Aegon II Targaryen

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.

In Their Own Story

The narrative arc regarding Aegon II in the first season focuses on the political maneuvering rather than his active reign. The tension grew as the Hand worked behind the scenes while Rhaenyra faced increasing isolation. Although the series covers ten episodes premiering from August 21 to October 23, 2022, the specific events of Aegon II actually seizing the throne or his subsequent battles are not described in this text. The source confirms he is the son Viserys fathers with Alicent and the figure Otto intends to crown as ruler of the Seven Kingdoms instead of Rhaenyra.

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. The source identifies him specifically as Prince Aegon II Targaryen at this stage in the timeline. He is part of the growing faction that opposes the traditional male inheritance principle by supporting Rhaenyra's claim, whereas his own supporters favor male primogeniture. The text notes that Otto conspires to have Aegon usurp Rhaenyra as the ruler of the Seven Kingdoms through his marriage alliance with Alicent and subsequent birth.

Did You Know?

• Aegon II is the son born to Viserys I and Alicent Hightower, whose birth became central to the conspiracy against Rhaenyra's claim.
• The succession dispute involving Aegon broke a century tradition that only named male heirs as successors to the Iron Throne.
• Otto Hightower conspired to have his daughter Alicent marry Viserys specifically to position Aegon as the ruler of the Seven Kingdoms.
• The first season, which establishes this conflict, consists of ten episodes and premiered on August 21, 2022.