For nearly three centuries, the Targaryens ruled Westeros with a power no other family possessed — dragons. Descendants of the ancient Valyrian dragonlords, they crossed the Narrow Sea and forged an empire through fire and blood. When Aegon the Conqueror arrived in Westeros with his sisters and their dragons, Balerion the Black Dread, Vhagar and Meraxes, entire kingdoms fell before dragonfire.

By the time of House of the Dragon, the Targaryens were at the height of their power, commanding the largest number of dragons in their history. Among them were the ancient Vhagar, the realm’s largest living dragon; Caraxes, the fierce Blood Wyrm ridden by Daemon Targaryen; Syrax, mount of Rhaenyra Targaryen; Sunfyre the Golden, known for his dazzling beauty; and Meleys, the swift Red Queen.

Other dragons that soared across the skies of Westeros during this era included Vermax, Arrax, Tyraxes, Moondancer, Seasmoke, Tessarion, Dreamfyre, Silverwing, Vermithor, Sheepstealer, Grey Ghost and the wild Cannibal. Each possessed a unique appearance and temperament, with some bonded to Targaryen riders while others roamed freely.

Yet the dragons that symbolized Targaryen supremacy would also become instruments of destruction. During the Dance of the Dragons, rival factions of the royal family turned their dragons against one another in a bloody civil war. The conflict devastated the realm and decimated the dragon population. Mighty beasts that had once ensured the Targaryens’ dominance fell in battle, and the surviving dragons gradually dwindled in number.

Within a few generations, dragons had vanished from the world. What remained were stories, songs and memories of the creatures that once ruled the skies. Their return centuries later through Daenerys Targaryen would remind Westeros of a truth long forgotten: as long as dragons exist, the legacy of House Targaryen can never truly die. 

Watch House of the Dragon season three starting Monday exclusive on HBO Max with new episodes every week.