As Westeros once again captivates audiences with “House of the Dragon” Season 2, understanding the intricate Targaryen family tree becomes essential. This dynasty, with their silver hair and dragon-riding prowess, ruled the Seven Kingdoms for centuries, and their legacy is at the heart of both “House of the Dragon” and “Game of Thrones.” Season 2 of the “Game of Thrones” prequel, which premiered on June 16, 2024, drew in 7.8 million viewers, signaling the continued fascination with this complex world. While viewership slightly trails the Season 1 premiere and the “Game of Thrones” finale, the allure of dragons, political intrigue, and the Targaryens’ dramatic saga remains strong.
“House of the Dragon” plunges viewers into the Dance of Dragons, a brutal Targaryen civil war sparked by a contested succession to the Iron Throne. This conflict, set nearly 200 years before “Game of Thrones,” reveals the events that decimated the Targaryen dragon population and weakened their dynasty. King Viserys Targaryen’s death and the subsequent dispute over his heir ignited the war, dividing the family into two factions: the blacks, led by Rhaenyra and Daemon Targaryen, and the greens, loyal to Aegon II Targaryen and Queen Alicent Hightower.
By the time “Game of Thrones” begins, the Targaryens are largely extinct, their rule overthrown by Robert Baratheon’s rebellion. Daenerys Targaryen emerges as a key figure, striving to reclaim the Iron Throne. In a stunning twist, Jon Snow’s true Targaryen heritage is revealed, making him the last known Targaryen heir after Daenerys’s tragic end.
To navigate this rich history, here is a comprehensive Targaryen family tree, featuring characters from both “Game of Thrones” and “House of the Dragon,” offering a clear picture of their complex relationships without revealing future spoilers.
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 impressive 55 years, the longest of any Targaryen monarch. Known as the Old King, his reign was marked by peace and prosperity. He appears at the very beginning of “House of the Dragon,” where his pivotal decision to choose Viserys as his heir over his granddaughter Rhaenys set the stage for the Dance of Dragons, highlighting the succession issues that would plague his family.
Viserys I Targaryen
Viserys I Targaryen in House of the Dragon
Image Credit: HBO. Alt text: Paddy Considine as King Viserys I Targaryen sits on the Iron Throne in House of the Dragon, a central figure in the Targaryen family tree.
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, is a central figure in “House of the Dragon” Season 1. His reign, initially peaceful, is overshadowed by the looming succession crisis. His desperate desire for a male heir and his subsequent remarriage to Alicent Hightower after Queen Aemma’s death sets in motion the events leading to the Dance of Dragons. Viserys’s choices, including naming Aegon II as heir despite Rhaenyra’s claim, and his misinterpreted deathbed prophecy, are critical catalysts for the Targaryen civil war.
Rhaenys Targaryen
Image Credit: HBO. Alt text: Eve Best portraying Rhaenys Targaryen, the Queen Who Never Was, standing with regal poise in a scene from House of the Dragon, emphasizing her role in the Targaryen family lineage.
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 by her grandfather Jaehaerys and then by her cousin Viserys. Despite this, she remained a powerful figure, marrying Lord Corlys Velaryon and becoming a staunch supporter of Rhaenyra’s claim during the Dance of Dragons. Her resentment over being passed over for the throne fuels her actions and alliances in “House of the Dragon,” and her tragic death in Season 2 at the Battle of Rook’s Rest marks a significant loss for Rhaenyra’s faction.
Daemon Targaryen
Matt Smith as Daemon Targaryen in House of the Dragon
Image Credit: HBO. Alt text: Matt Smith embodies Daemon Targaryen, the Rogue Prince, with a fierce gaze in House of the Dragon, highlighting his complex and pivotal role within the Targaryen family tree.
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, is a formidable warrior and an unpredictable force within the Targaryen family. Brother to Viserys I, he is bypassed for the throne but becomes a key player in the Dance of Dragons, siding with his niece and wife, Rhaenyra. His conquests in the Stepstones, his command of the City Watch, and his strategic mind make him a crucial, albeit volatile, asset to the black council. Daemon’s complex relationships and ambitions drive much of the conflict in “House of the Dragon.”
Rhaenyra Targaryen
Emma D’Arcy as Rhaenyra Targaryen in House of the Dragon
Image Credit: Ollie Upton / HBO. Alt text: Emma D’Arcy portrays Rhaenyra Targaryen, the Realm’s Delight turned claimant to the Iron Throne, in House of the Dragon, showcasing her central role in the Targaryen family drama.
Born: 97 AC
Nickname: 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, 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, is at the center of the Dance of Dragons. Despite being named heir, her claim to the Iron Throne is challenged by her half-brother Aegon II. Leading the black faction, Rhaenyra fiercely fights for her birthright. The controversy surrounding the paternity of her elder sons adds layers of political intrigue to her story. Her marriage to Daemon and her strategic decisions are pivotal in the unfolding Targaryen civil war.
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, becomes the sixth Targaryen king, usurping Rhaenyra’s claim. His ascension ignites the Dance of Dragons. Characterized by laziness and cruelty, Aegon II leads the green faction. His reign is marked by conflict and brutality, and his rivalry with Rhaenyra defines the Targaryen civil war. His tumultuous rule and the battles fought in his name are central to the “House of the Dragon” narrative.
Aemond Targaryen
Ewan Mitchell as Aemond Targaryen in House of the Dragon
Image Credit: HBO. Alt text: Ewan Mitchell brings to life Aemond Targaryen, the One-Eye, in House of the Dragon, highlighting his menacing presence and crucial role in the Targaryen family conflict.
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, the younger son of Viserys and Alicent, is a fierce and ambitious warrior. Claiming Vhagar, the largest dragon in Westeros, solidifies his power. His conflict with his nephews, resulting in the loss of his eye and later the death of Lucerys, escalates the Dance of Dragons. Aemond’s ruthlessness and dragon-riding skills make him a formidable opponent and a key figure in the Targaryen civil war.
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 married to her brother Aegon II. Known for her peculiar pronouncements and prophecies, she often speaks in riddles that foreshadow future events. Her children become tragic figures in the Dance of Dragons, and her presence adds an element of mystique and foreshadowing to the Targaryen saga.
Jaehaerys, Jaehaera, and Maelor Targaryen
Helaena Targaryen with her children in House of the Dragon
Image Credit: HBO. Alt text: Helaena Targaryen is pictured with her children, Jaehaerys, Jaehaera, and Maelor, in House of the Dragon, illustrating the younger generation of the Targaryen family affected by the Dance of Dragons.
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. These children of Aegon II and Helaena are briefly seen in Season 1 of “House of the Dragon,” but their fates become tragically intertwined with the Dance of Dragons. Jaehaerys’s brutal murder in Season 2 by Blood and Cheese is a stark example of the personal cost of the Targaryen civil war.
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 her black faction. His paternity is questioned, with rumors suggesting Harwin Strong as his true father. Betrothed to Baela Targaryen, Jacaerys rallies support for his mother’s claim during the Dance of Dragons. His leadership and dragon-riding abilities are crucial to Rhaenyra’s war effort.
Lucerys Velaryon
Elliot Grihault as Lucerys Velaryon in House of the Dragon
Image Credit: HBO. Alt text: Elliot Grihault embodies Lucerys Velaryon, known as Luke, in House of the Dragon, portraying the young Targaryen caught in the escalating conflict of the Dance of Dragons.
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 Dragons. Sent as an envoy to Storm’s End, he is pursued and killed by Aemond Targaryen and Vhagar. Lucerys’s death ignites the full fury of the civil war, marking a turning point in the Targaryen conflict and setting the stage for further bloodshed.
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 third son, named after Joffrey Lonmouth, plays a smaller role in the initial stages of the Dance of Dragons. Like his brothers, his paternity is questioned. He is sent to Essos for safety during the war, ensuring the survival of another potential Targaryen heir from Rhaenyra’s line.
Aegon III and Viserys II Targaryen
Young Aegon III and Viserys II Targaryen in House of the Dragon
Image Credit: HBO. Alt text: Aegon III and Viserys II Targaryen, young princes in House of the Dragon, pictured together, hinting at their future significance in the Targaryen family and Westeros history.
Born: 120 AC and 122 AC
Nicknames: Aegon the Younger
Family: Children of Rhaenyra and Daemon
Aegon III and Viserys II Targaryen are Rhaenyra and Daemon’s sons. Relatively young during the Dance of Dragons, they are sent to Essos for safety. These brothers become important figures in the Targaryen lineage after the civil war, with Aegon III eventually becoming king and Viserys II becoming the ancestor of future Targaryen kings, ensuring the dynasty’s continuation.
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 daughters with Laena Velaryon, are known as the “Dragon Twins.” Betrothed to Jacaerys and Lucerys Velaryon respectively, they strengthen the bond between House Targaryen and Velaryon. Baela actively participates in the Dance of Dragons, while Rhaena is sent to Essos with Rhaenyra’s younger children, playing crucial supporting roles in the conflict.
Maester Aemon
Peter Vaughan as Maester Aemon in Game of Thrones
Image Credit: HBO. Alt text: Peter Vaughan as Maester Aemon in Game of Thrones, a wise and aged member of the Night’s Watch with a secret Targaryen lineage, important in the broader Targaryen family history.
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 wise figure in “Game of Thrones,” hides his Targaryen heritage while serving in the Night’s Watch. He is a son of King Maekar I and brother to Aegon V. His age and forgotten lineage underscore the Targaryen dynasty’s long and complex history. Aemon mentors Jon Snow, unknowingly guiding a future Targaryen heir.
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, is a mysterious figure in “Game of Thrones.” A bastard son of Aegon IV Targaryen, he was legitimized and eventually joined the Night’s Watch. His transformation into the Three-Eyed Raven and his role in training Bran Stark connect the Targaryen lineage to mystical elements and Westeros’ deeper history.
Aerys II Targaryen
David Rintoul as Aerys II Targaryen, the Mad King, in Game of Thrones
Image Credit: HBO. Alt text: David Rintoul portrays Aerys II Targaryen, the Mad King, in a flashback scene from Game of Thrones, highlighting his descent into madness and his tragic role in the Targaryen family decline.
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, plays a crucial role in the backstory of “Game of Thrones,” though he only appears in flashbacks. His descent into madness, fueled by incest and paranoia, leads to his tyrannical reign and ultimately Robert’s Rebellion. Aerys’s actions directly result in the Targaryen dynasty’s downfall and the scattering of the remaining Targaryens.
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, is a romantic and tragic figure. His actions, particularly his elopement with Lyanna Stark, trigger Robert’s Rebellion. Though deceased before the events of “Game of Thrones,” his secret marriage to Lyanna and his parentage of Jon Snow are central to the entire saga, making him a pivotal, posthumous character in the Targaryen family history.
Viserys III Targaryen
Harry Lloyd as Viserys Targaryen in Game of Thrones
Image Credit: HBO. Alt text: Harry Lloyd portrays Viserys Targaryen, the Beggar King, in Game of Thrones, depicting his ambition and desperation to reclaim the Iron Throne, a key figure in Daenerys’s early story.
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, is the elder brother of Daenerys in “Game of Thrones.” Fleeing Westeros after Robert’s Rebellion, Viserys is obsessed with reclaiming the Iron Throne. His arrogance and mistreatment of Daenerys lead to his downfall at the hands of Khal Drogo, marking the end of his claim but setting Daenerys on her path.
Daenerys Targaryen
Image Credit: HBO. Alt text: Emilia Clarke embodies Daenerys Targaryen, the Mother of Dragons, in Game of Thrones, showcasing her journey from exiled princess to powerful queen and her crucial role in the Targaryen family saga.
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 Viserys, wife of Khal Drogo, aunt and lover of Jon Snow
Played by: Emilia Clarke
Daenerys Targaryen, the Mother of Dragons, is one of the central protagonists of “Game of Thrones.” Her journey from a vulnerable exile to a powerful queen seeking to reclaim the Iron Throne is a driving force of the series. Daenerys’s dragons, her armies, and her complex character arc make her a defining figure in the Targaryen legacy, though her reign ends tragically.
Jon Snow
Kit Harington as Jon Snow in Game of Thrones
Image Credit: Helen Sloan. Alt text: Kit Harington portrays Jon Snow, Aegon Targaryen, in Game of Thrones, highlighting his hidden Targaryen heritage and his pivotal role in the fate of Westeros and the Targaryen family.
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, is revealed as the true heir to the Iron Throne in “Game of Thrones.” Raised as Eddard Stark’s bastard son, Jon’s true parentage is a central secret of the series. His journey from a Night’s Watchman to King in the North and his role in defeating the White Walkers and confronting Daenerys make him the last significant Targaryen figure in the “Game of Thrones” narrative.
This Targaryen family tree provides a guide through the complex relationships and histories that shape the world of “House of the Dragon” and “Game of Thrones.” As Season 2 of “House of the Dragon” unfolds, understanding these connections will only deepen the viewing experience, revealing the dramatic and often tragic saga of Westeros’ dragon kings.
