Unveiled: The Top 10 Targaryens That Shook the World with Their Might!

Throughout both Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon, the Targaryens stood as the most influential figures globally, primarily because they were the final descendants of the ancient and mighty civilization of Valyria – a realm once considered the pinnacle of historical power. Moreover, being the world’s last dragon-riders, they possessed an unparalleled ability to tame and control dragons, making them the only ones with such formidable power.

Absolutely, it’s worth noting that the Targaryens are renowned for their strength, stemming from their lineage and dragon-riding skills. Interestingly, there have been remarkable members of House Targaryen who hold a significant place in the family’s history. Therefore, let’s delve into some of the most influential Targaryens throughout history.

10. Daenys the Dreamer

Amongst all listed Targaryens, Daenerys the Dreamer stands alone as the one who was born and nurtured in the ancient city of Valyria itself. This is due to the fact that her life coincided with a period when House Targaryen was still a small, yet influential family of dragon-rulers residing in Old Valyria. However, it’s Daenerys’ heroic role in saving her entire family that sets her apart, making her one of the most powerful Targaryens to have ever lived.

What’s notable about Daenys is her ability to foresee future events, earning her the title of The Dreamer. As King Viserys mentioned in House of the Dragon, the might of dragons pales in comparison to the power of prophecy. Among all her prophetic visions, the most significant was her dream about the Doom of Valyria. This foresight protected House Targaryen and elevated them to become the most influential family globally, as they evacuated Old Valyria and settled on Dragonstone over a decade before the mighty empire of Valyria crumbled.

9. Aemon the Dragonknight

As a cinephile delving into the realm of Game of Thrones, I’d say it’s Aemon Targaryen, the second-born son of King Viserys II, who stands out among the princes for not having ridden a dragon. Nicknamed the Dragonknight, he lived in an era when dragons were long gone – a fact that prevented him from ever mounting one (despite being given an egg that never hatched).

Aemon made it onto this list primarily due to his reputation as one of the most noble and skilled knights in the Seven Kingdoms’ history. He was often referred to as the greatest swordsman at that time, with even Cregan Stark, a distinguished swordsman himself, acknowledging that Aemon, who used Dark Sister, was the best opponent he had ever encountered. Only Ser Arthur Dayne, the Sword of the Morning, is said to have been equally matched with Aemon the Dragonknight in swordsmanship.

8. Aemond Targaryen

During the era of the Dance of the Dragons, Aemond Targaryen, the second son of King Viserys and Queen Alicent, emerged. Unlike his brother, he didn’t wield the same influence over the people of the Seven Kingdoms, but his strength lay in his ambition to rule and his prowess as a competent military strategist and commander.

In my humble opinion, it was Aemond’s command over Vhagar, the colossal dragon that towered above all others during the Dance of the Dragons, that truly set him apart. His mastery extended not only to flight on the back of a dragon but also in the art of swordsmanship, making him an unparalleled force among the Green faction’s riders. Yet, it was his leadership skills that truly shone when he took charge during Aegon II’s regency, governing his brother’s domain while our prince lay injured and unable to rule.

7. Daemon Targaryen

In simpler terms, Daemon Targaryen was Viserys I’s younger brother and married to Rhaenyra. He had a reputation as a rebellious prince before the events of the Dance of the Dragons. Moreover, he demonstrated his skills in warfare during the War for the Stepstones against the Triarchy, making him an experienced and battle-hardened military leader.

In the epic conflict known as the Dance of the Dragons, he soared on Caraxes, the Blood Wyrm. This allowed him to demonstrate his exceptional skills as both a dragonrider and swordsman, fighting for the faction known as the Blacks. His power was undeniably confirmed during the Battle Above the Gods Eye, where he defeated not one, but two formidable adversaries – Aemond Targaryen and Vhagar – by wounding his nephew with Dark Sister. Remarkably, he achieved this feat despite the fact that Caraxes was only half the size of the largest dragon in existence across the known world.

6. Rhaenyra Targaryen

Rhaenyra Targaryen, King Viserys’ oldest child, was chosen by him to take over as ruler of the Seven Kingdoms upon his demise. Yet, her female gender and the birth of a younger brother after she was designated heir ignited the entire Targaryen conflict, infamously known as the Dance of the Dragons.

During the conflict known as the Dance of the Dragons, Rhaenyra was a key figure among the Black faction and frequently rode Syrax. Despite not being an exceptional dragon rider or swordsman, nor possessing a particularly formidable dragon, her true strength lay in the allegiance of numerous significant Houses of Westeros to her cause. Had her mental stability been stronger during her reign over King’s Landing, she may have emerged victorious from the Dance of the Dragons due to the power that her support base provided her.

5. Jon Snow

Initially believed to be the illegitimate child of Ned Stark, Jon Snow was later discovered to be the legitimate son of Prince Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark. This secret marriage took place in Dorne prior to Robert Baratheon’s rebellion, making him a strong contender for the Iron Throne among the surviving Targaryens at that time.

In his role as both a potential Targaryen and one of Westeros’ prophesied saviors, Jon Snow amassed significant power. Yet, it was not just this lineage that made him powerful; he earned the admiration and respect from the Wildlings, ultimately claiming the title of King in the North. To add to this, he rode Rhaegal during the Long Night. Had Jon Snow sought power for its own sake, he might have surpassed all other Targaryens in terms of power. However, Jon was a humble man who appeared content with little to no desire for wealth, luxury, titles, or power.

4. Maegor the Cruel

Maegor Targaryen, the eldest son of Queen Visenya Targaryen, became the third ruler to occupy the Iron Throne. However, instead of inheriting it in a traditional sense, he seized power from his nephew Aegon the Uncrowned. His justification was that he felt entitled to rule following the death of their half-brother. In this manner, Maegor’s reign was characterized by his ruthless and strong leadership style. Additionally, he held some symbols of legitimacy, as he was granted Balerion the Black Dread and was the one who wielded Blackfyre.

Absolutely, King Maegor is infamously known for being one of the harshest Targaryen rulers, yet his firm governance and grip enabled him to maintain control for a limited period. However, his cruelty escalated substantially, leading the prominent Houses of Westeros to unite under Prince Jaehaerys, aiming to overthrow Maegor. Despite holding onto the Iron Throne tenaciously, he met an enigmatic end while seated on it. Speculation suggests that he either took his own life or was murdered.

3. Jaehaerys Targaryen

During King Maegor’s reign, Jaehaerys Targaryen, his nephew, was the sole living son of King Aenys. This unique position gave him a strong claim against his uncle. As a result, he rebelled against Maegor and eventually ascended to the position of Lord of the Seven Kingdoms upon finding his uncle mysteriously deceased on the Iron Throne. Known as the Old King, Jaehaerys reigned for an impressive 55 years. He is not only remembered as the longest-reigning Targaryen monarch but also as one of the best kings in history.

Besides being mounted on Vermithor, one of the largest dragons at the time, only surpassed by Balerion and Vhagar, Jaehaerys held great power because he was skilled in governing a kingdom without resorting to excessive violence. His ability to bring peace with former enemies for a remarkable 55-year period demonstrates his strength as a king.

Jaehaerys was powerful not just because he had a big dragon, but also because he knew how to rule a kingdom in peace without unnecessary fights. The fact that he kept the peace for 55 years with many of the realm’s enemies shows how strong a king he was.

2. Daenerys Targaryen

As a dedicated cinema enthusiast, I’d rephrase it like this: In the captivating world of Game of Thrones, I found myself deeply invested in Daenerys Targaryen, an exiled princess who started with nothing. Yet, her journey was marked by fire, blood, and selfless sacrifices that transformed her into the most powerful woman in the known realm during that era. This wasn’t just due to her reintroduction of dragons to our world, but also because she earned respect and adoration from diverse armies with her courage and leadership.

Through her unique abilities, she managed to gain the loyalty of the entire Dothraki horde for her cause. Simultaneously, her strong aversion to slavery helped her amass a massive force of Unsullied. Additionally, she had the Second Sons, who were second only to the Golden Company in terms of their power as a mercenary army. Given her potential claim as the Prophesied Prince/Princess, Daenerys was undoubtedly more powerful than any individual during her time.

1. Aegon the Conqueror

Known as perhaps the most notable ruler in the history of the Seven Kingdoms, Aegon the Conqueror, a Targaryen king, managed to unite all seven kingdoms under the Targaryen standard, for he foresaw the danger that was looming from the north. In this respect, much like Daenys, he too had the advantage of prophetic insight.

Despite various factors, it was ultimately the might of his dragons that ensured his dominance in the Seven Kingdoms for almost four decades, enabling him to rule over the entire realm. Accompanied by his sisters and three massive dragons during his conquest, these beasts proved more than sufficient to compel all continental lords and kings to acknowledge his authority. Riding Balerion and wielding Blackfyre further augmented his formidable power, placing him among the most powerful individuals in the annals of George RR Martin’s Ice & Fire series.

2025-05-13 11:24