Who was Aegon the Conqueror?

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Who was Aegon the Conqueror

House of the Dragon takes place more than 100 years after Aegon’s conquest. But who was this Aegon whose name keeps coming up in the Game of Thrones spin-off? Who was the man that King Viserys (Paddy Considine) names his first son Aegon Targaryen (the “second of his name” in the episode title of Episode 3) after? What was the significance of he and his prophetic visions?

House of the Dragon History Lesson: Aegon I Targaryen conquered Westeros

Even if Daenerys in Game of Thrones the Iron Throne returnthe Targaryens did not always rule the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. The House of the Dragon series begins 172 years before the fall of Dany’s father, the “Mad King” Aerys II Targaryen. Again, it was more than 100 years before House of the Dragon began Aegon I Targaryenwho subdued Westeros to his dragon-riding blond family.

Because his old home Valyria, on the neighboring continent Essos, was doomed according to a prophetic vision, Aegon I once went with his family (rather insignificant in their own homeland) across the sea to Westeros. While Valyria was being destroyed, the Targaryens outlived the other Dragon Riders. Only the (also blond) House Velaryon followed them to Westeros. Tyrion and Jorah Mormont sail through the ruins of Valyria Free State in Season 5 of Game of Thrones.

© HBO

Game of Thrones: Jorah and Tyrion in the Ruins of Valyria

Aegon wears that nickname “the conqueror” not by chance. The future king landed his small army in western Westeros, where King’s Landing (King’s Landing) was later built as the capital. From here he began his triumphal procession with his sisters Visenya and Rhaenys (who were also his two wives). At Harrenhal he made an example, showing that not even this strong fortress could withstand his dragonfire. After that, more and more important houses swore allegiance to him in order not to be wiped out themselves.

Though the number of Aegon’s followers was initially small, the dragons of the Targayens more than offset the superiority of the warring individual kingdoms. Thus, on the back of his dragon Balerion, the black terror, Aegon I united six of the seven kingdoms (except Dorne) under his rule and founded the Targaryen dynasty.

Aegon the Conqueror as the forefather of Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon

After such a beginning, it should come as no surprise that all subsequent Targaryen rulers took the victorious Aegon I as their model. A shrewd warlord and wise ruler, the Conqueror was the epitome of power. Even Westeros entire Timing depends on the conqueror: Year 0 marks the official beginning of Aegon’s reign. Everything before and after is given as vAE or nAE (before and after Aegon’s conquest).

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Here’s a short one Timeline explaining Aegon’s descendants until the 3rd episode House of the Dragon:

  • year 0: Aegon the Conqueror becomes the ruler of Westeros
  • year 37 nAE: Aegon’s son (conceived by his sister Rhaenys). aenys ascends the throne after Aegon’s death
  • year 42: Aegon’s (sired with Sister Visenya) son Maegor the Cruel becomes king after the death of his brother
  • year 48: Aeny’s son, so Aegon’s grandson, Jaehaerys, the Old Kingascends the Iron Throne and reigns in peace for 55 years
  • year 103: After the Great Council vote in 101, Jaehaery’s eldest granddaughter becomes Rhaenys, not his male grandson Viserys destined to be heir to the throne
  • year 112: House of the Dragon begins in Episode 1 in Visery’s 9th year, his first wife Aemma and newborn son Baelor die (which has been adjusted in timing from the original book) and Rhaenyra is declared heir to the throne
  • year 113: Six months after Aemma’s death, in episode 2, Viserys decides to marry Alicent Hightower (Emily Carey).
  • year 116: In episode 3 of House of the Dragon, Visery’s marriage is three years old again and he has a 2-year-old son: aegon

    • This kid is Aegon II, the episode title after “Second of His Name”. He’s not actually the second Targaryen descendant to be named after the conqueror Aegon I. Only kings are given the royal number after their name. However, the third episode House of the Dragon chooses its title to make it clear that someone is coming who Challenge Rhaenyra to the throne should.
    Aegon the Conqueror and His Vision: The Prophecy in House of the Dragon

    Episode 1 of House of the Dragon revealed that back then, Aegon I had another reason for coming to Westeros: According to a prophecy in his dream only a Targaryen on the Iron Throne can do that Danger of the White Walkers turn away. Viserys passes this knowledge on to Rhaenyra as a burden. George RR Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire makes a circular argument to Game of Thrones.

    © HBO

    House of the Dragon: Does Viserys carry Aegon’s burden of vision?

    In Episode 3 of House of the Dragon, Viserys quarrels with himself and his ancestors: many Targaryens were dragon riders, but only few “dreamers”, so blessed with future visions. Is Viserys himself (like Aegon the Conqueror) one of those few? And must he therefore bow to his dream in which he saw a son (and not a daughter) on the Iron Throne? This too is a legacy of Aegon I, which still resonates in House of the Dragon 100 years after his conquest of Westeros.

    House of the Dragon in the podcast

    We follow the Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon with weekly episode reviews. Check out what’s next for the Targaryens.

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    Before House of the Dragon, how much did you know about Aegon I Targaryen the Conqueror?

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