Let's face it: the Targaryens have a thing for keeping it in the family. Between the silver hair, the dragons, and the multiple Aegons, keeping track of who's who across Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon, and the upcoming A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms can feel like a full-time job. But don't worry—we've mapped out the most important Targaryens from the Conquest all the way to Daenerys.
It all starts with Aegon I Targaryen, the Conqueror. He flew from Valyria to Westeros on the massive dragon Balerion and unified the Seven Kingdoms. Aegon had two sister-wives: Visenya, the stern elder who wielded the sword Dark Sister and rode Vhagar, and Rhaenys, the gentle younger sister who loved music and rode Meraxes. Aegon's line continued through Rhaenys's son, Aenys. Aegon's story is set to be explored in the upcoming Aegon's Conquest prequel movie.
Next comes Rhaena Targaryen, daughter of King Aenys I. She claimed the blue dragon Dreamfyre—later ridden by Helaena Targaryen—and was married to her uncle, the tyrannical King Maegor I. Later in life, she moved to Harrenhal, where her dragon reportedly laid a clutch of eggs that appear in House of the Dragon Season 3. That season has already set a new streaming record for HBO Max.
Then there's King Jaehaerys I Targaryen, grandson of Aegon I through Aenys. He and his sister-wife Alysanne—the beloved Good Queen—had thirteen children, but most died before him. Without a clear heir, Jaehaerys called a Great Council, which chose his grandson Viserys over his granddaughter Rhaenys (the Queen Who Never Was). Jaehaerys rode Vermithor, later claimed by his bastard grandson Hugh Hammer. Alysanne rode Silverwing, later claimed by Ulf the White.
Rhaenys Targaryen (the Queen Who Never Was) lost the throne to her cousin Viserys but later supported Rhaenyra in the Dance of the Dragons. Married to Corlys Velaryon, she had two children, Laenor and Laena, and rode the dragon Meleys until her death in House of the Dragon Season 2. King Viserys I Targaryen named his daughter Rhaenyra as heir after failing to produce a son with his first wife, Aemma. But his remarriage to Alicent Hightower produced three sons—including Aegon II—sparking the civil war that tore the realm apart.
For fans diving into House of the Dragon Season 3, the show is packed with Easter eggs that connect back to Game of Thrones. And with A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Season 2 reportedly battling floods and getting secret pages from George R.R. Martin, the Targaryen legacy is only getting deeper.
So whether you're Team Black or Team Green, one thing's clear: the Targaryen family tree is as tangled as a dragon's nest—but now you've got the map.
