House Targaryen is one of the most illustrious and complex dynasties in the fictional world of Westeros, brought to life in George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series and the HBO adaptations, Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon. The family’s origins, riddled with triumphs, tragedies, and dragonfire, make their history a captivating tale. Here, we delve into their complete family tree to understand their legacy.
The Targaryen Family Tree
First Generation: The Founders
- Aenar Targaryen
- Moved the family to Dragonstone.
- Father of Daenys the Dreamer.
Second Generation: Prophecy and Preparation
- Daenys the Dreamer
- Had the prophetic vision of the Doom of Valyria.
Third Generation: The Conquerors
- Aegon I Targaryen (Aegon the Conqueror)
- Married his sisters, Visenya Targaryen and Rhaenys Targaryen.
- Had two sons:
- Aenys I Targaryen (with Rhaenys)
- Maegor I Targaryen (with Visenya)
Fourth Generation: The Struggle for Stability
- Aenys I Targaryen
- Had six children, including Jaehaerys I Targaryen (The Conciliator) and Alysanne Targaryen.
- Maegor I Targaryen (Maegor the Cruel)
- Known for his brutality and failure to produce heirs.
Jaehaerys the Conciliator and His Legacy
- Jaehaerys I Targaryen and Queen Alysanne Targaryen
- Their reign marked the Targaryen dynasty’s golden age.
- Had numerous children, though many died young. Notable offspring include Aemon Targaryen, Baelon Targaryen, and Daenerys Targaryen (the first of her name).
The Dance of the Dragons
The family tree was thrown into chaos during the Dance of the Dragons, a civil war between:
- Rhaenyra Targaryen, daughter of Viserys I Targaryen, and
- Aegon II Targaryen, her half-brother.
This devastating conflict not only fractured the family but also led to the near-extinction of dragons.
The Decline of the Targaryens
- Successive kings like Aegon IV Targaryen (the Unworthy) and Daeron II Targaryen further complicated the family’s legacy with their numerous bastards and political intrigues, including the infamous Blackfyre Rebellion.
- Aerys II Targaryen (the Mad King) marked the dynasty’s downfall, overthrown during Robert’s Rebellion.
The Last Targaryens
- Daenerys Targaryen, Viserys Targaryen, and Rhaegar Targaryen were the last known descendants of the main line.
- Rhaegar fathered Jon Snow (Aegon Targaryen) with Lyanna Stark, uniting Targaryen and Stark bloodlines.
- Daenerys, the “Mother of Dragons,” sought to reclaim the Iron Throne but faced her tragic end.
