Aegon Targaryen: Founding King of Game of Thrones Explained

Aegon Targaryen. If you’re even remotely into Game of Thrones, you know that name. It’s a legend—a guy who showed up with dragons, kicked some serious butt, and basically turned Westeros into a hot mess of political drama. The history books call him the “Founding King,” but what made Aegon Targaryen the man who shaped the Seven Kingdoms? Why does his legacy still hang over Westeros, like the shadow of a dragon?

Let’s dive into Aegon’s story. Trust me, it’s got dragons, fire, a bit of chaos, and some fascinating behind-the-scenes stuff you probably didn’t know.

The Targaryen Origins: How It All Began

The Targaryens weren’t just any house. They were Valyrian blood, survivors of the Doom of Valyria, and they ended up hanging out on Dragonstone, just chillin’ with a few dragons and a lot of ambition.

Dragonstone: The Real Story

Okay, first off, Dragonstone. Sounds cool, right? But the truth? It was more like an overgrown, volcanic island, with some epic views. But hey, it was the only place that survived the Valyrian Doom. Aegon’s ancestors, knowing the end was coming (like, WAY before anyone else did), decided to hightail it over to Dragonstone.

Now, this wasn’t just a vacation. It was survival. It became the launchpad for Aegon Targaryen‘s eventual conquest. Like, “Hey, let’s just chill here until we’re the biggest deal on the continent” kind of vibe.

Aegon Targaryen: The Man, the Myth, the Legend

Fast forward to Aegon Targaryen—tall, blonde, dragon-riding, and more than a little bit determined. He didn’t just wake up one day and say, “I’m gonna conquer a continent today.” Nope, it took planning. And dragons.

Let’s talk about his sisters for a sec—Visenya and Rhaenys. These weren’t your average royal sisters. They were warriors, and they had dragons of their own. They didn’t just tag along for the ride—they were full partners in Aegon’s conquest. Visenya was all about the battlefield, Rhaenys, well, she had charm and a touch of sass. Together? They were unstoppable.

The Conquest: Bringing Westeros Under One Flag

In 2 BC (Before Conquest), Aegon Targaryen came out of nowhere, landing on the Blackwater Rush with his three dragons. It was like, “Alright, here we go, Westeros. Get ready for a rude awakening.”

And let me tell you, Westeros was not prepared. The Seven Kingdoms were just a hot mess of squabbling kings and petty lords. Aegon wasn’t just some random conqueror; he was playing chess, while everyone else was playing checkers.

Major Battles and What Went Down

Now, these battles? They were epic, like lord of the rings epic but with way more fire and a couple of dragons in the mix.

Field of Fire: Picture this—Aegon Targaryen’s dragons roasting thousands of soldiers. Like, 4,000 men turned to ash in a heartbeat. Can you imagine? I mean, I have trouble cooking a frozen pizza without burning it.
The Last Storm: The Stormlands were pretty much wiped out, House Durrandon bent the knee, and boom—Aegon was officially in charge.

Aegon’s Mastery of Diplomacy

So, while Aegon Targaryen was, you know, setting fire to armies, he also had some serious negotiation skills. It wasn’t all about burning things down (though, that was his style). Aegon offered peace to a lot of houses. For some, it was a better deal than fighting dragons.

Take House Stark. They pretty much walked up, said, “Yeah, sure, we’ll bend the knee,” and boom, they were good. No bloodshed. But House Arryn? They held out for a bit before Visenya showed up on Vhagar, and let’s just say, they changed their minds real quick.

King’s Landing: Aegon’s Masterpiece

Let’s talk about King’s Landing for a second. This city? It didn’t just pop up overnight. Aegon Targaryen built it from scratch. He chose the spot where he first landed as the foundation for what would become the most powerful city in Westeros.

The Iron Throne: Built from Swords

Now, here’s the thing. The Iron Throne, that imposing, spiky chair where every ruler since Aegon has sat? It wasn’t just made for drama (though, let’s be real, it’s great for drama). It was forged from a thousand swords—some of them were from Aegon’s enemies. It was a symbol of his victory, and it was uncomfortable as heck. Why? Because no one should ever get too comfy on the throne of power.

Aegon’s Reign: Power, Politics, and People

Aegon didn’t just conquer. He ruled, and there was a method to the madness. His 37 years on the throne laid the foundation for a new era in Westeros.

Standardized laws across the realm
Created a centralized government
Ensured the nobility had their positions but answered to him.

Aegon’s Dynasty: How It Shaped the Future

The thing is, Aegon Targaryen didn’t just create a dynasty—he created a legacy. His children and their children would rule for centuries. Some were good, some were… well, let’s just say they didn’t always live up to their ancestor’s legacy. But that’s another story.

Quick Bullet Points: Aegon’s Lasting Influence

Created King’s Landing and the Iron Throne (talk about leaving your mark)
United the Seven Kingdoms under one rule
His children? Let’s just say they had big shoes to fill

Aegon’s Prophetic Dream: The Song of Ice and Fire

Here’s the kicker: Aegon Targaryen may have had a vision. Yeah, seriously. The man’s dreams were apparently about more than just power. He foresaw a great darkness, and in his mind, only a united Westeros could survive the coming storm. This dream was passed down through his family like a weird, cryptic prophecy.

I mean, think about it—Aegon’s descendants, especially Daenerys and Jon Snow, were tied to his vision. Maybe Aegon wasn’t just about conquering—maybe he was also thinking long-term.

Aegon Targaryen’s Influence in Game of Thrones

Okay, fast-forward to Game of Thrones, where Aegon’s influence is still felt, like, everywhere. Jon Snow (real name: Aegon Targaryen, yes, really) and Daenerys are both direct descendants. Every time they make a choice, it feels like Aegon’s shadow is looming over them.

Aegon’s Legacy: Still a Big Deal

Long after his death, Aegon Targaryen still matters. His influence is woven into the fabric of Westeros. He’s like the blueprint for every Targaryen king (or queen) that followed.

It’s not just about dragons or the Iron Throne—it’s about who he was and what he represented. The guy had vision—and honestly, who doesn’t want a bit of that in their life?

Wrapping It Up: The Legend of Aegon Targaryen

The thing about Aegon Targaryen is, he wasn’t just the first king. He was the first one to unite Westeros in a way that had never been seen before. Sure, it came with fire and blood, but hey, sometimes that’s what it takes to build something lasting.

And, let’s be real—without him, there’d be no Iron Throne, no dragons flying around, and no messy political dramas. I mean, Aegon’s conquest set the stage for everything Game of Thrones—and we’re still talking about it today.