From the fiery conquest of Aegon the Conqueror to the tragic downfall of King Aerys II, the history of Westeros has been shaped by the legendary rule of House Targaryen. Known for their dragons, silver hair, and turbulent legacy, the Targaryens reigned over the Seven Kingdoms for nearly three centuries. In this article, we explore The Targaryen kings: A timeline, tracing their rise, glory, and ultimate fall. Whether you’re a devoted fan of Game of Thrones or a history buff of George R.R. Martin’s lore, this timeline unveils the epic saga of each Targaryen king who sat the Iron Throne.
The Dragonlords Arrive – House Targaryen Before Westeros
Before they ruled Westeros, the Targaryens were one of many dragonlord families in the powerful Valyrian Freehold. Valyria was a vast empire built on magic, dragons, and fire. But House Targaryen was different—they saw the end coming.
Twelve years before the Doom of Valyria, the Targaryens left their homeland and settled on Dragonstone, a volcanic island off the eastern coast of Westeros. Led by Lord Aenar Targaryen, they brought with them five dragons—including Balerion the Black Dread.
This move saved their house from Valyria’s destruction, which wiped out almost all other dragonlords. The Targaryens became the last surviving dragonriders in the world.
Their exile wasn’t weakness—it was foresight. Some say Daenys the Dreamer, Aenar’s daughter, had a vision of Valyria’s fall. That vision changed history.
By the time Aegon the Conqueror rose to power, the Targaryens had spent over a century preparing. They weren’t just survivors. They were waiting to rule.
This early chapter shows how House Targaryen’s strength came not just from dragons, but from vision, timing, and patience—a legacy Daenerys would one day carry forward.
Aegon the Conqueror (Aegon I) – The Unifier of the Seven Kingdoms
Aegon Targaryen, known as Aegon the Conqueror, was the first Targaryen king of Westeros—and the one who changed everything.
With his sister-wives, Visenya and Rhaenys, and three dragons—Balerion, Vhagar, and Meraxes—Aegon launched a bold campaign to unite the Seven Kingdoms under one rule. His conquest wasn’t just about power; it was about vision. He believed Westeros needed to be one realm, not seven fighting kingdoms.
The key moment came at the Field of Fire, where Aegon’s dragons burned two armies and proved dragons were unstoppable. Soon after, six of the seven kingdoms bent the knee. Only Dorne resisted—holding out for over a century.
Aegon built King’s Landing, created the Iron Throne from the swords of his enemies, and established the Targaryen dynasty. He ruled with strength and order, balancing fire with strategy.
His legacy shaped Westeros for 300 years. Even in Game of Thrones, Aegon’s name echoes—especially in Jon Snow’s secret heritage and Daenerys’s quest for the throne.
Aegon I wasn’t just a conqueror—he was a symbol of destiny, laying the foundation for every Targaryen who came after.
From Aenys to Jaehaerys – The Rise and Stabilization
After Aegon the Conqueror’s death, his son Aenys I took the throne. But Aenys was weak, and his reign was marked by rebellion and chaos. Many lords doubted his strength. His inability to control the realm led to unrest—and paved the way for his half-brother Maegor the Cruel.
Maegor seized the throne through force. He ruled with fear, executing rivals and crushing resistance. Though he finished the Red Keep, his cruelty turned the people against him. His reign ended mysteriously, with many believing the Iron Throne itself killed him.
Stability returned with Jaehaerys I, the greatest Targaryen king. Known as the Conciliator, he ruled for over 50 years. Jaehaerys brought peace, unity, and smart reforms. He worked closely with his wife, Queen Alysanne, whose wisdom helped guide the realm.
Under Jaehaerys:
Roads and infrastructure improved
Laws were standardized
The Faith and Crown made peace
Jaehaerys’s rule was the golden age of Targaryen power. He proved that a Targaryen didn’t need fire and blood to rule—just wisdom, patience, and a strong partner.
His legacy shaped Westeros for generations and laid the groundwork for future rulers, including those seen in House of the Dragon.
Viserys I to Aegon II – The Dance of the Dragons
The reign of Viserys I Targaryen marked peace—but his death sparked war. Viserys named his daughter, Rhaenyra, as heir. But when he died, his son by a second marriage, Aegon II, claimed the throne instead.
This led to the brutal Dance of the Dragons—a civil war between Rhaenyra and Aegon II. It split the realm, the royal court, and even families. Dragons fought dragons. Brothers killed brothers.
Key points:
Rhaenyra ruled briefly, but was betrayed and executed.
Aegon II won, but died shortly after.
The war left Westeros shattered and most dragons dead.
The Dance of the Dragons marked the beginning of the Targaryens’ decline. The loss of dragons meant a loss of power. It also proved that Targaryen ambition could destroy the very legacy they tried to protect.
This conflict is the heart of HBO’s House of the Dragon, showing how pride, politics, and prophecy tore the family apart.
The lesson? Targaryens may be born to rule—but they are also born to burn.
The Decline Begins – From Aegon III to Daeron II
After the Dance of the Dragons, Aegon III took the throne as a boy. Known as Aegon the Dragonbane, he saw most of the remaining dragons die during his reign. With their loss, the Targaryens began to lose their magical edge and the fear they once inspired.
Aegon III ruled quietly, but his reign marked the end of dragons in Westeros for over a century.
His successors struggled to hold the realm together:
Viserys II was a wise administrator but ruled briefly.
Aegon IV, called “The Unworthy,” damaged the dynasty with corruption and scandal. He legitimized his bastards, sparking the Blackfyre Rebellions—a major threat for generations.
Daeron II brought peace and unity by marrying into House Martell, finally bringing Dorne into the realm.
Though Daeron II was a good king, the damage caused by earlier reigns couldn’t be undone easily. The Targaryens were no longer the untouchable dragonlords of old.
This period showed that internal weakness, not outside threats, slowly broke the dynasty. Even without war, bad leadership chipped away at the power House Targaryen once held.
The Mad King’s Legacy – From Aegon IV to Aerys II
The seeds of the Targaryen downfall were planted long before the flames of Robert’s Rebellion. Starting with Aegon IV “The Unworthy”, the dynasty saw a slow decay of honor and strength. His decision to legitimize his many bastards—especially Daemon Blackfyre—led to a century of civil wars known as the Blackfyre Rebellions.
These rebellions weakened the realm and divided loyalties, especially between Targaryens and their former allies.
Later rulers like Maekar, Aegon V, and Jaehaerys II tried to bring back stability. Aegon V (featured in the Dunk and Egg stories) aimed to reform the kingdom, but his idealism ended in tragedy at Summerhall, where many lives—and the last hope for dragons—were lost in a mysterious fire.
Then came Aerys II, the Mad King. At first, his reign showed promise. But over time, paranoia, cruelty, and obsession with wildfire consumed him. His erratic rule isolated allies and turned noble houses against him.
The final spark? His brutal actions during Robert’s Rebellion, including the murder of Ned Stark’s father and brother, and his order to “burn them all.”
Aerys II’s madness ended 283 years of Targaryen rule. His legacy wasn’t just his fall—but how it shattered the realm, scattered his bloodline, and set the stage for Daenerys Targaryen’s long path to reclaim the throne.
The Fall and the Survivors
The fall of House Targaryen came swiftly with Robert’s Rebellion. Following the Mad King Aerys II’s brutal actions, Robert Baratheon, Ned Stark, and others rose against the crown. Aerys was killed, and the Targaryen dynasty came to an end.
But the bloodline didn’t vanish completely. Viserys and Daenerys, the last known surviving Targaryens, were exiled to Essos.
Viserys lived in bitterness, trying to reclaim the throne but lacking the strength or support to do so. His obsession with power led to his demise in King’s Landing.
Daenerys, his younger sister, had a different fate. Starting as a vulnerable girl in exile, she grew into a powerful leader. Her rise, marked by her three dragons, was a symbol of House Targaryen’s return.
Though the Targaryen throne was lost, their story didn’t end. Daenerys’s journey was not only about regaining the throne, but about healing the wounds left by her ancestors’ flaws.
The Targaryen legacy, filled with both brutality and brilliance, continued to influence Westeros, and their bloodline proved resilient, even if their power had dwindled.
In the end, House Targaryen’s fall wasn’t just about a loss of kingship—it was a fall from grace, a family whose triumphs and tragedies shaped the fate of an entire continent.
Legacy of the Targaryens in Game of Thrones
The Targaryens may have lost their throne, but their legacy burns throughout Game of Thrones. Their name, history, and bloodline continue to shape the fate of Westeros.
Daenerys Targaryen becomes the central symbol of House Targaryen’s legacy. From a powerless exile to the Mother of Dragons, she revives the house’s ancient strength. Her dragons, ideals, and royal claim all echo her ancestors—especially Aegon the Conqueror.
Yet, her journey also mirrors the family’s flaws. Like Aerys II, her quest for power turns dark in the end. Her fall reminds us that Targaryens walk a thin line between greatness and madness.
Jon Snow’s true parentage—as Aegon Targaryen—adds a final twist. He embodies both Stark honor and Targaryen fire. His secret birth reignites debates over who is the rightful heir and whether the Targaryen name still holds power.
Even after the dynasty ends, Westeros cannot escape their influence. From the Iron Throne to the dragon sigil, the Targaryens left a permanent mark on the world.
Their legacy is more than fire and blood—it’s a story of power, identity, and the cost of ruling.
FAQs and Reader Questions (Optional but Engaging)
Q1: Why did the Targaryens lose their dragons?
Dragons began to die off after the Dance of the Dragons. Poor care, inbreeding, and being kept in captivity at Dragonstone led to their eventual extinction—until Daenerys hatched three new ones.
Q2: Was Daenerys the last Targaryen?
Not exactly. Jon Snow, revealed as Aegon Targaryen, is also a trueborn Targaryen through Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryen. His fate, however, ends with exile beyond the Wall.
Q3: What is the significance of “fire and blood”?
“Fire and Blood” is the house motto of the Targaryens. It reflects their power through dragons and conquest—and also hints at their often violent history.
Q4: Who was the greatest Targaryen king?
Many consider Jaehaerys I the best. He ruled wisely for over 50 years, bringing peace and reforms. His legacy shaped Westeros more than any other Targaryen ruler.
Q5: How is the Targaryen legacy explored in House of the Dragon?
The show focuses on the Dance of the Dragons, the civil war between Rhaenyra and Aegon II. It explores power, betrayal, and the family’s tragic downfall long before Daenerys.
Have more questions? Drop them in the comments—we love diving deeper into Targaryen lore!
The Enduring Flame of House Targaryen
From their fiery arrival in Westeros to their dramatic fall, the Targaryens have shaped the destiny of the realm like no other house. Their story is one of power, prophecy, and peril—a rise built on dragonfire and a fall sparked by madness and pride.
Through Aegon’s conquest, Jaehaerys’s reforms, and Daenerys’s rebirth, House Targaryen has captivated fans with a legacy that refuses to die. Even after losing the Iron Throne, their name lives on in bloodlines, symbols, and the collective memory of Westeros.
Whether you follow the battles in Game of Thrones or the royal intrigue in House of the Dragon, one thing is clear:
The story of House Targaryen is not just history—it’s the heartbeat of Westeros.
And as long as stories are told and dragons soar, the legacy of fire and blood will burn on.
