Aegon II Targaryen

The prince whose birth fractured the dynasty and ignited a century-old tradition into chaos.

Aegon II Targaryen is a central figure in the first season of House of the Dragon, born to King Viserys I and Queen Alicent Hightower. His birth challenged King Viserys's earlier decision to name Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen as his successor, and the Hand of the King, Otto Hightower, conspired to put him on the throne. This contradiction between the king's public proclamation and the traditional principle of male inheritance sparked a deep division within House Targaryen. As tensions mounted across the realm, Aegon became the focal point for the faction opposing Rhaenyra, setting the stage for a brutal civil war.

Quick Facts

Name: Prince Aegon II Targaryen
Parents: King Viserys I Targaryen and Queen Alicent Hightower
Antagonist to: Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen
Key manipulator: Otto Hightower (Hand of the King)
Context: Succession crisis breaking a century tradition of male heirs

Lore & Background

Aegon II Targaryen's path to power was forged in the shadow of his father King Viserys I Targaryen, who initially named Rhaenyra his heir. This decision broke a century-long tradition where only male heirs were named, creating immediate turmoil. The Hand of the King, Otto Hightower, conspired to usurp Rhaenyra by arranging for his daughter Alicent to marry Viserys, resulting in Aegon's birth as Prince Aegon II Targaryen. As the story takes place nearly 200 years before Game of Thrones on the continent of Westeros, this succession crisis slowly divided House Targaryen. While Rhaenyra struggled with her responsibilities as heiress, Aegon represented the opposing force backed by Otto and Alicent, turning a family dispute into a struggle for the Iron Throne.

Reader's Guide

Aegon II Targaryen serves as the counter-claimant to Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen in the succession crisis depicted in the first season. His position is supported by his mother, Queen Alicent Hightower, and her father, Otto Hightower, who acts as the Hand of the King. His supporters favor the principle of male inheritance, against Rhaenyra's claim as the king's chosen heir. Otto conspires to usurp Rhaenyra as ruler of the Seven Kingdoms by having his daughter Alicent marry Viserys, whose son Aegon then stands against her.