House Targaryen is a prominent family in the world of A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin, and its adaptation in Game of Thrones. The Targaryens are known for their iconic dragons and their ancestral connection to the ancient Valyrian Freehold. They played a significant role in the history of Westeros, with their legacy marked by their fiery blood, ambitious rulers, and the eventual fall from power.

Origins and Early History:

• Valyria: The Targaryens are one of the few noble houses in Westeros that trace their ancestry back to the Valyrian Freehold, an ancient and powerful civilization that once ruled much of the known world. The Targaryens were a dragonlord family from Valyria, one of the last surviving families after the Doom of Valyria, a cataclysmic event that destroyed the Valyrian Empire.
• Aegon the Conqueror: The Targaryens rose to prominence in Westeros when Aegon I Targaryen (Aegon the Conqueror) united the Seven Kingdoms in a single kingdom under his rule. Aegon and his two sister-wives, Visenya and Rhaenys, wielded the power of dragons to conquer and subdue the various independent kingdoms of Westeros. This marked the beginning of the Targaryen dynasty’s rule, which lasted nearly 300 years.

Characteristics:

• Dragons: The Targaryens are renowned for their close connection with dragons. They are one of the few families in Westeros to have ever ridden dragons, and dragons have been central to their power and identity. Aegon’s conquest was largely made possible by his three dragons: Balerion the Black Dread, Vhagar, and Meraxes.
• Valyrian Blood: The Targaryens are known for their distinctive silver-blonde hair and purple eyes, a feature passed down through their Valyrian heritage. Many Targaryens are also known to intermarry with other Targaryens to preserve their “pure” bloodline, a practice that has sometimes led to instability and madness among their rulers.
• The Iron Throne: After Aegon I’s conquest, the Targaryens sat on the Iron Throne in King’s Landing, which was forged from the swords of the defeated enemies in Aegon’s conquest. The throne represents the seat of power for the Targaryen dynasty in Westeros.

Notable Targaryens:

• Aegon I Targaryen (Aegon the Conqueror): The first Targaryen king to unite the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros.
• Viserys I Targaryen: King of Westeros who was known for his weak rule and internal family conflicts.
• Daenerys Targaryen: Perhaps the most famous Targaryen in popular culture, Daenerys is known as the “Mother of Dragons” and sought to reclaim the Iron Throne after her family was overthrown in Robert’s Rebellion.
• King Aerys II Targaryen (The Mad King): The last Targaryen king before the fall of House Targaryen. His tyrannical rule led to Robert’s Rebellion, which ended with the overthrow of the Targaryen dynasty.
• Rhaegar Targaryen: The eldest son of Aerys II, who was a tragic figure at the heart of Robert’s Rebellion, often remembered for his charm, intelligence, and tragic love story with Lyanna Stark.
• Viserys Targaryen: The younger brother of Rhaegar, Viserys lived in exile for much of his life, dreaming of reclaiming the throne. His story is central to Daenerys’ journey in the early seasons of Game of Thrones.

Decline and Fall:

The downfall of House Targaryen came with Robert’s Rebellion (about 17 years before the events of Game of Thrones). The rebellion was sparked by the kidnapping (or elopement, depending on the perspective) of Lyanna Stark by Rhaegar Targaryen, which led to a bloody conflict between the houses of Westeros. The rebellion ended with the death of the Mad King Aerys II, the last Targaryen king on the throne, and the eventual rise of Robert Baratheon to the Iron Throne. The Targaryens were overthrown and exiled to Essos.

The Last of the Targaryens: Following their fall, the last surviving Targaryens were Viserys and Daenerys, who lived in exile. Daenerys Targaryen would later rise to prominence in the events of Game of Thrones, attempting to reclaim the throne with the aid of her dragons.

House Targaryen in House of the Dragon:

The prequel series House of the Dragon chronicles the Targaryen civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons, which takes place roughly 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones. This civil war was fought between rival factions of the Targaryen family, all vying for the Iron Throne. The show explores the internal power struggles and betrayals that led to the downfall of House Targaryen’s strength, setting the stage for the eventual fall of the dynasty.

Legacy:

Despite their fall, the Targaryens remain a key part of Westeros’ history and continue to inspire both fear and admiration. Their story is one of glory, madness, and tragedy, with their dragons being both a symbol of their greatest power and their eventual undoing. The Targaryen name is synonymous with the idea of destiny, ambition, and the destructive nature of unchecked power.

The Targaryen legacy lives on, both in the hearts of those who once loved them and in the ambitions of those who seek to rebuild their reign, whether for the better or worse of Westeros.