The hit HBO series Game of Thrones first introduced House Targaryen, beginning with the Targaryen siblings Viserys and Daenerys being the exiled remnants of an overthrown rule.
With this family's fascinating lore, the prequel House of the Dragon gives viewers a detailed look at this powerful clan when they are still at the peak of their power.
The Targaryen dynasty is the dominant force in the Seven Kingdoms, thanks to the reign of their dragon power.
They ruled Westeros for nearly 300 years, but their power and influence started to dwindle.
House of the Dragon Season 2 features the beginning of the war between the Greens and Blacks.
As their end is about to begin, let's learn about the rise and fall of House Targaryen.
The Conquest of Westeros
King Aegon Targaryen, the first king of the Targaryen dynasty, conquered the continent of Westeros with the help of his sister-wives, Rhaenys and Visenya, and their dragons, Meraxes, Vhagar and Balerion.
He successfully unified six of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros within two years, except Dorne, which managed to resist the conquest.
When the conquest ended, the High Septon crowned Ageon as the first King of the Andals and the First Men.
This established the ruling of the Targaryen dynasty of the Seven Kingdoms for the next three centuries.
The Start of House Targaryen’s Downfall
Aegon’s reign officially began on the day of his proclamation. He imposed a political, military, and bureaucratic sword on most of Westeros and established the Order of the Kingsguard, known as the royal bodyguards of the Iron Throne.
But Aegon didn’t manage to conquer the whole of Westeros. He fretted over the conflict in the Iron Islands and the First Dornish War.
He dealt with the Ironborn, while he and Visenya decided to let Balerion and Vhagar handle Dorne after Rhaenys and Meraxes’ deaths at Hellholt.
The Ironborn had the chance to decide for themselves and elected Vickon Greyjoy as Lord, which Aegon accepted.
The last 24 years of Aegon’s reign were peaceful until he married his heir, Aenys, to Lady Alyssa Velaryon and had six kids.
King Jaeharys I and his sister-wife, Queen Alysanne, were the most notable among the children.
Aenys and Maegor, the Cruel’s reigns weren’t as good as their predecessors, resulting in a rift with the Faith due to marriage practices. The other usurped his nephew and niece’s throne.
In the premiere episode of House of the Dragons, Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen recalled the heyday of House Targaryen, claiming the reigning of the Old King Jaeherys stood at the height of the house’s strength with ten adult dragons under its yoke.
However, she admitted that Jaehaerys knew what would ruin their dynasty.
“The only thing that could tear down the House of the Dragon… was itself,” Rhaenyra said.
House Targaryen Destroyed Itself
Aegon, Jaeherys, and Viserys were the strongest Targaryen kings. Aegon started the Targaryen rule in Westeros, while Jaeherys helped bridge the gaps in the regime.
As for Viserys, he continued with what his predecessor had started. However, House Targaryen started destroying itself when the war of succession began.
Aegon II and Rhaenyra fought over the throne. The battle, known as the Dance of the Dragons, affected the family and the whole realm.
Add that to the death of House Targaryen’s biggest dragons, Vhagar, Syrax, Vermithor, and Caraxes, and their deterrence and defences started to deteriorate.
The reign of the subsequent Targaryen kings wasn’t as effective. Daeron failed the invasion of Dorne, and Ageon the Unworthy brought ruin to the House.
Though Aegon the Fifth tried to restore the strength of House Targaryen, the rise of nobility failed him.
The empire's fall was about to begin after he died trying to hatch dragon eggs at Summerhall.
The Fall of House Targaryen
The fall of House Targaryen began when the War of the Usurper / Robert’s Rebellion started. The Mad King responded to Prince Rhaegar Targaryen’s alleged abduction of Lyanna Stark.
This resulted in a long-standing battle against the Targaryens. The Great Houses no longer feared the once strongest family.
As a Mad King, he alienated most of his allies, like Tywin Lannister and his heir. This gave the Houses of Arryn, Stark, and Tully a chance to form a revolt.
The House of Targaryen eventually fell after the king descended into madness, became fascinated with Wildfire, and executed Rickard and Brandon Stark.
Robert Baratheon took the Iron Throne. Rhaegar fell on the Tride, the Kingsguard slayed the Mad King, and his last children, Viserys and Daenerys, were secretly carried off.
Daenerys did her best to regain the Iron Throne, but she was killed by Jon Snow, who happened to be Lyanna and Rhaegar’s son, Aegon Targaryen.
He was sent off the Wall and was the last living Targaryen.
House of the Dragon Season 2 airs every Sunday on HBO.
READ MORE: Targaryens vs Lannisters: Comparing Characters from House of the Dragon and Game of Thrones
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