Whether the people of Westeros recognized it or not, the Game of Thrones audience immediately recognized the Targaryens as an irreplaceable and important staple to the world found in the series, most specifically the continent of Westeros. Over 8 Seasons of Game of Thrones, many Targaryens were introduced, each with an important role in their long dynasty.
Updated on January 19, 2025, by Ajay Aravind: With the release of House of the Dragon in 2022, several more members of the titular family have been added to the franchise roster. And now that A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has aired its premiere episode, it’s the perfect time to update this list with every notable Targaryen mentioned across all three series.
Jaehaerys the Conciliator Was the Greatest Targaryen Ruler of Westeros
The grandson of Aegon the Conqueror, the man who established House Targaryen’s primacy in Westeros along with his sister-wives and their dragons, King Jaehaerys I was nothing like his ancestor. Ruling for the longest period in history, Jaehaerys became known as the Conciliator for his peace-oriented approach to administration. He was responsible for the construction of the Kingsroad that connected most of the continent, as well as maintaining harmony with the Faith of the Seven.
Viserys I Inadvertently Ushered in the Dance of the Dragons
King Viserys I, played to perfection by Paddy Considine, ruled over Westeros at the height of Targaryen power. A well-intentioned man by all accounts, he named Rhaenyra his heir long before the births of his sons by Alicent Hightower. And yet, Viserys failed to enforce his own decision, especially among his family. His inability to manage court factions allowed the Hightowers to consolidate power.
As a result, a schism developed in the so-called House of the Dragon, putting the Greens and Blacks against each other in what would later be known as the Dance of the Dragons. In fact, the misinterpretation of Viserys’ dying words leads to the rupture that severely weakened the Targaryen Dynasty. Viserys also had a son named Baelon from his first wife, Aemma Targaryen, but the child perished soon after his birth.
Daemon Targaryen Was Never Suited for the Iron Throne
One of the most interesting characters in House of the Dragon, Daemon Targaryen is a volatile combination of cruelty, brilliance, and unpredictable loyalty. He thrives on war and chaos, rejecting even the strictest commands from his older brother, the reigning King Viserys. While he’s frequently dismissed as reckless and dangerous, Daemon actually understands how power dynamics work. The only problem is his towering ego.
Fans were delighted to see that ego shattered in Season 2, with Daemon having fully acknowledged the queenly rights of his now-wife, Rhaenyra. Placing him on the Iron Throne would have undoubtedly caused more destruction than the Dance of the Dragons. That said, Daemon’s bloodline would continue to rule Westeros until the bitter end of the Targaryen dynasty.
Rhaenys Targaryen’s Theoretical Reign Could Have Prevented Catastrophe
Rhaenys’ character can be interpreted as the ethical backbone of the Targaryen-Velaryon relationship, keeping it steady through periods of great loss. She supported Rhaenyra’s claim to the Iron Throne so ferociously that she was willing to ride her dragon Meleys into battle for her niece. Unfortunately, Rhaenys and Meleys were no match for Prince Aemond’s tactics and Vhagars overpowering presence.
Rhaenyra Targaryen Deserved the Iron Throne More Than Her Brother
As House of the Dragon‘s emotional core, Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen is arguably the series’ protagonist. She grows from a rebellious princess over the course of Season 1, transforming into a smart and honest leader genuinely capable of ruling Westeros. Then again, the show would have never existed if Rhaenyra’s claims to the Iron Throne had been accepted by everyone involved.
Rhaenyra also understands the dangers of the impending civil war and struggles to make amends with her half-Hightower half-siblings before it’s too late. The fact that it doesn’t work says nothing negative about the honorable princess, who is unfairly undermined and denied her rightful dues. Rhaenyra’s three children with Ser Harwin Strong may not have furthered her Targaryen legacy, but she had two more with her uncle-husband Daemon.
Princes Jacaerys, Lucerys, and Joffrey Velaryon Were of Targaryen Blood
Jacaerys, Lucerys, and Joffrey Velaryon may not have legally inherited their paternal family name, but they are unquestionably Targaryen. As the proven children of Rhaenyra — allegedly with Laenor Velaryon — only Jacaerys and Lucerys were old enough to actively participate in House of the Dragon. Jace turns out to be a worthy successor, with Rhaenyra officially naming him her heir, and he continues to serve his mother’s cause in Season 2.
Meanwhile, Prince Lucerys bore the misfortune of making an enemy out of his cousin Aemond. In the Season 1 finale, Lucerys was accidentally killed when Aemond and Vhagar “playfully” attacked the Velaryon prince. Joffrey Velaryon hasn’t yet played a proper role in the HBO prequel, but there’s really not that much to say about him other than he doesn’t survive the Dance of the Dragons.
Aegon II Targaryen Was One of the Most Useless Rulers of Westeros
Aegon II Targaryen did not deserve the name he was born with; on the contrary, he did the exact opposite of Aegon the Conqueror by disuniting Westeros. On a positive note, the Usurper’s line would never come to fruition with the deaths of his children occurring long before his own. As a stain on House Targaryen’s legacy, Aegon’s kingship represents the family’s first major collapse.
Aemond Targaryen Has Yet to Reach the Culmination of His Story
There’s no doubt that Aemond Targaryen would have been a better ruler than Aegon. At the same time, many believe that Aemond’s reign had a very high potential for catastrophe. Born to Viserys and Alicent, the prince was once a snivelling crybaby — bonding with Vhagar helped him come out of his shell and into his own, an arguably worse transformation than if he had remained the same weak child his entire life.
Aemond’s personal vendetta against Lucerys led to the latter’s horrible death, which was revealed to be an unintended outcome in House of the Dragon. However, the source material paints Aemond as always cruel, explaining why he attacks his elder brother while trying to battle Rhaenys. Aemond would never have legitimate children, with his death ending his version of the Targaryen bloodline.
Helaena & Daeron Are the Lesser-Known Hightower-Targaryens
Helaena Targaryen is probably the most forgettable member of her family. The only daughter of King Viserys and Queen Alicent, Helaena was married off to Aegon according to family tradition. She had two children, Prince Jaehaerys and Princess Jaehaera, both of whom were named for her great-grandfather. Despite her lack of involvement in all the cut-throat politics, Helaena suffered the trauma of having to choose one of her children while the other was murdered in his bed.
Helaena had a third child with Aegon, Prince Maelor, who was mentioned in Season 1’s opening credits. However, he has yet to make a proper appearance in the series. Interestingly, Alicent and Viserys had a third son, Daeron Targaryen, who shares the same lack of screentime as his nephew Maelor. That said, Daeron is confirmed to participate in the Dance of the Dragons at some point.
Baela & Rhaena Targaryen Are the Only True Targaryen-Velaryons in HotD
On the other hand, her sister Rhaena is packed off to the Vale by Rhaenyra, who insists that she will be safer with young Joffrey and the babies Viserys and Aegon. Interestingly, House of the Dragon showcases Rhaena’s search for a wild dragon in the Vale, implying that she might return with a mount of her own. Baela and Rhaena have only daughters, ending their bloodline, thanks to the patriarchy of Westeros.
Aegon III & Viserys II Targaryen Were Born to Rhaenyra and Daemon
The full-blooded sons of Daemon and Rhaenyra, Aegon and Viserys, are barely toddlers when introduced in House of the Dragon. Neither of them has any significance yet, but that will change following the conclusion of the Targaryen civil war. Aegon takes the Iron Throne after his namesake’s demise, keeping Rhaenyra’s line intact despite her own death at the hands of Aegon II.
Aegon III’s younger brother, Viserys II, rules Westeros for just one year — but only after Aegon III’s sons Daeron and Baelor died young. Rhaenyra’s youngest child doesn’t have much of an impact on either Westeros or the Targaryen dynasty, though his son Aegon IV would become infamous as Aegon the Unworthy.
Prince Aegon “Egg” Targaryen Was the Younger Brother of Maester Aemon
Introduced in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms as yet another Targaryen with the founder’s name, Prince Aegon is one of the most historically relevant members of his dynasty. Famously known as Egg, especially to his brother Aemon Targaryen, the Maester of the Night’s Watch in Game of Thrones, Aegon had a fascinating childhood. While he’s initially unaware of how his experiences would shape the continent, Aegon’s humble beginnings made him the ideal king.
As Aegon V, he was also called Aegon the Unlikely because he was far too behind in the line of Targaryens waiting for the Iron Throne — and therefore the least likely candidate to take over. His reign heavily prioritized the protection of the smallfolk and legal changes that helped balance the power structures of Westeros. And when he died, House Targaryen lost its last effective ruler.
Prince Aerion Brightflame Confirmed the First Signs of Targaryen Madness
One of the first to go properly mad and set the precedent for the future, Aerion genuinely believed in the absolute supremacy of dragons. As a result, he thought that consuming wildfire would transform him into a dragon. It’s impossible to imagine why he even considered such a thing, as wildfire was an artificially-made chemical compound and had nothing to do with actual dragons.
Prince Baelor Targaryen Was the Great-Grandson of Rhaenyra
Rhaenyra’s son Viserys II was succeeded by his son, once again named Aegon, who sat on the Iron Throne as Aegon IV. Also known as Aegon the Unworthy, his death was followed by the reign of his son, King Daeron II. It is the latter who reigns during the events of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, with his eldest son Baelor serving as both heir to the Iron Throne and the Hand of the King.
Like his nephews Egg and Aemon, Baelor was the product of House Targaryen’s attempt to mix their blood with other noble families of Westeros. Baelor was born to Daeron and Myriah Martell, the first of her house to blend with the House of the Dragon until Elia Martell married Rhaegar Targaryen much later.
Prince Maekar Targaryen Was the Father of King Aegon V
The fourthborn son of Myriah and Daeron II, Maekar Targaryen appears in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. He’s best known as the father of the future King Aegon V, the main star of the aforementioned series. Maekar also fathered Aerion Brightflame and Maester Aemon, ruling Westeros following the death of his brother Aerys I Targaryen. Maekar I’s rigid militarism briefly brought stability to Westeros, albeit at the cost of stability.
Although Maekar’s reign helped preserve the order established by his father Daeron II, he’s best remembered for his roles in the Blackfyre Rebellions. King Maekar I perished in a random, forgettable battle, just as unremarkable as his entire kingship. That said, it required the action of a Great Council to ensure Aegon V’s succession after his father’s demise.
Aerys II Targaryen Was the Mad King and Aegon V’s Grandson
Aerys II Targaryen was the seventeenth Targaryen to sit on the Iron Throne. The people of Westeros had no way of knowing what horrors their new king would inflict upon them in the future. During the early years of his reign, Aerys was a fairly peaceful ruler, often being encouraged with nicknames such as “Aerys the Wise” or “Aerys the Great.”
Aerys was eventually responsible for the deaths of Eddard “Ned” Stark’s brothers Brandon and Rickard, which led to Robert’s Rebellion — one of the most pivotal moments in Westeros’ history. Yet, it was a member of Aerys’ own Kingsguard, Jaime Lannister, who landed the killing blow. The events of Robert’s Rebellion served as the distant prologue to what viewers saw in Season 1 of Game of Thrones.
Rhaella Targaryen Was the Sister-Queen of King Aerys II
Rhaella Targaryen isn’t discussed very often in Game of Thrones — and she never appears on-screen — but she’s still notable in the history that led to the HBO series. Not only was she the Queen of Westeros while being married to King Aerys II Targaryen, but she was also the mother of Rhaegar, Viserys, and Daenerys. Shortly after the death of her eldest son, Rhaella was evacuated to Dragonstone to avoid the sacking of King’s Landing.
Rhaegar Targaryen Was a Worthy Heir to the Iron Throne
Despite his father, Rhaegar Targaryen was said to be a kind, caring prince. These descriptions of him led many to doubt that he was evil enough to kidnap and assault the love of Robert Baratheon’s life, Lyanna Stark. Regardless, Robert killed Rhaegar during the Battle of the Trident, but not before Rhaegar and Lyanna were married in a secret ceremony.
Sometime following Rhaegar’s demise, Lyanna gave birth to Rhaegar’s final remaining child, Aegon Targaryen, who Game of Thrones audiences were introduced to as Jon Snow. Ned Stark was present immediately following the birth, where he witnessed his sister Lyanna die, and where he promised to protect his enemy Rhaegar Targaryen’s son from his longtime friend and new king, Robert Baratheon.
Viserys Targaryen Was Nothing More Than the King of Cowards
The Beggar King’s story was ultimately a comedy of errors, being way too far over his head in his political machinations to the point that it got him killed. After pushing Drogo’s buttons one too many times, Viserys got the gold crown he had desperately sought — in the form of molten gold poured over his head by the Dothraki Khal. Viserys died screaming and helpless, the same way he was born.
Daenerys Targaryen Destroyed the House of the Dragon Forever
Daenerys was the final child of the Mad King Aerys Targaryen, having been born on Dragonstone the year Aerys died. For most of her young life, she was forced to put up with her brother Viserys and his misguided belief that he’d one day become King of the Seven Kingdoms. Following the deaths of both Viserys and Drogo, Daenerys and her three newly hatched dragons took control of the Dothraki army and went on a crusade across Essos.
For a short time, she ruled over the land as Queen of the Seven Kingdoms — that is, until Jon Snow himself assassinated her in what remained of the Red Keep, in the very room where her father was killed. With Daenerys’ death and Jon Snow’s exile, the Targaryens’ royal lineage ended and Westeros was finally free from their rule.
Aegon “Jon Snow” Targaryen Remains the Only Surviving Member
Born to Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark, most of Jon’s life was a mystery. Only his adoptive father, Ned Stark, understood the true importance of the boy’s existence. Still, Jon Snow was able to forge his path after joining the Night’s Watch and became a paramount figure in the history of Westeros. Jon was the first to create peace between the Night’s Watch and the Wildlings and became the first brave enough to spearhead a campaign against the mythical White Walkers.
Jon was eventually named the King in the North when he and Sansa defeated Ramsay Bolton’s forces in battle. Jon Snow was extremely important in the Battle of Winterfell, where he helped defend Westeros from the White Walkers. Jon went on to save Westeros once more — this time by murdering his lover (and his aunt), the maniac Queen Daenerys Targaryen, following her assault on King’s Landing.
