Aegon

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Aegon Targaryen
Alias(es)	Great Aegon; “Disobedient” Aegon; “Usurper” Aegon 115
Species/Race	Human
Gender	Male
Affiliation	The Greens
Occupation/Role	Green claimant to the Iron Throne; crowned as Aegon II
Status	Deceased; executed by Daemon Targaryen through Caraxes’s dragonfire 115
First Appearance	Mentioned in Chapter 10; first depicted in Chapter 47

Background / History

Aegon was the son of King Viserys I and Queen Alicent Hightower, born after Viserys had named Princess Rhaenyra his heir. His existence became a focal point for nobles who opposed Rhaenyra’s succession and favored male-preference inheritance 10.

Before the succession crisis, Alicent considered Aegon to be wasting his potential in King’s Landing. He idled daily, though he was eager to accompany Aemond toward the Stone Road and dressed for the prospect of martial adventure 47. He showed improving ability at jousting but was unhorsed by Ser Massen Waters during a tourney 71.

After Viserys’s death, the Green council sought to crown Aegon before Rhaenyra could act. Aemond and Criston Cole found him drunk and naked in a Flea Bottom rat pit; Aegon initially resisted the crown, panicked when confronted with the danger to himself and his sons, and was taken back to the Red Keep 84. He ultimately accepted the throne and was crowned as Aegon II, flying Sunfyre over King’s Landing to reinforce his claim 85.

His reign quickly became defined by the Dance. He received declarations of support from the Westerlands and several Reach houses, but lacked meaningful support from the North, Vale, Dorne, and much of the Riverlands 91. When Aemond revealed that Vhagar had killed Lucerys Targaryen, Aegon initially treated it as a victory, failing to recognize the escalation it represented 91.

As the war turned against the Greens, Aegon persuaded Helaena to take their children to Oldtown for safety while he and Aemond provided aerial cover for King’s Landing’s evacuation 92. After Rhaenyra captured the capital and Sunfyre was reported dead, Aegon fled with Larys Strong and Massen Waters, disguising themselves as fishermen to reach Dragonstone 98 110.

Desperate to recover his position, Aegon attempted to claim Seasmoke. The dragon rejected him and nearly burned away his legs, leaving him unable to move. Daemon then confronted Aegon, informed him of Aemond’s death, and had Caraxes burn Aegon, Larys, and Massen to ash. Aegon died roughly four months after his coronation 115.

Personality

Aegon was irresponsible and pleasure-seeking before his accession, spending his time drinking and indulging himself in Flea Bottom while others planned his seizure of power 84. He could be vain and impulsive, yet his bravado concealed fear when the prospect of Rhaenyra’s victory and danger to his children became immediate 47 84.

His judgment in war was often shallow. He celebrated Lucerys’s death without grasping its strategic consequences, but he also showed genuine concern for Helaena and their children when King’s Landing became untenable 91 92. At the end of his life, his failed attempt to claim Seasmoke left him fearful and regretful over the crown and the brothers he had lost pursuing it 115.

Abilities & Skills

Dragonriding

Aegon was Sunfyre’s rider and used the dragon as the principal symbol of his royal claim.

• Flew Sunfyre over King’s Landing immediately after his coronation 85.
• Was expected to provide dragonback cover during the Green evacuation of King’s Landing 92.
• Lost his principal dragon when Sunfyre was reported dead after Rhaenyra’s capture of the capital 98.
• Failed to replace Sunfyre: Seasmoke rejected him with dragonfire, inflicting catastrophic burns 115.

Jousting

Aegon participated in tournament combat but was not an elite jouster.

• Showed improvement in the lists before facing Ser Massen Waters 71.
• Was unhorsed by Massen, then witnessed other disguised competitors dominate the field 71.

Relationships

• Viserys I Targaryen — Father; Viserys’s decision to preserve Rhaenyra as heir despite having sons created the succession dispute around Aegon 10.
• Alicent Hightower — Mother and chief advocate for his claim; she supported the Green plan to crown him and worked to convince him to accept it 83 84.
• Aemond Targaryen — Younger brother and leading supporter; Aemond forcibly removed Aegon from Flea Bottom, pressured him to accept the crown, and later fought for his cause on Vhagar 84 92.
• Helaena Targaryen — Queen and mother of his children; their relationship was strained, though Aegon urged her to take their children to Oldtown for safety 85 92.
• Daemon Targaryen — Uncle and executioner; Daemon found Aegon after Seasmoke maimed him and had Caraxes burn him alive 115.
• Larys Strong — Adviser and fugitive companion; accompanied Aegon to Dragonstone under a fisherman’s disguise and died beside him 110 115.
• Massen Waters — Former jousting opponent and later companion in flight; traveled with Aegon and Larys to Dragonstone, where he died in Caraxes’s fire 71 110 115.
• Sunfyre — His dragon; carried Aegon over King’s Landing following the coronation and was later reported dead 85 98.
• Seasmoke — The dragon Aegon tried and failed to claim; rejected him with dragonfire 115.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Green Succession Plot

The Greens used Aegon’s male claim as the basis for overthrowing Rhaenyra’s designated succession. Their strategy included securing noble support, raising armies, arranging marriages, and presenting Aegon’s accession as an accomplished fact 83 84.

Coronation and the Year of the Two Kings

Aegon’s rapid coronation after Viserys’s death launched the civil conflict against Rhaenyra. His four-month overlapping rule with Rhaenyra became known as the Year of the Two Kings 85 115.

Flight and Death on Dragonstone

Following the fall of King’s Landing and Sunfyre’s reported death, Aegon attempted to regain power by taming Seasmoke. The attempt failed, leaving him crippled and defenseless before Daemon’s execution 98 110 115.

Notable Quotes

“Brother, you killed one of that bitch sister’s dragons and one of her bastard Strongs. That’s a great achievement. I’ll hold a celebration for you.” 91

Trivia

• Later Targaryen monarchs did not recognize Aegon as a true king, but historians continued to include him in royal lists because of his role in the war for the crown 115.
• Historical numbering remained contested: later histories called a subsequent king Aegon III because the “Usurper” was technically Aegon II, illustrating how victors shaped the royal record 127.