Dance of the Dragons
A civil war of fire and blood that nearly extinguished the dragonborn line.
The Dance of the Dragons stands as the most devastating conflict in the history of House Targaryen. Triggered by a succession crisis following King Viserys I's death, it tore the realm apart into two opposing factions known as the Blacks and the Greens. This war marked the end of an era where dragons ruled the skies unchallenged. As siblings turned against one another on their mounts, the very foundation of Targaryen power crumbled under the weight of fire and betrayal.
- Conflict Type
- Civil War
- Factions
- Blacks vs Greens
- Key Figures
- Rhaenyra Targaryen, Aegon II
- Outcome
- Dynastic Weakening
- Era
- Age of Fire and Blood
- Location
- The Seven Kingdoms
Lore & Background
The conflict originated from a dispute over succession laws after King Viserys I died without leaving a clear, unambiguous declaration of his heir, despite having named his daughter Rhaenyra as heir presumptive for decades. This lack of a final, public confirmation allowed her half-brother Aegon II to claim the throne based on male primogeniture, supported by Queen Alicent Hightower. This division split the court and the smallfolk alike. Dragons were unleashed upon Westeros as weapons of war on a scale unseen since the reign of King Maegor I during the Faith Militant Uprising. Great beasts like Vhagar, Sunfyre, and Caraxes clashed in the skies above the Seven Kingdoms. The fighting was brutal, with dragons devouring their riders or being slain by each other's fire. Many noble houses were ruined financially and socially by choosing a side. The war ended only when both claimants had died, leaving Aegon III to inherit a broken kingdom. The number of living dragons dwindled significantly during this period, marking the decline of Targaryen military dominance.
In Their Own Story
The sky above Harrenhal turned black with smoke as the great beast circled once more. Below, the wooden shacks of the villagers caught flame instantly, sending plumes of orange light into the twilight. The knight tightened his grip on his reins, knowing there was no escape from the shadow that fell over the field.
Reader's Guide
The Dance of the Dragons was a brutal civil war within House Targaryen following the death of King Viserys I. It pitted his daughter Rhaenyra against her half-brother Aegon II, supported by Queen Alicent Hightower. The conflict arose from conflicting claims to the Iron Throne regarding succession laws and gender. Both sides rode dragons into battle, a spectacle unseen in Westerosi history for centuries. Castles burned and knights fell as the great beasts tore at one another with claws and flame. Many of the Targaryen dragons died during this period, leaving fewer mounts for future generations. The war ravaged the realm economically and socially, creating deep scars between noble houses. Factions were known simply as the Blacks and the Greens. Ultimately, Rhaenyra was killed in King's Landing while Aegon II survived to rule briefly before dying from his own gluttony. His son Aegon III succeeded him, ending the immediate conflict but leaving the dynasty scarred. This event marked the beginning of the end for Targaryen dragon supremacy and stability.
Did You Know?
- While named for the Targaryen claimants, the war drew in numerous non-Targaryen Great Houses and bannermen (such as the Starks, Hightowers, and Arryns) who fought fiercely on both sides.
- The majority of the known dragons in Westeros died during this conflict.
- King's Landing suffered severe famine as trade routes were cut off during the fighting.
- While dragons had been used previously by Maegor I against the Faith Militant, the Dance saw them deployed with unprecedented ferocity and frequency across the entire realm.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the Dance of the Dragons?
It was a devastating Targaryen civil war in Westeros triggered by a succession dispute after King Viserys I died. The conflict split the realm into two warring factions, the Blacks and the Greens, who fought with dragons.
Who were the main leaders on each side?
The Blacks supported Rhaenyra Targaryen's claim to the Iron Throne, while the Greens backed her half-brother Aegon II. These opposing claims turned family members against one another in a brutal struggle for power.
How did the war end and what was the outcome?
The conflict concluded with Rhaenyra's death and Aegon II's victory, though both sides suffered catastrophic losses that nearly wiped out the dragon population. This bloodshed significantly weakened House Targaryen and left the dynasty fractured.
Why is this event considered so important in history?
It marked the end of the Age of Fire and Blood, as the heavy loss of dragons removed the primary military advantage of the ruling house. The war demonstrated that even dragonriders could not prevent a realm from tearing itself apart through infighting.
What were the main factions called during the conflict?
The supporters of Rhaenyra Targaryen were known as the Blacks, named after her father's black banner. Her opponents, who supported Aegon II and his mother Alicent Hightower, were called the Greens due to their association with House Hightower.