House of the Dragon Timeline EXPLAINED

Summary

This video from WatchMojo explores the history of the Targaryen family in the 'Game of Thrones' universe, from their rise as the last Dragon Lords after the Doom of Valyria to their eventual decline. It delves into key events like Aegon the Conqueror's establishment of the Iron Throne and the Dance of the Dragons, which nearly wiped out dragons and Targaryens. The video also touches on the incestuous practices to maintain purity of bloodline, the Mad King's downfall, and Daenerys' and Jon Snow's roles in the Targaryen legacy.

Takeaways

• 🔥 The Targaryens were once a part of the advanced Valyrian Freehold civilization, which was destroyed by a volcanic eruption in 102 BC.
• 🐉 The Targaryens were the last Dragon Lords, with dragons being a key to their power and rise to prominence.
• 👑 Aegon the Conqueror, along with his sisters, used their dragons to conquer Westeros and establish the Targaryen dynasty in 1 AC.
• ⚔️ The Iron Throne was forged from the swords of Aegon's defeated enemies, symbolizing his rule over the Seven Kingdoms.
• 👑 The Targaryens continued the Valyrian tradition of incestuous marriage to keep their bloodline pure, which sometimes led to instability.
• 👶 Aegon the Conqueror's decision to conquer Westeros was influenced by a prophetic vision of the end of the world, similar to a vision his ancestor had about Valyria's downfall.
• 👧 Princess Rhaenyra was named heir by her father, Viserys, breaking tradition, but the succession was challenged by her half-brother Aegon II.
• 🐲 The Dance of the Dragons was a brutal civil war between Aegon II and Rhaenyra, nearly leading to the extinction of dragons and the Targaryen dynasty.
• 📉 The decline of the Targaryens was marked by internal strife, rebellions, and the self-destructive tendencies of their rulers.
• 👑 The Mad King Aerys II was known for his cruelty and was overthrown in Robert's Rebellion, nearly ending the Targaryen line.
• 🌟 Daenerys Targaryen and Jon Snow are revealed to be the last surviving members of House Targaryen, with Daenerys' tragic end leaving Jon as the sole representative of the once-great house in the television adaptation.

Q & A

What was the significance of the Valyrian Freehold in the history of the Targaryens?

The Valyrian Freehold was the most advanced civilization in the Known World, and it was the home of the Dragon Lords, including the Targaryens. The Targaryens were not a prominent family initially, but after the Doom of Valyria, they became the last Dragon Lords and rose to power.

What event led to the Targaryens leaving Valyria and settling in Dragonstone?

A Targaryen named Danis had a prophetic vision of a fiery apocalypse that would destroy Valyria. Following this vision, Lord Anar Targaryen and his family left Valyria and settled in Dragonstone.

What was the Doom of Valyria, and how did it affect the Targaryens?

The Doom of Valyria was a catastrophic volcanic eruption that occurred in 102 BC and destroyed the Valyrian civilization. This event left the Targaryens as the last Dragon Lords and allowed them to rise to power.

Who was Aegon the Conqueror and what was his significance in the Targaryen history?

Aegon the Conqueror was the first Targaryen ruler who conquered Westeros with the help of his dragons and sisters. He established the Targaryen dynasty and forged the Iron Throne from the swords of his defeated enemies.

Why did Aegon the Conqueror decide to conquer Westeros?

Aegon the Conqueror was influenced by a prophetic vision of the end of the world, similar to the one that Danis had foreseen for Valyria. This vision led him to conquer Westeros to secure a future for his family.

What was the Dance of the Dragons, and what were its consequences for the Targaryen family?

The Dance of the Dragons was a brutal civil war that took place in 129 AC between two factions of the Targaryen family, the blacks and the greens. It nearly led to the complete destruction of the Targaryens and their dragons, marking the end of their golden age.

How did the Targaryens maintain their bloodline's purity according to the script?

The Targaryens continued the Valyrian tradition of incestuous marriage to keep their bloodline pure. This practice involved marrying close relatives, including siblings.

What was the role of Rhaenyra in the Targaryen succession during the events of House of the Dragon?

Rhaenyra was initially named as the heir by her father, Viserys. However, after Viserys remarried, his son Aegon II claimed the throne after Viserys' death, leading to a conflict over succession.

What was the impact of the Targaryens' intermarriage on their rule and family?

While the intermarriage was intended to maintain the purity of their Valyrian blood, it sometimes resulted in offspring prone to eccentricity and cruelty, which contributed to the decline of the Targaryen rule.

Who was the Mad King, and how did his reign contribute to the fall of the Targaryen dynasty?

The Mad King, Aerys II, was known for his cruelty and self-destructive behavior, including the execution of Rickard Stark and his son Brandon. His actions led to Robert's Rebellion, which ultimately resulted in the end of the Targaryen reign.

What were the events that led to the near extinction of dragons during the Targaryen era?

The Dance of the Dragons and subsequent conflicts led to the near extinction of dragons. By the end of these events, House Targaryen had only two dragons left, and their remaining eggs would not hatch.