Westeros long after their dragons have diminished.
This guide delves into a detailed Game Of Thrones House Targaryen Family Tree, tracing the lineage from the early Targaryen kings to the key players in “House of the Dragon” and “Game of Thrones.” We will explore the significant figures, their roles in Westerosi history, and their connections within this powerful and often self-destructive family.
The Foundation: From Aegon the Conqueror to Jaehaerys the Wise
The Targaryen dynasty’s foundation was laid by Aegon I Targaryen, known as Aegon the Conqueror. He and his sister-wives, Visenya and Rhaenys, arrived from Valyria, riding dragons and forging the Seven Kingdoms into a unified realm. Aegon’s reign marked the beginning of Targaryen dominance and the start of the Westerosi calendar, “After Conquest” (AC).
Generations later, Jaehaerys I Targaryen, also known as “The Old King,” ascended the throne. His reign was the longest and arguably most prosperous in Targaryen history, lasting 55 years. Jaehaerys was the grandson of Aegon the Conqueror, solidifying the Targaryen rule. His decision to choose Viserys I as his heir over his elder granddaughter Rhaenys set the stage for the Dance of Dragons, making him a pivotal figure even before the events of “House of the Dragon”.
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Jaehaerys I Targaryen
- Born: 34 AC
- Died: 103 AC
- Nickname: The Old King
- Dragon: Vermithor
- Family: Grandson of Aegon the Conqueror, son of King Aenys, husband and brother of Queen Alysanne, grandfather of King Viserys
- Played by: Michael Carter
Jaehaerys I’s long rule brought peace and stability to Westeros. His wisdom and experience were highly respected, and his court was a center of learning and diplomacy. However, his choice of heir, intended to prevent conflict, ultimately ignited the deadliest Targaryen civil war.
The Dance of Dragons: Viserys I and the Succession Crisis
Viserys I Targaryen, Jaehaerys’ chosen successor, inherited a peaceful kingdom. His reign, initially prosperous, became overshadowed by the looming question of succession. His desire for a male heir and subsequent remarriage to Alicent Hightower after the death of his first wife, Aemma Arryn, created two factions within the Targaryen court: those supporting his daughter Rhaenyra, and those backing his eldest son Aegon II.
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Viserys I Targaryen
King Viserys I Targaryen in House of the DragonImage Credit: HBO
- Born: 77 AC
- Died: 129 AC
- Nickname: Viserys the Peaceful
- Dragon: Balerion (though he never rode him)
- Family: Cousin and husband to Queen Aemma, husband to Queen Alicent, father to Rhaenyra, Aegon II, Aemond, Helaena and Daeron, brother to Daemon, cousin to Rhaenys
- Played by: Paddy Considine
Viserys I, despite his peaceful moniker, inadvertently sowed the seeds of the Dance of Dragons. His indecision and desire to please everyone ultimately fractured his family and plunged Westeros into war. His death in 129 AC became the catalyst for the Targaryen civil war, as both Rhaenyra and Aegon II claimed the Iron Throne.
Rhaenyra Targaryen, Viserys’ eldest child, was initially named heir to the Iron Throne. However, the birth of her half-brother Aegon II and the political maneuvering of the Hightowers challenged her claim, leading to the formation of the “black” faction, supporting Rhaenyra, and the “green” faction, supporting Aegon II.
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Rhaenyra Targaryen
Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen in House of the DragonImage Credit: Ollie Upton / HBO
- Born: 97 AC
- Nicknames: The Realm’s Delight, The Whore of Dragonstone, The Pretender, King Maegor With Teats
- Dragon: Syrax
- Family: Daughter of King Viserys and Queen Aemma, stepdaughter of Queen Alicent, wife of Laenor Velaryon, 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 was a strong-willed and ambitious woman who believed in her right to rule. She faced constant challenges to her legitimacy due to the patriarchal norms of Westeros and the machinations of her stepmother, Alicent Hightower.
Aegon II Targaryen, Viserys’ eldest son with Alicent Hightower, was crowned king by the green faction upon Viserys’ death, directly challenging Rhaenyra’s claim. This act ignited the Dance of Dragons, a war that pitted Targaryen against Targaryen and dragon against dragon.
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Aegon II Targaryen
- Born: 107 AC
- Nicknames: 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, father of Jaehaerys, Jaehaera and Maelor
- Played by: Tom Glynn-Carney and Ty Tennant (younger)
Aegon II, while crowned king, was often seen as less capable than Rhaenyra. His claim was largely supported by his mother and the Hightower faction, who sought to consolidate their power. His reign was marked by war and brutality.
Daemon Targaryen, Viserys’ younger brother, was a formidable warrior and a key figure in Rhaenyra’s black faction. His marriage to Rhaenyra further solidified their alliance and brought his dragon, Caraxes, and his strategic prowess to her cause.
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Daemon Targaryen
Daemon Targaryen in House of the DragonImage Credit: HBO
- Born: 81 AC
- Nickname: The Rogue Prince
- Dragon: Caraxes
- Family: Brother of King Viserys, husband of Rhaenyra, father of Aegon III and Viserys II, husband to Laena Velaryon, father of Baela and Rhaena
- Played by: Matt Smith
Daemon was a complex and controversial figure, known for his ambition, ruthlessness, and dragon-riding skills. His loyalty to Rhaenyra and his willingness to fight for her claim made him a central player in the Dance of Dragons.
Aemond Targaryen, Aegon II’s younger brother, was a fierce warrior and dragon rider who sided with the greens. His rivalry with Rhaenyra’s sons, particularly Lucerys, fueled much of the conflict in the early stages of the Dance.
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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, half-brother of Rhaenyra
- Played by: Ewan Mitchell and Leo Ashton (younger)
Aemond’s ambition and thirst for power, coupled with his possession of the massive dragon Vhagar, made him a dangerous adversary for Rhaenyra and her faction. His actions often escalated the conflict and contributed to the Dance’s devastating toll.
Rhaenys Targaryen, cousin to Viserys I, known as “The Queen Who Never Was,” also played a significant role. Passed over for the throne in favor of Viserys, she harbored some resentment but ultimately supported Rhaenyra’s claim during the Dance.
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Rhaenys Targaryen
Image Credit: HBO
- Born: 74 AC
- Nickname: The Queen Who Never Was
- Dragon: Meleys
- Family: Cousin to King Viserys, wife of Lord Corlys Velaryon, aunt of Rhaenyra
- Played by: Eve Best
Rhaenys was a powerful figure in her own right, both through her lineage and her marriage to Corlys Velaryon. Her experience and dragon, Meleys, added significant strength to Rhaenyra’s cause, though she tragically perished in the war.
The Legacy of the Dance: Targaryens in Game of Thrones
The Dance of Dragons decimated House Targaryen, both in numbers and in dragon strength. While they continued to rule for generations, the dragons never fully recovered, and the seeds of madness and instability were sown within the dynasty.
Centuries later, leading up to “Game of Thrones,” we encounter figures like Maester Aemon, a wise and respected Maester of the Night’s Watch. Unbeknownst to many, Aemon was a Targaryen prince who renounced his claim to the throne to serve the realm in the Night’s Watch.
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Maester Aemon
Maester Aemon in Game of ThronesImage Credit: HBO
- Born: 198 AC
- Died: 300 AC
- Nickname: Aemon Targaryen
- Family: Son of King Maekar I, great-great uncle of Daenerys, great-great-great uncle of Jon Snow
- Played by: Peter Vaughan
Aemon’s wisdom and integrity made him a beloved character in “Game of Thrones.” His Targaryen heritage was a closely guarded secret, highlighting the family’s diminished status and the dangers of their lineage in later Westerosi history.
Aerys II Targaryen, known as “The Mad King,” was the last Targaryen king to sit the Iron Throne before Robert’s Rebellion. His descent into madness and tyranny led to his overthrow and the near-extinction of House Targaryen.
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Aerys II Targaryen
Aerys II Targaryen, The Mad King in Game of ThronesImage Credit: HBO
- Born: 244 AC
- Died: 283 AC
- Nickname: The Mad King
- Family: Father of Rhaegar, Viserys, and Daenerys, grandfather of Jon Snow
- Played by: David Rintoul
Aerys II embodied the negative aspects of Targaryen legacy: madness, incest, and a volatile nature. His reign served as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked power and the potential for Targaryen bloodlines to produce madness.
Rhaegar Targaryen, Aerys II’s eldest son, was a figure of legend, known for his charisma and martial prowess. His actions, particularly his elopement with Lyanna Stark, sparked Robert’s Rebellion, leading to the downfall of the Targaryen dynasty.
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Rhaegar Targaryen
- Born: 259 AC
- Died: 283 AC
- Nickname: The Silver Prince
- Family: Son of King Aerys II, father of Jon Snow
- Played by: Wilf Scolding
Rhaegar, despite being a catalyst for the Targaryen downfall, is often portrayed in a romanticized light. His secret marriage to Lyanna Stark and the birth of Jon Snow became a crucial plot point in “Game of Thrones,” revealing a hidden Targaryen heir.
The Last Targaryens: Daenerys and Jon Snow
In “Game of Thrones,” Daenerys Targaryen, daughter of the Mad King, emerges as a central figure. Initially exiled in Essos, she rises to power, hatching dragons and building an army to reclaim the Iron Throne.
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Daenerys Targaryen
Image Credit: HBO
- Born: 282 AC
- Nicknames: Daenerys Stormborn, Mother of Dragons, Khaleesi
- Dragons: Drogon, Rhaegal, Viserion
- Family: Daughter of King Aerys II, aunt of Jon Snow
- Played by: Emilia Clarke
Daenerys embodies both the heroic and tragic potential of the Targaryen line. Her journey from exiled princess to powerful queen is a central arc of “Game of Thrones,” culminating in a controversial descent into madness that echoes her father’s fate.
Jon Snow, raised as Ned Stark’s bastard son, is revealed to be Aegon Targaryen, Rhaegar’s son and the true heir to the Iron Throne. His Targaryen heritage becomes a critical element of his identity and destiny.
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Jon Snow
Jon Snow in Game of ThronesImage Credit: Helen Sloan
- Born: 283 AC
- Nicknames: Aegon Targaryen, King in the North, White Wolf
- Family: Son of Rhaegar Targaryen, nephew of Daenerys
- Played by: Kit Harington
Jon Snow represents the hope for a more just and honorable Targaryen ruler. His struggle with his identity and his ultimate decision to kill Daenerys highlight the complex and often tragic legacy of House Targaryen.
This Game of Thrones House Targaryen family tree provides a glimpse into the intricate web of relationships, power struggles, and dragon lore that define this iconic fantasy family. As “House of the Dragon” Season 2 unfolds, understanding these connections will be essential to fully appreciating the drama, betrayals, and fiery conflicts that lie ahead. The Targaryen saga is far from over, and their legacy continues to burn brightly in Westeros.
